lily beach: south ari atoll

Lily Beach occupies the whole of the idyllic island of Huvahendhoo, 25 minutes seaplane south-southeast of Male. It’s overriding selling point is that it is the only 5* resort in the Maldives to offer a proper all inclusive package that goes right through the barrier of basic food and alcohol inclusion, and stretches into mini-bar consumption, day trips out to neighbouring islands and even includes cigarettes.  All this would mean little of the accommodation was not up to scratch, but they offer a variety of units on land and over water, and the latter, especially, are up there in the very top end.  A beautiful over-water spa and quirky pool/ bar area at the west end of the island top off a mid sized island with something for everybody.

Rooms:-

The lead in Beach Villas are a generous 68m2, with very contemporary semi outdoor bathrooms in a walled garden style. The back opens out onto a small veranda with table and chairs and then it’s a few short steps to the beach itself.

Very popular are the Lagoon Villas which are entered over land but end up being partially over water. These are the only rooms on the south side of the island which is almost entirely lined with rock and coral, so is popular for snorkeling on tap from your terrace steps directly into the water. At 90m2, their size is very generous for over-water accommodation.

The Family Beach Villas are 2 regular beach villas interconnecting. Some of the beach villas are stand alone and then there are 8 pairs which give this family option.

Top villas:- Undoubtedly the pick of the rooms are the Sunset Water Villas with Jacuzzi, beautifully positioned in the ocean off the west point of the island, at the end of the eye shape walkway off which are the Deluxe Water Villas which are also rated very highly by us, and among the best standard over water rooms in the Maldives in their price bracket with 2 distinct rooms left and right of the lobby area which has an all glass floor.

Spa

As usual, we personally tested the independently run Tamara Spa by Mandara spa, and it exceeded expectation, which was already high looking at the wonderfully designed wooden building that houses it, sitting over water, giving you that extra serenity during treatment.

A 50 minute Balinese massage really hit the spot after a long journey and the practitioner was Balinese, giving extra authenticity to the treatment .

Dining

Lily Beach is most well known as being the first 5* resort in the Maldives to offer a comprehensive all inclusive option. There are 5 food and beverage outlets but most meals (at night anyhow) are taken at the main restaurant, Lily Maa. This provides a huge array of sumptuous buffet items, ASWELL as a la carte menus. The smaller outlets offer a la carte and drinks during the day. You can take one meal a week at the fine dining restaurant, Tamarind, which specialises in  Indian and Chinese cuisine which was really exquisite.

The price always includes the all inclusive option and premium brand beverages, as well as some other extras such as boat excursions and even cigarettes.

The over riding point however, is that all the food provided is still of the highest quality that you expect in any 5* on an a la carte basis. There is no skimping – in fact, quite the reverse.

Other

The resort is blessed with many facilities to satisfy even the most active. The water sports include canoeing, catamaran sailing, windsurfing, wakeboarding,  doughnuts and banana boating.

The dive centre is fully equipped of course and there is also table tennis, beach volleyball, a floodlit tennis court, billiards, night fishing and a comprehensive kids club.

Final word

Quite simply the only all inclusive resort worth considering in the Maldives, with an excellent over water product and facilities to suit everyone.