Medhufushi Island Resort

For last being renovated a whopping 15 years ago, Meduhufushi has held her ground well. The Maldives' hot, humid climate and brutal salty waters and winds tend to easily eat away at everything. Where some of the islands' resorts tend to look worn and shabby within just a few years, Medhufushi has somehow managed to only show a few passable signs of wear and tear. However, the casual nature of the four-and-a-half-pearl property -- with the hut-like restaurant's sand floors, some oversights in cleaning detail, and slightly dated late mid-century-style decor -- may disappoint some guests who expect a little more chicness or attention to detail in a luxury property. 

The vibe at Medhufushi is relaxed and quiet with a real feeling of being on a remote island. The island's leafy grounds are filled with tall trees, palms, and sea plants, and it's surrounded by the Maldives' typical and beautiful turquoise waters. Unfortunately, there's no house reef, but this does allow for safer sea swimming offshore. Once you arrive, you'll walk down the wooden jetty, past the overwater Vilu Bar and Al Fresco restaurant, and straight onto the sands facing the main buffet restaurant. To your right is the dive shop, to the left is the small wooden-decked pool area overlooking the sea, and you'll find the clinic, gym, shops, and open-aired front desk area behind the restaurant. Landlocked guest rooms are both to the left and right, while the spa and water villas are built off the southern tip of the island. During the day, people tend to do their own thing, while -- depending on the night's planned activities -- it can get more social once the sun sets. In the off-season, there are several large groups of non-English-speaking Chinese guests who come on tours.

Guests staying at Medhufushi should plan for at least a 45-minute seaplane journey from Male. Unlike some Maldivian resorts, Medhufushi has a direct-to-jetty landing spot, so there's no need to catch a shuttle boat from a mid-ocean landing jetty (except in the case of bad weather). The hotel is located on an an island in the centrally located Meemu Atoll, making it an ideal spot for dolphin spotting (the resort runs tours) and close to good surf spots. While there is a nice lagoon surrounding the island, there is no house reef -- meaning there is no snorkeling directly off the island, strong currents can be present when swimming, and there's a higher appearance of seaweed on the beach after storms.

All 114 villas are positioned to either have direct beach or sea access with personal beach space and outdoor deck areas. All rooms (except Water Villas) have private outdoor rainfall showers and bathrooms. Every villa comes with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, free coffee and tea facilities, a non-stocked minibar (unless you are in the all-inclusive package), and Maldivian-style swing out on the sun deck. The standard category Beach Villas are stand-alone units with private, fenced-in outdoor bathrooms with slate shower areas and interiors with a rustic and homey decor. Rooms feature dark hardwood floors, basic wooden furniture, wooden four-poster beds with mosquito netting, beige blackout curtains, high cottage-like ceilings, and spacious wooden decks with swings and sun loungers that face the beach (and are occasionally visited by resident herons). 

Upgrading to the Beach Villa Suite (twice the size of a Beach Villa) will get you a tub and extra sleeping space for two more, while the top-option Lagoon Suites are the most luxe spaces, located in a more secluded area accessible by a private dhoni ride, and featuring double bathtubs facing the ocean. Guests in overwater villas swap beach access for direct off-the-sun-deck access to the sea and outdoor bathrooms for indoor bathrooms with separate walk-in showers, tubs, and toilets. These also have stunning fourth wall views of the Indian Ocean and large sun decks with furniture, swings, and stairs into the sea. Water Villas also come with free champagne and espresso machines. 

Medhufushi's villas appear in good shape, but the rooms could be cleaner; we found some hair in the bedsheets and un-wiped-down toilet seats. All rooms have one free bottle of water; minibar booze is on demand and must be ordered from reception. 

Since every room at Medhufushi is lucky enough to have back deck access to its own personal beach space or direct ocean access, there is less focus on the public beach area. Located off either side of the arrival jetty is an unequipped stretch of white sand. While there may not be loungers set up on the beach, there is a volleyball net to one side, a few ocean-facing loungers directly off the pool deck, and a rustic wooden swing a little further down. As with many islands in the Maldives, seaweed can be a problem, especially during the monsoon season storms. The west-facing public beach is prime real estate for viewing sunsets, though so is the overwater Vilu Bar. Unfortunately, Medhufushi lacks a house reef, but it does have free snorkeling trips so guests can ogle fish from underwater. 

Medhufushi Island Resort's main restaurant, Malafaiy, is a breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet located behind the ocean-facing pool. The vibe is casual, there's no assigned seating, and sturdy wooden tables and chairs rest in the sand. There are several live cooking stations and the food is mostly south Asian-centered, though general international dishes like pasta and roasted meats are also available. The selection of dishes doubles during dinnertime. For a more structured meal (with an even better view), guests can head over to the over-water Alfresco for dinner, drinks, and open-air views of the ocean. There's also the option of booking into a "gourmet menu" dinner, featuring set menus with lobster, shrimp, or chef signature dishes. If you want to take it a step farther and get out on the water, there's also dinner dhoni cruises with set menus. 

Medhufushi's Vilu Bar is located just off the resort's jetty. With panoramic overwater views, this spot is a relaxing place to grab a drink, coffee, or puff on a hookah during the day while you soak in the turquoise waters or watch the sun sink into the horizon. There's a covered lounge area as well as a large bar with tons of high stools, and another area off to the side that has a pool table, some seating, and a lending library. There's a daily happy hour and sometimes themed activities at night. 

Meduhufushi has your standard meal plans from fully non-inclusive out-of-pocket, to bed and breakfast, half-board, and all-inclusive. The all-inclusive package not only includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Maifaiy, but a daily afternoon tea service at Vilu Bar consisting of sandwiches and baked goods, tea, and coffee; by-the-glass drinks at the bar between designated hours (out of hours drinks are not free); name brand soft drinks, juices, select imported liquors, specific cocktails, and house wines; and two excursions -- line fishing and island hopping. Be careful when grabbing for drinks from the minibar -- they are not included in the all-inclusive package. 

Aside from the island views, Medhufushi's guests will find resort features expected from a four-pearl property. The island's location also makes it a great spot for surfers and anyone hoping to see some dolphin pods out on a show. The resort's ocean-facing pool is a main hangout spot for most people during the day; it's got a raised, wraparound wooden deck with loungers, umbrellas, and access to both the main restaurant and beach. There are also a few loungers lined up on a deck at the front of the pool that give uninterrupted sea and beach views. The small stretch of public beach has a volleyball net. 

For those interested in getting in or on the water, there's a small PADI and CMAS dive shop that gives certification and does nitrox dives and the non-motorized water sports include catamaran, canoeing, windsurfing, and free daily, off-island snorkeling tours. You can also pick up a board and try your hand at some of the nearby surf spots or hop in a boat for one of the excursions, though dolphin tours are the most popular. A point of pride for the resort is its overwater spa villa and treatment rooms. Here, guests can choose between a host of Ayurvedic, Balinese, and Indian massages, treatments, and beauty care packages. Anyone wanting to work on their fitness can hit the small and usually empty gym by reception; there are weight machines, cardio machines, a stereo, and a water cooler. 

Other features include a medical clinic, boutique and convenience shops, and an overwater lounge area off the Vilu Bar with a pool table, lending library, and nice water views. Unfortunately, the resort charges for internet use, and fees can get steep. You can purchase a voucher at the island shop (when it's open).