Sarah Kingdom Experiences The Special Anantara Kihavah In The Maldives, An Enchanting And Luxurious Sanctuary
Famed for its white sand beaches and high-end resorts with sumptuous overwater bungalows, turquoise lagoons and some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling in the world, the Maldives has earned a reputation for luxury. With 26 Atolls, 1,192 islands in total, and around 154 resort islands, where does one start when looking for accommodation?
Anantara Kihavah is located on a private island, with 80 exclusive private pool overwater bungalows, beach villas and residences, all set in the stunning waters of the Baa Atoll, a 30-minute seaplane transfer from Male.
Located on Kihavah Huravalhi in the Baa Atoll, in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and surrounded by azure waters and pristine white sand, Anantara Kihavah Maldives rises up out of the sapphire blue ocean like a mirage. This is barefoot luxury at its best. This is where you come to savour the luxury of a private pool beach villa, just steps to the beach, or to relax in a breathtaking over-water villa with uninterrupted views of the horizon.
You can snorkel with giant reef mantas and Hawksbill Sea turtles or stargaze from the island’s custom-built observatory. Dining options seem endless, from private dinners on deserted sandbanks to eating beneath the ocean’s surface in the incredible underwater restaurant and only underwater wine cellar in the archipelago.
77 miles from the Maldives’ capital, Male, guests arrive by seaplane. Seaplanes travel three times faster than a boat, making it the ideal way to travel in this archipelago nation. From the minute you take off, your seaplane journey will be a flight of incredible aerial views, of picture-perfect islands, powdery sandbars, atolls, reefs and lagoons. While seaplanes may not be a cheap way to travel, life is about the journey, and as this will probably be one of the most scenic flights of your life, so you can’t really put a price on that!
I got to sample both the beach villas and the overwater bungalows at Anantara Kihavah. Starting in a beach villa, it was the epitome of luxury. From the minute I walked through the gate, I felt I was entering a secret garden. Lush vegetation on all sides, total privacy, a beautiful pool, beside a sheltered veranda, and a secret, sandy path, winding its way to the beach.
The bathroom was like a Persian hammam, spacious, open to the sky, but with elegant domes sheltering you from the elements, and the calming murmur of a constantly flowing waterfall, soothing you into a deep relaxation. An early morning walk from my villa to the beach rewarded me with a spectacular sunrise and, with the beach to myself, an early morning swim was bliss.
If you’ve ever stared at photos of overwater bungalows and dreamed of visiting one, you’re not alone! Overwater bungalows come with a host of luxurious features – glass-bottomed bathrooms, private infinity pools, sun decks, overwater hammocks and outdoor beds for catching a tan without having to leave your room, not to mention being lulled to sleep by the sound of waves beneath your bed.
After my beautiful beach villa, I moved to one of the island’s overwater bungalows, to enjoy all this, especially the stairs, that lead directly from my room to the ocean, where I could swim anytime it took my fancy. What could be dreamier? Relaxation and privacy, all with amazing views. Overwater villas are the epitome of vacation goals.
Dining at Anantara Kihavah was another memorable experience. Interconnected overwater pavilions support four separate restaurants, SEA.FIRE.SPICE.SKY, of which my favourites were Sea and Sky.
We ate breakfast in SEA, the world’s first underwater wine cellar and restaurant. The octagonal dining room has huge, clear glass sides, giving you incredible views of marine life swimming to and fro, so close and so clear that you feel like you could just about touch them! Imagine feasting on lobster eggs benedict while submerged beneath the Indian Ocean, or sipping champagne in the company of sea turtles, it’s not every day you can say you ate with the fishes!
I revisited SEA for an underwater wine tasting with the resort’s knowledgeable and friendly sommelier. We were talked through an array of wines, learning their history, their flavours, the way they complemented various dishes and cuisines. We learnt how submerging champagne in the underwater cellar subtly alters its flavours and how, for every month of submersion, the wine ‘ages’ by 5 years. I learnt a lot, but I must, say it’s a little hard to concentrate when reef sharks, sea turtles, eagle rays or the occasional shark are drifting past!
The Maldives seem to have some of the biggest skies in the world. Free from light pollution, the tiny island of Kihavah is the perfect place to observe the universe. The rooftop SKY Bar with its open rooftop deck and comfortable chairs, is perfect for stargazing, before going inside the resort’s custom-built observatory, where a powerful research-grade 16” Meade LX200 telescope awaits, for some seriously up-close astronomy.
The resort’s in-house SKY ‘guru’ guides you through the maze of stars and constellations, and you’re rewarded with dramatic views of planets, stars and the moon. Each session is limited to eight people, and couples can book a special ‘Honeymoon Stargazing’ option, that allows them to name a star after their loved one, as an eternal gift.
Traditional Maldivian cuisine is wonderfully unique, with tastes and flavours that combine Sinhalese, Indian and Arab influences. We were treated to a special Maldivian ‘Dining by Design’ dinner at Anantara Kihavah. Tables on the beach, draped with crisp white tablecloths and decorated with glittering lanterns and candles.
We sat with our toes in the sand, sampling a selection of local dishes. A lobster salad, poached in spiced coconut milk, a seafood broth (Kiru Garudiya), some spiced lamb chops, sambal marinated tuna, and finally a traditional desert (Kiru Boakibaa), made with coconut milk and ground rice, flavoured with lemongrass, cardamom, cinnamon, and rosewater.
The following morning, a gentle knock on the door signified the arrival of my ‘floating breakfast’. If you think breakfast in bed is decadent, then you really need to try a floating breakfast! If you’re not familiar with the concept, here’s what you need to know. Picture a fully loaded wicker basket, filled with tropical fruits, baked treats, granola, yoghurts, jam, honey, marmalade, eggs (any way you fancy), fruit juice, champagne and more; all this floating on the surface of your private pool, just a few feet above the ocean. Mouth-watering and picturesque at the same time.
Of course, most people come to the Maldives to spend time under the water! The Maldives is part of an extensive underwater mountain range, with vivid corals around the rims of ancient volcanoes. As one of the world’s hotspots for year-round scuba diving, the Maldives is an ocean lover’s dream. The waters are home to an astounding variety of marine life.
You don’t have to be scuba qualified to experience the underwater world of the Maldives though. Simply don a mask and snorkel, pull on a pair of fins, and get into the water. At Anantara Kihavah we snorkelled the house reef, which teamed with reef fish and colourful coral gardens and later went by boat, to the protected Hanifaru Bay, to snorkel with giant Manta Rays.
Swimming amongst the manta rays is one of the most mind-blowing things I’ve ever done, and Hanifaru Bay is one of only a handful of places in the world where you can get this close to so many manta rays, and snorkel beside them as they feed.
Spas in the Maldives are a haven for tranquillity, rejuvenation and relaxation, and the spa at Anantara Kihavah is no exception. Luxury spa facilities, with plenty of signature treatments, provides a lavish pampering experience. Nourish yourself with a full body exfoliation treatment, a detoxifying wrap or a full body Thai massage. The over-water treatment rooms at Anantara Kihavah are guaranteed to revive you, body and mind, and make your holiday even more relaxing.
Anantara is known worldwide for its thoughtfully designed luxury hotels and resorts, and Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas certainly doesn’t disappoint. From friendly, welcoming and professional staff, to luxurious accommodation, fantastic food and wonderful experiences this is definitely my favourite place in the Maldives.
Tell Me More About Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
Anantara Kihavah Maldives P.O. Box 2098, Kihavah Huravalhi Island, Baa Atoll, Maldives.
T: +960 660 1020 E: kihavahmaldives@anantara.com
Rates start from $1,078 per room per night. There are room only, half board and full board options available. Beach Pool Villas start from $1,683 on a half board basis for 2 people and Overwater Pool Villas are from $2,059 on a half board basis for 2 people.
There is a newly launched special Winter Escape Package available for stays from October onwards.
We flew Manta Air, the newest domestic airline to service the Maldives.
