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Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat, Maldives

Overview
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Accommodation
|
Facilities
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Watersports
|
Dining
Our Opinion
The scattered rings of low-lying islands have always offered a therapeutic antidote to the thrash and pother of increasingly hectic daily lives, and many people travel to the Maldives to escape, if only for a few days, or a week or two. But while the geography of the Maldives hasn’t changed, the resort experience has evolved exponentially.

In a (largely successful) attempt to appeal to a much wider audience, resorts new and old have leap-frogged each other to offer more. More facilities, more luxury, more bling, more entertainment, more ‘carefully crafted experiences’. This is all fine, but for some of us at least, it risks losing sight of the Maldives we fell in love with in the first place.

Thelu Veliga is a tiny (1.1 hectare), untouched gem in the South Ari Atoll. Previously used as a snorkelling excursion or dive boat stop-off, this is the epitome of an Indian Ocean desert island. Just 10 traditional detached beach bungalows nestle amongst the tropical foliage, a few steps across impossibly soft sand to the water’s edge. Gorgeous driftwood touches, from artwork to furniture, are hand-crafted on the island and feel authentic, not contrived. A further 20 elegant over water villas offer direct access to a shallow lagoon, perfect for swimming and low-key water sports, and surrounded by an extensive house reef. If you’re a diver, you’ll already know all about what South Ari has to offer.

Add a fabulous sunset bar - serving our own “Angelfish” cocktails no less -, a restaurant delivering good food, warm, ‘can-do’ Maldivian hospitality, a dive centre, a small boutique, and a gorgeous little spa with three over water suites, and that’s it.

While so much time and effort has been spent bringing additional experiences to the Maldives, with Thelu Veliga, Drift aims to buck the trend, putting the Maldivian experience centre stage, and letting it speak for itself. Some of us will never tire of those views to the horizon across pristine waters, with our toes wiggling in powder-soft sand. Drift is an island with a soulful vibe, intended to slow the heart rate, not ramp it up. The word “Retreat” in the name is entirely deliberate.

If your life is incomplete without TVs & swimming pools, kids’ clubs & karaoke, golf buggies & underwater restaurants, then there’s plenty to choose from. For those seeking the “Maldives unplugged”, Drift might just be paradise on earth (and no children under 12 years are allowed on the island).

Read Kate Johnson's article on Drift in the Daily Mail here

Read Karen Edwards' article on Drift in the Huffington Post here

Aerial view of Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat reproduced with kind permission of Jason & Jo Stovell
Special Offers
2022 25% Winter 60 Day Early Bird Offer
Book 60 days in advance and receive 25% Discount off the room rate and meal plan. Applies to all villa categories and to 3rd person sharing.
Travel Window
01/05/2022 - 31/10/2022
Book By
31/08/2022
*must be booked at least 60 days before travel
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2022 25% Summer Early Bird Offer [60 Days]
Book at least 60 days ahead and receive 25% Discount off the room rate and pre-booked meal plan. Applies to all villa categories and to 3rd person sharing. Combinable with other contractual offers where applicable except Honeymoon Offer.
Travel Window
01/05/2022 - 31/10/2022
Book By
31/08/2022
*must be booked at least 60 days before travel
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2022 15% Summer Early Bird Offer [45 Days]
Book at least 45 days ahead and receive 15% Discount off the room rate and pre-booked meal plan. Applies to all villa categories and to 3rd person sharing. Combinable with other contractual offers where applicable except Honeymoon Offer.
Travel Window
01/05/2022 - 31/10/2022
Book By
15/09/2022
*must be booked at least 45 days before travel
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2022 10% Summer Early Bird Offer [30 Days]
Book at least 30 days ahead and receive 10% Discount off the room rate and pre-booked meal plan. Applies to all villa categories and to 3rd person sharing. Combinable with other contractual offers where applicable except Honeymoon Offer.
Travel Window
01/05/2022 - 31/10/2022
Book By
30/09/2022
*must be booked at least 30 days before travel
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2022-23 30% Winter Honeymoon Offer [7+ nights]
Honeymooners receive a 30% Discount based on meal plan for stays of 7 nights or more. Valid for stays between 1 November 2022 and 30 April 2023 (excluding 26 December 2022 to 5 January 2023). Offer not combinable with any other offer. Valid within 6 months of wedding date. Marriage certificate required upon check-in.
Travel Window
01/11/2022 - 30/04/2023
Book By
22/04/2023
*minimum stays of 7 nights
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2023 40% Summer Honeymoon Offer [7+ nights]
Honeymooners receive a 40% Discount based on meal plan for stays of 7 nights or more. Valid for stays between 1 May and 31 October 2023. Offer not combinable with any other offer. Valid within 6 months of wedding date. Marriage certificate required upon check-in.
Travel Window
01/05/2023 - 31/10/2023
Book By
23/10/2023
*minimum stays of 7 nights
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2023 Free Night Offer [7=6]
Stay 7 nights and get 1 night free on meal plan booked. Valid for stays between 1 May and 31 October 2023. Applies to 3rd person sharing. Combinable with Early Bird Offer only. Applicable to all villa categories.
Travel Window
01/05/2023 - 31/10/2023
Book By
22/10/2023
*minimum stays of 7 nights
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2022 Summer Free Night Offer [7=6]
Stay 7 nights and get 1 night free on meal plan booked. Valid for stays between 1 May and 31 October 2022. Applies to 3rd person sharing. Combinable with Early Bird Offer only.
Travel Window
01/05/2022 - 31/10/2022
Book By
22/10/2022
*minimum stays of 7 nights
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2022 45% Summer Honeymoon Offer [7+ nights]
Honeymooners receive a 45% Discount based on meal plan for stays of 7 nights or more. Valid for stays between 1 May and 31 October 2022. Offer not combinable. Valid within 6 months of wedding date. Marriage certificate required upon check-in.
Travel Window
01/05/2022 - 31/10/2022
Book By
22/10/2022
*minimum stays of 7 nights
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2022-23 15% Winter Early Bird Offer [45 Days]
Book at least 45 days ahead and receive 15% Discount off the room rate and pre-booked meal plan. Applies to all villa categories and to 3rd person sharing. Combinable with other contractual offers where applicable except Honeymoon Offer. Blackout dates: 26 December 2022 to 5 January 2023.
Travel Window
01/11/2022 - 30/04/2023
Book By
17/09/2022
*must be booked at least 45 days before travel
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2022-23 5% Winter Early Bird Offer [30 Days]
Book at least 30 days ahead and receive 5% Discount off the room rate and pre-booked meal plan. Applies to all villa categories and to 3rd person sharing. Combinable with other contractual offers where applicable except Honeymoon Offer. Blackout dates: 26 December 2022 to 5 January 2023.
Travel Window
01/11/2022 - 30/04/2023
Book By
17/09/2022
*must be booked at least 30 days before travel
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2023 15% Summer Early Bird Offer [45 Days]
Book at least 45 days ahead and receive 15% Discount off the room rate and pre-booked meal plan. Applies to all villa categories and to 3rd person sharing. Combinable with other contractual offers where applicable except Honeymoon Offer.
Travel Window
01/05/2023 - 31/10/2023
Book By
17/09/2022
*must be booked at least 45 days before travel
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2023 10% Winter Early Bird Offer [30 Days]
Book at least 30 days ahead and receive 10% Discount off the room rate and pre-booked meal plan. Applies to all villa categories and to 3rd person sharing. Combinable with other contractual offers where applicable except Honeymoon Offer.
Travel Window
01/05/2023 - 31/10/2023
Book By
17/09/2022
*must be booked at least 30 days before travel
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2021-22 Honeymoon Benefits [4+ nights]
Honeymooners staying at least 4 nights have a choice of either a private beach dinner with a set menu (weather permitting) or a couples spa treatment. Valid for stays within 6 months of the wedding date. Marriage certificate required upon check-in.
Travel Window
01/11/2021 - 31/10/2022
Book By
26/10/2022
*minimum stays of 4 nights
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply

How Our Clients Rate Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat

Feedback Criteria
Average Rating
Service
9.2 / 10
Rooms
9.2 / 10
Dining
9.0 / 10
Bars
9.3 / 10
Facilities
8.6 / 10
Spa
8.6 / 10
Non-Water Activities
7.0 / 10
Excursions
8.3 / 10
Natural Beauty
9.2 / 10
Beaches
9.3 / 10
Snorkelling
7.5 / 10
Diving
8.0 / 10
Other Water Activities
8.1 / 10
Value For Money
8.4 / 10
'Soul'
8.8 / 10
Desire to Return...
8.2 / 10
  • TripAdvisor
Image Gallery Theme - Jssor Slider, Slideshow with Javascript Source Code
Aerial View of Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat
The Beach Bar
Driftwood Details
Beach Bar & Day Beds
Pristine Beach & Driftwood Chairs
The Real Maldives!
Aerial View Of Sunset Bar
Maldives Sunset!
Island Approach From Dhoni
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