Luxury resorts in the Maldives are like coconuts on a palm tree: plentiful, glossy and hard to tell apart at first glance. Overwater villas? Check. Shimmering lagoon? Naturally. Instagram-worthy sunsets? Of course. So what makes Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa worth the visit?
For starters: location. Unlike many Maldivian resorts, there’s no need for a costly seaplane transfer. From Malé International Airport, you’ll be sipping coconut water on your deck in just under 30 minutes, thanks to the resort’s slick, Wi-Fi-equipped speedboat.
And the pampering begins the second you land. A private lounge at Velana International Airport offers juices, coffee, tea and that all-important cold towel before you’re ushered onto the transfer boat. With snacks on hand and a friendly crew who’ll chat about Maldivian life as Malé fades behind you, the short crossing feels like the first chapter of your holiday rather than a transfer to endure.
What are the rooms like at Four Seasons Kuda Huraa?
Calling the villas at Kuda Huraa “rooms” feels like underselling them. Even the entry-level Garden Pavilion with Pool (495sqft interior, 700sqft exterior) could easily outsize a city apartment — only here, your front yard is the Indian Ocean.
I stayed in the Sunrise Family Beach Villa with Pool, whose design leans toward understated luxury: polished wood, neutral tones, splashes of Maldivian-inspired finishes. The king-sized bed faces a massive window that frames your private pool and cabana, with the beach just steps away down a sandy path. To the left, a pantry packed with enough Nespresso pods to fuel you for a week and to the right, a spare room with a pull-out bed — handy if you’re travelling with kids or just want a study space — complete with a smaller adjoining bathroom.
The main bathroom is incredible too, with a freestanding bathtub and a private outdoor shower for that "I'm in the Maldives" moment. Yes, the price tag is steep, but comfort, privacy and those little details (wireless charging pads by the bed, discreetly hidden tech, recently renovated interiors) prove you’re paying for more than square footage. You’re buying a sanctuary.
Worth noting too: Kuda Huraa was one of the first international resorts in the Maldives, opening back in 1998. While the property has been fully modernised, the design still nods to Maldivian heritage, from thatched roofs to a small on-island hut where you can glimpse traditional island life.
Where to eat and drink at Four Seasons Kuda Huraa
Dining here is varied enough to keep you excited all week and elevated enough to make you forget you’re a captive audience. Our recommendation is to go with the full-board option so that you're well covered during the day. If not, à la carte dishes are priced around $30-$40 for a main.
Reef Club serves classic Italian dishes with a Maldivian twist and with plenty of seafood, of course. There's lobster, burrata, wood-fired pizza and various types of pasta. Or hit up Kandu Grill for steak and seafood, where the catch of the day is served in a relaxed setting.
Café Huraa is the resort’s all-day dining hub. Order your main breakfast from the à la carte menu, which features all the usual brunch staples as well as some Asian and Maldivian dishes and pair that with the buffet spread of tropical fruit, flaky pastries and other dishes of the day to keep things interesting.
You also can't leave the island without trying Baraabaru. This Indian fine-dining restaurant with a menu crafted in partnership with New York-based chef Hari Nayak, sits partly on an open-air boardwalk over the lagoon, serving dishes rich with spices including crab khurchan with butter garlic lump crab and an aromatic lamb shank biryani with perfectly tender meat that rivals Michelin-starred spots I've tried elsewhere.
One thing to note: dinner service starts at 7pm “island time,” an hour ahead of Malé. Night owls won’t notice, but if you’re prone to early dinners, you’ll want to plan snacks accordingly.
What is the service like?
Here’s where Kuda Huraa really shines. With just under 100 villas and a staff of over 100, the ratio alone is impressive — but numbers don’t tell the whole story. What stands out is the warmth. From the gardeners and tennis coach to the cleaners and dive instructors, everyone greets you with the ease of a family member welcoming you home.
The resort also leans into modern convenience: WhatsApp was my preferred way to reach the housekeeping team. Need more pillows? A buggy ride? Spa reservations? Just text. For call-averse millennials, it’s the kind of service that feels frictionless and intuitive.
What facilities does Four Seasons Kuda Huraa have?
Despite being the smaller Four Seasons resort in the Maldives compared to Landaa Giraavaru, Kuda Huraa punches well above its weight on facilities. The 12-acre island has a spa that's a quick boat ride away from the main resort island, which delivers you to a serene spot that's entirely dedicated to wellness. Treatment rooms are vast, overwater, and come with glass panels so you can watch tropical fish glide beneath you as you’re being massaged.
And if you're in the Maldives, chances are you're looking to dive, snorkel or surf and Kuda Huraa has dedicated instructors to cater to all levels and needs. Surf classes are run by Tropicsurf, where beginners can do classes right at the resort and pros can head out to the nearby world-class surf breaks.
There are over 30 dive sites within 10 to 45 minutes from the island and the visibility when I went diving was excellent. Let your dive master know what you're interested in seeing and they'll plan the spots accordingly. I managed to catch manta rays at their cleaning stations as well as a couple of massive sea turtles.
Want to get wet but not a fan of the open sea? There are two pools to choose from – the freeform family pool right by the main restaurant and the adult-only serenity pool, which has a sunset view. Park yourself at one of the poolside lounge chairs – sunscreen and aftersun care is also thoughtfully provided – and you'll sometimes find staff handing out sweet treats throughout the day.
There's also a private tennis court housed on a nearby local island, which you can also walk around and explore, as well as a gym and kids' club. Don't miss the Marine Discovery Centre with rescued turtles that are currently being rehabilitated in the hopes of being able to release them back into the wild. Guests can also "adopt" a coral frame in collaboration with Reefscapers to help restore the reefs and will get an email on their reef's progress after their trip.
Unlike some larger Maldivian resorts, Kuda Huraa is compact enough to explore on foot, no need for bikes, though buggy rides are available if you’d prefer.
What’s the area like?
Kuda Huraa sits just 20km north of Malé, which means you can swap airport chaos for barefoot island life in about half an hour. The surrounding seascape is exactly what you picture when you close your eyes and think “Maldives”: infinite blue, empty horizons and water so clear you’ll want to dive in the second you arrive.
Why book a stay at Four Seasons Kuda Huraa?
Because it strikes that rare balance of accessible and exclusive. You don’t need a seaplane to get here, but once you do, it feels like your own private world. Pair that with impeccable service, gorgeous villas, standout dining, and excellent facilities and activities to fill your time with, you've got the recipe for a dream holiday.
Some guests split their stay between here and Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru for contrast — Kuda Huraa is compact and garden-like; Landaa is wilder and sprawling. But even on its own, Kuda Huraa more than delivers the kind of Maldivian escape you’ll be daydreaming about long after the tan fades.
Essential information
Address: Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, North Malé Atoll, Maldives
Price per night: From around $1400 for a Garden Pavilion with Pool
Transfer: 25-minute speedboat from Velana International Airport (arranged by the resort)