About this hotel
General information
Niva Velassaru Maldives occupies the small island of Velassaru in South Malé Atoll. It can be walked end to end in a few minutes and has no roads at all, only sandy paths through the palms leading down to coral water. Villas sit in tropical gardens, directly on the beach and on stilts over a turquoise lagoon, across nine types that run from garden villas to a secluded overwater suite at the end of a long jetty.
The mood is slow and easy-going, suited as much to couples as to groups of friends. The island has five restaurants and two bars, an overwater spa, a PADI dive centre, a Pilates studio, a tennis court and a water sports centre. A resident marine biologist runs coral restoration and talks for guests on reef life; guest services and in-villa dining work around the clock, and a doctor is in residence.
Location
Velassaru lies in South Malé Atoll, 25 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport in Malé. The resort arranges the boat transfer itself and asks for flight details at least five days before arrival.
Spa
LIME, the spa, stands on stilts over the lagoon: its treatment rooms, two of them for couples, surround a relaxation deck and a hydro infinity pool that looks out to the ocean. The menu covers massages, scrubs, wraps and facials with Elemis (including BIOTEC technology facials), Aromatherapy Associates and Cochine, men’s rituals with Obsidian, and hand and foot care by Margaret Dabbs London. The signature massage uses warm coconut-wood tools and virgin coconut oil; there is also a couples’ ritual drawing on Maldivian healing traditions and a night-time spa for two under the stars. Visiting practitioners come to the resort from time to time.
Sports & leisure
Life on the island revolves around the lagoon and the reef, with plenty to keep the body moving on land too.
- A house reef a few fin strokes from the shore, with coral nurseries, reef sharks, rays and turtles; snorkelling gear is free, and guided house-reef snorkels run twice a week
- Night snorkelling, open-ocean swims with nurse sharks, and boat trips in search of spinner dolphins and turtles
- Immersion Dive Centre: PADI courses from a first try-dive to specialities such as Nitrox, buoyancy and underwater photography, and fun dives for certified divers in Vaadhoo Channel, on a wreck, in caves and on thilas; beginners can explore Coral Dome, a six-metre underwater structure that supports coral growth
- Glide Water Sports: windsurfing and kitesurfing, catamaran sailing, parasailing, paddleboards, glass-bottom kayaks, wakeboarding, flyboarding, towed tubes, jet skis and Seabob underwater scooters
- Big-game fishing for wahoo, sailfish and marlin, private boat hire by the hour or the day, and sunset cruises on a traditional dhoni with champagne
- A complimentary morning lagoon cruise by dhoni four times a week and sunset beach yoga three times a week; private Hatha and Ashtanga sessions, meditation and breathwork
- A gym with Kinesis equipment and trainers, a dedicated Reformer Pilates and Barre studio, and a floodlit all-weather tennis court with group sessions and private coaching from Sunball Tennis Academy
- A weekly marine biology talk, films under the stars, DJ evenings and photo sessions on the island
For children
Sunball Tennis Academy, the resort’s tennis partner, runs junior lessons and kids’ clinics for younger guests.
Restaurants & bars
Stays are offered on bed and breakfast, half board, full board or an all-inclusive plan, with breakfast included in every rate. In-villa dining runs around the clock, and private dinners can be set up on the sand or on the villa deck.
- Vela — the main restaurant, with international buffets and live cooking stations at breakfast and dinner
- Turquoise — international cooking on the beach: seafood, salads and grills, for lunch and dinner
- Sora — Japanese over the lagoon: sashimi, sushi, charcoal robata and teppanyaki with Peruvian touches, plus sake and cocktails; dinner only
- Sand — dinner on the sand at the water’s edge: seafood and grills seasoned with Indian Ocean spices, with wines chosen by the sommelier
- Etesian — Mediterranean cooking on regularly changing tasting menus, and a chef’s table for private dinners
- Fen Bar — a beach bar for light bites and cocktails, with DJ sets in the evening
- Chill Bar — an overwater sunset bar for tapas, cocktails and sparkling wine
Swimming
White-sand beaches ring the island, and the shallow lagoon and house reef begin right off the shore; the resort map marks the recommended entry points. The main infinity pool looks over the beach and the ocean, and many villas have a pool of their own.
Rooms
Nine villa types are set in gardens inland, on the beachfront and over the lagoon, from the 75 m² garden Deluxe Villa to the 270 m² Water Suite. Pool Villa and Water Suite come with a butler.
Villas have a king-size bed with a pillow menu, high-speed Wi-Fi and an entertainment system, a Nespresso machine and tea, a minibar, a safe, beach bags, towels and flip-flops, bathrobes and a hairdryer, with evening turndown.
Deluxe Villa
A villa a few metres from the beach with its own garden and outdoor seating, a vaulted ceiling, a king-size bed and a bathroom with a double vanity and an outdoor shower. Sleeps three adults, or two adults with two children and an infant.
Beach Villa with Pool
Set right on the beach, with a terrace, plunge pool and sun loungers; inside are natural stone and teak, and the bathroom has a deep tub and a garden shower. Sleeps three adults, or two adults and a child.
Water Bungalow with Pool
An overwater bungalow with full-height windows, a sundeck with pool, daybed and loungers, and steps straight into the lagoon. Sleeps three adults, or two adults and a child.
Water Villa
An overwater villa with floor-to-ceiling glass, a king-size bed, a desk facing the ocean and a deck with a daybed and direct lagoon access; the bathroom has a freestanding tub with lagoon views. Sleeps three adults, or two adults and a child.
Two Bedroom Deluxe Villa
Two interconnecting garden villas with two king-size bedrooms, two bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers, and a private garden. Sleeps six adults, or four adults and four children.
Deluxe Villa with Pool
A secluded villa in the heart of the island with an oversized pool, a partly shaded terrace and an outdoor shower; inside, a split-level open-plan living and sleeping area under a vaulted ceiling, with a daybed. Sleeps three adults, or two adults and two children.
Pool Villa
Set in gardens steps from the beach, with a large pool, a gazebo, an outdoor bathtub and a private front courtyard with a daybed and dining table; a butler comes with the villa. Sleeps three adults, or two adults and two children.
Water Villa with Pool
An overwater villa with an infinity plunge pool on the deck, a daybed and direct lagoon access; the bathroom has a double vanity, a freestanding tub and a separate shower. Sleeps three adults, or two adults and a child.
Water Suite
The island’s only overwater suite, at the end of a long jetty behind a private gate: a split-level terrace with an oversized infinity pool, a gazebo and outdoor dining, plus a wine cellar, a home cinema and a butler. For two adults.
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.