Velaa Private Island Maldives Resort is the realization of a dream to create a ‘beyond luxury’ ultra-exclusive boutique hideaway.

This unique destination was developed to embody the very best of this unique archipelago, bathed by azure skies in the aquamarine waters of the Indian Ocean. The name of this private retreat, an elegant fusion of Maldivian culture with contemporary luxury, means “Turtle Island” in the local language – named after generations of sea turtles that have flocked here to nest and hatch.

Velaa Private Island Maldives Resort design borrows from this theme, with turtle motifs, and the colors and patterns of turtle shell pervading the property. From a broader “bird’s eye view” which greets arrivals by seaplane, the island’s exclusive over-water villas are also constructed to resemble the head of a turtle, with the island forming the body. Velaa Private Island also ensures plenty of room for its marine visitors, with a hatchery and conservation plan in place.

Velaa Private Island Maldives Resort is just under 20 hectares in size, around half a kilometre in either direction, providing both exclusivity and privacy.

Design

Velaa Private Island Maldives Resort shares its name and its home with the generations of sea turtles that have inhabited the island for countless years. The colours and patterns of a turtle shell make up subtle nuances in the design, while from a broader aerial view, Velaa’s exclusive over-water villas resemble the head of a turtle with the island forming the body. Designed by Czech architect Petr Kolar, the overall design concept is contemporary, yet intimate, with Maldivian nuances.

Accommodation at Velaa Private Island Maldives Resort

Velaa Private Island Maldives Resort has been designed and curated with privacy and comfort as the guiding principles while allowing the Indian Ocean to take centre stage. At one with nature, each of the private retreats is built using local materials, combining contemporary flourishes with interiors designed for sensory exploration. Generous terraces and sultry gazebos are positioned to maximise shade, breeze, views and privacy, allowing for total immersion in nature.

The Maldives’ answer to a Butler is your answer to special requests and private moments. Planning a special dinner or an island excursion? Let our Butlers take away all your worries as they plan your ultimate dream holiday like no other. Your personal Butler’s name is saved in your villa phone, and in their absence a partner Butler will always be available.

The resort comprises 43 private villas, houses and residences and 4 four-bedroom residences. While 18 of the 43 are built over water, the Romantic Pool Residence can only be reached by boat, allowing even more privacy and exclusivity.

Beach villas, Houses & Residences

Beach Pool Villa (9 units)

These detached one-bedroom beachfront pool villas are sumptuously furnished. Mahogany louvered panels and intricate lofty ceilings give a colonial feel while mahogany furniture and suspended bamboo lights give a natural feel. Wall to wall glass doors frame the terrace and private pool. By day the villas are light filled, secluded by clusters of palms. An indoor bathroom with Romeo and Juliet basins opens to a large outdoor bathroom connected by a garden atrium where a gazebo-covered daybed overlooks the bathtub. Day beds, swinging chair and an outdoor dining area face the Indian Ocean.

Deluxe Beach Pool Villa (9 units)

Natural materials and colours bring the outside in, while a suspended chair adds an element of playful refinement. These private one-bedroom beachfront pool villas feature a separate large living room, outdoor terrace and private pool and indoor bathroom. The Zen-like outdoor bathroom features a huge bath and deck, and reclining daybed under a pillared podium connected by a garden atrium. The alfresco dining area by the pool is the place to be at sunset.

Beach Pool House (7 units)

In lush foliage flanked by gently swaying palms, the two-bedroom beachfront houses are ideal for families. The large living area works as a retreat in the day and a social hub in the evening, leading to the kitchen area, complete with bar and high stools, which is practical for both catering and socialising over snacks/meals. Bedrooms blend light and privacy using louvered wood, natural materials and lights suspended from high vaulted ceilings. Rattan swinging chairs add a sense of fun to the elegant décor. Outside, there is a spacious terrace with a large private pool, carefully positioned day beds and a standalone outdoor dining platform which offers panoramic views of the lagoon.

Velaa Private Residence (4 units)

Imagine the definitive ultimate beach residence. With four bedrooms accommodating up to 10, a rarity in the Maldives, the Velaa Private Residences offer elegant contemporary design and 1,350 square metres of private interior and exterior space, inclusive of two terraces, a pool and a courtyard. Secluded on a pristine private beach, the carefully curated interiors deliver comfort, style and elegance in equal measures. These two-storey detached residences are laid out with privacy in mind. Each of the four bedrooms faces the ocean across a stretch of icing sugar sand; the first floor bedrooms have generous balconies while the ground floor opens onto the pool. Indoor and outdoor bathrooms are connected by a garden atrium. Flanked by two gazebos for dining, resting or playing, the pool reflects the ocean and is the central focus. Behind the living space a gym, spa room and outdoor living area offer plenty of quiet spaces to retire to. Subdued lighting and large format photography provide visual breaks to the sea of natural wood and stone that set the tone of the interiors. These residences set a new level of ultimate luxury in the Maldives for friends and families alike.

Water villas, Houses & Residences

Sunrise Water Pool Villa (8 units)

Along an extended jetty, the villas on this crescent have uninterrupted views of the ocean and private pools. Overhanging thatch offers shade over the dining area, while the bedroom and bathroom open onto the terrace, pool and sun deck, with steps leading alluringly into the ocean. Inside, the comfortable living room is designed around a viewing window set into the floor, while the bed faces the ocean.

Sunset Deluxe Water Pool Villa (8 units)

With uninterrupted ocean views facing the sunset and private pools facing the sunset, these villas are dreamlike in design, separated by canvas sails ensuring utmost privacy. Thatched roofing shades the outdoor dining area, while the bedroom and bathroom open onto the terrace. The pool and sun deck have steps leading into the ocean, while under the gazebo a vast daybed scattered with cushions catches the final moments of the sunset. Inside, the large comfortable living room has its own bar area complete with a private wine fridge and is designed around a viewing window set into the floor. Huge bathrooms with circular baths and a swinging chair reflect the water surrounding the villa.

Ocean Pool House (1 unit)

Prestigiously located on the tip of the island, in an exclusive private domain, this two-bedroom overwater residence fringed with traditional thatch offers elegant living space with carefully curated elements. Louvered shutters let the breeze flow through, while a deep sofa is covered in scatter cushions, ideal for settling down with a good book. The dining area provides a central space while the ocean is the backdrop from every aspect. From the two spacious bathrooms featuring circular baths, to the elegant bedrooms. Swim in your own pool and relax on the sun deck, or step directly into the lagoon. Kick back under one of two gazebos – one with a sunken hot tub and the other with daybeds.

Romantic Pool Residence (1 unit)

Accessible only by boat, this ultra-private one-bedroom villa suspended above the lagoon with uninterrupted views of the ocean offers utmost privacy and romance, making it perfect for honeymooners or those who looking for ultra-luxury, including a private chef and butler. All rooms open onto the terraces, where the Jacuzzi, pool, sundeck and sunken bath offer varying aspects on the horizon. Dine inside at sunset, or over the water in a dining gazebo on its own jetty, or enjoy sundowners on the sumptuous daybeds. Interiors are designed with natural materials and neutral colours with occasional accents of Ikat or animal prints. With a personal gym and spa treatment rooms inside the residence there’s little reason to leave.

Velaa Private Island Maldives Resort Dining

For the epicurean, Velaa Private Island boasts an extraordinary culinary experience with venues that are unrivalled throughout the Maldives and an extensive wine cellar with an exclusive wine selection from around the globe.

With three restaurants, two bars and a wine cellar, Velaa Private Island Maldives Resort offers an unforgettable culinary journey to its guests.

Restaurants & Bars

Aragu & Cru

With a twist on Modern European Cuisine, Aragu is taking its gourmet experience to a new level; combining passion for culinary art with awareness and sustainability. Favoring carefully chosen, organic produces from all around the world to underline the authenticity, Gaushan da Silva created an innovative twist on the evergreens of the Old Continent. Our chef’s classical culinary techniques coupled with contemporary ideas and thoughtfully picked ingredients promises a refreshing yet lavishing experience.

Overlooking the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, the CRU Champagne Lounge exudes an unrivalled elegance where our guests can savour some of the world’s finest and rarest champagnes under the guidance of our expert sommeliers.

Tavaru

The tastes and flavours of Chinese, Korean and Japanese cuisine will induce your senses at the boutique Tavaru restaurant. Specialising in East Asian cuisine, the deft hands of our talented chefs will create inspirational and exciting dishes from the finest local and international ingredients to tantalise your palate. An extraordinary gastronomic journey showcasing unique flavours and unrepeatable textures awaits you at Tavaru.

A thorough delight for wine enthusiasts, the ivory-white Tavaru Tower hosts Velaa’s extensive wine cellar. More than five hundred bins, the largest on Maldives, span the spectrum from boutique wineries to grand marques.

Offering guests a rare opportunity to discover gems such as the 1956 Domaine de la Romanée Conti “Romanée Conti”, rare vintage Salon Champagne, and a centuries old fortified 1870 Blandy’s “Verdelho Solera”, this exquisite list has unearthed treasures from across the globe.

Athiri & Avi

Athiri is beachfront all-day dining at its finest, where guests can enjoy a feast of creative cuisine served fresh to their tables or prepared to their request. A wood-fired oven means hot freshly made pizzas, signature of Athiri, are served throughout the day.

Avi is a casual pool bar by day and a vibrant cocktail bar by night, complete with mixologist and live DJ against the backdrop of spectacular ocean views.

Destination Dining

Destination Dining is a unique concept whereby guests are entertained exlusively in a variety of stylish and distinctly different settings, both on and off the island with creative menus and entertainment, ideal for special occasions.

In-villa Dining

In-villa Dining allows guests privacy and personal space around the clock with speedy “Velaa Express” service and “Served in Villa” menus available at any time.

Velaa Private Island Maldives Resort Spa

Velaa Private Island Maldives Resort counts itself one of only a handful of hotels in the world to be working alongside this distinguished brand and features exclusive My Blend facial products and body treatments by Clarins for a truly personalized experience.

Showcasing the first ‘snow room’ in the Maldives, the spa offers a synergy of therapies and products with six secluded double treatment villas over the water. A comprehensive range of signature treatments are available, including customised facials with sophisticated European technology and traditional Asian massages and body treatments.

For the ultimate personalised experience at Velaa Private Island Maldives Resort, Spa My Blend by Clarins offers Velaa Signature Rituals – Velaa Island Fantasy and the Island Body Boost. Developed exclusively by Clarins Paris, and inspired by the natural beauty of the Maldives, these two sumptuous treatments can be experienced only here and nowhere else on earth.

Wolke 7 Cloud 9 – The Viennese artist and perception researcher, Sha, has now developed a holistic spa treatment concept to counter daily stresses and strains: Wolke 7 Cloud 9. Featured in Velaa Private Island’s spa, guests will enter a world where boundaries disappear, embedded on clouds and beginning a journey that ends in deep relaxation. Cloud-shaped reclining treatment pods by Klafs and Sha are featured in the spa which slowly sway and cradle guests into deep relaxation.

Golf Academy

Designed by Jose Maria Olazabal, renowned for his short game prowess, and managed by Troon, the leader in upscale golf course management, development and marketing, Velaa Golf Academy by Olazabal is a golfing experience like no other, designed to create bespoke memories whatever your wishes. Want to rip a driver? Practise with our state-ofthe-art simulator. Introduce the family to the game? Try our putting green and tailored made tuition programmes. Perfect the lob wedge? Get one-on-one tuition with all the latest technology to give feedback the way you want it. Hone your swing? Try our swing studio equipped with the most up-to-date technology to enhance your learning experience.

Activities at Velaa Private Island Maldives Resort

Water Sports

Seadoo Scooters are available for hire to access the island’s coral reef for the best snorkeling.

Windsurfing offers seven different board size options and 10 sail configurations for all conditions and experience from training for complete novices to the most advanced setup for experts.

Sailing features a Topcat K1 Catamaran and New Zealand-designed Weta High Performance Trimaran easily operated by one or two.

Kite Surfing is with F1 Kites – by far the best in the world – taking this action packed sport to all levels, from downwind runs to private lessons.

Kayaks are available in 3 different, fun options: for one, two or 3-4 persons.

Stand Up Paddle Boards are increasingly popular, to explore the beautiful waters around Velaa Private Island and keep fit at the same time!

Jet Skis are Yamaha VX 1100 Cruisers, designed for both experienced riders to enjoy great on-water performance, and beginners to ride at reduced power, for safety and comfort.

Seabobs are the latest and greatest watersports trend, for cruising effortlessly on top or just under the surface like a dolphin.

AG21 Sports Boat is new to Yamaha’s range, designed for water sports of all types with unique features such as its low centre of gravity and ability to increase wake size by filling on board tanks.

For all levels, styles and ages are Water-skiing, Wakeboarding and Knee Boarding with fun inflatable activities such as Tubes, Bananas and the new Ski Seat experience.

Diving

Velaa Dive center is equipped by Scubapro renowned for its outstanding quality. Aliated to PADI (the Professional Association of Diving Instructors), the largest dive association in the world. Velaa Private Island is located in Noonu atoll the latest atoll discovered and dived due to its far location. Only 20 minutes away from Velaa, divers will discover various unexplored dive sites with the most amazing fauna of Maldives such as grey reef sharks, nurse sharks, the seasonal manta ray, black spotted sting ray and the graceful eagle ray.

Land Sports

Velaa Private Island Maldives Resort offers the latest “Technogym”, a world-class Gym features state-of-the-art fitness equipment.

On an elevated Yoga Pavilion, with beautiful views over the golf academy, guests can receive personal yoga master sessions held on the raised-tree meditation platform in the garden or by the beach.

Sports facilities extend to covered Tennis Court & Squash Court, Table Tennis, Wall Climbing, Beach Volleyball and a Football pitch.

Excursions

Fulfill your wish of exploring the Maldivian sea and the beauty of the coral reef with passion. Velaa Private Island Maldives Resort embraces and encompasses the tranquil infiniteness that is the ocean. Experience the tranquility of Velaa Private Island surrounded reef and cruise the sea with a traditional Bahtheli, meet the dolphins or jump for a snorkeling cruise and discovered abundant coral reef.

Snorkeling – Either direct from the beach, off the island coral reef, or with excursions to outer islands such as Orimas Varu and Gathafaru. Night Sea Torches enable guests to view florescent marine organisms when snorkeling after dark.

Sea Manta Encounter – Our Marine Biologist accompanies expeditions to encounter manta rays, a beautiful experience described by many as almost spiritual.

Semi-Submarine – To explore the deeper waters of the Noonu Atoll, three-person ambient pressure semi-submarine tours are operated by a trained skipper who offers an informative narration on this exciting adventure.

Dolphin Cruise – On one evening a week or per private request, we organise magical encounters with dolphins, including informative insights into their behaviour and the different species native to the Maldives.

Private Boat Hire – Velaa Private Island offers traditional and high class range boat experience. Cruise the Indian Ocean on a Bahtheli boat or a fishing dhoni. Feel the cruising sensation onboard of our luxury yacht. Experience an overnight with a stunning feeling of exclusivity. Our resident chef will prepare signature meals onboard for you and your friends.

Kids Club

The Lha Velaa (“Little turtle”) Club will be the ideal place for our younger guests to enjoy, learn, develop new skills and form new friendships with kids from around the globe, while the parents enjoy some much-needed time off. Children will experience unforgettable moments created especially for them throughout their stay. Lha Velaa Kids Club will be the main attraction for guests travelling with children. We also have rainy day activities, and many more.

Library

Velaa Private Island Maldives Resort features an extensive library. This facility will be most welcome for those rare windy and rainy days for adults and children alike.

Shopping

We invite you to browse through the exclusive range of clothing, jewellery, resort products, gifts and a variety of merchandising including water sports, golf accessories and clothing chosen to complement your stay. Alternatively, the Spa Boutique stocks a wide range of Clarins skincare and exclusive lifestyle products.