There are places in the world as if created by nature with one purpose – to forget about the daily bustle and for a while to be in paradise, with soft white sand under your feet and views of the clear blue sky and endless blue ocean waters as far as the eye can see. One such place is the magnificent island of Maafushivaru, a spectacular piece of land on which the comfortable and welcoming Lti Maafushivaru Resort is located. This example of natural perfection, enhanced by high-end amenities, was named this year’s winner of Luxury Lifestyle Awards in the category of The Best Luxury Hideaway Resorts in Maldives.

The small, romantic 350-meter island on which Lti Maafushivaru Maldives is placed is partially shaded by dense vegetation and surrounded by a house reef, opening up ideal conditions for snorkeling. The resort is a 25-minute seaplane flight from Malé Airport, and this short air journey is a special experience filled with awe-inspiring views of the uninterrupted Indian Ocean scenery.

The resort offers 81 villas located on the beach and over the water. All accommodations have flat-screen TVs, king-size beds, espresso machines, minibars, bathrooms with square bowl sinks, walk-in indoor showers, and outdoor garden showers. Outdoor decks at the spacious Beach Villas have sun loungers and wicker furniture; their versions with a private infinity pool also feature separate dining space and area. Water Villas offer private outdoor decks with direct access to the sea, while Water Pool Villas also have a private deck with a private pool and steps down to the ocean. Duplex Pool Villas are built on two levels and feature an outdoor deck with a private pool, dining area, and a daybed.

The main buffet restaurant at Lti Maafushivaru Maldives is the Cuisine Gallery, offering an exquisite menu of Mediterranean cuisine with a local twist. Also available are Moodhu Grill (meat and seafood on the beach), Las Tapas (light meals from salads to tapas-style bites by the poolside), Cielo (focus on Italian flavors with sparkling ocean views), Water Bar, and Umi (teppanyaki cooking show over water).

“We are honored to be recognized by the esteemed Luxury Lifestyle Awards committee. We are delighted that the hard work of the Lti Maafushivaru Maldives team daily enables the resort to maintain its leadership position despite the intense competition of the Maldives Market,” said Ms. Rizma Waleed, Director of Sales and Marketing.

Resort guests have the unique opportunity to learn a lot about the life and habitat of a variety of marine creatures from the full-time resident Marine Biologist on the island. The Marine Biologist is also responsible for developing marine conservation and protection programs as well as monitoring the coral reefs surrounding the island. Also, Lti Maafushivaru’s marine conservation partners include the Olive Ridley Project, Manta Trust, Maldives Whale Shark Research Program, and eOceans.