Veligandu Island Resort & Spa

Veligandu is one of the five Crown and Champa resorts found in the Maldives, and it's owners are no strangers to what it takes to make a successful resort around these remote islands. Opened in the '80s, Veligandu looks remarkably well for its age, especially when you consider the harsh Maldivian climate conditions. The most recent renovations were done in 2014 and included updating exteriors of the Water Villas and the addition of brand new Jacuzzi Beach Villas. It's the small things that make Veligandu a memorable resort among many -- and a standout against its sister properties. While the North Ari Atoll isn't typically famous for bioluminescent lights, many neighboring islands who stare out toward Veligandu in the pitch black of night will notice shimmering, illuminated waters. This gorgeous effect is created by the placement of glowing underwater lights at the bases of the Water Villas, and it helps add a hint of magic and beauty to the overall vibe of the island. 

Aside from Europeans (mostly Brits and Germans), Veligandu is also a particular favorite of herons (which will pop up everywhere, even by the pool), colorful reef fish, and shallow swimming reef sharks. Guests here are largely couples, specifically honeymooners. While there are plenty of places to be as private or social as you wish, there is an unlikely popular meeting place where both staff and guests interact and bond -- the soccer field. Here, the staff play tournament games against one another, with a set of bleachers set up for guests to cheer on their favorite team. There are several return guests at Veligandu, and -- with its overall pleasant, friendly, and relaxed vibe -- it's easy to see why. 

If you are looking to avoid a long seaplane flight from Male, Veligandu Island Resort -- located on Veligandu Island in the North Ari Atoll, just a 15-minute seaplane ride from Male airport -- is the closest you can get. It's also one of only two resorts within the specific atoll within the North Ari Atoll. Although the island is close to Male, there is a one-hour time difference, created and imposed by the island as a way for guests to squeeze as much sunlight as possible out of each day. 

Beach Villas are Veligandu's standard room options, and thus are the smallest of the bunch. Features start off fairly luxe and include stocked minibars, large flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, Nespresso machines (plus regular coffee and tea making facilities), iPod docks, DVD/CD players, and personal outdoor decks with views. Rooms are stylish and modern and feature polished wood or tile floors, high A-frame wood-beamed ceilings, dual vanity sinks, and outdoor rain showers with typical assortments of nondescript toiletries. Beach Villas have nice views of the beach, but only the Jacuzzi Beach Villas are beachside. Upgrades to these 2015-built rooms will also snag you slightly more space and private whirlpools on the outdoor decks. By design, the Jacuzzi Beach Villas are the same as the Water Villas, but without the overwater, direct sea access.  

Water Villas are standalone, overwater bungalows that are noticeably more dated than the other rooms thanks to somewhat dated appliances and obvious maintenance work, like paint touch-ups and furniture dings showing. Bathrooms have walk-in glass showers with dual showerheads. Jacuzzi Water Villas make up the top category and feature personal outdoor whirlpools in front of wooden shutters that open up to views of the lagoon. Bathrooms in these units have large, wood-framed sliding glass doors so you can open up the bathrooms completely or leave them closed in. Like in the Water Villas, decor is contemporary and stylish (if worn) featuring different types of wood, white walls, and chocolate brown furniture and cream fabrics. 

Though there are slim bits of beach surrounding the island, the resort's main beach area can be found off the back of the Thundi Bar. This narrow strip of sand at the western tip of the island is equipped with several setups, though you may find yourself sharing the sun or getting your feet wet with a few curious herons. One side of the beach has fairly open sea views, while the other faces a few boats, the arrival jetty, and a small green island. In addition to the padded wooden loungers and umbrellas set up on the strip, there’s a swinging hammock on either side of the bar, hung between two palms.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Veligandu are all served buffet style in the resort's massive, beachside Dhonveli Restaurant. Here, guests can expect to find a good selection of international and local dishes with separate salad, cheese, and hot entree sections; two live cooking stations, one with fresh catches and one with Asian specialities; and a huge, central bread and dessert island. Typical items on the buffet include imported cheeses to fresh local fish, typical Maldivian curries to stir-fried rice noodles, and macaroons to regional fresh fruits. Seating is spread over a large deck, and includes indoor and outdoor setups with either sand or wooden deck floors.

In contrast, Madivaru, the island’s a la carte restaurant, is small and reservation-only. No matter what meal plan you are on, Madivaru costs extra. There are about 15 tables split between the outside deck and inside, and the menu focuses on fresh, grilled seafood and special dinners like amuse bouse, barbecues, or lobster. 

Both restaurants can cater to diet restrictions. 

Thundi Bar is the resort's large main bar located off the main beach. This 24-hour beach bar has sand floors, a sunken bar, board games, indoor lounge beds, funky swivel chairs, and cushy chairs, plus outdoor deck seating on cushioned wooden chairs and great sea views on three sides. On the opposite side of the island, there's a smaller bar, Athiri Bar, located near the farthest-out Water Villas. Along with cocktails, mocktails, and some all-day afternoon tea treats for the all-inclusive guests, this spot has a juice bar and and some nice deck seating to watch the sunset. Tap beers include Carlsberg and local Sri Lankan lager Lion.

A standout feature of Veligandu is the hotel's large, although somewhat non-atmospheric, airport lounge at the seaplane terminal. Guests with any length of layover are escorted here from the main airport where they can relax, fill out check-in paperwork while having a snack, juice, or hot drink, and watch TV until their seaplane flight is ready. In addition to the beach or verdant garden views at nearly every turn, open staff soccer games, and the 24-hour beach bar (a rare find amongst the islands in Maldives), Veligandu's somewhat hidden Duniye Spa, with organic products and southeastern Asian style and treatments, is one of the resort's standout features. Accessible along a garden path, the spa reception area is a large open-air palapa with couches, spa menus, and offers of delicious ginger tea. The treatment rooms themselves are single overwater bungalows all with private entrances leading off a short jetty. Inside you'll find hot stones and other Balinese massage utensils and windows opening up to decks that have private views of the ocean and deep-soaking tubs. There's also a relaxation palapa where it's common to spot rays and reef sharks swimming just below. 

If you're looking for more active days, there's no shortage of activities and games to get your heart pumping. Just up from the spa you'll find a good-sized bungalow filled with gym equipment, ice cold water, and cool towels; there's a 24-hour, air-conditioned game room with foosball, pool table, darts, and ping pong. For underwater lovers, the Ocean Dive Center leads regular dives to some of the 18 spectacular dive sites right in the Rasdhoo Atoll, has free intro dives, and offers PADI-certification courses, while the watersports center has both motorized and non-motorized equipment and lessons available for everything from kayaking and windsurfing to jet skiing and tubing. The resort also hosts daily events and excursions like sunset and star-gazing cruises, fishing trips, disco nights, slide shows, and live music.

Surprisingly, the hotel's large infinity pool is rarely busy. The pool is on a raised deck, with somewhat worn but padded loungers. It's surrounded by leafy plants and faces the sandy beach and lagoon. 

Other features include a boutique with souvenirs; an on-site tailor; a jewelry store; a guest services area with lounge seating and a library; and a 24-hour available doctor, and office-hours medical clinic with fair prices. 

Free basic internet is available, but guests must pay for faster speeds that reach rooms, bars, and the reception area. If you didn’t bring a laptop you can request one at reception.