Anantara Veli Maldives Resort

Ana Sofia

We just finished a great trip at Veli Anantara as a first trip to the Maldives. The location is stunning and overwater villas are really worth it for quick access into the ocean and private sunning / tanning spaces. The villa is spacious and well cared for with cleaning and turndown services done very well. Ali is wonderful, and checked in on us often as our host / very easy to reach throughout the stay. The outdoor activities lady is also great, explaining everything clearly and we did a wonderful nurse shark snorkel experience. We opted for the half board - as a Veli guest you can also use the other Anantara hotels facilities and restaurant. The real let down was the F&B with the only exception being the Thai restaurant where we ended up dining twice (and their wonderful staff!). The Origami sushi was mediocre at best, pool bar lobster salad was a very sad mayonnaise laden catastrophe, Sea salt and fire is inconsistent - my dish the tuna grilled was great but my fiancé had the surf and turf hot plate and the portions were very disappointing given the price point. We sent back the ceviche because it truly wasn’t a ceviche at all - had potato, lettuce, no leche de Tigre. Breakfast at Cumin has variety but the coffee isn’t stellar (can be improved easily) and the matcha needs a huge improvement. Gym is great and well equipped and the spa team is fantastic, Aree is wonderful. We hope to visit again but really ask the culinary team take the time to do a deep dive and review as many dishes can be properly elevated to meet the price point. Either way, thank you Anantara team ☀️.

abi

My partner and I had an amazing stay at Anantara Veli Maldives Resort. During our trip, we stayed in both the Deluxe Over Water Villa and the Ocean Pool Villa, and both were incredibly spacious, comfortable, well decorated, and offered stunning views of the crystal-clear waters. One of the things we loved most was that, despite being on an island, we never felt stuck. The complimentary shuttle pontoon boat made it easy to visit the neighbouring Anantara Dhigu resort as well as Picnic Island, giving us plenty of opportunities to explore and enjoy a wider variety of restaurants and facilities. We opted for the full board package, which was excellent value. Every meal included a starter, main course, and dessert, and the quality and variety of food throughout our stay were fantastic. The staff were warm, friendly, and always willing to help. There was also no shortage of activities, both on and off the island, and the resort made going for their excursions and experiences completely hassle-free. Overall, we had a truly memorable holiday and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of our stay. We can't wait to return and create even more wonderful memories here. Highly recommended!

Ahmed Negm

As a Muslim couple seeking privacy and relaxation in a honeymoon, we found this in the ocean pool villa in Anantara Veli. My experience started when I was looking for a nice resort with high privacy options. I emailed David, the resort manager, who promptly helped me choose a suitable option for us. He also went an extra mile by arranging honeymoon room decorations and welcome drinks. We had an amazing honeymoon stay. The villa provided wonderful privacy and tranquility, and our villa host Ibrahim was outstanding—very friendly, responsive, and always ready to help. We had a nice dining experience with variant Asian cuisines. Among all, the Thai restaurant Baanhuraa was exceptional. Very lovely and friendly staff who we enjoyed their company. The second time we went there, we were surprised that they acknowledged what we liked first time and treated us specially. They have exceptional curry dishes that cannot be missed. Truly exceptional hospitality and tailored personal treat we had at Anantara. An unforgettable honeymoon experience

Firas

Overwater villa with private pool was beautiful, well designed and had all the amenities required. The villa host was very responsive and helpful with arranging everything. All of the staff were friendly and hospitable. We had a slight problem with a panel falling down in the room but this was sorted out immediately and we were offered a massage to compensate. Whilst there are a variety of restaurants, some of the food was average which wasn’t expected given the high prices that were being charged. Most of the food was at a high quality, specifically the sea fire salt restaurant where the steaks and seafood were excellent. Snorkelling from the sister island is also very good with a huge variety of different fish, we even saw sharks and an octopus. The dolphin sunset excursion was an incredible once in a lifetime opportunity, saw loads of dolphins and they came right up to the boat. Highly recommend this resort.

Bharat Mepani

Our stay at Anantara Veli Maldives Resort was truly exceptional and one of the most memorable holidays we have ever experienced. We chose this beautiful resort to celebrate my 50th birthday and to spend some quality time together as a couple, and it exceeded every expectation. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with genuine warmth, kindness and heartfelt hospitality. What impressed us most was the curiosity and sincerity of the staff. They didn’t simply provide excellent service, they took the time to get to know us, remembered our names, asked about our day and shared in our experiences. It created such a personal atmosphere that we genuinely felt like part of the Anantara Veli family rather than just another pair of guests. A very special thank you goes to Ali, our resort host. He was simply outstanding throughout our stay. He was always available, incredibly attentive and proactive, making sure every detail of our holiday was taken care of. Whether it was answering questions, arranging activities or simply checking that everything was perfect, nothing was ever too much trouble. Ali’s professionalism, warmth and genuine care made a huge difference to our experience. The Yoga and Spa teams also deserve special recognition. The yoga sessions were peaceful, expertly guided and became one of the highlights of each morning. Practising yoga with a stunning view over the beach while listening to the gentle sound of the waves made each session incredibly calming and deeply relaxing. They allowed us to slow down, reconnect and appreciate the beautiful surroundings. The spa treatments were equally exceptional, professional, relaxing and restorative and left us feeling completely refreshed. One experience that will stay with us forever was the snorkelling programme. My wife was understandably nervous about snorkelling in open water, but Affan, our snorkelling instructor, was exceptional. His calm, patient and encouraging approach completely transformed her confidence. He took the time to explain everything, never rushed her, and made her feel safe every step of the way. Thanks to Affan’s expert guidance, she went from feeling anxious to confidently swimming alongside reef sharks and graceful stingrays, something she never imagined she would do. Watching her overcome that fear became one of the most special memories of our trip, and we are incredibly grateful to Affan for making it possible. The resort itself is absolutely beautiful. The island is immaculate, every path and public area is meticulously maintained, and the villas are modern, spacious, stylish and spotlessly clean. You can see the pride every member of the team takes in maintaining such an incredible environment. Combined with the crystal-clear lagoon and breathtaking scenery, Anantara Veli truly feels like paradise. What made this holiday especially meaningful was that it gave my wife and me the opportunity to reconnect. Life can often become busy, and this week allowed us to slow down, enjoy each other’s company, and make memories together as we celebrated my milestone 50th birthday. We returned home feeling rested, grateful and closer than when we arrived. To everyone at Anantara Veli Maldives Resort, thank you. Your warmth, professionalism and genuine kindness made this far more than a holiday, you created an experience we will treasure for the rest of our lives. We leave with wonderful memories, new friendships, and every intention of returning in the future.