Anantara Dhigu

Sharing a lagoon with its exclusive sister property Naladhu, Anantara Dhigu is a large sprawling resort that attracts families and couples who don’t need the fanciest or most expensive option in the region.

• The kids’ amenities in the rooms and the way the pool and beach villas can connect for a family set-up
• The hammock strung on two poles in the ocean, so after a good swim from the beach, you can lounge over the sea
• The overwater Anantara Spa with fabulous treatment suites and Thai therapies

No hotel can be all things to all people but Anantara Dhigu gives it a good try. With 110 rooms, including beach villas and overwater bungalows, Anantara Dhigu is part of the Asian four-star chain from Thailand. When its owner moved into the Maldives, he found a lagoon with multiple islands and created three distinctly different resorts. Naladhu is the exclusive, boutique, all-villa property for those seeking maximum privacy and pampering. Anantara Dhighu, which occupies a five-hectare island across the way, manages to cater to both families (with a kids’ club, variety of restaurants and connecting beach villa options) and to couples (with overwater bungalows and private beach dinners and ceremonies). Anantara Veli is the lowest priced option. Anantara Dhigu’s 38 overwater suites are not for families, but a number of the beach villas can connect to pool villas to create mini-compounds. All rooms feature dark wood floors, high ceilings, silk pillows, Asian accents and lovely large bathrooms.

One of the highlights of the property is its overwater Anantara spa, which includes nine massive treatment rooms with special glass floors so spa-goers can view the marine life below during their massages. There are outdoor pavilions for Thai massages in the breeze as well as couples rooms with Jacuzzis. In addition to an Italian restaurant, Fuddan Fusion Grill and beach café, there is an overwater Thai restaurant reached by boat. As one of two properties to host a full-service Tropic Surf school (the other is the Four Seasons Kuda Huraa), Anantara is popular with surfers, particularly in the summer months when its nearby breaks are largest. All other water sports are also on offer as well as tennis, daily yoga, a kids’ club and a cooking school, which makes use of the herbs in chef’s garden.

Families who want a resort that is less expensive than the very top-of-the-line properties like the Four Seasons and One & Only Reethi Rah. Those looking for true serenity or exclusivity should book elsewhere. This is a big property and not the most luxurious in the Maldives.