Anantara Veli Maldives Resort

From the minute we arrived at the airport until we were back there a week later we were treated to the most amazing professional service. We were met on the jetty after a boat trip across by the lovely Ali who was our key contact during our stay, he booked...

From the minute we arrived at the airport until we were back there a week later we were treated to the most amazing professional service. We were met on the jetty after a boat trip across by the lovely Ali who was our key contact during our stay, he booked all of our restaurants for us and was always available. All restaurants were amazing, especially Cumin, if you enjoy Indian food, we also had breakfast here - which was incredible, thank you Ibrahim. The pool bar was a great place to watch the incredible sunset, Kareem looked after us here and provided excellent service, always with a smile. Our overwater pool Villa was lovely, stunning views and serviced to a very high standard. I would definitely recommend all inclusive. The Spa on Veli is fantastic, my husband had a treatment for his tennis elbow that has plagued him for almost a year and he is now pain free! Suffice to say we loved our stay and cannot wait to go back.

Luxury at its best. A holiday of pure relaxation and serenity, it could not get any better than this with the great personal touches from arrival to when you leave. We had an lovely villa host called Jennifer who was the most polite attentive without being intrusive person you could...

Luxury at its best. A holiday of pure relaxation and serenity, it could not get any better than this with the great personal touches from arrival to when you leave. We had an lovely villa host called Jennifer who was the most polite attentive without being intrusive person you could meet, she arranged all our restaurant bookings she was very helpful and was always there if needed. The villas are beautiful. The staff are a credit to the resort, everyone was friendly and always greeted you with a smile. We already looking to return to this fabulous resort. Kevin and Julie

Simply amazing property. Well trained and kind staff. They were available on one call to everyone. Loved the experience of anatara hospitality. Would recommend everyone to stay here for once in their lifetime as its worth the experience.

This place was literal paradise. Everything was spectacular. The food was incredible - especially the Indian, Thai, Japanese, and Italian. The white sand beaches, the blue shades of the ocean, the snorkeling/diving and water sports (do the parasailing and sunset dolphin cruise), the hammocks and swings and seating areas, the...

This place was literal paradise. Everything was spectacular. The food was incredible - especially the Indian, Thai, Japanese, and Italian. The white sand beaches, the blue shades of the ocean, the snorkeling/diving and water sports (do the parasailing and sunset dolphin cruise), the hammocks and swings and seating areas, the bed was super comfortable - wonderful cleaning and turn down service. Full gym as well. I think also what makes this property special is that there are 2 hotels so you can also go to the other property for meals and beaches. The ability to text the villa host who can book and coordinate everything. It’s really a magical experience. We did 6 nights but maybe another 2-3 would have been great!

Since the moment we arrived and were assigned Ibrahim during our stay, he was soooo attentive and there for us at all time for questions, advice and transport service when needed. We stayed in the pool room over water and it was fabulous. We must come back… while pricing is...

Since the moment we arrived and were assigned Ibrahim during our stay, he was soooo attentive and there for us at all time for questions, advice and transport service when needed. We stayed in the pool room over water and it was fabulous. We must come back… while pricing is at the higher end the quality of staff, facilities and rooms exceeded our expectations and the value for money is exceptional

My husband and I recently stayed at Antantara Veli resort in Maldives. We had an absolutely wonderful stay and can’t recommend this hotel enough. The service from the staff was fabulous, especially from our butler, Naunt. The resort is beautifully maintained and whilst we were there, we took advantage of...

My husband and I recently stayed at Antantara Veli resort in Maldives. We had an absolutely wonderful stay and can’t recommend this hotel enough. The service from the staff was fabulous, especially from our butler, Naunt. The resort is beautifully maintained and whilst we were there, we took advantage of the floodlit tennis court, the golf simulator, table tennis and of course snorkelling (the resort provide the snorkelling equipment). Unfortunately whilst we were there we experienced several tropical storms, however when the sun did shine it was paradise. We went for an ocean pool villa as we wanted a bit more privacy and it worked out well. We loved viewing the spider crabs, eels, black tipped reef sharks, herons etc from our decking and when the storm did arrive the waves were exhilarating to watch! There are plenty of other villas to choose from (beach front and stilted) which would work better for snorkelling from your room. We visited most restaurants during our visit and enjoyed all of them. They all had an excellent range of food to choose from with superb service from the lovely staff. Beware though the alcohol is pricey. The cheapest bottle of wine being around 95 usd though they do offer an inclusive drinks package for 99 usd per person per day. We didn’t opt for this but may be worthwhile for some! Overall we felt this was a very well managed resort and we would love to return at some point in the future .

Excellent staff (Faz the best :D) and beautiful resort! The room was cleaned every day, the restaurants were delicious with a wide variety, the staff were great for moving around the islands and getting some medicines we needed. Everything perfect

My husband and I enjoyed this bucket list trip for our 15th anniversary, and it did not disappoint!!!! From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed to this little piece of paradise by Feruza who made us feel at home. I have never seen water so blue and creation...

My husband and I enjoyed this bucket list trip for our 15th anniversary, and it did not disappoint!!!! From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed to this little piece of paradise by Feruza who made us feel at home. I have never seen water so blue and creation so peaceful. The service by everyone was top notch!! The food and drinks are second to none, and our villa was dreamy. The service, privacy, and tranquility were just what we needed to relax. I remember getting overheated one day (after soaking up a little too much Maldivian sun) and Feruza came to our villa personally to check on my health late that night and offered me the services of the doctor on call. She even arranged for a special dinner to come to our villa that helped me feel so much better. Thankfully, I was ready to play again the next day. When leaving, Feruza kindly arranged for an early breakfast on the day of our departure as our flight was very early morning. It is this level of concern and service that makes and unforgettable trip. Thanks so much for what you do Anantara Veli and Feruza. WE WILL RETURN!!!

We had a wonderful experience at Veli. The over water villa had everything we needed. The pool looking out to the sea and sunset was a great feature, as well as being able to take the steps down to swim in the sea. The pool by the bar was very...

We had a wonderful experience at Veli. The over water villa had everything we needed. The pool looking out to the sea and sunset was a great feature, as well as being able to take the steps down to swim in the sea. The pool by the bar was very nice and never crowded. The restaurant options are very good, including on the separate family resort on the next island. There’s a quick ferry ride between the two islands that runs very frequently. The overall feel of the resort was perfect. We really liked that all the paths were sand and everything was very relaxing. All the staff were very friendly and polite. Ibrahim, our host, was super helpful with whatever we needed at any time, wherever we were. We will definitely come back.

What an amazing holiday, such a warm welcome, a beautiful island, serving incredible food, with the friendliest and most helpful staff. It was the Holiday of a lifetime, and we want to go back asap. Loved eating at Dhoni and Cumin, probably the best food we have ever had on...

What an amazing holiday, such a warm welcome, a beautiful island, serving incredible food, with the friendliest and most helpful staff. It was the Holiday of a lifetime, and we want to go back asap. Loved eating at Dhoni and Cumin, probably the best food we have ever had on holiday. Our compliments to the amazing chef's in both restaurants. We also loved visiting Gulhifushi, snorkelling and visiting the Tiki bar for some great cocktails We want to make a special mention to some staff, who helped make our holiday so enjoyable. Rashmina - always went the extra mile. Hamad - friendly and always time for a quick chat with us. Bokey at Cumin - great recommendations at breakfast. Mimi at Cumin - so polite and helpful. Prem, Shafi and Kareem, all at Dhoni Bar. The male member of staff who served us drinks around the pool and brought drinks out to us on the beach - unfortunately, we didn't get his name. Finally, special thanks to Faz for being such an amazing host. Always there for us, very supportive, friendly and made the holiday even more enjoyable. It was our first time in the Maldives, but definitely not the last. We will recommend Veli to everyone! Thank you

We had an amazing stay at the hotel, and Ibrahim made our experience even more special. His exceptional service and warm hospitality truly stood out. Thank you, Ibrahim, for going above and beyond to make our trip unforgettable! whenever we dislike a food or plan they always make it up...

We had an amazing stay at the hotel, and Ibrahim made our experience even more special. His exceptional service and warm hospitality truly stood out. Thank you, Ibrahim, for going above and beyond to make our trip unforgettable! whenever we dislike a food or plan they always make it up to us which is not happening in all hotels

My husband and I have never experienced such beauty in nature, a hotel and with staff during travels. The level of personalized care and positivity of the whole team was next level. Faz was such a fun and professional villa host & Chef Uttam was so helpful with my dietary...

My husband and I have never experienced such beauty in nature, a hotel and with staff during travels. The level of personalized care and positivity of the whole team was next level. Faz was such a fun and professional villa host & Chef Uttam was so helpful with my dietary requirements and made us the most delicious food every single time. Also Ibrahim, Nabith, Mohammed, Joker (Ahmed), Robex, Dima, Yazin, and Ruth made our experience incredible from dining, to activities, and the spa. HIGHLY recommend!

Pitch Perfect Paradise We had a fabulous 8 day stay at Veli Island - we thoroughly recommend it. Here’s why : We arrived late afternoon from Dubai to be greeted by a representative from Anantara. Check-in was done in a small, private lounge in the airport while we briefly waited...

Pitch Perfect Paradise We had a fabulous 8 day stay at Veli Island - we thoroughly recommend it. Here’s why : We arrived late afternoon from Dubai to be greeted by a representative from Anantara. Check-in was done in a small, private lounge in the airport while we briefly waited for our transfer. The speed-boat crossing was “adventurous” in the choppy ocean but in half an hour or so we we arrived at the island. A small greeting party, complete with drummer and the hotel manager, were waiting for us on the jetty, a first indication that we were to be treated as special and valued guests. It set the tone for our stay. We were introduced to our ‘villa host’, Jennifer (Joyful Jennifer) who gave us a guided tour of Veli Island and its impressive facilities. Love at first sight. We had booked an Ocean Pool Villa and we were not disappointed. Our villa was spacious and well equipped with good air-conditioning and a very comfortable king-sized bed. Outside, we had a large, very private terrace and a decent sized plunge pool. No beach access but ocean sounds and fabulous views out to the crashing waves and a silhouette of Tracy Island (travellers of a certain age will be able to picture exactly what I mean). There are only 5 such villas and they enjoy wall to wall sunshine throughout the day. Not far away are the beach villas and over water villas that sit within or alongside the still, quiet, turquoise water of the lagoon. So, worth considering what you want from your accommodation : choppy or still water ? Sun terrace or shady terrace ? Beach or stilts ? Veli island is an adults only resort but a short hop away is its family oriented sister island - Dhigu - with its extended facilities. A ferry boat operates all day and in 2 or 3 minutes you can change islands. A further ferry from Dhigu takes you to ‘Picnic Island’ which is more secluded and offers the best reef snorkelling. Across the main 2 islands there are 7 different restaurants as well as special themed nights, private dining options and in-villa dining. We tried just about all the restaurants - they were all superb, particularly Cumin and Dhoni for lunch, with great food and impeccable, consistent service. We booked full board and this is welll worth considering, we judged it to be much better value than paying as we went along. Breakast was fantastic in Cumin restaurant. An extensive a la carte menu offered a huge variety of dishes, served overlooking the sea. We felt no incentive to breakfast across in Dhigu where the self-service breakast there, allegedly, offers guargantian choice. There are plenty of on-shore and off-shore activities but we busied ourselves with sun-bathing, book-reading, snorkelling and just enjoying the ambiance around the beautiful islands. The two pool areas - one on each island - are very civilised and there is a host of other areas to relax in and enjoy the ocean and the views. There’s plenty of space and the sandy garden areas are lovely to walk through. Spotting wildlife is not guaranteed but you do just happen upon it. Our highlight was spotting a large pod of about 20 dolphins frolicking through the water in full sight of our villa. On Veli, each villa has a dedicated ‘host’ and we were lucky enough to draw Jennifer, Joyful Jennifer. She was there if we needed her and was very knowledgeable, incredibly personable and not at all pushy. She contributed greatly to our stay. The prices of food and drink are, ineveitably, very expensive. However, when I learnt that around 1,000 staff (yes, 1,000 staff) are employed on the 2 islands to look after just 177 villas then things start to fall into place. Someone has done a fantastic job in cloning 1,000 people into a homogeneous army of cheerful, friendly, attentive and dedicated ambassadors for Anantara. They were all great, not a grumpy one amongst them. There’s the odd niggle - there always is - but nothing worth noting. And if there wasn’t the odd niggle then you wouldn’t appreciate how just about faultless everything else is. Needless to say, we thouroughly enjoyed our stay. Pitch perfect.

We had a lot of fun and we are so happy with this experience I just want to say thanks to every one in this island and the services and food was very very good Especially Mr. Ibrahim who take care of us and make the trip enjoyable , he...

We had a lot of fun and we are so happy with this experience I just want to say thanks to every one in this island and the services and food was very very good Especially Mr. Ibrahim who take care of us and make the trip enjoyable , he was with us every time we want .

I was deeply moved by the exceptional service given by each member of the team. Their unwavering support and dedication genuinely touched my heart, and it was clear they went above and beyond to make a difference. A fabulouss location, perfect!

We had a wonderful stay for our anniversary! Our room was a deluxe overwater villa where you can walk right into the water to swim or snorkel in the lagoon. The room was beautiful and well appointed. The only drawback is the lack of AC in the bathroom or a...

We had a wonderful stay for our anniversary! Our room was a deluxe overwater villa where you can walk right into the water to swim or snorkel in the lagoon. The room was beautiful and well appointed. The only drawback is the lack of AC in the bathroom or a fan, so it does get quite hot during the day. Would be nice to have a fan at least to move the air around. The restaurants are delicious and have great variety! We had no problems getting reservations and the food was wonderful. We did a full board with the drinks til 11 pm package and we were not disappointed. Be aware that you have some limits even with full board - not all restaurants are included, and of the ones that are, you are limited to an app, entree, and dessert per person. You are allowed a $60 credit per person, per day at the restaurants that are not part of full board, but the prices are usually going to be much more than $60. We took part in the around the world dining series dinner with a Michelin star chef that was fantastic! Not part of the dining package of course, but worth it! Everything was fresh and flavorfully prepared. Be aware that after 6 pm, children are allowed to come to the restaurants on the Veli side, which can make it a little unpleasant if you want to have a quiet dinner without kids running around. Of course you expect it when you go to the Dhigu side to eat, but it can be a little disconcerting if you're expecting a truly "adults only" experience. We did two excursions - a sunset dolphin cruise and a snorkeling outing. They were both wonderful! We wanted to do dolphin snorkeling but we were told it was seasonal and the dolphins hadn't been out much during the day, so we opted for the sunset cruise and were able to see several dolphins! Our villa host, Jennifer, was so helpful and made sure we had everything we needed. The boat transfers were quick and available for us when we had a late check out.

We had a fantastic time, the accommodation , staff and food were excellent. Feruza looked after us, she was brilliant, checking in to make sure we were enjoying ourselves and on hand if we needed anything. We will certainly return in the future, not to be missed.

We chose Anantara Veli for our honeymoon, and couldn’t be happier about our decision. Everything far exceeded our expectations, which were quite high to start with. The entire experience was perfect, from the seamless airport pickup and speedboat transfer to the warm welcome upon arrival. Our Villa host Feruza immediately...

We chose Anantara Veli for our honeymoon, and couldn’t be happier about our decision. Everything far exceeded our expectations, which were quite high to start with. The entire experience was perfect, from the seamless airport pickup and speedboat transfer to the warm welcome upon arrival. Our Villa host Feruza immediately made us feel at home in paradise, and ensured that we had everything we needed throughout our stay. We stayed in both the Overwater Villa and the Ocean Pool Villa, and each was incredible in its own way. The Overwater Villa offered breathtaking lagoon views and direct water access, while the Ocean Pool Villa provided ultimate privacy with a stunning infinity pool overlooking the ocean. Both were beautifully designed, spacious, and thoughtfully prepared for our honeymoon. The service was exceptional, with staff going above and beyond to make our stay special. Dining was another highlight—Cumin served the most delicious Maldivian and Sri Lankan flavors, and the desserts at Aqua were simply unforgettable. The spa treatment was pure bliss, and activities like snorkeling and sunset cruises made our trip even more magical. Anantara Veli was everything we dreamed of—romantic, luxurious, and truly special. We can’t wait to return!

We visit Anantara Veli Result for a honeymoon with my wife. Here is the best and perfect resort!! Our host, Ibrahim Ouf, was very friendly and helped me make reservations, so we could enjoy the water excursion "Wow Explorer" very well and many delicious dinners. The resort has some water...

We visit Anantara Veli Result for a honeymoon with my wife. Here is the best and perfect resort!! Our host, Ibrahim Ouf, was very friendly and helped me make reservations, so we could enjoy the water excursion "Wow Explorer" very well and many delicious dinners. The resort has some water excursions and we recommand "Wow Explorer". It was snorkeling tour around a wreck ship, sand bank and nurse shark point. The tour hosts were also really friendly and they help us enjoy fantastic snorkeling. Our room condition was also good and really comfortable. One of the best point in our room was beautiful views. The emerald lagoon was chill and the sunset was so memorable and touching. Ananatara Veli is perfect to a honeymoon like us. It has large blue lagoon, many snorkeling points & fishes(black tip reef sharks and rays!!), delicious restaurants, water excurtions, beautiful views and friendly hosts. We are sincerely grateful that we were able to have a perfect honeymoon!

We were allocated a deluxe water Villa . It was the best place to swim every day at sunrise and sunset, and to snorkel because there are so many fish in the sea. The choice food during breakfast and dinner was perfect. The chef would prepare anything you want just...

We were allocated a deluxe water Villa . It was the best place to swim every day at sunrise and sunset, and to snorkel because there are so many fish in the sea. The choice food during breakfast and dinner was perfect. The chef would prepare anything you want just need to inform restaurant staff during breakfast time or via butler during the day. Our Butler Ibrahim was great as it was really easy to communicate with him via what's up. He booked the restaurant and and planned activities/excursions. He made our holiday really special and unforgettable. It was a perfect holiday.

Total paradise! From the moment we arrived we felt we were in a dream world! Stunning setting, white sand, fantastic accommodation, food out of this world and can’t fault the service! What a special place to relax and feel totally away from reality! We will be back!!

We visit Anantara Veli Result for a honeymoon with my wife. Here is the best and perfect resort!! Our host, lbrahim Ouf, was very friendly and helped me make reservations, so we could enjoy the water excursion "Wow Explorer" very well and many delicious dinners. The resort has some water...

We visit Anantara Veli Result for a honeymoon with my wife. Here is the best and perfect resort!! Our host, lbrahim Ouf, was very friendly and helped me make reservations, so we could enjoy the water excursion "Wow Explorer" very well and many delicious dinners. The resort has some water excursions and we recommand 'Wow Explorer". It was snorkeling tour around a wreck ship, sand bank and nurse shark point. The tour hosts were also really friendly and they help us enjoy fantastic snorkeling. Our room condition was also good and really comfortable. One of the best point in our room was beautiful lagoon views. The emerald lagoon was fantastic and the sunset was so memorable and touching. Ananatara Veli is perfect to a honeymoon like us. It has large blue lagoon, many snorkeling points & fishes(black tip reef sharks and rays!!), delicious restaurants, water excurtions, beautiful views and friendly hosts. We are sincerely grateful that we were able to have a perfect honeymoon!

Excellent service. Professional staff with a smile and always available to help, especially our Villa Host Ibrahim Ouf who gave us all the support we needed and provided us with a fantastic stay, quickly resolving all the issues and requests we made. Many congratulations on the organization and excellent facilities...

Excellent service. Professional staff with a smile and always available to help, especially our Villa Host Ibrahim Ouf who gave us all the support we needed and provided us with a fantastic stay, quickly resolving all the issues and requests we made. Many congratulations on the organization and excellent facilities of the Anantara Veli.

Chef Mohamed at Origami Restaurant gave us an unforgettable teppanyaki experience! The food was incredibly delicious, the presentation was top-notch, and the live cooking added so much excitement. A truly amazing dining experience—highly recommended!

The property is simply stunning and we liked the tranquility of the Veli island compared to the main one. We had an overwater deluxe bungalow which was simply stunning, backing onto a private island you can swim over to and watch the hermit crabs. The food is incredible, as is...

The property is simply stunning and we liked the tranquility of the Veli island compared to the main one. We had an overwater deluxe bungalow which was simply stunning, backing onto a private island you can swim over to and watch the hermit crabs. The food is incredible, as is the service, and we had a fabulous time. The only thing I would say is be prepared for things to be quite pricey whilst there, the island is the hotel so there is no other option than to have what they provide, but it costs. We were half board, but the only meal time that is genuinely all inclusive is breakfast, with evening meal, only some restaurants are included in the dining plans, and even they don’t cover drinks (you even pay for water with your meal). Cocktails are around $22 - $25 each, as are 125ml glasses of wine, or a small beer is $17. This is incredibly steep, but the cocktails are good quality. We left having loved our time on the island and would love to return.

The service is first class, the staff are positive and friendly and can be found anywhere at any time. The accommodation rooms are also of the highest quality, making you feel comfortable both physically and mentally.

Great resort with lots of privacy , great beaches , great food and great service. We especially liked the beach front villa with private pool and beach. During our stay we were assisted by a personal butler who helps with everything. Also made use of spa and the gym. Was great.

The place s nice everything s nice the standard s high too and the management lady feruza really took good care of us all the restaurant are good and everyone s friendly the water sports are fun and safe price is very reasonable as well. All in all we had...

The place s nice everything s nice the standard s high too and the management lady feruza really took good care of us all the restaurant are good and everyone s friendly the water sports are fun and safe price is very reasonable as well. All in all we had fun here

The hotel was amazing as well as the lovely staff, like hameez who was hosting us and every single person in cumin. I am very happy we took the decision on going, thanks veli for taking care of us in such a lovely way! Will always remember this experience -...

The hotel was amazing as well as the lovely staff, like hameez who was hosting us and every single person in cumin. I am very happy we took the decision on going, thanks veli for taking care of us in such a lovely way! Will always remember this experience - Andrea

Simply stunning. I agonised over the cost but it was worth every cent. Everything was so easy. The over-water villa was to die for. Wonderful views and we could literally step into the ocean from our back patio. Good facilities, amazing hospitality. The food was varied and mostly excellent. Lazy...

Simply stunning. I agonised over the cost but it was worth every cent. Everything was so easy. The over-water villa was to die for. Wonderful views and we could literally step into the ocean from our back patio. Good facilities, amazing hospitality. The food was varied and mostly excellent. Lazy breakfast at Cumin was a highlight Ibrahim was an attentive and friendly villa host. I could write all day but the summary message is: wow! You won’t regret treating yourself to this.

We booked our bucket-list holiday at the end of May 2024 so had plenty of time to wait and for the anticipation to grow, hoping the holiday itself would fulfil our expectations. We can only, and happily, say that with very few exceptions, every element surpassed expectations. From the moment...

We booked our bucket-list holiday at the end of May 2024 so had plenty of time to wait and for the anticipation to grow, hoping the holiday itself would fulfil our expectations. We can only, and happily, say that with very few exceptions, every element surpassed expectations. From the moment we walked into the Anantara Reception lounge at Male Airport, to the moment we stepped foot back at the airport for the return trip, we were absolutely treated like royalty and very well look after. It felt like everybody wanted to go the extra mile for us. In no particular order: The man at the airport reception lounge who escorted my wife to a cash-point (some locals are very keen that you buy your currency from them at a random counter somewhere, beware!) Faz was our Villa Host, we were so lucky. She is one of the warmest, friendliest and most helpful people we've ever met. Always on hand to book a table, transport us to the restaurant, bring us 'home' again afterwards, or just to have a chat and a giggle. Kamal at the pool would never let me move the parasol myself and would literally sprint across to move it for us. He was also brilliant whenever we ordered drinks or snacks, always made the time for a chat. Pashmina is an absolute star at Dhoni, another very warm and friendly person for whom no request is too much trouble. Shafi is the manager at Dhoni, another absolute star who looks after a great team. Food-wise, we loved Cumin. There was a great variety of food, and the service was always perfect; prompt, efficient, friendly but never overbearing. Breakfast here was also a treat, great variety and lots of helpful tips from the team if we fancied anything a little bit different. The lunches and dinner at Dhoni, as well as the drinks and snacks by the pool, were consistently brilliant. There was also a great selection of beverages, including wines, beers and cocktails. We only ventured over to the other island, Dhigu to eat on a handful of occasions, mainly because we had booked an adults only trip. The food and service we received there was also excellent, just not what we had in mind for our trip. The Maldivian buffet night at Sushi was amazing though. There were only a handful of things to be aware of, they didn't take any shine off our trip but I feel they are worth a mention. Firstly, we booked through Emirates Holidays, and thought we had booked an all-inclusive holiday. When we arrived, I was a bit concerned to hear that our stay was full board, with a drinks package. This didn't really affect much, as the food and drink were more than enough. It did mean that a few restaurants were not included, and involved a surcharge to dine there. This brings me on to the second point... We were told that if we wanted to eat at a not-included restaurant, we had a $90 per person allowance. We ate at Origami and noticed that on the bill, this $90 was only $60. The explanation was that the $90 is before tax. How this computes was beyond us, but we couldn't get a more comprehensive reason out of anyone during our stay. Origami is expensive, the food was decent but we didn't feel like we got value for money here. The Thai restaurant however, Baan Huraa, was great, and the per person allowance more than covered a fantastic meal. My last point is regarding the adults-only resort that made us book Veli in the first place. Children are allowed to eat at Cumin, so it wasn't an unfamiliar sight to see them around. Most of the time, most of the children were absolutely brilliantly behaved and no trouble at all. What irked us a little, was the parents who would allow their children to run amok, playing chase and peekaboo around other diners trying to have a romantic meal in an absolutely idyllic location. Maybe a family area would keep the peace for those who want an adults only experience. These were small matters. Our holiday was absolutely incredible and everything we hoped it would be; beautiful accommodation, a brilliant team to look after us, and a stunning setting. When we can come back, we definitely will. Thank you Faz, you're amazing. We will be back.

The staff is amazing and so attentive. The food was terrific at all of the restaurants we tried. The views were spectacular! It really doesn’t get any prettier than this! The resort is very clean and well kept! There are plenty of things to do or not do!

Our second visit, and still amazing. Our butler from last time welcomed us and we also got a room upgrade. The resort was fully booked the whole week, but service was still flawless. The staff is very friendly and nice. In all the restaurant everybody work very hard. We really...

Our second visit, and still amazing. Our butler from last time welcomed us and we also got a room upgrade. The resort was fully booked the whole week, but service was still flawless. The staff is very friendly and nice. In all the restaurant everybody work very hard. We really like the concept of several small islands. You can swim or take a short boat ride and then you can go to two other islands. We stayed at the adults only island, but there is also an ne island for families. Several restaurants to choose from with a great variety. Some need a reservation. The villas are not renovated recently, as was the same last time, but it still works very well. Very clean. They change towels several times a day and turn down service. We have been to the Maldives seven times. This is the only resort we have returned to. Great pleasure to stay here.

Excellent experience. The over the water villa with personal pool was amazing. Our personal hostess Feruza was exceptional and made us feel special and took extra effort to accommodate all of our requests. We would recommend this resort to our family and friends without reservation.

Anantara Veli was the second leg of our honeymoon in the Maldives. Paying exactly the same pr. night at Anantara as at our former resort Huvafen Fushi (staying at a very similar over water villa), we found ourselves constantly comparing the two destinations. We had to stop ourselves from doing...

Anantara Veli was the second leg of our honeymoon in the Maldives. Paying exactly the same pr. night at Anantara as at our former resort Huvafen Fushi (staying at a very similar over water villa), we found ourselves constantly comparing the two destinations. We had to stop ourselves from doing that, as it is not a fun way to spend five days at a wonderful place like this! There are many great things with Anantara Veli, and a couple of things they should work on. The nice things first! Arriving with speed boat from the airport, the turquoise color of the waters outside the Anantara islands is unreal! The views from Veli are spectacular - both looking outwards towards the rest of the atoll and the views across the lagoon between the islands is top class postcard/Instagram material. There is a lot to do at Veli: 6-7 restaurants/bars, every imaginable water sport, gym, yoga, spas and wellness, golf simulator (not really an option when it's sunny outside), outdoor cinema (ridiculously expensive, but still) ... there are shuttle boats transporting guests for free between the islands, and our favorite excursion was going to the small sand island Gulifushi (with no residences), where there's a tiki bar and wonderful, pristine sand beaches. The boat ride takes 3 minutes, and you arrive at a destination other resorts would make you pay (lots) for visiting as an organized event. Many of the beaches surrounding the islands are fantastic for swimming - the sand is silk soft, some places get deep quickly, others are shallow for 100s of meters (great for kids, I guess). The waters outside our villa were less ideal for impulsive bathing, as the seabed under the shallow water contains many sharp stones, pieces of dead coral etc. - we should have bought bading shoes, I guess. Still, we had a great time swimming directly below the villa, keeping the sketchy seabed in mind. Food is good (not outstanding, but more than decent), beverages options are fine, villa is kept clean, service swift and cordial. Snorkling was not as immediately accessible as on Huvafen; the best snorkling was outside Gulifushi, were we swam with lots of wonderful coral fish in all imaginable colors. In the shallow waters below our villa, we also saw larger fish like titan triggerfish (can bite!), reef sharks (I guess they have teeth, too) and quite a few eagle and sting rays. That's an interesting part swimming in the Maldives, you share the waters with all these big sea creatures that CAN harm you, but probably won't. It's fascinating, can be a little scary but after all it's not very dangerous. You end up having a quick look out for sharks before diving in, though. Our very favorite part of the stay was watching the sunset from our private infinity pool outside the villa. It sounds cheesy, but the views ARE breathtaking, and you never tire of them; the sun and the clouds and the water and sky look different every evening. The over water villas with sunset view are perfect for this exact activity; the pool was so nice (and the views stunning even after dark), so we stayed in as long as we could before going to dinner. So to a couple of points where Anantara Veli could improve: A group of British American influencers had brought along their own paying customers for a fitness camp at Veli. The group was extremely loud everywhere they went, nearly shouting to each other during regular conversation - we never figured out why. They were like a bunch of teenagers on spring break, with no respect whatsoever for the peaceful atmosphere you would expect from an adults only resort like Veli. Worst of all: The used a drone to film themselves, Needless to say, drones are noisy, intrusive for other guests' privacy and potentially dangerous, as they can fall down. When we were at Gulifushi, the drone was over our heads. Drones should obviously be banned at Veli (like they were at Huvafen). But how did the resort handle these obviously bothersome guests using drones? Well, they reposted content the influencers had published on Instagram ... this tells me that Anantara wants more of this kind of guests, and that really puzzles me. To be fair, at one point the guests at our neighbor villa started playing loud club music outside during sunset. After we made a complaint, the resort made them stop within 15 minutes, which we appreciated. In sum, however, the number of guests at Anantara wanting to make a lot of noise (a.k.a. ignoring other guests) was maybe a little higher than we had expected. Anantara should also look over their all inclusive deals. To minimize time and energy spent on choosing food and beverages, we opted for the all inclusive (food and drinks) 24/7 option. This means we scrolled all the way down on the web site; this is Anantara's most expensive package. Still, we ended up spending HOURS every day on WhatsApp and in the resort app trying to figure out what was actually included in our package. As this seems like whining, let me give two specific examples: Upon arriving at the island, we had our first lunch at Italian restaurant Aqua. For dessert, we asked for ice cream - only two or three sorts where available, our waiter told us. You don't have pistachio, then? we asked (this IS an Italian restaurant, after all!). Yes, we have, over there in the bar, but that is not included in your package, we were informed. Come on!? We have payed for the premium all inclusive package - and we can't have a scoop of green ice cream? Well. Another time, we were arranging breakfast in bed with our host on WhatsApp. As newly-weds, we had bought a honeymoon package where the breakfast in bed was included, and now we where about to chose which type of breakfast we wanted ... continental, English, traditional Maldivian ... we'll have the International breakfast, please! That's not included in your package, was the answer from our host. 1. How are we to know that? 2. So, what breakfast types ARE included? Do you want us to keep on guessing? Similar situations occurred throughout our stay. It didn't ruin the vacation at all, but Anantara should really make sure that guests that want to pay for a hassle-free vacation don't have to spend valuable time and energy on things like this. Apart from noisy guests and an oblique all inclusive policy, our stay at Anantara was a great joy, and had we not just arrived from Huvafen (where the all inclusive policy is crystal clear and we encountered not a single boom-blaster or drone), we would gladly return. I give the resort a full score, as our - after all - minor complaints never really spoiled the experience of being emerged in a stunning setting like this.