I visited the Maldives on a Destination Scouting trip for clients. The goal: to have a relaxing, rejuvenating, multi-generational vacation in the Maldives. Did I mention I LOVE MY JOB!
I flew Turkish Airlines through Istanbul because it was the shortest flight time at 21 hours which included a 3-hour layover. Turkish Airlines did not have first class on this flight but did have business class with the individual pods that contained the ability to lay your seat flat and get some shut eye. This was not a problem since my flight departed at 12:20 am.
This was the first time I flew Turkish Air but would recommend it. The service was outstanding! The flight out from New York was slightly better as far as private pod and food caliber than the return flight.
Upon arriving in Male Airport in the Maldives, you must go through customs. My flight arrived at 7:30 am and the lines were long. They estimate 7,000 people arrive in the Maldives daily. The good news is the line moved relatively fast; taking me 35 minutes to get through. A surprise is they scan your luggage through security after going through customs. You don’t need to take your shoes off but you do have to run your bags through. I do not check my luggage so I quickly exited the baggage area.
When you enter the main airport, it can be overwhelming. There was literally 50-75 people holding up signs for the different resorts. My first stop was COMO Maalifushi so I scanned the room for the sign. Thamir then escorted me to the Seaplane check in. Once checked in we took a quick ride to the lounge where I grabbed some coffee and a snack. Thirty minutes later, the Seaplane was ready to take off. For efficiency, you share a seaplane with passengers going to resorts on the way to your destination. We made one stop at a resort where we let passengers off and boarded passengers from that resort who were going back to the airport after the drop off at COMO Maalifushi. Overall, it took about an hour from Male Airport to the resort, including the stop.
It was a long haul but totally worth it. When I reached COMO Maalifushi, I felt like I was in paradise. The turquoise and deep blue waters blending in the ocean were mesmerizing. I was greeted with a refreshing coconut water and my Butler, Aksar, who would be assisting me during my stay. Aksar gave me a tour of the property that included the herb garden where fresh herbs are grown to be used by the restaurants on property.
There are 63 rooms including a beach front 4 bedroom villa as well as an over the ocean 3 bedroom villa. You can choose from three restaurants on property as well as a pool lounge to enjoy the delicious cuisine. There is a Marine Sports Center, complimentary water sports area that includes kayaks and paddle boards, snorkeling, scuba diving and excursions. There is a fabulous spa as well as a yoga pavilion over the water where complimentary yoga is offered daily. I highly recommend the Dolphin Cruise which is a two hour excursion where you can witness hundreds of dolphins swim and play in the deep ocean.
When we arrived at my room, it was breathtaking. The space was light and airy with floor to ceiling sliding doors that fully opened to create indoor/outdoor living. The bathroom was spacious and included a sunken tub with the view of the ocean to sooth you while you enjoy a deep soak. The bed faces the wall of sliding doors so you wake up to the beauty of the sea. The outdoor terrace leads you to an infinity plunge pool as well as a seating area and pergola with lounging bed to relax and be enveloped by the sounds of the sea. As you walk down the steps off the deck, you are lead right into the ocean where you can swim to your hearts contentment. Although there were rooms on each side of me, COMO Maalifushi ensures their guests privacy with vertical bamboo around the outdoor terraces.
The next resort on my trip was COMO Cocoa Island. The staff arranged for my transfer which was seamless; seaplane to Male Airport, 40-minute boat ride from Male Airport to the resort. Being close to the airport makes arrival a bit easier as the seaplanes only fly until 5 pm. Because of its location, COMO Cocoa Island is not as remote as the other resorts. You can see other islands from the property but it doesn’t deter from your feeling of privacy.
Arriving at COMO Cocoa Island I instantly felt relaxed. The island is boutique as it is the home to 33 over-water villas, FARU Bar, UFAA restaurant, gym, spa, private Pilates studio, yoga pavilion and Marine Sports Center. This island is best known for its amazing snorkeling. You can go on a group snorkel excursion, walk the short distance to the reef and go independently or do what I did and walk down the steps of your deck and into the ocean. The sea life sites take your breath away. Don’t be nervous if you see baby sharks. They are harmless and will not bother you.
The spa contains a hydrotherapy pool which is unlike anything I have experienced before. Imagine lying or sitting in a pool where jets surround your body and massage it melting away stress, tension and tight muscles. I was in heaven!
The entire island is walkable and wraps you in a beautiful hug. The energy of COMO Cocoa Island is one of peace, honoring the culture and calmness. It invites you to let go, be present and tune into what brings you happiness.
My villa felt like a home away from home. Its nautical décor blended perfectly with the sounds of the waves crashing outside. With floor to ceiling windows, you can constantly enjoy the views of the turquoise and deep blue sea. The loft design allowed for excellent use of space. You could literally walk down the stairs off the deck and jump right into the ocean. There was also an option for an outdoor shower which married the indoor-outdoor living of the Villa.
The food was healthy and delicious at every meal. This resort is the perfect place to recharge, renew and relax. COMO Cocoa Island has a unique energy that should be experienced by everyone.
After my rejuvenating stay at COMO Cocoa Island, I was off to the Park Hyatt Hadahaa. It was a short boat ride to Male Airport where I boarded a larger commercial flight rather than the seaplane. Because the Park Hyatt Hadahaa is located on a bigger atoll that has an airport, Maldavian Airlines flies there. Once we landed, we took a 25-minute boat ride to Hadahaa.
The island is set up with the villas on the outer circle of the island. 55 villas in total, consisting of beach villas and over water villas all enjoy ocean views because of this layout. The presidential villa is currently under construction. It is easy to maneuver around the island with no need of getting lost. You literally walk in a circle to get to everything.
Park Hyatt Hadahaa is a sustainable resort. They repurpose everything from water bottles being used as light post covers, to the treehouse being built out of leftover wood on the island to the beach bags being made out of former duvet covers. They also have an extensive vegetable and herb garden on property which are used in the cuisine created by the Chef.
The treehouse is in the middle of the garden and is used for champagne breakfasts and private dining. It has the perfect view for a sunset dinner.
I stayed in a beach villa which felt very secluded. The villa led to the plunge pool and deck which led to the beach and ocean. Each villa is separated by jungle trees and plantings. The bed is situated so as you wake up you are greeted by the turquoise waters of the sea. There is a massive bathroom that includes an outdoor shower and soaking tub.
The resort has a wonderful spa with relaxing outdoor area with lounge chairs and pool. It’s the perfect way to set the tone before or after your spa visit. There are a variety of treatments to choose from. There gym is open 24 hours and consists of 2 studios; one for weights and one for cardio. They also have sunrise and sunset yoga and meditation every afternoon.
There is a bar lounge overlooking the main pool area which is adjacent to the main dining restaurant. There is also the Grill which is located next to the garden area. The other option for dinner is Koi, a Japanese over water restaurant. The resort also had Maldavian night, a beach BBQ, movie night, an education area for sea life and the history of the Maldives as well as numerous excursions and water sports equipment.
The Park Hyatt Hadahaa is 33 miles from the equator. There is a half day excursion to the equator should you be interested. Because the earth is rotating the beaches change on the island. Last year the north side of the island had long, deep sandy beaches. With the earth’s rotation, this year the south side of the island has long, deep sandy beaches. How incredible is that!
It is important to note Male time may vary from the island of the resort you stay. For example, COMO Cocoa Island was one hour behind Male time. Park Hyatt Hadahaa was one hour ahead of Male time. The resort will let you know when you arrive what the local island time is.
The next stop on my Maldives Journey was Soneva Jani. The island is very big. It has 55 villas with a Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 area of the island. Because of the size of the island, you can get around by e-bike, regular bicycle or call for a buggy transport by one of the staff. Each Chapter of the island had a gym, spa, restaurants, gift shop and library. There are also man-made fresh water lakes on the island that allow for a bird sanctuary.
One of the restaurants in the center of the island has an enormous movie screen that shows movie night. The kid’s movie shows at 7:30 and the adult movie shows at 9 pm. You listen via headset as not to disturb other guests. They even have over water hammocks with pillows to lay back and enjoy the big screen.
They have a very large garden of vegetables and herbs to use for the restaurants’ entrees.
My villa was massive and included a water slide right into the ocean from the second floor terrace. The resort is eco-friendly and they repurpose as much of the materials used in the building of the resort as possible. You enter a living room/dining area where the table is centered over a glass circle in the floor so you can notice the sea life while having dinner. There is an office that overlooks the pool and ocean so should you have to work, you will have an amazing view.
The bedroom is beautiful with a light airy vibe. They don’t encourage guests to watch TV but afford one hidden in the décor that looks like a suitcase. There are three large suitcases stacked with the top one holding the TV. There is a small guest room for children with a large bathroom that incorporates indoor/outdoor bathing housing a sunken soaking tub on the deck along with two outdoor showers. The walk in closet is amazing and allows for an area to do your make-up. There is also a kitchen with a wine refrigerator, shelves stocked with snacks, a refrigerator filled with goodies.
The spiral staircase leads upstairs to a beautiful terrace with dining area as well as a lounge area. This is where the water slides allows you to have some fun. Back on the first floor, you will enjoy sliding doors the length of the villa which allows for indoor/outdoor living and a full view of the terrace, pool and ocean. There are 4 built in day beds for sunning yourself as well as 4 deck chairs, a double swing and over water hammock. Jump right into the ocean or if you prefer, swim in the infinity pool. There is also a built in half circle dining table facing the ocean so you can enjoy dinner with a view.
I highly recommend having dinner at Down to Earth in the Chapter 1 area of Soneva Jani. Not only can you choose your seating from three floors but there is also the option to dine on an over water hammock (maybe just a snack and drink on the hammock). The atmosphere is light, airy and magical as its décor highlights. The food is fresh and delicious. Did I mention they have an all-day chocolate and ice cream room on the second floor!
My time at Soneva Jani was over before I knew it; however, my transfer to my next resort was the easiest transfer my entire time in the Maldives. I took a seaplane from Soneva Jani to Soneva Fushi. I arrived in 45 minutes and had my toes in the sand at the new resort within an hour.
Soneva Fushi is similar to Soneva Jani as they have the same owner but has a personality all its own. Like siblings in a family. The name Soneva came to be from the owner’s names, Sona and Eva. When planning the resorts, they included their children by asking their opinions. This is how the water slides were incorporated to the villas!
Soneva Fushi has more of a jungle vibe with the majority of the 75 villas as beach villas. Only 8 villas are over water villas on this island. The property is very natural and they are as sustainable as possible. The island is easy to maneuver via bicycle or walking. There are many restaurants to choose from, one being the most fun to experience (in my opinion), Flying Sauces, where you zipline to dinner. There are four towers and you zipline from the tower to the restaurant. Yes, that is correct, you get to work up an appetite before dinner. If you are looking for the perfect sunset meal, I suggest dining at Out of the Blue. If you prefer something a little unique, visit Fresh in the Garden. You enjoy dinner in a tree house concept restaurant above the herb and vegetable garden. You can enjoy a drink and garden tour before dinner if you wish.
I was lucky enough to be on the island during a full moon. After my dinner at Fresh in the Garden, I strolled to the nearby observatory, where I was given a brief over view of the planets and then was able to see the moon through the resorts telescope. This was no ordinary telescope. As the retractable roof opened and the host prepared the telescope for viewing, I was excited with anticipation. As I looked through the telescope, I could see the moon so clearly! I also learned during a full moon you cannot see the stars and planets around the moon because it is so bright.
The property has a wonderful spa with many treatments and healthy consultations available. There is also a conservation center, water sports area as well as a dive center where you can be certified. Soneva Fushi is home to the largest kids center in Southeast Asia. The activities for the children are endless in The Den as well as throughout the island. Children 4 and above can be left at The Den unattended; however, children under 4 must be accompanied by an adult. There are also plenty of activities for teenagers and young adults including astrology studies, marine biology and a survival experience.
My first night of arrival, there was a cocktail party on a small private island. The boat met us at the jetty and 2 minutes later, we were on the island. We enjoyed the sunset sipping cocktails and enjoying canapes. We then headed back to Soneva Fushi for dinner.
I enjoyed a beach villa that was very large. It had the master bedroom upstairs with a half bath, as well as a terrace for dinning and lounging. Coming down the spiral staircase, I was led to the outdoor master bath which extended the length of the property for my villa. There was a double sink area which led to the shower area which led to the sunken tub, all surrounded by the jungle. You then came through the back door and into a massive walk-in closet with a half bath off the closet. Coming to the front of the villa there was a guest bedroom with private outdoor bathroom, small kitchen and an open living room area with vaulted ceiling. Walking out the front door to the right was my own private gym studio with cardio equipment, weights and other fitness equipment. Directly off the front door was a beautiful terrace with dining table and a lounging swing. Beyond the terrace was a built-in pool which led to the beach where you could walk into the ocean.
The vibe on the island is slow living and being present and enjoying each moment. The staff is very attentive and each villa is assigned a butler.
Visiting the Eco Center was educational and fascinating. The brand tries to be as sustainable as possible. The Eco Center focuses on turning waste into purpose. They melt down plastics and glass and use them for building and creating throughout the island. They use coconuts to create charcoal for the kitchen ovens and recycling machinery. They also use the coconuts for mulch, compost and dry out the white part to create coconut oil for use in the spa and cooking. They melt down old copper and metals to create new items as décor in the villas. The glass bottles are melted down to create the drinkware and for artists to create items for sale.
Ollie who has been working for Soneva for 25 years manages the gardens. He spends the majority of his time at Soneva Fushi but also goes to Soneva Jani. He is incredibly knowledgeable about all the herbs, vegetables and plants in his garden. During our tour, he gave us a taste of edible flowers, lettuce and basil. That same basil had been used in the omelet I enjoyed for breakfast. The Eco Center was encouraging to know how 90% of things do not need to go to waste and can be repurposed with the right processes in place.
When I tell you the food you eat is fresh, I mean fresh. Not only are the vegatables and herbs picked fresh daily from the gardens for meals, the fish served is also caught daily. It brings a whole new meaning of farm to table!
My room attendant was outstanding and had such great attention to detail. Within one day, she was keen to my preferences and would have everything set up for me just how I preferred without my having to say a word.
My stay at Soneva Fushi was wonderful with a local island vibe. I am grateful I was able to experience it.
My transfer was as seamless as it had been throughout my trip. Boat to seaplane, 20-minute seaplane flight to Male Airport where I was greeted by the representative from my next hotel. Then a quick 40-minute seaplane ride where the resort boat picked me up at the dock.
There was a slight delay in the arrival of the seaplane for Joali Being. I was escorted to the Joali Being Lounge which was very nice and allowed for me to refresh and have a snack. The service was amazing. They also checked me in to the resort while I enjoyed the lounge so upon arrival at the resort, I could go directly to me room and everything would be seamless. The Joali Being Lounge set the tone for the level of luxury they provided. From the lounge to the boat that picked me up to the arrival on the island dock, everything was at an elevated level. When I arrived at Joali Being, this wellness destination instantly made me feel light and tranquil.
The theme of the resort is weightlessness and this is implemented as soon as you step foot on the deck of the resort. It is the first nature immersive well-being resort in the Maldives. It is based on four pillars; mind, body, microbiome and energy. You feel the energy shift as you are greeted by the staff at the Gate of Zero (entry way to resort). The goal at the Gate is to leave all your stress and anything that is bothering you and start your journey in paradise at zero. You are assigned a Jaduuar which means “maker of magic” to attend to your needs during your stay. Nabee ensured my every need was met and even offered to unpack for me. We communicated by a cell phone provided by the resort.
Joali Being begins your stay with pampering to set the tone for your visit and help you relieve any woes from traveling. I enjoyed the Four Pillar massage with Weda for 90 minutes. I felt so relaxed upon the completion of the massage that is was beyond blissful. Post massage you enjoy an herbal tea and relax in the quiet area. There are 39 treatment rooms on property for all your spa needs. There is also two quiet areas to enjoy pre and post spa treatment.
The resort purposely only has WiFi available in the room to promote disconnecting and tuning in to your surroundings. The aspect of wellness is available for any level the guest prefers. You can choose not to participate in the wellness aspects and enjoy the resort for its beauty or go full wellness with a menu of consultations and immersive opportunities or anything in between.
The gym is very large and offers a variety of classes. There is a separate yoga studio as well as Pilates reformer studio. They also offer an island run and meditation classes. There is an Art studio on property where you can learn about local artist and make purchases of prints. The property offers sound therapy, hydrotherapy pool, sound discovery path, Aktar where you can meet with an herbalist and SAI where you can choose from over 60 teas. There are two restaurants on property; Mojo which serves lunch and Flow which serves breakfast and dinner. Both are three levels of open-air dining.
There is an infinity pool that overlooks the beach so you have a choice of where you would like to enjoy the sun or a swim. At night the pool is lit up to resemble the stars in the sky.
The food at Joali Being is earth to table; all organic and the freshest ingredients are used. I highly recommend the grilled octopus as well as the wagyu beef. The cuisine is highlighted on the menu with which pillars it promotes. For example, the octopus promotes the mind and energy pillars.
I stayed in an ocean villa with pool. The villa was magnificent, airy and flowed. My bicycle was parked outside my door with my name plate on it like a license plate. It was so cute. The high ceilings made the large room feel even bigger. The bed was the focal point with a sprawling open bathroom and closet area behind the bed. There was a wonderful deep soaking tub with different bath salts to choose from. An amenities kit was provided with all of your toiletries. There was both an indoor and outdoor shower. In front of the bed was a sitting area with couch, coffee table and chair; all facing the beautiful view of the ocean. Stepping out the sliding door there was a two-level deck with a fun chair swing and seating area. There was a large infinity pool for your enjoyment. On the lower level there were 2 lounge chairs for sunning and a over water hammock. At the end of the deck there was a ladder for easy access getting out of the ocean after an enjoyable swim.
The energy at Joali Being was one of peace, tranquility and letting go. The staff was very attentive without being intrusive. I highly recommend this resort. To feel its true affects, I would recommend a minimum stay of 10 nights. You will feel refreshed, renewed and invigorated during and after your stay.
I was sad to leave but made the most of my time at Joali Being. I passed through the Gate of Zero upon my departure more re-balanced and with a wealth of knowledge to bring home with me.
Transfer days can be time consuming but my transfer to my next resort was seamless. Speed boat to seaplane (10 minutes), flight to Male (40 minutes), short wait time at Male for next flight, Maldavian flight to next resort (35 minute), speed boat ride to resort (25 min).
My last and final stop on my Maldives trip was Six Sense Laamu. The resort had sent me a detailed email the night before my transfer with step-by-step details of how it would unfold. This was very helpful to know the timing of each step.
There was a team of smiling faces to greet me as I exited the boat. I was assigned a GEM (butler) who gave me a tour of the island and then showed me to my room. There is a list of daily activities to choose from as well as treatments at the spa. Your GEM can take care of scheduling your desires as well as your time at the gym. During my stay they were only allowing 5 guests in the gym at a time so reservations are required.
The island is big but not overwhelming. You are assigned a bicycle with a license plate with your initials on it to get around. There are main parking areas for the bikes, thus the initial plates as not to get mixed up with another guest. It is also possible to walk the island or if you prefer, you can be picked up and escorted via golf cart.
There are a variety of restaurants to choose from; Longitude which serves themed dinner nights and breakfast. I highly recommend trying the Maldivian themed dinner night. You will be able to enjoy the local cuisine of the culture. The second restaurant is Zen which serves Japanese food. Chill is a casual over water restaurant allowing for all day dining and a bar to enjoy a cocktail. It is also a great spot to watch the sun set. There is also Leaf Restaurant located above the herb garden serving a variety of international cuisine. Sip Sip is a restaurant where the pool and beach meet serving light bites and drinks. Each entrée on the menu lists underneath it what it enhances in your body; i.e. energy, sleep, etc. I found this very interesting. Did I mention they have an all-day ice cream area!
There is a diving center and water sports area, Den for the kids’ activities, gym, spa, yoga pavilion, eco center and educational area to learn about marine life. You can snorkel off your villa or go to the main reef and jump in. The underwater life is incredible. They also have an outdoor cinema area where they show movies on the big screen a few times per week. The Den offers children’s activities and babysitting so parents can have some private time.
I highly recommend the meditation classes which help you feel centered and welcome the calm of the island. I tried Facial Yoga for the first time which was very interesting. It taught you how to exercise your face to stimulate the skin, muscles and lymphatic system. I experienced the spa and enjoyed several treatments. I scheduled an Integrated Wellness Consultation which measures the stresses and strains on your body through analysis which enables you to receive steps to make long-lasting improvements.
I loved my over water villa. It was vibrant and down to earth while feeling peaceful at the same time. The bed faced the wall of glass so I could wake to the ocean view and sunshine. There were three terraces; one upstairs, one off the outdoor bathroom and one off the bedroom area that led into the ocean. Yes, I jumped right off as soon as I changed into my bathing suit. There are several categories of villas to choose from on the beach and over water, with and without pools. I enjoyed the outdoor shower and the most unique glass bathtub sitting atop a glass floor with views of the ocean. Do you sense the water theme here? It also enabled me to relax in the tub while spotting underwater life of fish and baby sharks.
The staff were all very friendly and helpful with anything you needed. The atmosphere is barefoot luxury but also felt like family. The vibe of the island and resort is all about enjoyment in the way that works best for each individual.
A perfect example of this is how the resort caters to your departure time. I had a very late flight departing Male at 10:45 pm. The resort allowed me to check out at 7:10 pm to provide the shortest wait time at the airport and to make the most of my last day at the resort.
My time in the Maldives ended way too quickly for me but the trip brought me new knowledge and understanding of the Maldivian culture and the pure beauty of nature undisturbed.
I applaud the Maldavians for their superior service in managing the tourists. It is a logistical nightmare to coordinate all the people coming to the Maldives, the different resorts they will be transferred to and from at the Airport be it by boat, seaplane or commercial airline. Getting them to the lounge areas to wait for the next part of their transfer and working with the airport and resort staffs to ensure the transitions are seamless. It is a process but they handle it flawlessly.
Whether you are a group of friends, honeymooners, families, couples or a solo traveler, the Maldives is a wonderful getaway. I wouldn’t recommend going for less than 10 days. It is a paradise destination and you don’t want to rush your trip. You can visit more than one resort, just realize the transfer from one resort to another can take 2-4 hours. You will not be disappointed in your visit. The Maldives is truly magical.
