Dec 292010
Located in South Nilandhe Atoll, in the south of the Maldives, Vilu Reef is a very welcoming resort. It is clear that the management pay special attention to customer care and thoughtful touches are in evidence all over the island. After touching down on the crystal lagoon, drum beats announce your arrival and smiling hosts bid you “marhabaa” with a refreshing coconut drink in hand before escorting you to your island retreat. Unusual, attractive, circular shaped beach villas are dotted around the perimeter of the beach with a large number of water villas extending from one end of the island via wooden walkways.
The Island
Vilu Reef is a very picturesque island with lush palm fringed beaches, pristine white sand and a turquoise lagoon encircled by the warm coral reef gardens. It is a small island, measuring just 390 x 170 metres, providing a very personalised service in a completely natural setting.
Transfer
By seaplane, taking around 35 minutes.
Accomodation
Accommodation: All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a ceiling fan, room safe, mini bar, IDD telephone, satellite television, sitting area and writing desk. The en-suite bathroom includes hot/cold water, hairdryer and toiletries (with a part open air ‘gifilli’ style bath in the Beach Villas). The Water Villas also have tea & coffee facilities, four-poster king size bed and CD player.
Garden Villas: (20) located in the interior of the island, all rooms are in blocks of two rooms. Each room has its own veranda with outdoor furniture. Basic but perfectly adequate and functional.
Beach Villas: (62) each villa is distinguished by its circular architecture and spiral roof, modelled after the renowned Nautilus shell. Individually appointed teak furnishings, an over-sized day bed and en-suite bathroom with open-air enclosed courtyard for maximum privacy. The adjoining wooden deck and sun lounge complements the natural surroundings. Most villas are tucked amongst foliage right on the edge of the beach.
Jacuzzi Water Villas: (35) these villas are built on stilts overlooking the lagoon. They have an extended timber deck with chaise lounge for private sunbathing, a private jacuzzi and a swim-up platform, which provides direct access to the lagoon via private stairs. Inside, there is a sumptuous four-poster king-sized bed and a generous sitting area appointed with custom made teak furniture.
Honeymoon Water Villas: (5) in addition to all the facilities available in the Jacuzzi Water Villas, these villas offer a separate living room with glass paneling on three sides, providing a stunning panoramic view and also a private steam bath.
Water Villa with Pool: (6) for added relaxation the water villas with pools comprise a large balcony with an extended sun deck, infinity plunge pool, chaise lounges for private sunbathing and a large hammock suspended over the lagoon for those long lazy days in the sunshine. The interior comprises a large bedroom with a double bed, a day bed which can accommodate an additional third person, a dressing area and a bathroom with a large roll-top bath.
Presidential Suite: (1) this water villa offers the ultimate in luxury, privacy and an unparalleled view. The spectacular glass walled living room provides stunning views over the lagoon. The suite comprises of 2 king-size bedrooms with four-poster beds, a luxury en-suite bathroom with designer accessories, a kitchenette and luxuriously appointed dining area. Outside on the double-leveled timber deck is a private plunge pool,open air jacuzzi and chaise lounges.
Facilities
House reef: this resort has the ideal island geography with the superb house reef close-by on one side and the beach with sheltered lagoon on the other. The reef drops off into the atoll’s most northerly channel which means excellent diving and snorkelling. Snorkelling here could bring you face to face with dolphins, grey reef sharks or even whale sharks.
Diving: the PADI dive centre is operated by Sun International Diving School and provides highly professional diving instruction. The resort provides easy access to many of the best dive sites in the region and being one of only two tourist resorts in this atoll, the dive sites are usually fresh and fully stocked. A wide range of options are on offer to suit both the beginner and advanced diver.
Swimming Pool: large pool located close to the Water Villas.
Water Sports: making the best of the vast lagoon, the water sports centre offers a host of activities including windsurfing, catamaran sailing, water ski and wakeboard, canoeing, kiteboarding, fun tubes and banana rides.
Spa: the Sun Spa at Vilu Reef is comparatively large and attractive. A wide range of therapies and pamper packages are offered. At times calming, at times invigorating, their range of services is specially tailored to pamper and knead every trace of fatigue and tension from you.
Shops: the island has a souvenir shop and a jewellery shop.
Child Minding: this can normally be arranged for children OVER 2 years of age with a member of staff on request.
Children’s Playground: there is a small playground in the interior of the island.
Medical: there is a clinic with an in house doctor.
Internet: access is available on the island.
Eating & Drinking
Half Board, Full Board and All Inclusive options are available.
| Nautilus Restaurant: | This is the main restaurant. All the meals are buffet style and offer a wide selection of Western and Oriental options. Weekly theme nights including Maldivian are regularly organised. |
| Sunset Speciality Restaurant: | Serving fresh fish and seafood straight from the ocean, as well as Thai and other Asian specialities. Located on an open-air deck overlooking the lagoon and ocean. Sunset Restaurant also serves an a la carte breakfast for Water Villa guests. |
| Nautilus Bar: | A rustic retreat for cocktails and crab racing. |
| Pool Bar: | Located poolside for an invigorating cocktail or an ice-cold glass of tropical fruit punch. |
Recreation
An enviable range of recreational activities are available at Vilu Reef including water sports and a range of excursions. Come evening, the Nautilus Bar is the socialising hub, with a variety of entertainment including crab racing, live band music and discos.
Excursions: include
Land Sports: beach volleyball, tennis, badminton, table tennis, snooker, billiards and board games are all available.
Water Sports:
Entertainment: discos, Maldivian cultural show, resident band in the bar.
Prices
All our holidays are bespoke, tailored to your requirements. Because of this we operate a “price on application” system. However, this page will give you an indication of the cost of your holiday.
Guide Prices for 2 Weeks, 2 People, Half Board, Including flights from the UK and seaplane transfers:
| This Resort | Type of Resort | Total Price – High Season | Total Price – Low Season |
| Good Value | £4,750 | £3,600 | |
| Vilu Reef | Mid Market | £5,700 | £4,100 |
| Deluxe | £10,500 | £7,500 | |
| Luxury | £11,975 | £8,300 |
High season: Early Jan – End April (prices are higher again over Christmas and the New Year)
Low season: May – Mid July
