To be considered among the best island resorts in the Maldives, the consistently top tourist destinations in the world, Anantara Kihavah Villas has to be truly exceptional, from its accommodations to its experiences and its commitment to sustainability.
The resort has been awarded a Platinum Green Globe Certificate for its approach to sustainability. Its architectural design incorporates an astral Sky Observatory and an underwater restaurant. The coral house reef, only seconds away from the beach, is home to hundreds of species of tropical marine life.
The resort takes its name from the local Dhivehi word for “young coconut,” due to the resort’s island having an abundance of coconut palms. The island is located in the heart of the Baa Atoll archipelago, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve renowned for its pristine beauty.
The resort offers eighty spacious private pool sanctuaries, ranging from one-bedroom villas to a 4-bedroom residence with a connecting beach pool. These accommodations are either poised over the water with sweeping ocean views or nestled along a pristine stretch of private beach.
Each hideaway boasts large infinity-edge pools, dining pavilions, expansive wooden sundecks and ample lounging areas complete with swinging daybeds and sun loungers. All villas feature his and hers walk-in wardrobes, rain showers, outdoor showers and oversized bathtubs big enough for two. Sunken glass bottom bathtubs in the overwater villas and residences offer mesmerising views of the ocean below.
The light and airy interiors are contemporary, featuring local accents in every room. The Guest villas are at one with the natural tropical surroundings with coconut trees jutting through some of the luxury villas’ natural wood floors and lush canopies offering shade and seclusion. The residences have expansive living and dining rooms, a fully fitted kitchen, and a private enclosed spa treatment room and gym. All villas and residences are serviced by a personal Villa Host 24 hours a day.
Guests are spoilt for choice with six restaurants and bars, each offering a distinctive setting, menu and ambience. The stand-out venue is Sea – offering a unique underwater gastronomic experience. Its octagonal design and mirrored interior optimise the aquatic view making diners feel as if they are part of the house reef. It also boasts an award-winning wine cellar.
At Sky, guests gaze at the stars as they sip champagne and listen to the Sky Guru’s tales of the galaxy. Sky combines a luxury cocktail tapas bar with the most powerful telescope in the region. At Fire, the diners are stimulated with dramatic Teppanyaki cooking displays and Asian-inspired fragrant dishes. At Spice, authentic Indian delights are served.
Other food and beverage outlets include Plates which features a main sand floored sala and an alfresco deck on the beach where breakfast is served daily. The Manzaru restaurant and pool bar features a 49-metre swimming pool with Jhoola swing beds hovering over the water. Here, casual lunches or romantic dinners of Italian and Mediterranean classics are served poolside or at a communal table.
For exotic rejuvenation and deep relaxation, the resort’s Anantara Spa offers a range of therapeutic treatments including traditional Asian therapies, modern medical aesthetic treatments, detox treatments, and ancient ayurvedic wellness. At the Maldives’ first Cocoon Medical Spa, guests can discover modern medical aesthetic, detox or immunity-bolstering treatments.
A new spa concept curated by Bastien Gonzalez, Anantara Spa at Kihavah also offers the first Studio Révérence worldwide. It offers a range of signature nail care therapies including Révérence Duo, Foot De-Stress and Hand & Foot Synchronicity. Those in need of mindful exercise can reconnect to their natural flow with Hatha Yoga, an Aerial Yoga class suspended over the ocean or SUP Yoga.
Elements Kihavah, the resort’s experience club, offers bespoke and exhilarating adventures on or under the turquoise Indian Ocean. Whether scuba diving or snorkelling, experienced dive instructors, first-class rental equipment, comfortable dhonis (traditional Maldivian boats) and reef dive sites cater for beginners and experienced explorers alike.
Guests can charter an array of luxury boats, including the ‘Catcher’ a big game fishing boat and ‘Ocean Whisperer’ a luxurious 24-metre sail yacht ideal for deserted island exploration or a romantic dinner at sea. The resident Marine Biologist can suggest sites to explore and share valuable marine information and help guests play a role in Anantara Kihavah’s coral adoption programme.
The resort also offers an array of land-based activities. Recreation and leisure facilities include a tennis court, bicycles, a fitness centre with premium Technogym equipment, a Muay Thai boxing ring, a climbing wall, and a boutique shop. Movie buffs can enjoy classic movies under the stars on a big outdoor screen.
The ‘Thiththi Boli Kids Club, for guests of 12 and under, offers complimentary daily supervised programmes to explore the island, fun arts and crafts activities, and indoor and outdoor sports. These children are also introduced to new activities inspired by local culture and the ocean. The Club also offers cooking classes and spa treatments.
Anantara Kihavah Villas takes its commitment to sustainability very seriously, and this commitment began with its construction. According to the resort, not one tree was cut down during construction, as can be seen by the unusual ways the villas have been designed and built around them.
Since then, the resort has implemented a number of initiatives designed to preserve the beauty and health of the island. These include a zero-plastic initiative, water and waste management facilities, renewable energy generation, managing organic gardens and coral preservation and education programs.
Anantara Kihavah Villas, at first glance, may be mistaken for a typical Maldives island resort. However, it is able to distinguish itself by going that extra mile, and offering an experience that truly distinguishes itself from its peers.
