After a long flight across many time zones, the feeling of the sea air brought my wife and me back to life. And suddenly, the boat slowed.
“A pod of dolphins,” the captain said, pointing just ahead of us.
Sure enough, no less than 50 dolphins were jumping out of the water and racing alongside us, surrounding the boat.
“They like to welcome our visitors,” he said with a smile.
Throughout the week, as we visited two different Four Seasons island properties in the Maldives, we were welcomed wherever we went — although not in such a dramatic fashion.
Before I visited the destination, I imagined being around a glamorous crowd of jet-setters, perhaps with a chilly attitude of hipness. The reality was nothing like that. The staff at the resorts were down-to-earth and exceedingly friendly. The other guests may have been from all over the world — especially the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, India and other parts of Asia — but they included families, couples, groups of friends and everything in between. The clientele was diverse in every way, and while the vibe was very luxurious, it never felt stuffy or uncomfortable.
If your clients define luxury as total comfort with no attitude and no hassle, then the Four Seasons’ properties in the Maldives are for them.
Guests at Kuda Huraa can take a dolphin cruise.
Credit: 2023 Four Seasons Hotels and ResortsFirst Stop: Kuda Huraa
Our trip started at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, located in the North Male Atoll, which is a 30-minute boat ride from Male, the capital where the main international airport is located.
Despite being relatively close to a major city, the island is designed to feel like a typical Maldivian village. With 96 units on 12 acres, the property can be fairly described as exclusive and intimate.
Whether guests choose an oceanfront villa or one of the 38 overwater bungalows, there are no bad options here. Many of the units have multiple bedrooms and they all come with private swimming pools. There are two main pools on the property, as well.
Cottages at Kuda Huraa have their own private pool.
Credit: 2023 Four Seasons Hotels and ResortsOur overwater Sunset Water Villa had ample space and included a king-size bed; a daybed; a beautiful bathroom with a large bathtub and an indoor/outdoor shower; a swimming pool (accessible right from the living room); and lounge chairs and a dining table on the deck.
One of the standout experiences at Kuda Huraa is the spa, which is set on its own island and accessible by a traditional Maldivian boat just across a small inlet.
The resort also features a range of activities — including surfing lessons (this area of the Maldives is known for its surf breaks), a kids’ club, snorkeling, PADI scuba instruction and diving excursions, a range of cooking classes, a Marine Discovery Center and more. There are even competitive crab racing matches on the beach (go Big Green!).
Kuda Huraa offers five restaurants serving a variety of cuisines. Our favorite was Baraabaru, which specializes in authentic Indian fine dining. Be sure to suggest that clients enjoy a sundowner or a game of billiards as they check out the views at the Sunset Lounge.
Next Up: Landaa Giraavaru
Guests arrive at Landaa Giraavaru by seaplane and, if they are coming from Kuda Huraa, they will notice right away that this island is bigger. With 103 units on 44 acres, there’s no doubt that Landaa Giraavaru covers more space, but the property still has an intimate and luxurious ambiance.
The accommodations on Landaa Giraavaru are made up of villas, along with 40 overwater bungalows. The first decision is whether your clients want to be on the sunrise side of the island (closer to the spa) or the sunset side (a little quieter). Luckily, all guests are given bicycles for getting around the property — which come with guests’ initials on them and electronic ID tags, so no matter where you leave them on the island, the bikes are always brought back to your room — ensuring that visitors can easily experience everything the resort has to offer.
Guests at Landaa Giraavaru get their own bicycle with their initials on it.
Credit: 2023 Julee ShapiroAll of the units here are beautifully designed, immensely comfortable and full of thoughtful details. Our Beach Villa even had a separate two-story alfresco living and dining area with a sand floor next to the main cottage. There are two main pools on the property, plus all the units come with their own pool, and most are steps away from their own stretch of beach.
The cottage had a living room with a king-size bed; a daybed; and a large bathroom with a deep soaking tub, a shower and an additional outdoor garden shower. The indoor/outdoor aspect of the cottage was its greatest virtue. We could spend mornings swimming or relaxing in the outdoor “living room,” and then move inside or to the beach when it got warm. We were never bothered by neighbors or noise, and it often felt like we were staying in our own private family villa.
Blu Beach Club, at Landaa Giraavaru, offers dishes crafted by a Michelin-starred chef.
Credit: 2023 Four Seasons Hotels and ResortsMeals at Landaa Giraavaru will be a highlight for clients. Besides the amazing breakfast buffet at Cafe Landaa, other favorites included the Lebanese restaurant Al Barakat and the Italian cuisine at the oceanfront Blu Beach Club. This eatery is part of a program that features special dishes and techniques brought to the resort by Gaetana Trovato, a two-Michelin-starred chef from Tuscany.
When it comes to activities, Landaa Giraavaru is known for diving. The resort is located in the Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, which is famous for the world’s largest concentration of giant manta rays. The dive center on property is substantial, offering dive excursions three times per day, PADI certification classes, snorkeling trips and all variety of watersports.
Clients should be sure to check out the Marine Discovery Center next to the dive center to learn about the conservation efforts conducted by the Four Seasons properties in the Maldives. Guests can also have a close-up visit with rescued sea turtles who may be rehabilitating at the center.
The spa at Landaa Giraavaru specializes in Ayurvedic principles and treatments. Every guest at the resort can enjoy a complimentary consultation with an Ayurvedic practitioner to discuss general health, lifestyle changes, nutritional strategies and personalized spa treatments. One of the unique options here is an anti-gravity yoga session that uses special equipment to achieve gravity-defying poses.
Back on the seaplane to the airport in Male, my wife and I got one last look at Landaa Giraavaru from the air. We watched as the island slowly disappeared — becoming just a tiny dot of green lost in the vibrant blues of the Indian Ocean. Right then, wasting no time, we began discussing when we would return to this slice of paradise.
An Ultra-Luxe Option
Four Seasons has another option in the Maldives for super-high-end clients. Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah is a self-contained island near Landaa Giraavaru that is available for complete buyouts. The property takes up the entire island and only accommodates up to 22 guests. It comes with its own yacht, spa, dive center and full support staff, including a chef and a massage therapist.
