Diamonds Athuruga

Built in 1990, the Italian-owned Diamonds Athuruga does an impressive job of not looking it's age. A few nips, tucks, and replacements over the years have kept the property in good shape. Being outfitted in stylish Boho-modern furnishings and accents and having well-manicured grounds doesn't hurt either. Pack your sunglasses, because if the bright sun reflecting off the crystal clear turquoise waters and soft white sand beach doesn't blind you, the reflection from the chic and spotless white furniture just might. 

Where some same category hotels in the Maldives may overlook details, Diamonds Athuruga has them on lock. It's hard to find a pillow out of place, or a staff member not smiling. While it seems that some of the more guest-neglected areas (like the TV lounge) could use a smidgen of TLC, it's really only in comparison to the rest of the property. 

This property has a sister hotel, Diamonds Thudufushi. They differ because Athuruga is on a slightly smaller island, giving it a more private and personal feel, thus making it ideal for couples or small families. The beach here is also a bit bigger with more space to lounge, especially when the tide gets higher. The drawbacks to the well-organized and tightly run ship you'll find here include assigned seating based on your room type and number, fairly rigid opening and closing times for bars and restaurants, and a twice-weekly, island-wide chemical fumigation targeting mosquitoes. However, the vibe is light and fun with people mostly keeping to themselves, though pleasantries over pre- and post-dinner drinks at the bar is not uncommon.

Located on a small and picture-perfect island in the South Ari Atoll, Athuruga sits on a shore that is almost immediately surrounded by a shallow house reef that’s good for spotting colorful and stripy fish, though you’ll have to visit a neighboring site for views of turtles and other larger marine life. Thanks to its middle-of-the-Atoll location, guests will find the water here much calmer than at sister spot Diamonds Thudufushi. Diamonds Athuruga is a scenic 20-minute seaplane journey south of the Male airport. Because of the proximity of the house reef, flights land on a floating jetty and guests are taken by boat to the resort's arrivals dock. 

Whether you book one over the water or right off the beach, all 73 of Diamonds Athuruga’s rooms come with hardwood floors, built-in multi-country and European (specifically Italian) electrical sockets, dual showerheads (one rainfall and one smaller shower hand), dual vanity sinks, bidets, thick bathrobes (but no slippers), and massive towels. Toiletries include lotion, shampoo, and shower gel, plus small vanity kits and bars of soap.

Standard level Beach Bungalows are spacious with vaulted ceilings and minimalistic decor played out in all-white walls and boxy, glass-topped wooden furniture, and have partially covered, but fully outdoor, bathrooms. Personal decks empty right out onto the soft sand and have sets of retro-modern loungers and couches, and two plastic beach chairs, plus umbrellas out on the sand. Minibars are stocked with soft drinks, water, and beer. 

While Thudufushi has a bridging category of Beach Junior Suite, Athuruga's next bump up goes straight to the water villas. If you upgrade to a regular Water Villa, you’ll trade the sand and outdoor bathroom for a huge overwater deck with direct access into the sea; more booze in the minibar; hairdryers with diffusers, and a vanity desk with a makeup mirror. Standout features of all Water Villas are the free in-room Wi-Fi and open-plan lounge areas, massive wooden decks with chic loungers, sofas, and table and chairs; beautiful herringbone hardwood floors; personal iMacs; and Nestle Gusto Dolce coffeemakers.

Those who are interested in living large in the Water Suites should know they are essentially the same as the Water Villas, but with doubly-large decks (because they each share with the neighboring suite) and circular, edge-of-deck hot tubs.  These are ideal for couples traveling together or families with older children. 

Thanks the island's middle spot inside the atoll (and resulting calmer waters and protection from the nearby house reef), Athuruga's sandy beach is spared much of the natural erosion occurring on most other islands in the Maldives. This means more powdery white sand for Athuruga's guests to traipse, lounge, or play volleyball on. Even with such a wide stretch of beach to play with, Athuruga has made sure not to overcrowd the sands; upscale, ergonomic, double-wide white wicker loungers are graciously spaced out in pairs across the beach, most with their own thatched hut umbrellas, and some with cushions. There's also a nice scattering of palms perfectly positioned to give that paradise vibe without blocking the view too much. In front of the beach bar, there's a volleyball net set up where you try your hand at spiking the ball or watch an after-hours staff match. 

There are two restaurants at Diamonds Athuruga, both serving international fare, though there (unsurprisingly) tends to be a few extra dishes reflecting Italian and South Asian cuisine. Your restaurant and table options are dependent on which category of room you are staying in, with Beach Bungalow guests assigned to the beachside main restaurant which serves buffet-style meals for breakfast and lunch, and themed buffet dinners. Water Villa guests are privy to the a la carte, overwater Water Villa Restaurant and Bar. This spot is much smaller, and feels a little classier, though there are a few chic white wicker lounger couches lining the corner deck outside where guests can enjoy sundowners al fresco.  

If you want a chance of scenery, you'll have to opt for one of the special menu private dinners served on the sands or on your room terrace, or a nightly special menu served in-restaurant (all for a fee). Room service is available for Water Villa guests only.

Although there is a dedicated bar serving guests at the Water Villas Restaurant, the hotel’s main bar is beachside, next to the main restaurant. This casual, simple, and stylish spot overlooks the wide stretch of beach and blue waters, and it's open all day into the late evening. The bar has a nice selection of cocktails, mocktails, hot teas, and international wines and spirits. Top-shelf booze and premium wines are available at an additional cost, though the all-inclusive plan includes well booze, select international wines, and Sri Lanka’s Lion beer on draught.

If you get hungry between meals, this is the place to find afternoon tea snacks like cookies, sandwiches, and veggie tapas. And, although the resort does not sell cigarettes, the main bar has a variety of cigars for sale.

Some resorts define all-inclusive as covering three meals a day and a few typical drinks. Not Diamonds Athuruga; here you'll find that all-inclusive truly is (nearly) all-inclusive. Beyond the covered meals, snacks, and drinks, Athuruga guests also get free Wi-Fi in the reception area (and in all Water Villas for guests who book those rooms), free use of non-motorized water sports like canoeing and windsurfing, a free guided snorkel tour around the island, a free tour to the local fisherman's island, free use of snorkeling equipment for personal use, and free clinic visits at the on-site medical clinic. There's also the great hard-to-find perk of free laundry service, and staff refills minibars daily.

In addition to all the freebies included in your all-inclusive package, there's a host of other features and activities to take advantage of while at Athuruga. To get you acquainted with the island, there are free orientation tours for new arrivals that include drinks, snacks, and information on where things are located on the property, daily excursions, and special organized activities.  

Excursions include whale shark and manta check tours, speedboat trips through the Southern Atoll, and off-island snorkeling tours to sites like Reethi Thila and Olo Ghiri (good for spotting turtles) and Manta Point. You can also do solo trips to private sandbanks or a private snorkeling tour to Dega Ghiri to snorkel with turtles, or try sunset snorkeling led by a flashlight to see scorpion fish, lion fish, and nurse sharks. Signup is in the lobby. If you want to do more than observe underwater, you can sign up for a fishing excursion and try to catch local grouper, snapper, or sea bass -- and the kitchen will cook your catch for you for free. The iDive center gives out free ocean-bound trial dives and rents go-pros to capture your experience (and they can make a DVD). 

Bonus features beyond the luxe and relaxing, rustic-chic spa include an on-site marine biologist; on-site medical doctor; a few different boutique-style shops with clothes, jewelry, souvenirs, and convenience items; currency exchange; a lobby computer for guest use; a mostly unused TV and games lounge; a tailor; a fishing center; a table games area; daily group exercise classes on the beach (no gym on-site); and themed nights like Maldivian night. You can also rent iPods if you want a soundtrack to your holiday. 

Wi-Fi is free, but only works in the lobby (unless you've got a Water Villa).