The Maldives is the most beautiful tropical islands in the world. Tourism, as an industry, came to the Maldives in 1972 and developed rapidly. Once people discovered this amazing archipelago, it became one of the most famous tourist destinations. Currently, tourism is the main source of income, far ahead of the traditional fishing sector, the main occupation of local residents. In the Maldives, you can enjoy excellent diving, snorkeling or delicious local cuisine with fresh seafood. Arabic, Indian and Oriental tastes gave their flavor to local dishes.
LUX Resort* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas
The newly renovated island consists of 193 villas located by the beach and two marinas above the water. Villas with vaulted white ceilings, grey ceramic floors and modern natural wood furniture. There is a pleasant atmosphere of a beach club.
The infrastructure is represented by two bars at opposite ends of the three-kilometer island. Grilled coffee is served at the hotel’s reception. Also on the island there is a spa, a homemade ice cream parlor, live music at Beach Rouge and six restaurants, including Italian Allegria and Indian Senses.
At the resort, you can practice yoga in a palm grove or use the simulators and services of a tennis coach, explore the ocean floor with an experienced marine biologist who will help guests swim with whale sharks in the protected area.
Dominica, Moscow: The place is immaculate, very clean and well maintained. The beaches are beautiful. We had a villa, loved the jacuzzi and bathroom. The staff were friendly, the food was delicious, the cocktails were delicious, the pool was lovely. It may not be the most luxurious resort in the Maldives, but it is really beautiful and comfortable.
Soneva Jani
Soneva’s pioneering team was the first to build villas above water in the Maldives and also developed a strict environmental code. The resort consists of five small islets on Nunu Atoll. The largest of them is a 1.8-kilometer pier with 24 villas, the largest can accommodate 10 people. And later there were as many more beach villas. On the second island is a cute tent restaurant that serves everything from fried seafood to freshly baked pizza. The other three islands are covered with virgin nature.
The villas are built of wood, decorated with fabulous turrets, stairs leading to the Indian Ocean and portholes in the floor. Retractable ceilings above the beds reveal a starry night sky. The infrastructure includes a bar, a wine tasting area, a spa, a telescope observatory, a gym, a yoga studio and a kids’ club that takes an inclusive approach to help families relax together. At the resort, you can watch a movie in the floating open-air cinema, where guests wear wireless headphones so as not to disturb the turtles.
The Nautilus
Named after Captain Nemo’s submarine, the private island of Nautilus is located on Baa Atoll and consists of 26 surface and beach houses. There is a biosphere reserve with sandy shoals and coral gardens, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From May to December, you can swim here with whale sharks and stingrays. Meals in the hotel are individual, without a clear schedule. This means that if the guest wishes, the staff will bring ice cream to the room at five in the morning. This is the only five-star hotel in the Maldives.
Kirill and Kristina, Astrakhan: The staff is kind, the place is wonderful, many events.
Finolhu Island
Finolu is an island of parties, with stunning white sand and the azure waters of the Indian Ocean. There is a poolside bar serving hamburgers and sushi, Pac-Man and Baywatch pinball slot machines, and a cinema. Live music and performances begin at 6 p.m.
It offers 91 overwater villas and 34 beach houses, some with access to the ocean and the rest with swimming pools. Rooms are equipped with rattan furniture, lamps in the Moroccan style, turntables for playing records. Meals are served at Arabian Grill with Middle Eastern cuisine and At Joint Kanusan Asian Restaurant. Other facilities include the Fehi Spa, jungle gym, basketball court and tennis court.
Bogdan, Kirov: Free room upgrade to a superb beach villa, very good and plentiful breakfast and dinner, clean rooms and facilities, staff were always very kind and helpful, transfer to and from the airport. No cons!
Курорт Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort
Anantara Digu Resort is a short speedboat ride from Male and the airport. The island is surrounded by a tranquilled lagoon where reef sharks and other marine life swim. The resort has all the typical Maldives amenities – minimalist overwater bungalows, small freshwater pools, beach yoga, a spa with glass floors, water sports facilities. Meals can be arranged in the Anantara Veli’s restaurant on a nearby island.
Katerina, Surgut: Fantastic hotel and very professional hotel team! Thank you very much for the excellent work! Beautiful beach, good restaurants and bars, wonderful evening program, interesting excursions, unforgettable sunsets and romantic atmosphere! We will definitely be back soon!
Velaa Private Island
On VelaaIsland, located on Nunu Atoll, 187 km north of Male, guests are treated like members of the royal family. The island is so named because of the turtles that bring out offspring here.
The resort consists of 45 villas, houses and exclusive residences, apartments can accommodate from 1 to 10 guests. For newlyweds, the resort has a romantic residence with a swimming pool, which can only be reached by boat.
Each villa is serviced by a personal butler, all services offered, including meals, are adapted to individual requirements. The grounds are decorated with stone sidewalks, Indonesian flower pots, luxurious wooden panels with Borneo and Italian marble.
Anastasia, Noyabrsk: Expensive, but cool. The week flew by unnoticed, but every day remained in memory forever, a lot of impressions and events. I have already started to postpone for a new vacation on Velaa.
Lti Maafushivaru Resort
Maafushivaru is an all-inclusive luxury resort on the southern atoll of Ari. 48 villas with exquisite décor are equipped with coffee machines, mini-bars, private terraces, showers in the open air. Some rooms include private pools.
Through the clear water of the Indian Ocean, snow-white sand, crabs, reef sharks and aquarium fish are visible. The island’s location is ideal for whale shark and dolphin watching all year round.
Amenities include a chic lounge, a beachfront infinity pool with a large bar, laser shows, a large surface spa, a gym, and a small wine bar.
Artem and Ekaterina, Armavir: We had a great stay and the villa was lovely, the bed very comfortable, big bathroom with lovely shower. Since it is a small island, all the rooms were only a minute walk from the beach. We chose half board and all the buffet meals were served in the same restaurant as the all-inclusive restaurant. Drinks are quite expensive, but of high quality. Scuba diving is something to go to the Maldives for. Here you can snorkel directly from the beach. But it is worth taking your masks with you, as there is only a paid rental.
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Villa Baros Maldives
The pristine northern atoll of Male is crowded with resorts, one of which, Villa Baros Maldives,stands out from the rest. It has incredible cuisine and, thanks to its location above an unspoilt coral reef and the archipelago’s first dive center, some of the best diving in all of the Maldives. Turtles, blue-striped lucian, reef sharks – the usual inhabitants of the reef, to look at which divers from all over the world flock. The island’s eco-dive center offers courses on ecology and nature conservation, a trip to Numa, romantic sunset cruises and a visit to the “black” coral reef.
Maria, Cherepovets: The food was excellent, great selection. Great location of the villa, comfortable rooms, clean pool. The staff is kind and sociable. I will definitely be coming back on holiday to the Maldives.
Hotel Mirihi
Mirihi Island Resort is located on South Ari Atoll on the island of the same name. Mirihi is the smallest of the islands of the archipelago, a boat trip around the resort takes about 10 minutes.
All 37 villas at Mirihi feature designer furnishings, polished wooden floors, fully stocked minibars and snack areas. In the villas, everything is thought out to the smallest detail for the comfort of guests, there are wine glasses, umbrellas, beach bags and towels, a hairdryer, light bathrobes and other household items. Each villa has an outdoor terrace with wooden sun loungers, parasols and views of the beach or the sea. Modern and stylish bathrooms are equipped with a rain shower, air conditioning and shower facilities.
The infrastructure is represented by a luxurious beach, spa, diving club, Anba bar.
- Food is taken care of by a chef from Switzerland. The main restaurant of the hotel is Dhonveli. A casual location with sandy floors where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served buffet style. International dishes are served along with local seafood, and thanks to the chef’s wife, the restaurant has a large selection of Asian dishes.
- The second restaurant of the island is open only during dinner. It is a beautiful terrace with several tables and a vegetarian menu.
The resort also has a library, a ping-pong table, board games, a modern fitness centre and a sports ground. Guests can also look at the stars during one of the excursions or watch a movie on the screen of the beach cinema. Various activities are organized on the island: barbecue evenings, cooking classes, rum and chocolate tastings.
It offers free Wi-Fi and the option to rent an iPad during your stay.
Mikhail, Svetlogorsk: Excellent service and very friendly and helpful staff. The villa is comfortable, has everything you need. Rest very satisfied.
Kandohlu Island
Candohlu is one of the small resort islands with fine white sand, crystal clear water and tall palm trees. The island belongs to the northern atoll of Ari, the early name is Kandolhudhu. The resort is surrounded by a natural system of coral reefs, but within an hour’s boat ride are four marine reserves and more than 30 diving bases. Opened in February 2014, the resort is designed to minimize interaction with other guests.
There are 30 separate villas on the island. Spacious chic rooms with thoughtful amenities have direct access to the sea. Each villa is decorated in soft natural colours, wood and minimalist accents.
- The over-water villas have private pools, outdoor glazed bathrooms with sliding doors and terraces with outdoor furniture.
- The mid-level rooms are duplex apartments with living rooms, verandas and a swimming pool on the ground floor. On the second floor of the villa there is a bedroom, a bathroom and a small open balcony. The villas are located next to the beach, but each of them is closed from prying eyes by dense mangroves. There are four restaurants on the island, where guests can order à la carte dishes.
- There are three meal plans, ranging from the basic option of accommodation and breakfast, to full board and “All inclusive” with free alcohol. Room service is available at an additional cost.
In addition to the stunning natural beauty, on the island of Kandohlu you can see reef sharks with black fins, turtles, various fish and rays. Scuba diving equipment can be borrowed from a PADI-certified dive equipment rental or an excursion with an experienced instructor.
Angelina, Kurgan: The seaplane took us to this gem with the water area around the white coral beaches, a fantastic resort with every room on the beach and wonderful staff. Beach family villas with swimming pool are worth the money spent. The highlight for us was the snorkel trip on the Manta.
