Chances are, when you’ve daydreamed about a holiday in the Maldives, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is pretty close to what you’ve pictured. Picking a resort can be tricky as the choice is pretty overwhelming, but if you’re looking for a stay that combines that low-key remote desert island feel, while still boasting all of the luxe little mod-cons you could hope for, you won’t be disappointed at Alila.
Where is it and what’s the vibe?
Set on a natural private island in the Raa Atoll, stylish and sleek water bungalows and beach villas sit amongst endless white beaches, lush jungle and crystal clear waters.
You’ll be whisked away by seaplane from Malé International Airport to the island, which takes around 40-45 minutes. Landing at the resort’s jetty to warmest welcome imaginable, they’ll hook you up with a golf buggy direct to your room (and your jet lagged body will be grateful).
We stayed in a Sunset Water Villa, with views over the island’s white sand beaches and out across the open ocean. If stunning views are your thing, nothing beats a sundowner on your private deck, watching dolphins zip through the water.
Rooms have a natural, minimalist feel, with neutral tones that make the most of the breathtaking views. The huge bedroom and living space (complete with comfy sofa) overlooks your terrace, with sun loungers, private pool and oversea hammock. And honestly, if you don’t take a picture of yourself lounging on your duvet on the oversea hammock as the sun sets, have you even been to Alila Kothaifaru Maldives?
Rooms feature what has to be one of the best bathrooms in the Maldives, with a dressing table area complete with very flattering lighting, two sinks, and… wait for it… a bath tub and rain shower, set next to floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the sea. If having a post-sunbathe shower while gazing out over the Indian Ocean doesn’t relax you, I don’t know what will.
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Plus, the resort is big on its sustainability creds. You’ll notice little things like reusable water bottles and lack of single-use plastics, right through to locally-sourced organic food. But there’s also a lot you won’t see: the resort recycles to the max, converting paper and vegetable waste into fertiliser, uses various renewable energy sources, and even ensured the resort design maintained around 70% of the island’s existing vegetation.
What we did
It’s more than Alila’s eco-friendly approach and minimalist decor that’ll make you feel like a boujee castaway. The stunning spa features treetop treatment rooms for total at-one-with-nature zen. Treatments use products handmade using pure, natural ingredients, and mix both Asian and Western therapy techniques. There’s also yoga and meditation on offer for a truly chill-the-fuck-out reset.
There are a whole host of other experiences on offer if you’ve got the energy (and budget), from Maldivian cooking lessons and cocktail-making classes, to their private starlight cinema night. The watersports and dive centre is also a must if that’s your bag, with sailing and kayaking on offer as well as various non-motorised watersports. Or just strap on a complimentary snorkel and explore the house reef.
Our pick? A sunrise or sunset dolphin cruise on a traditional Maldivian wooden dhoni boat. St-unn-ing.
Where we ate
There may only be a handful of dining options but this is definitely a case of quality over quantity. Japanese restaurant Umami is the stand-out for food, with evening cocktails at Mirus a must and a lunchtime light-bite at the Yakitori bar also heavily recommended. Plus, if your budget will stretch, the dining experiences are well worth it.
And there’s The Shack - the resort’s very own sand cay (basically a mini private island, off the main private island) that you can book for a private picnic lunch, or sunset BBQ.
We went for breakfast and holy sh*t was it one of the best breakfasts we’ve ever had. Champagne, fresh pastries, fruit, chia pots, the list goes on… Follow it with some down time sunbathing on the private sand bank and log those memories away to relive when you’re back staring into your rainy-morning bowl of porridge at home.
* Prices at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives start from USD $650 (approx £506) plus taxes, per night with breakfast in a Beach Pool Villa for stays in 2025 via Amazing Escapes. (Eligible stay dates between 6th May - 30th September 2025). Return seaplane transfers are charged at USD $570 plus tax per adult (approx £444).
Claire Hodgson is Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan UK. Formerly the brand's Digital Director, she has worked in the media industry for over fifteen years, specialising in cross-platform content, from print and digital, to social and video. Originally working as an entertainment journalist, Claire is a film fanatic, box-set binger and music-lover, having interviewed the likes of Channing Tatum and Zac Efron, with her Scarlett Johansson and Mark Ruffalo video going viral in 2015. You're most likely to find Claire writing random entertainment op-eds on her love for Pedro Pascal and F1: Drive to Survive, or lusting after dreamy holiday destinations in our travel section.
