Travel Blog Joao Cajuda

Anantara Veli, Maldives

Anantara Veli, Maldives
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Nestled on Dhigufinolhu Island in South Male Atoll, Anantara Veli is located on the private island 30 minutes by boat from Malé airport. There are 3 resorts from Minor Hotels group here, Anatara Veli, Anantara Dighu and Naladhu Private Island. You can go from one to each other by boat, available all the time, or if you prefer, you can easily swim since they are very near and the waters are shallow. If you are staying at Veli you can also visit Anantara Dighu and enjoy their restaurants, although clients staying at Dighu cannot visit the more exclusive Veli. Unfortunately, you can’t visit Naladhu because is even more exclusive, but I will tell you everything because I will be staying there in my last days in Maldives.

Anantara Veli is an adults only resort, an ideal retreat for those who want to rest their bodies and minds. 

The island has a tropical forest and is surrounded by a wonderful beach, those that you see in magazines and you think is photoshop… well, they are real and they are here!

The resort has 67 luxury overwater bungalows with direct access to the crystalline waters, some with infinitive swimming pools. Our villa was the Deluxe over water pool bungalow, very spacious and comfortable, with beautiful views from the room and bathroom to the ocean. The bathroom is amazing, specially the bathtub near the huge window with front-row ocean views for a perfect sunset.

The outdoor deck has two levels, one with sundecks and plunge pool, the other with a table for a private breakfast or dinner, with access to the water. When we arrived the hotel offered us champagne, sushi and fresh fruits. You the villa you will find an expresso machine, , TV system, yoga mats and an Ipod  docking station.

Around the resort you will find an outdoor cinema, swimming pool and bar, 3 restaurants, a flower garden, and activity center. 

You can also enjoy the Spa circuit and the Sea.Fire.Salt restaurant and aqua bar at Anantara Dighu. 

Breakfast is served at 73 Degrees restaurant overlooking the ocean, is a la carte menu and there and endless options. I have to say that they have the best French toast ever! The restaurant serves gourmet Italian fine dining, but we also tried their Indian night, the food was delicious. 

Origami is a Modern Japanese restaurant, unfortunately the space was in renovations so we dint had opportunity to enjoy a fresh sashimi there. 

The most famous restaurant of the resort is Baan Huraa, where you can have an authentic Thai experience. Unfortunately we left this for our last day without knowing it was the day-off for the restaurant staff and chef, will have to go back 🙂

Instead we had opportunity to have a drink at Aqua bar and a great dinner at Sea.Fire.Salt. We had an amazing reef fish and fantastic wine, al fresco over the crystal waters in great company (thank you Natasha!) 

Private dinner at the beach on in-villa dining can be organised on request.

Enjoy the infinity pool of the resort, rent a kayak, take surfing classes, swim with sharks, sunset cruise and many activities can be done during your stay. Make sure you do some snorkelling, right near the beach you can see millions of fishes, corals, turtles, baby sharks, stingray, etc…

We had unforgettable days at Anantara Veli, and I totally recommend if you are looking for a quite place for a romantic week, or if you just need to chill next to unbelievable blue waters with the sound of lapping tides. Now it’s time to go to Naladhu Private Island, don’t miss my review in the next post.

 

For information and bookings please visit:

www.anantara.com/veli-maldives