Velaa Private Island, Maldives is located in one of the Northern Atolls in the Maldives - Noonu Atoll, where it takes approximately 45 minutes via Seaplane from the Male International Airport. The word Velaa means Turtle in local Maldivian language, Velaa Private Island is home to generations of sea turtles. Designed by Czech architect Petr Kolar, the entire island resembles the shape of a turtle, starting with the water villas as the head of a turtle and the island as the body. The overall design concept throughout the resort is contemporary, yet intimate, and a beautiful Maldivian touch. One element that has been frequently featured around the island is the colors and patterns of a turtle shell, you can find beautiful touches in different details when touring around the resort.
What makes Velaa Private Island unique is that the island resort is owned by one person, it is very rare in the Maldives where an island is solely owned. Owner Jiri Smejc is a Maldives addict himself, after spending countless weeks in Maldives, he decided to turn his passion into life.
Accommodations
There are a total of 43 private villas here at Velaa Private Island, including 8 different types of room categories: 9 Beach Pool Villas, 9 Deluxe Beach Pool Villas, 7 Beach Pool Houses (2 bedrooms), 4 Beach Residence (up to 10 guests), and 18 over-water villas (both sunrise and sunset facing). All the accommodations have been designed and curated with ultra privacy and comfort. With private pool and ample space between each villas, combing local materials with luxury and contemporary furnish, each private retreat is designed to give maximum shade, breeze, view and privacy - allowing guests to feel totally relaxed and immersed in nature. Every villa is assigned to your own personal Butler to take care of all your needs and bookings during your stay. Last but not least, there is the Romantic Pool Residence that is located on its own and only reachable by boat, giving even more privacy and exclusivity.
Activities + Spa
There is an impressive and extensive range of water sports activities here at Velaa Private Island, some of the water sports equipments can only be found here amongst all the Maldivian resorts. Besides water sports and diving, Velaa Private Island also has a golf course and plenty of other land sports: such as a outdoor roofed tennis court, rock climbing, squash court, etc… There is also a semi-submarine for those who would like to explore the deeper waters of Noonu Atoll, also the only one in the Maldives!
Showcasing the first “snow room” in the Maldives and the only Cloud 9 machine in the Maldives, the spa at Velaa Private Island prides themselves with a wide range of therapies and treatments for guests to choose from. The spa products that are using here are specially curated by Clarins Paris developed exclusively for the island.
Restaurants and Bars
There are mainly 3 dining restaurants at Velaa Private Island, 2 bars and a beautiful wine cellar.
Athiri & Avi, the main dining here at Velaa that serves all day dining. Fantastic a la carte and buffet style breakfast featuring cuisines from around the world, lots of fresh fruits and healthy options as well.
Tavaru, a beautiful building that is both a wine cellar and a restaurant, it has the largest collection of wine in Maldives, offering guests lots of options including some of the finest like the 1956 Domaine de la Romanée Conti or the old fortified 1870 Balndy’s “Verdelho Solera.” Upper floor is the Teppanyaki restaurant that opens only for dinner, featuring many different set menus for guests to choose from.
Aragu & Cru, the signature restaurant here at Velaa Private Island, also the best spot to watch sunset on the island. This restaurant takes gourmet experience to a new level, often times the owner even brings in Michelin-Chefs from around the world to curate a speciality menu and rotates a different chef every month for the summer! All the ingredients are carefully chosen, using organic produces from around the world, allowing guests to have a wonderful meal.
