Review: Alila Kothaifaru Maldives

Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.

I recently enjoyed a wonderful holiday in the Maldives. During my trip, I did not stay at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani – my favorite resorts in the Maldives (I am going back though in 2024) – but I tried out some new, ultra-luxurious and fabulous resorts. Read my trip reports here:

Review: Qatar Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner Business Class from Brussels to Doha
Review: Qatar Airways Boeing 777 Business Class from Doha to the Maldives
Review: British Airways Boeing 777 Business Class (new suite) from London to Male
Review: Joali Being
Review: InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
Review: Seaplane transfer to Alila Kothaifaru Maldives
Review: Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island
Review: Alila Kothaifaru Maldives (today)
Review: Edelweiss Air Airbus A340 Business Class from Male to Zurich

Today: Review of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives

Location: Google maps
Hotel website: Alila Kothaifaru Maldives

Set on a 27.6 acre (11.2 hectare) island in the remote Raa Atoll, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives can be reached via a 45-minute seaplane journey from the Maldives’ capital Malé. The resort’s elegant minimalist architecture by Singapore-based Studiogoto encompasses terraced pavilions, villas and a treetop spa that are carefully integrated into the existing landscape to immerse guests in the picturesque natural surroundings. The low-rise structures and contemporary interiors feature open-air spaces and a calming palette of island-inspired colors and textures, creating an idyllic setting for complete relaxation and connection with nature. There are 80 pool villas, of which 44 are along the beach and 36 are perched overwater with direct access to the sea. The property offers a delightful variety of culinary experiences including Seasalt, the resort’s beachside all-day dining restaurant, and Umami, which offers Japanese-inspired menus.

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives features in my top 10 list of the best luxury resorts in the Maldives.

Have you ever stayed at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.

In this review (more info and photos below my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives enjoys a stunning setting on the western edge of the Raa Atoll. The beautiful Raa Atoll is a hidden gem in the Maldives, an unspoiled and quiet atoll that offers a large variety of marine life. Beginner divers can explore incredible reef dives, discovering healthy coral, stingrays, reef sharks and hawksbill turtles. More experienced divers can enjoy some of the most incredible thila dives the Maldives has to offer. The thilas (underwater pinnacles) are extremely healthy, not affected by any bleaching events, and are surrounded by large schools of reef and pelagic fish as well as lots of grey reef sharks. The resort offers easy access to the famous Hanifaru Bay UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve (a hotspot for manta rays and whale sharks) and is close to Vaadhoo Island, one of the best spots to witness the spectacular ‘Sea of Stars’ phenomenon.

Opened in 2022, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is located on a 27.6 acre (11.2 hectare) private island, which features stunning white-sand beaches overlooking the infinite expanse of ocean blue, a magnificent house reef and lush greenery. The island can be reached via a 45-minute seaplane journey from Malé. Upon arrival at Malé International Airport and after passing immigration, guests are met by the excellent Alila airport staff members, who take care of the luggage and provide assistance with the check-in at the Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) counters so secure the seaplane boarding passes. Once checked in for the seaplane transfer, guests are transferred to the seaplane terminal, which is located on the other side of the airport’s perimeter (a 5 min drive away). Here, guests can wait for the connecting seaplane transfer to the resort at the new TMA lounge (WiFi, refreshing drinks and some snacks are available). Alternatively, the resort is accessible either by domestic flight to the nearest domestic airport – Ifuru (IFU) – followed by a speedboat ride.

As is the hallmark of every Alila resort, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is seamlessly designed in harmony with the environment, preserving the extraordinary natural beauty of the destination while creating understated, sophisticated spaces for guests to unwind. The resort’s modern minimalist architecture was designed by Singapore-based Studiogoto, which took its cue from the island’s flat topography to create an environment that feels completely at one with nature. The resort’s landscape-oriented design unfolds in terraced layers integrated into the natural surroundings to preserve a sense of intimacy. Against the quiet backdrop of the island’s lush vegetation, the low-rise pavilions and villas cascade gradually, creating the experience of living in a garden. Bold architecture with clean lines contrasting with soft natural materials, cultural motifs and organic forms result in spa-inspired environments that promote relaxation and draw on the restorative powers of nature. Light tones of timber and sand are combined with black elements to create a calming yet contemporary palette.

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives offers 80 pool villas, of which 44 are along the beach (hidden in the lush foliage) and 36 are perched overwater with direct access to the sea. Each villa comes with a private pool and sun deck where guests can bask in picture-perfect views and enjoy personalized service whether they are staying steps from the beach or above the turquoise lagoon. During my holiday, I stayed in a Sunrise Beach Villa, which was close to the resort’s main pool complex. The spacious abode featured a separate bedroom and living room extending to a shaded outdoor deck and private freshwater plunge pool. The ensuite bathroom was located in its own walled garden and was equipped with a rain shower, hand shower and bathtub. Room amenities included Alila toiletries specially made for Him and Her, sun hats, a beach bag and a special box containing a set of outdoor activity amenities in Alila’s signature scent, including lotion, sunscreen, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives mosquito repellent and face mist.

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives offers a delightful variety of culinary experiences in several restaurants and bars:
- Seasalt, the resort’s beachside en poolside all-day dining restaurant, serves coastal Mediterranean cuisine with Middle Eastern influences. Not to be missed are the restaurant’s signature salt-baked fish dishes. Seasalt also serves daily breakfast (a combination of a beautifully presented buffet and extensive à la carte options).
- Located on the island’s eastern tip, Umami offers Japanese-inspired menus prepared in a teppan theater with a premium selection of organically grown vegetables, Wagyu beef and sustainably sourced fish and seafood. The adjourning Yakitori Bar is the place to be to indulge in sundowners, from Asian-inspired craft cocktails and mocktails to fine Japanese sakes and spirits, amidst delicious smoky aromas from a robata grill.
- Pibati Café provides light bites and comfort food that are convenient for grab-and-go en route to an excursion.
- Guests dreaming of an ultimate castaway experience can set sail in a traditional Maldivian dhoni on a two to three-hour journey around the Raa Atoll before returning to the resort’s private sandbank, The Shack, a secluded spot for a gourmet picnic, a sunset barbecue or a romantic candlelit dinner under the stars.
- A spectacular Maldivian sunset alongside a refreshing selection of cocktails can be enjoyed at Mirus Bar, which is located next to the main pool along Seasalt Restaurant. Drinks are inspired by the region’s former spice trade routes and concocted with ingredients from the resort’s own herb garden.

At the center of the island, nestled just above the treetops, is the resort’s intimate wellness center, called Spa Alila. While the resort’s public spaces and villas are mostly open to the sea whilst the spa, with four treatment rooms, the spa is wrapped in the privacy of the jungle foliage, offering a different experience. The spa’s four double treatment rooms are elevated on stilts to sit amongst the treetop canopy line and are connected by walkways. All treatment suites come with a private bathroom, shower and a floor-to-ceiling window with views of the verdant vegetation. Guests can indulge in rejuvenating treatments and beauty rituals that put a contemporary spin on ancient healing techniques and draw on the benefits of natural ingredients. Guests can also enjoy a complimentary daily yoga session in a tranquil outdoor space within the spa. The spa complex also houses a 24-hour fitness center on its ground floor.

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is dedicated to sustainability and committed to making a difference through its daily processes. For example, a solar power system is used to produce electricity to reduce fuel burn from generators, and laundry operating hours take place during the day to maximize use of solar energy. The resort has been awarded EarthCheck Design Silver certification, having met the rigorous certification criteria of EarthCheck’s Building Planning and Design Standard (BPDS). EarthCheck is the world’s leading scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for the travel and tourism industry. EarthCheck Planning and Design science is aligned with the international best practice for the built environment. Its Design Standards provide a holistic sustainability framework to guide development and refurbishment projects towards asset efficiency and business improvement.

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is managed by Alila, a hotel brand which is managed by the Hyatt Hotel Group. The hallmark of Alila hotels is the combination of innovative design and luxury in unique locations, set apart by an unprecedented level of private space, crafted artisanship, personalized hospitality, and bespoke journeys. Alila means “Surprise” in Sanskrit, which suitably describes the refreshing character of our properties and impressions of our guests when they stay with us. In support of sustainable tourism, Alila hotels adopt EarthCheck operating standards, integrating the natural, physical and cultural elements of their environments. To stay at any Alila hotels and resorts is to embark on a destination experience – be it in recreating the flavors of the local cuisine, enhancing your well-being through ancient healing arts or the thrill of adventure sports, you will re-discover the luxury of living at Alila hotels. I have previously reviewed other Alila Hotel, such as Alila Villas Uluwatu (Bali) and Alila Jabal Akhdar (Oman).

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is a relatively new resort set in a remote part of the Maldives and there are still quite a lot of bugs (mosquitos and flies) around, which can be pretty annoying, especially when staying in a beach villa (which all come with open-air jungle bathrooms). The resort is aware of this very seasonal occurrence (which mainly happens during the very hot and dry period) and is currently reinforcing its flying insect pest control efforts. I assume that this problem will disappear over time since the resort has installed 100 mosquito elimination traps recently to completely eliminate the issue.

Due to global climate warming, beach erosion takes place on most of the Maldives’ islands (a problem which will probably only increase in the future). Alila Kothaifaru Maldives – which is located very close to the atoll’s outer reefs where the ocean’s currents are stronger – is also impacted by this phenomenon. While the west and east coast of the island are incredibly beautiful with a stunning white sand beach, the beach on the north coast has partly disappeared due to erosion. There’s also a smaller area of beach erosion near the main pool. However, the Alila team is dedicated to protecting the island’s natural beauty and it taking extensive measures to mitigate the effects of erosion.

Sailing, kayaking, and snorkeling are just a few of the non-motorized water sports available to guests at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives. However, motorized watersports are not available, since the resort aims to preserve a silent environment and to protect the reef’s delicate ecosystem. While this might not be ideal for those looking for fun adventures on the sea, it was in fact a policy that I appreciated very much.

MY VERDICT

Location: 9/10
Design: 9/10
Pool: 9/10
Rooms: 8/10
Food: 9/10
Breakfast: 9/10
Spa: 8/10
Service: 9/10
Value for money: 9/10
Overall experience: very good 8,8/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Save money: read here my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel like Alila Kothaifaru Maldives (and/or receive many free perks).

Save money: make use of Hyatt’s best rate guarantee. If you find a better rate, the Hyatt Hotel Group will match it and offer you the choice of an additional 20% off or 5,000 World of Hyatt Bonus Points.

Save money: elite members of Hyatt’s loyalty program, World of Hyatt, are well treated at the resort, with – amongst other benefits – complimentary room upgrade (when available), early check-in or late check-out (when available), and free breakfast. Click here to read my review of the World of Hyatt program (with pros & cons).

Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The best weather in the Maldives is between January and April, which also means high season (with low availability and very expensive room rates). The monsoon runs from May to October, peaking in June. It is worth paying higher prices and sticking to the dry season as there is nothing to do on a rainy day except drink, eat, work out or scuba dive. Especially November and December, which are often labelled as dry season months, have been very unsettled in recent years.

HOW TO GET THERE

Getting to Alila Kothaifaru Maldives requires a 45-minute seaplane transfer from Male International Airport (MLE). Check the Wikipedia page of Male International Airport for an updated list of airlines that offer flights to Male International Airport.