Malvern Living Jan - Feb 2024

Amilla Sunset Villa
Amilla Water Villa
Best for: Barefoot Luxury,
Nature Lovers
AMILLA MALDIVES
I think if you wanted something
which was most evocative of the
Maldivian holiday experience you
have in your head, then Amilla
Maldives is your resort.
The warmest welcome we enjoyed,
our delayed flight was greeted by
the most cheerful team, holding
thirst-quenching coconuts. Our
buggy was decorated with flowers
and our names, and we were
whisked off to our water villa home.
The villas are vast - with
accommodation options to suit
many group sizes. The traditional
one-bedroom water villas total
220 square metres, and the beach
villas too offer spacious, flexible
accommodation, only steps from
the purest blue waters.
Unlike islands built from sandbanks,
Amilla Maldives resort is situated on
an already-established island, with a
bounty of flora and fauna - carefully
tended to by a veritable army of
landscapers and caretakers. On
checking into your villa, you’ll be
greeted by a set of ‘his and hers’
bikes - ready to explore the trails
of this tropical paradise. Cycling
around is a pleasure, with sandy
roads winding through dense
jungles - there is of course the
option to hail a golf buggy to get
you to lunch, but the joy really is
in the exploration. The island is a
breeding ground for the native and
rare White Tailed Bird, alongside
host of other avian and reptilian life.
There are lots of tempting foodie
options, all with a laid-back feel
that helps you sink into holiday
mode with ease. Wellness is also a
huge part of the offering here - all
dietary requirements are catered for,
and the chefs continue to develop
their range of fermented drinks and
menus based around the island’s
own organic garden.
The resort is uniquely positioned
to make the most of the glorious
Baa Atoll a Unesco Biosphere
Reserve, with Hanifaru Bay just
a 30 minute boat ride away. This
bay is known for its abundance
of marine life, and visitors of the
hotel can enjoy snorkelling with
two giants of the sea - the manta
ray and peaceful whale sharks. We
opted for the former, and it was
truly a once in a lifetime experience,
and something I will never forget.
We were surrounded by over 30
manta, balletically gliding through
the waters and within inches of us
- happy to indulge in their feeding
whilst paying us no notice.
If your mission on your holiday
is pure relaxation with a barefoot
luxury feel, Amilla Maldives is
a special place. The staff are
unerringly friendly and the list of
activities, from tennis clinics and
football, to drumming workshops
and wine-tasting, will mean you can
wake up to each day with a fresh
itinerary - or just a wonderful place
to really relax.
R A T E S Amilla Maldives (amilla.
com; tel: +960 660 6444) currently
offers five nights for the price of four
on stays from 8 January – 14 April
2024. Sunset Water Pool Villas start
from approx. GBP1472++ per night
including breakfast.
Best for: Value for Money,
Guest Enrichment
VARU BY
ATMOSPHERE
The smallest of the resorts we
stayed at, this feeling of intimacy
actually works in VARU by
Atmposphere’s favour - with enough
seclusion in your villa, but stacks
of amenities only steps from your
accommodation.
A relatively new resort, it feels
contemporary and the perfect fit
for couples and families alike. The
island consists of a neat collection
of beach bungalows alongside three
jetties housing the pristine water
villas. With enormous doors from
the bedroom and the ensuite, you
can soak in glorious sea views in
complete privacy. The villas are air
conditioned, but if you can, sleep
with your doors open - it’s magical
to hear water lap beneath you.
Breakfast and lunch is served daily
buffet style at Lime & Chili - our
first lunch was accompanied by
the displays of a passing pod of
dolphins. Sundowner cocktails can
be enjoyed at the Bay Rogue bar
and, for a truly Maldivian evening,
complete with sarongs for men and
women, dinner at KAAGÉ will give
you traditional island dishes elevated
with a modern twist.
The surroundings here are smart
but informal - couples and families
can relax fully, helped by a flexible
all-day dining menu.
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