Don't look any further, just this review will be enough to make your mind up!
Don't waste your money, time visiting other resorts in Maldives - just visit Anantara Dhigu, Veli and you will not regret it!!
They have mastered the customer service and hospitality concept with such subtle mastery!
We are 2 families staying at Anantara Dhigu Resort, Maldives, with 4 adults and 3 kids (14yrs, 13yrs,12yrs). Day 8 of 12, today. This is our 2nd stay, first in Oct '21. Didn't think it could get any better and how wrong are we !
From the initial booking to arriving here 1 week ago, it has been very smooth and more welcoming! The GM Michael Parker to the Reservations team, have been in regular contact via emails and keeping us informed.
Check-in: Upon arrival, a very smooth, hasslefree check in, from the greeting at airport to speedboat transfers to resort! with a lovely coconut drink greeting after a 10hr direct flight fly from LHR. Quick tour via buggy of the facilities in the resort and our villa. We were taken by our butler Kadir, who has been checking on us every morning and evening,plus shared his WhatsApp co we can always reach him, even on his day off!, obviously we didn't, but that shows you the willingness of the staff to ensure the stay is seamless.
This is very evident in all the staff, irrespective of the hierarchy, grade. The face expressions and genuine willingness to make the customers enjoy the best experience!
Staff seem to be genuinely happy to work at this resort and the group - Minor Group. Villas 58 &59 Sunset Beach Pool Villas is where we are.
Both exceptional and with kids it's a great villa with doorstep access to beach and pool.
On our first visit we had the Over Water Villas and that's another different experience altogether! Loved falling asleep to the sounds of the sea and waking up to breathtaking views.
My personal preference these Beach Villas, as I love the early morning or evening sunrise and sunset views.
Kids- Kids are loving the activities, every morning the Leader of activities (Joker) comes during breakfast to rally kids and share the programme for the day, encouraging them to participate from Darts, Beach volleyball, Board games, Waterpolo. Joker's rapport with kids and adults is infectious!
Villa - beautiful and clean, hats off to housekeeping staff!, Evening turndown service spotless too!, didn't have to request for 3 towels, like in some other hotels in the past!
Drinking water plenty and at no cost! Have learnt from friends who have stayed at other popular 5star resorts, where they have to pay for water, atrocious!
Food- we ate at Fushi cafe (breakfast and Dinner, buffet), Aqua Bar for lunch and Italian dinner, Cumin at Anantara Veli - all exceptional!
Kids love the buffet rather than the a la carte, hence we tended to eat more at Fushi Cafe. The F& B Manager at Fushi Cafe - Pereshan a diligent, exceptional and perceptive leader, he knows ones preferences by 2nd, 3rd day, so much so he asks us whether we would like a particular dish today or skinny cappuccino etc . He's extremely conscientious and performs tasks with pride, always with a generous warm smile. We witnessed 1 party who weren't civil, the way he dealt with them with managing the situation with minimal attention told one, what exceptional customer service skills he possessed. His team Amir, Ice, Hanu are all cut from the same cloth. They were all exceptional, courteous, polite and genuinely happy to be working here. One sees them working constantly, very efficient in clearing up, filling up water glasses, noticing we are sipping last sips of the drink, arriving immediately and requesting whether we would like another drink, all the while we adults are uninterrupted to continue our conversations.
Breakfast Bar- the serving stations are clean, spotless, no crumbs, tongs for each delicacy, with warm fresh bread made at the resort everyday, including the mouthwatering croissants! We were under the impression these were frozen and baked in the resort, until 3days back we had the exceptional opportunity to visit the Pastry Kitchen at Veli Anantara and we were bowled over!
Expected the kitchens to be chaotic, as it was evening 7pm - dinner time that we visited the kitchens. They was no chaos, good as entering place of worship, such was the calmness, precision with which everyone operated. Pastry Chef Shifau spent 2hrs to share his knowledge and training skills to share with some of my family members the recipe of 2 exceptional desserts which the family loved! All the while catering g to the a la carte requests that were coming in. I witnessed the staff making the Cinnamon Danish from scratch for next day morning breakfast, other pastries, which then the early morning 5.30am shift staff would bake and have it for us for breakfast. The Pastry kitchen notably spotless! Wish my kitchen would look this clean!!
Chef Shifau stated he has been working for Anantara for 10yrs and is very happy to do so! The pride in every member of the staff who worked here was truly sincere and it came unsolicited. It is evident in their service, how they approached the tasks and with such enthusiasm to!
After learning the pastries were made from scratch our entire party appreciated them the next day and savoured the taste, especially coming from European continent and having had the best in Paris!
The evening dinner spread was equally inspiring, with humous to Persian bread ( again freshly made, by the Arabic Chef Tamera) was something to look forward to.
Cumin Restaurant was doing the Kebabs Starts and they were gorgeous! We didn't think having had the opportunity to savour the best Indian food in London, this remote island resort could match it, but we were very much mistaken!!! Again we were bowled over!
Spa- we couples utilised the Spa facilities on more then 4 occasions with Thai Massage to Deep Tissue Massage always 90mins therapy, loved it, loved it, loved it!!
Anantara Spa is one the best Spas in the world and we are definitely biased and partial to the brand!
Finally to sum up, my party of adults are all full time working individuals in London and lead very hectic lives, with stressful jobs. Speaking for myself, I struggle to unwind, relax, sleep. Since the 3rd day of arrival here, I felt I have been rejuvenated, a new me born again, with beautiful 8hrs sleep, time for gym every morning, pleasant conversations with both other guests and more with staff, taking in the exceptional and amazing views and sandy clean beaches all helping me to truly rest, relax and recharge my batteries!
Kids love this resort too! We as a group have already started discussing about booking again for next year, such is the magnetism of this Anantara Dhigu Resort and its magical powers of healing and welcoming!!!
Until next time, our thanks to the staff, who cannot do anything more to make our stay more wonderful, please stay the same as you all are! This little gem in the Indian Ocean is only the best because of it people who make it the best!!
Hats off to management for running a well oiled machine!!
Thank you for such making us feel cared and special! 3 more days to go... don't want it to end....
