Huvafen Fushi, Maldives

Huvafen Fushi was in the vanguard of the Maldives surge towards high end luxury in the early 2000s and has meandered through various conceptual incarnations before settling under the stewardship of the highly experienced Universal group in 2023. The ensuing, thorough renovation has reignited Huva’s flame. What remains unchanged and undiminished is the wonderfully serene atmosphere that pervades throughout the naturally beautiful island. Some places exude a sense of calm and Huvafen Fushi has it in spades. Part of that is undoubtedly down to exclusivity, with just 46 keys on the island, it often feels like there are hardly any other guests on resort.

The villas feel refreshed, modern, stylish and yet faithfully Maldivian, which for us is the key ingredient. Furnishings are simple yet comfortable and inviting, especially the huge beds. Large windows flood the natural materials and muted colour schemes with light and the result is a holiday home-from-home. The pieces-de-resistance are the exquisitely remodelled bathrooms in the island bungalows, which feature a glass-enclosed area to control temperature and bugs, and a fabulous outdoor courtyard with second plunge pool and a large daybed that seems to float above it. Of course personal taste is paramount. There’s bigger and flashier out there, with something in the Maldives for everyone, but we can’t help feeling that in the Sisyphean task of trying to outdo each other’s villa designs, the cabal of high-end resorts do not always touch down in the ‘tasteful’ landing zone. We think Huva has hit the bullseye.

Dining is nicely varied for such a small resort. Main restaurant Celsius offers a mix of buffet and a la carte dining for breakfast and dinner, while Fogliani’s is an excellent beach-side/pool-side grill open for lunch. For the health-conscious there’s the overwater Raw focused on organic produce, including ingredients picked from the chef’s garden. The signature restaurant Salt, also overwater with arresting ocean views, showcases Japanese cuisine with Latin influences. Definitely worth exploring is the Vinum wine-cellar, for tastings, degustation dinners, or simply for a nose around the prestigious labels! There are also a range of destination dining experiences, including beach and sandbank options, and Immerse Latitude 4, where the underwater spa is converted to the most romantic of dinner venues. We can also enthusiastically recommend a Maldivian curry cooking class with chef Ishara!

If you’re not pushing the boat out for an underwater dinner, then a visit to Huva’s iconic treatment room, in the hands of one of their expert masseuses is a must. Relaxing afterwards in the viewing area, surrounded by colourful corals and fish, is therapeutically decadent on another level. Other facilities include a small but well-furnished overwater gym, Lonu Veyo, a saltwater flotation pool, yoga pavilion, Lair library-cum-business centre, and well-run dive and water sport centres.

Unfortunately, the corals on the glorious house reef are not what they once were. Recovery from the 2016-17 mass bleaching has been slow, perhaps hampered by disturbances from so much construction in the North Male Atoll. That said, the marine life remains rich and vibrant, including a healthy reef shark population, which is always a good sign, and there’s plenty to see with just snorkel, mask and fins.

Member of the Small Luxury Hotels Of The World, Huva is the epitome of boutique luxury in the Maldives, and under Universal we expect it to move from strength to strength. For those who know exactly what they want, it’s an authentic classic simmering with a new lease of life: in a world of flashy supercars, it’s the exquisitely restored 911 Singer restomod.

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