With hundreds of Instagram-worthy resorts popping up like glittering pearls in the Maldives, choosing a place to stay is like choosing your favorite child.
Just a 35-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport, Thailand’s Anantara Veli Resort in the Maldives’ South Male Atoll ticks all the boxes.
Upon arrival, our boat entered the blindingly clear turquoise lagoon where my wife and I were warmly greeted with live boduberu drums, refreshing coconut water and ice-cold towels infused with lemongrass.
Villa host David took us through the tropical island’s pristine sandy paths, shaded by coconut palms and fragrant frangipani, to the boardwalk that led to 67 Asian thatched bungalows over the water.
Toploader’s Dan Hipgrave and his wife check in at Thailand’s Anantara Veli Resort (above) in the Maldives’ South Male Atoll, just a 35-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport
Our beautiful luxury overwater pool villa with sunset views is decorated in a contemporary Maldivian style with hardwood floors, colorful local artwork and light wooden furniture. She was well equipped and spacious with an extravagantly large Ed.
The freestanding bath and floor-to-ceiling window in the en-suite bathroom are real eye-catchers with endless sea views, while the private terrace has a large plunge pool, sun loungers and a ladder to the sea. Lower category rooms all have sea access, are closer to the resort and have beach views.
The unique feature of the “adults only” Anantara Veli Resort is that we were able to enjoy access to the more action-packed “family” resort Anantara Dhigu and the uninhabited “picnic island” Gulhifushi.
“Our beautiful Overwater Deluxe Pool Villa with sunset views (above) is decorated in a contemporary Maldivian style,” writes Dan
The private deck of Dan’s overwater villa (above) has a large plunge pool, lounge chairs and a ladder that led down to the ocean.
The Overwater Deluxe Pool Villa freestanding bath with “endless ocean views”
All three islands are connected by a fancy pontoon boat, for which we never waited more than a few minutes.
Dhigu’s large infinity pool, dizzying list of restaurants and bars, excursions, water sports and over-the-water spa ensured we never tired of Veli’s more intimate atmosphere.
The lagoon that separates the islands is crystal clear, but unfortunately the effects of climate change are visible as some corals are noticeably bleaching.
A bird’s eye view of the Overwater Deluxe Pool Villas set in a “dazzlingly clear turquoise lagoon”
Veli’s reception, two restaurants, a water sports center and the main swimming pool are in a small cluster that forms an intimate island village. Above is the Cumin restaurant
The modern Japanese restaurant Origami pictured serves “ridiculously fresh and delicious sushi”.
The island’s Aquafanatics team is passionate about restoring and preserving the reefs that surround the resorts, but it can be a bit of a shame for snorkelers expecting colorful coral reefs.
Veli’s reception, two restaurants, a water sports center and the main swimming pool are in a small cluster that forms an intimate island village. We spent a lot of time in Dhoni Bar enjoying beautiful sunsets on big comfortable sofas or at the shooting pool while drinking delicious strong cocktails prepared by a super friendly team of bartenders led by Shafi.
Drinks aren’t cheap, £15 per cocktail, £9 per beer or wine from £80 per bottle, but a premium all-inclusive drinks package is available, costing £90 per person per day, and there are 2 for 1 drinks . . ‘ between 16:00 and 17:00 and from 21:00 to 22:00 for the smart drinkers.
The contemporary Japanese restaurant, Origami, serves ridiculously fresh and delicious sushi, and the architecturally stunning Thai restaurant, Baan Huraa, the flagship overwater restaurant, transports you straight to Bangkok with fragrant aromas of lemongrass and chilli and delicious authentic food.
“We spent a lot of time in the Dhoni Bar (above) and enjoyed beautiful sunsets in big, comfortable sofas,” writes Dan
Pictured is the resort’s “architecturally stunning” Baan Huraa Thai restaurant, the resort’s flagship overwater restaurant
The pictured Baan Huraa takes you “straight to Bangkok with fragrant aromas of lemongrass and chilli and delicious authentic food”.
Our favorite restaurant, 73 Degrees, oozes romance. We dined by candlelight with our feet in the sand under the stars while Zahir and his team served unforgettably delicious local reef fish, marinated in Maldivian spices and baked in banana leaves, with chilled French rose wine.
The breakfast menu is one of the best I’ve experienced, with a wide range of healthy detox smoothies – we loved the baby coconut, kiwi, spinach, avocado, lemongrass, mint and turmeric – and the Maldivian Has Huni is to die for.
Anantara Veli strikes the perfect balance of entertaining its guests while maintaining a luxurious retreat. We are already dreaming of our next visit.
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
