Villa Nautica - Maldives

Location & Accessibility 9/10

Villa Nautica is located in the South Malé Atoll, making it easily accessible from Malé Airport. The speedboat transfer is quick and efficient, with a boat ride of only 20 minutes. The speedboat itself is not particularly luxurious, but it’s a practical way to get to the island quickly. We were given life jackets when boarding, and the sea was calm, making the journey comfortable. There were a few other guests on board, which made for a relaxed start to the vacation.

First Impressions & Arrival 8/10

Villa Nautica is a luxury resort in the Maldives with the great advantage of being just a 20-minute speedboat ride from Malé Airport. This makes it a very accessible option for those who don’t want to travel too far after landing. My stay here was extra special as I won this trip in collaboration with Villa Nautica and Evarae Official. Having previously visited the Maldives, I was curious to see how this resort would compare to my past experiences.

Upon arrival at Malé, I immediately noticed that Villa Nautica does not have a dedicated airport lounge, which some other luxury resorts do provide. While this was a minor drawback, there was an upside: we were able to board the speedboat immediately, with no waiting time. After a short and smooth boat ride, the island came into view, and my first impression was that it felt quite large, especially compared to some of the more intimate islands I had visited before.

As we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by the staff and offered a refreshing welcome drink. During check-in, we filled out a short questionnaire to personalize our stay. Then, a buggy took us to our villa, ready to start exploring everything the resort had to offer!

Accommodation 7/10

One bedroom Suite

We were fortunate enough to stay in an overwater villa, a suite with one bedroom; the second-largest room on the island. There is another suite with two bedrooms, but this one was perfect for us. The villa was extremely spacious, with a separate living area, a huge walk-in closet, and a bathroom that was very roomy with two sinks. The shower was so large that you could comfortably fit four people at once (not that we needed all that space!). The bedroom itself was also spacious, offering plenty of room to relax.

The terrace was a highlight, featuring a private pool, two sunbeds, a table with chairs, and a jacuzzi for ultimate relaxation. The interior was not overly modern, with darker colors, but it was still very comfortable. The villa had a minibar, but this was charged separately since we only had full board. I would highly recommend opting for all-inclusive if you’re staying here, especially on the Maldives.

An added luxury for overwater villa guests is the exclusive access to a private restaurant. If you’re lucky, the distance to the restaurant is quite close, making it very convenient. Guests staying in other rooms are not allowed to dine here, which adds to the feeling of exclusivity and privacy.

A downside was the dead coral under our villa, which made the water appear a bit dark grey-blue. Some villas do not have this, and unfortunately, ours did. On the plus side, the bed was comfortable, and the villa had two toilets, one near the entrance and one in the bathroom. Lastly, the walk-in closet was truly a dream come true for any fashion lover.

Facilities & Activities 8/10

During our stay, we had the chance to enjoy some relaxing and adventurous activities. One of the highlights was the one-hour massage, which was included in our stay. It was an absolutely wonderful experience – the massage itself was fantastic, and the setting was incredibly peaceful and soothing.

We also booked a dolphin sunset cruise, which was a fun experience. Unfortunately, the boat was not very comfortable, and the weather wasn’t on our side (the sea was a bit rough). However, we did manage to spot a few dolphins, which made the trip worthwhile!

It’s important to note that the hotel does not have a house reef, so the underwater wildlife is somewhat limited. However, we did take an exciting excursion to a sandbank, which was a real treat! We had the whole sandbank to ourselves, which made it feel very exclusive. A tip: be sure to apply plenty of sunscreen – the combination of snorkeling and the sun on your back can be dangerous!

Afterwards, we went to a snorkeling spot to see sea turtles. Honestly, the underwater sights weren’t as spectacular as expected. We spotted two sea turtles and some dead coral, along with some fish, but nothing extraordinary. Swimming skills are important for this activity since you’re in the open ocean, and you also need to be careful when returning to the boat. It requires a bit of technique to get back on board after jumping into the water.

One of the absolute highlights of Villa Nautica is the infinity pool. It’s truly stunning, with a great view and the perfect spot to unwind. The lounge chairs are comfortable, but make sure to get there early, as it can get crowded, and you might miss out on a spot. If the pool area is full, there are also plenty of beachside spots available to relax and enjoy the views.

As for other activities, the hotel offers a fitness center – it’s not huge, but it has everything you need for a good workout. There are also ping pong tables, and tennis courts that are located in the shade, making it comfortable to play even on hot days. Additionally, there are various water sports activities available, though we didn’t take part in them ourselves.

Dining Experience 7.5/10

During our stay, we primarily used the buffet restaurants. One of the main ones was Bageecha, which was quite busy and large, given that it’s the main buffet and accessible to all guests, including those who are on the full board package. While there was a lot of variety in the food offerings, it wasn’t really to my taste because of the large crowds and the size of the buffet. For me, it felt a bit overwhelming.

On the other hand, The Lagoon restaurant was much quieter and offered a more relaxed atmosphere. It had a lot of dishes inspired by Indian cuisine, and in the evenings, there was live music, which created a lovely ambiance.

Since we were there for Valentine’s Day, we had the option to participate in the Valentine’s dinner on the beach, which came at an extra cost. The setup was absolutely stunning – it felt like a dream, and I would highly recommend it for anyone looking for a special experience. The food was good (not wow, but definitely tasty), but it was the atmosphere that really made it unforgettable. Just take a look at the pictures – it was a true highlight!

We also spent some time at the Cocoon Lounge, which was a very cozy place to hang out. The cocktails were delicious, and we enjoyed the laid-back vibe. You could also smoke shisha here, which added to the relaxed ambiance.

Overall Value 8.13/10

When it comes to price-to-quality, Villa Nautica is definitely a good option for those looking to visit the Maldives without breaking the bank. Considering the amenities, the experience, and the stunning surroundings, it offers good value for money. While the Maldives can be quite expensive, Villa Nautica stands out as a more affordable choice compared to many other resorts in the region, especially when you consider the quality of service and accommodations.

Of course, it's still a luxury destination, but in comparison to other Maldivian resorts, it feels relatively budget-friendly, making it an excellent choice for those who want to experience the Maldives without going overboard on costs.

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