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 exceptional food (Chef Chaminda’s curries are other-worldly), first class, ‘can-do’ Maldivian hospitality, and an excellent 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.
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
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 exceptional food (Chef Chaminda’s curries are other-worldly), first class, ‘can-do’ Maldivian hospitality, and an excellent 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.
Read Kate Johnson's article on Drift in the Daily Mail here

Aerial view of Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat reproduced with kind permission of Jason & Jo Stovell
Special Offers
2018/19 Winter Promotion - 25% Discount & free meal plan upgrade HB to FB (Dec-Apr)
Stay 7 nights or more between now and 25 Apr 2019 (excluding peak) and receive a 25% discount & free meal plan upgrade from Half Board to Full Board! Book by 31 Mar 2019!
Travel Window
06/12/2018 - 25/04/2019
Book By
31/03/2019
*minimum stays of 7 nights
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2018/19 Winter Promotion - 25% Discount & free meal plan upgrade FB to AI (Dec-Apr)
Stay 7 nights or more between now and 25 Apr 2019 (excluding peak) and receive a 25% discount & free meal plan upgrade from Full Board to All Inclusive! Book by 31 Mar 2019!
Travel Window
06/12/2018 - 25/04/2019
Book By
31/03/2019
*minimum stays of 7 nights
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2019 Summer AI Flat Rate Offer - Beach Villa (Apr-Oct)
Special Flat rates on AI for all stays in a Beach Villa from 26 Apr 2019 to 31 Oct 2019! Book by 31 Mar 2019!
Travel Window
26/04/2019 - 31/10/2019
Book By
31/03/2019
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2019 Summer AI Flat Rate Offer - Water Villa (Apr-Oct)
Special Flat rates on AI for all stays in a Water Villa from 26 Apr 2019 to 31 Oct 2019! Book by 31 Mar 2019!
Travel Window
26/04/2019 - 31/10/2019
Book By
31/03/2019
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2019 Summer AI Flat Rate Offer - Ocean Water Villa (Apr-Oct)
Special Flat rates on AI for all stays in an Ocean Water Villa from 26 Apr 2019 to 31 Oct 2019! Book by 31 Mar 2019!
Travel Window
26/04/2019 - 31/10/2019
Book By
31/03/2019
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2018/19 5% Discount Winter Early Bird Offer
Receive a 5% Discount off room rate and meal plan when booking at least 30 days in advance. Applicable also to third person in room and Child (11yrs+) sharing room. Excludes 26/12/18-5/1/19. Not combinable with Honeymoon Offer.
Travel Window
01/11/2018 - 25/04/2019*
Book By
26/03/2019
*must be booked at least 30 days before travel
*last night must fall within date band
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2019 15% Discount Summer Early Bird Offer
Receive a 15% Discount off room rate and meal plan when booking at least 45 days in advance. Applicable also to third person in room and Child (11yrs+) sharing room. Not combinable with Honeymoon Offer.
Travel Window
26/04/2019 - 31/10/2019*
Book By
16/09/2019
*must be booked at least 45 days before travel
*last night must fall within date band
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2019 10% Discount Summer Early Bird Offer
Receive a 10% Discount off room rate and meal plan when booking at least 30 days in advance. Applicable also to third person in room and Child (11yrs+) sharing room. Not combinable with Honeymoon Offer.
Travel Window
26/04/2019 - 31/10/2019*
Book By
30/09/2019
*must be booked at least 30 days before travel
*last night must fall within date band
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2019 Summer Free Night Offer
Stay for 7 nights and pay for only 6. Free night on meal basis booked. Applicable also to third person in room and Child (11yrs+) sharing room. Not combinable with Honeymoon Offer.
Travel Window
26/04/2019 - 31/10/2019*
Book By
16/09/2019
*last night must fall within date band
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2018/19 10% Discount Winter Early Bird Offer
Receive a 10% Discount off room rate and meal plan when booking at least 45 days in advance. Applicable also to third person in room and Child (11yrs+) sharing room.Excludes 26/12/18-5/1/19. Not combinable with Honeymoon Offer.
Travel Window
01/11/2018 - 25/04/2019*
Book By
08/03/2019
*must be booked at least 45 days before travel
*last night must fall within date band
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2018-19 Honeymoon Offer
Honeymooners receive a 25% discount, applicable to villa rate and meal plan booked. Excludes 26 Dec 18 - 8 Apr 19. Valid within 6 months of wedding for stays of at least 7nts. Marriage Certificate must be provided at check-in. Not combinable (except Honeymoon Benefits).
Travel Window
01/11/2018 - 31/10/2019*
Book By
23/10/2019
*minimum stays of 7 nights
*last night must fall within date band
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
Winter 2019 25% Early Bird Special Offer (60D)
Book 60 days in advance and receive a 25% Discount based on meal plan booked. Valid for travel 1 November 2019 to 15 April 2020 (excluding peak).
Travel Window
01/11/2019 - 15/04/2020
Book By
15/04/2020
*must be booked at least 60 days before travel
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
Winter 2019 15% Early Bird Special Offer (45D)
Book 45 days in advance and receive a 15% Discount based on meal plan booked. Valid for travel 1 November 2019 to 15 April 2020 (excluding peak).
Travel Window
01/11/2019 - 15/04/2020
Book By
15/04/2020
*must be booked at least 45 days before travel
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
Winter 2019 5% Early Bird Special Offer (30D)
Book 30 days in advance and receive a 5% Discount based on meal plan booked. Valid for travel 1 November 2019 to 15 April 2020 (excluding peak).
Travel Window
01/11/2019 - 15/04/2020
Book By
15/04/2020
*must be booked at least 30 days before travel
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2020 Summer 25% Early Bird Special Offer (60D)
Book 60 days in advance and receive a 25% discount based on meal plan booked. Valid for travel between 16 April and 31 October 2020
Travel Window
16/04/2020 - 31/10/2020
Book By
31/10/2020
*must be booked at least 60 days before travel
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2020 Summer 15% Early Bird Special Offer (45D)
Book 45 days in advance and receive a 15% discount based on meal plan booked. Valid for travel between 16 April and 31 October 2020
Travel Window
16/04/2020 - 31/10/2020
Book By
31/10/2020
*must be booked at least 45 days before travel
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
2020 Summer 10% Early Bird Special Offer (30D)
Book 30 days in advance and receive a 10% discount based on meal plan booked. Valid for travel between 16 April and 31 October 2020
Travel Window
16/04/2020 - 31/10/2020
Book By
31/10/2020
*must be booked at least 30 days before travel
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
Summer 2020 Free Night Offer (Apr-Oct)
Stay 7 nights and get 1 night free on meal plan booked. Valid for stays between 16 April and 31 October 2020.
Travel Window
16/04/2020 - 31/10/2020
Book By
31/10/2020
*minimum stays of 7 nights
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
Winter 2019 Honeymoon Offer - 30% Discount
Honeymooners receive a 30% Discount based on meal plan for stays of 7 nights or more. Valid for stays between 1 November 2019 and 15 April 2020 (excluding peak)
Travel Window
01/11/2019 - 15/04/2020
Book By
15/04/2020
*minimum stays of 7 nights
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
Summer 2020 Honeymoon Offer - 45% Discount
Honeymooners receive a 45% Discount based on meal plan for stays of 7 nights or more. Valid for stays between 16 April and 31 October 2020
Travel Window
16/04/2020 - 31/10/2020
Book By
31/10/2020
*minimum stays of 7 nights
*subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
How Our Clients Rate Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat
Feedback Criteria
Average Rating
Service
9.4 / 10
Rooms
9.2 / 10
Dining
9.0 / 10
Bars
9.4 / 10
Facilities
8.7 / 10
Spa
8.7 / 10
Non-Water Activities
6.9 / 10
Excursions
8.4 / 10
Natural Beauty
9.2 / 10
Beaches
9.3 / 10
Snorkelling
7.1 / 10
Diving
7.9 / 10
Other Water Activities
7.9 / 10
Value For Money
8.4 / 10
'Soul'
8.9 / 10
Desire to Return...
8.2 / 10


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!