Sun Aqua announced the recent opening of its second property, the Sun Aqua Vilu Reef, a stunningly refurbished resort on the beautiful Meedhuffushi Island in the heart of the South Nilandhe Atoll.
The property is the second addition to the group after the Sun Aqua Pasikudah, which opened earlier in 2015 on Sri Lanka’s North East coast. Originally opened in 1998, Vilu Reef is proud to take on new colours and sit as the flagship Maldivian property for the Sun Aqua brand, which plans to continue its international growth over the coming years. At Sun Aqua resorts, guests can enjoy perfectly relaxing experiences led by simple luxuries, sensational food and warm, dedicated service and, as it stayed open to guests during its refurbishment, it continues to welcome new and repeater guests that have grown to love the property and island, year after year. The Sun Aqua Vilu Reef is easily accessible from Malè and the International Airport via a 40-minute seaplane ride. The Sun Siyam Family Lounge at the seaplane terminal heralds an immediate start to the holiday, offering refreshments and massages to help settle guests into the Sun Aqua spirit.COMPLETE REVIVALThe property itself has gone through a complete revival and has been refurbished to an extremely high standard, creating five different categories of rooms, including 15 new Sun Aqua Pool Villas. Hidden among the foliage are 62 shell-shaped bungalows (14 Beach Villas, 18 Deluxe Beach Villas and 10 Jacuzzi Deluxe Beach Villas, five Deluxe Beach Villas with Pool and 15 Sun Aqua Pool Villas), some now with lava-stone pools and whirlpool bathtubs. Rooms are now all 20 per cent larger than before and offer private sundecks, re-fitted bathrooms and day swing-beds. A further 41 Water Villas (20 Reef Villas, nine Sunset Reef Villas, six Aqua Villas with plunge pools, five Aqua Suites, now with private swimming pools, and one Grand Reef Suite) complete the accommodation offering with a select few even hiding inviting over-water hammocks. All water villas offer incredible vista views across the Indian Ocean and a true Maldivian experience.
DINING EXPERIENCESGuests can be selective at Sun Aqua Vilu Reef and explore the spice and warmth of home-style Maldivian cuisine, feast on gourmet organic and free-range produce grown on the resorts private Farm Island, enjoy freshly caught, barbequed seafood or dine under the stars with the properties destination private dining experience. The Aqua is the resort’s main restaurant, located over the water, and produces freshly prepared western and international cuisine served in a buffet style. It is also the resort’s beautiful breakfast spot. The Well Done, the island BBQ grill on the beach, serves freshly caught fish and seafood as well as being the home to the island’s impressive glass-enclosed wine cellar. The resort also features a boutique pizzeria and destination dining. Before and after dinner guests can visit one of the island’s two bars – Nautilus and Positive Energy.
LEISUREOne of the biggest developments at the resort has been the creation of a full holistic spa offering. Now a major focus of the resort, the Sun Aqua Spa consists of six private treatment pavilions, each with open-air flower baths, open showers, a hydrotherapy area and double treatment beds. On offer is also a salon and a beautiful relaxation area. In addition to the spa, diving is a big part of the culture here. The five-star Gold Palm PADI/SSI Diamond Dive centre brings together an exciting array of diving and snorkelling programmes and a chance to explore the sea life and reefs in the warm and extremely clear waters. The property hosts one of the best house reefs in the region, located just 30 metres from the shore and offering snorkelers an unrivalled experience. Guests can also enjoy windsurfing, canoeing and sailing as well as a range of motorised water sports such as jet skiing and water-skiing.
FAMILY FUNA further development on the island is the addition of the resort’s first kids club. Children have their own little paradise on the island, including a private pool, games room and an array of children’s activities. Open to children from 3 to 12 it has a with a baby-sitting service available on request. By actively engaging with the local community through excursions, guests will get to experience day-to-day island life and even chat with school children and elders and find out first-hand what it is like to live in paradise. By doing so guests will gain cultural enrichment and directly improve the lives of many Maldivians, helping to ensure their practices live on. They also offer traditional fishing trips, snorkelling safaris and dolphin-spotting tours to celebrate the wildlife that fills the Indian Ocean.