Velassaru Maldives

The Island

The island itself is small enough to go around it in about 20 minutes, and while you explore all its corners and cracks in seeking place under the sun, you will probably find most people standing in the lagoon face down and watch a fish through masks, or relaxing by the pool, or with a cocktail in hand on a sundeck in Chill bar. However, this does not mean that this is a beach club and that there are many more places where you can find peace and seclusion, especially in the evenings at a romantic dinner or private food on the beach, but during the day be ready to share space and sounds with your dashing neighbors, many of which are with children in tow.

Reception is big but simple, the main bar is modern, minimal and smart with a leisurely rhythm all day. This is a social hotel hub with an activity spilling onto the beach with very comfortable sun loungers and thatched umbrellas and low tables. White sand is never too busy, because each villa has its own beach area, sun loungers, umbrellas and hammocks.

There is a big infinity swimming pool located side by side with a pizza oven, the products of which are very popular among guests with a "half board" plan. There is even a specialized zone for smokers. Nearby, in the evenings once a week, there is a great cultural event - 'bodu beru' show around the fire with a barbecue table. DOWNLOAD RESORT MAP

The Beach

One of the island's best attractions is a wide, beautiful beach. If other islands have to worry about sand erosion (especially those that are in the channels), most of Velassaru is covered with a wide strip of soft white sand. At the top of the beach, just behind the luscious green vegetation, you will find sunbeds with umbrellas. The distance between individual patches of the sand allows guests to enjoy a good private life and the beach is never crowded. The island's shores attracts many birds and shallow water around or under water villas is full with cute sea creatures, including crabs and colorful fish.

Vellasaru beach is a matter of pride, as the turtles began to come back to the beach to lay eggs again. 'Vela' means a turtle in Divehi language - hence the name of the resort (and the main restaurant). On the island there lives a marine biologist who is always ready to communicate with guests and show something special for the Maldives.

Location

Velassaru Maldives is located in South Male Atoll on the island of Velassaru. Like most of the islands of Kaafu atoll, the resort uses a speedboats, because it is very close to Male. From the airport 25 minutes by speedboat. On the other hand, you are deprived of fantastic views of the Maldives from a bird's eye view.

Villas and Suites

Velassaru offers luxurious beachfront and overwater accommodation with uninterrupted ocean views. All 129 villas in Velassaru feature a modern and clean design, rooted in the local architectural style. Tucked away in a lush gardens, sitting along the beachfront or perched overwater, Velassaru's contemporary-styled villas and bungalows offer chic serenity. Each room is equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay: In-villa safeFree Wi-FiLCD TV and DVD player, IPTV onscreen entertainment and resort information system, Auxiliary cable that connects to sound system, for listening to personal MP3 player, Individually controlled air conditioning and ceiling fan| IDD telephone and Internet access, MinibarTea- and coffee-making facilities, Complimentary drinking waterBathrobes and hairdryer, L’Occitane bath products, Beach bags, beach towels and slippers.

Inside each room there is a folder with information that is understandable and informative tells everything that the guest wants to know about the resort. Topics include general section, residence, wine and food and activities, including an island map, and a snorkeling map with detailed information. It's a nice detail and a typically classy guide.

7 Deluxe Bungalows - the first category and modernized original rooms. I must say that now they seem small for a modern 5-star luxury resort, with a bed on the mezzanine and enough space for a sofa and a table in front of the window. The bungalows are nestled in lush gardens, two steps from the shoreline and include everything to make your stay comfortable. They were made attractive with a thorough interior design, but they are still a bit ... well, anyway, how much time do you spend in the room?

Deluxe Villas go as standard category and are equipped with living rooms, wooden and tiled floors, coconut items, modern wicker furniture, and there is an indoor and outdoor shower. Understated luxury. With convenient access to a soft white sandy beach, your Deluxe Villa is a sanctuary unto itself.

Upgrading to Beach Villa will give you a chic room in natural tones with stone tiles on the floor, a bathroom, ironing facilities, a double dressing table, a personal wine cupboard, a coffee machine, and your own, desired beach area, and a fully open bathroom - lose the living room area Garden Room.

Other rooms are all very good. Here, as elsewhere on the island, Wi-Fi is free. Daily there are 2 small bottles of water, free of charge. And some like a very comfortable hairdryer. The internal / external baths are really beautiful and big, with an impressive, eye-pleasing vegetation. Their size, if you look closely, reduces the size of the bedroom, however, not much.

17 Water Villas are nicely refurbished, and very many "tanned" parts are painted in oatmeal and white. Half of the rooms facing the sunset and the other half ones look east. Water Villas sit on stilts over the water and have additional functions, such as snorkelling equipment, a large separate bathroom, a pillow menu, and upscale linens. Of course, on the western side - more worthwhile, romantic numbers, for which you also need to hunt.

Please note that some water villas (414-429) look at the "trash island" (Thilafushi island) visible from a distance.

A step up is a Water Bungalow with pool in which you will find a bathroom, a home theater, and folding glass doors that open to give you an amazing panoramic ocean view. Built in 2013, the Water Bungalows have a slightly more modern look and are only slightly more welcoming than the Water Villas, but they are still comfortable and conveniently located next to Chill Bar.

New 28 Water Villas of the higher category + 1 Water Suite (270 sq.m.) - the top category and have a more sophisticated appearance. They are equipped with wooden sundecks with stairs into the lagoon, have massive private infinity pools, butler services, separate bars, large verandas and gazebos by the pool and large bathrooms (indoor and outdoor showers in villas with pools), as well as dining areas with a gazebo (in Water Suites). The waters around are ideal for swimming and there are a some coral patches for snorkeling. The house reef is also available, but it is a soft, sandy slope, not a drop off. A key choice would be to get one of the rooms in the line that faces south to the all-day sun, rather than on the other line that faces north from the deck.

In 2019 Velassaru Maldives has revamped its Water Suite. The Water Suite was renovated with the sole purpose of heightening the guest experience in order to ensure that Velassaru offers all luxury in modern comforts in today’s guest expectation. With new contemporary furnishing and bright interiors, the reimagined suite raises the bar for luxury living and still reflects the youthful, exciting and unpretentious identity of Velassaru. An impressive 270sqm sanctuary reaching out over crystalline waters, the singular Water Suite provides the ultimate Maldivian experience. Bright interiors open out to a private sundeck with steps leading down to the brilliant blue lagoon. Personal butler service, a private bar, a home theatre system and luxurious bathroom amenities add to your comfort. An expansive terrace with an infinity pool, dining area, thatched gazebo and outdoor rain shower assure ultimate privacy.

Restaurants and Bars

Velassaru is 5 beautiful restaurants with very different settings and menus, from European fine cuisine to Japanese Tepanyaki and Asian dishes. Vela is the main restaurant for guests, with cooking stations with an array of tantalising flavours including kid's menu. A rich and varied gourmet breakfast amidst lush Maldivian island scenery. Abundant international favourites and new dishes to discover, complete with succulent imported meats and the freshest local seafood. Exotic tastes in a spectacular setting. Other restaurants offer a 30% discount for these guests. Each place looks romantic and the kitchen receives many positive reviews.

Unlike most resorts, none of the restaurants of Velassaru is open to all three meals. The main buffet restaurant Vela is open only for a free varied breakfast buffet and a dinner with international and local cuisine. Breakfast is hearty and generous, with all the familiar dishes, with salads, toast and custom-made omelettes, soups and pastries. (In rare cases, Vela is open for lunch, and serves what kind of menu, as in Turquoise.)

Recently Velassaru Maldives has enhanced the menu of its Turquoise restaurant. Along with the old favourites, the new menu features healthier options that are lower in calories, high in protein, and nutrient-dense, such as Maldivian Tuna Nicoise Salad, Quinoa and Black Sesame Seed Salad and Thai beef salad.

Lunch can be found near the swimming pool in Pool Deck Pizzeria and in Turquoise, a beach restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining areas, where on the tables expect an a la carte menu with international and Asian dishes. The other Velassaru's restaurants offer only dinner with a set menu.

Specializing in the flavors of Mediterranean cuisine, Etesian is a restaurant with a richly decorated dining room, wooden floors, dim lighting, and a large glazed, wine rack. Want to sit outside with your foot in the sand, romantically lit by tiki space with a some tables is also available.

With an open kitchen, a seafood is the main choice at Sand, a completely outdoor restaurant that offers ocean-front dining. Guests can sit by the water’s edge or in one of the private dining pavilions against a perfect Maldivian sunset, whilst indulging in beautifully prepared Pan-Indian Ocean specialties or from the chef’s signature, recently upgraded menu. New favourites include Coconut Marinated Reef Fish, Tuna Tartar, Duck Foie Gras, Soft Shell Crab and Tasmanian Salmon. These dishes both look and taste exquisite.

In 2019 Velassaru Maldives has once again enhanced the menu of its Sand restaurant. This latest enhancement follows a similar roll-out of new dishes in January.

The enhanced menu, created by Velassaru’s team of chefs, is a devotion to delicious food prepared with culinary skill and artistic flair. New favourites include Maldivian Yellow Fin Tuna Tartar, Soft Shell Crab, and Braised Beef Short Ribs.

The resorts also offers romantic dinners for two on the beach.

Try the 'Velassaru Indulgence' is a carefully crafted package that offers the finest culinary experiences and a range of extras. Lunch at Turquoise Restaurant, Fen Bar or Chill Bar. Enjoy dinner at any of our esteemed restaurants. Treat yourself to complimentary soft drinks, juices and water. Then, perhaps indulge in something stronger - house beer or a selection of wines and spirits. The Velassaru Indulgence package also includes complimentary snorkelling equipment and the two-hour use of an ocean kayak.

The Fen beach bar has a stylish lounge with a relaxed atmosphere in a wooden oriental setting. This place is open all day, with chic sofas with white and burgundy pillows, bright red modern bar stools, and a large bar packed with a good selection of whiskey. There are even a couple of gazebos and hammocks, convenient for drinks tete-a-tete at sunset.

At the island's northern end near Water Bungalows jetty is Chill bar, the ideal place for sunset cocktails with ocean views, with a large wooden deck. This spot is very popular in the evening, when guests gather with cocktails and wine to watch the sunset. Chilaut Bar offers tapas menu and homemade sangria.

Spa

Among the main facilities it would be an omission not to mention the Spa. These guys always offered services and products of the highest quality. Overwater, with 10 overwater treatment rooms with panoramic sea views, this divine place perfectly relaxes, and of course the main value is people - a talented and professional team of friendly therapists from Bali and Sri Lanka. The spa at Velassaru always make sure guests leave feeling incredibly refreshed and relaxed – and to do this, the spa team ensures that only the best products are used in the treatment rooms. In 2019 Velassaru Maldives has introduced world-renowned ELEMIS range of products to provide ground-breaking treatments for both body and face at the resort’s spa.

The overwater spa offers hydrotherapy, an outdoor jacuzzi with ocean views, a thermae, luxury accessories, steam room and relaxation rooms where guests can enjoy the effect of the treatments with a cup of hot herbal tea. Massages and other procedures are offered in private bungalows with beautiful ocean views and intoxicating aromas.

Activities

For those who can not wait to submerged yourself in crystal clear waters there is dive shop on the island. Operated by Silver Sands, the dive centre offers a selection of internationally recognised PADI dive courses, extensive island activities both under and over the water.

In Jan 2019, Velassaru Maldives has unveiled its newly renovated Immersion Dive Centre and Photography Lounge. The new design of the dive centre provides a welcoming vibe, bringing an airy and relaxed atmosphere to the space. Meanwhile, the newly renovated Photography Lounge now sits right beside the Fem Bar. After a bespoke photography session, guests will now be invited to view an array of their photos in the comfort and privacy of the lounge. All in-house guests are also offered 30 minutes complimentary portrait session as well as a complimentary 6 x 8 inches photo.

For snorkeling it is recommended to stay behind the wall of the lagoon, far from drop off, which will clearly disappoint you. Velassaru is located on the edge of the Vadoo Channel and South Male Atoll, so you should beware of strong currents.

Another, especially high-class facility is Silver Sands water sports center. A team of professionals is also known in the country for quality and varied water activities including sail and motor.

Scheduled excursions and water activities range from an ordinary snorkelling tours to night fishing and excursions to observe dolphins and Male shopping tours . Private boat rental is also available. Other facilities for active types include an outdoor tennis court and a large gym with mirrored walls, tons of cardio machines, and a refrigerator filled with cold towels and bottled water.

Other local facilities: shops selling spa products and jewelery, a large library with international literature and magazines, and several computers in the far corner.

Freebies at Velassaru will delight you with a 30-minute photo session (including one print), welcome drink on arrival, a generous buffet breakfast with international dishes, and free Wi-Fi throughout.

Reviews

Romantic couples like quiet rooms and beautiful views here - there is also a large selection of accommodation types, all of which stand out for their space. Families who like water sports will also find this hotel an excellent option.

“Must Visit Place. You will not regret what you have paid for the vacations”, Exceptional, Superb, “One of the best trip as a solo traveler.”, “It was amazing!!! I didn’t want to leave”, 
“Amazing place for a vacation with a baby!”, “Great resort and great service ... highly recommended”

Pros: What Guests Love

• Everything from arrival to departure.
• Great location; close to Male airport
• Quiet and relaxing place
• Very greenery and clean island! A lot of colors!
• Friendly and helpful staff.
• Beautiful, clean and comfortable water villas with a pool and an amazing ocean views. Ideal room cleaning twice a day. Bathrooms with product range L 'Occitane.
• A large and wide beach with fine sand, convenient access to the water.
• A beautiful infinity swimming pool overlooking the ocean; Sun beds by the pool have places for smoking
• A variety and delicious breakfasts. Food is superb, especially local dishes, just great!
• Large selection of activites
• Good snorkeling, there are sharks, rays and turtles, not counting colorful reef fish.
• Excellent diving
• Large, modern gym
• Good spa

What You Need to Know

• Velassaru is the part of Universal Resorts the most desirable Maldivian hospitality group.
• The resort is located on a private island in South Male Atoll and is 25 minutes by speedboat from Male airport.
• Check-in from 14:00, Check-out before 12:00
• Some water villas facinf the "trash island" visible from a distance
• Numerous types of meal plans can be misleading both staff and guests
• Sometimes it is difficult to find a peaceful public space
• there is a shop with sportswear
• No entertainment for children

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