Twin island Paradise in The Maldives At Fushifaru And Meyyafushi / By Georgina Rodgers / Publisher Luxurylifestylemag

Standing on the sandbank at Fushifaru, Maldives, I realised that ‘private’ really is what it says it is. Together with my husband and two daughters, we were standing on a small stretch of white sand, popping up in the middle of the sapphire sea.

It was early in the day, just 9am, and the only sounds were the murmur of the sea, the hum of our conversation and the fizz of a beer as my husband broke his ‘not before midday’ rule.

The girls ran on and out of the bathtub-warm surf, looking for bright fish weaving around their feet. With our toes buried in the sand, this felt like the ultimate ‘castaway’ experience.

Fushifaru is one of the few resorts located in the Lhaviyani Atoll, a 35-minute seaplane ride from the Velana Airport at the capital, Malé. It has been providing the answer to ‘barefoot luxury’ since it opened its doors in October 2017. Owned by BeKind, a hospitality group founded in the Maldives, this boutique resort is committed to sustainability and celebrates the culture, community and expertise of its hospitality.

Stepping onto the island felt like a homecoming. The resort’s traditional aesthetics of thatched roofs, woven textures, and sandy paths brought a sense of unpretentious intimacy and timelessness.

In November 2025, the group opened Meyyafushi, a brand-new, premium all-inclusive resort, just a 15-minute speedboat ride away. This hotel is defined by architectural ambition and features bold buildings and a ‘more is more’ approach, for a new generation of travellers.

These resorts look and feel very different – one is about a rustic-rural retreat, while Meyyafushi celebrates a hyper-personalised service and grand ambition. This sophisticated ‘twin-island’ concept allows for a layered experience, so whether you would like an ice-cold cocktail from the retro-cool Thundi campervan parked on the edge of the sand at FushiFaru (decorated by the in-house artist, Ibi), or would like to be whisked to a Michelin-standard lunch at Meyyafushi’s underground restaurant, Bubble, via golf buggy, you do not have to choose between the two.

Hotels

Fushifaru is a boutique sanctuary, located between a national marine porotected area and three premier dive sites

Fushifaru is a boutique sanctuary, located between a national marine protected area and three premier dive sites. It is a ‘small island with a big heart,’ with a high staff-to-guest ratio that ensures every interaction feels personal rather than programmed.

It felt both meticulously maintained and exceptionally warm, where the staff greeted us by name the moment we stepped off the seaplane and were met with a traditional welcome of drumming and sangu – where a conch shell was blown – to create an incredible sound.

With 95 palatial villas and suites, Meyyafushi trades curves for clean lines and contemporary vibes that make a bold statement. The resort is expansive and ambitious, with wider paths (and a golf buggy to transport you from A to B, if you are so inclined), high ceilings, and a sense of scale.

Meyyafushi embraces a design-forward philosophy in which the lines between the natural world and architectural ambition are blurred. Despite its grander scale, Meyyafushi maintains the family’s commitment to high-touch service, with a philosophy anchored in genuine care.

Rooms

The 63 villas at Fushifaru are masterclasses in rustic-chic, with a warm and organic aesthetic

The 63 villas at Fushifaru are masterclasses in rustic-chic and feel as if they are designed to blur the line between high-end comfort and the beauty of the Lhaviyani Atoll. We stayed in a two-bedroom pool beach villa, where doors opened to a private plunge pool, just a few steps from our own loungers on the sand.

The aesthetic is warm and organic, with a palette of earthy tones that immediately makes you feel calm and like you are living ‘on island time’ with absolutely no rush to go anywhere.

It is a curated, intimate environment where the luxury lies in privacy and quiet. The villas are framed by sprawling outdoor bathrooms, where you can bathe and shower under the stars. When our bath was filled and topped with frangipani petals, my youngest daughter hopped in and said she felt like she was in a dream.

The buildings are masterfully hidden and surrounded by banyan trees, leafy plants, and other tropical vegetation, as well as an incredible abundance of wildlife, with hermit crabs scuttling across the sand, the island’s bunnies hopping around, and white-tailed tropicbirds gliding effortlessly overhead, with their tails like streamers following them.

Over at the dive centre, the resident parrot, Oreo, chirps ‘hello’, as guests stroll in and out.

Beyond the sandy paths of the island, the resort stretches out over the lagoon, with a collection of overwater villas perched above the ocean, offering uninterrupted views. It was just a few fin-kicks from these villas where we encountered the island’s true locals – two turtles peacefully grazing on seagrass.

In contrast, the 95 villas and suites at Meyyafushi are defined by grand-scale design. Here, the footprint is larger; even entry-level villas start at a sprawling 185 m². The villas feature high ceilings, expansive glass, and sleek, contemporary finishes. Even entry-level villas feel like private estates.

We stayed in a two-storey beach pool suite, which felt sprawling, with a huge living area, multiple bathrooms with rain showers and seating areas, and a private pool a few steps from the beach, and it felt hard to leave. The sky really is the limit here, with huge overwater villas complete with slides. For families or groups seeking ultimate seclusion, the flagship presidential suite offers nearly 1,000 m² of living space, including a private gym and a cinema.

Both resorts have thought of all amenities you could possibly need, with endless white towels, robes, slippers, BeKind toiletries and digital TV. In both resorts, the rooms were serviced twice a day, with gorgeous touches like greetings on our beds with grass, messages on our deck, chocolates and fruit – we really were spoiled by a level of detail that felt above and beyond.

Food and drink

At Meyyafushi, the showstopper is Bubble, the resort’s signature underwater restaurant

Dining at Fushifaru is a pretty laidback affair that mirrors the island’s barefoot charm. The main restaurant is Korakali, which whips up an exquisite buffet prepared by Maldivian chefs to your liking.

The a la carte restaurant, Raakani, is a more refined experience.

We were lucky enough to dine here – the highlight was the seafood platter, a delectable combination of local catches. Inside, we watched diners at the sit-up bar at the Teppanyaki station, enjoying the theatrical flair of chefs cooking with fire. After this, we headed to the pool bar, Fanihandhi, where a karaoke night was in full swing.

At Meyyafushi, the ‘premium all-inclusive’ philosophy pushes the options to the next level. The showstopper is Bubble, the resort’s signature underwater restaurant, where diners can tuck into their meals as colourful reef fish, and rays glide past. Currently open for lunch and dinner; plans are afoot to include a breakfast session.

The Mediterranean restaurant, Thaana, has incredible ocean views, whilst my children’s favourite was the Asian fusion restaurant, Alif. The dishes here are inspired by Thai, Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, and Maldivian cooking. The level of precision is so high that when one of my daughters ordered the same meal two days in a row, the hostess asked us which we preferred, as one was cooked by a Thai chef and the other by a Chinese chef – she couldn’t decide between the two!

The resort’s all-day restaurant is Fili, where they serve an incredible buffet. With so much choice, it felt like we could’ve eaten something different every day for a year.

Our favourite spot on the island was Raagu, the open-air bar where we drank cocktails and mocktails, and snacked on tapas, while watching the sky turn violet. Above Baa is the incredible adults-only Sky Lounge, with a glass-bottomed infinity pool. Standing here really does feel like you are suspended in the sea.

To do

Snorkelling and diving are huge attractions at Fushifaru

At Fushifaru, the resort’s ‘small island’ philosophy ensures that every activity feels really personal. For obvious reasons, snorkelling and diving are huge attractions here. We rocked up at the dive centre and borrowed snorkelling equipment for the duration of our stay, so we could head out as and when we wanted to see what we could discover.

We also spent time chatting with the local parrot at the dive centre! Fushifaru has its own underwater playground with a submerged bicycle and swings to encourage you to hang out beneath the surface. Non-motorised watersports, like sailing and paddleboarding, are also included.

Our family were in for a treat as we got invited to a family art class, where the in-house artist showed us how to go about drawing sunsets onto pieces of wood – the results, I have to say, were a mixed bag, but the experience was wonderful! Guests are also welcome to join in with the staff for some traditional Boduberu drumming sessions or give the intricately complex art of coconut leaf weaving a try.

In contrast, for those just looking to unwind, the Heylhi Spa has this lovely open-air space that feels like a jungle hideaway – and their treatments often feature local sea salt and crushed bits of coconut.

Whether it’s a yoga session on the jetty watching the sun come up or a sunset cruise on a traditional old dhoni, Fushifaru seem to know a thing or two about slowing the pace down and making every second feel like a real Maldivian experience.

Meyyafushi is entirely dedicated to serving the modern explorer, providing a necessary break from the stillness of traditional relaxation with bold, Instagram-worthy moments and facilities that cater to every whim.

The resort moves away from the sleepy-island trope, replacing it with an atmosphere of vibrant possibility, where the architecture and activities are as grand as the surrounding ocean.

Active luxury is the name of the game here.

The resort has debuted the Lhaviyani Atoll’s very first overwater padel tennis court, allowing you to play a fast-paced match against a backdrop of serene, uninterrupted blue. Our family had a go at this increasingly popular sport (what a way to try it), and watching the sunset while trying to get the ball over the net is something really special.

If indoor action is more your cup of tea, the variety is huge. They have installed a boutique bowling alley, a super-slick games room, and even private karaoke rooms for those who want to sing their hearts out in total seclusion.

When it comes to the water, the centre offers everything from high-speed Seabobs and adrenaline-pumping jet-packs to submersible excursions. For those looking for something a bit more low-key but equally stylish, the massive main pool features a sunken lounge where you can sip a cocktail while partially submerged.

The wellness side of the island has also been reimagined. At Veyoge Spa, they have moved beyond standard treatments to focus on sensory escape rituals and aerial yoga, practised within a stunning glass-floored glasshouse that makes you feel as though you are floating.

We participated in a sound healing session, where the family all walked away feeling even more relaxed when we arrived. As evening approaches, the energy shifts toward the Sky Bar, where you can catch the sunset before dancing to the sets of international DJs under the stars.

Families are particularly well catered for, with Kokko kids’ club that is essentially a VIP playground for the little ones, complete with its own mini waterpark. However active you feel, you can bet your bottom dollar that boredom is not on the menu in this version of paradise.

Both resorts organise private and bespoke events, including weddings, honeymoons and other celebrations. From the initial foot-in-the-sand to the final toast, these destinations provide the perfect backdrop for creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Factbox

For Fushifaru, rates start from USD 497 per room per night for BB meal plan, excluding taxes and service charges.

For Meyyafushi (PAI meal plan), rates start from USD 918, also excluding taxes and service charges.

Fushifaru Maldives

Address: Lhaviyani Atoll, Maldives
Phone: +960 6620202
Website: fushifaru.com

Meyyafushi Maldives

Address: Meyyafushi 07020, Maldives
Phone: +960 662-0303
Website: meyyafushi.com