Veligandu Resort & Spa Maldives by Crown & Champa Resorts: Where dreams come true

Island of pleasure with beautiful views

In November 2024, a legend returned: after extensive renovations, the Veligandu Island Resort in the Maldives welcomed its guests once again - as an exclusive 5-star destination with 100 stylish feel-good villas.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the most beautiful in the whole country? A difficult decision given the many paradises in the island state. But Veligandu has several trump cards up its sleeve: its privileged location in the North Ari Atoll, easily accessible via a 20-minute domestic flight or one-hour speedboat transfer, the lush, tropical vegetation, the nearby, spectacular dive sites - and last but not least, the iconic sandbank, which, from a bird's eye view, snakes like a white ribbon into the turquoise of the Indian Ocean as the ultimate vacation promise. Veligandu has had a loyal fan base since it opened in 1984 - what was missing until now was a dose of glamor. And that's exactly what you get now!

Living with a view

Especially as a resident of one of the 47 Ocean Pool Villas: With 125 square meters of living space, a stately infinity pool (5.8 by 3 meters) and features such as an XL flatscreen, free-standing open-air bathtub and an ingenious wardrobe and luggage storage system, they easily meet all expectations of modern luxury. If you have also booked the new "Dine Around All Inclusive" package with your villa, you might be tempted to raid the mini-bar, which is stocked with various wines, beers, soft drinks and snacks. However, the culinary voyage of discovery through the three in-house restaurants is definitely better.





Right next to the jetty that leads to the Ocean Pool Villas, the Raalhu restaurant, built on stilts in the lagoon, not only offers fine dining with a focus on seafood and meat specialties, but also a champagne bar housed in a separate pavilion, where hedonists can enjoy oysters, various types of caviar and seafood served on an etagere with a view of the sunset along with precious bubbles. Dining on the terrace of Dhonveli, the main restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner, is no less romantic. In the evenings, amazingly rich and tasty themed buffets with live cooking stations are offered here. Just a few steps away: the Thundi Bar, a casual social hub with entertainment, drinks and comfort food (salads, burgers, pasta and pizza) from early to late. As it borders directly on the famous sandbank, its interior is also covered in sand - an obvious reference to the name "Veligandu", which means "sandbank" in Dhivehi. Right next to the Thundi Bar is the Madivaru Silk Restaurant, where favorites from Asia, the Middle East and Europe are on the menu: Here, shrimp tempura and Vietnamese spring rolls meet lamb tagine, beef carpaccio and eggplant parmigiana, and - with an extra charge for dine-around guests - also Wagyu beefsteak and lobster.



By the way: In the evening, 6 guests are spoiled with show and taste at the teppanyaki grill in a frozen extra room.

In addition to the newly built Ocean Pool Villas, the resort also offers 51 extensively renovated Beach and Water Villas - some with Jacuzzis - in traditional Maldivian style. Veligandu thus appeals to long-standing regular guests and price-conscious travelers. Chief Commercial Leader at Crown & Champa Resorts Ahmed Shaheen welcomes the conscious decision to offer a variety of villas during the guided island tour, as it reflects the 41-year history of the island resort.

The newly designed "Memory Wall" also provides an impressive glimpse into this history: an artistic mosaic made from authentic building materials from years gone by - and a striking eye-catcher that catches the eye as soon as you arrive.

Thought green - lived blue

The new Veligandu also sets standards in terms of sustainability: Solar panels on the flat roofs of the Ocean Pool Villas and on the neighboring staff island Velifinolhu successfully generate green electricity. Particularly innovative: guests can follow how much energy is currently being produced in real time on the hotel's own "Solar TV" channel - achieving impressive figures of up to nine hours of daily solar operation. In addition, local marine biologists are committed to preserving the reefs: With coral reforestation projects in which guests can participate, as well as guided snorkeling and diving trips to the house reef or the famous dive sites in the area. An absolute highlight is the excursion to the "Blue Spot" where, with a bit of luck, hammerhead sharks can be observed at close range.

Great fun from sport to spa

The island's new public facilities are particularly impressive: for example, the spacious resort store with integrated tailor shop, where you can have your new favorite shirts, shorts or dresses tailored from the fabrics on offer within 24 hours. Directly opposite is the chic dive center with video screens, brand new diving equipment and adjoining shower facilities.

The Himeyn Spa may not be new, but with its 5 treatment rooms it presents itself as an oasis of relaxation on a grand scale and, with its yoga pavilion - just like the small but exquisite gym next door - is a guarantee of enjoyment and activity with a sea view. And the construction of a pickleball and paddle court is still considered a novelty in the Maldives, which scores particularly well with sporty guests.

With new architecture, a sophisticated dining concept, a stronger focus on the environment and a beach setting that is hard to beat, Veligandu is now a well-deserved member of the luxury collection of Maldivian Crown & Champa Resorts.

www.veligandu.com