DESTINATIONS WINTER SUN | MALDIVES
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Aerial view of Anantara Veli Maldives Resort; pool at Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa; Deluxe Over Water Pool, Anantara Veli Maldives Resort; restaurant at Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa PICTURES:
bharataggarwal.com; Christopher Cypert
Asian koels (glossy-feathered birds famous for their shrill calls) suggests that nature is already thriving here. The vegetation even extends to the overwater boardwalks, lined with bright green shrubs. Marine conservation is clearly a priority at this
109-villa resort, which opened in 2022. My first dive takes place just metres from the sand, but I soon spot a huge stingray swooping between vast shoals of tropical fish. Innovation is key to the approach – not only underwater, where items repurposed as artificial reefs include an old bicycle – but above the waves too. Take the mixology lab, the sleek glass cube
where I sign up for a cocktail masterclass. The walls are lined with apothecary-style bottles filled with homemade limoncellos, and there are rows of oak barrels containing guests’ bespoke negroni mixes. There’s a huge sense of space, whether it’s at Aura, the slick bar where guests can drink and dine with their feet in the sand; Habitat, the semi open-air all-day dining spot; or Origin, where sustainable seafood is served with a backdrop of interrupted sea views. This spaciousness extends to the villas – all villas have private pools, and beach villas have additional swings at the rear and personal beachfront gazebos. Much
34 12 OCTOBER 2023
Sheena Gunnoo, Maldives specialist, Audley Travel
“Newly refurbished
Anantara Veli is perfect for couples seeking a modern adult-only resort, and clients can enjoy additional facilities and a
livelier atmosphere at sister property Anantara Dhigu.”
of the public space has been dedicated to younger guests, who can hang out at one of the Maldives’ biggest kids’ clubs, while teens get their own zone – the Re:Fuel area, which has its own private entrance. Here, teenagers can sip mocktails and kombucha shakes while soaking up sunset views. Who needs negronis? Book it: Luxtripper offers seven nights’ full-board at the Hilton Amingiri in a One Bedroom Overwater Pool Villa from £11,099 per couple, including return flights from Heathrow with Etihad and transfers.
luxtripper.co.uk
THE FOOD LOVER’S ESCAPE It takes 35 minutes (as the speedboat flies) to get from Malé to Anantara Veli, which emerged from a nine-month renovation in late 2022. This 67-villa resort’s makeover involved the addition of a new villa category (six new beach pool villas), a spruce-up of the spa (which now has a beautiful hammam) and major revamps of the restaurants. There’s a strong focus on regional cuisine, and in an era
when resorts often compete to cram in cuisines, Anantara Veli’s offering feels like it’s about quality, not quantity. Cumin, which serves up Indian Ocean dishes, is
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travelweekly.co.uk
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