The original 'dream island' of the Maldives: 46 pool villas, the world's first underwater spa and a wine cellar under the sea.
Huvafen Fushi is a small, stylish island in North Malé Atoll, about 30 minutes by speedboat from the airport. Every one of its 46 bungalows and pavilions has its own plunge pool, from lagoon bungalows facing sunrise and ocean bungalows facing sunset to beach houses and two- and three-bedroom pavilions for families and friends.
Food is a big part of the stay: Japanese-Latin SALT over the sea, Celsius for breakfast and dinner over the water, the organic RAW bistro, wood-fired pizza at Fogliani's in a coconut grove, and VINUM, the Maldives' first underground wine cellar. Lunch or dinner can also be on a sandbank, a rock island or, at Latitude 4°, underwater.
Huvafen Spa has the world's first underwater treatment rooms as well as pavilions over the surf. The house reef rings the island about 25 metres from the beach, with guided snorkels and PADI diving.
It's expensive: rates normally include breakfast only, and the signature dinners and spa treatments add up quickly. Families are welcome in the pavilions, but we found no kids' club on its website, so it suits couples best.
Overwater on the lagoon side, facing sunrise, with a freshwater pool on the deck and steps into the sea.
On the beach with two plunge pools, one in a walled courtyard and one facing the ocean, and a large outdoor living area.
Facing the open ocean and the sunset, with three tiers of decks and a private infinity pool.
An 800 m² home on the beach with two bedrooms, generous living spaces, a daybed and a freshwater pool, with full butler service.
An overwater pavilion on the sunset side with two bedrooms around a freshwater pool that runs from indoors to the deck.
The lagoon pavilion, looking across Huvafen's central lagoon to the sunrise, with two bedrooms and an outdoor pool.
Three bedrooms over 800 m² on the beach, with an infinity pool facing the sunset and full butler service.
The same resort and the same villa, booked through people who live here.
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Japanese dining with Latin influences in a relaxed izakaya setting over the sea
Relaxed global dining over the water, for breakfast and dinner
Organic overwater bistro, with a sunset deck for cocktails
Wood-fired pizza and homemade Italian classics in a coconut grove
The Maldives' first underground wine cellar, for tastings and six-course dinners
Private underwater dinners beside the reef
Handcrafted cocktails on the beach, a favourite with repeat guests
The world's first underwater spa, plus overwater treatment pavilions and a 24-hour gym
The shape comes from OpenStreetMap, simplified: a guide to the layout, not a survey. © OpenStreetMap contributors.
About 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, 26 km away, on shared transfers from the resort's private airport lounge. Private speedboats and a yacht can be booked.
Dates, budget, who is coming. We will come back with three resorts that fit, and why.
