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Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat Ari atoll

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Aerial View
The Beach Bar
Beach Bar & Day Beds
Pristine Beach & Driftwood Chairs
Driftwood Details
The Real Maldives!
Aerial View Of Sunset Bar
Maldives Sunset!
Island Approach From Dhoni
jquery photo gallery
Overview | Accommodation | Facilities | Watersports | Dining
Our Opinion

The scattered rings of low-lying islands have always offered a therapeutic antidote to the thrash and pother of increasingly hectic daily lives, and many people travel to the Maldives to escape, if only for a few days, or a week or two. But while the geography of the Maldives hasn’t changed, the resort experience has evolved exponentially.

In a (largely successful) attempt to appeal to a much wider audience, resorts new and old have leap-frogged each other to offer more. More facilities, more luxury, more bling, more entertainment, more ‘carefully crafted experiences’. This is all fine, but for some of us at least, it risks losing sight of the Maldives we fell in love with in the first place.

Thelu Veliga is a tiny (1.1 hectare), untouched gem in the South Ari Atoll. Previously used as a snorkelling excursion or dive boat stop-off, this is the epitome of an Indian Ocean desert island. Just 10 traditional detached beach bungalows nestle amongst the tropical foliage, a few steps across impossibly soft sand to the water’s edge. Gorgeous driftwood touches, from artwork to furniture, are hand-crafted on the island and feel authentic, not contrived. A further 20 elegant over water villas offer direct access to a shallow lagoon, perfect for swimming and low-key water sports, and surrounded by an extensive house reef. If you’re a diver, you’ll already know all about what South Ari has to offer.

Add a fabulous sunset bar - serving our own “Angelfish” cocktails no less -, a restaurant delivering good food, warm, ‘can-do’ Maldivian hospitality, a dive centre, a small boutique, and a gorgeous little spa with three over water suites, and that’s it.

While so much time and effort has been spent bringing additional experiences to the Maldives, with Thelu Veliga, Drift aims to buck the trend, putting the Maldivian experience centre stage, and letting it speak for itself. Some of us will never tire of those views to the horizon across pristine waters, with our toes wiggling in powder-soft sand. Drift is an island with a soulful vibe, intended to slow the heart rate, not ramp it up. The word “Retreat” in the name is entirely deliberate.

If your life is incomplete without TVs & swimming pools, kids’ clubs & karaoke, golf buggies & underwater restaurants, then there’s plenty to choose from. For those seeking the “Maldives unplugged”, Drift might just be paradise on earth (and no children under 12 years are allowed on the island).

Read Kate Johnson's article on Drift in the Daily Mail here

Read Karen Edwards' article on Drift in the Huffington Post here

Aerial view of Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat reproduced with kind permission of Jason & Jo Stovell
Age Restrictions
All Inclusive
Barefoot
Beach
Boutique
Bucket List
Diving
Domestic Flight
Eco-Friendly
House Reef
Natural Beauty
No News No Shoes
Overwater Villas
Romantic
Seaplane Transfer
Snorkelling

How Our Clients Rate Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat

Feedback Criteria
Average Rating
Service
9.2 / 10
Rooms
9.2 / 10
Dining
9.0 / 10
Bars
9.3 / 10
Facilities
8.6 / 10
Spa
8.5 / 10
Non-Water Activities
6.8 / 10
Excursions
8.2 / 10
Natural Beauty
9.2 / 10
Beaches
9.3 / 10
Snorkelling
7.6 / 10
Diving
8.0 / 10
Other Water Activities
8.1 / 10
Value For Money
8.4 / 10
'Soul'
8.9 / 10
Desire to Return...
8.2 / 10
TA WIDGET
Special Offers
    2023 40% Summer Honeymoon Offer
    Honeymooners receive a 40% discount based on meal plan for stays of 7 nights or more. Valid for stays between 1 May and 31 October 2023. Offer not combinable with any other offer. Valid within 6 months of wedding date. Marriage certificate required upon check-in.
    Travel Window
    01/05/2023 - 31/10/2023
    Book By
    23/10/2023
    *minimum stays of 7 nights
    *subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
    2022-23 35% Winter Offer
    Stay between 1 December 2022 and 30 April 2023 and receive a 35% discount on the Half Board villa rate. Valid on all villa categories with minimum 7 night stay required. Not combinable with any other offers.
    Travel Window
    27/11/2022 - 30/04/2023
    Book By
    23/04/2023
    *minimum stays of 7 nights
    *subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
    2022-23 35% Winter Offer + Full Board Upgrade
    Stay between 1 December 2022 and 30 April 2023 and receive a 35% discount on the Half Board villa rate, as well as a complementary upgrade to Full Board. Valid on all villa categories with minimum 10 night stay required. Not combinable with any other offers.
    Travel Window
    27/11/2022 - 30/04/2023
    Book By
    20/04/2023
    *minimum stays of 10 nights
    *subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
    2022-23 30% Winter Honeymoon Offer
    Honeymooners receive a 30% Discount based on meal plan for stays of 7 nights or more. Valid for stays between 1 November 2022 and 30 April 2023 (excluding 26 December 2022 to 5 January 2023). Offer not combinable with any other offer. Valid within 6 months of wedding date. Marriage certificate required upon check-in.
    Travel Window
    01/11/2022 - 30/04/2023
    Book By
    22/04/2023
    *minimum stays of 7 nights
    *subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
    2023 15% Summer Offer
    Book a stay 45 days prior to arrival and receive 15% discount on room and meal plan for stays from 1 May to 31 October 2023
    Travel Window
    01/05/2023 - 31/10/2023
    Book By
    31/08/2023
    *must be booked at least 45 days before travel
    *subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
    2023 Free Night Offer
    Stay 7 nights and get 1 night free on meal plan booked. Valid for stays between 1 May and 31 October 2023. Applies to 3rd person sharing. Combinable with Early Bird Offer only. Applicable to all villa categories.
    Travel Window
    01/05/2023 - 31/10/2023
    Book By
    22/10/2023
    *minimum stays of 7 nights
    *subject to availability, blackout dates & geographical market restrictions may apply
    Sample Packages
    Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat Ari Atoll
    Early Bird Summer
    15% Discount
    [45 days prior]
    +
    Stay 7, Pay 6

    No kids under 12!
    Room Type:
    Beach Villa
    Meal Plan:
    Half Board
    Nights:
    7
    Transfers:
    Seaplane
    Flights:
    Sri Lankan Airlines
    Travel:
    from: 01/05/2023
         to: 31/10/2023
    Book By:
    15/09/2023
    From per person
    Subject to availability
    Boutique Resort

    30 Villas in total

    [from price not valid Aug'23]
    Quoted prices include stated offers and discounts, are indicative and can fluctuate. Please contact us for latest prices.
    BA Appointed Operator ATOL 6062 ABTA W6703
    ✉ Email Us
    Tel: +44 (0)1580 712 690
    Enquiry Form
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