Get away from it all by flying to the Maldives and staying at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru. Here’s what I loved about the eco-luxury resort.
“You’re going to the Maldives!” Everyone in the office was excited for me – and so was I for a hot minute until I saw the itinerary. There were a few activities I was nervous about, and slowly, the thought of being marooned on an island was daunting. (Yes, I know I’m being dramatic.) Will I survive this trip? Am I going to enjoy my stay at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru? Of course, those intrusive thoughts were put to rest once I arrived.
A luxe sanctuary that’ll make you forget the city
Located in the North Malé Atoll, a 25-minute speedboat ride from Maldives’ Velana International Airport, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru is an inviting paradise surrounded by white sand beaches and pristine coral reefs.
The luxury resort also fashions itself as a barefoot sanctuary, which my welcome party casually mentioned as I was led to the front desk. I didn’t have enough time to process the statement. The next thing I knew, I was removing my shoes and stepping into a sandbox as part of its barefoot ritual. And that’s how I spent the rest of my stay here – sans footwear, soaking in the sand and sea.
Despite reaching its third decade in the Maldives, the resort doesn’t look a day over ten years thanks to its latest revamping works. The 48 villas are refreshed with a new look, while new restaurants welcome guests with open arms. Other than that, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru still looks as good as new, like Lindsay Lohan lately after her alleged facelift.
My accommodation for the next five days was the Oceanview Pool Villa, which features a private pool and jet hot tub, two shower areas, and faces the Indian Ocean. The toilet doesn’t come with a hose, but something better: a bidet seat. No need to fuss around washing your privates when you can do that easily with a touch of a button! My favourite part of the villa – besides the panoramic views – was the outdoor shower. I could fulfil my exhibitionistic desires minus the prying eyes.
After sunset, the villa transforms into a charming, romantic space with the help of turndown services. My nightly ritual involved walking down to the beach, looking up at the dark sky, and hearing the sounds of roaring waves before turning in. Oh, how I miss doing that now…
It’s all about spa and surf
Being stuck on an island might not sound like much fun for some, but don’t worry, there are plenty of things to do throughout your stay at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru. The resort offers typical facilities like a 24-hour fitness centre (here’s one of the rare times when you should wear shoes), an infinity pool looking out to the glorious sea, and a boutique store where you can get souvenirs for your loved ones.
Now, you can’t stay at a Banyan Tree property and not book a spa treatment. I’m not fond of massages, but after getting a Balinese massage here, I was sold. Wina, my wellness therapist, helped relieve the muscle knots in my neck and alleviated tensions in my shoulders and lower back (aka the Office Syndrome – yes, it’s a legit thing). I walked out of the treatment room feeling calm and invigorated.
Of course, water sports are the main characters here. The on-site dive centre offers diving courses for all levels, so you can get certified and hang out with marine life underwater. Otherwise, hit up the water sports centre and participate in windsurfing, catamaran sailing, night snorkelling, and more.
Not keen on getting wet? That’s fine, the resort has other activities for you to get busy with. Top of the list is the Kahan’bu Cruise, where you can get out to sea, fish your own catch, enjoy private dining on the azure waters, or even stay overnight.
I spent an afternoon heading out to a nearby sandbank via the cruise and snorkelled for the first time. It was daunting initially – I was ungraceful, grappling with breathing through my mouth and staying afloat – but eventually, I took to it and everything was gravy. Now I can add snorkelling to my list of talents.
Doing the most in ocean conservation
Like many hotels worldwide, sustainability is at the forefront for Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru. Using solar power to light outdoor spaces, sourcing grained wood from responsible suppliers, and reducing single-use plastic usage are some initiatives the resort has undertaken to drive long-term sustainable development. Its biggest achievement, however, is pioneering marine conservation in the Maldives.
It all started in 2004 with the establishment of the Marine Lab, dedicated to saving and taking care of the country’s marine ecosystems. During my trip, the facility officially unveiled its expansion, which includes a discovery centre running marine biodiversity programmes that combine education and action.
Resort guests can sign up for hands-on workshops, coral planting, and reef cleaning. I was fortunate to participate in the latter activity, which helped to drive home the point that ocean conservation is something we should be doing more of.
The session commenced with resident marine biologists presenting the state of coral reefs in the Maldives, the problems faced, and what can be done for reef relief. My entourage and I then took part in a coral restoration technique called micro-fragmentation, where cut coral fragments are attached to natural substrates (kinda similar to cookies) using super glue.
Later in the afternoon, we were joined by other vacationers and the resort associates in reef cleaning efforts. The mission? To pick out two starfish species, which are deemed predatory to coral reefs.
Confession: I didn’t do anything apart from snorkelling and vibing. My excuse is I couldn’t tell the marine life apart. What if I picked up something and got myself injured? The only starfish I recognise is Patrick, Spongebob’s best friend. It was still an eye-opening experience, even though I barely contributed anything. I’ll spare you the details of what we did to the starfish, but let’s just say, they’re returning to Earth in soft, fluffy form.
Wine and dine at these food spots
All this talk about marine life is making me hungry. It’s a good thing there are plenty of dining options at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru. My favourite restaurant is the award-winning Madi Hiyaa, set on an overwater jetty at the back of the island. It’s all about Japanese cuisine with a Maldivian twist here.
If you love sushi, you’ll devour the tuna rolls, made with the day’s freshest catch. You can say it’s a true embodiment of sea to table. Oh, and be sure to get the savoury fried rice! I’m avoiding carbs, but I just couldn’t turn away this dish. The beef and chicken yakitori are good too, though I wished the kitchen didn’t char the meat too much.
Two new dining spots just opened during my stay. First is Sangu Garden, where guests can wolf down daily buffet lunches, and dinners on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The menu boasts responsibly sourced seafood, self-caught fish grills, local produce, and live cooking stations.
Banyan Group’s signature Saffron Restaurant also had its grand unveiling. Here’s where diners can enjoy Thai fare infused with subtle Maldivian influences. Pro tip: order the tom yum goong, which will clear your head and open your palate.
If you’re travelling with your loved ones and want to impress them, go for the destination dining option. You can enjoy a beach barbeque, a lavish floating breakfast in your pool, or a romantic private dinner.
After dinner, retire to your villa or head to Naiboli Bar for a nightcap, which I did my entire trip. The beachfront bar serves classic cocktails, wine, champagne, and mocktails, along with appetisers, light meals, and bar bites. If you want something refreshing, you can’t go wrong with a lime mojito. But my top vote goes to the espresso martini. It’s not too acidic and has a tinge of sweetness that makes the drink go down easily.
The (solo) tribe has spoken…
As a first-timer in the Maldives, I arrived with one brain cell and anxiety. So, did I survive the trip? Most definitely, and it’s all thanks to Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru. Looking back, I daresay I was initially a bit melodramatic. But the soft sand and beautiful sea views buried my concerns.
My highest praise goes to the associates running and managing the resort. They took great lengths to take care of this city boy, including expressing concern when I accidentally injured myself during my maiden snorkelling experience. I loved how warm and welcoming everyone was, and their pride in showcasing their culture and what they do daily.
More than anything, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru has set the standard for future trips to the Maldives. Should I ever decide to return, the luxury resort will be at the top of my consideration list. And next time, I won’t bother bringing too many shoes.
Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Vabbinfaru Island, North Male Atoll, Republic of Maldives
