The opening of Alila Villas Hadahaa in August 2009 will herald an unparalleled experience in island living and destination discovery in the Maldives. This boutique luxury resort will be the first to open in the Gaafu Alifu (North Huvadhoo) Atoll in the previously untouched southern Maldives. It is also the very first property in the Maldives that has been awarded the prestigious Green Globe certification for ‘Building, Planning and Design Standard’.As one of the oldest inhabited regions of the Maldives, the Huvadhoo Atoll is rich in history. However, this history has remained hidden as only very few adventurous divers have traveled here in the past. While the Maldives is a well established and much sought-after destination, it is only in its southern atolls that travelers can truly experience the original tranquility and unspoiled conditions of the Maldives which first drew tourists many years ago.
Alila Villas Hadahaa is located in the Huvadhoo Atoll, one of the largest natural atolls in the world and the deepest atoll in the Maldives with a central lagoon plunging about 90 metres down. Despite the size of the Atoll, it encompasses only 250 islands over a lagoon area covering 2,800 square kilometers, resulting in the sparsest distribution of individual islands in the country.

The magnificence of nature and culture in the resort’s secluded yet strategic location creates an inimitable hideaway. Hadahaa’s proximity to the equator together with its location far away from artificial light sources (the closest inhabited island is more than 10 kilometers away) ensures that guests will be dazzled nightly by the stars that shine brightly after sunset. This unforgettable and unique show that features bright constellations from both hemispheres will wow even the most jaded city-slickers.

Deep within the atoll’s turquoise lagoon is a breathtakingly beautiful landscape of unspoilt coral reefs and diverse marine life. The marine life here is abundant and varied, not to mention still delightfully curious and unwary of divers. Huvadhoo Atoll’s first island-based PADI 5 Star dive centre will offer full valet service and unique diving experiences in the region’s unexplored waters at any time of the year. There are 6 spectacular dive sites with pelagic marine life just 30 minutes away as well as many other stunning dive sites just an hour away by boat. The resort is also looking forward to uncovering the treasures of yet to be discovered dive locations.

In developing the island, Alila kept to Green Globe’s rigorous ‘Building, Planning and Design Standard’ benchmarks for environmental sensitivity and its own long-standing philosophy of luxury living in natural environments, while treading lightly to preserve the essence and splendor of the destination.

Alila Villas Hadahaa features 14 stilted over-the-water Aqua Villas and 36 Island Villas, 20 of which come with a private plunge pool. While environmental considerations took precedence, the appointed architect, Yale-trained and Singapore-based Chan Soo Khian of SCDA Architects integrated a deep respect for Maldivian culture with innovative contemporary design in order to fashion an entirely new style of Maldivian resort. While building a new design vocabulary for the region, the resort also offers guests a peaceful haven in which to appreciate nature and feel totally at ease.

All villas are designed to enhance the Maldivian experience. The overwater Aqua Villas offer panoramic views of the tropical sky and sea. Rhythmic waves lap beneath the villas, lulling guests into a state of meditative euphoria. The Island Villas, in contrast, are gently nestled amongst the natural vegetation so that each is a private island enclave with its private deck and an enclosed garden with an outdoor shower and bath.

Alila Villas Hadahaa is also taking great care to provide a meaningful understanding and authentic experience of the Maldives through its carefully crafted, one-of-a-kind series of guest activities, known as Journeys by Alila. These comprise Journey to the Environment, Journey to Maldivian Passions, Journey to Self and Journey to the Altar.

Alila Villas Hadahaa is accessible via a 55 min domestic flight from Male to Kaadedhdhoo Domestic Airport, where you commence your Alila Villas experience as you board a 55 foot Luxury Azimut Power yacht for a 1 hour 15 min cruise to the resort.
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