Island Hideaway – Natural northern beauty

Resorts

Publicerad: 2009-10-21

In the most northerly atoll of the Maldives, Haa Alif, you can find the exciting resort Island Hideaway on Dhonakulhi. Despite the fact that the resort opened without any fuss at all in 2005, it's been a bit of a sensation from the beginning. Reminding of Huvafen Fushi in the way that it has raised the standard for tourism in the Maldives, but in a more natural, rustic (but just as luxurious) way. As little as humanly possible has been done to the glorious, junglelike interior and beaches. Very Robinson. On an large island, the size of Kuredu, but with as few as 43 villas, there are, literally, oceans of space. In this day and age maybe that's the ultimate luxury.

maldiverna maldives island hideaway sunset

If you lacking yur own jet or yacht (Island Hideaway has it's own Marina with 20 spots for guests preferring to arrive on their own boat and permission to land on Hanimadhoo for visitors with a private airplane) you will need to take a domestic flight from Male with friendly Maldivian Island services. ”SAS with a smile & tan”. I have made the trip myself recently (October 2009) and like to calm people who, like myself, are a tad lazy, that it's no trouble at all. Just make sure your international flight arrives fairly close to the Maldivian domestic departure, Island Hideaway can help you with that. The scenery flying north is absolutely breathtaking, even for the most hardened globetrotter. Might not be quite as exotic as transfer with a seaplane, but much less hot and noisy. Takes about 45 minutes. Landing on Hanimadhoo I got to experience something truly rare. Walking across the runway towards the airport building we were overtaken by the guys with our luggage. How unusual is that?

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Dhonakulhi - As green as they come

Outside arrivals my Thakaru (means "butler" in divehi) Bokery (his name is really Hussein) brings me and my luggage to the speedboat that will get us to the resort in 20 minutes. Greg Williams, General Manager and Janine Rueger, Guest relations manager, welcome us on the arrival jetty and make sure everything is ok, and before I can say ”Thanks for the champers” I am driven to my Dhonakulhi Residence. Fivehundred and fifty (550) m2 of heavenly bliss tucked away in the lush jungle with flowers, sparkling with colour, along the pathway to my front door. Picturesque paradise. Not a neighbour in sight (or hearing). Privacy - yes please. Barefoot chic inspired by Soneva Fushi (no bad influence) but better still. Just like the island the living space seems endless, generous, airy. From the bedroom, and living room, double glassdoors opens up to a plunge pool and a veranda for relaxing. Through the greenery I can see the turqoise ocean lapping the shore and a "sala" and undholi. There is absolutely no way I would know there was anyone else around. Walking to the beach I can see kilometers of untouched Maldivian sand and a vast aqua lagoon. All by myself.

maldiverna maldives island hideaway beach

Darling Bokery is, however, never farther away than a push of a button. His work means keeping me happy 24/7. Something he does wonderfully, discreetly and friendly. If you prefer not to stroll along the cute winding paths on the island you can call for a golf buggy. In no time at all a chauffeur from Nepal (they're all from Nepal for some reason or other. Very sweet guys) is by your gate to take you wherever you'd like to go. Bokery serves me at all my meals, confirms plane tickets, takes me snorkeling, takes care of my laundry. Funny when he brings back my H&M bra wrapped up in crispy white silk paper inside a pretty little lidded box. I sure that bra has never travelled in such style before. Bokery is really cool and definitely does not feel like some kind of servant, rather the opposite; he feels like (he is) a very caring friend. He loves his gossip and has, after having sworn me to secrecy on my mothers grave (well, grave to be), told me some hilarious inside stories.

maldiverna island hideaway jacuzzi

Accomodation to choose from are; Funa Pavilions, Ramba Retreat, Jasmine Garden Villa, Dhonakuli Residence, Ocean Pavilions och Hideaway Palace. Janine admits that they DO get celebrities here, but above all a fair share of people from the business world and their families looking for total relaxation and escape from their usually more than hectic life. Children ar exceptionally well looked after and catered for here. Perfect for (well heeled) families. Endless space also means that families with children and honeymooners can easily co-exist on the island. Children below 5 years stays here for free which means that it can be a very good deal to come to Dhonakulhi rather than to a less expensive resort that charges almost adult price for children. Worth looking in to. Children between the age of 5 and 12 also stays at nearly nothing rates. God knows there is room enough for everybody in the enormous accomodation. On my way to Hanimadhoo I met an english couple, amazingly sweet and super well travelled Steven and Sandra, on their honeymoon. Sandra had seen an article about the Maldives in an airplane magazine a few years back, picturing a Jasmine Villa on Island Hideaway. When they where deciding where to go for their honeymoon she remembered the picture (that she hrrmm...had torn out of the magazine and saved. A habit her new husband does NOT approve of) of the Jasmine Villa. When I met them in the bar the same night they told me that this went outside anything they'd ever seen before. Like a fairytale. I am not surprised.

maldiverna island hideaway jasmine villa

Jasmine Villa

Tonight my schedule says dinner at Gaafushi with pretty Janine. This restaurant is built on stiles over the water with room for just 26 guests. We eat a delicious dinner and and I blush when (slim and crispy cool) Janine laughingly tells me (curvacious and a bit sunburned) that it is ok to leave some. I stare longingly and without shame, though totally stuffed to the gills, after the remains of the best chicken curry I've ever had. Such a cozy, romantic place to eat your dinner with a softly caressing sound of the sea beneath us. A stone's throw away is the Spa - Island Hideaway spa by Mandara - partly on land, partly over the water. A surprisingly firm handed, tiny Balinese girl gives me a well needed massage while I watch the neon fishes below. A perfumed breeze sweeps over me occasionally. Heavenly. An hour and a slow stroll later I'm at Meeru bar pondering the marvellous resort at sunset. A chilled glass of white and some yummy canapés by my side. The sun lazily creeps down gradually changing colour from nearly white, to yellow, orange and glowing amber and reds before finally disappearing below the horizon. On Dhonakulhi anxiety has been firmly removed. An oasis.

maldiverna island hideaway water suite

Barbeque Night with Bodu Beru – traditional Maldivian dancing.I am lucky enough to dine with the General Manager, the dangerously charming Greg Williams. A laid back, ex-Rugby-playing, aussie who likes to climb (very high) mountains for relaxation. Well, I would have thought the Maldives were quite relaxed enough, but of course the staff, Greg not the least, is making a superhuman effort to make me, and every other visitor, feel exactly that way. The dancing is fun to watch. Greg says he sometimes joins in to great cheering from the staff.

maldiverna island hideaway ramba

Well, how wonderful is Island Hideaway? Aaaahhh, its beyond the reach of any language to describe this haven accurately. Champagne around at every meal. I rest my case.....

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