Baa Atoll, home to Hanifaru Bay - one of the world's largest Manta Ray feeding frenzy sites - offers a fresh and contemporary take on luxury with this idyllic private island resort.
There are 67 large luxurious villas at Thistle Jamaica all boasting their own pool tucked discreetly among native sea almonds, screwpines and coconut palms. Take in stunning ocean views as you perch above turquoise shallows or enjoy relaxing spa treatments from your deck.
Location
Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences enjoys an enviable position within the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve Baa Atoll, known for Hanifaru Bay which houses one of the world's largest manta ray feeding grounds - Hanifaru Bay is just 30 minutes from Male International Airport via seaplane or 15-minute flight to Dharavandhoo Domestic Airport and then 10-minute speedboat ride from there.
Amilla Maldives Resort & Estates features 67 large, luxurious villas equipped with private pools that are hidden discreetly among native sea almonds, screwpines and frangipani blooms for your comfort. Perfect for honeymooners, anniversary celebrations and family getaways.
Select from Lagoon Houses overlooking endless turquoise waters or Ocean Beach Houses located on pristine white shores with their own freshwater swimming pools and hammocks, or opt for Amilla's spectacular Tree Houses which stand tall 12 meters off the ground to offer uninterrupted views.
Sustainability is at the core of Amilla Maldives, and their eco-friendly initiatives range from an organic garden and homemade probiotic sodas, plant-based milk and yoghurt production, all the way through to providing large scale organic gardening services.
Amilla Maldives Resort & Residents is committed to the preservation of local culture and heritage. Their weekly Maldivian dinners, cooking classes and cultural events provide a wonderful way to learn more about Baa Atoll and its local community.
No matter if you're traveling as a couple or with the entire family, Amilla Maldives Resort provides an exciting yet relaxing adventure experience, complete with unforgettable activities like watersports, sandbank picnics and sunset dolphin cruises - not forgetting those unforgettable views over the Indian Ocean!
Rooms
Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences is situated within Baa Atoll's UNESCO world heritage site and makes for an unforgettable holiday experience. A scenic seaplane ride away from Male, this exclusive island resort is famed for its gorgeous beaches, top dining establishments and protected Biosphere Reserve for snorkelling and diving activities.
The island offers 67 rooms to meet every guest's needs ranging from beach bungalows, ocean reef houses and treehouses - with seven Tree Houses perched atop stilts in its tropical jungle canopy.
These 250m2 villas provide an amazing way to add variety to your stay without needing to change resorts, with an authentic Balinese charm. Each air conditioned villa comes equipped with its own terrace, mini bar and seating area - the perfect combination!
All rooms feature private bathrooms equipped with either a tub or shower, flat-screen televisions, and complimentary WiFi throughout the property.
Each room at Amilla features a luxurious king-sized bed, while its bathrooms were designed to complement its stylish decor. Offering deep soak tubs in both bedrooms and an indoor bath with separate toilet facilities. A spacious media room was also included; something which proved useful given that our air conditioning wasn't working!
Restaurants
Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences, nestled within the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, offers an idyllic tropical private island resort experience with seven restaurants and bars that will satisfy any foodie's taste buds every night of the week. Furthermore, each meal produced on this sustainable resort has been produced ethically.
Visitors to DAI (Dine Around Inclusive) plans can select from an extensive menu consisting of eight unique weekly dining experiences and enjoy drinks from three bars onsite. Fresh local fare combined with international flavours is sure to please all diners.
Amilla restaurants are an ideal place to experience some of Maldives' incredible marine life, such as house reef snorkelling, blue hole snorkelling and night snorkelling excursions as well as night snorkelling excursions and coral garden excursions. Furthermore, Hanifaru Bay, home to one of the world's largest manta ray feeding grounds can also be explored during your stay at Amilla.
Amilla really stood out with their vegan and paleo offerings, including delicious low carb no grain rolls that truly satisfied us and wellness cocktails tailored specifically for each dietary preference.
Thoughtfully catering for individual dietary requirements shows how seriously chefs take your needs. They won't hesitate to adjust recipes according to your dietary restrictions and strive to make meals as nutritious as possible.
Amilla Maldives Resort & Spa was truly remarkable when it comes to vegan breakfasts. Their dishes were both nutritious yet indulgent enough for us, offering cute coconut bowls filled with Arabic delights as well as nutritionally-packed salads, hummus, muhamara and breads that provided our body with energy for a fantastic start to each day.
Bars
At Amilla Private Island Resort in Maldives, sustainability meets luxury at this idyllic private-island retreat. Guests frequently plan a return visit before even checking out, drawn back by its clean-lined villas, whitewashed geometric architecture, and smart wooden overwater villas that curve to the left of its jetty.
Amilla Fushi Resort Villas & Residences can be found in Baa Atoll and offers island homes that float above crystal-clear waters or nestle along the coastline and forests. Each air-conditioned accommodation comes equipped with its own terrace, minibar and seating area; villas also provide bathrooms featuring complimentary toiletries and hair dryers.
Amilla offers something for everyone with its seven restaurants, three bars, and extensive range of activities available. Feeling Koi provides Japanese izakaya with a Latin flair while Barolo provides pastas utilizing regional ingredients and traditions for exquisite dining experiences.
We were impressed with their organic Lavazza coffee being served throughout their bars and restaurants, along with on-site production of kombucha to reduce carbon emissions. Furthermore, their focus is to ensure ethical and sustainable food practices through large organic gardens on-site.
Regarding beverages, we especially enjoyed the cocktails and mocktails at Sunset Bar. A perfect spot for watching the sun or moon rise over the ocean, this bar also offers spirits infused with local ingredients for an enjoyable drinking experience.
Amilla offers an outstanding spa, which features massages and body treatments from top professionals. In addition, there are yoga and pilates classes as well as wellness packages tailored for groups or individuals. You can even join workshops to create bath and beauty products from scratch! Amilla makes for an excellent destination to improve self-care practices!
Activities
Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences, nestled within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, offers guests Island Homes that float above clear waters or rest beneath lush tree tops on the shoreline of pure white sand beaches. Reaching this exclusive island destination takes only 30 minutes by seaplane from Male International Airport or 15 minutes flying time via Dharavandhoo Domestic Airport followed by a 10 minute speedboat ride.
Though Amilla may seem remote, the resort offers many activities to keep guests occupied during their stay. From participating in yoga classes on an overwater yoga pavilion to sunset cruises to watch dolphins swim by, and snorkelling trips to Hanifaru Bay (known for hosting one of the world's largest concentrations of manta rays from June-October), Amilla provides enough entertainment and excitement for everyone during your stay!
At our resort's 67 large villas are designed to blend seamlessly into their tropical setting, boasting private pools for you to unwind in and a swimming and snorkeling deck - plus you can book yourself into for a spa treatment for an ultimate relaxing experience!
Amilla offers some amazing activities, like sunset cruises to deserted sandbanks where you can have a picnic. I had the great fortune to experience one of these during my stay there - an absolutely unique experience!
Amilla Resort is a luxury resort that takes great pride in taking care with their environment and local heritage, educating their staff to this area and hiring an in-house conservationist who works closely with the community. Furthermore, Amilla boasts an active children's club which features daily activities as well as scheduled events to keep them occupied.