Often when you return to a resort you once loved, it doesn’t quite match your expectations, leaving you disappointed in your attempt to recapture the magic of your original stay. Our Indian Ocean luxury expert, Lisa Curtiss, ventured back to Huvafen Fushi, one of her all-time favourite haunts, with fingers crossed and hopes high. To her delight (and relief!), she fell even more in love with this idyllic tropical paradise.
Hotel
In the heart of the Indian Ocean lies Huvafen Fushi, a resort epitomising luxury and tranquility. This secluded paradise, nestled amidst the turquoise waters of the Maldives’ North Malé Atoll, offers an escape from the everyday, where dreams merge with reality and time seems to stand still.
Renowned for its gorgeous overwater and beachfront bungalows, world-class dining, and unique experiences, Huvafen Fushi is the ultimate destination for discerning travellers seeking an unforgettable retreat. Having stayed at over thirty of the very best resorts in the Maldives, I can confidently say that Huvafen Fushi stands out as my favourite.
As a member of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), Huvafen Fushi upholds the highest standards of quality, style, and service. The SLH seal of excellence signifies the resort’s dedication to providing an exceptional experience, ensuring that every guest enjoys the legendary luxury that SLH properties are known for.
Room
Huvafen Fushi is more than just a resort; it is a living dream. This lush tropical hideaway offers cinematic seascapes and unparalleled luxury. With fewer than 50 rooms, the resort epitomises the intimacy of an idyllic private island getaway, ensuring personalised service and attention to detail. The resort’s timeless allure and laid-back sophistication have captivated curious dreamers for decades, setting a benchmark for awe-inspiring tropical life.
Huvafen Fushi features a collection of 46 exquisite bungalows and pavilions, each designed to offer unparalleled comfort and privacy. The lagoon bungalows, perched above the crystalline waters, provide direct access to the lagoon and feature private pools, outdoor decks, and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame stunning ocean views.
For those who prefer the beach, the deluxe beach bungalows offer spacious living areas, private courtyards with plunge pools, and direct beach access, ensuring a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor living.
The ocean bungalows elevate the experience further, with expansive decks, glass floors for underwater viewing, and luxurious amenities that cater to every need. These true luxury villas are practical to live in, featuring plenty of space, outdoor shade, a large infinity pool with safe entry steps, and multi-level deck areas with sunbeds to relax on and watch the marine life pass by.
The ‘C’ shape villa and deck configuration shelters the centre deck on three sides, keeping you out of the worst of the wind during storms. Our villa offered incredible sunset views, with frequent sightings of sharks, rays, and turtles just a few metres away.
For families or groups, the two and three-bedroom pavilions provide ample space and privacy, complete with private pools, personal butler service, and state-of-the-art entertainment systems. Each accommodation option at Huvafen Fushi is meticulously crafted to create a sanctuary of relaxation and luxury.
Food and drink
Dining at Huvafen Fushi is an experience that tantalises the senses. The resort offers a diverse array of dining venues, each presenting a unique culinary journey. Celsius, the main restaurant, serves international cuisine with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Here, guests can enjoy a sumptuous breakfast buffet, light lunches, and elegant dinners while overlooking the azure waters of the lagoon.
For a more intimate dining experience, Salt offers contemporary Japanese cuisine with a Peruvian influence. Perched over the water, this restaurant provides an unforgettable setting for a romantic dinner, complete with a sushi bar and an extensive sake list. Forno, nestled in a grove of coconut trees, specialises in wood-fired pizzas and Mediterranean fare, offering a casual yet sophisticated dining option.
Raw, the resort’s health-focused restaurant, serves innovative dishes that highlight fresh, organic ingredients. From raw seafood delicacies to vibrant salads and nourishing smoothies, Raw is perfect for those seeking a wholesome and refreshing meal.
We enjoyed a very special evening fine dining experience with our table set up at the pool’s edge. The wonderful staff illuminated the area beautifully with what must have been a hundred candles and globe lights, mirroring the full moon and stars above.
One of the most unique features of Huvafen Fushi is Vinum, an extraordinary underground wine cellar located eight metres below the island. This hidden gem houses over 6,000 bottles of the world’s finest wines, offering an extensive selection that spans the globe. The ambience is both intimate and luxurious, with dim lighting and elegant décor creating a perfect setting for private tastings and gourmet wine dinners.
Guests can embark on a sensory journey guided by the resort’s knowledgeable sommelier, who expertly pairs wines with gourmet dishes prepared by the resort’s chefs. Vinum is not just a wine cellar; it’s a destination in itself, offering an unforgettable experience for wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.
We loved our time here, learning about the wines and enjoying a wonderful tasting that paired fantastic wines with cheeses and fruits. The setting is spectacular, with the whole cellar and even the staircase down lit with candles, giving the place a magical glow.
Spa and wellness
Huvafen Fushi is home to the world’s first underwater spa, the LIME Spa, offering an unparalleled wellness experience. This spa sanctuary is set beneath the surface of the lagoon, providing guests with a mesmerising view of the underwater world while they indulge in luxurious treatments. The spa menu includes a range of therapies designed to rejuvenate the body and mind, from traditional massages and facials to innovative treatments incorporating marine elements.
Signature treatments include the LIME Light Crystal Therapy, which uses crystal-infused oils to balance the body’s energy, and the Turquoise Explosion, a revitalising body scrub combining sea salts and essential oils. The spa also features a relaxation lounge, steam rooms, and an overwater yoga pavilion, allowing guests to unwind and reconnect in a serene environment.
The underwater treatment rooms, with their floor-to-ceiling windows, provide an ethereal view of vibrant marine life, making each visit a truly immersive experience. My massage was wonderful, and it was special to relax afterward in a cosy underwater seating area with delicious ginger tea, watching the fish swim by.
To do
At Huvafen Fushi, adventure awaits around every corner. The resort offers a plethora of activities and experiences catering to all interests and levels of adventure. Water enthusiasts can explore vibrant coral reefs through snorkelling or diving excursions, embark on deep-sea fishing trips, or enjoy a range of water sports, including kayaking, paddleboarding, and jet skiing.
For those seeking cultural immersion, the resort offers guided tours to nearby local islands, where guests can experience the traditional Maldivian way of life. Romantic experiences include sunset cruises on a traditional dhoni, private beach dinners under the stars, and personalised photo shoots to capture the memories of a lifetime.
Huvafen Fushi also provides various wellness and fitness activities, from beachfront yoga sessions to personalised fitness training. The resort’s Dream Maker concierge service ensures that every experience is tailored to the guest’s preferences, creating a bespoke itinerary that elevates the overall stay.
For couples seeking a fairytale wedding, Huvafen Fushi offers an idyllic setting for exchanging vows. The resort provides a range of wedding packages, allowing couples to choose their perfect backdrop, whether it’s a ceremony on the pristine beach, a celebration on a secluded sandbank, or even an underwater wedding surrounded by colourful marine life.
Each wedding package includes personalised services, from floral arrangements and photography to gourmet catering and entertainment. The resort’s wedding planners work closely with couples to ensure that every detail is meticulously crafted, creating a day that is as unique and unforgettable as their love story.
Sustainability and conservation
Huvafen Fushi is dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of the Maldives and has implemented a range of sustainability initiatives to minimise its environmental impact. The resort is committed to marine conservation, with programmes to protect the surrounding coral reefs and marine life. Guests can participate in guided snorkelling tours led by marine biologists, learning about the delicate ecosystem and efforts to preserve it.
The resort also focuses on reducing its carbon footprint through energy-efficient practices, waste management programmes, and the use of locally sourced, sustainable materials. Huvafen Fushi’s commitment to sustainability ensures that guests can enjoy their luxurious retreat while knowing that they support a resort that values and protects the environment.
In a nutshell
Huvafen Fushi is more than just a resort; it is a sanctuary where luxury, nature, and personalised service converge to create an unforgettable experience. From its stunning accommodation and world-class dining to its unique underwater spa and endless array of activities, Huvafen Fushi offers a dreamlike escape that lingers long after the journey ends. Whether seeking romance, adventure, or pure relaxation, guests will find that Huvafen Fushi is a place where dreams truly become reality. I cannot wait to stay again.
Factbox
Address: North Male Atoll, P.O. Box 2017, Republic of Maldives
Phone: +960 664 4222
Email: stay@huvafenfushi.com, dream.maker@huvafenfushi.com
Website: huvafenfushi.com
Photography courtesy of Huvafen Fushi Maldives, unless otherwise credited.
