About this hotel
General information
Nova Maldives occupies a natural island in South Ari Atoll, with mature tropical vegetation, a white sand beach and a house reef full of marine life. Its 76 villas sit along the shore and out over the lagoon, their interiors kept light and pared back, with custom-made furniture, natural materials and plenty of daylight.
The resort is designed as a relaxed community for couples, friends and solo travellers: an animation team runs activities, evenings bring live music, and each day takes whatever shape a guest likes, from diving to slow hours under the palms. The base meal plan is Full Board Plus; Premium All Inclusive adds drinks, a daily restocked minibar and free use of snorkelling gear, kayaks and paddleboards. The Hub reception is open around the clock, and the island also has a medical clinic with an on-call doctor, a photo studio, a shop for local crafts and the Co-Create venue for business events.
Location
The resort lies in South Ari Atoll, in the west of the Maldives, about 25 minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport in Malé; the flight may stop at other islands on the way. Seaplanes depart until 16:00, so international flights should land at least an hour earlier. Transfers are arranged only by the resort, and its team meets guests at the airport.
Spa
Eskape Spa stands over the lagoon, with three treatment rooms, a Thai sala, a relaxation area and a yoga pavilion. Face and body rituals use organic products, and a dedicated programme revives Dhivehi Beys, the traditional Maldivian healing practice built on native herbs, coconut oil and marine botanicals.
Sports & leisure
South Ari Atoll ranks among the best diving areas in the Maldives: more than thirty manta and whale shark points, wrecks and pinnacles lie within 40 minutes of the island, and whale sharks can be seen here all year.
- Diving with Aquaholics: PADI introductory dives for beginners, courses from entry to advanced level, house reef and channel dives
- Snorkelling: lessons, the house reef by day and by night, UV night snorkelling, turtle-spotting trips
- Water sports: jet ski, water skiing and wakeboarding, parasailing, towed fun rides, kayaks including glass-bottomed ones, stand-up paddleboarding, kitesurfing, windsurfing
- Boat trips: dolphin cruises, sunset cruises, big game fishing, traditional handline fishing at sunset, private charters with a route of choice
- Muscles, a 24-hour gym with an outdoor training area, group classes, daily sunrise yoga, meditation and private sessions
- Football, beach volleyball and indoor games
- Holhuashi, a weekly evening of Maldivian culture beneath the banyan tree with stories, first words of Dhivehi, local food and customs; Maldivian cooking classes with local chefs; visits to the cultural heritage village on nearby Dhangethi island
Restaurants & bars
The island has three restaurants and two bars; meals can be served in the villa, and for special evenings the resort sets tables on the beach, on a sandbank or on a wooden platform over the lagoon.
- Soul Kitchen — all-day main restaurant with dishes from around the world, plus themed nights such as seafood barbecues and Maldivian evenings
- Flames — grill house for local fish, seafood and meat
- Mizu — over-water teppanyaki with ocean views
- Wink — main bar with cocktails, snacks and live music
- Solis — pool bar for cocktails, tropical drinks and fresh juices
Pool villas can order a floating breakfast.
Swimming
A white sand beach with loungers rings the island, and the house reef starts just off the shore. Beach villas open straight onto the sand, while steps lead from the water villas into the lagoon. The shared pool is at Solis bar, and several villa types have their own pool or jacuzzi.
Rooms
There are 76 beach and water villas, with or without a pool or jacuzzi, plus interconnected beach villas for families and friends and a two-bedroom residence. Every villa has a private terrace or sun deck facing the sea.
Villas have a king-size bed, air conditioning and a ceiling fan, free high-speed Wi-Fi, an HD TV with Apple TV, a minibar, a safe, tea and coffee facilities, a rainfall shower and eco-friendly bath amenities.
Beach Villa
Set among tropical greenery with direct beach access, a king-size bed, a terrace with daybed and an open-air bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers. Sleeps up to three.
Interconnected Beach Villa
Two Beach Villas joined by an internal door, each with a king-size bed, a terrace with daybed and an outdoor shower, steps from the beach. Sleeps up to five.
Sunset Beach Villa
On the island’s west shore, with a king-size bed, a terrace and daybed facing the sunset, an open-air bathroom and beach access. Sleeps up to three.
Interconnected Beach Villa with Jacuzzi
Two connecting villas on the west shore, each with a king-size bed, a terrace with daybeds and an open-air bathroom, plus a private temperature-controlled jacuzzi. Sleeps up to five.
Water Villa
Over the lagoon, with a king-size bed, a freestanding bathtub, a spacious sun deck with loungers and private steps into the water. Sleeps up to three.
Sunset Beach Villa with Jacuzzi
Near the beach on the west side of the island, with a king-size bed, a terrace, an open-air bathroom and a temperature-controlled jacuzzi. Sleeps up to three.
Water Villa with Jacuzzi
Over-water villa facing the open ocean, with a king-size bed, a freestanding bathtub, a sun deck with jacuzzi and steps into the lagoon. Sleeps up to three.
Beach Pool Villa
Opening onto the beach with lagoon views, a king-size bed, a private pool, a terrace with daybed and an open-air bathroom. Sleeps up to three.
Water Villa with Private Pool
Over the lagoon, with a king-size bed, a sun deck with private pool and ocean views, and a bathroom with bathtub and rainfall shower. Sleeps up to three.
Two Bedroom Beach Residence with Private Pool
A beachside residence with two suite bedrooms, each with a king-size bed, a terrace with loungers, a private pool and a temperature-controlled jacuzzi. Sleeps up to five.
Sunset Beach Villa with Pool
On the sunset shore, with a private pool and temperature-controlled jacuzzi, a terrace with daybeds and an open-air bathroom. Sleeps up to three.
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.