Maldives Olu Select Resorts Alisfushi & Sangeli Hotels Review

Heading out to my resort in the Maldives is a feeling unlike any other. Typically when I arrive at a new destination, I walk out of the airport to grab a taxi or a bus, but when my transfer is a yacht speeding out onto open waters, I can’t help but get a sense of heading into paradise where a great adventure and pure relaxation awaits.

With its vast collection of islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, the Maldives stands unrivalled as a destination of natural beauty and idyllic escape. With its crystal clear waters, pristine white sands, and range of accommodations with sea views, this archipelago of 26 atolls has long been hailed as a paradise for travellers looking for the epitome of luxury and customer service.

With each resort occupying its very own private island thus creating a feeling of exclusivity for visitors, the Maldives has traditionally been known as a destination for the well-heeled traveller, with a price to match. This led to the Maldives being known as a holiday destination for honeymooners, holidaying couples and older visitors who could afford the price tag rather than a destination for the younger crowd and groups of friends.

Hoping to change this narrative is The Colours of Oblu, a collection of resorts owned by Atmosphere Core, that wants to challenge some of the misconceptions visitors have about the Maldives. The Colours of Oblu brand is offering a new and accessible way to experience the Maldives by targeting new types of visitors with its affordable plans and price inclusivity. With the opening of OBLU Xperience Ailafushi, an all-inclusive resort where guests can stay for just £170 per person per night, its message is clear, the Maldives can be a great place to visit with a group of friends and it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. This couldn’t have come at a better time when our social media continues to be flooded with envious images of guests staying in water villas or relaxing on pristine white beaches, making the Maldives a desired destination for many who want to come and experience it for themselves.

I stayed in two Oblu Select Resorts, Ailafushi and Sangeli and discovered that you don’t need a special occasion to visit this island paradise. The Maldives can also be enjoyed as a holiday destination with your group of friends or family.

The OBLU Xperience Aliafushi, which opened in June 2022, is a four-star resort with laid-back vibes. In the Maldivian language of Dhivehi, ‘Aila’ means family and ‘Fushi’ means island. Surrounded by azure waters and pristine beaches, Ailafushi invites guests to enjoy its personalised hospitality and facilities. Upon arrival at the airport, guests are welcomed by the airport team and transferred by a complimentary speedboat to the resort, which is a 15-minute speedboat ride from Male International Airport. At the resort, you are welcomed by hotel staff with a cool drink and face towels to refresh yourself after what would have been a very long flight.

Accommodation

The OBLU Xperience Aliafushi is a luxurious resort offering 268 accommodations in four categories. There are 48 ocean-view rooms, 48 ocean-view family two-bedrooms, 66 beach villas and 106 water villas. Each caters to different preferences and budgets.

Ocean view rooms are the standard one-bedroom villas that are smartly designed to maximise space and comfort for guests. They are decorated with white walls, wooden textures, and colourful cushions to create a cheerful, tropical vibe. Ocean View family two bedrooms feature modern amenities, smart storage, comfy furniture, and a contemporary décor. The master bedroom is linked to a second bedroom which comes with a bunk bed.

Beach Villas offer direct access to the beach, providing a serene and private setting. Rooms are spacious with a private outdoor veranda and garden. The interior is designed with a modern yet tropical aesthetic with wooden floors, a plush bed, a sofa, elegant motifs, and vibrant textiles. A walk-in wardrobe leads to a spa-like bathroom with a marble vanity and an outdoor shower surrounded by a garden.

Water Villas are quintessential Maldives and hugely popular with guests. They offer an overwater experience, with villas built on stilts over the lagoon, offering stunning views of the crystal-clear waters below. They feature glass floors, allowing guests to admire marine life from the comfort of their villa. Each overwater villa is shaped like a traditional Maldivian Boat – a ‘Dhoni’, creating a feeling of an intimate hideaway. You enjoy a private deck and can step down the staircase to enjoy a swim.

All-Inclusive Fushi Plan

The resort's culinary offerings are a gastronomic delight. With an array of restaurants and bars serving delectable cuisines ranging from international flavours to authentic Maldivian dishes, guests can embark on a culinary journey that tantalises their taste buds. With the all-inclusive Fushi plan, guests can take comfort in knowing that all meals and a wide range of beverages are included in the cost of their holiday. Element X is the main restaurant on site which has a self-assisted buffet and drinks counter as well as a salad and dessert bar. The restaurant is laid out into five sections; Western, Eastern, Central, Cold Starters and Pastry.

For those evenings when you want to try something different and don’t mind paying extra, there is the Copper Pot Food Truck which is a meat and seafood grill and Only Blu, a specialty dining underwater horseshoe-shaped restaurant. You can watch sharks and a range of exotic fishes swimming by as you enjoy an impeccable modern gourmet meal.

Sangeli Island is located at the northwestern tip of the Male Atoll. This exclusive resort offers an unparalleled retreat, blending lavish comforts with the untouched natural beauty of the Maldives. A 50-minute Speedboat ride from Malé International Airport, this buzzy five-star resort is situated on a leafy, private island with white sandy beaches and turquoise lagoon fringed by dazzling coral reefs.

Accommodation

The OBLU Select Sangeli offers 130 accommodations in five categories. There are 39 beach villas, 14 beach villas with pools, 45 water villas, 26 water villas with pools and 6 honeymoon suites. From overwater villas with direct access to the lagoon to beachfront suites, each type of room is meticulously designed to offer breathtaking views and world-class amenities. The fusion of contemporary design and traditional Maldivian architecture creates an ambience of refined luxury.

I stayed in a stand-alone beach villa with direct access to the beach, complete with an open-air bathroom and a stylish and homey interior which accentuates trendy design styles whilst infusing traditional Maldivian architecture. The leafy resort creates a feeling of isolation and privacy. Sitting under my umbrella and private sun lounger looking out across the ocean, I felt like I had the entire beach all to myself.

All-inclusive Serenity Plan

The SERENITY Plan, a luxurious holiday package, offers an all-encompassing hassle-free beach holiday experience at Sangeli. For dining, the Courtyard is the main restaurant at the resort offering a combination of a buffet service, live cooking stations such as a barbeque grill and themed cuisine nights. For those nights when you want a la carte dining, you have the option of two restaurants. JustWok serves contemporary Pan Asian cuisine with a vibrant menu that carefully curates family-style platters full of flavours. JustGrill is a fine-dining seafood and meat grill.

Adventure and Serenity

Sangeli and Ailafushi Islands offer unparalleled adventures in the Maldives. Snorkelling enthusiasts can explore the mesmerising underwater world teeming with vibrant marine life just a few steps from their villas. The resort offers guided snorkelling and diving excursions to nearby coral reefs, providing an immersive experience in the Maldives' rich biodiversity.

Excursions on offer include sunset fishing where you can try your hand at local line fishing aboard a traditional wooden Dhoni boat, a private full moon cruise, sunset cruises, dolphin watching and guided snorkelling. For the adventure-minded, there are a range of motorised activities such as kayaking and non-motorised ones which include hiring a jet ski.

For those seeking relaxation, the tranquil ELE | NA spa facilities offer a rejuvenating escape where you can indulge in luxurious Maldivian and international spa therapies and treatments amid serene surroundings. ELE | NA is an acronym for the elements of nature; wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Sustainability is at the forefront of this community spa with oils made on-site using natural ingredients from their gardens.

Commitment to Sustainability and Conservation

OBLU Select at Sangeli and Xperience Ailafushi are both committed to sustainable tourism practices. The resorts actively participate in conservation efforts to protect the surrounding marine ecosystem. Initiatives such as coral reef restoration projects and eco-friendly practices contribute to preserving the natural beauty that defines the Maldives. On-site Biologists at the Sangeli give engaging talks and educate visitors on the importance of biodiversity and restoring corals which is an ongoing project. and a partnership with OceanЯ, an Irish brand which creates sustainable apparel and makes eco-friendly beachwear from recycled polyester whilst Ghost Net bracelets sees the team making bracelets from discarded fishing nets which are sold and with profits going to help fund the coral restoration project.

Final Thoughts

OBLU Select Sangeli and Xperience Ailafushi Resorts embody the essence of an idyllic retreat in the Maldives. From their luxurious accommodations and culinary experiences to their commitment to environmental conservation, the resorts offer a harmonious blend of extravagance and nature's splendour. If the Ailafushi is your trendy friend, then the Sangeli is your sophisticated one. Ailafushi is buzzy and laid back, and the Sangeli is upmarket and leafy but both resorts offer their guests a hassle-free beach holiday experience.

For travellers seeking an exclusive escape to a paradise where sophistication meets untouched beauty, Sangeli and Ailafushi Islands promise to deliver an unforgettable stay—a haven where every guest can bask in the beauty and allure of the Maldives.

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