Jumeirah Vittaveli, Maldives

rooms

The resort is made up of 89 villas and suites, each with its own pool and direct access to the beach or lagoon. Both private and spacious, the villas are available with one or two bedrooms - perfect for both families and couples. Additional cots can be pre-booked, and children must be under the age of 12 to qualify for the child’s rate.

Beach villas and water villas can accommodate two adults and one child, or a cot. Five of the villas have adjoining twin rooms with shower rooms, perfect for children, with five more being built next year. There are also two-bedroom beach suites, with a twin room upstairs, though this is a more expensive option.

Oozing with tropical style, the beach villas are generously sized, with slick bathrooms and private, L-shaped swimming pools. Choose from beach and overwater villas, which boast wooden interiors with pops of colour and small gardens with day beds.

facilities & activities

You won’t want to miss diving into the sparkling blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Snorkelling equipment is complimentary and there’s a decent watersports centre (and 5* PADI certified dive centre) that makes good use of the thriving house reef. Strap on your goggles and snorkel out to watch the watery world go by - it’s particularly good at sunrise. For adventurous dive explorations, there are five wrecks located no more than 15 minutes away.

The range of watersports on offer includes canoeing, windsurfing, jet skiing and paddling out in clear bottomed kayaks. Big game fishing and sunset cruises are also available.

There’s a good gym, yoga classes and the Asian-inspired Talise Spa, which has rooms overlooking the water and offers treatments using products made from the island’s coconuts. The main pool never feels too busy, as all the rooms have their own private plunge pool, and complimentary bicycles are provided.

dining

There are four island eateries - all of which offer children’s menus - as well as two bars. For a fine dining experience, choose the French colonial-styled Fenesse restaurant, which offers classic French fare fused with contemporary presentation. The newly established Swarna restaurant features hearty North Indian cuisine, while the Mu Beach Bar & Grill serves tasty fish, seafood and prime steaks. Samsara offers contemporary Asian and International dishes, from sashimi to seafood curry, from its wooden terrace overlooking the sea.

In-villa dining with butler service is also available, as well as romantic private dining on the beach or with your toes dipped in the pool.

For evening cocktails, Bar-EE is the best spot. It has a circular bar and panoramic views of the ocean and sunset, and serves dishes such as charcuterie and cheese plates. Open all day, there’s a happy hour from 5pm-7pm daily.

family

There are plenty of family-friendly touches here, yet adult luxury is still maintained. Children will love splashing in the dedicated family pool (there’s also an adults-only pool for parents seeking quiet time) and they can cool off with an ice cream from the parlour in the gift shop. Families can make use of both the extensive Kuda Koli Kids Club and babysitting services, and there’s also a Teen lounge with its own games room for older children, plus an island-wide treasure hunt. Cycling is a great way to explore the island together and children’s bikes can be provided.

location

Conveniently close to Malé, it takes just 20 minutes to reach this island paradise via a boat transfer. This is a smart and easy way to arrive, and the crossing is generally calm which should reassure guests with concerns about sea sickness. The resort is a good option for visitors looking to avoid a complicated and more costly seaplane transfer following a long haul flight.

rates & specials

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