Vakarufalhi Maldives

With the massive overhaul and renovations in 2009, Vakarufalhi is looking good. This upscale resort has a fresh and stylish look with a relaxing, non-pretentious, upscale-casual vibe. Most public spaces are open-air spots with breezes coming through at least three of the four walls, soft sand or hardwood floors, and upscale wicker furniture with thick pads and cushions. There is lots of covered lounge space for guests to veg-out, read books, or grab some free Wi-Fi, as well as live entertainment and activities. 

The island itself is surrounded by white sand, a turquoise lagoon, and lots of bright green vegetation with low-hanging palms, sea cabbage, and tall trees with long, tall roots -- all making for a natural feel. For the most part, guests are quiet and keep to themselves beyond pleasantries; clientele is mostly made up of Asian or European couples, or groups of Asian tourists. While there are several planned activities and excursions, there is not much lending to guest interaction, so this is probably not an ideal spot if you are looking to meet new friends on holiday -- though, if you are looking for a upscale and congenial, yet private, place to relax at your own pace, this may be the ticket. 

Vakarufalhi Island Resort is located in the South Ari Atoll, about 56 miles south of Male. To reach the island, guests take a 25-minute seaplane from Male airport, plus a short 15-minute dhoni ride from the seaplane dock to the arrival jetty. The South Ari Atoll, especially in the southern corners where the resort is located, is well-known for being a prime spot to see whale sharks year-round, as well as a good bet for Manta rays. 

Of Vakarufalhi's 75 rooms, the majority are Beach Villas -- a great standard category room. Beach Villas have contemporary and stylish decor in warm, earthy tones, polished hardwood floors, open-air bathrooms with two showers (one fully outdoors and one under cover), 42" flatscreen TVs, coffee and tea facilities, stocked minibars, colonial style wardrobes, blackout curtains, and makeup mirrors at the vanity desk. There's also a big front verandah with chairs and a sun bed lounger as well as a designated set of loungers down by the beach. Personal beach entrances are often semi-private, shaded by thick sea cabbage. There are no beach towels in the room. Garden Rooms are similar to Beach Villas, except they have verdant garden and direct ocean views.

Upgrades to Water Villas not only get you an over-water bungalow, but also extras like a DVD player, dedicated indoor lounge space, slightly chicer decor, a walk-in closet and dressing area, plus gorgeous sliding wooden partition doors that reveal a large indoor bathroom with soaking tub (with bath menu), stand-up glass shower, dual vanity bowl sinks. They've also got huge outdoor decks with loungers, umbrella, sun bed, and direct sea access. These rooms also have irons and beautiful glass mosaics in the bathroom. Strangely enough, the Junior Honeymoon Water Villas, located behind the spa, are the most dated rooms on the island. In contrast to the rest of the rooms, these rooms have dark motel-style comforters, dark woods, and overall cramped space. There's also a separate toilet and shower, and no real vanity area or tub (though there is a sink at the minibar).

Ideal for families or anyone wanting a private pool, the Pool Villa kicks it up a few notches with two bedrooms, the island's only private pool, a humongous bathrooms with outdoor showers and garden, and a completely private stay thanks to a tall white wall that surrounds the property. 

All bathrooms have hairdryers and vanity and toiletry kits that include a sewing kit, dental kit, and shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel. All rooms have convenience features like impeccable sand clearing from decks, umbrellas, free Wi-Fi, keycard power, and foot wash stations. 

Like several other islands in the Maldives, the tide directly and dramatically effects the amount of beach available to Vakarufalhi guests. On the island, the sand is soft and white, the beach is fairly wide, and the surrounding lagoon is crystal clear. It's not uncommon to spot rays and baby reef sharks in ankle-deep waters off the island, and there is a large house reef that leaves lots of guests facedown in the lagoon. However, if you are looking for a spot to plop down on the beach, you'll be disappointed -- sort of. There's no public beach on Vakarufalhi, but it's only because there is no need. Every single room on the island has a specific reserved spot for them on the beach. While this is great in guaranteeing a place on the sand, you don't exactly get to chose where that is. 

Beware of areas where the soft sand suddenly mixes with crunchy coral and broken shells, and during monsoon season, keep your eyes peeled for jellyfish in the water. 

The main (and only) restaurant on Vakarufalhi, is the Ilaa Restaurant. A slightly colonial looking high ceilinged pavilion with window-walls that can open up for fresh air, this spot has a big dining space with tile floors and open seating, but its buffet area is small and it's easy to get stuck in long lines behind each station. You can expect to find two live cooking stations preparing pastas and meats, a decent salad bar section, a line of hot foods reflecting international and local dishes, and fresh fruit deserts. There's also private dining options available, like beachside dining under the stars and private barbecue meals. 

Though Vakarufalhi only has one bar, it's big. This open-air bar with sand floors and lounge vibe has three connecting seating sections; one with sand floors and casual lobby vibe, a proper bar area with hardwood floors and entertainment stage, and a spacious outdoor deck facing the water. In the main bar room, you'll find a scattering of upscale wooden chairs with thick white cushions, stylish wicker bucket seats, a stage for live music, and a curved bar slinging happy hour drinks, popularly slated just before the start of dinner. The other indoor, open-air section is home to wicker lounge beds, sets of table and chairs, and a small buffet of afternoon tea snacks. To drink, you'll find top import spirits, Carlsberg on tap, and a wide selection of cocktails and mocktails to sip -- as well as a selection of cigars or hookahs. 

One of the more standout features of the resort is it's natural location and proximity to stellar diving and snorkeling as well as access to some of the most concentrated populations of whale sharks and Mantas in the Maldives. Aside from reef snorkeling around the island, if you want to take advantage of the underwater world, the PADI-certified ProDive Center and shop has daily reef dive trips, certification courses, and unique dives, like the night dive around the Kudimhaa shipwreck and dives with Manta rays or whale sharks. In order to protect the natural reef, the island only has non-motorized sports, like windsurfing and canoeing -- all for a fee. 

For daily fitness goals, there's also a small gym with just a few cardiovascular machines, free weights, a weight machine, and yoga mat. Those looking for a soundtrack can hook up their own music to a stereo, and there's a TV in the corner. With a few different shops selling things like clothes and souvenirs, plus a good-sized convenience shop, guests can also spend a bit of time exercising their wallets or just window shopping. 

Those looking to unwind can either relax with a book from the library or hit up the small, over-water Duniye Spa. The main reception area and spa boutique are separate from the three individual over-water treatment bungalows. Inside these rooms uphold the Balinese theme of the spa and have the same layout as the Honeymoon Villas. Spa clients can also use the steam room and row of relaxing chairs behind reception. Guests get a free welcome massage voucher upon check-in. 

For competitive folks, there's a host of games to challenge friends or fellow guests to, including badminton, volleyball, ping pong, soccer, or for less physical challenges, a selection of board games. 

Although Vakarufalhi is loaded with all of your typical resort features, there's no pool on the island. However, most guests spend their time in the sun beachside on their private loungers, so no one seems to mind. Free Wi-Fi is located in the reception area and lobby, as well as the rooms.