Hurawalhi Island Resort Maldives - A Destination To Disconnect

When your wanderlust spirit is calling and you want to plan a trip to an isolated island in the Indian Ocean to splurge on romance, The Maldives is still one of the preferred destinations to many especially for the just-married honeymooners. Where there are more and more new resorts opening to cater for different market needs, the new comer one-year-old Huralwalhi Maldives Island Resort on the Lhaviyani Atoll  (one of the Maldives’ smallest atolls with just 54 islands) is no exception. Does this bare-foot luxury concept adults-only resort have what it takes to deliver the Maldivian spirit and hospitality whilst feeling the nature creation of its surroundings? mylifestylenews writes.

The Maldives is one of the world’s most geographically dispersed countries, where the hotel industry continues to capitalize on its allure. The Republic of Maldives is spread across about 300sqkm with resorts on islands that form part of the atolls, so not the easiest to navigate. Flying to the Maldives can be quite a frustrating experience, as arriving in Male is only half of the journey to get to your resort where paradise awaits.

Our midflight flight via Dubai arrived to Male Velana International Airport at 7:40am in the morning in order for us to catch the next connecting sea plane (subject to the operator’s ever changing schedule due to the actual day weather condition and other human or technical challenges, delays or cancellations are expected without prior notice).

A further check-in is required at the arrival kiosk upon identifying your pre-arranged hotel’s counter, more like a mini bus terminal quasi cargo workstation with very basic administrative operation. Chaos is expected even with the help of your identified resort representative.

One fine day in Hurawalhi Island Resort Maldives

We were then escorted to a mini shuttle-bus taking passengers to another terminal to board on your own onwarding seaplane to your resort. After a 7-minutes ride, we were dropped off at Huralwahi’s waiting lounge for light refreshment and pre-check in identification. Do not expect any light snack services as there are only self-service hot & cold non-alcoholic beverages available for you to kill some time before you are called to board on the seaplane aka water taxi.

We began to board after an expected short delay and getting ready to head north for another 138 km. Pilots are dressed in shorts and flip-flops and the footwear was taken off while flying with a “luggage officer” who stacked all your hand carry bags without much mercy like a tomb stone piling up at the back of the sea plane. Think of a ruwndown taxi with contaminated carpet on a rainy day where air-conditioning is not working and suffocating before or during takeoff asphyxiated by the carbon monoxide fumes. It is not as glam or chic as you think by sitting on the tiny and narrow unadjustable seat with a still position.

Despite the view from above looking down at how different atolls are formed to be fascinated, at that point of time, all you want is to get off the plane with the fastest speed that you can. Our body were soaked and feeling unpleasant especially after an overnight flight, so feeling fatigued and in need of a freshen up.

A tortured 40 minutes ride with two stops ferrying the arriving and departure guests enroute to their designated resorts, we disembarked on the Kuredu island to get a further connect on a 10 minutes speed boat ride. We arrived in one-piece at Huralwalhi Island Resort received by a mini troop formed by the hotel front line team with welcoming gong play to escort every one of us to the front desk for the final check-in. The travel nightmare is over, at least for now.

The Ocean Villas in Hulrawalhi Island Resort

The Ocean Villa view from the private deck look out.

The resort infinity pool

Our 105sqm over-water Ocean Villa with sun-rise view facing has a direct access to the lagoon and a private sun deck with lounges. Well polished teak flooring with his and her closets and sinks are offered and colored cushions juxtapose the natural warmth of the décor with a large Kingsize bed looking out to the ocean.

A wooden sliding door next to the bed leads to the bathroom, the standing shower is rather too big in terms of the entire bathroom size, as it only creates emptiness without much of a design element given. The half glass tiled wall is the only separation to avoid water splashing into the dry area. A bathtub would be ideal to give more life to the entire bathroom. The comfort level, amenities in room, the view, all checked. But in terms of elegance and luxury factors where the resort is striving to project for a 5 star facilities, it is rather disappointing.

Don’t be too intimidated when you see some of the staff coming to greet you with their bare-feet as the resort encourages barefoot living. Why not especially where the luminous white beaches and soft silky-like sands awaits you and it is all around you to see and to feel it for yourself. Spot on! Yet, it would still be nice to see someone with their shoes on in the restaurant during breakfast, lunch or dinner, not only for the safety concern but also a kind of self-respect at the dining table.

The resort has 3 main restaurants and 3 bars. Besides the all-day dining Canneli Restaurant and the Aquarium Bar/Restaurant, the 5.8 Undersea Restaurant is their highlight. There are quite a few activities offered here besides just laying around the beach: soaking up the sun by the infinity pool; listening to the breeze at your villa’s sun deck; snorkeling or diving excursions - a must-do when you are in the Maldives. Be amazed by the diverse fish life and the reef, a unique community of Green Sea turtles. 

The service in Canneli Restaurant is rather attentive yet lacking of a touch of warmth and pro-activeness to make guests feel at ease and enjoy themselves more. Telephone manner is also deficient with no name greeting and taking more than 8 rings to pick up on an average counts. We missed our wake-up call one day where we needed to postpone one of the excursions to Dream Island. Be alert and remember to reconfirm your departure seaplane’s schedule especially when you have an international connection flight to catch as pre arrangement by the staff may differ from what your actual schedule should be.

The Aquarium Bar/Restaurant

If none of these activities interest you, a Sunset Cruise with dolphins watching is the next best alternative despite no alcohol is served on board but only a pre-cruise mocktail offered before you set on your journey. For non water activities, the resort has an in-door game room and a fully furnished gym for you to burn a few more calories after your numerous meals of indulgence.

Sunset cruise with dolphin watching

Further to that, you may also book yourself a spa treatment at the DUNIYE Spa to reconnect your inner self and rejuvenate your body and mind.

There is no shortage of resorts in the Maldives and there are plenty of new comers that can offer you a truly charming retreat or to some, a life time experience to celebrate luxury and high life by indulging themselves to embrace nature, serenity and tranquility for a most exquisite vacation in which to be able to disconnect. 

With Huralwalhi Island Resort added on the map, they have a long way to go in providing the precise hospitality which others are already renown for. First is first, back to the basic: To re-connect.

Tried & Tested:

Location: 5/5

Design & Decor: 3/5

Service: 2.5/5

Food & Beverage: 4/5

Value For Money: 3/5

Experience: 4/5

Hurawalhi Island Resort Maldives

Lhaviyani Atoll, Hurawalhi Island
Republic of Maldives
Tel: +960 662 2000

Reviews are based on actual day of visit and experience. mylifestylenews reserves the right of final decision in case of any disputes. All images are photographed by mylifestylenews team without any photoshop enhancement and are the property owned by mylifestylenews unless otherwise stated.