The island nation of the Maldives may hardly have any rival in terms of natural beauty, endless luxury and utmost tranquility. But it would not be the Maldives without the many man-made creations that make it a truly heavenly place to unwind and relax. Among these creations is the breathtaking Huvafen Fushi Spa Resort Maldives, a ‘naturalist’s wonderland’ that since its opening in 2004 has been in the center of attention of numerous celebs, magazine editors and television personalities, including George Clooney, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes among others.
And while beautifully appointed overwater pavilions, cutting-edge room design, high standards of comfort and top notching service will not surprise resort guests anymore, this 5-star plus resort – Huvafen Fushi, locally meaning the ‘Dream Isle,’ takes the pride of owning the world’s first underwater spa, LIME – the vision of award winning British designer Richard Hywel Evans, promising to deliver utmost relaxation and rejuvenation of your tired self.
Located within its own beautiful lagoon in the North Male Atoll, within its very own sandy private beach and reached via a thirty-minute speedboat transfer, Huaven Fushi Spa Resort is the epitome of an exclusive retreat and an exceptional Maldivian oasis, where every guest is sure to forget about the everyday stressful life and think about nothing but great rest, filled with a full range of visionary treatments, private tasting and dining, and last but not least a myriad of recreational activities from Yoga classes and bespoke cruises, to amazing diving experiences in the secluded corner of the atoll, as well as other island activities, including wine tasting, beach volleyball and an afternoon in the unbelievably beautiful infinity edge pool.
Overlooking either the ocean or the beach, the 44 air-conditioned guestrooms at Huvafen Fushi come with individual and distinctive design, all with premium bedding, private plunge pools and iPod docking stations, marble bathrooms offering separate bathtubs and showers with handheld showerheads and rainfall showerheads, in-room minibars, espresso makers and tea/coffee making facilities, safes and direct-dial phone, ceiling fans, as well as plasma TVs with DVD players and pay movies.
Dining at this chic resort can be enjoyed in four restaurants, while a poolside bar and a bar/lounge are open for drinks. Set in an overwater pavilion, Salt offers fine dining around the open kitchen with inspired menus focused on the array of sea life that swims beneath you. Outdoor and indoor, Celsius brings a luxe-but-laid-back attitude to dining, delivering the finest taste sensations in a majestic atmosphere. Raw is an ideal place to try innovative ‘Spa’ and ‘Raw’ cuisine, while Fogliani’s offers casual shoreside dining beneath a canopy of palms. Wine lovers will find an unsurpassed assortment of wines in the Vinum, and private dining options at the ‘Round Table.’ And the only place that may stay open as long as you can stay up, and where world-renowned DJs spin the latest mixes, UMBar will provide you with vodkas as clear as the Maldivian seas, along with tropical juices, fresh coconut and a variety of designer cocktails.
The resort also welcomes business travelers, offering a well-equipped business center and a range of business services. Additional property amenities include a library, a picnic area, and a hair salon. There is a meet and greet service at Male Airport, 24-hour island assistance, Thakuru-Butler service, island doctor in call and 24-hour bungalow dining.
Want to come out of your shell? LIME is the place to be. New treatments are already available at the Lime, like Lose it, Tone it; Cellulite Therapy and Stress Buster. Guests can choose from both underwater and above-water treatments rooms. It’s interesting to note that it took 12 months to construct the underwater treatments rooms, which are made of a solid-cast resin to create a sturdy structure that could be set in the open ocean with minimal disturbance to the ecosystem of the Maldives. Not to be missed are signature experiences like Unite Me – Crystal Ritual and Turquoise Explosion.
The resort is managed by luxury brand Per Aquum Resorts.