Unforgettable Bliss at Huvafen Fushi

We spent four nights at Huvafen Fushi in a lagoon bungalow with pool, and our experience was nearly perfect. It’s so perfect that we’re thinking of altering our March 2026 plans to come back. We divided our stay between Huvafen Fushi and another resort within speedboat reach of Male; our transfer was smooth. It was a shared transfer, which we expected, so our concern was avoiding long waits at the airport—and indeed, we didn't. After arriving from the first resort, we were quickly taken to Huvafen’s airport lounge. It was cool, quiet, and we were offered chilled water; a twenty-minute wait was quite pleasant. We then boarded the boat for Huvafen. Upon arrival, our butler Nihan was with other guests, so Sope (if I caught the name correctly) led us to our villa, and we met Nihan later. Nihan was delightful, friendly, and very prompt on WhatsApp. We requested an additional yoga mat and more water for the bungalow, which were swiftly delivered. We adored the bungalow. We were in the entry-level lagoon bungalow with pool, number 24, quite far out on the pontoon—a feature we loved, with its serene views. The deck was one of our favorites. With lounge chairs, an umbrella, a pleasantly warm private pool, and a covered Bali bed ideal for shade seekers, it was perfect for us. The bathroom tub was among the best we’ve enjoyed—spacious and filled with hot water. Plus, the shades had remotes, useful for privacy while enjoying the fantastic lagoon views, though having neighbors on our last day made us thankful for the blinds! There was a lovely separate space with his and her closets and a luggage rack—having a spot for suitcases was great. There were also Diptyque amenities in the bathroom. A key tip: pay attention when your butler demonstrates how to switch all the lights off—I didn't and had trouble handling them at bedtime. The toilet was a bit advanced for us, making unexpected beeps and funny decisions that had us laughing. The food at Huvafen ranks among the best we've tasted in the Maldives. Breakfasts were fantastic, featuring an a la carte menu and an air-conditioned buffet. A gentleman kindly prepared fruit platters, and an exquisite array of German honeys, jams, hot meals, and countless pastries awaited. Nihan mentioned Anya as the pastry mastermind, and whoever crafts those cruffins and Berliners has my lasting praise. We also enjoyed lunch at Fogliani's, though note that the pizza is ample for two, and don’t forget it's warm, so aim for a seat by the fan. We had three dinners at Celsius and one at Salt, regretting not having booked more at Salt. The Italian dishes at Celsius were surprisingly superb. All dinners sat by the water’s edge provided views of sharks as we dined. Snorkeling is a passion of mine, though winds were high during our visit. The turtle excursion was choppy yet enjoyable. I also tried snorkeling the drop from Salt to the pool; it was decent, hinting at nice anemones. Sope advised avoiding snorkeling off ocean bungalows due to strong currents. Also, I avoided entering the ocean from our bungalow because of strong winds and a few titan triggerfish. I suspect this area would shine in the high season—yet another reason to return! Huvafen slightly lacks in beach and walkability. While the island's interior is lushly manicured with wildlife, buggies whip around, hindering leisurely strolls. We didn’t find a way to circumnavigate the island on the water side or find lengthy stretches of sandy beach. A charming segment lay by the beach villas, yet it was short. Stunning sunsets graced our stay, helping us hit our daily step goal. The Huvafen team impressed with warmth and hospitality. Our housekeeper, Ikram, was remarkable, tidying twice a day with us hardly glimpsing him. I feel owing him an apology for our daily mess, yet he always left us neat. Turndown treats—macaroons, marshmallows, jellies, cookies—were a joy. Nihan, our butler, was equally commendable, forever remembered by my family for casually offering “Would you like breakfast delivered before departure?” The generous array of juices, pastries, toast, yogurt, bircher, and fruit that followed at six in the morning set a high bar after a prior resort's simple croissant box.

Post by _TI***z4 | Oct 15, 2025