Anantara expands portfolio with luxury resort in the Maldives

Anantara has expanded its global portfolio of hotels with the opening of the Anantara Kihavah Villas in the Maldives.

Set on Kihavah Huravalhi, one of the most pristine Maldivian islands, the resort is just 35 minutes by seaplane from Male International Airport. Following the scenic flight, guests arrive to a postcard-perfect setting surrounded by the jewel-coloured waters and uninhabited islands of the majestic Indian Ocean.

A total of 78 spacious private pool sanctuaries, ranging from 260 to 860 square meters, are either poised over the water with sweeping ocean views, or nestled along a pristine stretch of private beach.

Comprising 74 one-bedroom villas and four two-bedroom residences, each hideaway boasts large personal infinity-edge pools, dining pavilions, expansive wooden sundecks and ample lounging areas complete with swinging daybeds, hammocks and sun loungers.

All villas feature his and hers walk-in wardrobes, rain showers, outdoor showers and over-sized bathtubs big enough for two. The sunken glass bottom bathtubs in the over water villas offer a mesmerising view of the sparkling ocean, both below and beyond the adjacent infinity-edge pool.

All the comforts from home, and more, are provided by a Bose home theatre system and iPod docking station, 42-inch LCD television, a custom stocked wine cabinet and in-suite bar, a Nespresso machine, tea facilities, complimentary high-speed internet access and a selection of books for leisure reading.

The two-bedroom residences additionally include an expansive indoor living room, marble flooring, pantry, guest powder room, and sunken bathtubs. To further enhance the experience, all villas and residences are indulged by a discreet yet attentive personal Villa Host 24 hours a day.

Guests at Anantara Kihavah Villas will be spoilt for choice when it comes to dining, with six restaurants and bars each offering a distinctive setting, menu and ambience. Sea. Fire. Salt. Sky. is a signature dining experience. This under and over water gastronomic concept features four venues, each offering a different type of cuisine that is as unique as the perspective.

Oenophiles will delight in the impressive underwater wine cellar, featuring over 6,500 bottles, 320 labels from 14 countries and 22 labels available by the glass. The wine cellar also offers intimate dining for a small number of guests.

At 49 metres, the swimming pool is one of the longest in the Maldives and Sunshine Butlers are always on hand with fruit skewers and cold face towels to cool sunbathers down. Casual lunches of crisp salads and traditional pastas are served poolside. In the evening the upstairs restaurant, Manzaru, transforms into a leisurely Italian delight offering regional specialties.

As the day slowly drifts away with the setting sun, guests can indulge in the ultimate romantic dining with personalised ‘Dining by Design’ experiences, where a specially devised menu is prepared by a personal chef, and served at a table for two in dreamy locations, from an isolated sandbank in the Indian Ocean to the deck of a private yacht - anywhere of the guests’ choosing.

Recreation and leisure facilities include a tennis court, bicycles, fitness centre, boutique, gift shop and a library with a range of books and films as well as iPads. iPad lovers and workaholics on holiday can check-out an iPad just as though they are borrowing a book from the library.

Anantara Kihavah Villas also has a specially-designed Thiththi Boli Kids Club for younger guests of 12 and under, which offers daily complimentary supervised activities including full and half-day programmes, as well as a Kids menu.

The spa at the resort comprises of six over-water treatment suites, a beauty salon and a spa dining concept accompanied by a relaxation area with large sweeping decks and a Jacuzzi that is suspended over the ocean.

Local ingredients play an important role in the treatment menu itself, with some of the therapies drawing on the generous healing benefits of the islands abundant coconut fruits such as the signature Maldivian Massage designed for couples, comprising an essence of white coconut scrub, essence of white coconut wrap, and concluding with an Anantara muscle tension release massage.