THE MALDIVES | VELASSARU ISLAND RESORT.

A friend once told me that one never forgets the colors of Maldives. It’s one of those magical places whose enchantment stays with you forever. At that time, I did not really understand what she meant. I was never crazy about visiting Maldives because I had the impression I would be bored there after a day or two—even if I was stuck on a beautiful island and staring at the magnificent blue ocean all day long.

How happy was I to be proven wrong! My family and I spent the most amazing week in the Maldives, and I can now say firsthand that it deserves its reputation as one of the world’s must-visit places. It is paradise! It’s probably one of the most beautiful and most photogenic places on earth. If you count each island, you have almost 2,000 reasons to visit Maldives!

VELASSARU RESORT MALDIVES

Worlds away, floating in the Indian Ocean, Velassaru Island Resort is just a 25-minute speedboat ride from Malé. Nestled amidst enchanting tropical greenery, spectacular white sandy beaches, and crystal-clear waters, it was the perfect hideout for our family.

The place offered the consistent sense that you were in the best of hands. The staff at Velassaru made us feel right at home with their welcoming smiles and impeccable service from the moment we checked in until we checked out. They were always accessible, amicable, and ready to assist.

I loved our beachfront island-style villa, which was wonderfully secluded and surrounded by tropical foliage overlooking the ocean. It was spacious, with a one-of-a-kind outdoor bathroom, and well equipped with everything necessary to render our stay comfortable. Our welcome hamper included a bottle of champagne and delectable bites. But the best part was undoubtedly falling asleep and waking up to sight and sound of the ocean.

The resort has five restaurants and two bars offering gourmet flavors from around the globe. My favorite was their hearty breakfast buffet spread. I loved swinging by the juice station for some freshly squeezed celery juice goodness before heading over to the crepe station for some “Crepe au Chocolat” treat to accompany my morning coffee. After a great morning meal, we spent the rest of the day basking in the beauty of the island, taking dips in pristine turquoise waters and taking long walks on white sandy beaches.

The Maldivian archipelago is teeming with an array of different species of fish. For my 37th birthday, my husband surprised me with a dolphin-watching sunset sail on a traditional dhoni organized by the resort. It was an astounding experience. Being up close with these beautiful creatures filled my heart with so much joy and gratitude for life and all the beauty around us. Sharing the moment with my family made it even more special.

Sunsets in the Maldives are no less than breathtaking. Each day we looked forward to golden hours at the Chill Bar, an idyllic outdoor bar perched over the water. It was the perfect spot to unwind with a glass of bubbles while catching the sunset accompanied by relaxing live band music.

Alas, all good things must come to an end. Seven days flew by in a heartbeat. It was time to say goodbye again with nothing but good memories. Our stay at Velassaru Resort Maldives was an experience I would recommend to anyone. It doesn’t matter whether you end up in a water bungalow with a pool or a beach villa like we had. All views were stunning, all paths led to the beach, and the service was beyond our expectations.

Our getaway may be over but the colors of Maldives remain vibrant in my mind.

Lora by Lora.