Veli - Anantara's Honeymoon Island (Maldives Diaries)

Veli is Anantara's most popular. It's their honeymooner's island, where children aren't allowed. It is accessed via a shuttle boat from Dhigu's pontoon. It has 67 rooms, an orchid garden, a gym, restaurants - Origami Japanese restaurant, Dhoni Bar, Baan Huraa (a Thai restaurant); a spa, a dive center, and a bridge that leads to the Pavillion  in the middle of the sea. The resort island is located 21 kilometers south of Male. Your transfer fee from the airport will set you back by $180 per person. If your arrival in Maldives happens after midnight, you'd have to arrange for an overnight stay in the capital; then your speedboat transfer to Anantara will happen the next day.

The same bridge takes guests to the island of Naludhu, exclusive for guests with villas in this playground of the filthy rich where rooms command a hefty price tag of $35,000 a night. You do have your own butler; your own spa, and any gourmet dish that you shall desire. From Veli or the Pavilion, Naludhu doesn't look all that special though. And I am sure it has a beach similar to Dhigu or Veli.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

One of my favorite spots in Veli. You get to walk under a graceful canopy of plants.

The bridge that goes to the Pavilion and (if you're a villa there), Naludhu island.

Dhoni Bar

78 Degrees Restaurant

"Movie Under the Stars", an open air cinema with bean bags and a swing.

This is a giant chair that actually sits 4 people, facing the cinema.

Veli's pontoon.

This photo only courtesy of www.otal.com. You can visit all of the islands in the complex except Naludhu.