Maafushivaru Maldives Review

The adventure started in Male airport where we were met by a Maafushivaru representative who ushered us into the private lounge owned by the resorts Kuramathi and Maafushivaru. From here we boarded the seaplane, where sitting immediately behind the pilot we were able to witness first hand the beautiful necklaces of blue and emerald atolls stretching out in front of us.

After a smooth 25 minute journey we descended to the slice of paradise that was to be our home for the next few days. The different shades of blue reflected in the sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean were breathtaking. The resort promotes and encourages a very relaxed lifestyle and this is exemplified by their ‘no shoes no news’ policy. All over the resort guests are invited to cast away their cares and woes with their shoes and bare feet relaxation is certainly the ethos here. So, standing barefoot in a chic beautiful white sandy reception area completing checking in formalities was certainly a first for us.

For us Maafushivaru was full of unique and life changing moments. In one day we had snorkelled on the beautiful reef surrounding the island, swam within touching distance of manta rays and whale sharks, been marooned on our own beautiful deserted island enjoying a stunning champagne picnic, had an amazing massage at the beautiful spa and had a superb candlelit dinner under a canopy of a crystal clear sky. The possibilities at Maafushivaru are absolutely endless and whether or not you just want to lie on the beautiful sandy beach, swim in the lovely infinity pool, participate in many of the wonderful water sports activities, enjoy the amazing flora and fauna or just simply while away the time in a stunning tropical island paradise, this is definitely the place for you. Maafushivaru also has it’s own little secret, namely an adjacent small secluded and dazzlingly beautiful island of Lonubo only reachable by the resort’s Maldivian boats called Dhonis. Guests can book picnic lunches, a la carte dinners prepared by their own chef, have an overnight stay in one of the two gorgeous villas on the island or simple just enjoy the peaceful tranquility of being at one with nature in such an out of this world location. For the more adventurous there is a plethora of things to keep you entertained and excited. The resort has it’s own diving centre and arranges daily diving and snorkelling to the beautifully pristine dive sites in the vicinity of the atoll. These are often accompanied by their resident marine biologist who gives incredibly interesting and informative insights into the marine ecology. There are deep sea and reef fishing trips together with water sports activities such as sailing, kayaking and wind surfing.

On arrival we were swiftly shown to our accommodation and were instantly struck by the aura of elegant charm and sophistication and the very close proximity of the sea. The architecture was unique in design and cleverly utilised every nook and cranny, creating a feeling of spaciousness. Inside our villa we found all the amenities we could wish for, including a flat screen TV, DVD player, an iPod docking station, a well stocked mini-bar and an Espresso machine. The semi-open bathroom with it’s marble topped double sink unit led to an outside garden featuring a stunning rainfall shower made of stone. There was a plentiful supply of luxurious L’Occitane products.
Facing the sea, we had our own private deck with sunloungers. There are a choice of three types of accomodation available at Maafushivaru, ranging from beach villas to the very exclusive water villas, built out over the lagoon.

Maafushivaru is the ideal place for honeymoon couples or for those seeking to rekindle their romance. After 40 years of marriage we can hardly be mistaken for honeymooners yet that is exactly what we felt like after our unforgettable ‘Couples Rebirth’ treatment at the stunning Maafushivaru Spa. We were allocated the couple’s suite which featured a bath brimming with bubbles and exotic tropical flower petals. After a wonderfully relaxing and sensual full body massage, which was a classic blend of Maldivian and Balinese massage using warm oils, we were presented with a bottle of sparkling wine and a platter of tropical fruits to enjoy at our leisure whilst immersed in the sweet scented bath. The spa is situated on stilts overlooking the ocean so we were able to venture out on to our own private terrace to watch the sun set and listen to the calm lapping of the waves beneath us. Needless to say we emerged from this remarkable and totally unforgettable experience feeling very serene and at peace with ourselves, each other and the beautiful resort of Maafushivaru.

There are a number of eating options at Maafushivaru. There is an elegant central restaurant serving mouth watering dishes from around the globe. Breakfast, lunch and dinner options are extensive and the ambiance and views over the beautiful azure seas make dining here a very pleasant and romantic experience. We were struck also by the delight taken in the presentation of the food by the chefs who you could often see brimming with pride at their creations and photographing their culinary displays. The variety and quality of the food is outstanding and guests have a tantalising array to choose from with themed dinner nights making sure that boredom or repetition is certainly not on the menu here. Additionally guests can book meals at a very chic and beautifully situated tepanyaki restaurant enjoying a very entertaining display of culinary skills by their specialist chef.

Maafushivaru will forever be imprinted upon our memories. The magnificent beauty, sense of relaxation, friendly, homely atmosphere, luxurious accommodation and opportunities for life changing activities make this one of the best holiday locations that we have ever visited. The trouble is that everywhere else that we have visited suddenly pales into insignificance and we are left with the feeling that nowhere else will ever match up to the tranquil and unique beauty of Maafushivaru. We will be back – we must come back as we are deeply and madly in love with this idyllic island in the Maldives.

www.maafushivaru.com
Kuoni (01306 747008 or www.kuoni.co.uk) offers 7 nights on all inclusive at the 4.5-star Maafushivaru, Maldives in a beach villa including flights with Sri Lankan Airlines from Heathrow and group seaplane transfers in resort. Prices for 2014 are from £2,399 per person, based on two sharing. To book please quote: IO0625 (price includes one bonus night)