Quick Facts

Class:

Location:

Transfer Type:
Transfer Duration:

Island Size:

Total no. Villas:

Highlights:

★★★★★

Lhaviyani Atoll

Speedboat
35 minutes

Small

46

• Stunning island beauty
• Exceptional food

• Underwater Spa
• Small & exclusive

Reviewed by Florian

When people dream of the Maldives, they often picture white-sand beaches, turquoise lagoons, and intimate luxury villas floating above the ocean. Huvafen Fushi Maldives delivers exactly that while adding something no other resort in the world can claim: the first and only underwater spa.

This already makes the resort a true standout, but there’s more to love. With just 46 villas and a complete renovation in 2024, Huvafen Fushi feels brand-new, yet keeps the Maldivian charm that has made it an icon for nearly two decades.

In this review of Huvafen Fushi Maldives, we’ll share our full experience, from transfers and arrival to villa stays, dining, snorkeling, spa treatments, and overall value for money. If you’re looking for a small, intimate island close to Malé but still offering a sense of seclusion, Huvafen Fushi might be exactly what you’re searching for.

As luxury travel agents for the Maldives, we can assist you and get you the most competitie rates for this resort, so feel free to reach out for a personalized quotation.

Transfers and arrival

Let’s start this review of Huvafen Fushi Maldives with the arrival process.

One of the biggest advantages of Huvafen Fushi is its proximity to Malé. While many luxury resorts require a seaplane transfer, here you simply step onto a luxury speedboat. The journey takes only 30–35 minutes, making it one of the most convenient high-end escapes in the Maldives.

We were greeted at the airport by the resort’s staff and escorted to the Huvafen lounge, a comfortable space where we relaxed for about ten minutes before boarding our boat. Our transfer was done on their small yacht with air-conditioning, which made the trip smooth and very comfortable. It’s worth noting that the resort also operates standard speedboats for transfers. These are open and don’t have AC, so your experience will depend on which boat is available.

On arrival at the island, we immediately felt the intimate, boutique atmosphere. A full team of staff was waiting at the jetty, and just after stepping off the boat, we were offered a glass of Taittinger champagne. A classy touch that set the tone for the entire stay. Without any waiting at reception, we were escorted straight to our villa by our butler.

Our villa: Lagoon bungalow with pool (no. 23)

For our stay, we were in a Lagoon bungalow with pool, villa number 23. And what a villa! From the moment we walked in, a chilled bottle of Taittinger champagne was waiting on ice. This was the perfect welcome to one of our favorite overwater villas in the Maldives.

The first thing that strikes you is the incredible lagoon view. The shades of blue in front of the villa are unreal, like those perfect gradients you see on postcards. The villa itself isn’t huge, but the layout is excellent. The bed faces the ocean, the bathroom has a stunning bathtub by the window overlooking the lagoon, and the design feels sleek and modern thanks to the 2024 renovation.

The outdoor deck is compact but thoughtfully arranged. It features two sun loungers, a daybed, a dining table with four chairs, and a private pool. While the pool isn’t massive, it’s more than adequate for a refreshing dip or for enjoying the sunset with a cocktail.

This villa really combines intimacy with luxury, and while there are larger options at Huvafen, we’d happily stay in the Lagoon bungalow with pool again.

Other villas we visited

Let’s continue this in-depth review of Huvafen Fushi Maldives with some other villas that we had the chance to visit during our stay. It is always very important for us to tour the villas in order to see which would be best for different types of travelers.

Deluxe beach bungalow with pool (no. 8) is without a doubt, one of the most impressive beach villas we’ve seen in the Maldives. It features not just one, but two swimming pools: one in the front, with direct beach access and sweeping views of the lagoon, and one tucked behind the bathroom in a lush courtyard. The back pool has a tranquil, private vibe, complete with a daybed and outdoor shower. This villa is perfect for couples who want both open views and private relaxation spaces.

Ocean bungalow with pool (no. 38). These villas face the sunset and are slightly larger than the Lagoon bungalows. They include a separate living room, making them an excellent choice for families (still keep in mind that overall, Huvafen Fushi is not really a recommended family resort in the Maldives), since children can sleep in the living area. The outdoor deck is similar to the Lagoon villas, but what makes these special is the snorkeling access directly from the villa. The shades of blue are less vibrant than on the lagoon side, but underwater life is richer.

Two-bedroom Ocean Pavilion with pool (nos. 45 and 30) are show-stoppers. Huge, ultra-luxurious villas located at the very end of the jetty, giving unmatched privacy. Villa 45 has its pool fully outside, while villa 30 has a pool that extends inside the living room, creating an almost surreal effect. Both have vast outdoor decks, gorgeous bathrooms, and stunning panoramic views. These are perfect for families or groups of friends traveling together.

Two-bedroom Beach House pavilion with pool (no. 44). This villa is massive, with both bedrooms located upstairs, offering beautiful ocean views. The pool is equally huge, set right on the beach. A top choice for larger families who want direct beach access combined with luxurious space.

In order to make this review of Huvafen Fushi as comprehensive as possible, we would also have liked to visit the 3BR Beach Pavilion with pool, but it was unfortunately under renovation during our stay at the resort.

The island beauty: really one of our favorites in the Maldives!

Huvafen Fushi is one of those islands that feels like a natural postcard. Almost every corner makes you want to grab your camera. The beaches are powder-soft, the water is crystal clear, and the shades of turquoise and blue are some of the most beautiful we’ve seen in the Maldives. This is maybe the main reasons why we recommend Huvafen Fushi as one of the top luxury resorts in the Maldives for 2025.

It’s also a small island, with only 46 villas in total. You can walk around it quickly, which gives a feeling of intimacy and exclusivity. Despite being close to Malé, you don’t see other islands cluttering the horizon. It feels private and serene, a rare find in such a convenient location.

If you want to find the best views, we’d recommend the lagoon in front of the Lagoon Bungalows with pool, the beach near the beginning of the jetty, the beach between the arrival jetty and the yoga pavilion and the small beach with the palm trees between the spa and the gym. These are all absolutely picture-perfect!

Dining outlets

Food is a big part of any Maldives experience, and in this Huvafen Fushi Maldives review, it’s important to highlight just how enjoyable dining was during our stay.

We were on Full Board for two nights and Half Board for four nights. Both plans allow access to all restaurants (with credits), and dinners are always à la carte. No buffets, making the experience feel more exclusive.

Fogliani’s: located by the main pool, this was our favorite spot for lunch. The atmosphere is laid-back, and the food is outstanding. The Wagyu beef burger is phenomenal and not to be missed. We also loved the panna cotta for dessert.

Celsius: the main restaurant, serving breakfast and dinner. The setting is beautiful, overlooking the lagoon. Breakfast here was a bit underwhelming for us. The buffet is small by Maldivian standards, and the à la carte menu only allows for two items per person, which felt restrictive. That said, the food quality was excellent, and dinners here were always enjoyable. Guests on meal plans receive one starter, one main, and one dessert.

Salt: this overwater restaurant is a must-try. The food is delicious, and the atmosphere is spectacular, especially at night when sharks swim below the deck. Guests receive a 65 USD credit per person per night when dining here on Half Board or Full Board.

Vinum: the underground wine cellar is truly special, with over 5,000 bottles and 600 labels. Private dinners can be arranged here, making for an unforgettable evening.

Overall, the dining experience at Huvafen Fushi was very good, with high-quality dishes and excellent variety.

The service

An other area that we have to cover in this review of Huvafen Fushi Maldives is the service.

Our butler, Naadi, was excellent: always quick to respond, knowledgeable, and extremely reliable when we needed buggy to move around the island. He truly elevated our experience.

Restaurant service, however, was slightly inconsistent. Some waiters were outstanding, while others seemed less experienced or confident. This didn’t ruin our stay, but it’s worth noting that service isn’t yet at the level of the very top Maldivian resorts. Overall, though, staff were friendly and genuinely eager to please.

Snorkeling at Huvafen Fushi

Snorkeling is not the main selling point of Huvafen Fushi, but for a resort so close to Malé, the reef is surprisingly good. We saw plenty of sharks, turtles, and schools of fish, along with healthy patches of soft coral and anemones.

The best snorkeling area is between the Ocean bungalows with pool and the 2BR Ocean Pavilions. Another fun spot is around Salt restaurant, where many sharks are often spotted circling the deck. While the reef isn’t as spectacular as Gaafu Atoll or Baa Atoll, it’s more than enough to keep snorkelers entertained.

The Main Pool

The main infinity pool is located next to Fogliani’s restaurant and is a beautiful, relaxing space. Its gradient of blues mirrors the lagoon and makes for gorgeous photos. Nearby, there’s also a seawater pool, which is unique and another spot that’s perfect for a quick dip and some Instagram-worthy shots.

It’s not the largest main pool in the Maldives, but given the small size of the resort, it never felt crowded.

The good thing is that it is always super quiet. That’s why it is one of the best resorts for couples in the Maldives. You won’t be disturbed by kids running around or splashing in the pool. The resort really puts the focus on couples and honeymooners, with no kids club, so you can be (pretty) sure to have a relaxing and quiet experience.

The Spa & Gym

This review of Huvafen Fushi Maldives would not be comprehensive if we did not speak about its absolutely phenomenal spa!

The Huvafen Spa is what truly sets this resort apart. It’s the only underwater spa in the world, and it’s as magical as it sounds. We booked a 60-minute treatment, and the massage beds are angled so you can watch marine life through the glass windows as you’re being pampered. Watching fish swim by while getting a massage is surreal, relaxing, and unforgettable. This is without a doubt one of the highlights of Huvafen Fushi and a strong reason to visit.

The gym, on the other hand, is less impressive. While beautifully located over the water, the equipment (Precor brand) is dated, and the air-conditioning struggles to keep up. It’s fine for a light workout but doesn’t match the level of the spa.

There’s also an overwater yoga pavilion, which is fantastic. Surrounded by the ocean breeze and turquoise waters, yoga here, whether at sunrise or sunset, is an experience in itself, and the constant wind will keep you fresh.

Departure experience at Huvafen Fushi

Before wrapping up our review of Huvafen Fushi Maldives, let’s talk about our departure experience. We had an early flight and had to leave the resort at 6:30am. The team organised literally a in-villa breakfast for us to enjoy a proper meal before leaving the resort. This was super nice, set-up on our terrace around 6am. This is so much better than a basic doggy-bag that most resorts would give you if you have to leave the property early.

To go back to the airport, we had an open boat (not the luxury AC yacht that we had for arrival). But that was perfectly fine, the sea was quiet, and getting the fresh air at 6:30am was definitely not an issue for us. On arrival at the airport, the ground-staff from Huvafen Fushi escorted us up to the check-in counter, making sure everything was in order for our flight. Leaving us with an absolutely phenomenal overall experience.

Value for money at Huvafen Fushi Maldives

One of the best aspects of this review of Huvafen Fushi Maldives is talking about value for money. Compared to many other luxury resorts in the Maldives, Huvafen offers an excellent balance of quality and price. You get:

• A stunning, intimate island with just 46 villas.

• A super convenient transfer, just 30–35 minutes from Malé.

• Beautiful villas with private pools.

• A unique underwater spa experience.

• Great dining with à la carte restaurants.

• A decent house reef for snorkeling.

For all this, pricing is very reasonable compared to newer or larger luxury resorts. With the discounts and special offers we often have available, Huvafen Fushi is a fantastic option for couples or honeymooners looking for intimate luxury without overspending.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Only 30–35 minutes from Malé by speedboat (no seaplane needed).

• Recently renovated in 2024 making everything feels fresh and modern.

• Small, boutique island with only 46 villas.

• Unique underwater spa.

• Excellent Lagoon and Beach Villas (some with two pools).

• Delicious à la carte dining, no dinner buffets.

• Good snorkeling for a resort so close to Malé.

• Beautiful beaches and crystal-clear lagoon.

Cons

• Breakfast buffet at Celsius is small and limited.

• Gym is outdated and too warm.

• Service can be inconsistent between different staff.

Conclusion: why is our review of Huvafen Fushi Maldives so excellent?

Writing this review of Huvafen Fushi Maldives, it’s clear why this resort is so beloved. With its intimate size, world-class underwater spa, renovated villas, and unbeatable convenience, Huvafen Fushi strikes the perfect balance between accessibility and exclusivity. While not everything is perfect (the gym and breakfast setup could be improved) the overall experience is outstanding.

For honeymooners, couples, or anyone looking for a luxurious yet laid-back escape close to Malé, Huvafen Fushi is one of our top recommendations in the Maldives.

Contact us for more information or to book with the most competitive rates.

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