Reviewed April 2014, Stayed March 2014, travelled as a couple

  See: the sparkling azure ocean against the blinding white sand; the surreal brightness of the full moon at night, making you feel like a beautiful ghost at dusk; the amazing underwater world that makes you wish you were a mermaid.

  Touch: the sand beneath your bare feet, which need no shoes while you are there. Do not touch the corals in the sea.

Hear: the rustling of palm trees and the sound of ocean waves at night; the special music selection the hotel thoughtfully leaves in the villa’s hi-fi system; the gentle bubbling of the backyard Jacuzzi; the rain drumming while you enjoy a wonderful massage at the open-air spa.

Smell: the wonderful frangipani blossom; the scents in the spa center; the rich aroma of Eastern cuisine.

Taste: Asian-style food and local fruit.

Vabbinfaru is a place of breathtaking natural beauty, both on land and underwater.

First and foremost, every visitor should try snorkeling or scuba diving. If you do not, you will miss half of the fun and enjoyment this place offers. The reef is simply gorgeous. We went snorkeling every day, and each time it was an extraordinary delight. Bring an underwater camera, or you will regret missing the chance to capture such marvelous scenery. We had the rare opportunity to swim alongside small sharks, turtles, and other colorful ocean creatures darting through the splendid coral.

Do not be afraid of the sharks. They are small, they do not care about you, and they are simply passing by, busy with their own affairs.

On land, we saw different kinds of lizards, large beautiful bats, colorful birds, and crabs. There is no reason to fear them, since none of this vivid fauna disturbs the guests. On the contrary, the animals seemed to kindly tolerate our curiosity and our desire to observe and photograph them.

It is also worth knowing that the hotel has specialized staff who care for and breed sea turtles. They can show you how the turtles grow, explain their habits, and tell you how and when they are released to begin their own lives in the open ocean, along with many other interesting facts.

The hotel staff is courteous and helpful. The villas are truly one of a kind.

We stayed in a beachfront villa, so we could enjoy an incredible ocean view day and night. You should also take full advantage of the villa’s backyard, where there is a pool and a jet pool with a comfortable seating area for relaxing in the shade.

We were lucky that our stay coincided with a full moon. You cannot imagine how beautiful the beach looks under the full moonlight, with its perfectly white sand. It is a surreal pleasure to walk along the beach or have a drink while quietly talking with your beloved one on such a magical night, either on the villa’s porch or directly on the sand. It is even possible to take pictures without a flash, although that does require some advanced photography skills.

If you have the chance to visit this place, do not bring shoes. You will not need them at all.

The dress code is casual everywhere. The whole idea is to fully relax and not worry about clothes, shoes, accessories, or makeup. Just pick a frangipani blossom from a tree, breathe in its captivating scent, and place it in your hair. That is all you need.

Try to set aside some time for the spa. I absolutely loved it.

The therapists are magicians, the music is soft and relaxing, and the scents from the aroma sticks are enchanting.

The restaurant staff is friendly. The food, however, could be improved. Since there is only one restaurant on the island, which is quite small and has no room for more, there is no competition and guests are entirely dependent on it. The Asian cuisine is good, and the barbecue is good as well, but more attention should be given to Western-style dishes and seafood. In my view, if the hotel wants visitors to return rather than look for more options elsewhere in the Maldives, it should aim to provide a fully exceptional service. Food is one area that deserves more attention.

The hotel is more suitable for couples, although we did see one family with a child.

It is a very good destination for new lovers, honeymooners, couples celebrating an anniversary, or couples in need of private time, rest, and intimate companionship.

If you read presentation summaries about the Maldives, you will see that many of the islands may be underwater in a few years because of the constant rise in ocean levels. It is deeply discouraging to know that the disappearance of this heavenly place is both inevitable and approaching so quickly. We love such places, enjoy them, share and show off our photos from them on social media, yet we continue to pollute our mother Earth without conscience, causing it gradual degradation. We should consider and further raise more awareness about preserving such beautiful places by  sustainable lifestyle and responsible consumation.

Anyone who visits this unique place and feels that it is heaven on Earth should remember the grim forecast for its future. So please keep this in mind all the time, especially when you book your next vacation, and never stop reminding others that it is our responsibility to preserve the beauty of our home planet, so that we may continue to enjoy wonders like this small and amazing island in the Maldives, Vabbinfaru.

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