A Luxurious Escape into Scenic Serenity
Located in the scenic Raa Atoll, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives offers a blend of modern minimalism, serene relaxation and natural beauty, in true Alila style. This private island retreat, accessible via a picturesque 1-hour seaplane journey from Malé (expect to drop some passengers at another resort enroute), is perfect for those seeking an laidback escape surrounded by the picturesque beauty that the Maldives is famous for.
We stayed in two types of villas at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, so we can give you the low down on what makes each special, and which might be right for you…
The Overwater Villas.
The overwater villas at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives exemplify clean, minimalist design, seamlessly blending modern luxury with the tranquil beauty of the star of the show, the crystal clear turquoise waters. There are three types of overwater villa – Sunset, which we stayed in – these face the island for those who prefer to have some activity in their view, catch the changing sky over the island at sunset, but offer less privacy. Our villa, 201, was the very first of the villas and made for convenient access to boardwalk to the island, near to the beach entrance point for the best snorkelling.
Sunrise villas will also have an island view, but, as the name suggests, face towards the sunrise instead, and may have the least privacy of the bunch as they face towards Umami and Yakitori restaurants, and the aforementioned best entry point for snorkelling the house reef (located outside Umami). If privacy is what you want, opt for the Lagoon View villas, which face out into the open ocean.
The Overwater Villas at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives clock in at 125 sqm, with a king size bed, open plan lounge area, bathroom with double vanity, dressing table, bath and shower with a sliding door that opens to the outdoor deck, great for coming in from the ocean or pool without dripping water throughout the villa. There’s a full-sized bathtub and Alila-branded amenities in refillable containers (the full compliment of razor, loofah, comb and toothbrush are provided). However, a word of caution: there’s a small ledge between the wet area and the rest of the bathroom that might catch you off guard as it did us, every time (!!).
The beds are on the firmer side, complemented by plush pillows—one thinner, one fuller—catering to different preferences. The private infinity pool, while not heated, is ideal for daytime use. And while the hammock adds a charming touch, finding a comfortable position on it in swimwear might prove tricky! A ladder (with rather uncomfortably narrow steps, strangely) provides quick entry into the mesmerising waters below – though the lagoon directly under you doesn’t have a reef that’s easily accessible for snorkelling, you’ll need to take a short walk to the main island for that. If a house reef you can access directly from an overwater villa is a top priority for you above all else, check out our review of Kandolhu Maldives).
The thoughtful touches continue with his-and-her hats, a beach bag, slippers and two types of robes—waffle and towelling—perfect for the island’s hot and humid climate and something we wish more properties would adopt. There’s insect repellent, sunscreen and aftersun get, incase you forgot the essentials, and there’s even pillow mist.
While the in-room television is well equipped connectivity wise, it is rather small at 43” (we really do wonder why they went so small when TVs are so cheap these days), making it less than ideal for viewing from the bed due to the distance, but who comes to the Maldives to watch TV, anyway? (It does come in handy, however, should the weather get a little moody.) The room’s amenities more than compensate, with excellent Wi-Fi connectivity and an abundance of international power outlets, many with USB ports, ensuring that all your devices remain charged and ready. We’re not sure we’ve ever seen a room equipped better when it comes to power outlets (including both sides of the bed, and exactly where you’d want to plug the hair dryer in in the bathroom)!
There’s a Nespresso maker and mini bar also, with wine (two half bottles) and beers (2) included for those on the all-inclusive package – a nice touch given the fact that you cannot bring any alcohol into the Maldives nor is there any duty free, just FYI.
The Beach Villas.
For those seeking more space, the beach villas offer a substantial 202 sqm of luxury, compared to the 125 sqm of the overwater villas. These one-bedroom sanctuaries can accommodate up to four guests and offer a semi-private layout with both shaded and sunny spots, depending on your mood. The large pool and expansive outdoor bathroom—complete with an outdoor shower, large bath, and garden—invite you to unwind in nature. However, the lush garden setting does attract mosquitoes, so it’s wise to keep doors closed and make use of the provided mosquito repellent, bug spray, and plug-ins. The villa also boasts two televisions, with the bedroom TV articulating to be viewed from the bed. These villas are much more private, and should be your choice if you’re bringing little ones to the resort, given the safety issues presented by overwater villas.
If it’s your first visit to the Maldives, an overwater villa is a must – though given the house reef location plus the privacy and space of the beach villas, they’d be our choice should we return to Alila Kothaifaru. Our recommendation? Split your trip between both and enjoy the best of both worlds.
Sunset Views and Snorkelling Adventures
The sunset beach villas are ideally located for easy access to the house reef, a vibrant underwater world mere steps away from your bed where you might even spot a manta ray off the drop as we did. However, those staying in the Sunrise overwater villas will find that snorkelling is not allowed directly outside their villas and they’ll need to head to another part of the island where snorkelling is permitted/recommended.
If turtles are on your must-see list, a Turtle Reef boat excursion is recommended, which runs once a week on Sundays, at an additional cost of $115++ USD per person. On our trip, we did spot some turtles, though visibility was less than ideal, and we had a close encounter with a blue bottle jellyfish, which, while becoming more prevalent in the Maldives, hasn’t been spotted in the immediate area of Alila Kothaifaru. Don’t be like us – bring a rash shirt or wear swim gear that covers your arms and legs if possible.
Dining
Dining at Alila Kothaifaru caters to every palate – though if you love seafood, you’re particularly in luck, as the menu leans towards fish and shellfish options, as one would expect given its location.
Alila Kothaifaru offers half board, full board and all-inclusive packages – the latter is always our preference given Maldivian drinks prices.
The island boasts a range of dining options:
Seasalt is the island’s all day diner, with a menu that includes both international and Asian cuisine, along with themed buffet nights that highlight local seafood and Indian flavours (additional supplements apply accordingly for themed evenings). We loved all of the Asian dishes we tried – and note, the sizings are large!
Pibati is a casual cafe designed for those who want to grab a coffee or something light, but we we found it to be the least atmospheric of the resort’s dining options and honestly, the views are just better elsewhere.
Mirus is the island’s bar neighbouring Seasalt and the main resort pool, and is the perfect spot for enjoying a cocktail and watching the sunset. A resident DJ spins a rather excellent soundtrack from around 5:30 each day – there’s no better place to be on the island to watch the sun come down. They also offer cocktail classes should you be that way inclined (and we were) and the team made our experience a very fun and relaxed one. Don’t miss their signature Mai Tai, coconut Negroni and they make an excellent spicy marg. Get there early to snag the best sunset views, or to snag the sole cornhole board (we did, and I lost. I blame the spicy margs)! You’ll also find a giant chessboard and ping pong table nearby.
Umami serves up fabulous fine dining teppanyaki experiences for up to eight guests, twice an evening, plus a la carte. We recommend doing both during your stay – our teppanyaki meal was the highlight of our culinary experience at Alila Kothaifaru. We enjoyed chawanmushi with caviar, wagyu tataki with truffle ponzu, fabulous chicken in a miso broth cooked en papillote on the grill, tender lamb with wasabi, chilli and salt, followed by a coconut dessert topped with pineapple flambeed on the grill. The restaurant’s sake sommelier also shared some delightful tipples, including a sake bottle that illuminates itself (that’s a new one). Note that the teppanyaki experience is an additional charge.
Yakitori, an offshoot of Umami that jets out over the water, serves up skewers (the wings and mushroom were our faves), edamame, and other light bites until 4 PM, making it a perfect stop for an afternoon snack. Don’t miss the tomato tartare – it’s delightfully sweet. There’s also some bowls on offer – we loved our beef donburi and they even have Kewpie mayo on request (top marks!).
Culinary Activities
If that’s not quite enough to sate your palate, there are a few more things you can add on to spice up your stay at Alila Kothaifaru. Add a floating breakfast for $150++ per tray or upgrade to the Champagne package for $325++. Our floating breakfast was really rather fabulous quality – no complaints here. Start your day with breakfast on a Dhoni (a traditional Maldivian boat) for USD $450++ per couple,
There’s also the Alila Spice Garden, where we enjoyed surrounded by herbs, vegetables, coconut palms, and sugar cane. A four-course vegan or vegetarian lunch can be arranged upon request, offering a unique dining experience.
For those celebrating a special occasion (popping the question, perhaps?) why not indulge in your own private cinema under the stars complete with popcorn, snacks and house wine for $350++ per couple, or for those wanting to go all out, head to The Shack, a small private island off the shores of Alila Kothaifaru, for $790++ per couple (breakfast) or $1250++ per couple (lunch). There’s also a dinner on Saturdays for $450++ per person, including paired wines. Our pick would be The Shack Sundowner, 5-7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays – $195++ per person for Ferrari bubbles and light bites. Sadly we weren’t at the resort over either of these days – it looks like a must-do.
There’s also sushi making, Maldivian cooking classes and cocktail classes as additional supplements, plus a shorter Maldivian cooking demonstration of a local tuna salad that’s complimentary. You shan’t go hungry!
Other Activities
For those interested in cultural experiences, the resort offers a range of activities, including coconut painting, origami, or educational sessions on the history of the Maldives and its culture. Yoga enthusiasts will appreciate the variety of sessions available, from sunrise to sunset. While the resort does not offer motorized watersports or the likes of kayaks, fishing excursions can be arranged, providing another way to explore the stunning marine environment.
There’s a library, if you realllllly tire of the gorgeous ocean views (does anyone?) and a well equipped fitness centre (see previous point).
There is also a small kids club, though if you’re vacationing with family, there are probably resorts out there that are far more kid-centric – this one’s for the grown ups.
Our Verdict
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is a sanctuary of restrained, laid back luxury, offering a perfect blend of modern amenities and natural beauty. Whether you’re staying in an overwater villa or a spacious beach retreat, the resort provides an unforgettable experience. From its thoughtful design to its delicious dining options and immersive activities, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is a destination where you can truly disconnect from the world and reconnect with nature, even if only for a few days…
