As the Marketing Assistant working for Hummingbird for just over a year, I visited the Maldives for the first time in November of last year! I explored the North and South Malé Atolls, visiting Anantara Dhigu, Niva Velassaru and Baros Maldives, all of which exceeded my expectations.
First Stop: Anantara Dhigu
Anantara is made up of three interconnected islands: Dhigu, Veli, and Naladhu, I was staying on Anantara Dhigu, the bigger and more family friendly of the three.
Guests staying at Dhigu can visit Veli (primarily adults, with one restaurant allowing children for dinner only, booked in advance). Guests at Veli have full access to Dhigu, while Naladhu sits in a category of its own. Naladhu guests are referred to as Residents and can access both Dhigu and Veli, but no guests are permitted onto Naladhu, reinforcing its ultra-private, residential feel.
Transfers between Dhigu and Veli are effortless via a pontoon boat running every five minutes, no booking required. Anantara also offers a shared professional photographer across all three islands, a great touch for capturing memories.
Staying at Anantara Dhigu
We arrived by speedboat and were immediately welcomed with coconuts and friendly staff before checking into our Sunrise Overwater Villa. Even with moody weather, the villa was stunning, incredibly spacious, with a large deck, hammock, and sun loungers perfectly positioned to catch the morning light.
The bathroom was unexpectedly huge, with a bathtub overlooking the lagoon (worth noting when swimming you can peer in, but they have blinds that can be pulled as well!)
Dhigu has the most activity on the island, making it ideal for families. The kids’ club offers creative activities like cupcake making and leaf painting, while the teens’ club includes football games, racing simulators, hammocks and multiple sports courts. I also loved the Chef’s Garden, where Maldivian chillies are grown and where vegan and Thai cooking classes take place.
The overwater spa at Dhigu is a standout, treatments include underwater viewing windows, outdoor massage rooms, and complimentary access to hot and cold plunge pools, sauna and steam room, all overlooking the sunset.
Dining Highlights at Anantara Dhigu
Our first evening included Maldivian Night, where guests and staff wore traditional sarongs and mingled over cocktails and canapés. Later, we dined at Sea Fire Salt, Dhigu’s signature restaurant. The atmosphere was lively yet refined, and the food genuinely impressed:
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Yellowfin tuna with broccoli, amazingly fresh
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Tenderloin steak with truffle mash, cooked to perfection
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Sous vide octopus – one of the best we’ve had!
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Cold chocolate lava cake & Basque cheesecake, both rich and beautifully balanced
The upstairs adults-only bar (accessible to Veli guests) offered incredible sunset views, a perfect pre- or post-dinner spot.
The following day included a full resort tour across Dhigu, Veli and Naladhu, giving insight into the contrast between each island. Naladhu immediately felt different, quieter, more residential, and deeply private. Each beach house has its own key, Maldivian plant name, private cabana, expansive living space and the largest pools across the three islands.
We ended our stay with a nurse shark and stingray excursion: thrilling, nerve-wracking, and unforgettable. It’s definitely best suited to confident swimmers, but incredibly special for those adventurous guests.
Next Stop: Niva Velassaru
Authentic Island Luxury & Marine Life
We stayed at Niva Velassaru for two nights in a Beach Villa with Pool, and it quickly became one of my favourite stops of the trip. The villa was beautifully designed, with a lush outdoor bathroom, private pool and direct beach access completely secluded and serene.
On arrival, we relaxed on our loungers with complimentary champagne and snacks, a lovely welcome touch. Lunch at Vela was exceptional, the tuna filet with coconut rice and mango salsa was easily one of my favourite meals of the entire trip.
Velassaru has an incredible sense of space, especially around the overwater villas, where the beach is vast and perfect for photography. I also loved the small, thoughtful touches of sunscreen stocked in the minibar (a lifesaver!) and signage explaining the fish around the house reef, making snorkeling more exciting.
Dining Standout
Dinner at Sand, Velassaru’s iconic feet-in-the-sand dining experience, was magical. Our private gazebo created an intimate atmosphere, and standout dishes included reef fish ceviche, tuna tartar, half-pound lobster and tiramisu. We even stumbled upon cinema under the stars on our walk back.
Excursions & Spa Treatments
The next day’s adventure snorkeling trip was unforgettable, Bolifushi reef was teeming with colourful fish, and we spotted three turtles, with dolphins appearing on the return journey. While the house reef is lovely, this excursion is an absolute must.
Our final morning ended perfectly with a couples recharge massage at the overwater spa, followed by tea, sorbet, sauna time and a dip in the infinity pool, the ideal send-off.
Final Stop: Baros Maldives
Intimate Luxury & Exceptional Marine Life
Baros was the most intimate resort we visited, and from the moment we arrived, it felt incredibly personal. After check-in with cold towels and juice, we were taken to our Beach Villa with Pool, which I absolutely loved, the outdoor bathroom and direct ocean access felt unbeatable. Baros never felt crowded, even at high occupancy, and the service was exceptional throughout.
Dining Standout
Dinner at The Lighthouse Restaurant lived up to every expectation. Cocktails upstairs at Lighthouse Lounge were followed by a spectacular meal, lobster bisque prepared tableside, sea scallops, mahi mahi and wagyu steak, finished with hazelnut soufflé and chocolate cake. Definitely a must try experience while staying on the island!
The next morning began with sunrise yoga on the Lighthouse deck, followed by breakfast at Lime, a mix of buffet and à la carte options. The truffle mushroom eggs benedict was a surprise favourite.
Snorkeling the House Reef
Baros’ house reef snorkeling exceeded all expectations. With guidance from the dive team and professional photos included, we spotted turtles, blacktip reef sharks, moray eels, sea stars and vibrant coral life, easily one of the best house reefs I’ve experienced.
Maldivian Touches
Our final evening included Maldivian Night at Cayenne Grill, where the make-your-own curry station was a standout, incredibly fresh, flavourful and interactive. A thoughtful surprise of Baros merchandise in our villa that night was the perfect final touch.
Final Thoughts
This trip showed me how diverse the Maldives truly is, whether you’re looking for multi-island flexibility, vibrant marine life or intimate, ultra-personal luxury, each of these resorts delivers something completely different, yet equally memorable.
For families, I would recommend Anantara Dhigu, you can't beat their family friendly set-up. For young parents, couples or any other groups, I would recommend Niva Velassaru, we saw many young parents and couples here, as the resort has a calming, laid back atmosphere. Baros I would recommend for couples and adults, they had a ton of long stay/return guests which speaks volumes about their service and overall island set-up, but they don't allow children under 8, so definitely a more adult focused resort.
