Drift Retreat: A Standout Among Maldives Boutique Hotels
Are you looking for a Maldives boutique hotel that balances luxury and serenity? Embark on a journey to paradise with Drift Retreat, a haven of luxury and tranquility nestled in one of the most beautiful atolls in the Maldives. Amidst the allure of tranquil lagoons and powdery white sand, Drift Retreat is an intimate boutique resort that genuinely stands out for its relative value in the Maldives.
The Resort & Location
Drift Retreat, located on the idyllic Thelu Veliga island in the South Ari Atoll, welcomes guests to an exclusive sanctuary. This romantic resort boasts just 30 intimate rooms: 20 water villas and 10 beach villas. The private island property is locally owned and operated and offers a luxurious barefoot retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Located just a short 35-minute seaplane flight from Male, the island is a tiny gem you can walk around in just ten minutes. The island is encircled by the house reef, creating a nearly waveless lagoon full of marine life surrounding the island.
Arrival & Transfer Process
Drift Retreat makes transferring to your resort from the Veliga International Airport in Male seamless. First, you will go through immigration, collect your luggage, and clear customs.
Then, a representative from Drift Retreat will be waiting for you at their booth in the arrivals hall. The representative will assist in transferring your luggage to TransMaldivian Airways, the seaplane airline that will fly you to the island.
You need not worry about your flight time because the planes going to each atoll are filled as passengers disembark from their international flights. Because the South Ari Atoll has several resort islands, flights to this region tend to leave frequently.
You will be escorted to a departures lounge area to wait for your seaplane to board. Passengers from other nearby resorts are common on the flights, so multiple landings and takeoffs are possible en route. The process sounds chaotic, but I promise – Drift Resort & TransMaldivian Airways makes it worry-free. And the views are priceless!
Pro tip: Remember that seaplanes cannot fly after dark for safety reasons! Check directly with Drift Retreat to ensure your arrival time in Male coordinates with a same-day transfer to the resort. It is generally recommended that you land in Male before 3:30 PM to catch a seaplane transfer the same day!
Luxurious Accommodations
Drift Retreat offers both Beach Villas and Water Villas, which are similar in size and luxurious style. Check into the Water Villas and experience the sheer indulgence of staying over the beautiful lagoon. With tall vaulted ceilings, airy and spacious interiors, and a king-sized bed overlooking the lagoon, your villa feels like a true sanctuary.
The Water Villas (which we enjoyed during our five night stay) feature sizeable overwater decks with lounge chairs, an outdoor dining set, and a giant shaded lounge pod. But the highlight? A large ceramic tub is positioned right against the bathroom window, offering mesmerizing views as you soak in complete privacy.
Room tip: The Water Villas on the sunset side face away from the island for added privacy. The Water Villas facing the sunrise also have a beautiful view of Thelu Veliga island, but your deck is less private.
Dining Experience
Drift Retreat features an open-air restaurant to indulge your palate. From lavish breakfast spreads featuring Maldivian, Middle Eastern, and Western cuisines to rotating a la carte and dinner buffet options, every meal felt unique despite eating at the same restaurant!
The half-board option is ample for those who don’t typically eat a large lunch, as the a la carte lunch prices were reasonable given the location (~$15 per entrée as of 2019). Many vegetarian and other healthy options are available, and the curries are absolutely divine.
Pro tip: They take barefoot luxury so literally at Drift Retreat that shoes are optional at dinner!
Activities & Excursions
The lagoon around Drift Retreat offers a vibrant world to explore. The snorkeling is terrific, with world-class clarity. Expect to see abundant large marine life such as stingrays, reef sharks, large fish, squid, and octopi just offshore! I don’t scuba dive, but Drift Retreat operates a well-rated dive center on-site, and many guests were there primarily to dive.
The beach at Drift Retreat is among the best I have visited in the world, with powder-fine white sand and translucent turquoise water. Given the small number of rooms, the beach is quite empty. The lagoon is so waveless that, at times, ripples form on the sand from the water gently lapping on the shore! As with any island in the Maldives, there is some shoreline erosion. However, because the reef at Drift encircles the island completely, it is minimized compared with other resorts I have visited.
Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddleboarding are also available, and are a peaceful way to gain a different perspective of the small island resort.
Drift Retreat also operates numerous excursions off the island, such as sunset cruises, visits to a local village, or picnics on a secluded sandbars. We enjoyed the sandbar brunch, and being dropped off on a deserted island paradise for a few hours in solitude was not only the highlight of our trip but one of the most romantic experiences I have ever had!
Hospitality
Drift Retreat is a small, local, family-owned resort that offers a genuine and unfussy style of hospitality. You can expect to converse and connect with the lovely staff, who are consistently thoughtful, accommodating, and kind without being over the top. The General Manager, Moomina, was attentive and charming when we met her at the weekly complimentary guest happy hour (a lovely touch).
Bon Voyage!
As we conclude this review of Drift Retreat, I realize that this private island might sound too good to be true. I hope I made it clear that this small Maldives boutique hotel offers an unparalleled escape in the Maldives! If you’re the kind of person who values the magic and personalized service an excellent small hotel can offer, look no further. Whether you seek romance, adventure, or simply a moment of serenity, Drift Retreat promises an unforgettable experience. It’s truly a place I dream of returning to!
