Island Hideaway at Dhonakulhi | Maldives
PRIVATE LUXURY SPA RESORT & MARINA
Your Exclusive Luxury Private Island
The Island Hideaway at Dhonakulhi Maldives, Spa Resort and Marina is a luxury boutique resort situated on the privately-owned uninhabited virgin island of Dhonakulhi, North Maldives, Indian Ocean. The resort was opened on 1st August 2005 with 6 types of spectacular guest villas. The marina is the first of its kind in the Maldives. The Island is a haven of peace, tranquillity and serenity. Island Hideaway is one of the very few resorts [currently 3] in the Haa Alifu Atoll.
Dhonakulhi is a large crescent-shaped island with a beach length of some 1.4 kilometres on each side, a width of 500 metres and land area of 234,000 m² – equivalent to 28 football pitches. The crystal clear turquoise waters of the shallow waist-deep lagoon surrounding the Island stretch as far as the eye can see. The Island is unique in its reef formation, the reef system it sits on having a natural channel splitting it in two distinct parts, and thereby forming a natural harbour for the marina. In addition to coconut trees, banana trees and rubber-tree-like vegetation, the Island is covered by uniquely rich dense bushy vegetation.
The Island Hideaway – Philosophy and Environment
Nature and luxury blend harmoniously together at The Island Hideaway. The entire Island and lagoon is the exclusive and private domain of guests. Guest villas are some of the largest of any resort in the Maldives. These majestic chalets are tucked into the lush greenery and scattered along the beach-line some 30 metres apart from one another, providing the ultimate in privacy. All of the Island’s villas boast breathtaking panoramic views over the beautiful turquoise lagoon and Indian Ocean. The designs of furniture, fixtures and fittings are a rustic celebration of nature having used custom-made hand-finished natural materials throughout. At the same time, however, guests can indulge all their senses in the magic of this Maldivian Island and enjoy every exclusive luxury which todays sophisticated globetrotters have come to expect.
Despite the extensive facilities and services at The Island Hideaway, barely 5% of the Island and lagoon have been utilised, thereby leaving 95% in its original state, untouched by the hand of man.
The Island Hideaway is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World [SLH], representing the most luxurious independent, exclusive hotels and resorts around the world.
Accommodation
Designed as an intimate, luxurious resort with exceptional levels of attention to detail and service standards, The Island Hideaway consists of the following types of accommodation.
Hideaway Palace [2]
3 bedroom complexes on the sandbank (Size :1,420 m² )
In the world of high class resorts, this Resort’s two Hideaway Palaces remain unparalleled and represent the epitome of exclusivity, privacy and refinement. Each Hideaway Palace is sprawled over an expansive 1,420 square metres of land, located on a golden natural sandbank and erected one facing sunrise, and the other facing sunset. The Hideaway Palace comprises of five exclusive individual Villas which sit on top of a beautiful timber deck and are surrounded by a number of private Infinity Swimming Pools, giving an impression that they are floating on water.
Perfect for a couple or a family alike, the Hideaway Palaces offer uncompromising luxury and extravagance, are impossibly spacious and have been tastefully and comfortably furnished.
Villa facilities
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Jasmine Garden Villas
On the beach with 9.5m by 4m wide private pools (overall land area per villa : 705 m²)
The exotic Jasmine Garden Villas are a spectacular expanse of 705 square metres of land that you can call entirely your own. Each of the 5 Jasmine Garden Villas sits on the beach front and has its own exclusive 9.5 metre by 4 metre private Infinity Swimming Pool and garden area. Entrance to the Jasmine Garden Villas is through a Maldivian-style courtyard garden, leading to a spacious lounge overlooking the swimming pool. The Bedroom has a walk-in closet area and en-suite Bathroom with indoor and outdoor bathing facilities and a ‘two-person’ hand-crafted bath. There is also a separate guest toilet and shower room across the Lounge.
Guests may intimately dine in their Open-air Alfresco ‘Floating’ Dining Pavilion situated on a ‘mini-island’ that floats on top of the pool or, alternatively, on the romantic Roof Terrace.
Villa facilities
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Dhonakulhi Residences [20]
On the beach with ocean view 8 m² Jacuzzi Splash Pools overall land area per villa : 550 m² )
Lapped by the balmy waters of the Indian Ocean, Dhonakulhi Residences are scattered along the white sandy beach-front of the Island Hideaway. Each Residence in a compound of over 550 square metres, has an open-plan living area with a timber deck outdoor seating. The French-windowed spacious bedroom overlooks the generously proportioned outdoor Jacuzzi Splash Pool. In addition to the indoor and outdoor Bathroom with its ‘two-person’ hand-crafted bath, there is also an Open-air Alfresco Garden Dining Pavilion and Roof Terrace. The mandatory Maldivian Swing [Undholi] Pavilion completes the majestic Dhonakulhi Residence.
Villa facilities
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Raamba Retreats [7]
On the beach (overall land area of 385 m² per villa)
Spread over 385 square metres are elegantly rustic Raamba Retreats with their open floor-level outdoor terraces and landscaped gardens offer the perfect seclusion for a peaceful retreat. The 7 Raamba Retreats are dotted across the coastline on the beachfront. The Lounge and the Bedroom in the Raamba Retreats are generously spaced. The Bedroom has a walk-in closet area and en-suite Bathroom with indoor and outdoor bathing facilities and a ‘two-person’ hand-crafted bath.
Villa facilities
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Hideaway Water Suites [2]
In the lagoon (floor area : 235 m² per villa)
Hideaway Water Suites are a first of their kind in the Maldives, if not the world…and are truly in a class of their own. Erected on wooden stilts in Dhonakulhi Island’s shallow turquoise-blue lagoon and spread over 235 square metres of timber deck are two stand-alone Hideaway Water Suites having their own exclusive ocean-view treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, outdoor round bathtub overlooking the tranquil lagoon, sundeck, lagoon access, and complete in-villa spa treatment facilities in which guests can look forward to being pampered by a team of dedicated spa specialists from Mandara Spa. A stay in these havens of peace and serenity will leave you fresh, revitalised and rejuvenated.
Villa facilities
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almost outdoors! |
Funa Pavilions [7]
On the beach (overall land area of 176 m² per villa)
The 7 Funa Pavilions on the beach front with their chalk-white walls promise peace and privacy in a living area covering 176 square metres. Characterised by their own garden, a separate sleeping and living area with teak flooring, open-air bathroom and a wooden patio area facing the beach with two thickly cushioned teak sun-beds, these Villas offer luxury over and above the call of duty. Their design is a declaration of love for nature with an eye for detail. If their architecture leans heavily on nature, so, too, does the colour scheme of the villas with its earthy shades of brown, beige and green. A round table with a two-seater sofa and two cocktail chairs forms the communicative centre of the living area with its integrated day bed and wine-red upholstery. The satellite TV with DVD and surround-sound system and multi-format CD player has been accommodated in a separate cupboard. The bedroom has a super-king-size bed, walkin wardrobe and a writing table. The bathrooms have a bath and shower and have been tastefully decorated with granite, slate and onyx finishes.
Villa facilities
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All accommodation has the following features
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Key facilities and services
Leisure, Recreation and Entertainment
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Cuisine
Whatever takes your fancy and whatever the time of day or night, the resident Chefs remain entirely at your disposal. They can conjure up a myriad of succulent gourmet dishes to tempt your sensations and satisfy any taste at any time. These Chefs can suggest a menu specially designed for you using the freshest of fresh ingredients or can personalise a menu to excite your desired palate.
Maldivian cuisine draws heavily on fish and seafood and is similar in some ways to Indian. Yet the dishes that are served at The Island Hideaway are much more varied and sophisticated. The cool coral sandy-floored Matheefaru restaurant offers international and Maldivian cuisine, and Gaafushi fine dining serves authentic Asian cuisine and seafood specialties. Lovers of Japanese cuisine will also be delighted to hear that the Island Hideaway Resort offers exquisite Jap cuisine.
All the restaurants are located on the beach front and have been designed to ensure that guests have the best views across the Indian Ocean. There are overwater dining areas situated close to the reef edge, ensuring that fish are always your neighbours!
For the romantics, just imagine strolling out to a nearby sandbank to enjoy an incredibly romantic candle-lit Robinson Crusoe experience or dining out under the stars – it’s all possible at the Island Hideaway. Alternatively you may choose to dine in the privacy of their Villa any time of day or night, or on a secluded part of the beach.
Those wanting to while away the evening to exotic drinks and snacks will find the Meeru Bar the perfect place. The Meeru Bar located on the beach has a unique design in that the roof structure is like the inside of a boat’s hull and the deck area extends over water giving fantastic sunset views.
Island Hideaway at Dhonakulhi attach a great deal of importance on the quality of their produce. All produce comes from the very best sources and fresh fish is caught locally and delivered to the island on a daily basis.
Restaurants and Bars
- Matheefaru Restaurant
- Gaafushi
- Meeru Bar
The Ultimate Indulgence at the Hideaway Spa by Mandara
If pampering your body and soul and achieving total peace and tranquillity is your idea of heaven, the Hideaway Spa by Mandara has it all. Created with sensitivity towards the guest experience, the design emphasis of the Hideaway Spa is on space, privacy and luxury. The spa design is supported by a service style that considers the guest’s need for escape, unobtrusive delivery and extraordinary attention to detail. Like other Maldivian spas before it, the Hideaway Spa capitalises on the dramatic Indian Ocean location. The difference here is that the sun, sand and sea theme continues throughout with internal waterways and waterfall walls, open areas and feature sand floors. Hideaway Spa finishes have been carefully selected and the combination of coconut and teak timber furnishing, sukabumi stone, java rosso tumble stone, sandstone, pink slate, onyx and silk fabrics culminate to overwhelm all of one’s senses.
Unique, intimate and romantic, the Hideaway Spa encompasses 4 Spa Land Villas, 2 Lagoon Spa Pavilions. The Hideaway Spa is operated by the internationally-acclaimed spa and wellness company, Mandara Spa. The name “Mandara” comes from an ancient Sanskrit legend about the gods’ quest to find the elixir of immortality and eternal youth. Mandara Spa, with its roots in Bali, has embraced this legend and now operates more than 60 spas worldwide.
The spa menu has been created to fit the exclusive nature of the Hideaway Spa and to offer each guest an outstanding spa experience. It combines traditional Asian favourites with Elemis Spa-therapy and new treatments that reflect themes of the ocean, nature and indigenous Maldivians. Massages, body packs, detox and a range of body and facial treatments using “Elemis” products, together with manicures and pedicures, have all been included to ensure the ultimate in relaxation and revitalization.
Two Lagoon Spa Pavilions feature private ocean views, double treatment rooms, en-suite bathroom with private steam shower, outdoor terrazzo dip pool, day bed and shower, personal sound systems and lagoon access.
Four expansive Spa Land Villas are located on land but surrounded by waterways. Each Spa Land Villa offers an open-to-air double treatment room, private bathrooms with steam room, hand-crafted ‘two-person’ baths, shower room, and a very private outdoor relaxation area.
The Spa Shop stocks a range of products for skin health such as exfoliating creams, masks, cleanses and washes, anti-ageing boosters, body well-being enhancements, aromatherapy, and gifts from the much-admired Elemis range.
Dive in Uncharted Waters with Meridis
If the setting above sea level has all the ingredients for holiday heaven, the spectacle awaiting you below the water’s surface is even more spectacular. The Maldives is famed for its rare underwater beauty. The profusion of psychedelic colours and the abundance and variety of life underwater have fascinated divers and snorkellers since Maldives was first discovered as a diving destination. This Island is situated on an Atoll that is at the moment untapped and unexplored by the diving world. This gives an excellent opportunity for new divers and old alike to genuinely be able to dive where no person has ever dived before.
Operated by Meridis Dive is one of the largest dive centres in the Maldives providing the latest technology and highest quality branded diving equipment e.g. Scubapro Uwatec Nitrox regulators, Sony P9 and MX5 underwater cameras, Supercharged Seadoo Scooters and Bauer Compressors. Meridis Dive has full Nitrox diving facilities, underwater scooters, audio-visual classrooms and a dive specialist boutique. PADI-certified scuba instruction is given by multi-lingual dive experts to beginners, amateurs and experienced divers alike on the importance of safe and enjoyable diving intertwined with the protection of the marine environment.
Some of the courses and services offered by Meridis Dive are PADI Open Water [Beginner] to Assistant Instructor and all other common specialities, Nitrox, Scooter, Photography, Deep, Drift, Night, Navigation, Naturalist and Peak Performance. Meridis also offers a safe and enjoyable diving experience for children over 10 years of age, and has special “kids diving equipment” available. Children can carry out the PADI Open Water Junior course.
Some of Meridis Dive’s safety philosophies are as follows:
- Nitrox diving
- depth limits
- small groups of a maximum of 4 people
- all dives will be guided dives
- there will be buoys for all divers
- current check
- easy and shallow dives
Please note that all divers are required to present an international dive certificate, log book and a medical certificate of fitness for diving.
Meridis Dive has in fact surveyed and mapped all the key diving points in the Atolls surrounding The Island Hideaway and estimate that there are at least 20 glorious dive sites that are absolutely untouched and unspoilt. There is one particular dive site where divers can expect a minimum of 15 turtles each dive, several dive sites with manta cleaning and feeding stations, 2 ship wrecks at a depth of 16 metres with fantastic fish live around, and another dive site full of fantastic table corals. Wherever you look there are lots and lots of fish! Mantas, eagle rays, grey reef sharks, turtles, big schools of tuna, barracudas, dolphins, and, and, and…..
In season there’s also the chance of seeing whale sharks and other whales!
Another first is that the Meridis experts will also offer guided snorkelling trips. The snorkelling here is also so impressive that lots of guests will be making their way to the diving school after seeing what the edge of the Dhonakulhi house reef has to offer. No sooner have you taken a few strokes, then you are snorkelling in some of the world’s most fertile waters. Just under the water’s surface you are confronted with swarms of small fish, giant turtles, metre-long mantas and slim sharks patrolling the reef. And here’s the good news: almost none of the fish are really dangerous. This means that this rich under-water world is a safe paradise for swimmers, snorkellers, diving enthusiasts.
For those that want to enjoy the view without getting wet, there’s an underwater camera in the nearby lagoon giving live views of life on the coral reef. From whale sharks to manta rays, moray eels to white tip sharks, a whole new world of magnificent marine creatures awaits you.
“Tender Hearts” Kids’ Club
The “Tender Hearts” at Dhonakulhi is open to all kids. The 75.7 m² Kid’s Club has a playground area of 50.5 m² and offers a variety of games and activities for kids. Apart from the activities there’s also a small library with board games and bicycles to ride too. |
Some of the activities provide are:
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