Velaa, meaning “turtle” in Dhiveli is inspired by the generations of sea turtles that have inhabited the island and the beautiful healthy coral reef which surrounds it. When viewed from the air the resort even resembles a turtle. Beach villas and the resort facilities are on the island which represents the body of the turtle, whilst the jetties and over-water villas which feature a private pool and steps leading down to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, form the head and flippers.

Velaa has 47 light filled chic beachfront or overwater villas, houses and residences, built using local materials combined with contemporary interiors and each with generous terraces, shady gazebos, a dedicated butler and expansive sea views. The 1-bedroom villas are ideal for couples, while the 2-bedroom Beach Pool House and Ocean Pool House are perfect for families. The Romantic Pool Residence which comes complete with gym and spa room is accessible only by boat and offers ultimate privacy – a perfect choice for honeymooners. The opulent beachfront 4-bedroom Velaa Private Residences for larger families and friends wanting to stay together can accommodate up to 10 people. There are 2 terraces, private pool and a courtyard and comes complete with private gym, spa room, hammam, pool table, outdoor cinema screen, and fire-pit. Guests of the Residences are granted exclusive use of the prestigious Velaa yacht, with delicious food curated by the dedicated chef whilst sailing the Indian Ocean.

The talented team of top chefs from 14 different countries are passionate about showcasing the finest local and imported ingredients and will delight you with global culinary and drinks menus. Athiri offers beachside dining from breakfast till night. With a vast array of a la carte dishes from around the world. The wood fired oven offers freshly made pizza throughout the day. Poolside Avi Bar shares the Athiri menu and provides the perfect ocean sunset backdrop for a delicious cocktail in what becomes a vibrant evening cocktail lounge with mixologists, DJ and live band. Aragu is the resort’s picturesque, overwater, signature restaurant. It offers an unrivalled dining experience and degustation menus complemented by an 800-bin exclusive wine list. Savour rare champagnes in the adjoining CRU lounge before enjoying award winning contemporary European cuisine with an Asian twist. The three storey Tavaru Tower houses an extensive wine cellar with over 1000 wine labels. It is home to one of the most exclusive wine collections in South Asia. From the top enjoy the magnificent, elevated setting, with views looking over the tops of the palm trees, whilst experiencing the theatre of Tavaru Restaurant and Teppanyaki grill cuisine and Japanese tasting menus. The Beach Bar is a new addition and a great location for a refreshing juice or cocktails with a snack menu offering a variety of dishes from salads, sandwiches, pizzas, fruit platters and ice creams.

Rejuvenate yourself at the innovative Velaa Spa which comprises 6 secluded treatment rooms nestled over the turquoise lagoon. A comprehensive range of signature spa treatments are available, including customised facials with sophisticated European technology and traditional Asian massage and body treatments. Experiences the country’s first snow room chilled to temperatures that boost metabolism, before warming up in the glass sided sauna with unobstructed ocean views and relax in one of the snooze pods.

Surrounded by the lush foliage in the middle of the island is the new wellbeing village. Eveylaa Wellbeing offers healings of holistic, Ayurverda with Eastern medicine treatments. There is an Ayurvedic doctor as well as visiting international Osteopaths representing the full spectrum of ancient holistic healing. The village is also home to the new Yoga Pavilion and a dedicated air-conditioned Pilates Studio. An oasis in the tropical garden of the island - the new Faiy Restaurant creates a wellness inspired menu for those wishing to continue their wellbeing journey. The menu inspired by Mediterranean cuisine created from clean and unprocessed whole foods that are as close to their natural state as possible to be accompanied by a menu of wellness mocktails, smoothies and fresh juices (or there is also a list of organic, biodynamic and sustainably certified wines).

Not only is it the epicentre of romance for couples, Velaa appeals to families with an incredible choice of activities. Home to the only Short Game Golf Academy in the Maldives, the Academy can tailor individual lessons with the resident PGA qualified professionals. Vella’s 9- hole golf course designed by Spanish Golfer and Ryder Cup winning captain, Jose Maria Olazabal, provides the unique opportunity for golf enthusiasts to craft their game day or night in the middle of paradise. Venture out with snorkel and mask and immerse yourself in the underwater world and amazing house reef teeming with marine life. The marine team is working on coral restoration programme and guests can witness this first-hand by assisting with attaching corals to the nurseries themselves. Air-conditioned covered tennis makes play possible whatever the weather. There’s, badminton, squash, padel courts, football pitch, a climbing wall and gym filled with the latest equipment and gadgets. For the more adventurous there is flyboarding, hoverboarding, e-foil surf boards, jet skis, catamaran sailing, windsurfing, wakesurf, seadoo scooters, seabobs, kite sailing and more, as well as the more leisurely paddle boards and glass bottom kayaks. Sunset and dolphin cruises, fishing trips and big game fishing, manta encounters and snorkel trips are just some of the excursions on offer.

From the moment they arrive, children are met at the jetty and receive a personal invitation to the LHA Kids Club - an innovative concept of pure enjoyment. There’s even a water park, the largest of its kind in the Maldives, which was the inspiration of the owners’ daughter. The children have lots of freedom and programmes encourage its younger guests to get active, creative, adventurous, and imaginative and where learning about the local sea life with a marine biologist is all part of the experience.

Location: A 45-minute seaplane journey 186km north of Malé in Noonu Atoll. From Velana International Airport by Velaa’s private seaplane or by the standard Trans Maldivian Airways. Guests arriving in the Maldives by private jet can land at Maafaru International Airport, just 16 miles from Velaa, then take one of their extensive fleet of yachts or speed boats for a 35-minute boat transfer.