Introduction
Join us as we explore the dining options, spa indulgences, and thoughtful gestures that made Allie’s retreat so special. Uncover the unique features of each property, insights about room choices, and the exceptional activities that left a lasting impression. This blog is your passport to the Four Seasons Maldives Collection, where relaxation and luxury compliment each other beautifully. Plus, read on to learn how we can add complimentary amenities to your stay as one of our esteemed clients. The best part? It costs you nothing through our Hotel Only service. Let’s dive in!
Pre-Arrival Tips
Allie’s journey began with minimal pre-trip stress. Providing the resort with her arrival time allowed Four Seasons to arrange her travel seamlessly. Connecting through London Heathrow Airport (LHR) split her flights evenly from Tampa, Florida, and allowed for a break before the second leg of the flight.
When packing, think island time! The casual island atmosphere means no need for fancy cocktail outfits—think beach casual. High heels are a no-go; true beach time awaits. More often than not, you’ll be walking in flip-flops throughout the resorts.
Arrival Experience
When Allie landed in Male (MLE), the Four Seasons team found her with a sign and guided her to the Four Seasons airport lounge where she was able to relax, hydrate, snack, and charge her phone before heading to the seaplane. First stop on the Four Seasons Collection tour: Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru. The seaplane ride to Landaa Giraavaru was approximately 45 minutes.
Fun Tip: Seeing the Maldives from the sky is breathtaking. The Maldives are expansive, and taking a seaplane offers a bird’s eye view of a few islands and the natural beauty of its colorful coral reefs.
Four Seasons Resort Landaa Giraavaru
Landaa Giraavaru offers 103 villas, including vast loft-style water villas with twice as much space outside than in. Upon arrival, the Landaa Giraavaru team greeted Allie in their open-air lobby with coconut water (in the coconut!) and a bottle of champagne on ice in her room with a thoughtful welcome note.
Beach Villa with Pool
Allie stayed in the Beach Villa with Pool at Landaa Giraavaru. She describes her stay here as the type of accommodation where she could have spent the whole day enjoying the pool and beach. All of the beach villas on the island are perfect for families or larger groups. This specific accommodation can sleep up to 3 adults, 3 adults, and 1 child, 2 adults and 2 children, or 1 adult and 3 children. There is a spacious full bathroom and outdoor garden shower. Between the outdoor deck area, private pool, dining area, outdoor daybed, and private beach access, there is plenty of space and activities right at your fingertips. The only question is where will you spend the most time?
Two-Bedroom Royal Beach Villa
Completely private, yet just steps from the buzz of Blu Beach Club, this three-pavilion compound unites around a 20-metre pool flanked by a central open-air lounge, day beds, a “floating island” dining room, and its white sand beachfront. This private villa sleeps 6 adults, or 4 adults and 4 children, making it the perfect space for larger families or a couples getaway.
Enjoy picturesque sea views, three outdoor showers, four full bathrooms, a treehouse for star-gazing, and an al fresco living and dining pavilion. This villa is the ultimate family beach retreat.
Sunset Three-Bedroom Water Suite
This ultimate ocean-based accommodation showcases the evolution of over-water living. Vast outdoor decks feature a sunken living room and palm semi-submerged sun loungers, while the master circular bath is just the start of the luxurious interior extras.
This spacious home sleeps 6 guests, including up to 5 children. It features a 65-foot lap pool, two overwater hammocks, direct lagoon access, indoor and outdoor living and dining areas, and what it is most famous for, panoramic views of the ocean and sunset (get your camera ready!).
Three-Bedroom Water Suite Floor Plan
Three-Bedroom Landaa Estate
Maximize beachside escapism in this two-story estate, flanked by its 262-foot beach. Breathe in unobstructed Biosphere Reserve beauty from a waterfall-linked two-tier pool, stargazing lounge, and wall-free indoor-outdoor living spaces, served by a personal attendant.
This ultraluxe estate sleeps 9 guests, including up to 8 children, making it the perfect space for multi-generational travel or 2-3 families traveling together with younger children. Features include three full bathrooms, a 65-foot lap pool, a full kitchen, al fresco dining and living pavilion, and personal attendant staff for the duration of your stay.
Three-bedroom Landaa Estate Floor Plan
Activities at Landaa Giraavaru
At Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, Allie experienced a thrilling dolphin cruise, witnessing hundreds of majestic spinner dolphins playing around the boat—a true bucket-list moment and a must-see during your stay here. Next up was a private snorkeling expedition aboard a traditional Maldivian dhoni which revealed a vibrant underwater world, showcasing all of the characters reminiscent of Finding Nemo: Nemo, Marlin, Dory, Gill, stingrays, sea turtles, blacktip reef sharks, and anemones. Anti-gravity yoga added a unique and uplifting touch to her stay and served as a bonding experience with her group. Additionally, at both properties, Allie learned about marine life and actively contributed to ocean conservation by zip-tying broken coral pieces to frames submerged in the ocean—a meaningful gesture toward coral ecosystem growth.
For a full list of activities offered at the resort, refer to their website. If you would like some help to secure your reservations and craft a more personalized itinerary, our Hotel Plus team can hel
Spa & Dining at Landaa Giraavaru
Landaa Giaraavaru is the ultimate wellness resort! They don’t necessarily market it as a wellness property, but Allie was blown away by the spa experience. The AyerMa spa is run by Naturopathic and Ayurvedic Physicians. Allie received a naturopathic consultation, where the onsite doctor assessed problem areas in her health by looking at factors such as her irises and tongue.
As far as dining options, Allie’s favorite meal experience was at Cafe Landaa for Indian cuisine. She particularly enjoyed the curry butter chicken and lamb chops, and the employees put together a few Indian dances for the group to watch. Overall, in the Maldives, there is a lot of Indian influence on their cuisine and culture. Other dining options include Blu Beach Club, Al Barakat for Arabian cuisine located on an outdoor rooftop, Fuego Grill, a beachfront restaurant offering Asian cuisine, Seabar for lounge-type drinks, and more! What we’re saying is, that if you’re here for a longer stay, there are plenty of dining options to choose from and you don’t have to worry about eating from the same menu every day.
Private Island at Voavah
Continuing on the Four Seasons Maldives journey, Allie and her group were given an exclusive tour of Voavah, Four Seasons Maldives Private Island, located 20 minutes from Landaa Giraavaru by boat. While the photos could easily sell this experience alone, we’ll dive a little deeper into just how special this secluded resort really is.
Voavah Island Map
There are three villas on this island: the Three-Bedroom Beach Villa, the Mezzanine Suites, and the Two-Bedroom Water Villa. This private island can be used for destination weddings, epic family reunions, or a wellness retreat. The choice is yours because the island is yours. With your own 62-foot yacht, dive center, spa, Beach House, seven bedrooms, and a resident pod of dolphins, Voavah invites you – and up to 21 guests – to dream with your eyes open. One island. One booking. Contact our team to learn more about rates and availability. Don’t forget to ask about the complimentary perks we can add to your reservation
Four Seasons Resort Kuda Huraa
After a quick seaplane ride, Allie found herself at the third and final resort of the Four Seasons Maldives Collection: Four Seasons Kuda Huraa. Awarded a third-consecutive Forbes Five-Star rating in 2023, Kuda Huraa offers 96 accommodations, including 38 overwater villas. Allie was once again greeted with fresh coconut water and then received a thoughtful welcome note and bottle of white wine upon entering her room.
Accommodations at Kuda Huraa
It’s important to note that there is a wide variety of room types and styles at Kuda Huraa. Four Seasons mentioned to Allie’s group that many repeat guests specifically request the same room type each year since they all have different styles and layouts. Room selection is important and our team will work closely with the onsite room directors to get you the accommodation that best suits your needs and preferences.
Sunset Water Villa with Pool
Allie describes her stay in the Sunset Water Villa as the ultimate honeymooner’s paradise. All overwater villas have large walk-through closets, large bathrooms, tons of outdoor living space, and direct swimming access (although the current is quite strong). This villa fits 2 adults and 2 children or 3 adults and 1 child. It features an infinity pool, overwater hammock, outdoor living and dining pavilion, and private steps that take you straight into the ocean.
Sunset Beach Bungalow with Pool
Set amid a garden of tropical foliage and mature palms, the Sunset Beach Bungalows with Pool offer the best of indoor-outdoor living. In this villa, there is space for 3 adults, or 2 adults and 2 children. The villa comes with one full bathroom, plus an outdoor shower. Choose between an ocean or lagoon view.
Sunset Three-Bedroom Water Suite
This spacious overwater villa offers its own infinity pool, three and a half bathrooms, an outdoor shower, an outdoor dining space, and of course, epic sunset views. The Sunset Three-Bedroom Water Suite sleeps up to 6 adults and 2 children.
Activities at Kuda Huraa
At Four Seasons Kuda Huraa, Allie engaged in a diverse range of activities. The Marine Discovery Center offered a compelling tour, providing insights into the care of an injured sea turtle and its unique story. For those seeking a thrilling experience, Kuda Huraa emerged as one of the world’s largest surfing destinations. While the full-day surfing excursion off the property was a tempting option, Allie opted for an introductory lesson in the lagoon, capturing the essence of this renowned surfing spot without the waves. Additionally, the adventure continued with another spinner dolphin cruise, this time aboard a yacht during a picturesque sunset, accompanied by the indulgence of champagne—a perfect blend of excitement and luxury against the stunning Maldivian backdrop. For a full list of activities and amenities, click here.
Spa & Dining at Kuda Huraa
Similar to Landaa Giraavaru, Kuda Huraa also offers a unique spa experience because the spa is located on a small private island, accessible via a 2-minute Dhoni boat ride. This island is a spa haven. Enjoy glass bottom floors, perfect for spotting colorful fish during a treatment.
Allie was treated to a welcome dinner at Reef Club, an Italian restaurant overlooking the lagoon. Lunch is also offered here daily, while breakfast is offered daily at Cafe Huraa. Another dinner option is Baraabaru with Chef Hari Nayak’s special menu; this cuisine combines Indian flavors with local fresh seafood. One of the most memorable meals of the trip was dinner on a small private island at the end of the island, accessible by an overwater walkway. Allie’s group was served Maldivian barbecue, hosted by the Director of Food and Beverage, Florian Niessing, and Darla. For a full list of dining options at Kuda Huraa, refer to their website.
What are the Main Differences Between the Two Resorts?
We’re glad you asked! Landaa Giraavaru, being larger and more renovated, offers more high-tech features in its rooms, while Kuda Huraa’s charm lies in its smaller, cozier setting with a more traditional aesthetic. While both resorts are beautiful in their unique ways, we recommend starting at Kuda Huraa and ending at Landaa Giraavaru to experience an upgrade. Both properties cater to families, honeymooners, and water activity enthusiasts, but Kuda Huraa provides a central place for socializing, while Landaa Giraavaru offers a more private atmosphere. As they always do, Four Seasons went above and beyond during each dinner, creating a personalized and special experience for Allie’s group, and reinforcing their commitment to exceptional hospitality.
Landaa Giraavaru stands out as the ultimate wellness resort, featuring the AyerMa spa run by Naturopathic and Ayurvedic Physicians. On the other hand, Kuda Huraa has a small private island at the property’s end, perfect for secluded dinners or proposals (has to be arranged with Four Seasons, of course)!
The most surprising takeaway? When thinking of the Maldives, travelers will naturally want to stay in the overwater villas. However, Allie’s group was equally impressed by the beach villas. They are very private—arguably more private than the overwater villas—and spacious. With the beach as her backyard, Allie preferred the beach villa to the over-water villa.
If you’re a nature lover, the best time of year to visit is between mid-August through parts of September for Manta Ray diving and snorkeling around the properties.
Let us Add Complimentary Benefits to Your Stay!
As a Preferred Partner at Four Seasons, we can offer our clients exclusive benefits when they book their stay directly through a team member:
- Complimentary room upgrade of one category (STA)
- Daily breakfast credit for up to two guests per bedroom
- Hotel/Resort Credit (based on room category booked):
- Guest Rooms: USD 100 credit per stay
- Suites and Specialty Suites: USD 200 credit per stay
- Private Retreats: USD 200 credit per bedroom per stay
- Early Check-In / Late Check-Out (STA)
- Welcome note at check-in
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Four Seasons Preferred Partner can generally be combined with any rates you’ll find directly with Four Seasons. The upgrades through Preferred Partner are also prioritized over upgrades through other programs, so you’ll want to use Preferred Partner over a program like Virtuoso or Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts. As a Preferred Partner agency, we can make Preferred Partner bookings on your behalf. We also carry a TOP 30 advisory status for every Four Seasons hotel so we know that our clients are in the best hands wherever they stay.
Want to explore other hotel options in the Maldives? Our founder, David, put together an excellent guide during his stay about the best hotel based on the type of luxury you’re looking for. To view our full list of recommended resorts in the Maldives, refer to our Preferred Hotels Map. To get started on planning your trip, please fill out a Travel Request Form or contact us and we will get back to you within one business day. For a more personalized touch on your trip, you can work with our Hotel Plus team to assist with any reservations, activity scheduling, concierge assistance, and more. Once your stay is booked through us, you will automatically receive exclusive and complimentary perks that you can indulge in throughout your stay. We look forward to turning your trip to the Maldives into an ultraluxe experience.
