Heritance Aarah
A sublime Maldives over-water resort 40 minutes from Male by seaplane
Although the Maldives has no shortage of exceptional luxury escapes, Heritance Aarah is certainly a standout.
A short 40-minute hop by seaplane (provided by the hotel) from the capital Male, the Heritance Aarah focuses on a “Premium All‑Inclusive” approach that combines à‑la‑carte dining, bottomless drinks that aren’t limited to handful of options, selected spa treatments and much more as part of the nightly rate.
Add in a high staff-to-guest ratio along with plenty of attention to detail and you have a serious list-topping contender when it comes to the best stays in the Maldives.
The Villas
Heritance Aarah features 150 island-chic above-water residences that have plenty of breathing space between them, as well as 61 beachfront villas, 10 of which include their own sizable pool.
There are pool and duplex configurations for families who need the space, as well as ocean suites that offer a gigantic floor space, infinity pools and dedicated butler service. As you can imagine, decor feels extra-premium but totally in-line with the expectations of a Maldives bungalow accommodation.
The Facilities
You know it’s going to be a good stay when you hear about the dive centre offering daily safaris, drift dives and manta ray spotting for beginners and seasoned pros. If you want to stay above the surface, you can grab kayaks, SUP boards and even catamarans to go off and explore at your own pace.
On dry land, the Veeru gym is fully kitted out, plus you can book a court for tennis, padel or pickleball if that’s your thing. The Kokaa Kids Club is also a great option to keep younger kids happy for a few hours while the grown ups do some all-important deck sunbathing, or lose themselves in the Medi-Spa. This is marketed as the first IASO medical spa in the Maldives, with Balinese massage, dermatology treatments and various other magical moments available.
Food and Drinks
If you stay for a week, you can almost visit a different restaurant every night, thanks to the six restaurants spanning pretty much every cuisine on earth. From Ginifati’s beach grills to Ralu’s Mediterranean dishes, you can explore Maldivian specialities or stick to home comforts without too much thinking required.
The resort's five bars serve throughout the day, so grab a cocktail from Bandhi and watch the sun go down.
Excursions
Make sure you book onto a half-day trip to the UNESCO-listed Hanifaru Bay, with catamaran trips bookable via the concierge. Much closer, you’ll find Meedhoo Island, offering a great chance to see the true Maldivian way of life and connect with local culture.
Why Book Heritance Aarah?
If you want to go all-out on the Maldives villa life without having to worry about the added extras making the trip unaffordable, then go for this exceptional luxury hotel. Add in the superb restaurant choices and the medical-grade spa and you’ll be fully unwound in no time.
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