Velaa Private Island

Velaa Private Island is the realization of a dream to create a ‘beyond luxury’ ultra-exclusive boutique hideaway.

This unique destination was developed to embody the very best of this unique archipelago, bathed by azure skies in the aquamarine waters of the Indian Ocean. The name of this private retreat, an elegant fusion of Maldivian culture with contemporary luxury, means “Turtle Island” in the local language – named after generations of sea turtles that have flocked here to nest and hatch.

The resort design borrows from this theme, with turtle motifs, and the colors and patterns of turtle shell pervading the property. From a broader “bird’s eye view” which greets arrivals by seaplane, the island’s exclusive over-water villas are also constructed to resemble the head of a turtle, with the island forming the body. Velaa Private Island also ensures plenty of room for its marine visitors, with a hatchery and conservation plan in place.

Velaa Private Island is just under 20 hectares in size, around half a kilometre in either direction, providing both exclusivity and privacy.

Star Rating: 6 Stars
Location: Noonu Atoll
Distance from Airport: 45 minutes by seaplane
Total Rooms: 43

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Accommodation

Velaa Private Island has been designed and curated with privacy and comfort as the guiding principles while allowing the Indian Ocean to take centre stage. At one with nature, each of the private retreats is built using local materials, combining contemporary flourishes with interiors designed for sensory exploration. Generous terraces and sultry gazebos are positioned to maximise shade, breeze, views and privacy, allowing for total immersion in nature.

The resort comprises 43 private villas, houses and residences and two four-bedroom residences. While 18 of the 43 are built over water, the Romantic Pool Residence can only be reached by boat, allowing even more privacy and exclusivity.

Dining

Aragu & Cru. Velaa Private Island’s signature restaurant, Aragu serves innovative cuisine in an elegant setting over water; here guests can enjoy vintage champagne at the lounge Cru followed by fine dining. Aragu means ‘essence’ and the concept of this signature restaurant is offering guests two distinct styles of enjoying one dish – a ‘simplistic’ option focusing on the clear taste of individual elements and simple combinations, or a ‘sensational’ option whereby elements are combined to create exciting and harmonious fusions of ingredients.

Tavaru. Tavaru houses a Teppanyaki kitchen and makes up the centrepiece of the island: a visually striking tower where live cooking and Velaa’s extensive wine cellar take centre stage. The 30 page wine list is paradise for true oenophiles, covering the whole spectrum from boutique wineries to grand marques and organic and biodynamic producers. Guests can choose from rare gems such as a 1956 Domaine de la Romanée Conti “Romanée Conti”; a rare vintage Salon Champagne, or two centuries old fortified wine 1870 Blandy “Verdelho Solera” among countless other Bordeaux wines.

Athiri & Avi. Athiri is beachfront all-day dining at its finest, where guests can enjoy a feast of creative cuisine served fresh to their tables or prepared to their request. A wood-fired oven means hot freshly made pizzas, signature of Athiri, are served throughout the day. Avi is a casual pool bar by day and a vibrant cocktail bar by night, complete with mixologist and live DJ against the backdrop of spectacular ocean views.

Destination Dining. Destination Dining is a unique concept whereby guests are entertained exlusively in a variety of stylish and distinctly different settings, both on and off the island with creative menus and entertainment, ideal for special occasions.

In Villa Dining. In-villa Dining allows guests privacy and personal space around the clock with speedy “Velaa Express” service and “Served in Villa” menus available at any time.

Spa

Velaa Private Island counts itself one of only a handful of hotels in the world to be working alongside this distinguished brand and features exclusive My Blend facial products and body treatments by Clarins for a truly personalized experience.

Showcasing the first ‘snow room’ in the Maldives, the spa offers a synergy of therapies and products with six secluded double treatment villas over the water. A comprehensive range of signature treatments are available, including customised facials with sophisticated European technology and traditional Asian massages and body treatments.

For the ultimate personalised experience at Velaa Private Island, Spa My Blend by Clarins offers Velaa Signature Rituals – Velaa Island Fantasy and the Island Body Boost. Developed exclusively by Clarins Paris, and inspired by the natural beauty of the Maldives, these two sumptuous treatments can be experienced only here and nowhere else on earth.

Diving

Velaa Dive center is equipped by Scubapro renowned for its outstanding quality. Aliated to PADI (the Professional Association of Diving Instructors), the largest dive association in the world. Velaa Private Island is located in Noonu atoll the latest atoll discovered and dived due to its far location. Only 20 minutes away from Velaa, divers will discover various unexplored dive sites with the most amazing fauna of Maldives such as grey reef sharks, nurse sharks, the seasonal manta ray, black spotted sting ray and the graceful eagle ray.

Sports

Water Sports. Seadoo Scooters, Windsurfing, Topcat K1 Catamaran and New Zealand-designed Weta High Performance Trimaran, Kite Surfing, Kayaks, Jetskis, Seabobs, Water-skiing, Wakeboarding and Knee Boarding, Tubes, Bananas and the new Ski Seat experience.

Land Sports. Velaa Private Island offers the latest “Technogym”, a world-class Gym features state-of-the-art fitness equipment. On an elevated Yoga Pavilion, with beautiful views over the golf academy, guests can receive personal yoga master sessions held on the raised-tree meditation platform in the garden or by the beach. Sports facilities extend to covered Tennis Court & Squash Court, Table Tennis, Wall Climbing, Beach Volleyball and a Football pitch.

ROOM TYPES

Beach Pool Villa These detached one-bedroom beachfront pool villas are sumptuously furnished. Mahogany louvered panels and intricate lofty ceilings give a colonial feel while mahogany furniture and suspended bamboo lights give a natural feel. Wall to wall glass doors frame the terrace and private pool. By day the villas are light filled, secluded by clusters of palms. An indoor bathroom with Romeo and Juliet basins opens to a large outdoor bathroom connected by a garden atrium where a gazebo-covered daybed overlooks the bathtub. Day beds, swinging chair and an outdoor dining area face the Indian Ocean.
Deluxe Beach Pool Villa Natural materials and colours bring the outside in, while a suspended chair adds an element of playful refinement. These private one-bedroom beachfront pool villas feature a separate large living room, outdoor terrace and private pool and indoor bathroom. The Zen-like outdoor bathroom features a huge bath and deck, and reclining daybed under a pillared podium connected by a garden atrium. The alfresco dining area by the pool is the place to be at sunset.
Beach Pool House In lush foliage flanked by gently swaying palms, the two-bedroom beachfront houses are ideal for families. The large living area works as a retreat in the day and a social hub in the evening, leading to the kitchen area, complete with bar and high stools, which is practical for both catering and socialising over snacks/meals. Bedrooms blend light and privacy using louvered wood, natural materials and lights suspended from high vaulted ceilings. Rattan swinging chairs add a sense of fun to the elegant décor. Outside, there is a spacious terrace with a large private pool, carefully positioned day beds and a standalone outdoor dining platform which offers panoramic views of the lagoon.
Velaa Private Residence Imagine the definitive ultimate beach residence. With four bedrooms accommodating up to 10, a rarity in the Maldives, the Velaa Private Residences offer elegant contemporary design and 1,350 square metres of private interior and exterior space, inclusive of two terraces, a pool and a courtyard. Secluded on a pristine private beach, the carefully curated interiors deliver comfort, style and elegance in equal measures. These two-storey detached residences are laid out with privacy in mind. Each of the four bedrooms faces the ocean across a stretch of icing sugar sand; the first floor bedrooms have generous balconies while the ground floor opens onto the pool. Indoor and outdoor bathrooms are connected by a garden atrium. Flanked by two gazebos for dining, resting or playing, the pool reflects the ocean and is the central focus. Behind the living space a gym, spa room and outdoor living area offer plenty of quiet spaces to retire to. Subdued lighting and large format photography provide visual breaks to the sea of natural wood and stone that set the tone of the interiors. These residences set a new level of ultimate luxury in the Maldives for friends and families alike.
Sunrise Water Pool Villa Along an extended jetty, the villas on this crescent have uninterrupted views of the ocean and private pools. Overhanging thatch offers shade over the dining area, while the bedroom and bathroom open onto the terrace, pool and sun deck, with steps leading alluringly into the ocean. Inside, the comfortable living room is designed around a viewing window set into the floor, while the bed faces the ocean.
Sunset Deluxe Water Pool Villa With uninterrupted ocean views facing the sunset and private pools facing the sunset, these villas are dreamlike in design, separated by canvas sails ensuring utmost privacy. Thatched roofing shades the outdoor dining area, while the bedroom and bathroom open onto the terrace. The pool and sun deck have steps leading into the ocean, while under the gazebo a vast daybed scattered with cushions catches the final moments of the sunset. Inside, the large comfortable living room has its own bar area complete with a private wine fridge and is designed around a viewing window set into the floor. Huge bathrooms with circular baths and a swinging chair reflect the water surrounding the villa.
Romantic Pool Residence Accessible only by boat, this ultra-private one-bedroom villa suspended above the lagoon with uninterrupted views of the ocean offers utmost privacy and romance, making it perfect for honeymooners or those who looking for ultra-luxury, including a private chef and butler. All rooms open onto the terraces, where the Jacuzzi, pool, sundeck and sunken bath offer varying aspects on the horizon. Dine inside at sunset, or over the water in a dining gazebo on its own jetty, or enjoy sundowners on the sumptuous daybeds. Interiors are designed with natural materials and neutral colours with occasional accents of Ikat or animal prints. With a personal gym and spa treatment rooms inside the residence there’s little reason to leave.