Inside the ultra-exclusive Velaa Private Island resort in the Maldives
Situated in the stunning Noonu Atoll, Velaa Private Island is the vision and passion project of Czech entrepreneurs Radka and Jiří Šmejc, who dreamt of a retreat befit for the world’s elite.
The name Velaa means ‘Turtle’ in Dhivehi – honouring the generations of sea turtles that flock there to nest and hatch.
Award-winning Czech architect Petr Kolar was inspired by this namesake, and the 47 stylish villas were constructed to form the ‘head’ of the turtle with the island itself creating the ‘body’ – seen by guests making the 45-minute private sea-plane journey from Malé.
This stunning resort, which has one of the highest return guest percentages in Asia, is making some enhancements in 2025 to truly up the luxury ante.
Forever challenging its own standard of excellence, Velaa Private Island will close for a month in September for a complete renovation of The Kids Club, known as “Lha Velaa”, or “Little Turtle” in Dhivehi.
Inspired by the owner’s daughter’s imagination, the new area will bring everything a child could wish for. Highlights will see fully-expanded facilities and new interactive marine life programmes including nature walks and snorkelling excursions. Little thrill-seekers can also enjoy fly board and flite board lessons, the first of their kind in the Maldives.
An exciting array of exclusive partnerships have also been secured for 2025 with world-leading artists, wine connoisseurs and athletes.
In February, the renowned and award-winning Canadian artist Jared Boechler will join the Island for a series of immersive art workshops inspired by the island’s beauty, whilst in February, expert connoisseurs Didier Depond, President of Delamotte and Salon Champagne, and Ariel Savina of Tiano and Nareno will arrive to Velaa for two exclusive Winemaker dinners.
In May 2025, Velaa will also partner with padel legend Alba Gálan, once ranked 6th best padel player globally.
Having transitioned from her illustrious playing career to become one of the top padel coaches in the world, Alba will be visiting the island for a week of one-to-one sessions, showcasing her skill to Velaa’s guests.
Later in the year in November, Velaa Private Island will also host a Gastronomy Month, showcasing collaborations between Velaa’s Culinary Director Gaushan De Silva and renowned Michelin-starred chefs from around the globe, offering guests exclusive dining experiences in the resort’s signature restaurant, Aragu.
Highlights will include wine-pairing sessions, and ‘four-hands dinners’ in which De Silva will blend techniques and culinary styles with the visiting chefs to create a spectacular tasting menu.
This year also marks a pivotal year for wellness – longevity is set to dominate the sector, and the demand for medical wellness tourism is increasing exponentially.
Velaa is at the very forefront of scaling its product and technology innovations to meet consumer demand – seen in its recently opened, industry-defining ‘Wellbeing Village’.
Comprising a treatment centre, a recently opened open-air yoga pavilion, an air-conditioned Pilates studio, and a high-tech gym with oceanfront views, the Wellbeing Village offers bespoke, multi-day programmes crafted by a team of world-renowned practitioners, all of which combine ancient Ayurvedic principles with cutting-edge wellness and osteopathic practices.
Ahead of arrival, each guest can have an optional, complimentary video consultation with Velaa’s resident Ayurvedic doctor, meaning a schedule is set well before their scenic seaplane arrival.
Programmes can involve blood analysis, body composition analysis, HeartMath biofeedback, genetic insights, and food sensitivity and weight management analysis – of which the detailed insights are transformed into deeply personalised treatment plans.
The amenities are unseen elsewhere across the country – the Snow Room is a first in the Maldives, tapping into the growing cryotherapy trend and offering guests a ‘thermal journey’ juxtaposed with detoxing in the sauna or steam room, whilst the Cloud 9 sensory cloud-like pod uses vibration, colour and sound therapies to induce deep relaxation.
The Wellbeing Village is also home to Faiy, Velaa’s fourth restaurant on the island, and an epicentre for well-balanced, nutritious meals.
Offering thoughtfully crafted menus inspired by often raw, plant-based ingredients, the team will also personalise each dish for each guest, creating a custom menu tailored to their preferences in line with their wellbeing journey.
Velaa Private Island is the only resort in the Maldives – and one of the only few in the world with a two-spa concept.
The Wellbeing Village compliments Velaa’s serene overwater spa, and the therapies used have been developed in partnership with global leaders, such as Dr Burgener from Switzerland.
The stylish 47 villas – 18 of which are over-water – are both supersized and preserve the utmost privacy.
The spacious two-bedroom villas are ideal for families, whilst the Romantic Pool Residence is the perfect option for couples, accessible only by boat, and perched above the lagoon boasting breathtaking, oceanic views.
From private jacuzzis, infinity pools, sundecks with direct access to private lagoons, private gyms, spa treatment rooms, private chefs, and butlers, retractable rooves and even specific positioning to avoid any onlooking from neighbours, the standard of intimacy and exclusivity at Velaa is unparalleled.
Last year, 2024, also saw a complete renovation to the villa’s interiors, introducing details from various world-renowned designers, including Paula Lenti and Davide Groppi, who capitalised on muted tones, creating a calming ambience which permeates through each space of the resort.
An immersive island playground, water lovers can explore the Atoll, taking part in game fishing, or scuba diving sessions in search of sharks and eagle rays.
The resort boasts the Maldives’ only nine-hole golf academy in partnership with, and designed by, two-time Masters Champion José María Olazábal, and guests can also expect tennis, squash and padel courts – including the only covered tennis court in the Maldives.
In addition to Faiy, the resort boasts three spectacular restaurants, two bars – one of which is a Cru Champagne Bar – and the most exclusive wine cellar in the Maldives.
Sri Lankan chef and Culinary Director of Velaa Gaushan De Silva helms Aragu, the first and only Maldivian establishment to have graced Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
Malaysia Airlines’ brilliant Business Class cabin features one of the best seats in the air
WAYFARER flew to Malé via Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines, one of the top carriers in Asia which launched flights to the Maldives on August 1 after a 10-year absence.
Malaysia Airlines offers daily flights to Malé from Kuala Lumpur and in business class, you can expect amazing hospitality, comfortable and spacious seats and top-quality inflight dining headlined by the airline’s legendary satay skewers.
It’s an exciting time for Malaysia Airlines at present, with the oneworld carrier continuing to rebuild its global network alongside launching new routes to Malé in the Maldives, Da Nang in Vietnam and Chiang Mai in Thailand.