Luxury Travel

Review: Alila Kothaifaru Maldives – the Luxury Travel Expert

July 21, 2023

Wednesday newsletters at all times function a resort or flight overview.

I lately loved an exquisite vacation within the Maldives. During my journey, I didn’t keep at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani – my favourite resorts within the Maldives (I’m going again although in 2024) – however I attempted out some new, ultra-luxurious and fabulous resorts. Read my journey stories right here:

Today: Review of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives

Set on a 27.6 acre (11.2 hectare) island within the distant Raa Atoll, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives will be reached by way of a 45-minute seaplane journey from the Maldives’ capital Malé. The resort’s elegant minimalist structure by Singapore-based Studiogoto encompasses terraced pavilions, villas and a treetop spa which can be fastidiously built-in into the prevailing panorama to immerse visitors within the picturesque pure environment. The low-rise constructions and up to date interiors function open-air areas and a chilled palette of island-inspired colours and textures, creating an idyllic setting for full rest and reference to nature. There are 80 pool villas, of which 44 are alongside the seaside and 36 are perched overwater with direct entry to the ocean. The property gives a pleasant number of culinary experiences together with Seasalt, the resort’s beachside all-day eating restaurant, and Umami, which gives Japanese-inspired menus.

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives options in my prime 10 listing of the greatest luxurious resorts within the Maldives.

Have you ever stayed at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives? If so, what was your expertise? Leave a remark.

In this overview (extra information and images under my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives enjoys a surprising setting on the western fringe of the Raa Atoll. The stunning Raa Atoll is a hidden gem within the Maldives, an unspoiled and quiet atoll that gives a big number of marine life. Beginner divers can discover unbelievable reef dives, discovering wholesome coral, stingrays, reef sharks and hawksbill turtles. More skilled divers can take pleasure in a few of the most unbelievable thila dives the Maldives has to supply. The thilas (underwater pinnacles) are extraordinarily wholesome, not affected by any bleaching occasions, and are surrounded by massive faculties of reef and pelagic fish in addition to plenty of gray reef sharks. The resort gives easy accessibility to the well-known Hanifaru Bay UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve (a hotspot for manta rays and whale sharks) and is near Vaadhoo Island, among the best spots to witness the spectacular ‘Sea of Stars’ phenomenon.

Opened in 2022, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is situated on a 27.6 acre (11.2 hectare) non-public island, which options gorgeous white-sand seashores overlooking the infinite expanse of ocean blue, an impressive home reef and luxurious greenery. The island will be reached by way of a 45-minute seaplane journey from Malé. Upon arrival at Malé International Airport and after passing immigration, visitors are met by the superb Alila airport workers members, who care for the bags and supply help with the check-in on the Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) counters so safe the seaplane boarding passes. Once checked in for the seaplane switch, visitors are transferred to the seaplane terminal, which is situated on the opposite facet of the airport’s perimeter (a 5 min drive away). Here, visitors can look forward to the connecting seaplane switch to the resort on the new TMA lounge (WiFi, refreshing drinks and a few snacks can be found). Alternatively, the resort is accessible both by home flight to the closest home airport – Ifuru (IFU) – adopted by a speedboat experience.

As is the hallmark of each Alila resort, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is seamlessly designed in concord with the atmosphere, preserving the extraordinary pure fantastic thing about the vacation spot whereas creating understated, subtle areas for visitors to unwind. The resort’s trendy minimalist structure was designed by Singapore-based Studiogoto, which took its cue from the island’s flat topography to create an atmosphere that feels utterly at one with nature. The resort’s landscape-oriented design unfolds in terraced layers built-in into the pure environment to protect a way of intimacy. Against the quiet backdrop of the island’s lush vegetation, the low-rise pavilions and villas cascade step by step, creating the expertise of residing in a backyard. Bold structure with clear strains contrasting with gentle pure supplies, cultural motifs and natural kinds end in spa-inspired environments that promote rest and draw on the restorative powers of nature. Light tones of timber and sand are mixed with black components to create a chilled but up to date palette.

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives gives 80 pool villas, of which 44 are alongside the seaside (hidden within the lush foliage) and 36 are perched overwater with direct entry to the ocean. Each villa comes with a personal pool and solar deck the place visitors can indulge in picture-perfect views and revel in personalised service whether or not they’re staying steps from the seaside or above the turquoise lagoon. During my vacation, I stayed in a Sunrise Beach Villa, which was near the resort’s foremost pool advanced. The spacious abode featured a separate bed room and front room extending to a shaded out of doors deck and personal freshwater plunge pool. The ensuite rest room was situated in its personal walled backyard and was geared up with a rain bathe, hand bathe and bathtub. Room facilities included Alila toiletries specifically made for Him and Her, solar hats, a seaside bag and a particular field containing a set of out of doors exercise facilities in Alila’s signature scent, together with lotion, sunscreen, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives mosquito repellent and face mist.

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives gives a pleasant number of culinary experiences in a number of eating places and bars:
- Seasalt, the resort’s beachside en poolside all-day eating restaurant, serves coastal Mediterranean delicacies with Middle Eastern influences. Not to be missed are the restaurant’s signature salt-baked fish dishes. Seasalt additionally serves each day breakfast (a mix of a fantastically offered buffet and in depth à la carte choices).
- Located on the island’s japanese tip, Umami gives Japanese-inspired menus ready in a teppan theater with a premium choice of organically grown greens, Wagyu beef and sustainably sourced fish and seafood. The adjourning Yakitori Bar is the place to be to bask in sundowners, from Asian-inspired craft cocktails and mocktails to tremendous Japanese sakes and spirits, amidst scrumptious smoky aromas from a robata grill.
- Pibati Café gives gentle bites and luxury meals which can be handy for grab-and-go en path to an tour.
- Guests dreaming of an final castaway expertise can set sail in a conventional Maldivian dhoni on a two to three-hour journey across the Raa Atoll earlier than returning to the resort’s non-public sandbank, The Shack, a secluded spot for a gourmand picnic, a sundown barbecue or a romantic candlelit dinner beneath the celebs.
- A spectacular Maldivian sundown alongside a refreshing choice of cocktails will be loved at Mirus Bar, which is situated subsequent to the primary pool alongside Seasalt Restaurant. Drinks are impressed by the area’s former spice commerce routes and concocted with elements from the resort’s personal herb backyard.

At the middle of the island, nestled simply above the treetops, is the resort’s intimate wellness middle, known as Spa Alila. While the resort’s public areas and villas are largely open to the ocean while the spa, with 4 remedy rooms, the spa is wrapped within the privateness of the jungle foliage, providing a special expertise. The spa’s 4 double remedy rooms are elevated on stilts to sit down amongst the treetop cover line and are linked by walkways. All remedy suites include a personal rest room, bathe and a floor-to-ceiling window with views of the verdant vegetation. Guests can bask in rejuvenating remedies and wonder rituals that put a up to date spin on historic therapeutic methods and draw on the advantages of pure elements. Guests can even take pleasure in a complimentary each day yoga session in a tranquil out of doors area throughout the spa. The spa advanced additionally homes a 24-hour health middle on its floor ground.

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is devoted to sustainability and dedicated to creating a distinction via its each day processes. For instance, a solar energy system is used to provide electrical energy to cut back gas burn from turbines, and laundry working hours happen through the day to maximise use of photo voltaic power. The resort has been awarded EarthCheck Design Silver certification, having met the rigorous certification standards of EarthCheck’s Building Planning and Design Standard (BPDS). EarthCheck is the world’s main scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for the journey and tourism trade. EarthCheck Planning and Design science is aligned with the worldwide greatest apply for the constructed atmosphere. Its Design Standards present a holistic sustainability framework to information improvement and refurbishment tasks in the direction of asset effectivity and enterprise enchancment.

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is managed by Alila, a resort model which is managed by the Hyatt Hotel Group. The hallmark of Alila lodges is the mix of revolutionary design and luxurious in distinctive places, set aside by an unprecedented stage of personal area, crafted artisanship, personalised hospitality, and bespoke journeys. Alila means “Surprise” in Sanskrit, which suitably describes the refreshing character of our properties and impressions of our visitors once they stick with us. In help of sustainable tourism, Alila lodges undertake EarthCheck working requirements, integrating the pure, bodily and cultural components of their environments. To keep at any Alila lodges and resorts is to embark on a vacation spot expertise – be it in recreating the flavors of the native delicacies, enhancing your well-being via historic therapeutic arts or the fun of journey sports activities, you’ll re-discover the luxurious of residing at Alila lodges. I’ve beforehand reviewed different Alila Hotel, corresponding to Alila Villas Uluwatu (Bali) and Alila Jabal Akhdar (Oman).

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is a comparatively new resort set in a distant a part of the Maldives and there are nonetheless numerous bugs (mosquitos and flies) round, which will be fairly annoying, particularly when staying in a seaside villa (which all include open-air jungle loos). The resort is conscious of this very seasonal prevalence (which primarily occurs through the highly regarded and dry interval) and is presently reinforcing its flying insect pest management efforts. I assume that this drawback will disappear over time because the resort has put in 100 mosquito elimination traps lately to utterly remove the problem.

Due to world local weather warming, seaside erosion takes place on many of the Maldives’ islands (an issue which can most likely solely enhance sooner or later). Alila Kothaifaru Maldives – which is situated very near the atoll’s outer reefs the place the ocean’s currents are stronger – can also be impacted by this phenomenon. While the west and east coast of the island are extremely stunning with a surprising white sand seaside, the seaside on the north coast has partly disappeared resulting from erosion. There’s additionally a smaller space of seaside erosion close to the primary pool. However, the Alila group is devoted to defending the island’s pure magnificence and it taking in depth measures to mitigate the results of abrasion.

Sailing, kayaking, and snorkeling are just some of the non-motorized water sports activities accessible to visitors at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives. However, motorized watersports are not accessible, because the resort goals to protect a silent atmosphere and to guard the reef’s delicate ecosystem. While this may not be preferrred for these on the lookout for enjoyable adventures on the ocean, it was in actual fact a coverage that I appreciated very a lot.

MY VERDICT

Location: 9/10
Design: 9/10
Pool: 9/10
Rooms: 8/10
Food: 9/10
Breakfast: 9/10
Spa: 8/10
Service: 9/10
Value for cash: 9/10
Overall expertise: excellent 8,8/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Save cash: learn right here my ideas for getting one of the best deal at a luxurious resort like Alila Kothaifaru Maldives (and/or obtain many free perks).

Save cash: make use of Hyatt’s greatest price assure. If you discover a higher price, the Hyatt Hotel Group will match it and give you the selection of a further 20% off or 5,000 World of Hyatt Bonus Points.

Save cash: elite members of Hyatt’s loyalty program, World of Hyatt, are effectively handled on the resort, with – amongst different advantages – complimentary room improve (when accessible), early check-in or late check-out (when accessible), and free breakfast. Click right here to learn my overview of the World of Hyatt program (with professionals & cons).

Read my ideas for getting ready your journey in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The greatest climate within the Maldives is between January and April, which additionally means excessive season (with low availability and really costly room charges). The monsoon runs from May to October, peaking in June. It is price paying greater costs and sticking to the dry season as there may be nothing to do on a wet day besides drink, eat, work out or scuba dive. Especially November and December, which are sometimes labelled as dry season months, have been very unsettled in recent times.

HOW TO GET THERE

Getting to Alila Kothaifaru Maldives requires a 45-minute seaplane switch from Male International Airport (MLE). Check the Wikipedia web page of Male International Airport for an up to date listing of airways that supply flights to Male International Airport.

PHOTOS

Here’s a choice of my images of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives. To view extra resort images (together with breakfast, lunch and dinner), click on right here.