Paradise found among the atolls
HURAWALHI ISLAND RESORT Maldives
LIKE billionaires and their superyachts, Maldives resorts appear to be locked in a battle to outdo each other in the luxury stakes.
On paper, Hurawalhi — a 90-villa, private island resort that opened in December — seems to have joined the scrum. Flagship underwater restaurant Restaurant 5.8 (named after its 5.8m depth) was built slightly bigger than an almost identical one at a rival resort, ensuring Hurawalhi has “the world’s largest all-glass undersea restaurant”. It has copied other resorts in giving its island its own time zone, an hour ahead of the capital.
At times it feels like thereere are so many staff — threee to each guest — that there’se’s a danger of falling overr them as they transport guests laughably short distances by buggy on the 700m x 300m island.
But one of Hurawalhi’ss unique draws emergeses with a visit to residentent marine biologist Drr Lisa Bauer, as she explainss why the resort’s natural location makes it one of the best spots in the Maldives to dive and snorkel.
Forget coral reefs — what makes Hurawalhi special is its location, nes- tt l e d between KuKuredu and Komandoodoo islands, creating two narrow channels either side of the atoll. This leads to a particularly concentrated accumulation of plankton and other nutrients which attract a huge range of marine life.
Seven-metre Oceanic manta rays and reef manta rays (which can grow up to 4.5 metres) are both visible during high season. Hawksbill turtles and Green sea turtles — both endangered species — also swim freely around the surrounding coral and at nearby Kuredu Caves, along with up to 2,000 fish species.
The plethora of sea life is accessible from the “sea villas”, which line either side of a 500m wooden jetty and have their own rear stairways into the Indian Ocean. Diving and snorkelling sessions are offered for beginners.
And despite the copycat feel of Restaurant 5.8, it gives diners another jaw-dropping front-row seat to this native marine life. Multicoloured fish glide around, above and either side of the inches-thick glass ceiling, making it easy to forget you’re there to plough through eight-course set menus. Scallops with peach, almond and samphire vinaigrette, red mullet with cauliflower and pine nuts, and Asian BBQ-style Angus beef were among the big hits. Upstairs in the Aquarium Restaurant, menus are changed every fortnight to ensure everything’s in season.
Hurawalhi bans under-15s, upping the couples vibe. But you’ll find more on offer here than on your average honeymoon retreat.
Doubles from £350, B&B. hurawalhi.com
Rooms *****
Service *****
Value ***