The Beach House, Manafaru, Maldives

The Beach House at Manafaru is one of the newest additions to the Maldivian resort scene. Situated on the Haa Alifu Atoll, the complex sits on the 35-acre islet of Manafaru, located 320km north of Malé. The resort opened in February 2008.

The 68-villla resort is operated by the Beach House Collection Pvt Ltd and is owned by Tropical Maldive Pvt Ltd. The resort is reached by seaplane and speedboat (50 min flight from Malé to Hanimaadhoo followed by a 45 min boat ride to Manafaru).

The resort is ringed with beaches and coral reefs at the shoreline. Only 11% of the island is being developed.

ACCOMODATION

The resort offers 16 Beach Villas (1,647ft²), 12 Beach Suites (2,422ft²) 38 Over-Water Villas (1,572ft²) one Grand Water Pavilion (4,510ft²) and a Grand Land Pavilion (7,459ft²).

The villas feature a private pool, a courtyard, a private cabana and a verandah deck. Facilities include high-speed wireless internet access, 40in LCD TV, satellite TV, DVD/CD player (with DVD and CD library), private bar, open-air bathroom (designed by Philippe Starke), luxury bath amenities, iPod hookups and a personal butler. Both grand pavilions offer a sauna and steam room.

THE SPA

The spa was designed by GX Associates Pvt and includes five ‘Element’ spa villas, five Ayurveda villas, two Shiatsu gazebos, a consultation pavilion and separate yoga area.

The spa also includes two steam rooms, whirlpool Jacuzzi baths, two Indian herbal steam facilities, a free-form jungle pool, mud bath, a lap infinity pool and a hydrotherapy area. The spa also has a specialty chocolate treatment with cocoa butter massage, chocolate almond scrub and white chocolate moisturiser.

RESTAURANTS

Three restaurants offer a range of cuisine and styles, including fresh seafood and Maldivian specialties. The Four Corners restaurant offers á la carte international cuisine throughout the day, while the Medium Rare Grill serves steaks, chicken and seafood.

The Asian-style Saffron restaurant is a short boat ride away, perched on top of a natural coral reef.

Room service is available 24-hours a day and there are a number of bars (Infiniti, Saltwater, Amazon and The Cellar) offering cocktails along with rare and vintage wines.

A 'sorbet butler' is available on the beach, offering a range of sorbets and ice creams. Private chefs are also onhand to prepare meals in the villa.

ACTIVITIES

The resort offers a fully equipped gym with the latest cardio and resistance equipment along with a trampoline, beach volleyball, a free-form and infinity pool, martial arts instruction, tennis and badminton courts and a Golf Blaster 3 golf simulator.

Other activities include billiards, table tennis, big game fishing and a PADI certified diving centre where fully qualified instructors take guests out scuba diving and snorkeling to explore nearby sites, including 18th century shipwrecks.

The resort owns two adjacent islands, offering a range of motorised water-sports, private dining areas, fishing and yachting.