Big news. The Maldives have finally been ticked off my wish list! 😊
In July, I was fortunate to join a small group of Designer Travel colleagues for an 8-night educational trip to four different islands. We flew with the impressive Qatar Airlines via Doha - another first for me.
I wanted to share an overview of my experience and what I feel each island has to offer. If you'd like more details, you know me - I love to chat about holidays!
The first two islands I visited are classed as 4*, while the latter two are 5*. All are all-inclusive, though with different inclusions. Each island is reached by speedboat, and these transfers were a real highlight for someone like me who loves being on the water. We were warmly welcomed to each island with a traditional Maldivian greeting, which was a lovely touch.
OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO
My trip began at the newly refreshed OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO, which re-opened in December 2023 with a vibrant new look, including stunning new water villas - one of which I was lucky enough to stay in, complete with its own pool!
And in another first for me, here’s a little video walk-through to share with you...
This resort features 153 villas, including two-bedroom suites and family-friendly options, all designed to immerse guests in the breathtaking tropical surroundings both above and below the water.
Located at a prime atoll entrance with channels on both sides, the resort is a diving and snorkelling paradise, with a house reef teeming with silver-tipped sharks, lobsters and giant sea turtles. Snorkelling right off the beach or pier allows you encounter incredible sea life almost immediately.
The resort also offers fantastic amenities, including a PADI Certified dive school, a top-notch spa, a kids club, a nature centre and a variety of dining options. The main restaurant, Spice, serves a buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner with live cooking stations. Curry lovers will be in heaven here!
There are also two specialty fine dining restaurants: the newly added Raga Route, a progressive Indian venue, and Just Grill, an open-air beach restaurant specialising in seafood and meat dishes.
I loved the relaxed, friendly atmosphere of the island — it felt truly Maldivian. Every staff member greeted me with a warm smile, making the experience even more special.
OBLU SELECT Sangeli
Next, we moved on to OBLU SELECT Sangeli, located on the north-western tip of Malé Atoll.
Like its sister resort, it offers swaying palm trees, pristine white beaches and a turquoise lagoon teeming with vibrant coral life. The heart of the island is Sangs Bar, perfectly positioned in front of the pool and beach, and conveniently close to the main restaurant.
This resort features 137 contemporary villas and suites, along with top-notch amenities like an overwater gym and a garden spa and wellness complex. The snorkelling here is fantastic, especially on the guided snorkel trips offered by the resort.
I stayed in another stunning water villa, this time featuring a glass floor window that offered endless entertainment, and a beautiful deck perfect for sunset views.
Here’s a glimpse of my lovely home at OBLU SELECT Sangeli…
Like Helengeli, there’s a buffet restaurant and two fine dining options: Just Grill and Just Wok, where I was particularly impressed with the fresh pan Asian cuisine.
SELECT Sangeli also boasts an adult-only island, One Banyan, from sunrise to sunset. I found this island to have a livelier atmosphere, with a busier vibe compared to Helengeli.
OZEN LIFE MAADHOO
Island number three, and my absolute favourite, was OZEN LIFE MAADHOO, situated on the South Malé Atoll. This 6-acre island boasts 94 stunning villas across five accommodation categories.
The Earth Villas are set on the beach with outdoor decks and bathrooms, and you can opt for an Earth Villa with a pool, or the Earth Pool Pavilion, which offers two bedrooms, private living spaces, an outdoor lounge and a pool.
The Wind Villas, available with or without a pool, are perched over the water.
I stayed in a Wind Villa without a pool but was thrilled with the spacious deck and over-water hammock! Ah, but where’s the video, Susan? I hear you ask. Oh, go on then…
The INDULGENCE™ Plan at OZEN LIFE MAADHOO is truly all-inclusive, covering premium drinks, dining, and even sunset fishing excursions.
The Palms Buffet restaurant by the lagoon offers Champagne breakfasts, international cuisine and numerous live cooking stations. We also enjoyed authentic Chinese and Indian/ Sri Lankan flavours at Traditions Peking.
A highlight of my visit was the M6m underwater restaurant, where diners can enjoy seafood while watching marine life through windows that look directly into the reef. Although we didn’t dine there, visiting it was an unforgettable experience.
I also learned that the island has a resident marine biologist, reef cleaning programs and coral propagation efforts. The state-of-the-art hydroponics garden, which grows much of the island’s produce, was another impressive feature.
While the island doesn’t have a snorkellable house reef from the beach, I still saw an array of fish, sharks and stingrays while snorkelling from my water villa.
There’s also a variety of water sports, complimentary snorkelling experiences and even a tennis court - though it was too hot for a match during my stay. If you’re in the mood for relaxation, there are plenty of beaches and a lovely pool area to unwind.
I could talk endlessly about this special island, but I’ll move on before I get too nostalgic and tell you about the final island on my trip
OZEN RESERVE Bolifushi
OZEN RESERVE Bolifushi, located in the South Malé Atoll, offers a luxurious arrival experience with transfers via speedboat, a warm welcome with local music, a fresh coconut drink and even a mini foot treatment upon arrival.
This island, the largest we stayed on, features only 90 villas across 8 categories, each with its own private pool and either beach or lagoon access.
My colleague and I were lucky enough to stay in an Earth Pool Reserve Sunset 2-Bedroom Villa, which was incredibly spacious.
The villa included a massive lounge, master bedroom with en suite, and a games room with a pool table and twin beds upstairs.
We also had two furnished balconies, a large L-shaped pool, an outdoor dining area and direct beach access with additional sunbeds.
And guess what? I can show you around…
Every villa comes with a dedicated butler, available 24/7 via WhatsApp, and guests can use their own bikes or hop on a buggy for easy island travel.
While we got a glimpse of the ultra-luxurious accommodations that cater to the elite (think $12k per night!), it’s the island’s food and beverage offerings that truly stand out. With 7 different dining options, including Vista Del Mar, the main buffet restaurant with live cooking stations, and Saffron, an Indian restaurant serving a three-course plated dinner in one sitting, the culinary experience is exceptional.
The island also has a watersports centre, offering non-motorised water sports and snorkelling equipment. The surrounding house reef is teeming with beautiful marine life, which I got to experience firsthand.
After all the activities, a massage in one of the overwater treatment rooms was just what I needed to unwind. 😊
In summary, as you can probably tell, I had a pretty good time in the Maldives, giving me a true sense of what makes this destination so special. Whether you're after peaceful beachside retreats or vibrant underwater adventures, the Maldives offers it all.
If you’re now dreaming of your own tropical escape, I’d be thrilled to help you plan your perfect trip. Contact me to start planning your Maldives adventure—because once you’ve been, like me, you’ll definitely want to return!
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