Anantara Veli Resort, Maldives

Why We Like It:

The 5 Star, adults only Anantara Veli Resort has 67 chic overwater bungalows in a sublime setting just half an hour by speedboat from Mali’s International Airport.

The location is more private and secluded than other water villa resorts in The Maldives, and is very much designed for romantic getaways.

It is still though just a two-minute speedboat shuttle to the busier (& family-friendly) Anantara Dhigu Resort across the lagoon. There you’ll find a broad range of facilities and entertainment; restaurants, bars, shops, water sports, etc.

Antara Veli also has facilities of its own though with tennis courts, a fitness center, an outdoor spa, and three very fine restaurants serving Japanese, Thai, and international food at your doorstep.

The service here is consistently impeccable, and you are allowed as much, or as little, interaction with staff and other guests as you would like.

Water Villas & Other Accommodation:

You can choose between a classic water villa/overwater bungalow on the lagoon or an ocean bungalow set on a secluded cliff edge overlooking the ocean.

All the accommodation choices are doubles and all come with a suitably grand king-size bed.

Your choices among the water villas are: ‘standard’ 62 m² units with an outdoor sun deck and direct access to the lagoon. Deluxe units which have about 30 m² of extra space plus some very special open-air bathrooms with terrazzo bathtubs overlooking the lagoon.

The ‘superior’ water villas go a step further with a plunge pool overlooking the lagoon and a full 125 m² of space over two floors.

Finally, there are the ‘Ocean Bungalows’, not overwater bungalows per se but their position on the edge of a small, secluded cliff directly over the ocean grants them a similar feel.

They are broadly similar too in layout, and in size, to the superior overwater bungalows, also having that lovely plunge pool, but this time overlooking the Indian Ocean.

All the accommodation choices are B&B and have a pleasing array of modern facilities; air-con, WiFi, cable TV, music system, refrigerator, coffee maker, mini-bar (with private wine collection), bathtub, rainfall shower, walk-in closets, yoga mats etc. plus plenty of lounging and dining furniture both inside and out.

There is 24-hour room service too, and the service levels in general, including the concierge, are excellent.

Prices & Availability:

Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the Booking.com page here and on the Resort’s Own Website (Anantara) here.

Food & Drink:

At the resort itself, you have a choice of three dining options; international food at 73 Degrees, Thai food at Baan Huraa, and some theatrical Teppanyaki cooking as well as hand-crafted sushi at Origami.

For something a little more special and private you can also consult with the chef to organize a unique evening menu just for you.

This can then be served to you privately, with all the trimmings, on a deserted sandbank as the sun sets over the sea, all in all, a uniquely romantic and extravagant way to mark an important occasion.

And if you feel menu creation might be a skill for you to develop you can take it a step further by organizing cooking classes with the chef.

Resort Facilities & Things to Do:

A two-minute speedboat shuttle ride, or a slower but more romantic traditional Dhoni boat ride, across the lagoon, lies the busier resort of Anantara Dhigu, which you also have full access to and where you’ll find a broader selection of restaurants and bars as well as shops and hair & beauty salons.

Back on Veli you can sink into some oversize bean bags and catch a classic movie at the open-air cinema, or organize a bespoke private open-air movie screening just for you.

Try out too some 5,000-year-old massage and healing techniques at the, really quite heavenly, open-air, Balance Wellness Spa, plus yoga and meditation.

And if all that seems like too much lazing around then you can also indulge in a variety of water and land-based sports such as snorkeling, scuba-diving & free-diving around the coral reefs, surfing, kayaking, windsurfing, and tennis, as well as cardio and weight training at the fitness center/gym.

And finally, the last thing Anantara Veli probably needs is a swimming pool but yes, it’s got one too; an infinity pool that sits perfectly out above the lagoon.

Some Guest Reviews:

“The resort was out of this world, so unreal and exceeded our expectations. The location, food (Thai restaurant was amazing), staff, variety of activities, cleanliness, spa, all was perfect. The great advantage is that there is a nearby Anantara Dhigu which you can go to by boat (5 mins by boat) and you can utilize their facilities as well….”

“The resort is a paradise. I’ve been to the Maldives islands 3 times before. But while all resorts were paradise, this one’s top the lot. We stayed in a Deluxe Over-Water Bungalow for our honeymoon, and it is an absolutely amazing room. The white sand lagoon water surrounds the room, and you can see it from every corner. Amazing bathroom, amazing bathtub, amazing deck on the water (we even sat there at night listening to the water just below us and looking at the stars) immaculate room. The service was exceptional. A great balance between friendliness and privacy. One of the main reasons I write this review. Even if you are used to top quality service, something will surprise you….”

>> GO HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR OVERWATER BUNGALOW AT ANANTARA VELI:

Location Category:

The Maldives