Making a splash as a new resort in the Maldives is no easy task.
With its competition, a host of 160 idyllic islands, all offering five-star luxury, paradisiacal views, turquoise waters, stunning architecture and Michelin-standard food, standing out seems almost impossible.
But it is not. Not quite.
Avani+ Fares Maldives, located on the western edge of the incredibly beautiful Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is one of the latest resorts to open its doors and promises “something out of your wildest dreams.”
And he manages to overdo it. For starters, looking even better in real life than in photos.
Walking into our two-bedroom villa with an overwater pool, home for four nights to my husband, myself and our seven-year-old daughter, at the end of the row of bungalows connected by a wooden bridge, I feel as if… .I have won the lottery.
It’s impressive.
The decor is modern and elegant, traditional and adventurous, but fun and luxurious.
Our room has two large bedrooms with bathrooms at each end and king-size beds, connected by a spacious living room with pillow-adorned sofas and a daybed, plus tons of storage space.
Carol Driver takes a trip to Avani+ Fares Maldives (above), located on the western edge of the “beautiful Baa Atoll”
Carol says: “Walking into our two-bedroom villa with overwater pool (above) at the end of the row of bungalows connected by a wooden bridge, I feel like I’ve won the lottery.”
Carol describes her villa as having “modern and elegant, traditional and adventurous” decor.
Floor-to-ceiling windows lead to a full-length slatted deck, with an infinity pool, steps leading to the ocean, lounge chairs, an outdoor shower, and views that even the best cameras would struggle to do justice.
But it’s the meticulous attention to detail that takes Avani+ Fares Maldives from incredible to absolutely exceptional.
I honestly think I’ve had the best night’s sleep in the comfortable beds I sleep on.
It’s the 300 thread count Egyptian cotton with feather mattress toppers (which the brilliant head housekeeper spoke to me about with such passion, because who wants to sleep badly when they’re in the Maldives?); It’s the pillow menu (firm or soft, you decide) and the pillow spray menu (who knew?).
Carol’s villa has a full length wooden slatted terrace with an infinity pool.
Carol’s room has two large bedrooms with bathrooms at each end and king-size beds, connected by a spacious living room.
And it’s the glass sections of our apartment floor that allow you to spy on underwater marine life from the dining room table, the bathtub and even, yes, the toilet (although my daughter is a little scared at the prospect of falling in). .
In a room like this, getting out becomes a problem.
However, there are great attractions elsewhere: dinner, for example.
For breakfast, Hammock’s fantastic buffet includes delicacies ranging from Maldivian to Western dishes. For lunch, we devoured freshly cooked lobster on the beach on the open-air Ocean Terrace.
We had pre-dinner cocktails while watching the sunset at The Skipjack bar. While Charcoal is where we enjoyed an unforgettable dinner, my husband is brought a selection of sharp knives to choose from to cut his sizzling wagyu steak.
It is necessary to expel the energy.
Guests can choose from kayaking, yoga, excursions, manta snorkeling, speed boats, wakeboarding and the list goes on.
We took a short walk to the beach and took too many photos of the tropical waters with deep navy hues, vibrant sky blues and baby blues contrasting with the dazzling white sand.
A walk along the sandy roads of this idyllic, palm-fringed island leads to a network of accommodation, bars, restaurants and swimming pools, and wonderfully friendly and helpful staff.
Paradise: Upstairs is a private pool of a beach pool villa.
Carol declares that Avani+ Fares Maldives looks even better in real life than in the photos
As for activities, guests can choose between kayaking, yoga, excursions, manta snorkeling, speed boats, wakeboarding.
While our daughter enjoys numerous activities with the friendly staff at the kids’ club, my husband and I go scuba diving, stepping off the back of a boat into tropical waters to discover an impressive abundance of marine life, from turtles and sharks to stingrays. and colorful corals.
It is during a family boat trip where we spot pods of dolphins that follow us for an extraordinary amount of time while we marvel at their beauty.
It’s time to leave, and my daughter has tears in her eyes as the lovely staff line up to say goodbye to us as we depart for our 35-minute seaplane flight to Male Airport.
It’s a cliché, but I promise to return to this exquisite island. They have created something truly special.