A luxury speedboat ride from the bustle of the international airport, yet way out into the peaceful blue, Naladhu is renowned for its exclusivity, privacy and being the quintessential luxury Maldivian escape.
Resort
We were thrilled to be met at the airport and immediately whisked away to a gorgeous Sunseeker luxury motor yacht and had our journey started in the most awesome way, as we were flanked by large pods of dolphins leaping and spinning in joy all around us. From our arrival at the jetty, to the moment we left, every single team member was incredibly welcoming and really endeavoured to make our stay as memorable as possible.
It is possible for you to book Naladhu for your exclusive use – to mark those extra special occasions, where you want to enjoy the very best in luxury and privacy with family, friends or colleagues. We must mention how wonderful the team at Naladhu look after all of their guests.
This most gorgeous place is such a Maldivian treasure and firm favourite of ours. Do consider combining it with a stay at sister-resort Anantara Kihavah too. This stunning luxury resort is located in the Baa Atoll, a sea plane ride away from the international airport. The villas there are based on the same design as those in Naladhu, and they have over water ones with spectacular views too.
Villas
Frequented by royalty, the rich and the ultra-wealthy, this simply gorgeous island is home to 20 large, spacious and luxuriously appointed villas – some with wonderful ocean views, others nestled in their own private gardens with direct access to beautiful beaches. All have their own butler at your service 24 hours a day.
Each villa has its own pool – large and deep enough to actually swim in, unlike most of those you find in other Maldives’ resorts. What’s also special is their position – conveniently directly adjoining the villas’ huge bathrooms, with features like free standing bathtubs that the attentive staff will fill and decorate with tropical flowers for you. The pools in the Ocean Villas have amazing views across the large deck areas to the turquoise sea beyond – perfect for a dawn dip with the sun rising on the horizon and the sky alight with molten amber and gold.
The villas offer complete privacy too and are ideal havens to unwind, relax and feel restored. Their design is incredibly practical as well as decorative.
Inside, in addition to the fantastic bathrooms, each has a dressing area, hallway with wine fridge, Nespresso machine and so on, leading to a large, high ceilinged bedroom opening out to a very large deck, with gazebo eating area and spacious roofed section with double-bed swing where you can relax in the shade during the heat of the day.
The pool can be accessed from the deck too. Having large outdoor covered areas is such a benefit in the Maldives, many resort villas just don’t have enough, which means there’s no respite from searing sun or occasional tropical downpours unless you stay inside.
To do
If you can pull yourself away from your villa, Naladhu has a lovely main pool area, gym and excellent restaurant ‘The Living Room’ with beach and lagoon views, and half way around the island are gorgeous powder-soft white sand beaches. The island’s interior is very pretty too – one of the very best in the whole of the Maldives – sandy paths take you through frangipani and jasmine scented gardens full of all kinds of tropical flowers.
Although a private island, there is a gated walkway which takes you over lagoon to the neighbouring Anantara Veli resort popular with honeymooners and just completely renovated. Only Naladhu guests can return through the gate to their resort though. This walkway is a great place to watch the stars at night, and rainbow coloured parrot and other reef fish swim by during the day.
Food
Dining wise, halfway across the walkway is a fantastic Thai restaurant. Here, you can sit in the moonlight and watch fish, and listen to the sounds of the reef. The dishes are delicious and generous and there’s a great choice. You can also head on to Veli and Anantara Dhigu too, and enjoy their culinary , entertainment, sports, excursions and spa offerings also, and of course experience romantic destination dining, or enjoy delicious cuisine in the privacy and comfort of your own villa.
In a nutshell
This wonderful resort has it all – easy speedboat ride from the international airport, powder-soft white sand beaches, fantastic, spacious and luxurious villas with large private pools and amazing sea views, excellent staff, great dining choices, lots to see and do, but peace and quiet too.
We were genuinely sad to leave and Naladhu is without doubt one of the very best resorts in the world – not just Maldives. It’s incredibly hard to find any fault.
Factbox
Address: Naladhu Private Island Maldives, P.O. Box 2098, Veligandu Huraa, South Male Atoll, Republic of Maldives
Phone: +960 664 4111
Email: stay@naladhu.com
Website: naladhu.com
