About this hotel
General information
Dhawa Ihuru occupies the small, leafy island of Ihuru in North Malé Atoll, ringed by the house reef it is best known for. There are just 45 villas, every one of them on the beach, with contemporary interiors, timber decks and the lagoon a few steps away. Stays are all-inclusive, and the mood is relaxed and unfussy, suiting couples, groups of friends, families and independent travellers alike.
The main draw lies underwater. Just off the island sits the Rannamaari, a former dredger scuttled to form an artificial reef and now one of the country's best-known wreck dives, explored with the resort's PADI 5-Star Gold Palm dive centre. On land, the island leans into Maldivian tradition: Boduberu drumming nights, local cooking classes and an arts and crafts corner where driftwood and other materials washed up by the sea become artworks. The whole island can be reserved for weddings, anniversaries or corporate events.
Location
Ihuru lies in North Malé Atoll, 18 km from Velana International Airport in Malé; the complimentary return speedboat transfer takes around 25 minutes. Its twin island, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, is 0.9 km away and linked by a daily scheduled ferry (3 minutes), and the resort runs excursions to the capital, Malé, home to the coral-stone Old Friday Mosque.
Spa
The 8lements Spa is open from 11 am to 8 pm. Its treatments pair authentic therapeutic techniques with native ingredients, and the body treatments are blended fresh just before each session.
Sports & leisure
The marine centre, home to a PADI 5-Star Gold Palm dive centre, is open from 8 am to 5 pm, offering courses for beginners and experienced divers, Discover Scuba Diving, equipment rental and guided dives across the atoll's reefs and on the Rannamaari wreck, where groupers, sharks, stingrays, moray eels and turtles are often seen.
- Snorkelling on the house reef with complimentary gear from the marine centre, plus guided snorkelling safaris to nearby reefs
- Complimentary kayaks and stand-up paddleboards; windsurfing, catamaran sailing, jet skis, parasailing and banana boat rides at extra cost
- The Kahan’bu catamaran for snorkelling trips around the atoll, sunset cruises on a traditional dhoni, dolphin cruises and seasonal manta excursions
- Maldivian-style night fishing and big-game fishing
- Complimentary marine talks, coral planting and reef clean-ups, and a reef fish identification programme
- Maldivian cooking classes, Boduberu drumming and dance performances, trips to Malé and the arts and crafts corner
- The Activa gym, open around the clock, with a yoga studio overlooking the ocean
For children
The kids' club is open from 9 am to 5 pm, with a spacious play area, age-appropriate toys, games and interactive activities, and programmes run by trained staff. For the whole family there are beach games, sandcastle building and family snorkelling outings.
Restaurants & bars
Dining on the island is all-inclusive, with the option of adding dinners on the neighbouring island of Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru.
- Riveli Restaurant — raised beachfront restaurant with panoramic ocean views, serving Asian, Mediterranean and Maldivian dishes as a buffet or à la carte; breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Velaavani Bar — cocktails, light snacks and local bites from 11 am to 11 pm
- Ihuru Grill — open-air grill with lobster, jumbo prawns, reef fish steaks and vegetable kebabs
- Lagoon Breakfast — breakfast served at a table out in the lagoon
- Fisherman Beach Dinner — a dinner for two on the beach under the stars
- Nest — a 24-hour self-service lounge with complimentary snacks, tea and coffee; in-villa dining is also available
Swimming
A sandy beach circles the island and every villa opens directly onto it; the coral house reef begins a few metres from the shore, so snorkelling starts straight from the beach. The resort's site mentions no shared swimming pool; the Beachfront Jet Pool Villas each have their own outdoor jet pool.
Rooms
The island has 45 villas in four types, all on the beachfront: contemporary design, generous timber decks and greenery all around, with the house reef a few steps away.
Each villa has a king bed, an outdoor shower, a minibar, tea and coffee, a safe, a smart TV and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Beachfront Villa
Opens straight onto the beach close to the house reef, with a veranda holding a swing chair or island-style seating and views along the shoreline. King bed with room for two sofa beds, up to four guests.
Beachfront Sunset Villa
A beach villa on the sunset side of the island, looking out over the setting sun and the reef, with a swing chair or island-style seating on the veranda. King bed with room for two sofa beds, up to four guests.
Beachfront Jet Pool Villa
A roomier villa metres from the beach and reef, with a veranda dining area and an outdoor shower beside a private jet pool set in greenery. King bed and up to two sofa beds, up to four guests.
Beachfront Rainmist Villa
Generous indoor and outdoor space with a private rainmist lounge among the palms, built around mist and the sound of falling water, and a hammock. King bed, up to four guests.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.