Amilla, meaning “My Island Home” in the Dharavi language, is a five-star Maldives hideaway surrounded by the raw, natural beauty of the Baa Atoll.

Opened in 2014, this “island of surprises” is the brainchild of seasoned local hoteliers who have combined a focus on barefoot elegance with sheer bucolic charm. Pull up its map, and you’ll see a sea of green — despite sprawling across 23.5 hectares (making it one of the Maldives’ largest resorts), Amilla has just 67 villas, leaving a remarkable 70% of the island untouched.

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Click to jump to…

• The Hotel
• The Arrival
• The Room
• The Service
• The Activities
• The Restaurants and Bars
• Why Stay?
• The Essentials

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Ancient 400-year-old trees spill onto white-sand coves, while the surrounding turquoise waters cradle a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve teeming with vibrant marine life. Without a doubt, this resort is the perfect place to connect with nature while disconnecting from the outside world.

Here at Amilla, you will experience an award-winning ethos of wellness, sustainability and heartfelt inclusivity, all delivered with effortless luxury — from the warm smiles of the staff to the personal touches that make each moment unforgettable.

Middle East Traveller checked into a Reef Water Pool Villa on a Full Board Meal Plan.

The Hotel

Amilla hums with a magnetic energy, its spirit deeply rooted in its natural surroundings. Unlike many Maldives resorts perched on man-made sandbars, the island has a long local history. That untouched authenticity makes Amilla feel less like a curated escape and more like a living sanctuary.

Here, you can find a rich ecosystem of 2,500 coconut trees and centuries-old Banyan trees, as well as screwpines and sea almonds swaying in the breeze. The jungle is fragrant with hibiscus, bougainvillea and frangipani blooms, and alive with rare and endemic wildlife. During our stay, we spotted day dwelling fruit bats hanging from trees, lizards scuttling across the sand and grey herons tiptoeing in the surf.

Amilla has thoughtfully designed the resort to work with, rather than against, its jungle surroundings. Communal buildings have either open sides or floor-to-ceiling windows to let guests seamlessly connect the indoors and the outdoors, with doors peeking out from behind palm leaves and among tangled vines.

Even the spa embraces nature, with its exterior wall carved to accommodate one of the island’s ancient trees. Amilla takes the concept of a “jungle gym” to heart, offering a zero-carbon fitness area built between towering banyan trees. During a Boot Camp session, I tried a coconut weight machine for the first time and balanced on a beam that snakes its way through the lush jungle.

Sustainability is always a challenge for luxury resorts, yet Amilla’s dedicated team of ecological experts prove that, if properly managed, tourism can uplift, rather than damage, the natural environment.

As well as the use of solar energy and recycled ocean-bound plastic, Amilla pioneers its Homegrown@Amilla program, with the resort’s Mystique Garden growing produce for guests and its 200 staff. Located near Amilla’s very own football pitch, this organic and hydroponics garden is full of herbs, fruits, vegetables and, of course, coconut trees, irrigated by greywater.

The team here has even considered the end life of food— at UNdo the Harm, the resort’s waste management centre, food composted for the garden or fed to the feathered residents of Cluckingham Palace who provide fresh eggs.

The Maldives is 99% water and the world’s lowest lying country, so protecting the marine ecosystem is vital. Partnerships here include the Blue Marine Foundation and NGO Maldives Resilient Reefs, with Amilla helping to train local fisherman in sustainable practices with the caveat that, if they want to sell to the resort, they can’t catch protected species or juveniles.

Amilla also works with and fundraises for the Olive Ridley Project to monitor and conserve turtles that can often be found swimming on the house reef.

Included in this wildlife conservation effort is the rare and endangered white-tailed tropic bird — easy to spot from their long tail streamers. We were introduced to these feathered creatures during a Nature Walk led by Marine Biologist Zoe Cox, who pointed out a nesting site occupied by one of the chicks.

Usually only found on uninhabited islands, Zoe explained how Amilla is the first resort to research the birds, collecting base line data for the government to ensure their protection.

Amilla also ensures all guests can enjoy everything the island has to offer. Inclusion training and initiatives have earned Amilla the accolade of the World’s First Inclusion Certified & Accessible Resort.

Adaptations include ramps, pool hoists that can be transferred to boats for snorkelling, beach wheelchairs, and refurbished villas with lowered mirrors and sinks.

Sustainability also extends into Amilla’s wellness offerings. At Javvu Spa, you can buy products or make your own during interactive workshops from the island’s coconut oil, such as organic deodorant, lip balm, and body soap.

The Arrival

Amilla is around a 45-minute seaplane flight from the Maldives’ international hub island of Malé — but don’t be put off by the distance. Amilla’s first-class service, started the moment we stepped into the resort’s private lounge at Noovilu Seaplane Terminal.

The interior of the lounge is all California beach house, with white wood-panelled walls and elegant yet comfortable cream furniture. At the far end, a floor-to-ceiling window frames views of seaplanes launching into the air from the harbour.

The lovely Naif coordinated our transfer and enthusiastically answered all our questions about Maldivian culture. After encouraging us to help ourselves to platefuls of healthy snacks and barista-made coffee, he handed us single-use bottles branded with the resort’s logo — our ur welcome gift and a first look into Amilla’s sustainable ethos.

All too soon, it was time to leave the world’s largest seaplane terminal and head for the resort. Without a doubt, flying by seaplane should be on everyone’s bucket list. From taking off from the water, to peering into the cockpit, to gazing down at the stunning turquoise-ringed atolls that seemed close enough to touch — every second of the flight was memorable.

When we arrived on the pontoon, the adventure wasn’t over. Waiting for us was a speedboat to complete our journey to paradise. Backdropped by the lush tropical island, the Amilla team waved us in on the dock, where we cooled down with scented towels and sweet coconut drinks. Also welcoming us was Samir, our Katheeb, or guest experience liaison.

This was already my favourite arrival of any trip, but the icing on the cake was the golf buggy waiting to take us to our villa. Showcasing a dedication to guest personalisation, on our buggy hung a blackboard with our names chalked on — a simple but effective touch to truly welcome us to our new island home.

The Room

Amilla’s water villas, perched on stilts above the shimmering Indian Ocean, could easily be mistaken for chic hideaways on a sun-soaked Greek isle, thanks to their crisp white façades and flat roofs. Stretching along a tranquil boardwalk, these minimalist retreats offer two perspectives of paradise — on one side, they gaze out over the turquoise lagoon, while on the other, they drop straight into one of the Maldives’ most vibrant house reefs.

Our villa is a water lover’s paradise, with a show-stopping sundeck offering uninterrupted views of the ocean. RWhether sprawled on the loungers, curled up on the daybed, or drifting in the infinity pool, we couldn’t tear our gaze from the crystal-clear waters below, alive with the dazzling colours of reef life.

Amilla makes it easy to dive in – literally – with complimentary snorkelling gear and steps leading straight from the veranda into the sea. From there, the underwater world is yours to explore. During our stay, we swam alongside graceful Eagle Rays, Parrot Fish, Reef Sharks, and even a Hawksbill Turtle or two.

If you can pull yourself away from the sun and sea, the villa’s interiors are just as captivating. In contrast to the sharp, angular exterior, the inside embraces soft, fluid curves — think an oval free-standing bathtub, egg-shaped modernist chairs, circular tables and round mirrors.

The open-plan design maximises those breathtaking ocean views through floor-to-ceiling windows, while sweeping walls create cleverly hidden pockets of privacy. The layout is as thoughtful as it is chic — a serene bedroom where the bed directly faces the water, a creatively styled bathroom featuring a macramé rope light centrepiece, a wooden ladder doubling as a towel rack plus a sprawling living room anchored by the comfiest, most expansive couch I’ve ever sunk into.

Tucked amid the villa’s elegance are tongue-in-cheek touches that bring a playful edge. The wardrobe holds a laundry bag cheekily labeled ‘The Dirty Stuff,’ while the bathroom features eco-conscious toiletries tagged ‘Back Up Plan’ and ‘Just for Girls’ — all made from recycled ocean plastic. I particularly loved the wooden cubes with fun yet motivational quotes to encourage an eco-friendly stay, such as ‘save water, drink gin’ and ‘cool people turn off the AC when they leave the room’.

Amilla also supplies all the thoughtful extras you might need for your holiday, including flip flops, a sturdy canvas beach bag, and yoga mats. When we arrived at our villa, further personal touches welcomed us.

Outside, like on the arrival golf buggy, were vintage-style bikes, each with a little tag bearing our names hanging from the wicker baskets. Inside, the personal welcome continued with a handwritten card from the team beside a bucket of chilled juice and a plate piled high with delicate pastries. On the king-sized bed, two manta rays were waiting, intricately shaped from palm leaves, swimming gracefully around the words ‘Welcome to Amilla’.

Whether hovering above the ocean or hidden among the treetops, every villa at Amilla offers guests a private pool and generous outdoor space, perfect for soaking in the island’s serene beauty. But what truly sets Amilla apart is its impressive collection of residences. One of the rare resorts in the Maldives designed to accommodate large groups, Amilla boasts eight expansive villas ranging from four to eight bedrooms — tailor-made for multi-generational families or friends traveling together.

The Service

Flexibility and customisation are built into the Amilla experience. Before our stay, we filled in a preference sheet, ticking off our choice of pillows, bed set-up, dietary requirements and more. We also specified what activities we were interested in, which helped inform the tailored itinerary that Amilla created for us.

There’s a warmth to the service that makes this high-end resort inviting rather than intimidating. As we cycled or walked around the island, the team would greet us with a hand on their heart. At breakfast, servers would ask our plans for the day – and with such a varied and broad schedule of activities, every guest’s answer would be different. At dinner, those plans would be remembered and, like friends catching up, we’d chat about what we’d been up to.  

Every day of our stay was peppered with lovely gestures that showed the staff really cared about their work and the guests. If we parked our bikes facing the wall of our villa, we’d come back to them turned the right way round. When stumbling back from our sauna session, woozy with total relaxation, a golf buggy slowed down to pick us up.

A moan about mosquitos magicked a bottle of bug spray. At breakfast, Samma, our lovely server, woke our brains with coffee and logic puzzles laid out on our table. And every night when we got back to the villa, there were nutritious turn down snacks waiting for us full of sleep-promoting compounds.

Although we didn’t travel with kids, we witnessed first-hand how kind staff were to younger guests. When a group of youngsters were climbing a tree, the pizza chef stopped cooking and, instead of telling them off, showed them how to safely play in the branches. At breakfast, there was a dedicated staff member on hand to help kids make their own pancakes and choose from a range of toppings.

Nothing was too much for Amilla’s team, who really went above and beyond to meet our requests. As keen divers and snorkellers, we were excited to be only 15 minutes boat ride from the world-renowned Hanifaru Bay, one of the top 10 snorkelling sites on the planet and among the best places to swim with manta rays. Despite being outside the peak season, the dive centre informed us of a recent manta sighting and took us on a spontaneous trip to swim alongside these gentle giants.

I mentioned to Samir, our Katheeb, that it was our anniversary. On the final night, we were picked up in the golf buggy, expecting to head for the restaurant. To our surprise, Samir led us to a special beach set-up where we enjoyed a romantic moonlit dinner for two under a teepee made of palm leaves, with our favourite sea creature, the manta ray, drawn out on our table.

The Activities

Booking activities was easy thanks to the Amilla app, which shows the daily schedule of complimentary activities and experiences. There really is something for everyone at Amilla, whether you want an action-packed adventure or a relaxing, slow-paced holiday.

During a beachside art class, Amilla’s resident artist guided us in painting an underwater scene in acrylics inspired by the eagle ray we’d encountered that very day just outside our villa. In true Amilla style, the exceptional service didn’t stop there. Our Katheeb personally delivered our finished masterpieces to the villa, turning them into one-of-a-kind souvenirs that captured the magic of our Maldives escape.

Other activities connected us with Maldivian culture. On a sunset fishing trip, we tried our hand at the traditional art of line fishing. The boat trip alone was exciting enough, as we cut through the water on a sleek vessel and watched a pod of dolphins dance in our wake.

Each tug of our lines came an excited cry of “fish!” as guests rushed to cheer one another on, eager to see what would emerge from the ocean depths. The crew, brimming with expertise, guided us on which fish to release back into the ocean and shared fascinating insights about the marine life we’d encountered.

Just when we thought the adventure was over, the boat pivoted to face a blazing sunset — a mesmerising display that remains one of the most stunning I’ve ever witnessed. But the surprises weren’t over. As darkness blanketed the ocean, the team introduced us to the thrill of night fishing, the stars above shimmering as we cast lines in search of larger game, lured by the glow of the boat’s lights.

The next day at Barolo, we joined a Maldivian cooking class led by the charming and knowledgeable Chef Naf. Under her watchful eye, we learned to make Mas Riha — a fragrant tuna curry crafted from a recipe cherished by six generations of her family.

But before we tied on our aprons, we ventured into the lush Mystique Garden to gather fresh ingredients. As we explored, Naf introduced us to the unique bounty of Maldivian produce, explaining their health benefits and sharing clever substitutions for recreating the dish back home

As Naf guided us through each step of the dish — including a specially adapted vegetable curry for me — she peppered the demonstration with practical cooking tips and heartwarming tales of Maldivian family life.

Our first evening began with the thrill of sunset fishing, but our last morning unfolded with sunrise yoga in the heart of the jungle, led by Javvu Spa’s resident practitioner, Abhimanyu Singh. Known simply as Abhi, his life’s mission is to create a world free from medicine and disease through the practices of yoga, meditation, and natural living.

At Amilla, this philosophy shines through in his personalised wellness therapies, designed to not only rejuvenate guests during their stay but also provide practical, integrative techniques to carry the island’s sense of balance and harmony back into everyday life.

Over at the spa, Maldivian massages using coconut shells and bamboo sticks sit alongside innovative, almost futuristic, treatments, such as Sensora — a touchless light, sound, and kinesthetic therapy developed by a Canadian scientist that uses biohacking techniques.  

In the Maldives, resort spas often float above the water, but at Amilla, the journey to wellness takes you through the jungle. A tranquil walk leads to ten secluded treatment pods, each cocooned by nature and fully immersing you in the island’s beauty.

At the heart of the spa complex stands an elegant wooden pavilion where you sip herbal tea and gaze out at the endless ocean, letting the calm seep in before your treatment begins. Every treatment is carefully tailored to the individual — before my massage, I was assessed on everything from my skin type and preferred pressure to my wellness goals, whether they be anti-aging, better sleep, or simply de-stressing.

Tatiana, who helms the spa and wellness initiatives, explained that this bespoke approach enhances results and develops a sense of loyalty, with guests returning again and again for the promise of a unique and deeply personal experience each time.

The Restaurants and Bars

At Amilla, your tastebuds are in for a treat. The island is home to four main restaurants, each showcasing global cuisines with a Maldivian twist.

For lunch, head to the Emperor Beach Club, where you can dig into fresh, flavourful dishes with your toes in the sand and the sound of waves lapping at the shore. Craving a snack later? Treat yourself to freshly made pizza or homemade ice cream — don’t miss the coconut flavor, crafted from the island’s very own coconuts.

When it’s time for a tipple, you’re spoiled for choice. The Sunset Bar offers laid-back vibes with live entertainment, while Baa Bar turns up the energy with creative cocktails and a DJ.

For something more intimate, The Cellar Door is a speakeasy-inspired gem, complete with an impressive wine collection, wine-tasting experiences and even a pool and table tennis table. At the weekly guest cocktail evening, where we were dazzled by an extraordinary fire dance on the beach — the perfect fusion of flair and flavor.

Breakfast at Fresh is served daily until 11am. Each morning, we pedalled our bikes through the jungle, parking them beneath the shade of banyan trees before walking through glass doors framed by cascading aerial roots. Every day the team guided us to our favourite terrace spot, where the view stretched over the main pool and out to the endless ocean.

The spread at Amilla is a feast for both the health-conscious and the indulgent (comté cheese in scrambled eggs? Yes, please). With an extensive buffet and à la carte menu blending Western and Eastern flavours, deciding what to eat became the only real challenge of the day.

The variety was overwhelming in the best way possible, and made for some tough choices: Parisian-standard pastries or silky chia seed puddings? Energy bar, freshly flipped pancakes, smashed pea avocado on toast or a shakshuka omelette?

For those who prefer their breakfast in the water rather than overlooking it, Amilla offers a floating breakfast delivered straight to your villa’s pool — a picture-perfect way to start another day in paradise.

On a deck above the ocean, it feels like you’re floating at Feeling Koi — especially on a star-filled evening, with the gentle sound of waves below and spotlights revealing eagle rays gliding and sharks weaving beneath the surface. The name might be playful, but the Japanese dishes are seriously impressive.

Be sure to order the indulgent sashimi platters and perfectly grilled lobster, followed by a daring dessert duo of wasabi crème brûlée and sesame ice cream — a sweet and spicy challenge for your palate.

This creative twist on familiar cuisines flows effortlessly into all of Amilla’s dining venues. At the beachside Bazaar, a cluster of open-sided, single-story restaurants blends into the jungle, their understated white exteriors allowing the vibrant flavours within to shine.

Barolo offers indulgent Italian specialties, from reef lobster pappardelle to truffle risotto and tender ossobuco. Tessera celebrates the communal joys of Greek dining with generous mezze and hearty mains, while East, helmed by a talented South Asian team, serves authentic thali trays brimming with curries tailored to your spice preferences.

Customisation is at the core of Amilla’s dining philosophy, with every restaurant catering to a broad range of dietary preferences—including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, and keto/low-carb options.

Why Stay?

‘My Island Home’ couldn’t be a more fitting name for Amilla, with seclusion, serenity and the unspoiled beauty of an island escape all coming together with the creature comforts of a five-star resort. What’s more, you’ll truly feel at home thanks to the resort’s bespoke service and warm, personal touch.

It’s no surprise that Amilla boasts a loyal following of repeat guests, many booking their return visits months – sometimes years – in advance. Like any cherished home away from home, this idyllic island casts a spell that keeps travellers coming back time and again.

When it’s time to leave and the speedboat pulls away from the jetty, where the team waves you off with heartfelt smiles, you’ll likely find yourself debating whether to cancel your flight and dive straight back into the turquoise waters. But even if you don’t, one thing is certain: this isn’t goodbye. At Amilla, it’s always “until next time”.

The Essentials

• Rates: Pool Villa pricing on all-inclusive from US$1,500++ per night for 2 adults. Dine Around Inclusive (DAI) includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, selected beverages and snacks from the in-villa mini-bar.
• Phone number:  +960 660 6444
• Website: amilla.com
• Address: Baa Atoll, Maldives

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