Winner of the ‘Leading Family Resort in the Maldives’ category in the World Travel Awards for the second year in a row, this 5* private-island getaway of stand-alone beach villas and overwater villas in the sparsely populated Lhaviyani Atoll combines tropical R&R and fabulous cuisine (including the Maldives’ first and best vegetarian restaurant). With a stay at Atmosphere Kanifushi, your holiday begins the moment you step off the plane with complimentary access to the seaplane lounge before a 35-minute seaplane ride to the stunning island.
There are several factors making 2022 an especially great year to discover or rediscover this sought-after hideaway. First up are the new Kanifushi Grand Pool Villas – 20 one-bedroom villas that suit both couples and families, with open-air showers and verandahs opening onto a tranquil garden with a private lap pool and deck.
Also new are the Kanifushi Residences. Fantastic for family bonding time, these 10 exclusive villas come with a master bedroom, a kids’ bedroom and an attached nanny’s bedroom, an entertainment room and a free-form pool with a shallow kids’ area, steps from the white, sandy beach. Indulgences just for Residence guests are a one-of-a-kind dining experience: optional à la carte breakfast at The Sunset Bar, one complimentary in-villa breakfast during the stay, and fresh coconut juice, a cookie jar and high tea all served in the villa throughout the day. There’s also butlers and buggy service, and extras including beach toys for kids, virgin coconut oil gifts, a special turndown service and a customised pillow menu.
This contemporary resort is part of a home-grown Indian Ocean brand insistent on remaining close to its roots by offering authentic experiences, dining and design. The resort provides a premium all-inclusive offering that represents great value for money, with the promise of ‘no surprises, no shocks or hidden costs’, covering sumptuous dining, premium spirits and wines, signature cocktails, excursions and activities such as sunset snorkelling. If exploring the magical Indian Ocean appeals to you, the PADI-certified dive team can take you on an adventure with 20% off your first two dives.
Set on a sparkling 2km lagoon, the resort involves guests in the local environment, culture and heritage with on-site offerings including weekly Maldivian nights and demonstrations. Teens and adults can get together to enjoy daily activities ranging from beach volleyball to sunset fishing and non-motorised water sports, while the youngest guests love the nature walks and the likes of sand art and palm-leaf origami at the kids’ club.
There’s an array of choice when it comes to places to eat and drink here. The main Spice restaurant has live cooking stations, themed nights and a grill, Ceylon Bliss showcases Sri Lankan street food based on nostalgic home-cooking recipes, and Just Veg, the first 100% vegetarian restaurant in the Maldives, includes a Jain menu.
After that, The Sunset is a pool bar and restaurant for beach villa guests, with Asian–Mediterranean fusion cuisine and weekly barbecues, while Pier Six is an overwater lunch and dinner spot for water villa guests, offering signature seafood dishes. Pier Six is also home to the Teppanyaki Grill, for Japanese dining in the evening. Finally, The Liquid Pool bar serves snacks and fish & chips, and Marrakech is an inviting evening spot for shisha and Moroccan tea and coffee.
Also on offer are a spa, sunrise yoga sessions by the lagoon, a main pool and an adult-only pool, diving, sailing, catamaran, canoeing, SUP paddleboarding and unlimited snorkelling excursions. All guests get one complimentary sunset fishing trip and one other free excursion per stay. Beach volleyball, football and chess tournaments keep things sociable, and there are movies on the beach beneath the star-studded Indian Ocean sky.
To find out more or for a quote and/or to book your Atmosphere Kanifushi now, call me today.
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