There are some Maldivian resorts that impress with their sheer scale, and others that capture you with their intimacy. Huvafen Fushi belongs firmly in the latter category. Small, romantic and wonderfully private, it feels like a secret tropical hideaway – yet beneath its relaxed barefoot exterior lies a seriously sophisticated luxury resort.

I recently stayed in one of the beautiful Deluxe Beach Bungalows With Pools and loved the combination of privacy, exceptional dining, superb service and that wonderfully intimate island atmosphere.

Location

Huvafen Fushi enjoys one of the most convenient locations in the Maldives. Set in North Malé Atoll, the resort is reached by luxury speedboat in approximately 30 minutes from Malé International Airport – a huge advantage after a long international flight.

The island itself is wonderfully intimate. There are just 46 bungalows and pavilions, divided between the beach and lagoon, so even when the resort is full it never feels crowded.

Accommodation

I stayed in a Deluxe Beach Bungalow with Pool, and for couples, I think it is close to perfection.

The 196-square-metre bungalow is wonderfully private, surrounded by tropical greenery with direct access to the beach. What makes it particularly special is having not one but two pools – a secluded plunge pool within the private courtyard and another larger plunge pool facing the Indian Ocean.

It gives you two completely different outdoor spaces and a wonderful sense of privacy. The interiors are sophisticated but relaxed, with beautiful natural materials and a lovely indoor-outdoor flow. It is romantic without trying too hard – exactly what you want from the Maldives.

For families or friends travelling together, the Two-Bedroom Ocean Pavilions are an absolute dream. With around 400 square metres of indoor and outdoor living space, they feel more like private residences than traditional hotel villas, with two generous bedrooms, a kitchen and expansive living and entertaining areas. There is plenty of room for a family to spread out without ever feeling on top of one another, while the seamless indoor-outdoor design means much of the day can be spent living beside the water.

Some feature a spectacular indoor-outdoor pool concept, while others have beautiful private pools suspended directly over the lagoon. The extensive decks provide plenty of space for sunbathing, relaxing and dining together, while still allowing everyone to find their own private corner.

Positioned well beyond the resort’s other overwater accommodation, the Two-Bedroom Ocean Pavilions also offer an extraordinary sense of seclusion, with bedrooms oriented towards both sunrise and sunset and dedicated butler service.

For a family wanting the privacy and space of a private residence combined with all the facilities and service of Huvafen Fushi, these would be my ultimate choice.

Dining

Dining was one of the highlights of my stay.

Breakfast at Celsius is wonderful. I particularly loved the dedicated cold room and the emphasis on freshness – fruit is prepared for you on demand, alongside an excellent buffet and a comprehensive selection of à la carte dishes. It feels generous and luxurious without being excessive, and the service throughout breakfast was superb. Celsius sits beside the sparkling lagoon and serves both breakfast and dinner.

SALT, the resort’s overwater Japanese restaurant, is outstanding and was my favourite dining experience. The concept combines Japanese cuisine with Latin influences in a relaxed Izakaya-style setting above the water. The food is beautifully executed, the setting at sunset is magical and the service is exceptional. It is absolutely a restaurant I would return to more than once during a stay.

Fogliani’s offers Mediterranean cuisine, handmade pasta and artisanal pizzas in a relaxed beach setting, RAW specialises in healthy organic cuisine, while Vinum – the Maldives’ first underground wine cellar – offers degustation dinners in a wonderfully atmospheric setting.

Spa & Wellness

Huvafen Spa is one of the resort’s signatures and unlike almost anything else in the Maldives.

Its extraordinary underwater couple’s treatment room has panoramic views directly onto the reef, allowing you to watch tropical fish glide past while having a massage. There are also overwater couples’ and individual treatment rooms, along with separate steam and sauna facilities.

The wellness experience extends beyond the spa, with a yoga pavilion, overwater gymnasium, saltwater flotation pool and illuminated infinity pool.

All in All

Huvafen Fushi is one of those resorts that proves bigger isn’t necessarily better.

With only 46 bungalows and pavilions, everything feels intimate and highly personalised. Service throughout my stay was superb, the dining exceeded my expectations and the beautifully private Deluxe Beach Bungalow with its two pools is, in my opinion, one of the loveliest choices in the Maldives for couples.

Add the outstanding Japanese dining at SALT, wonderful breakfasts, spectacular Two-Bedroom Ocean Pavilions and one of the Maldives’ most extraordinary underwater spa experiences, and Huvafen Fushi becomes very difficult to leave.

For couples, honeymooners and travellers who appreciate privacy, exceptional service and understated rather than showy luxury, this little island is something very special.