The experience of Vakkaru Maldives begins before arriving on the island — the private seaplane lounge in Male, where we waited for the transfer to the resort, gave us the first hints of what to expect. The warm reception, the quality of service and food, the atmosphere, all that put us in the right state of mind from the get-go.
It took just under half an hour on a seaplane to get to Vakkaru, and as the plane reached its final destination, bobbing on the waves, we saw the welcome party awaiting with drums, cold refreshments, towels.
Introductions followed, and, a delightful moment: our personal butler recognized us from a few years ago. We met at Six Senses Laamu!
Soon we were riding a club car on the winding sandy paths on the way to our villa. And what immediately drew our attention was just how lush the island was. The trees were mature, the bushes dense and verdant, and well taken care of. It makes for a nice first impression.
As we stepped into our overwater villa we were struck by just how elegant it was — and how well integrated into the design were rustic tones and hints of local art and craft.
From a four-poster bed at the center of the bedroom looking directly to the sea, and a free-standing eggshell bathtub in the bathroom, to the sundeck and nets, stretched over the water, our villa hit all the right points when comes to the romance factor.
The beach villas have more of a wow factor when comes to the amount of roaming space, enveloped in tropical greenery. In fact, it’s the best choice for everyone to whom sand under the feet is what makes the vacation.
Beyond the villas, the materials used to construct the resort, the patterns, the colors, and art pieces — they all create a place of unassuming luxury and timeless elegance. And yet the Vakkaru, at its core, has a healthy dose of a “down to earth” feel as well. We liked that a lot.
Our favorite time of the day was breakfast at Amanny. The spread was lavish, with literally everything on display, including a champagne station… And nothing kicks off the day quite the same way as a glass of bubbly on the beach.
There are four restaurants. For lunch, we would pop in to Isolette, the restaurant specializing in contemporary Italian dishes, and to the Lagoon Bar for sundowners, though the bar serves delicious sushi and sashimi as well. If we felt like grill we would go to Vakku, and to the Onu restaurant for tasty Asian fusion dishes.
Food can make or break the resort experience, and at Vakkaru it certainly makes it, but there are other things to enjoy here, too.
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You can fill your day with water sports, such as kayaking, sea bobs, jet-skis, and catamarans, and the diving center here is exceptional. Manta rays are a frequent sighting in the nearby waters.
But we were perfectly happy to not do much at Vakkaru, other than relaxing by the pool, paying a visit to the overwater spa (a fave of ours), or enjoying the beach and the intensely blue water of the lagoon.
This is really why we visit the Maldives over and over again: to switch off, and experience the simplicity of the sea and sun. And when it comes to creating that pure barefoot holiday experience, the Vakkaru delivers — packaged in a perfect blend of rustic charm and sophisticated luxury.
With beautifully-appointed accommodation, white sandy beaches and excellent food, Vakkaru Maldives is a wonderful new island getaway, set up perfectly for romantic couples, honeymooners, and families with children wanting a private escape.
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Categories: Barefoot luxury, Beach resorts, Family vacation, Honeymoon, Island resorts, Luxury hotels, Luxury resorts, Private villas, Quiet location, Relaxing vacation, Rustic chic, Secluded location, Spa, Tropical vacation,
Number of rooms & suites: 125
Rate per night: From $644 USD
*The rate is only approximate and is based on our own independent research, at the time of writing. We cannot guarantee the rate in any way.
Check room rates and bookAuthor: Travel+Style. Last updated: 18/07/2022
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