Kanuhura - Maldives

The Lhaviyani atoll

The Republic of the Maldives welcomes you for an unforgettable vacation, a destination that invokes idyllic beaches of fine sand and turquoise blue water. Located to the south of India, this insular state consists of 26 atolls each one more magnificent than the other. The relatively hot and humid climate, with temperatures that never drop below 23 degrees Celsius, is ideal for enjoying an eternally blue sky and the gentle warmth of the Indian Ocean. More than a thousand little islands with original contours make up this archipelago, well known to visitors since the 1950s. Since tourism is the country’s principle source of income, it is highly developed, although the government has imposed rules to protect the environment and avoid deteriorating the landscapes with hotels built in poor taste. Generally, there is one hotel per island, thereby guaranteeing the natural environment and the total tranquility of the guests. The Llhaviyani atoll is among the most well known. With barely ten small islands, it’s one of the smallest as well as one of the most popular atolls in the Maldives, especially because of the renowned Kanuhura hotel.

An atoll for you and you alone

Located 40 minutes from Malé, the capital of the Maldives, the island of Llhaviyana is truly unique. In 1999, a five star hotel complex opened here, the Kanuhura. The sea plane that takes you to the island drops you off at the end of the pontoon to give you a sneak preview of what is in store for you: turquoise water and total relaxation.

The Kanuhura proposes different types of private villas which can receive two to four guests. They’re equipped with all modern comforts including flat screen television sets, a DVD player and even speakers for your IPod. The décor is simple, pure and warm with bamboo or raffia furniture and spacious bathrooms with large bathtubs and an outdoor shower. Some villas connect to each other for families who come here to take advantage of the peace and quite that reigns supreme here. The first category of villas, the Beach Villas are along the shore and give guests their own private part of the beach and parasol. But the ultimate in accommodations are the villas on stilts, known as the Water Villas, with direct access to the Indian Ocean, thanks to a small private staircase leading directly from the villa’s balcony to the sea.

Guests can also take advantage of the many other facilities offered by the hotel including the outdoor swimming pool, the tennis courts and of course, the spa which proposes treatments inspired by local traditions. For fine dining, the Kanuhura has several choices. The Thin Rat offers a copious theme buffet. The Olive Tree specializes in Mediterranean cuisine, the Veli Café proposes a modernized version of Asian cooking and the newest addition, the Kandu, is an upscale restaurant-grill on the neighboring island of Jehunura, which serves grilled meat and fresh fish and possesses the perfect décor for watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean.

This island actually has its own time zone. In order to enjoy more sun, Kanuhura decide to set its clocks ahead by one hour compared to the capital of Malé!