Vakkaru Maldives

The sight of paradisiacal islets overgrown with swaying palm trees and ringed by ivory-white beaches makes the Maldives a truly iconic destination. Much of this allure also lies in the luxury resorts that occupy these heavenly islands—and one of them is Vakkaru.

The experience of Vakkaru Maldives begins at the private lounge in Male Airport, where guests are hosted as they await the seaplane transfer. The flight takes less than half an hour to get to the resort, where the welcome party awaits with drums, cold refreshments, and towels.

Villas on stilts, villas on the beach

The villas at Vakkary are eminently elegant, with rustic tones and hints of local art and craft integrated into their design. The villas-on-stilts especially also hit all the right points when for the romance factor—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. The beach villas have more roaming space and more tropical greenery.

Beyond the villas, the materials used to construct the resort—the patterns, the colors, and the art pieces—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.

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Cuisine and experiences

Breakfasts at Amanny are a delight. The spread is lavish and indulgent, a champagne station included. Lunch is great at Isolette, the restaurant specializing in contemporary Italian. The Lagoon Bar is a perfect destination for sunset drinks, but also for delicious sushi and sashimi. Go to Vakku for grilled meats and Onu for tasty Asian fusion cuisine.

But cuisine is but one side of the Vakkaru experience. 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.

Vakkaru is where barefoot elegance meets the experience of a true beach vacation.

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in our opinion

With beautifully appointed accommodations, white sandy beaches, and excellent food, Vakkaru Maldives is a wonderful island getaway, set up perfectly for romantic couples, honeymooners, and families seeking a private escape.

Don't miss our photo essay: Staying at Vakkaru Resort Maldives, In Our Lens

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What we love

• Design. The creators of Vakkaru artfully combined a simple Maldivian feel with contemporary style, and refined luxury with a "down to earth" feel.
• The villas are well-appointed, with great attention paid to the smallest details in their design. The bedrooms in the Villas-on-stilts have romantic four-poster beds, massive bathtubs, and over-water nets for lounging.
• Exploring the picture-perfect island (with its mature greenery and lovely beaches) on bikes provided by the resort was always fun.
• The service. The staff is gracious, friendly, and well-acquainted with the cultural habits of the guests.
• The Merana Spa. Set on stilts with its own jetty and with treatment rooms positioned for the best sea views, it offers a holistic approach to wellness. The menu lists a range of massages and pampering sessions; there are also yoga sessions. The resort also has a nail salon and a boutique.
• Delicious food. Uncomplicated and healthy, all the meals were fantastic. Our favorite was the lavish champagne breakfasts served on the beach (weather permitting).
• The Four Bedroom Pool Residence. This two-floor overwater villa is a truly magnificent residence with a massive infinity pool, a stone jacuzzi, and offering all kinds of indulgences. It's decadent and sprawling, and it occupies the best spot off the island, guaranteeing total privacy and uninterrupted sunset views.

What you should know

• Get exclusive perks when you book via Kiwi Collection: Automatic room upgrade upon arrival and late check-out upon request (when available), as well as a $25 Spa Credit.
• The island is located some 25 minutes by seaplane from Malé (the flight is scenic).
• Our overwater villa had complete privacy and a good ocean view, but it was not the biggest we'd seen, and it had no private pool. Not all villas at Vakkaru have them (only about half of the beach villas do).
• At the time of our visit, there were a lot of families with children (this depends on the month), but Vakkaru is well prepared to welcome couples and newlyweds, or larger groups of friends. Children between 3 and 12 years old can be entertained throughout the day at the Parrot Fish Club.