A new name has just joined the Maldives’ long list of five-star resorts and it’s one to know. Ananea Madivaru, a twin-island sanctuary set in the North Ari Atoll, opened its doors this year.
With 110 villas, each featuring a private pool, a world-class culinary line-up of nine restaurants and two bars, and one of the largest kids’ clubs in the Maldives, Ananea Madivaru is an island escape designed for every kind of traveller — from honeymooners to families to those chasing the art of slow living.
What to know
Just a 20-minute seaplane from Malé, Ananea Madivaru sits across two private islands connected by a scenic overwater walkway. Each island has its own personality:
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East Island is the lively heart of the resort, home to the overwater Kandu Spa, main infinity pool, Dive Centre, and the vibrant COMPASS Kids Club.
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North Island offers a more secluded, indulgent atmosphere — with spacious villas, fine dining, a recreation centre, and a sunset-facing bar perfect for golden-hour cocktails
Together, they form a rare balance of connection and calm — the perfect blend for travellers seeking space to breathe, play and reconnect. For travellers who plan their holidays around great food, Ananea Madivaru is the perfect hotspot and one you will be seeing all over socials in coming years. The resort is home to an impressive collection of nine restaurants and two bars, each celebrating bold global flavours and local ingredients. At the Asian Food Street, guests can choose between Maldivian, Thai, Korean and Indian specialities, while Luna — the signature overwater restaurant — serves Mediterranean fine dining with uninterrupted ocean views. Flame offers freshly grilled seafood, and Flores brings Nikkei-style fusion to the atoll. Meanwhile, Ikigai’s live teppanyaki is dinner and theatre in one, and Sting Bar pairs wood-fired pizzas with live music. For something a little different, Paradise Beach Club serves Mexican-inspired bites with a side of turquoise horizons. From floating breakfasts to starlit dinners on the sand, food here isn’t just a meal — it’s part of the magic.
Activities
Every one of the resort’s 110 villas embodies Ananea’s ethos of slow glamour — elegant, understated, and deeply connected to nature. Expect natural textures, open-plan spaces and that all-important private pool. Guests can choose between Beach Pool Villas and Water Pool Villas, or upgrade to one of the luxurious 2- and 3-bedroom residences for families or groups.
Whether you’re waking up to the sound of the ocean or diving straight from your deck into the lagoon, every villa feels like its own little world. If youre looking for a little more adventure Ananea Madivaru’s setting in the North Ari Atoll makes it a dream for ocean lovers. The resort offers diving and snorkelling excursions where guests can swim alongside nurse sharks, manta rays and sea turtles, or explore world-renowned reefs with expert instructors. Those seeking serenity can head to the Kandu Spa, an overwater sanctuary with eight tranquil treatment rooms, a yoga pavilion, and panoramic ocean views — perfect for embracing the art of island calm. While those with kids are in luck as this is one of the few Maldivian resorts that treats family travel as a luxury experience in itself. The COMPASS Kids Club is equipped with four indoor and three outdoor zones that encourage creativity, exploration and fun. Activities range from marine discovery sessions to local crafts and storytelling meaning little ones can have their own adventure while parents unwind.
Plan Your Stay
Prices start from £2,749 per person, including seven nights in a Beach Pool Villa on a Half Board Plus basis, with flights from London Heathrow via Etihad Airways (for May and June 2026 departures). The resort is exclusively available through Kuoni in the UK.
For more information or to book, visit ananeamadivaru.com or follow @ananeaamadivaru on Instagram for a dose of Maldivian daydreaming.
