Filitheyo Island Resort

When it opened in 2000, Filitheyo Island Resort became the only resort in the Faafu Atoll. Everything at this property is in good shape thanks to the ongoing maintenance and upkeep done in the off-season. The open-air structures, thatched roofs, and sandy floors give it a decidedly relaxed and understated vibe, while the thick jungle and abundance of landscaping create a natural, almost wild feel. The vibe is relaxed and the casual island decor wards off any sense of pretense -- not always a guarantee in the Maldives.

When guests arrive they're either checked in at the main lobby or VIP check-in area, a special spot located off the main bar area. Welcome drinks and cool towels are provided before they're shown to their rooms. Sandy or wooden paths wind throughout the property, with carved wooden signs directing guests to the spa, pool, beach, and Water Villas. Paths are surrounded by heaps of towering palm trees and other plants, and can get dark once the sun goes down.  

This resort sees a lot of German guests, so much so that some signs are in German, and is most popular with couples. Since it's a small island, guests tend to encounter one another in the public spaces or along the verdant and sandy paths. Specifically, there's lots of activity in the public spaces after sunset, like the game room, bars, and shops. 

Filitheyo Island Resort is located about 75 miles south of Male's airport in the Faafu Atoll. The seaplane flights take around 30 minutes followed by a 10-minute dhoni ride from the resort's personal floating seaplane dock, dubbed "Filitheyo International Airport." This resort's location is rather unique as it's the only resort in the entire atoll. The only other "resort" is a private island available for rent. 

Standard rooms are Superior Villas, duplex-style units with palapa roofs and front decks with cushioned loungers. While technically on the beach and near the sound of waves, these villas have more of a garden setting, with the water obscured by thick vegetation. Decor is simple: white walls and bedding, polished natural-wood furniture, and four-poster beds with sheer white curtains. All have tube TVs, minibars, dated stereos, daybeds, and semi-outdoor bathrooms with slate showers. 

Freestanding Deluxe Villas have better beach views, the possibility of Wi-Fi reaching the room (though still with fees), small flat-screen TVs, and big bathrooms with tubs and sliding doors. Water Villas are the largest option and have huge -- almost needlessly large -- bathrooms with open, slate showers, jetted tubs, and dual-sink vanities. Water Villas also have Maldivian-style swings, personal verandahs, and dual door entries -- one to the semi-open-air bathroom and another into the bedroom. One downside (or upside, for some) is the loud sound of waves lapping against these villas.  

Each villa has a stereo, TV, safe, bathrobe, coffee/tea facilities, minibar with selection of soft drinks (with on-demand booze), two large bottles of drinking water, a nice selection of toiletries and kits, and insect repellant. Unlike most resorts, all rooms at Filitheyo are smoking rooms.

Filitheyo Island Resort has two main public beach areas. Separated by the infinity pool and Water Villa jetty, the smaller of the two beaches is directly off the pool deck and equipped with a handful of wooden loungers and double-loungers topped with vinyl cushions. Guests can laze under the shade of the palm trees or take in rays on the sand in front of the pool deck. Pluses to this side of the beach are the easy access to drinks, food, and the pool, though it lacks the privacy of the relatively less-used and larger beach area that stretches far off to the other side of the jetty. In either case, the beach washes away quite a bit with the tide on this western side of the island, and is fairly thin around the rest of the island.

Filitheyo Island Resort has a host of features that cover comfort, activities, and relaxation. The large infinity pool sits on the edge of the island, just off the Sunset Bar, out by the Water Villas. This curved pool overlooks the lagoon and has a slight lagoon shape itself, creating a shallow zero-entry area that's safe for kids, a small island-like middle area with palm tree, and a large, much deeper main area. There's no hot tub, but there is plenty of space to eat, drink, and lounge on the surrounding wooden deck, and access to the small beach area is just down a few wooden steps. There's also a small, shallower inlet area with a handful of underwater stools that make up the pool bar, where drinks are served in-water, directly from the Sunset Bar. 

The Sunset Bar shares a space with The Coffee Shop, which is the resort's second restaurant. Here, there's a small a la carte menu and midday buffet-style snacks. This bar is fairly popular during the day as it faces the ocean, is close to the Water Villas, and services the pool and adjacent beach area. On the other side of the island is the larger main bar. It's another super-casual place with sand floors, wooden furniture, and open-air structure, though it has more of a lounge vibe. There's also a much larger bar, with stools set up all around and outdoor seating. This side of the island is home to the main buffet restaurant, with a large, tasty selection of international dishes; open-air, on sand seating; assigned tables; and the most hubbub on the island (during meal times). 

Guests who'd rather get in the lagoon can experience the house reef through the resort's Filitheyo Dive Center. The center organizes house reef dives, visits to nearby dive spots, dive certification, and nighttime bioluminescent dives. Snorkeling equipment and tours are also available here. To experience action above the water, guests can head over to the Watersports Center, where there are non-motorized and motorized sports like windsurfing, canoeing, sailing, and catamaran trips.

Located just off the main bar, the resort has a small, open-air game room with darts, board games, a pool table, and ping pong table. There's also a few tables and chairs set up for spectators. Also around this bar, off the serene reflecting pond full of lilies and tadpoles, is the resort's library palapa, complete with a PC computer business center. While the space is large and outfitted with built-in, cushioned bench seating and two three-level rows of books and magazines, the selection of books and available business center space is quite limited. 

Other activities include volleyball and a decent sized, air-conditioned gym with slightly dated machines, free weights, TV, and a water jug. Personal training sessions are also available. There's a large spa complex has big treatment bungalows with glass windows, large private gardens, gazebos, sun beds, and outdoor slate showers. There's also jewelry and souvenir shops located just off the lobby. 

Unfortunately, yhere's a fee for Wi-Fi, which is only guaranteed in the reception and not strong enough for streaming or video chats, and, like many islands, there's weekly fumigation that covers the island in thick plumes of insecticide.