There’s certainly no shortage of Maldives overwater bungalow resorts out there, but not many see the same number of positive reviews as Niva Velassaru.
It is an enormously popular resort and many of its guests happily return year after year.
We think the convenience helps in fairness – we love the fact that this island paradise is just 25 minutes by speedboat from Male Airport.
Its prices are a positive factor too – for a 5-star resort in the Maldives Niva Velassaru offers very good value.
It sees a mixture of guests: mostly couples on romantic sojourns but also families.
A drawback may be that it can get pretty busy, by Maldives standards anyway. Some may call it lively or vibrant though, and much prefer it that way.
It’s certainly not any kind of wild party resort though either and we find it’s easy to wander off around the island and quickly find yourself alone with the sea.
You have three meal packages to choose from at Niva Velassaru: Breakfast included, breakfast and dinner included, or breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Niva Velassaru Maldives is a family-friendly resort but children are not allowed to stay in the water villas hence we have it placed in our adults-only water villas category.
Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation:
You have many choices here, both on land and overwater, and all offer smooth, modern interior design and understated luxury.
The water villas are for adults only and come in three classes: 861 square feet/80 square meter ‘Water Bungalows’ with infinity plunge pools on the deck, 1205 square feet/112 square meter ‘Water Villas’ some with pools, some without, and then their premium 2906 square feet/270 square meters ‘Water Suites.’
Naturally the latter are the pick of the bunch. The space can almost seem excessive though for an intimate couples’ getaway.
Unless cost is not a factor, a step below – the Water Villas with pool – will offer a reasonably similar experience for a more reasonable price.
We think all the villas at Niva Velassaru Maldives are really quite beautiful, and though it may feel needless with the warm waters of the Indian Ocean directly beneath you, having an infinity pool on the deck adds greatly to the aesthetic and is worth the extra, we feel.
All modern luxury hotel conveniences you can imagine are included here, including 24-hour room service.
The Water Suite clients also get a personal butler for the duration of their stay.
On land we like their beach villas; they have a rustic tropical feel with high ceilings and thatched roofs.
They have an infinity plunge pool outside overlooking the beach and a nice and spacious half-indoor/half-outdoor bathroom with a bathtub.
Prices & Availability:
Check prices and availability at Booking.com here or at Expedia here.
Note: You have three meal packages to choose from at Niva Velassaru: Breakfast included, breakfast and dinner included, or breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Food, Facilities & Things to Do:
There are five restaurants and two bars at Niva Velassaru Maldives. The main buffet restaurant, Vela, serves up enormous buffet spreads for breakfast and dinner alongside some made-to-order dishes.
The dinner buffets are sometimes internationally themed eg. Indian food nights, Maldivian or Italian.
The a la carte, sand-floored Turquoise Restaurant is right on the beach and has indoor and outdoor seating.
Its menu is broadly international but leans more towards Asian. It is open for lunch and dinner.
Also open from lunchtime onwards is the Infinity Pizzeria, and so too is the pool bar which serves snacks and small dishes alongside a good variety of drinks.
The other restaurants are open from dinner time only and are also all a la carte. Etesian has a Mediterranean menu and a romantic, old-worldly indoor dining hall.
The Sand restaurant serves seafood and is entirely outdoors. It sits directly on the beach while their Teppanyaki grill house is housed in an overwater hut and does both Teppanyaki and hibachi.
The resort concierge, or your private butler if you have one, can also set up romantic, private dinners for you in secluded spots if you so wish.
Very few guests will be disappointed with the food we feel. And though some of the restaurants can get pretty busy the level of service is consistently impressive.
Niva Velassaru Maldives isn’t a party place though it does have a friendly cheery atmosphere.
Many guests linger in the restaurants well past dinner while some head to the casual chic and colorful lounge bar, Fen, which also does food but is mainly a drinking venue.
It has a range of seating and spaces to hang out from stools around the bar to giant bean bags and hammocks on the sand.
Near the overwater bungalows lies the other bar, Chill Bar, which has a more casual, laid-back vibe, a tapas menu, and homemade Sangria alongside its cocktails, and more.
The outdoor deck is a popular place to watch the sunset.
The beach here is wide and beautiful and has a teeming house reef.
The resort also has a large and very impressive infinity pool alongside great spa facilities, outdoor, ocean-facing hot tubs, a very well-equipped gym, and tennis courts.
There is a dive center on the island and a water sports center where you can try jet skis, catamarans, paddle boards, kite surfing, and parasailing.
Some Guest Reviews:
“Fantastic. The villas are very comfortable and super close to great snorkelling area. I had a great experience with the dive center (Trisha), with two great dives during my stay. The restaurant is very good, especially for breakfast. The Reformer class was a nice surprise….”
“The property is gorgeous! It’s what they say Maldives will look like; absolutely beautiful with its turquoise water and fine white sand. You will have everything you need and just have the best time of your life. The staff are wonderful, friendly and sincere. If we ever want to go back to Maldives, we’ll stay here again….”
See all the reviews right here
