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!).