About this hotel
General information
The Residence Maldives at Falhumaafushi has the island of Falhumaafushi to itself, in Gaafu Alifu — one of the largest and deepest atolls in the world, in the far south of the Maldives close to the Equator. It is pitched at couples and families alike: alongside the beaches and lagoon sit a kids’ club, a dive centre and the resort’s own kitchen garden, while the uninhabited islet of Koduhutta, two minutes away, is kept for castaway picnics.
Its 94 villas line the beach and stand over the lagoon. The architecture pairs traditional Maldivian forms with contemporary comfort — thatched roofs, natural materials, high ceilings, French windows and views on every side — and the interiors mix bespoke furniture with local craft pieces and artwork. A 3 km house reef runs along the island, and the resort takes part in a programme protecting the Maldives’ seagrass meadows. Stays are offered on bed and breakfast, half board or all-inclusive.
Location
Falhumaafushi lies in Gaafu Alifu Atoll, also known as Northern Huvadhoo. A resort host meets guests at Velana International Airport in Malé and accompanies them to the domestic terminal for a 55-minute flight to Kooddoo, followed by a 7-minute speedboat ride to the island. A direct private seaplane charter of about 90 minutes can be arranged, subject to availability.
Spa
The Spa by Clarins sits at the end of a jetty above the lagoon and its coral reefs, with six separate treatment pavilions, a hair salon and a large open deck for yoga and meditation; treatments use Clarins’ plant-based products. Signatures include Sea Serenity, created by Clarins for the resort and combining an aromatic body massage with a facial; Soul, an Ayurvedic massage with Shirodhara, a steady stream of warm oil over the forehead; Essence of Residence, a coconut scrub and herbal-compress massage using plants grown on the island; and Balance, with heated lava shells and bamboo. Two-hour programmes are designed for couples. A gym, sauna and steam room complete the facilities, and the spa is open from 10am to 8pm.
Sports & leisure
Life here centres on the ocean: the reef begins a few metres from shore and the atoll holds many dive sites that see few visitors.
- Diving: an in-house PADI 5-Star dive centre with two dhonis, the full PADI course programme in several languages, a nitrox course and Discover Scuba Diving for first-timers; sites lie five minutes to an hour away by boat, with whitetip reef sharks, barracudas and turtles
- Snorkelling: the 3 km house reef starts in shallow water and slopes gradually into the deep — coral gardens, schools of fish, turtles and reef sharks — plus guided dhoni trips to neighbouring reefs
- Non-motorised water sports are complimentary: catamaran sailing, windsurfing, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, with beginner lessons at a charge
- Motorised sports: water-skiing, fun tubes, kneeboarding and jet-ski excursions
- Fishing: deep-sea and big-game trips, and traditional Maldivian hand-line fishing from a dhoni at sunset, with the catch cooked for dinner
- Boat trips: sunset cruises to watch spinner and bottlenose dolphins with a glass of fizz, outings to uninhabited islands and local villages, island hopping and coral gardening
- On the island: complimentary sunrise and sunset yoga, cooking classes, cocktail workshops at The Beach Bar, Earth Basket garden tours with animal feeding and herbal-drink tastings, a library of books, films and board games, and bicycles
For children
The Kids Club welcomes children aged 3 to 12 with daily games, crafts and activities, and a separate programme runs for teenagers aged 11 to 17. Children from eight can try diving on the Bubblemaker programme, the spa offers junior manicures and pedicures, and private yoga sessions can be shared with a parent. Restaurants have children’s menus, and babysitting is available.
Restaurants & bars
Restaurants and bars are spread across the beach, the water and the pool, with some of the vegetables and herbs grown on the island itself.
- The Dining Room — the main beachfront restaurant, indoors and on a terrace above the lagoon: à la carte breakfasts, salads and light lunches, and world, Asian and Indian Ocean cooking with a contemporary touch at dinner
- The Falhumaa — over the water at the end of a 230-metre jetty above the reef: Western cooking centred on seafood and grills, wines from around the world, a bar for aperitifs and afternoon tea with sweet and savoury bites
- The Beach Bar — partly set into the pool: light meals and island drinks by day, tapas and house-infused spirits after sunset
- The Library Bar — above the lobby with ocean views: billiards, chess, cocktails and light bites
- Earth Basket — farm-to-table dining: guests gather produce in the garden with a chef, learn to cook it and lunch at a shared table
- Private dining — on the beach, on the villa terrace or on the castaway islet
Swimming
Beach villas open straight onto white sand, and overwater villas have steps down into the lagoon. The freshwater infinity pool runs out to the beachfront, lined with daybeds, with complimentary fruit, sorbets and ice lollies served poolside. The house reef starts a few metres from shore, and the castaway islet of Koduhutta, with its own beach, is two minutes away by dinghy or kayak.
Rooms
94 one- and two-bedroom villas set among greenery on the beach or over the lagoon, many with a private pool. All have a generous living room and a terrace facing the ocean.
Air conditioning and a ceiling fan, TV, DVD player, telephone, free Wi-Fi, minibar, Nespresso machine with tea and coffee, complimentary bottled water, safe, bath products, robes and slippers, hairdryer, daily housekeeping with turndown and 24-hour in-villa dining.
Beach Villa
A beachfront villa among greenery with direct access to the sand: a king bedroom, a spacious living room and a private terrace with ocean views. Sleeps up to three adults, or two adults and a child.
Beach Pool Villa
A one-bedroom beach villa with living room, terrace and its own 2.5 × 6 m pool. Sleeps up to three adults, or two adults and a child.
Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villa
A spacious beachfront villa with a 5 × 8.5 m pool; the second bedroom has twin beds. Sleeps up to five adults, or four adults and two children.
Deluxe Water Pool Villa
An overwater villa in one of the most secluded corners of the resort, with an oversized living room, a king bedroom and a 2.5 × 6 m pool on the deck. Sleeps up to three adults, or two adults and a child.
Water Villa
An overwater villa with a living room opening onto a private verandah above the reef fish. Sleeps up to three adults, or two adults and a child.
Water Pool Villa
An overwater villa with living room, verandah and its own 2.5 × 6 m pool. Sleeps up to three adults, or two adults and a child.
Two-Bedroom Water Pool Villa
The largest overwater villa: a verandah with a 5 × 8.5 m pool and space to dine facing the sunset, plus a second bedroom with twin beds. Sleeps up to five adults, or four adults and two children.
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.