Ayada Maldives is located in the largest atoll in the Maldives called - Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. You can only reach the island by a domestic flight, followed by an hour of speedboat transfer. It cannot be reach by seaplane because of the distance from Male international airport. The main difference between a seaplane transfer versus a domestic flight is that the view from above is much higher and wider - the main difference is that you can even see the entire shape of the atoll from a domestic plane! Ayada is considered one of the most luxury island resorts in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, there are approximate 6-8 island resorts in this atoll, you will see plenty of uninhabited islands along the way!
Accommodations + Service
There are 9 different category room types, ranging from cozy Garden villa to the Ayada Royal ocean suite, accommodating many different needs. The design style here at Ayada is rustic luxury, with a bit of a Turkish element as highlight. Most of the interior consists of dark wood finish, pops of yellow and orange color. The bedrooms are spacious with a warm color theme, which allows guests to feel relaxed at all times. Many furnitures also includes a touch of Turkish design, such as the interior lighting, the bedside lamps and bathroom lights, etc...
When you walk around the island, staff members will always greet you with a smile and are always willing to help. The staff here at Ayada makes you feel just like home, and most importantly they put in a lot of effort in curating different activities for guests to have a good time.
Activities + Spa
Besides the typical water sports and excursions that most resort island offers in the Maldives, what stood out to me here at Ayada is that they offer many fun activities for their guests to participate throughout the week. For example, Ayada offers carnival night in the later afternoon twice a week, game nights such as casino royal (gambling with chips for prizes), themed beach bbq dinners, and many beautiful destination dining options. At the carnival event, the range of activities and games Ayada offer is quite impressive, I have to say I had more fun than I had expected! In terms of destination dining, Ayada also does an amazing job and creates some of the most beautiful set ups!
AYSPA, is part of the ESPA family that offers many different type of body massages and treatment that helps relax the body. It is also one of the few Maldives resort that offers a Turkish Hammam, a purifying and refreshing ceremony that promotes well-being for body and mind.
Restaurants and Bars
There are 8 dining outlets here at Ayada:
Ocean Breeze, opens for lunch and dinner, it’s an overwater restaurant that offers the best spot for sunset, serving European style cuisine: from grilled seafood, to homemade pasta. The menu also changes every season, offering a good range options. It is also voted as the best atmospheric restaurant in 2017.
Mizu, Japanese Teppanyaki dining experience on the beach, with limited seats and reservations are needed, opens for dinner, serving all different kinds of fresh local seafood to high quality meat.
Kai, opens for dinner only and serves asian cuisine. Guests can get fresh sushi and sashimi from fresh local catch, and dishes from different Asian specialties like China, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
Zero Degree, a poolside dining experience that opens for lunch and for drinks till late night. You can even dine inside the pool with your foot in the water, also with a beautiful ocean view!
Magu, the main restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner in buffet style, and every night with a different theme: from Far East Asian, to Maldivian night, Mexican, Mediterranean, etc…
Sea Salt, a beach bbq dinner that opens every Tuesday and Friday night in front of the beach at Zero Degree.
Ottoman Lounge, a Turkish inspired lounge with low seating, as inspired by a traditional café in Turkey, serves Turkish teas and coffee presented in the traditional manner in filigree silver- service
Ile De Joie, a small and cozy overwater wine and cheese bar that serves different ranges of fine label cognacs, premium whiskies and other delectable bottled digestives and aperitifs.
Maldives is a popular wedding destination, and here at Ayada Maldives, it has the largest wedding chapel amongst all the islands.
