Review: Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas – the Luxury Travel Expert

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I just lately loved an AMAZING vacation within the Maldives. You may learn my journey stories right here:

At this time: Assessment of Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas

Set on Kihavah Huravalhi, one of the vital pristine and exquisite islands within the Maldives, Anantara Kihavah Villas is a 30-minute seaplane flight from Male. The resort’s 80 spacious ultra-luxurious villas are both poised over the water with sweeping ocean views or nestled alongside a pristine stretch of personal seashore. All overwater villas are constructed out of groove-lined timber, with excessive ceilings and hardwood flooring, and have expansive terraces with personal swimming pools, from the place to soak up the horizon and catching sightings of turtles within the lagoon and dolphins within the Indian Ocean. At Anantara Kihavah Villas friends are handled to a variety of wonderful amenities, together with an unbelievable underwater restaurant in addition to a stunning overwater spa.

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas options in my high 10 lists of the perfect luxurious resorts within the Maldives and the perfect resorts within the Maldives for households.

Have you ever ever stayed at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas? In that case, what was your expertise? Depart a remark.

On this assessment (extra data and images under my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

Each dream vacation at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas begins with a 35 minute seaplane flight over hypnotic shades of blue, which takes friends from Velana Worldwide Airport close to the Maldives’ capital Male in the direction of the resort within the Baa Atoll Atoll. The switch is an unforgettable expertise in itself because the airplane flies over a string of glowing coral islands and Maldivian resorts amidst turquoise waters. Company can even select to take a home flight on a wheeled airplane to Dharavandhoo Airport, adopted by a brief velocity boat if the arrival or departure time happens outdoors daylight. The resort takes care of the reserving of the home airplane tickets, so there’s nothing it’s a must to fear about concerning the switch.

The heat welcome at Anantara Kihavah Maldives is likely one of the most playful and spectacular rituals within the archipelago’s lodge surroundings. For each arrival, numerous employees members – stylishly dressed of their white uniforms – traces up on the small welcome pavilion on the arrival jetty. When a speedboat with new friends approaches the resort, they welcome the friends with the sounds of Bodu Beru – conventional Maldivian drums and singing. After introducing themselves, the employees provides friends a refreshingly chilly towel and a chilly drink, escorting them down the jetty in the direction of the island with the hypnotic beat of the Bodu Beru drum within the background already working to assuage edges. They try this for each arrival, day and evening.

Along with Soneva Fushi and Park Hyatt Maldives, Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas ranks among the many most stunning and pristine pure islands within the Maldives, rising up out of the ocean’s sapphire blue like a mirage. The image excellent island – a former coconut plantation – is named Kihavah Huravalhi in native language (Kihavah means ‘younger coconut’ in Maldivian). Actually a tropical paradise, the idyllic island is totally surrounded by the whitest of powdery sands, lapped by crystal-clear turquoise waters, and framed by coconut palms swaying within the breeze. The island is sort of small: it takes lower than half-hour to stroll round it. Bicycles are offered to discover the canopied paths, which wind throughout the island between the tons of of palm timber. Complimentary buggy service (24/7) is offered as nicely.

Male-based architect Mohamed Shafeeq (aka ‘Sappe’) from Group X Design Associates has ensured the resort’s fashionable design attracts on native constructing strategies conventional to the Maldives. Utilizing age previous strategies akin to thatched palm roofs, every constructing of Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas is an easy, pure sanctuary, belying the extra intricate and vital design inside. The core visible theme operating via the whole resort is an Indian-Moroccan fusion with colonial touches, originating from Bangkok-based August Design who was answerable for the inside design. The decor options native accents in each lodge pavilion, the colour schemes take inspiration from the encircling coral reefs, and the usage of timber and conventional thatched rooves establishes a low-key barefoot luxurious vibe.

Eighty spacious personal pool sanctuaries, starting from one-bedroom villas to a four-bedroom residence, are both poised over the water with sweeping ocean views or nestled alongside a pristine stretch of personal seashore. Throughout my go to, I stayed in one of many 42 overwater villas that are positioned in an ellipse on stilts over the turquoise lagoon. The villa featured a stunning entryway with minibar, his & hers walk-in wardrobes, and a spacious bed room with kingsize mattress, opening to a big outside patio. The latter boasted a big infinity-edge pool, eating sala, wood sundeck and a lounging space with a swinging daybeds. One of many villa’s highlights was the gorgeous rest room, which was geared up with an indoor rain showers, outside bathe, his and her vanities, and over-sized bathtubs sufficiently big for 2. The sunken glass backside within the provided a mesmerizing view of the glowing ocean.

Bigger journey events or households that want extra privateness could need to test into one of many resort’s huge multi-bedroom residences. These bigger villas characteristic the identical fashion, design and aesthetic because the one-bedroom villas, however they’ve more room – clearly – and likewise options personal gyms, spa rooms and full kitchens. Two of those residences are perched over a crystal-calm lagoon, each geared up with two bedrooms and providing commanding views of the Indian Ocean. The remaining 5 residences are situated within the jungle alongside the seashore, with the crown jewel on this assortment being the four-bedroom seashore pool residence. A capacious structure well optimized for creating shared reminiscences or moments of solitude, this four-bedroom sanctuary comfortably accommodates as much as eight adults and 4 youngsters, or 12 adults.

Company are spoilt for selection with six eating places and bars, every providing a particular setting, menu and ambiance that divulges a unique view of paradise, in addition to a various culinary journey. The primary eating venues are housed in an overwater complicated, referred to as Sea. Fireplace. Spice. Sky.
- Sea Restaurant and its award-winning wine cellar (with over 6,500 bottles) supply an unreal underwater eating expertise. The octagonal design and mirrored inside optimizes the aquatic view making diners really feel as if they’re a part of the home reef. At Sea, friends watch sharks, turtles and tropical fish swim by as they savor connoisseur eating at its best. Watch my YouTube video of Sea right here.
- Fireplace is the resort’s Japanese restaurant. Visible and style senses are stimulated with dramatic Teppanyaki cooking shows. Cooks placed on a present for each visitor every evening, because the ocean breeze blows beneath the venue’s thatched roof.
- Spice Restaurant serves Asian impressed aromatic dishes and genuine Indian delights. Company can watch specialty cooks from throughout the area at work within the present kitchen, getting ready spicy appetizers, genuine tandoori and curries, wok-fried delicacies and recent seafood.
- At Sky, friends gaze on the celebs as they sip champagne and take heed to the Sky Guru’s tales of the galaxy. Sky combines a luxurious cocktail tapas bar with essentially the most highly effective telescope within the area (extra on that under).
- Positioned alongside the principle swimming pool, Manzaru restaurant is the resort’s all day eating venue. Right here, informal lunches or romantic dinners of Italian and Mediterranean classics are served poolside or at a communal desk
- Subsequent to Manzaru is Plates Restaurant which includes a principal sand floored sala and an alfresco deck on the seashore. Plates is just open for breakfast; the latter is comprised of a formidable worldwide connoisseur buffet with dwell stations and à la carte signature dishes served with chilled glowing wine.

Constructed overwater on stilts on the far tip of the island, the Anantara Spa provides a spread of therapeutic therapies together with conventional Asian therapies and historical ayurvedic wellness. The spa contains six remedy suites together with an Ayurvedic room, a magnificence salon, hair and nail salon and two single facial suites accompanied by a leisure space with massive sweeping decks and two outsized plunge swimming pools which are suspended over the ocean. Every remedy room includes a personal soak tub or Thai therapeutic massage space, bathe and altering amenities. The spa additionally options the area’s solely Cocoon Medical Spa, that includes restorative facials, detoxing therapies, fashionable medical aesthetic, and immunity-bolstering therapies. These in want of conscious train can reconnect to their pure circulation with Hatha Yoga, an Aerial Yoga class suspended over the ocean or SUP Yoga.

With its proximity to the equator, the Maldives is really an astronomer’s paradise and Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas is the right place for spectacular views of each the southern and northern sky. Customized-built for such stargazing encounters, SKY is a novel cocktail bar and residential to one of the vital highly effective telescope within the area, making it one among solely two over water observatories within the Maldives (the opposite one is situated at Soneva Jani). Perched over the aquamarine lagoon, the bar proffers front-row seats to ocean views from each vantage level throughout the day, and as evening falls, the open roof deck comes alive. Company sip champagne and nibble on Asian impressed tapas, while absorbing data imparted by the Sky Guru as he leads along with his laser pointer on this cosmic journey within the stars.

From shore to shore and sundown to dawn, Anantara Kihavah Maldives provides a variety of amenities and actions:
- In entrance of Manzaru Restaurant is an monumental beachfront swimming pool. With a size of 49 m, it was the longest pool within the Maldives when the resort opened again in 2011. Jhoola swing mattress hover over the water, providing a soothing view in the direction of the India Ocean.
- Recreation and leisure amenities embody a tennis courtroom, bicycles, a health middle with premium Technogym gear, Muay Thai Boxing, trampoline park, desk tennis, billiards, boutique, reward store and artwork gallery.
- Film buffs are transported again in time to get pleasure from traditional motion pictures beneath the celebs on a giant outside display within the island’s lush jungle middle.
- The property options a superb water sports activities middle, which provides innovative windsurfing rigs, catamarans, parasailing, kite browsing, jet bikes and water snowboarding.

Anantara Kihavah Maldives is likely one of the finest resorts within the Maldives for households with younger youngsters and youngsters. The resort has a specially-designed ‘Thiththi Boli Children Membership’ for youthful friends of 12 and beneath. It provides complimentary every day supervised packages, enjoyable arts and crafts actions, indoor and outside sports activities and video games and children are even launched to new actions impressed by native tradition and the pure marine environment. The Membership additionally provides cooking courses and spa therapies. One other nice characteristic is the resort’s Children Marine Biology Program, which introduces children starting from eight upwards to diving and snorkeling, and teaches them in a enjoyable and fascinating approach in regards to the reef ecosystem and the biodiversity of the reef. Older youngsters can relax within the resort’s recreation space, the place they’ll take part with their friends and resort employees in enjoyable video games akin to life-sized chess, badminton, volleyball, and Jenga.

Past the seashore is Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas’ gorgeous lagoon, which is dwelling to marine life and an expansive coral reef. The reef – the most effective home reefs within the Maldives – protects the pristine seashore and guards the crystal-clear lagoon. It additionally helps an astounding array of tropical fish, crustaceans and bizarre-looking molluscs. Right here dolphins, hawksbill turtles, eagle rays and reef sharks will be seen thriving of their pure habitat. Company can snorkel or dive the protected reef immediately from the powdery sand seashore. Three coral propagation nurseries have been established to help within the regeneration of the home reef which continues to be recovering from a bleaching occasion that occurred throughout the Maldives in 2016. Company can take part in reef propagation and contribute to the resorts on-going conservation efforts by adopting a coral rope.

Having fun with a first-rate location within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and on the doorstep of Hanifaru Bay, Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas is the right place from which to discover the underwater world of the Indian Ocean. One of many underwater actions provided by the resort is snorkeling with manta rays, a once-in-a-lifetime expertise. Through the months of Could to November, the South West monsoon causes huge constructed up of krill and plankton, drawing tons of of manta rays and whale sharks in to Hanifaru Bay. As soon as within the water, friends are handled to an incredible underwater ballet, carried out by these large oceanic creatures, gliding and somersaulting in mesmerizing patterns. Curious and pleasant, they usually swim very near snorkelers, at all times managing to keep away from contact on the final second – making for a rare reminiscence.

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas is likely one of the greenest resorts within the Maldives (efforts which were rewarded with a Inexperienced Globe Certification) – not one tree was minimize down throughout building giving the entire palm-stuffed island an undiscovered really feel with the precise resort hidden beneath. As a part of an ongoing dedication to sustainable tourism and environmental conservation, the resort additionally options two inexperienced areas offering pure sanctuaries of calmness and serenity for its friends. The native Maldivian phrase nala interprets as “stunning” and with roughly 1,200 orchids of 25 totally different varieties, the Nala Orchid Backyard is actually one of the vital exotically stunning places within the property. Verdantly lush and environmentally pleasant, the Natural Backyard is a inexperienced house in each sense of the phrase. Greater than only a good place to get pleasure from nature, nevertheless, it’s also a vegetable and herb backyard, with among the produce getting used as substances in drinks and meals served on the resort’s meals and beverage retailers.

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villasis managed by Anantara, a luxurious hospitality model headquartered in Thailand. From cosmopolitan cities to abandon sands to lush islands, Anantara connects vacationers to the indigenous, grounds them in genuine luxurious, and hosts them with passionate experience. The portfolio presently boasts over 40 gorgeous resorts and resorts situated in Thailand, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Seychelles, Mozambique, Zambia, Tunisia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Portugal, Spain, Hungary and Italy, with a pipeline of future properties throughout Asia, the Center East and Europe. Anantara Kihavah Maldives is likely one of the model’s high properties.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Whereas spacious and completely pleasant, the lodging at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas characteristic darkish wood flooring, ceilings and furnishings, which evoke a slightly classical and considerably old style ambiance. I really feel the villas might use a refurbishment to additional elevate the fashion, just like what was accomplished at Anantara Kihavah’s sister property Naladhu (which options the identical villa sorts, though the villas are styled in a extra ethereal and lighter design, which is extra to my liking). The identical is true for the general public areas: for instance, I used to be not a fan of the inexperienced coloured cushions on the sunbeds in addition to the matching inexperienced coloured towels, and imagine a extra understated, impartial shade scheme would work higher and really feel extra stylish. However that’s only a matter of private style after all.

Seaplanes depart from and take off near the resort’s overwater villas, and, sadly they’re really noisy. It implies that if you’re staying in an overwater villa on the finish of the pontoon, left aspect, early seaplane departures after dawn may wake you up. So, if you’re delicate to noises and don’t need to be waken up by a seaplane, I counsel that you simply both request an overwater villa on the jetty’s different aspect or that you simply keep at a seashore villa. It’s price mentioning although that for many friends, watching the seaplane actions (restricted to five or 6 per day) is pure enjoyable.

Because it provides many family-oriented amenities and packages, Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas could be very fashionable with households. Through the time of my go to (coinciding with a European college vacation), the property was absolutely booked, and a few quarter of all friends had been households, a few of them touring with youthful youngsters. The one palpable consequence for different friends was a scarcity of serenity on the principal pool space, which was overrun by youngsters throughout the morning hours. Whereas this may sound a bit uninviting for {couples} and honeymooners, it’s not likely an issue because the island is large and there are a lot of tranquil locations and seashores to retreat to in addition to the privateness of your villa. Nonetheless, I’d advise to keep away from the college holidays if you’re touring as a pair and on the lookout for a tranquil getaway.

MY VERDICT

Location: 10/10
Design: 8/10
Pool: 9/10
Rooms: 8/10
Meals: 10/10
Breakfast: 10/10
Spa: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Worth for cash: 9/10
Total expertise: superb 8,8/10

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BEST TIME TO VISIT

The very best climate within the Maldives is between January and April, which additionally means excessive season (and excessive lodge charges). The monsoon runs from Could to October, peaking in June. It’s price paying greater costs and sticking to the dry season as there may be nothing to do on a wet day besides drink, eat, work out or scuba dive. Particularly November and December, which are sometimes labelled as dry season months, have been very unsettled in recent times.

HOW TO GET THERE

Anantara Kihavah Maldives will be reached by a 35-minute seaplane journey from Velana Worldwide Airport (MLE). Examine the Wikipedia web page of Velana Worldwide Airport for a constantly up to date checklist of airways that provide direct flights to the Maldives.

PHOTOS

Under is a collection of my images of Anantara Kihavah Maldives. To view extra images of the resort (together with breakfast and the dinning experiences), click on right here.