Velaa Private Island

Velaa Private Island is considered by many to be the finest resort in the Maldives, which is a very high bar to clear. It’s also one of the most expensive, which means expectations are sky high, so does Velaa live up to them?


Firstly, the island is blessed with stunning natural beauty: a generous beach of super-soft Maldivian white sand that encircles the island, a thoroughly lush tropical interior with soaring palms above a blend of indigenous and imported flora, and a vibrant house reef. The gardens are exquisitely curated without being overly manicured, and so retain a clever blend of jungle and elegance. Walking or cycling around the island’s pathways is a treat and there’s no denying you are somewhere special.

Secondly, the impeccable quality of service starts at the airport where you’re politely whisked by luxury car to the seaplane terminal, and lasts to the moment of departure. The very high ratio of staff to guests means there always seem to be someone on hand when you need them, striking the perfect balance between high-end luxury and friendly warmth.

The 47 villas range from the very spacious 287sqm Beach Pool Villa (the only unit without a separate living room) to the vast 4 bedroom private residences. All have quality king sized beds, large private pools, indoor/outdoor bathrooms, butler service, wine fridges & mini bars, and all the amenities you would expect. We prefer the interiors of the over water villas, which, with brighter artwork and touches of colour, feel a little more contemporary than the beach villas, where the layout and design language is possibly starting to age a little – although to be clear, we are splitting the finest of hairs and they are maintained in perfect condition, lovely spaces to spend time, both inside and out.

Dining, under the stewardship of Exec Chef Gaushan de Silva, is exemplary, and we have to start with mentioning the jewel in the crown, which is the over water Aragu signature restaurant: Dinner here was the best meal we have experienced in the Maldives, Michelin-star quality in a mesmerising setting. We also loved the Faiy wellness-oriented restaurant overlooking the golf academy, with some inspirational pescatarian/vegetarian/vegan dishes. The beachside Athiri main restaurant has varied international cuisine to suit all tastes, and the iconic 21m-tall Tavaru Teppanyaki (talk about high bars…) and wine cellar is breathtaking. The Cru Champagne bar in Aragu, the main Avi bar, and colourful and laid back Beach Bar are all different, offering something for everyone and all brilliant.

When it comes to facilities and activities, Velaa really has the full complement. Not content with an extensive over-water spa, the resort has added the state-of-the-art Eveylaa Wellbeing village, offering everything from Ayurvedic consultation and treatments to sensory-deprivation tanks, yoga pavilion and pilates studio. There are numerous sports on offer, including covered full tennis court, squash, padel, climbing wall and a huge gym. The kids club has its own water park and older ones will enjoy the games centre. The water sports centre prides itself on having all the latest toys both motorised and non. Then there’s the Velaa Golf Academy by Olazábal, a nine-hole short course and practice facility maintained to exacting standards. Rentable for exclusive use, and playing barefoot, this is millionaire's golf and loads of fun.

Snorkelling on the house reef is enjoyable with plenty to see, including the innovative coral restoration program run by the marine biology team, where experiments with electrified frames are producing accelerated growth in young corals. There are also a number of nearby reefs to explore, both snorkelling and scuba diving.

Velaa really does seem to tick all the boxes, but does it represent value? It’s worth noting that the resort is only bookable on B&B, which means lunches, dinners, drinks and all other extras will pad out the check-out bill. If, like us, you don’t want to feel constrained while on holiday, we strongly recommend factoring in a healthy in-resort spend before you go. If you want to fully enjoy what’s on offer, drink wine with meals (or maybe without!), take the odd spa treatment or excursion, add a few activities we estimate that budget to be around $1,000 per couple per day.

So if you're prepared for the expense, we think that if you have the means, Velaa will live up to, and perhaps exceed expectations. And after all, you can’t take it with you.

To read more detailed assessments see our trip review blog post.