Liz recently returned from a six-night familiarisation trip with Constance Hotels & Resorts, visiting all Constance properties in Mauritius and Rodrigues. The itinerary offered a fascinating contrast between two very different Indian Ocean experiences: the polished, versatile appeal of Mauritius and the raw, authentic charm of Rodrigues.
Mauritius – Polished, Professional and Perfectly Versatile
Mauritius continues to impress as a destination that truly caters to a wide range of travellers. With direct flights from the UK, a modern airport, good road infrastructure and a well-established tourism industry, it feels easy, safe and welcoming from the moment you arrive. Add to this beautiful beaches, lush landscapes and a strong cultural identity, and it’s easy to see why Mauritius remains such a perennial favourite.
A particular strength of the island is its golf offering, with several high-quality courses and resorts that genuinely understand golfers’ needs. The overall standard of service is high, with many hotels having been established for years and benefitting from experienced teams and a warm, friendly approach.
Constance Belle Mare Plage
Set along an impressive 2 km stretch of white-sand beach on the east coast, Constance Belle Mare Plage remains one of the island’s most versatile resorts. It works exceptionally well for families, golfers and active couples, thanks to its wide choice of restaurants, extensive sports and activity programme, and excellent kids’ club.
Despite its size, the resort feels surprisingly walkable, with most restaurants and pools centrally located. The quality of food and drink stands out, particularly the wine offering, and the Blue Penny Cellar is an experience in its own right. Golfers are exceptionally well catered for with access to the Legends and Links courses, where green fees are included and service is seamless.
Accommodation is spacious and set within lush gardens, while the pool villas at the northern end of the resort offer excellent value for families and groups wanting extra space and privacy.
C Mauritius
C Mauritius delivers a fresh, contemporary alternative to the more traditional Mauritian resort style. Located on Palmar Beach, it has a relaxed, beach-club feel and a strong focus on wellness, activity and social spaces.
The resort is particularly well suited to active travellers and kite surfers, with steady breezes making this one of the best spots on the island for the sport. Thoughtful, playful touches such as the picnic lunch concept and wine tasting in the pool give the resort a fun, informal personality, while the spa and wellness facilities are impressive.
Evenings are sociable rather than formal, with music and DJs creating atmosphere, and while dining options are more limited than at larger resorts, the overall experience is excellent value and full of energy.
Constance Prince Maurice
The flagship of the Constance portfolio in Mauritius, Prince Maurice offers a very different experience: elegant, serene and deeply luxurious. Set within 60 acres of tropical gardens and bordered by mangroves and a natural fish reserve, it feels wonderfully secluded and immersed in nature.
Accommodation is generous, with 70 sqm Junior Suites, beautiful villas (some on stilts over the lagoon), and an overall sense of space and calm. The design is classic and refined, immaculately maintained, and the atmosphere is peaceful and sophisticated.
Dining is a major highlight. The quality across all restaurants is excellent, but Le Barachois, set on floating decks in the mangroves and reached by a lantern-lit walkway, is truly memorable. The resort’s 25,000-bottle wine cellar is one of the finest in the region and well worth exploring with the sommelier.
Prince Maurice is ideal for honeymooners, couples and discerning travellers seeking understated luxury, superb gastronomy and a tranquil setting.
Rodrigues – Untouched, Authentic and Refreshingly Slow
A short 1 hour 40 minute flight from Mauritius brings you to Rodrigues, an island that feels like stepping back in time. With a population of just 44,500 and very limited tourism infrastructure, Rodrigues offers an experience that is worlds away from the polish of Mauritius.
The island is hilly, lush and rugged, with a vast lagoon surrounding it and hiking trails that lead to completely deserted beaches such as Trou d’Argent. Life here moves at a slower pace, and that is very much part of the appeal. Rodrigues is known for its octopus dishes, honey and local crafts, as well as excellent kite surfing in Mourouk and the François Leguat tortoise sanctuary.
Constance Tekoma
Constance Tekoma perfectly captures the spirit of Rodrigues. This small, boutique hotel sits on a hillside overlooking Anse Ally, with uninterrupted ocean views and a pristine beach below.
Rooms are individual lodge-style units, all sea-facing, and the atmosphere is quiet, remote and nature-led. Hiking trails start directly from the beach, and during octopus season guests can watch fishermen at work before enjoying fresh local dishes in the evening.
Facilities are intentionally limited, and service follows the relaxed rhythm of island life rather than a luxury resort model. Tekoma is therefore best suited to couples and travellers who value authenticity, tranquillity and natural beauty over variety and refinement.
Our Takeaway
This trip highlighted just how compelling a Mauritius + Rodrigues twin-centre can be. Mauritius delivers reliability, choice and polish, while Rodrigues offers simplicity, authenticity and a genuine sense of escape.
For many years, the Maldives was seen as the ultimate couples’ escape – a destination of dreamy overwater villas, candlelit dinners, and secluded beaches. But today, the Maldives is also one of the best family holiday destinations in the world. More and more resorts are welcoming parents and children with open arms, offering kids’ and teens’ clubs, family-friendly dining, thrilling excursions, and spacious villas designed with families in mind.
From eco-adventures to creative workshops, from dolphin cruises to movie nights under the stars, the Maldives has become a playground for all ages. Here, we share our pick of the best family resorts in the Maldives – each offering something unique for those planning an unforgettable Maldives family holiday.
Six Senses Laamu – Eco-Luxury Adventure for Families
Six Senses Laamu combines barefoot luxury with a deep respect for the environment, making it an inspiring choice for families travelling to the Maldives with kids. The “Den” kids’ club keeps younger children entertained with nature-based activities, while older children and teens can enjoy snorkelling lessons, surfing, and guided marine biology programmes.
A real highlight for families is SHELL – the resort’s interactive marine biology learning centre – where children can engage with hands-on exhibits, learn about the coral reef, and even join the resident marine biologists in conservation projects. Add to this dolphin cruises, treasure hunts, and family cooking classes, and there’s never a dull moment. Villas are generously sized, with many family-friendly villa options that include private pools, giving families the perfect space to relax together.
Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa – All-Inclusive Family Luxury
This award-winning resort is perfect for families looking for a hassle-free all-inclusive Maldives holiday. The Dolphin Kids’ Club is packed with activities, from creative arts and crafts to outdoor adventures, giving parents time to unwind. Emerald is also well-known for its extensive all-inclusive dining – with cuisines ranging from Asian to Mediterranean, even the fussiest eaters are catered for.
Spacious family villas ensure comfort for groups of all sizes, while families can make the most of water sports, snorkelling trips, and the turquoise lagoon just steps away. Emerald strikes the perfect balance of indulgence and practicality.
LUX* South Ari Atoll – Creative Fun for All Ages
Vibrant, energetic, and full of surprises, LUX* South Ari Atoll is one of the top Maldives resorts for families who love variety. Children can join the kids’ and teens’ clubs while parents explore yoga, diving, or spa treatments. Quirky touches like pop-up ice cream carts, message-in-a-bottle treasure hunts, and open-air cinema screenings bring a sense of fun to every day.
With one of the widest selections of family villas in the Maldives, including beachfront homes with pools, families will find a villa type that perfectly suits their needs. This resort excels in making every family moment feel magical and spontaneous.
Heritance Aarah – Premium All-Inclusive for Families
Heritance Aarah is a brilliant choice for families who want everything included in one simple price. The Premium All-Inclusive plan is one of the best in the Maldives, covering à la carte dining, signature drinks, watersports, and daily activities. Children can enjoy the kids’ and teens’ clubs, while adults appreciate the choice of speciality restaurants – from Maldivian flavours to fine dining experiences.
Families can also join cultural workshops, cooking classes, and evening entertainment, making this resort as fun as it is convenient. Villas are spacious, and some are specifically tailored for families, ensuring comfort and privacy.
Patina Maldives – Stylish, Modern Family Escape
For families who love design, wellness, and creativity, Patina Maldives delivers a fresh take on luxury. The kids’ club, Footprints, is one of the most imaginative in the Maldives, offering art, music, and sustainability workshops designed to spark creativity. Older children and teens can enjoy water sports, beach games, or the resort’s tech-driven experiences.
Family villas are contemporary and spacious, with private pools and flexible layouts. The dining scene is also family-friendly, featuring everything from plant-based menus to comfort foods. Patina is a resort that inspires both kids and parents alike.
Soneva Fushi – Legendary Family Resort
Soneva Fushi is famous for its barefoot luxury – and for hosting one of the most spectacular kids’ clubs in the Maldives. The Den is a world of wonder, with a pirate ship, water slides, Lego rooms, music studios, and even a cinema. Parents can rest assured their children are not only entertained but inspired.
The whole family can also enjoy experiences like stargazing at the observatory, glassblowing classes, or snorkelling with manta rays. Multi-bedroom villas, many with private pools and direct beach access, make Soneva Fushi ideal for multi-generational Maldives family holidays.
Amilla – Flexible Villas and a Relaxed Atmosphere
Amilla is all about flexibility, making it ideal for families of all sizes. The resort offers everything from one-bedroom villas to spacious multi-bedroom residences perfect for large families or groups. The kids’ club offers activities ranging from scavenger hunts to cooking sessions, while teens can enjoy watersports or hang out in their own dedicated spaces.
Parents will love the resort’s wellness focus – from yoga to spa treatments – while still knowing the kids are happy and entertained. With its relaxed, welcoming atmosphere and family-style dining options, Amilla makes family holidays feel effortless.
Vakkaru Maldives – Sporty and Active Family Fun
Vakkaru is a fantastic option for families who enjoy staying active. The Parrotfish Kids’ Club and dedicated Teen Lounge provide plenty of entertainment, but the real highlight is the wide range of activities the whole family can enjoy together: tennis, badminton, snorkelling, and kayaking are just a few.
The island’s lush tropical surroundings add a sense of adventure for younger guests to explore. Villas are elegantly designed with families in mind, ensuring space, privacy, and comfort for a memorable Maldives family holiday.
Baglioni Maldives – Boutique-Style Family Escape
If your family prefers a smaller, boutique-style resort, Baglioni Maldives is an excellent choice. Italian elegance combines with Maldivian beauty to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The kids’ club offers daily activities, while parents can join in with snorkelling, paddleboarding, or simply relaxing on the pristine beach.
Dining is a highlight, with authentic Italian cuisine alongside international favourites – perfect for families with mixed tastes. Family-friendly beach villas provide the ideal base, offering privacy and comfort without losing the boutique charm.
Constance Halaveli – A Family Favourite in the Maldives
Constance Halaveli has long been recognised as one of the best family resorts in the Maldives, thanks to its highly rated Constance Kids’ Club, which blends outdoor fun with creative learning. Children can try island treasure hunts, baking sessions, and Maldivian cultural activities.
Meanwhile, families can enjoy fishing trips, dolphin cruises, and island picnics. Villas are spacious and flexible, with options for beach or overwater living – many featuring private pools. With a warm, welcoming atmosphere and plenty to do, Constance Halaveli is a proven favourite for families returning to the Maldives year after year.
Planning Your Maldives Family Holiday
Whether you’re travelling with toddlers, teens, or grandparents, the Maldives now offers something for every age group. From family-friendly villas in the Maldives to exciting activities designed for children, the islands combine adventure, relaxation, and barefoot luxury.
✨ At Angelfish Travel, we specialise in creating tailor-made Maldives family holidays. We’ll recommend the right resort for your family’s style, arrange the perfect villa set-up, and even add extras such as private excursions or multi-island trips. Get in touch today to start planning your family escape to the Maldives.
One of the questions we get asked more than anything else, from both our clients and our resort partners, is ‘where are people going to?’
This gave us an idea for a new style of post that will look at our best selling properties and how this changes over time. There are some that are always near the top of the charts, fuelled by repeater guests and, if we’re honest, probably our own innate bias – not something we’re concerned about, it’s always been our objective to introduce our clientele to places that we love to visit. Then there are those that pop up, perhaps exciting new resorts that grab our attention, but then drop away as booking success is converted into seemingly ever-increasing rates, or those that introduce significantly discounted offers that make them ‘no-brainer’.
As this is a relatively new blog, let’s start by reviewing the top 10 list for 2022, before moving on to our 2023 best sellers. We’ll leave out the moves in the rankings from 2021, which was a Covid hot mess and would tell us very little.
The Maldives is Angelfish’s biggest selling market by some margin, but it’s unusual to see our top 10 resorts made up exclusively from Maldives resorts. Perhaps as we emerged from the pandemic people were searching for a particular kind of experience to wash away the lock-down blues.
Let’s see how that evolved in 2023, counting down from number 10 (change from 2022 in brackets)…
We visited the newly opened Faarufushi, Emerald’s second resort in the Maldives, in late 2022 and loved it. Unsurprisingly, it featured in our subsequent promotions and bookings shot up in 2023. Smart villas with nice family options, a comprehensive all inclusive with good dining options, an excellent spa and superb house reef make it an attractive entry-level 5 star property. You can view our resort visit and snorkelling videos on our YouTube channel.
Nudging up into the top 10 is Reethi Faru Resort, a solid budget level resort offering much of what one wants from a Maldives holiday, without breaking the bank: authentic feel, all inclusive, family-friendly, dining options and a super beach and easily-accessible house reef.
In a smiliar vein to Reethi Faru, Adaaran Select Meedhupparu is another really good entry level property with much to offer. The AI plan was upgraded to ‘Premium All Inclusive’ in 2023, introducing well-known brands into the drinks lists, mini bar inclusions, dine around and some excursions, and this proved popular with budget-conscious travellers.
Unchanged at number 7, the original Emerald has been a good seller for us right from our first visit. Thoughtfully created and expertly managed, the resort has gorgeous villas with sumptuous bathrooms, superb facilities (fitness area and kids’ club are particularly good), and a generous dine-around all inclusive package. The well-priced two-bedroom villas are very popular with families of all ages.
Milaidhoo ticks all our boxes for a Maldivian island: a blend of the authentic and modern luxury, fabulous villas, exceptional dining, great bar, super house reef, top notch service. It vies for the top spot of our favourite resorts in the destination, and if you have the means it should be on your bucket list. Despite higher rates in 2023 putting some repeater clients off, Milaidhoo hung on to 6th place in our top 10.
Breaking into the top 10 was our best selling Mauritian resort for 2023, Constance Belle Mare Plage. Constance has always been one of our favourite hoteliers and Belle Mare Plage has so much to offer for families and golfers who also enjoy quality dining options and a wide range of other activities. Pricing is suprisingly reasonable and we think the detached pool villas are a brilliant option for friends or families, especially golfers. Following our revisit in 2022, we posted Jo’s review and a look at the Legend Golf Course on our YouTube channel, which appear to have influenced some booking decisions in 2023!
(Formerly Angsana) Ihuru is a perennial top 5 property for one principal reason: its stunning and easily accessible house reef. Our snorkelling video was shot on a single lap of the circular reef and even reviewing it now it’s astonishing how much there was to see. In late 2022 the island went under a cosmetic refurbishment, introduced the new ‘rainmist’ villa category and added a very nice gym above the dive centre and a small kids club, and then rebranded as Dhawa. These things are secondary, since if you want all inclusive, a short hop from Male, with one of the best house reefs anywhere, Ihuru is in the frame. We think the only reason this was knocked off top spot in 2023 was limited availability during busy periods, so we advise booking early! Also see our resort visit video.
Constance were one of the pioneers of a ‘comprehensive’ All Inclusive plan in the Maldives and Moofushi has never looked back. Despite ever growing competition it’s a resort that always seems to deliver to, and above, expectations, and client feedback is invariably very appreciative. Shifting sands around the island meant that some Water Villas were no longer actually over water for much of the year and a new category ‘Sand Villa’ was introduced, at a cheaper rate, and guests have eagerly snapped up this bargain offering that sits between the Beach Villa and Water Villa prices.
As many of our readers will know, we have something of a soft spot for Drift following close involvement with its development from a snorkelling excursion picnic island to a boutique, 30 villa barefoot hideaway. It’s called ‘Retreat’ for a reason, and for those who bore easily and need constant external stimulation, it’s a recipe for island fever. On the other hand, if you really want to get away from it all, Drift is a gem. On our revisit in late 2022 (see our video here), we were pleased to see healthy signs of reef recovery and a significant juvenile shark population in the lagoon, and the island retains an unfussy, yet undeniable charm. More and more guests are discovering Drift, and we’re pleased for the island that availability in high season is now patchy. Book now for 2025!
Coco Palm, our 2023 best seller, and indeed best-selling property of all time, celebrated its 25th anniversary and the added interest was enough for it to regain top spot. We were pleased to see the introduction of a new villa category, the Deluxe Pool Villa, featuring larger plunge pools and an outside seating area.
There are some islands that exude a serene charm, and a few barefoot paces along Coco Palm’s sandy paths, under the shade of the tropical canopy, will commence the unwind protocol and daily life seems very far away. The number of resorts in the Maldives is approaching 200 and yet this authentic island is still a terrific choice to experience the destination for a first visit… or for some guests a 35th visit and counting 😉
We hope you found this run down of our top selling resorts for 2023 interesting, and if you have any observations or thoughts, please get in touch via the comments section. It’s early days of course, but 2024’s list already has a fascinating look!
Alila means ‘Surprise’ in Sanskrit, and if you’ve read our Maldives trip review you’ll already know it was a delightful surprise package when we visited recently. We’ve updated Our Opinion section on the website:
“…acquired as a brand by the Hyatt group in 2018, and more often than not the big international hotel brands struggle to get it right in the Maldives. Alila Kothaifaru firmly bucks this trend. Although the Covid-delayed opening in 2022 was four years after the acquisition, it seems that the resort’s roots lay firmly in the independent Indonesian brand’s original ethos, with minimal influence from its behemothic parent.
After a warm welcome from a highly experienced team the most striking first impression is how lush the island foliage seems. This established feel is reinforced in the island’s interior where clever design and sympathetic use of hanging plants means the modern, geometric architecture is blended into the natural environment. Each island villa is like a miniature homage to Geoffrey Bawa’s masterpiece at Heritance Kandalama.“ read more here
It’s also the subject of our latest YouTube Resort Visit video, so click the link to take a look around the island with us (don’t forget to click like & subscribe!).
This will be the first of a new kind of blog post where we will review in detail resorts visited during our ‘On Tour’ trips. Using our standard resort feedback criteria, such as Service, Rooms & Dining we will provide a rating for each property along with commentary to support our score. Please let us know what you think in the comments section!
In November-December 2023, Maldives specialists Dan & Jo visited these resorts in the following order:
We also dropped in on Emerald Maldives but as this was just for a lunch with our honeymoon clients Charlotte & Ken it will not be featured in the review ratings. That said, the special menu prepared for us at the Beach Club Grill by Executive Chef Aldo and his team would earn a 10/10 for Dining & Service.
Service
Service covers all aspects of client-facing interactions between staff & guests, from the reception and check-in experience to resort orientation to table service. The timing of our visit is quite hard on resorts as they are in the process of recruiting and training personnel in the run up to the peak, high occupancy festive season, so it’s understandable that there will be wrinkles in efficiency as new team members are learning the ropes. That said great service derives from training, operational organization & structure and management oversight and there is a noticeable difference when teams get this all right.
Experienced GM Thomas Weber has done a superb job of assembling a team on a new island that appears to be completely on the same page throughout the island. Brilliant service was essentially faultless during our stay, and special mention goes to our enthusiastic and knowledgeable island host Jun (aka ‘Potato’).
Seamless service everywhere that treads the perfect balance between high-end luxury and friendly warmth. Very high ratio of staff to guests means there always seems to be someone on hand when you need them. Our lovely island host Rose knew her brief backwards.
Marteyne van Well has been running Laamu for more than a decade with high staff retention rates and that consistency manifests in extremely well-drilled service, as well as a noticeable sense of community between team members. Our GEM Thohir was absolutely on point. Only a few hiccups amongst the F&B team prevent a 10 score, but new F&B manager Olly is on a mission for perfection.
Very high level of service despite the resort not yet having completed its extensive refurbishment and being fully operational. Huva has been taken over by Universal and it feels like it’s still in transition. Some team members inexperienced and some interactions came across as repetitive and scripted, while others, such as our butler Vicky, chef Ishara, sommelier Chaminda and head of dive centre Musto, were excellent. Expect the rating to climb back towards 10 once the Universal take-over has bedded in.
There is no permanent GM or RM in place, with the resort currently under the temporary stewardship of Areef from Meeru Island. Service was good in parts but inconsistent. Senior management appointments are needed and will surely iron out the wrinkles.
Only just reopened under the Six Senses brand, service was inconsistent throughout. Some outlets are clearly lacking proper organisation and management. Quite a bit of work to do to reach the high levels guests will expect from Six Senses. Not keen on what seemed to be a theme of overt upselling.
Generally a good level of service especially in the over-water bars/restaurants. Let down in parts by some inexperience and some formulaic interactions.
Newly opened and clearly a work in progress. Some areas, such as the main restaurant operating at a high level of service, while in others team members are obviously new to their roles and lack training or operational understanding. One visibly struggling staff member explained she had only arrived on island the day before and really didn’t know what she was doing.
Rooms
Ratings for Rooms (in most cases detached villas) are based on both individual architecture & interior design, and the range of room categories & configurations available.
Gorgeous contemporary design with clean, geometric lines, well blended into the natural island foliage. Plenty of indoor and outdoor space, exceptionally comfortable and practical (well-lit dressing table, ample wardrobe space, plenty of surfaces for laying out our travelling paraphernalia) at the same time. Beds are huge and dressed in immaculate white linens. The outdoor bathroom accessed behind the bed is furnished with large dark grey tiles and feels luxurious. The only criticism we can level is that we’d prefer the over water villas beds to face the ocean but it’s not enough to deduct from the score.
The refurbished Deluxe Beach Bungalow with Pool(s) absolutely nail the balance between retaining the essence of the traditional Maldivian luxury beach villa while modernising them and bringing them bang up to date. Interiors have been lightened and large windows both sea-facing and to the sides let in loads of light. The new beachside plunge pools are a good size. The pièce de resistance is the new bathroom (the main area now enclosed to control temperature) and rear garden area, featuring a second plunge pool with over-hanging day bed, and outdoor shower. We absolutely loved these villas. Unfortunately, the over water and multi-room villas were not quite available to view, but we assume the same attention to detail will persist throughout the categories.
Some people are tiring of the ‘Robinson Crusoe’ / ‘Swiss Family Robinson’ style but not us. Over water villas are largely unchanged since opening (some pools have been added) but they are still beautifully designed and superb places to spend time, and we love all the Six Senses interior touches. Some minor details are showing some age, such as electrical switches etc. Beach villas are also largely unchanged, while some of the mutli-room villas have various sprawling configurations, suitable for a wide range of families and friends.
Large and luxurious villas as we expected and exquisitely maintained, with huge private swimming pools. We preferred the interior design of the over water villas, with brighter artwork and touches of colour. The beach villas are a little dark and in some respects feel a little dated in design when compared to some more recently built high-end resorts. The Residences are vast and impressive but perhaps not particularly homely (of course it depends what kind of home you live in!).
A resort of two halves. Old Kanuhura is a mix of overwater villas, which we found the weakest category (interior design language is incoherent, they feel unfinished), and various categories of beach villas in a traditional but polished style that Kanuhura repeaters will find familiar. Our favourites are the two bedroom beach villas and suites, which are superb spaces for families or friends. New Kanuhura features the ultra-modern Retreats, which we think will appeal to the Continental European market they are designed for, but for us are a surprising departure from the more organic feel that Six Senses engenders. Note: the over water villas are the only ones with beds facing the ocean!
Rooms are very large for a resort of this level, particularly the bathroom, and clearly designed for a younger crowd. The Standard’s iconic pink inflatable ring dominating one wall, glitter balls in the bathrooms and adjustable colour ambient lighting add a sense of fun but are probably not for everyone. Two bedroom villas are a nice design and great for families.
We liked the villas, which feel modern, well-appointed and have some lovely interior design touches (the tapestry above the head boards particularly). However, they are let down by size and clearly have a 4-star foot print (which was the original intended design before Amari took over).
Well-appointed villas, we particularly liked the indoor/outdoor bathrooms. However, Crown & Champa resorts boxy layouts feel a bit old-fashioned and we think they could have gone further with Kagi. We also had issues with noise in our over water villa, both from a stop-start A/C and wave noise against the plunge pool as we faced directly into the swell. Villa location choice is important!
Dining
One of the most important criteria for our clients, our ratings are based simply on quality and choice of outlets.
The main restaurant Seasalter, in a classy setting, is superb with both a la carte and a nice cold room buffet area. We were delighted to see restaurant manager Justus (formerly Milaidhoo) in charge and attention to detail was faultless. Japanese restaurant Umami was top drawer for dinner, and next time we’d love to try the Teppanyaki counter! The Yakitori bar offers delicious bites for lunch. The star of the show is the Maldives’ (the world’s?) first sand bank restaurant. Our sunset dinner at The Shack, which features grill, bar and even loos and a shower, was dreamily memorable.
Longitude is still one of our favourite ‘main restaurants’ for both breakfast and dinners, with its extensive combination of buffet and live cooking stations, with what seems like endless variety. Sip Sip beach bar is a lovely spot for lunch with a varied menu and super pizzas. Leaf, the tree top fine dining restaurant (clearly inspired by Soneva’s fresh in the garden) was tip top, and the addition of a Sake bar and Teppanyaki tables to the Zen Asian restaurant offer more variety and it’s all delicious. The above mentioned hiccups in service did not detract from the amazing dining quality.
Executive Chef Gaushan de Silva has much to be proud of. Dinner at fine dining restaurant Aragu was the best meal we’ve had in the Maldives and in our top 3 of all time. Worthy of a blog post of its own, not to mention some Michelin stars should the guide make it there. Faiy restaurant features a wellness-oriented menu overlooking the golf area and was very impressive: the Glacier 51 Toothfish in sesame sauce and raw tuna ravioli with goats cheese and walnut filling and truffle vinegarette dressing were extraordinary. Main restaurant Athiri offers varied cuisine and the Tavaru Teppanyaki and wine cellar is simply breathtaking.
Folgliani’s is an excellent beach side grill (the Beyond Meat burger in squid ink bun our favourite item!), as is Vinum the impressive adjacent wine cellar. Main restaurant Celsius has a good menu and will benefit from the addition of the cold room which was nearly finished. Salt offers an Asian-Latin fusion in an over-water setting, which was lovely but not quite the best Japanese of our trip. Raw was the venue for Jo’s memorable Maldivian curry cooking lesson with chefs Ishara and Thanu, with outstanding results! It’s also possible to book the underwater spa room for dinner, which would be a fabulous experience.
Signature restaurant Ke-Un offers a fusion of cuisine from the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’ with some nice dishes but actually quite a limited menu. The main restaurant Noo Faru, part of the main complex has a pleasant ocean-facing setting with varied buffets for breakfast and dinner, and enthusiastic chefs happy to rustle something up ‘off-piste’ in the kitchen. Ufaa bar offers tasty snacks, and the Spa Café more health conscious lunch options. Nonna, the upstairs Italian restaurant is in a cavernous space, lacks ambience and would benefit from a design rethink.
The central hub features Kula main restaurant, Todis bar and Joos Café. We found Kula a somewhat standard buffet with something of a canteen feel, and the whole area a bit uninspiring. At the other end of the scale is Maldivian over water restaurant Guduguda, which is exceptional, offering delicious local delicacies. Also very good is the Asian dining on offer at Beru Bar. BBQ Shak is a nice feet-in-the-sand beach grill.
Clearly still a work in progress Amari was a very mixed bag on F&B. The main restaurant Amaya Food Gallery is superb, with a great buffet and live cooking mix, and a nice choice of seating areas. SOAQ bar which becomes Pregolino Italian in the evening was pleasant if a little limited. The Village Café is a good daytime venue for coffee & pastries etc. Signature restaurant Ampersand, despite its first class design and location, was a real disappointment and deserves to be much better. The addition of the upcoming Seb’s Shack, Fulhi Bus and Sports Bar will add some variety to the offering.
Also very much a work in progress. Highlights were the Spanish restaurant at The Point, under the stewardship of head chef Manuel, and an excellent lunch on the uninhabited neighbouring island Drift, featuring beautifully cooked Rainbow Runner. Sadly, from there it goes a bit downhill. Our first meal in Sip&Soak bar arrived cold and had to be sent back, the main restaurant is wildly inconsistent, and Italian restaurant Bottega disorganised and limited. One dish, a mushroom carpaccio was dire and returned to the kitchen. Overall, a long way to reach Six Senses’ standards.
Bars
Ambience, style, bar tenders, variety, drinks lists… and of course, how good are the Angelfish cocktails?
Yakitori, on the water’s edge is a great chill-out zone with comfy seating, and sun lounger service if you want it, a great range of drinks and friendly and inventive bar staff. Mirus (chilli in Dhivehi) Bar by the main pool is stylish both during the day and in the evening, and head barman Mendis makes a great Angelfish. Then there is The Shack bar, which has a location like no other.
Chill Bar is the heart of the over water complex and a superb location both during the day or for pre or post dinner drinks, with occasional low-key entertainment, and a ‘No Rush Hour’ b-o-g-o-f between 10-11pm. Bar tender Mantara also makes a great first attempt at an Angelfish cocktail. The Sip Sip pool bar is an excellent daytime spot, and has a large sunset-facing beach area. We enjoyed a brilliant blind wine tasting challenge in the Altitude wine cellar, expertly guided by sommelier Akul.
Avi bar by the main pool, with an upstairs games area, is everything you would expect from the main bar at a resort of this calibre. The roof top bar at Tavaru, above the astonishing wine cellar, offers unique views in the Maldives, and the Angelfish cocktail served by Walter in Aragu’s bar topped off an epic experience. There’s also the new Beach Bar near the water sports and games area with a very laid-back vibe. Something for everyone and all brilliant.
The upstairs bar at The Point is the epitome of a modern, high-class setting with stunning sunset views around a large pool and will be Kanuhura’s most Instagrammed location. Dining issues aside Sip&Soak is a lovely poolside bar (a little over-lit in the evenings), and to our delightful surprise run by Sam (formerly of Anantara Kihavah), the original inventor of the Angelfish cocktail, more than a decade ago. Could he recreate the classic? Of course, the original and the best! A feet in the sand outlet on the main island would be a nice addition.
As mentioned, the main area is a bit uninspiring and Todis bar lacks ambience, except for the on the beach setting with DJ during management cocktails. This is made up for by excellent over water venues at both Beru Bar and Guduguda, which is where you’d find us.
Huva’s main bar is kind of an odd set up, with a kind of seat-shelf in front that does not lend itself to a chat with your bar tender, and it lacks the style and sophistication Huva deserves. The over water seating adjacent to Raw is great for pre dinner drinks and canapes. Definite room to improve, and we’re sure the Universal team will have noticed.
The upstairs Ampersand bar is a superb setting, sadly never opened while we visited, instead serving drinks downstairs from the restaurant, adding to other issues with this outlet. The SOAQ poolside bar becomes the Italian restaurant in the evening, and incidentally has no covered area, so we wondered where people go when it rains. When the new Sports Bar opens it will probably be there, or perhaps Seb’s Shack.
The bar is very odd, being part of the huge circular main structure. It’s fine in the day time as it fronts onto the pool area but in the evening the roof is so high, and lighting so stark it is reminiscent of an airport lobby. Like the Italian restaurant a rethink on the use of the interior space would be ideal.
The Shell houses the pre-eminent marine biology centre in the Maldives and includes absorbing educational and interactive experiences for all ages. There’s also the Earth Lab with a range of sustainability projects, open-air cinema, The Den kids club, Library, boutique, ice cream parlour, chocolatier and clinic.
Beautiful boutiques with dazzling jewellery store, library with art installations, business centre, amazing kids’ club, marine biology centre with coral restoration programme. Very smart chauffeur transfer and seaplane terminal lounge.
The Village central hub has Café, retail and recreation spaces and arts & crafts studios. Huge kids’ & teens’ facilities including archery and zipline, nice fitness and yoga area.
Small but pleasant over water gym and nearby yoga pavilion. The Lair library is a great work space if needed, Island Home boutique, great main pool and Lonu Veyo saltwater flotation pool. Marine biologist and coral restoration programme.
Extensive Earth Lab focussed on sustainability, kids’ and teens’ clubs, nice gym, large boutique, local crafts centre, ice cream parlour and medical clinic.
Nice airport lounge at the seaplane terminal. Main public areas, including gym and kids’ club seem functional. Boutique, photo studio and medical clinic on site.
‘Spa’ seems insufficient to describe the Eveylaa Wellbeing Village but suffice it to say that Velaa has an incredible state-of-the-art facility offering everything from Osteopathy to Ayurveda.
Very impressive facilities from the covered tennis court to incredible sprawling gym, to climbing wall, yoga pavilion, pilates studio.. the list goes on. Barefoot golf in the Maldives is a bucket-list must 😊
Not so much available in terms of land sports, but plenty of excursions and experiences, including a reef nightlife Champagne tour in the underwater spa!
Lovely, large and well established island with expansive lagoon. The construction of The Point and Retreats has meant a significant reduction in vegetation on the ‘new’ end of the island, which will take some time to bed in.
Some very nice spots, such as by Ampersand, Seb’s Shack, the main restaurant and a lovely curated trail through the mangroves. Other areas, such as the arrival harbour and stony pathways, not so much.
Although it’s not possible to walk all the way around the island (there’s no passage past the gym jetty, and a wall near to the jetty to Salt), in all other areas the beach is beautiful.
The stretch on the sunset side from The Shell is super. On the water villa jetty side the beach gets increasingly corally and in one corner is a bit of an obstacle course.
Easy access through channels from the lagoon to a vibrant house reef, one of the best that we have seen since the 2015-17 mass bleaching. Beautiful coral gardens to explore with plenty of varied marine life, including the most Regal Angelfish we’ve seen on a single reef. We also enjoyed a guided night snorkel with rays, nurse sharks and lion fish.
One of the surprises of our trip, since we’ve been a bit dismissive of Laamu’s reef in the past. Colourful corals have recovered really well and are home to bountiful marine life. Plenty of sharks, rays and turtles to spot and variety is on offer by swimming to nearby thilas or in the sea grass fields where triggers, turtles and rays feed. We even had a lagoon coral garden outside our villa (#44) teeming with fish!
Fascinating marine life with nurse and reef sharks congregating in the lagoon, large shoals of batfish and sweetlips and an extensive reef to explore, easily accessed from the beach. Sadly the corals have struggled to recover and the gardens are some way off their former glory. We suspect that the extensive resort construction in the North Male Atoll has not helped.
Really nice stretch of reef accessed from one of the jetties with plenty of marine life and corals, both naturally on the reef and on innovative electrified frames that accelerate growth and restoration.
Nice drop-off between the Yakitori bar and main jetty, with a reportedly better area near the channel (with stronger currents) that we didn’t have a chance to explore.
Extensive water sports centre with every toy you can imagine, with new, state-of-the-art kit added every year. Wide range of charter boats for excursions and cruises.
With only 47 villas exclusivity comes at a cost but once fully operational will be one of the best and most popular resorts within a speedboat ride from Male.
The island is a wonderful place to spend time and has a distinct identity rooted in a sense of community amongst the well-established team that rubs off on guests.
In parts (main restaurant, village square, artists’ zone, mangrove experience) there is a great atmosphere but overall the resort feels unfinished and unsettled.
“The private island of Félicité lies around 30 miles away from Mahé on the far side of La Digue and is reached with ease by a scenic helicopter ride, or a rather longer roundabout route via Praslin. Whatever the journey, it’ll feel worth it on arrival at Six Senses Zil Pasyon (“Passion Island”), a modern, luxury resort in a stunning location with sustainability at its core.”
We’ve updated our website listing with some gorgeous new images and a new Our Opinion section. Follow the link below to see more…
One of our favourite Maldivian islands just got a little better. MirihiMaldives in the South Ari Atoll has announced the introduction of Half Board Plus and Full Board Plus meal plans, offering unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in Dhonveli Restaurant during meals and throughout the day in Anba bar. They also include sundowner cocktails at Muraka and beers and soft drinks in your villa mini bar.
We think the Half Board Plus is particularly appealing for those out snorkelling or diving all day, or even if your having lazy long breakfasts and skipping lunch.
You already need to book well in advance for this authentic Maldivian South Ari Atoll gem but this enhancement will only make Mirihi more desirable. If you’re thinking of booking for 2024 don’t delay, get in touch today!
Looking for a holiday with that home-from-home feeling? We love the vibe at the intimate, boutique haven that is 20 Degres Sud (20 Degrees South) …if you are touring the island of Mauritius make sure to include a stop to relax and explore Grand Baie. Check out some new images here:
If you’re looking for a traditional Maldivian island with easily accessible house reef at an affordable price, Reethi Faru in the Raa Atoll should be on your short list. Check out our updated galleries:
Angelfish Travel Blog 