Anantara Kihavah Villas

Anantara Kihavah manages something genuinely rare: it pairs polished modern luxury with the atmosphere of an authentic Maldivian island. The island itself is a pleasure to explore, with lush, immaculate grounds, pretty pathways that are perfect for cycling, and a lovely stretch of beach that is completely free of wave breakers. The villas have been thoughtfully refurbished to an excellent standard, the bathrooms in the overwater villas deserve special praise, and the multi-bedroom beach villas are an ideal pick for families or groups who want generous space and privacy.

Dining here is a genuine highlight. The overwater dining complex is still one of the most striking in the Maldives, crowned by the SKY observatory, the first overwater observatory in the country. SEA is a true bucket-list experience, where sharks, turtles and rays drift past while you eat, and FIRE turns out superb teppanyaki and Japanese-Peruvian dishes. SPICE delivers Asian cooking of real quality, including the finest king prawn tikkas we have tasted, Manzaru is a charming choice for Italian food, and breakfast at Plates is a generous affair. The wine list is extensive, with sensible options at the more accessible end. SEA and FIRE are extremely popular, so early booking is wise during high season.

The facilities are broad and impressive. The fitness centre is excellent, with a padel court and a jungle climbing wall among the standouts, and the overwater spa is a wonderfully peaceful retreat. The house reef is one of the easiest and most rewarding in the Maldives, with calm entry and regular sightings of eagle rays, turtles and a profusion of fish.

Service is warm and theatrical throughout, and the resort creates a real sense of occasion from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave. Kihavah is also the birthplace of the Angelfish Cocktail, and there is nowhere better to sample Rahul's take on it than the superb Sky Bar, where the story of our signature serve began.

Kihavah is undeniably pricey, but for clients after something truly exceptional it remains one of the finest all-round resorts in the Indian Ocean, and it fully earns its place on our highly recommended list.

Set in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Anantara Kihavah Villas is a thirty-five-minute seaplane flight from Male. The island is lush and spacious, with expansive pool villas featuring high ceilings, timber interiors, and decks that open onto tropical vegetation and views of the lagoon.

Each villa comes with a private pool, indoor and outdoor rain showers, and a dedicated butler. The accommodation blends natural materials with a clean, contemporary design aesthetic that feels simultaneously luxurious and relaxed.

Dining is a destination in itself. SEA, the underwater restaurant, sits alongside the world's first underwater wine cellar and offers international cuisine as marine life drifts past. FIRE now serves elevated Japanese and Peruvian dishes, SPICE offers Asian haute cuisine over water, and SKY houses the Maldives' first overwater observatory. Plates handles breakfast and evening buffets, while Manzaru Pool Bar & Restaurant offers Mediterranean and Italian options throughout the day.

Beyond the restaurants, guests can snorkel the house reef, dive with the PADI-certified Elements Dive Centre, or try jet skiing, parasailing, and Seadart rides. The overwater Anantara Spa has six treatment rooms, plunge pools, and saunas. On land, there is a padel court, floodlit tennis court, a nine-metre jungle climbing wall, a twenty-four-hour gym, and the Maldives' first Muay Thai boxing ring.