Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
On a tiny exclusive island, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru is a perfect place to experience traditional Maldivian magic. Fine white sand and bright blue water provide the backdrop for 48 charming villas, each cooled by the breezes of the Indian Ocean.
The beautiful round villas, topped with cone-shaped thatch roofs, sit discreetly amid lush vegetation and feature ocean views, private walled gardens, their own private plunge pools with adjoining jet pools, and generous outdoor spaces. Beachfront Pool Villas have the added benefit of leading straight onto the sand via private wooden walkways, while with space for five guests, the Grand Beachfront Pool Villa is perfect for families.
Dining is a highlight of any stay here, the star of the show being the incredible overwater restaurant, Madi Hiyaa. Architecturally breathtaking – like a spaceship has landed on an overwater jetty – it offers authentic Japanese cuisine fused with a Maldivian twist, not to mention spacious daybeds, oversized hammocks, a saltwater infinity pool and sunset panoramas. To this you can add the beachfront Naiboli Bar serving snacks, light bites and refreshing cocktails, and Ilaafathi, whose rustic wooden tables sit right on the beach. Private barbecues in your villa can also be arranged, as can cookery classes and culinary demonstrations performed by the resort’s chefs.
In between meals, indulge at the world-class spa, where both indoor and outdoor treatment rooms await, learn to dive at the on-site dive centre, snorkel around the island’s incredible house reef, watch the daily stingray feeding sessions, or take part in the resort’s marine conservation activities, such as coral planting and reef cleaning, run by the resident marine biologist.
