[category]
[title]
The Maldives have you in a state of pure wonder before you even land. From above, those hundreds of white-sand islands, haloed by gleaming blue lagoons, appear otherworldly. And once we touch down via seaplane at Ananaea Madivaru, a new twin-island resort on the North Ari Atoll, it’s even harder to believe that such a place is real life.
Why stay at Ananea Madivaru?
A stay at Ananea Madivaru is a lesson in sophisticated laziness. With resorts in the Algarve, Thailand, Zanzibar, Greece, and Italy, Ananea is already well-versed in the art of slow, minimalist glamour. Pair that with the unrivalled natural beauty of the Maldives and the hotel’s flawless gastronomic offering, and you have yourself a trip that dreams are made of. To top it all off, the resort was at almost full capacity during our visit, but there wasn’t a single moment that it felt crowded.
What are the rooms like at Ananea Madivaru?
‘Rooms’ is a severe understatement. Ananea hosts 110 luxury villas, each one with its own very generously sized outdoor pool and ample privacy. I was put up in one of the 28 deluxe water pool villas on the manmade north island. Through the front door, you walk straight into the dreamy high-ceilinged main bedroom, the bed facing out of huge glass doors and towards the Indian Ocean. To the right of the entrance, there’s the pantry room with a mini fridge, Nespresso coffee machine and a bottle of mozzie spray; to the left, a wardrobe room housing robes, slippers and your complimentary Ananea canvas bag (incredibly useful on days you decide to spend more time out of your villa). The bathroom is gleaming and palatial – there are two sinks, a dressing table, a waterfall shower, and more floor-to-ceiling glass doors, one opening onto an outdoor shower and another leading directly into the 10m infinity pool.
That takes us onto the terrace, which is a real test of your lazing talent. The villa’s outdoor space is as big as its interior, with five different areas to suit all your sunbathing needs – a shaded sofa in the far corner, an overwater net, cushioned deckchairs, a netted hammock or plain old table and chairs. There’s also a ladder leading directly into the warm ocean – pick up a snorkel from the dive centre if you want to make the most of it.
What are the restaurants like at Ananea Madivaru?
There are nine restaurants across the island, all of which can confidently stand on their own.
Asia Street is a complex of four restaurants, each dedicated to a different part of Asia: Korea, Thailand, India, and the Maldives. Of those four, the one place that you absolutely must eat at is the traditional Maldivian dining house Kaagé. Tuna takes centre stage in Maldivian cuisine, and until I ate here, I never appreciated its infinite possibilities. The must-order is the riha folhi, a delectable, almost neon yellow coconut crepe filled with spiced tuna curry pate.
Flame is the resort's resident grill restaurant, serving freshly caught fish (the menu changes daily), and next door is Flores, the resort's Nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian fusion) restaurant. To the other side is Paradise Beach Club, a more casual spot where we snacked on a stunning banquet of Mexican bits before rolling onto the beach loungers, cocktails in hand, a few metres away. Breakfast is served at either Flame or the Gallery, though you’ll find the more expansive buffet – everything from French toast to cheese platters to Korean dumplings – at the latter.
The most romantic restaurant of the lot is Luna. Set over the ocean and bridging the two islands like an elegant centrepiece, it glows low and orange, gorgeously reflecting on the waves after the sun goes down. For couples, there are several al fresco tables in private nooks, ideal for a particularly special date night. Guided by a Michelin-star chef, Luna offers an impeccable ten-course Italian tasting menu. Highlights from our visit included lobster ravioli with saffron, grilled octopus, and a tuna beignet amuse-bouche.
What’s the service like at Ananea?
There’s something about this place and its people that’ll quickly have you smiling and nodding good morning, good afternoon and goodnight to every person you pass (a real novelty after flying over from London). When you first step off the seaplane onto the jetty, guests are welcomed by a neat line of staff handing us juice, palm leaf necklaces and cold face towels. From that moment on, this place insists that you gently give in to unadulterated laziness. There were a few times that I decided to walk across the resort (probably around 20 minutes from one end to the other), but was swiftly scooped up by a passing buggy. A nice relief at times, but slightly exasperating when you’re trying to convince staff that you genuinely just want to stretch your legs a little.
What are the facilities like at Ananea Madivaru?
When you get tired of your own personal pool, you’ve got three shared infinity pools across the resort to try – one overlooking the main beach, another smaller one by the Sting Bar beach club and another in the spa. With eight treatment rooms, all in their own huts, Ananea’s Swiss-style spa has an extensive menu of treatments, from restorative facials to coconut milk and seasalt body scrubs. There’s also a small gym upstairs if you find yourself craving a sweat, as well as sunrise and sunset yoga sessions throughout the week.
Of course, it would be a serious crime to stay in the Maldives without setting eyes on its underwater safari. Ananea makes sure you get that opportunity. Whether you’re a first-time snorkeller, a seasoned diver, or looking to bag an official scuba qualification, it’s got you covered. A manta ray excursion, a nurse shark encounter, swimming with sea turtles, scuba diving under the stars – take your pick, you’ll feel in extremely safe hands. If you’d rather stay above water, try parasailing, jetskiing, big game fishing or a sunset cruise instead.
For families, the Compass Kids Club is one of the biggest in the Maldives. There’s a games and movie room, an outdoor pool and sandpit, and activities like henna, coconut painting and sushi and pizza-making. Eventually, we’re told, the resort will also have its own tennis and padel courts.
Why should you book a stay at Ananea Madivaru?
Indulge in a stay at Ananea to experience Maldivian luxury on your own terms. Its scope of outstanding restaurants means all guests are guaranteed a culinary experience to suit their tastes, and its range of activities lets you zone out completely or really lean into your inner adrenaline junkie. At no point does the resort's quantity come at the expense of quality. Ananea truly excels in everything it offers.
Address: Madivaru Island, Alifu Alifu Atoll Ethere, Maldives
Price per night: Seven nights all-inclusive available from £4699 per person via Kuoni
Closest transport: Velana International Airport is a 20-minute seaplane transfer away