Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat Ari atoll

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