Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences

Amilla Maldives is a modern and stylish resort with a huge heart, located in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll. The design and architecture make it easy to imagine you’re in a hip Miami beach resort until you look out and see that iconic Maldivian seascape which forms the backdrop of your stay. Feel the pulse of the jungle as you explore the island among the towering trees, with tropical birds and fruit bats flying above you. Walk along the waters edge and see baby sharks swimming about in the shallows, see huge shoals of fish, drift off into a paradise dreamworld and relax. If home is where the heart is, then Amilla Maldives will make you feel at home, that’s for sure…

Our island home was a ‘Sunset Water Pool Villa’ where the size of the outdoor space and private pool overlooking the ocean was instantly impressive. Villas are light and breezy, beach chic to the max. Think floor to ceiling sliding glass doors leading out onto a spacious sun deck, outdoor showers, sofas piled high with cushions to make relaxing and soaking up the views effortless. Think bright blue infinity pool looking out onto the ocean. Think sunset views which will fill your soul. Steps lead directly down to the ocean where you can snorkel on the impressive house reef with high quality equipment provided free of charge from the on site Dive Butler centre. For a once in a lifetime experience during your stay at Amilla Maldives, make sure to join Dive Butler to visit Hanifaru Bay, the largest manta ray feeding ground on the planet.

In addition to the selection of over water villas and beach villas, you can also surround yourself with jungle vines and mystical Banyan trees and stay in one of the Treetop Pool Villas. These super-charged stilt houses, each with their own private pool, still embrace the Maldivian island feel with views of the ocean over the tree tops. And for another truly unique experiences, a night of glamping lets you sleep on the beach under the stars in your own see-through inflatable dome.

The Vegan Food

The vegan food at Amilla Maldives was an indulgent, exciting and delicious vegan food adventure. Every restaurant has extensive vegan options listed on a separate ‘Wellness your Way’ vegan and vegetarian menu. Prepare to eat and be indulged at every mealtime during your stay, with creative vegan options available throughout the resort. Our vegan Maldives eating extravaganza got off to a flying start with a vegan cheese and fruit platter awaiting us in our villa. There was also a selection of sweet treats including vegan meringues and vegan macarons. Best welcome ever.

Breakfast at ‘Fresh’ included an impressive buffet in addition to a la carte dishes which were detailed on the ‘Wellness your Way’ menu. There were so many options available from the buffet including healthy turmeric laced ACV shots, homegrown coconut products such as coconut water, coconut milk, coconut yoghurt and sweet little coconut and sugar ladu treats. The healthy vibes continued throughout with homemade kombucha and a variety of little ‘Breakfast Bowls’ filled with all kinds of thoughtful and creative combinations. Try the ‘Avo Met Quinoa?’ with dark chocolate, avocado, coconut yoghurt, strawberry, blueberry, dry coconut flakes and mint, or the ‘Acai Gone Bananas’ with acai, almond milk, banana, raspberry, blueberry and peanut butter. Served in cute coconut bowls made by Amilla Maldives’ resident traditional artist, these nutrition packed breakfast bowls were a great way to start the day. There were also Arabic delights including the creamiest of beetroot hummus, a deliciously smoky moutabel, babaganoush and muhamara, a red pepper and walnut dip that was spicy and delightful, salads, breads, fruits, compotes. Vegan breakfast at Amilla Maldives is seriously good and seriously indulgent!

A la carte highlights included the tofu scramble made with a Maldivian twist of fresh shredded coconut, onion and chilli with dark green kopi leaves (a Maldivian leaf similar to kale). The tofu scram was truly delicious, and even better atop flavoursome shakshuka, with a side of foul medamas and warm pitta bread. Similar Maldivian flavourings were added to red quinoa to make a protein packed and tasty fusion dish. There were also flaxseed pancakes and waffles served with spiced banana, papaya or pineapple compotes, and a little scoop of homemade vegan chocolate hazelnut spread for a decadent breakfast desert option. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to be happy.

True luxury and top end service always exceeds expectations, so just as we thought things were pretty good it was time for the next level. Enter the vegan croissant. Crisp, flaky, deliciously fatty, a hint of sweetness. We spread them with more homemade hazelnut chocolate spread and melted into bliss. Finally, a ‘full English’ vegan breakfast with vegan sausages was a must. We were most certainly in vegan breakfast heaven at Amilla Maldives.

Vegan lunch at Amilla Maldives was equally as impressive with dishes that are sure to cater for a huge array of tastes. We dined in either the ‘Emperor Beach Club’ (EBC) or ‘Chill’d Cafe’ with its sandy floor, sounds and views of the ocean and striking undulating waved wood slatted ceiling. There were vegan calamari made from konjac, vegan seafood platters with fish fillets and prawns, vibrant salads and summer rolls as well as burgers, wraps, tacos, sandwiches, sushi, soups, Indian and Maldivian curries, and noodle dishes like pad Thai or nasi goreng. All vegan and made using a range of ingredients like the soy chicken and vegan seafood as well plenty of fresh vegetables, island grown salad leaves and herbs and super powered grains like quinoa.

It’s worth mentioning the dessert options at Amilla Maldives (which were available at all restaurants). Gone are the days of sorbet or fruit as the only vegan dessert options. Amilla are certainly paving the way for vegan dessert lovers to walk straight into their sweet-toothed dreams. Gooey centred vegan chocolate fondant puddings with coconut ice cream? Creamy coconut panna cotta with zesty lime sorbet? Giant slices of rich chocolate ganache laden coconut macaroon tart? All too delicious to say no to, so we didn’t. Obviously.

Once the mesmerising sun sets over the ocean at Amilla Maldives, then we were blessed with a number of choices for dinner. We delved into the wonders of Japanese food at ‘Feeling Koi’ where the views of the ocean accompanied dishes like fresh sushi, crispy vegetable and vegan seafood tempura, stir fried vegan chicken with broccoli and sesame and a sweet creamy coconut sago pudding for dessert. At ‘East’ dishes from India were served with piping hot garlic pizza dough naan straight from the tandoor oven. The tandoor cauliflower was deliciously spiced and charred, the dhal makhani was creamy and full of flavour and the aloo gobi was rich and packed with spices. The Maldivian night brought platters of veganised Maldivian food. The lightest, thinnest Maldivian flatbreads called ‘roshi’, an exceptional breadfruit curry, dhal, a dry spiced potato curry, konjac vegan squid, and some vegan fish fillets served with an excellent spicy and punchy Maldivian curry sauce. We loved that the staff worked hard to veganise traditional dishes so we got to experience the wonders of Maldivian cuisine.

The Vegan Essentials

It’s not just the vegan food at Amilla Maldives that will put a smile on your face, it’s the so-called ‘vegan essentials’ too. Those extra touches that ensure that your stay is 100% vegan and 100% cruelty free. In your villa there’s an extensive pillow menu with plenty of feather free options, whilst the bathroom amenities are from vegan friendly Aesop in large dispensers to reduce the use of single-use plastic. To be clear, not all villa types offer the same excellent products from Aesop, but upon request the team at Amilla Maldives will happily provide them for their vegan guests. Add to this, plant based milk in your fridge and planet friendly coffee capsules from CRU Kafe for that extra feel good factor. Head to Javvu Spa for a whole host of indulgent spa treatments with a selection of locally produced, organic and vegan friendly products. Our ‘Thamburu & Mihiri’ Maldivian herbal massage was an experience that we enjoyed immensely, the homemade coconut oil and paste made from thamburu & mihiri leaves made for the perfect detox treatment. Post-treatment refreshments included coconut green tea, dried fruits and activated almonds. The Javvu Spa boutique has a wide range of products for sale, with many of them being suitable for vegans, we loved the suntan lotion from COCOSOLIS and the beauty products from vegan friendly brand Eminence caught our eye too.

Everywhere at Amilla Maldives there were initiatives that we loved. Whether it was the expansive vegetable gardens and hydroponic tunnels, the mushroom hut or the recycling area; these projects made us happy. Especially ‘The Nut’ facility which endeavours to make full use of every part of the coconuts which grow on the island. Already producing coconut oil for the spa and milk or cream for the kitchens, even the husks are broken down to create mulch for the organic gardens. These initiatives to increase sustainability and reduce waste were all seriously impressive.

The Vegan Food Quest Verdict

Check into Amilla Maldives and find yourself in vegan luxury heaven. Slowly work your way through the vegan menus in between relaxing in your stunning villa, snorkelling on the house reef or exploring the island. Enjoy the cool vibes and excellent service throughout this vegan friendly luxury resort. Amilla Maldives is seriously fabulous and we expect you’ll love it, just like us.

We were guests of Amilla Maldives but please rest assured that their generosity in hosting us didn’t influence our views

Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences
Baa Atoll
Maldives

Telephone: +960 660-6444
Email: stay@amilla.com
Cost From: £700 / $850 per night (July 2022)