Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa is a vibrant garden island with all the charm and intimacy of a traditional Maldivian village, just 25 minutes from the airport. Adopt an entire ocean lifestyle at the Resort’s ‘Tropicsurf’ Surf School. Sail by dhoni to The Island Spa – the only spa in the Maldives on its own private isle. Retreat to traditional land and sea-based accommodations interspersed with fragrant borders of bougainvillea, frangipani and hibiscus flowers. As the setting sun paints the endless sky, the Sunset Lounge and Turtle Beach epitomises the Resort’s laid-back and sociable vibe.

Location

The Republic of Maldives is a cluster of atolls in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka. The island of Kuda Huraa is in the North Malé Atoll of the Maldives. The Resort is 25 minutes by speedboat or 12 miles/ 20 km from the Malé Airport

Transportation

A 25-minute airport transfer in a speed boat is available and additional charges apply.

Accommodation

The 96 traditionally crafted accommodations are furnished in ‘modern tropical’ style in keeping with the relaxed feel of the island. Lush garden foliage and curved stone walls offer maximum privacy.

Beach Pavilion with pool (25 units, Interior: 45m², Exterior: 62m²)

The entry level of accommodation is the Beach Pavilion with Pool. It comprises a bedroom, an indoor bath and a Maldivian open-air shower set in the exotic confines of its own walled garden. The Beach Pavilions are slightly set back from the beach for additional privacy yet offer easy access to it.

Beach Bungalow with Pool (27 units, Interior: 63m², Exterior: 82m²)

Just steps from the beach, each Beach Bungalow with Pool comprises a private sanctuary set within a garden of mature palms and tropical flowers. The larger-sized bedroom and living and bathroom pavilion with openair shower courtyard lead to an extensive outdoor area with infinity plunge pool and gazebo. The surrounding foliage provides seclusion whilst retaining direct beach access.

Family Beach Bungalow with Pool (5 units, Interior: 75m², Exterior: 82m²)

Just steps from the beach, Family Beach Bungalows with Pool have an adjoining study room with a sofa bed with pullout under-bed, desk, wardrobe and TV. With direct access to the dressing area and bathroom, it is ideal for families with younger children.

Royal Beach Villa (1 unit, Interior: 197m², Exterior: 256 m²)

The epitome of gracious, beachside comfort, the twobedroom Royal Beach Villa features a well-appointed living room positioned between two bedrooms. Adjacent to each bedroom is a separate dressing area and spacious outdoor garden shower. The indoor living and dining area opens onto an enormous outdoor space with private sundeck, infinity-edged pool and gazebo. The surrounding tropical garden is furnished with a shaded daybed and undholi (wooden swing). The Royal Beach Villa also has its own private stretch of beach with sun loungers and an additional private gazebo, ideal for breakfast, sunset cocktails or a romantic dinner.

Water Bungalow (24 units, Interior: 61m², Exterior: 39m²)

Dipping their feet into crystal waters, each Water Bungalow has an entrance lobby and a spacious bedroom with unbroken sea views. The dressing room leads to an enlarged bath overlooking the lagoon and an outdoor courtyard with a Maldivian open-air shower. Outside, a private sundeck has steps that lead into the turquoise lagoon and a sea level fresh water shower.

Water Bungalow with Pool (8 units, Interior: 61m², Exterior: 39m²)

In addition to the above facilities, four of the Water Bungalows have a 12m² private plunge pool.

One-bedroom Water Suite (4 units, Interior: 91m², Exterior: 55m²)

These expansive, luxurious bungalows have extensive outdoor living space as well as beautifully appointed interiors with wrap-around views of the sea visible through floor to ceiling windows. In addition to the main bedroom and bathroom with open-air shower courtyard, a separate living room with a sofa and adjoining shower room offers flexibility for families.

Two-bedroom Water Suite (2 units, Interior: 173 m², Exterior: 99 m²)

The Two-bedroom Water Bungalow consists of a king and a twin-bedded room each with separate dressing areas, bathrooms and outdoor showers. A shared living and dining area overlooks the extensive private sundeck, from which steps lead to a lower platform with sea access and feature shower. The suite also features a 16.65m² private plunge pool.

Restaurants

Café Huraa

Café Huraa serves Western and Asian cuisine under two al fresco pavilions adjacent to the swimming pool. For breakfast, guests can look forward to an extensive buffet of Asian and Continental specialities, exotic fruits, freshly baked breads and pastries. Dinner embraces Asian fare with an emphasis on regional specialities. The popular theme nights offer tantalising specialities. The restaurant has a cellar that boasts an exclusive selection of the finest handpicked wines.

Baraabaru

The stunning Baraabaru restaurant, which serves Indian cuisine is fashioned with an outdoor deck providing an exquisite dining experience perched over water. There is also an exclusive private dining pavilion for special occasions. The restaurant’s interior is an opulent combination of bright colours and spectacular lightings. Adding to the ambience is a Tandoor Bar where one can view the chefs in action. Open for dinner only, Baraabaru focuses on made-toorder home-style Indian cuisine, with highlights including Jain, Sattvic and organic specialties.

Reef Club

Reef Club serves classic Italian cuisine. The restaurant is located away from the buzz of the main restaurant area, at the southern end of the island, with excellent sunset views. Dining is available outdoors on a wooden deck or under a thatched roof pavilion. A couple of tables are situated directly in the sand beside the adults-only Serenity Pool. At lunchtime, the emphasis is on seafood and salads, pastas and pizzas for light, casual dining in the sun.

Kandu Grill

Located adjacent to the main pool, Kandu Grill is open for dinner, serving barbecued Maldivian reef fish, Indian Ocean lobster, local tuna as well as prime steaks, salads and sides from an open kitchen pavilion.

Sunset Lounge

Located next to the lobby, the Sunset Lounge provides the perfect start to the evening, serving an extensive selection of cocktails against the backdrop of a stunning Maldivian sunset. This open-sided pavilion overlooks the jetty, offering great views of the Island Spa and access to Turtle Beach. Music enhances the relaxed, informal atmosphere while a billiard table and board games provide entertainment.

Beach & Pool Bar

The ‘swim-up’ Pool Bar serves a wide range of cocktails, juices and snacks throughout the day. Our beachside pool setting offers an exceptional lounging experience with excellent service and attention to detail. Several gazebos around the pool provide shade by day and romantic dining venues by night.

Diving

Maldives is known internationally as one of the world’s best dive destinations. A large number of excellent dive sites are located within minutes of the Resort. The Resort operates its own 5-star PADI Green Star & IDC Dive Centre with air and nitrox diving. A multi-lingual team offers courses for all abilities (including ‘Bubblemaker’ and PADI Seal Team courses for children) and daily dive trips. The Resort is within five to 30 minutes of 30 excellent dive sites, accessed via a traditional (customised) dhoni. Highlights include the renowned manta ray cleaning station at Sunlight Point (sightings from May to November) and the exciting 110-metre long cargo freighter wreck, just 45 minutes away.

Surfing

The Maldives is fast becoming renowned as one of the world’s most perfect surfing destinations, home to some of the world’s most consistent – and warmest – swells, uncrowded world-class waves, pristine turquoise waters and panoramic ocean views at every turn. Kuda Huraa hosts the Surfing Champions Trophy, an annual boutique surf contest that pits six ex-world champions across three evolutionary disciplines. Guests can visit the exact same waves with the Resort’s Tropicsurf Surf School, with courses available for guests aged six years old and above. Master the board in the pristine lagoon, embark on a series of surf clinics or let loose on six quality breaks within a stone’s throw – with many more secret, uncrowded spots just a whisper away.

Water Sports Centre

The Water Sports Centre offers a wide range of group and individual activities. Non-motorised activities are complimentary and include kayaking, snorkelling, windsurfing, and catamaran sailing. Lessons in windsurfing and sailing can be given by VDWScertified instructors on request. Additional motorised activities such as water-skiing, parasailing, bananaboating, jet skiing, Seabobs and fun tubes are available at a charge.

Marine Discovery Centre

Kuda Huraa’s Marine Discovery Centre (MDC) is an interactive research and education centre that introduces guests and local school children alike to the role we can each play in conserving the local and global marine ecosystem. The Centre features audiovisual presentations on specific areas of conservation close to the Kuda Huraa team’s heart, including turtles, coral reefs, sharks and dolphins.

The MDC is the starting point for the Resort’s Turtle and Shark Snorkel Safaris, Dolphin Cruises and Coral Reefscaping activities. It is also the headquarters of the Maldivian Sea Turtle Conservation Programme and features two rearing pools for baby sea turtles.

Guests can visit www.marinesavers.com to keep upto-date on all marine conservation plans and projects, as well as follow satellite-tagged turtles.

The Gym

The gym is located on the main floor under the Business Centre. It is equipped with state-of-the-art cardiovascular equipment including treadmills, exercise bikes, rowing and step machines, each with a personal TV and headphones. There are also separate changing rooms for men and women with shower facilities and toiletries.

Tennis

The Resort’s Island Tennis Court is located on its own private isle. A one-minute boat ride across the lagoon, the exterior all-weather, night-lit court offers private lessons, FITennis Group Sessions for up to six people, Mini Tennis for kids, plus complimentary play and equipment with 360 degree Indian Ocean views.

Swimming Pools

The fresh water infinity pool has been designed in harmony with its tropical setting. A shallow wading pool stretches into a free-form pool that extends right to the edge of the lagoon. There is also a separate children’s pool.

Located at the island’s southern tip, adjacent to Reef Club, the Serenity Pool is a secluded, adults-only sanctuary. Open from 10am to 10pm and serving cocktails and lunch, the freeform pool and spacious wooden deck area features loungers, day beds and over-sea whirlpool.

The Island Spa

Located on its own private island just a minute away from the Resort by dhoni (native Maldivian wooden boat), the Island Spa melds Sodashi’s all-natural goodness with time-honoured Asian traditions to offer a range of innovative approaches for men, women and children (from age 6). Lush gardens lead to seven over-water treatment pavilions – each designed for couples – featuring massage tables with sea-viewing portals, separate bathing area and private garden courtyard with open-air shower.

Highlights include multi-day spa programmes, specialty facials and intuitive, healing massages. The Spa also offers early morning ‘sun salutations’ and evening ‘sunset meditation’ with the Yogi as well as Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga and 13 in-room aromatherapy Bath Rituals.

From 10 pm daily, The Island Spa dramatically transforms into The Night Spa, offering open-air lunar rituals under the tropical night sky.

Recreation Centre

The Recreation Centre offers a wide selection of engaging family activities and excursions including windsurfing, waterskiing (skis for 6 years and above), dolphin cruises, sunset fishing, guided reef snorkelling, shark snorkel safaris, island excursions, sandbank picnics, private boat trips, kayaking, tennis, Indian cooking classes and table tennis.

Lava Lounge

Above the Gym, the bright and spacious airconditioned library features a great selection of books in many languages available on loan, as well as a selection of international magazines and newspapers. Lava Lounge is equipped with board games and iMac computer terminals with complimentary Internet access.

Local Attraction

The Maldives offers a variety of interesting excursions. From the nearby island of Bodu Huraa (big island) with its ancient tradition of building dhonis (hand-crafted wooden boats) to the capital of Male where 70,000 inhabitants occupy a landmass of 1km by 2km, there is plenty to keep the adventurous explorer entertained. The Grand Friday Mosque with its towering minaret dominates the skyline, and the sheer number of smaller mosques is amazing. The National Museum showcases some of the past sultans’ riches, as well as archaeological finds. There is a colourful market and many teahouses serving Indian teas and sweet cakes.

The Resort also features day trips to secluded neighbouring and distant islands for off-site dining or marine activities such as diving, snorkelling and relaxing in the private waters of your own desert island.