Isle of enchantment: The revamped Maldives resort that should be on your clients’ radar

Reimagined resort

I’ve checked into Veligandu – part of Crown and Champa Resorts’ portfolio of hotels – to be among the first to experience the property’s transformation following an 18-month renovation that saw it reopen as a five-star hotel last November. With a broader selection of dining options and bespoke experiences, the resort leans into the demand for variety, flexibility and personalised service that high-end clients expect in the Maldives. But the standout addition is 47 lavish overwater villas, each with a private pool. Curved around a wooden boardwalk, with sunrise and sunset-facing options, the flat-roofed, boxy villas have a bold, modern aesthetic that is almost brutalist in design. The exterior colour palette is somewhat unexpected – terracotta hues offset with cool-toned greys – but the stark contrast against the blues of the ocean is striking. Each villa is topped with solar panels, which, together with the 3,000 installed across the island, supply the entire resort’s energy needs during daylight hours.

Inside, a glass-bottomed panel in the entranceway offers a window into the underwater world, and large floor-to-ceiling doors flood the room with natural light. A shaded terrace outfitted with sunloungers gives way to a plunge pool and staircase leading directly into the sea. One afternoon, I take a dip in the balmy lagoon and discover a flurry of life hiding beneath the surface. Streams of sunlight pierce the water, catching on the scales of darting fish, making their electric blue and bold violet scales impossibly more vibrant. In contrast to these ultra-modern new additions, 53 of the resort’s original villas remain. Their pitched, thatched roofs, timber cladding and earthy interiors offer a typically more Maldivian aesthetic, which some clients may prefer. They are charming, if a little dated. While these options don’t come with private pools, many offer outdoor whirlpools and baths, and the overwater villas each include a hammock strung above the lagoon – a quiet perch for idle daydreaming or even a night under the stars.

Elevated experience

Among the diversified choice of restaurants and bars, fine-dining venue Raalhu is a highlight. Enjoy a pre-dinner aperitif at the Champagne Pavilion as the sun dips below the horizon, before indulging in a menu of fresh seafood and grilled meats. Meanwhile, Madivaru Silk Restaurant takes its cues from the historic Silk Road, serving a globe-trotting medley of dishes, from Italian beef carpaccio and Moroccan lamb tagine to a classic pad Thai. Guests can also opt for an intimate teppanyaki experience, where waves of sushi and sashimi are expertly prepared before their eyes. In addition to the à la carte offerings, Dhonveli – the resort’s relaxed main buffet restaurant – keeps things fresh with a daily rotating menu of themed cuisines.

My favourite spot for a languid afternoon is Thundi Bar, which spills onto the resort’s pristine sandbank, dotted with towering palms and sunloungers. Unlike some of the Maldives’ newer, man-made islands, Veligandu is entirely natural – and it shows. The island supports a rich and well-established reef, teeming with marine life. We’re told this stretch of shoreline is the best place to spot turtles, blacktip reef sharks and even the occasional manta ray. For those eager to explore farther afield, the Ocean Dive Centre offers a host of activities, including night snorkelling, swimming with whale sharks and a hammerhead shark expedition at nearby Big Blue Point.

Lasting memories

Our morning swim with turtles is just one of the magical moments the Veligandu team orchestrates for us. Another comes when we board the resort’s elegant yacht for a sunset dolphin-spotting cruise. The sky is already beginning to blush as glasses of chilled champagne are pressed into our hands. Soon, dozens of dolphins surround the boat, arcing gracefully from the surface and entwining with one another in a playful rhythm, while the sky blazes with fiery amber and coral hues. We watch in near-silent awe as nature puts on its show. Eventually, the majestic creatures disappear into the deep, leaving behind a sense of wonder that lingers long after the last tail flick vanishes. Back on land, the enchantment continues. On our final evening, we’re treated to a candlelit dinner on the beach.

Lanterns flicker in the breeze as the aromas of grilled tiger prawns, reef fish and beef tenderloin waft through the air from a barbecue feast. We dine with our feet in the sand, the ocean as our soundtrack and a canopy of stars above. It’s a perfect way to end a special trip – and a lasting reminder of the heartfelt hospitality we’ve experienced throughout. The warmth of the team here feels genuinely personal, not just a polished service. During our stay, general manager Fathuhulla joins a pickleball tournament with two returning guests, picking up where they left off months before. Another night, staff dance joyfully with visitors during Thundi Bar’s evening entertainment. In a destination with so many luxury resorts, it’s not just picture-perfect settings or delightful experiences that set a property apart, but something as simple as these encounters – and Veligandu delivers it all in abundance.

Resort revamp

General manager Fathuhulla Ibrahim – who has been at Veligandu for 12 years – shares an insight into the resort’s renovation

“When we decided to upgrade the property, we wanted to do so in a way that wouldn’t sacrifice its natural beauty and charm. We also wanted to keep the identity that our loyal guests love, while making ourselves more competitive in the Maldives’ luxury landscape. “We chose an architecture firm that had never designed in the Maldives before – Bali-based Marzloff Architecture & Design – to come up with something completely different to our existing rooms and what we see in the industry. “We have an advantage because the property has a 40-year history, so we have many loyal customers and a repeat rate of around 40%. But our main focus was to offer something for everybody, attracting more markets with varied accommodation, upgraded food and beverage and recreation facilities, enhanced transport options with a new luxury speedboat and yacht, and more personalised experiences such as private, romantic dinners. “Since we reopened, we have had an average of 85% occupancy and have already had some repeat guests. Summer bookings are looking very promising too.”

Book it: The nightly rate for a Sunset Ocean Pool Villa is $2,792 in peak season on an all-inclusive basis.
veligandu.com