Adaaran Prestige Water Villas

A visit to Adaaran Prestige Water Villas begins with a
(possibly lengthy) wait at the Male Airport to catch a seaplane transfer. The
40-minute flight is incredibly scenic, if you can stay awake for this final leg
of the journey. Upon arrival, guests are greeted at the end of a pier that’s
surrounded by dazzling aquamarine water and then given fruity welcome drinks at
check-in.

Opened in 2000, the resort is situated on a 43-acre island and
features a swimming pool, spa, lush garden, tennis and badminton courts, and
four bars (three of which are on the beach). Built over the water off the northeast
tip of the island, Adaaran Prestige Water Villas consists of 20 overwater villas. It's a higher-end resort within Adaaran Select Meedhupparu, and the two
properties share all amenities, except for the all-inclusive cuisine at the
overwater Fine Dining Restaurant, which is reserved for Water Villa guests.

With no kids’ club or playground, Adaaran
Prestige Water Villas is primarily geared towards couples and honeymooners. The
majority of guests are from Russia and other parts of Europe. The resort vibe
is casual, with most people congregating at the pool bar, sunbathing on the
white-sand beaches, or snorkeling at a coral reef just off shore.

Adaaran Prestige Water Villas is
located on its own private island in Raa Atoll, a 40-minute seaplane flight
north from Male International Airport. Time on the island is one hour ahead of
Male time -- an artificial time zone difference that many resorts use to make
the days feel longer. At 750 meters long and 670 meters wide, the island totals
43 square acres. A staff of about 380 lives and works on the island year-round.

Covered in hardwood from floor to ceiling, each Water Villa features a king bed and minimalist furniture; the beds and sofas are adorned in shades of cream and white. The large deck in every unit has a
daybed, jetted tub, steps descending into the lagoon, and a glass panel for fish viewing. A tiny bit of wear
and tear is showing in the villas -- we spotted two damaged lampshades -- but
they still feel upscale and clean. All units include minibars (with free items
restocked daily), espresso machines, bathrobes, DVD players, flat-screen TVs,
and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms have walk-in showers, tile walls and floors, and basin sinks.

Adaaran Prestige Water Villas has a solid range of amenities
that it shares with Meedhupparu. A spa offers everything from couples massages
to facials and includes its own beauty salon, sauna, and steam room. A Chinese
Therapy Center also provides reflexology treatments. Multiple gift shops sell paintings,
souvenirs, and jewelry, and a medical clinic is available for emergencies. For
those who don’t like snorkeling, daily fish feedings provide ample opportunity
to view aquatic life up close. A dimly lit fitness center has plenty of
equipment, but lacks views and ambience. The resort’s most popular feature is a
spacious outdoor pool with swim-up bar and hot tub. Board games and a
multilingual library are located in the main bar.

The beaches at Meedhupparu were nearly picture perfect.
Unsightly sand bags (used to prevent erosion) occasionally jutted out from the
white sand, and we spotted a stream bubbles floating just off shore, which
looked like a washing machine had emptied into the sea. Otherwise, the water
was crystal clear and the temperature was perfect -- cool enough to feel
refreshing, yet warm enough to slip into without a chill. White plastic lounge
chairs are provided for guests, and drinks are available from three beach bars.
We couldn’t find a speck of trash anywhere (besides the mysterious bubbles).

Sports facilities on the island include pool and ping-pong
tables, badminton and tennis courts, and beach volleyball. A dive center offers
lessons and excursions, and a water sports center rents snorkels, kayaks, Jet
Skis, and other gear. The island’s lagoon is full of dead coral thanks to an El
Nino current in the late 1990s, but the reef is regenerating and snorkelers
will find plenty of colorful fish in the waters around the island.

The main restaurant for Water Villa guests is the Fine
Dining Restaurant, which is located over the water and serves all-inclusive
buffet food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The food is above average, with
international dishes that range from fish curries to Italian pastas. A la carte
dishes are available for dinner at an additional cost. Afternoon ice cream, high
tea, and snacks are also served at the restaurant between meals. Fresh lobster
and seafood barbecue are available on select nights.

The resort technically has six bars: one inside the Fine
Dining Restaurant, three on the beach, one connected to the lobby, and a
swim-up pool bar. Water Villa guests are entitled to unlimited soft drinks,
mineral water, fresh juice, house wines, beer, liquors, and cocktails.  Free minibar drinks include beer, juice,
soft drinks, and mineral water (but no wines or liquors). Drinks ordered after
midnight or during excursions cost extra.

Water Villa guests get a variety of free perks, including in-room
Wi-Fi, a personal butler, a private dinner on the beach, a spa massage (one for
each guest), a basic snorkeling excursion, and an introductory dive lesson. For
those willing to pay extra, the resort also offers sunset photography cruises, night
dives, fishing trips, tours of local inhabited islands, or picnics on a
deserted island (20 minutes away). Weekly events include a Mexican food and
music night, karaoke night, crab race, beach party, and lobster barbecue.