JA Manafaru, Maldives

rooms

Each of the 84 villas and suites are designed with the island’s natural beauty in mind. Tucked away to offer the utmost privacy,  all with privat pools, they feature thatched roofs and huge glass windows to make the most of the sensational views, either beachfront or over water.

Inside, the style is contemporary yet simple, with cream walls, dark wood furnishings and monsoon showers.

facilities & activities

There’s a good array of facilities, with lovely, attentive staff who cater to your every whim. A fleet of golf buggies is on hand to ferry guests around and there are two children’s play areas, one (CoolZone) dedicated to those aged from three to 12 and the other (ChillZone) for children aged eight and over. Featuring everything from climbing frames to herb gardens and flight simulators, they are sure to keep the whole family entertained.

The resort’s three main pools include an infinity pool and a jungle-style pool, and there’s also a large gym and a Calm Spa - complete with Jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms - offering treatments such as Thai massage and Ayurveda.

The excellent PADI 5* dive centre caters for both beginners and experienced divers. Children aged ten or over can do a lagoon and coral reef dive after some basic instruction.

A dedicated water sports centre offers water skiing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddling, catamaran sailing and speedboat excursions. Maldivian cooking classes, romantic beach dinners, local island tours and fishing trips can also be arranged. Land activities include beach volleyball and ‘beach golf’, where you hit balls made of fish food into the sea.

A marine biology centre, manned by helpful biologist, offers coral reef nursery planting. Children will love the fish feeding at 5pm, where they might glimpse rays, turtles and jack fish.

dining

There are seven restaurants and bars in the resort. The three main restaurants are Kakuni, for international buffet breakfast and dinner; White Orchid, for Asian-inspired dishes including sushi, teamed with stonking sea views; and Ocean Grill, a beachfront spot serving good steak and seafood.

Don’t miss a trip to The Cellar, located inside a volcanic stone cavern. Andiamo serves Mediterranean fare such as pizza and pasta around the ‘jungle pool’, and the Horizon Lounge and Infinity Bar and Pool are good spots for an evening cocktail. Half Board allows you to eat at all - with just a few marked items on the menu, such as lobster, not included.

family

Family-friendly touches include a babysitting service (from 12 months, book 24 in advance, available for a supplement) as well as an excellent kids’ club (for children aged three to 12 years old) and teen club (for children aged eight to 16). There’s also a fully-stocked games room with a Playstation, as well as table tennis, a cinema and a pool table.

The dedicated activity programme includes an Island Adventure, where you make a mocktail, cook a pizza and explore the resort. Little ones will love the playground and child-sized wash basins and toilets. Children’s menus are available, as well as high chairs and bottle warmers.

All room options have their own pool and can accommodate at least two adults and one child. Water Villas are quite large and sleep two adults and children aged eight to 16 on a day bed and extra bed in the open plan living area.

For added space, there are one and two bedroomed suites on the beachfront, with the largest sleeping up to four adults and two children.

location

The Maldives’ most northerly resort, JA Manafaru is located on the 35-acre, private island of Manafaru, a 75-minute flight from the capital, Malé. The journey by seaplane is visually stunning (and you are well equipped with complimentary binoculors) – but may be a little tiring, especially after an overnight non direct long-haul flight from the UK.  So why not consider a stop over at JA Palm Tree Court in Dubai?  Special offers for this arrangement are often available.

rates & specials

For the latest offers at this hotel and others in the Indian Ocean please click here.