{"id":14332,"date":"2024-12-17T11:00:47","date_gmt":"2024-12-17T03:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thehoneycombers.com\/singapore\/?p=14332"},"modified":"2024-12-17T11:34:29","modified_gmt":"2024-12-17T03:34:29","slug":"banyan-tree-vabbinfaru-maldives-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/singapore\/banyan-tree-vabbinfaru-maldives-review\/","title":{"rendered":"A barefoot adventure: I ditched my shoes and embraced island life at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru in the Maldives"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cYou\u2019re going to the Maldives<\/a>!\u201d Everyone in the office was excited for me \u2013 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\u2019m 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.<\/p>\n

A luxe sanctuary that\u2019ll make you forget the city<\/h3>\n
\"Banyan
Welcome to paradise. No shoes allowed! Photography: Sufyan Saad<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Located in the North Mal\u00e9 Atoll, a 25-minute speedboat ride from Maldives\u2019 Velana International Airport, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru is an inviting paradise surrounded by white sand beaches<\/a> and pristine coral reefs.<\/p>\n

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\u2019t 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\u2019s how I spent the rest of my stay here \u2013 sans footwear, soaking in the sand and sea.<\/p>\n

Despite reaching its third decade in the Maldives, the resort doesn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

\"Oceanview
Here\u2019s a peek into my villa. Photography: Sufyan Saad<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\u2019t 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 \u2013 besides the panoramic views \u2013 was the outdoor shower. I could fulfil my exhibitionistic desires minus the prying eyes.<\/p>\n

After sunset<\/a>, 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\u2026<\/p>\n

It\u2019s all about spa and surf<\/h3>\n
\"The
The infinity pool facing the great ocean. Photography: Sufyan Saad<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Being stuck on an island might not sound like much fun for some, but don\u2019t 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Now, you can\u2019t stay at a Banyan Tree property and not book a spa<\/a> treatment. I\u2019m 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 \u2013 yes, it\u2019s a legit thing). I walked out of the treatment room feeling calm and invigorated.<\/p>\n

\"Reef
If you squint hard enough, you might<\/em> be able to spot me snorkelling. Photography: Sufyan Saad<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Of course, water sports<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

Not keen on getting wet? That\u2019s fine, the resort has other activities for you to get busy with. Top of the list is the Kahan\u2019bu Cruise, where you can get out to sea, fish<\/a> your own catch, enjoy private dining on the azure waters, or even stay overnight.<\/p>\n

I spent an afternoon heading out to a nearby sandbank via the cruise and snorkelled for the first time. It was daunting initially \u2013 I was ungraceful, grappling with breathing through my mouth and staying afloat \u2013 but eventually, I took to it and everything was gravy. Now I can add snorkelling to my list of talents.<\/p>\n

Doing the most in ocean conservation<\/h3>\n
\"Marine
The expanded Marine Lab. Photography: Sufyan Saad<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Like many hotels worldwide, sustainability<\/a> 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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

It all started in 2004 with the establishment of the Marine Lab, dedicated to saving and taking care of the country\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Reef
Coral microfragmentation (left) and all the starfish we<\/del> the associates caught. Photography: Sufyan Saad<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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<\/a>) using super glue.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Confession: I didn\u2019t do anything apart from snorkelling and vibing. My excuse is I couldn\u2019t tell the marine life apart. What if I picked up something and got myself injured? The only starfish I recognise is Patrick, Spongebob\u2019s best friend. It was still an eye-opening experience, even though I barely contributed anything. I\u2019ll spare you the details of what we did to the starfish, but let\u2019s just say, they\u2019re returning to Earth in soft, fluffy form.<\/p>\n

Wine and dine at these food spots<\/h3>\n
\"Madi
Madi Hiyaa is the only restaurant you should dine at when in Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru. Photography: Sufyan Saad<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

All this talk about marine life is making me hungry. It\u2019s 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\u2019s all about Japanese<\/a> cuisine with a Maldivian twist here.<\/p>\n

If you love sushi, you\u2019ll devour the tuna rolls, made with the day\u2019s freshest catch. You can say it\u2019s a true embodiment of sea to table. Oh, and be sure to get the savoury fried rice! I\u2019m avoiding carbs, but I just couldn\u2019t turn away this dish. The beef and chicken yakitori<\/a> are good too, though I wished the kitchen didn\u2019t char the meat too much.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Saffron
Hello, Saffron Restaurant. Photography: Sufyan Saad<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Banyan Group\u2019s signature Saffron Restaurant also had its grand unveiling. Here\u2019s where diners can enjoy Thai<\/a> fare infused with subtle Maldivian influences. Pro tip: order the tom yum goong, which will clear your head and open your palate.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019t go wrong with a lime mojito. But my top vote goes to the espresso martini. It\u2019s not too acidic and has a tinge of sweetness that makes the drink go down easily.<\/p>\n

The (solo) tribe has spoken\u2026<\/h3>\n
\"Sufyan
So, what’s my final verdict? Photography: Sufyan Saad<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As a first-timer in the Maldives<\/a>, I arrived with one brain cell and anxiety. So, did I survive the trip? Most definitely, and it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019t bother bringing too many shoes.<\/p>\n

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru<\/a>, Vabbinfaru Island, North Male Atoll, Republic of Maldives<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cYou\u2019re going to the Maldives!\u201d Everyone in the office was excited for me \u2013 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\u2019m being dramatic.) Will […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":107587,"featured_media":310173,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"categories":[6435,24658,6393],"tags":[14676,123470],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nBanyan Tree Vabbinfaru Review: Our Barefoot Stay in the Maldives<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you\u2019re planning a trip to the Maldives, we recommend staying at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru. 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