Located in the Indian Ocean and just south-west of Sri Lanka and India, the Maldives—officially the Republic of Maldives—is comprised of over 1,000 tropical islands, some inhabited, some not. One of those islands—Dhigufinolhu Island in South Male Atoll—is home to the luxury, ocean-front Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort. The destination is a 30-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport.
To travel to the Republic of Maldives, visitors must show proof of a negative PCR test 96 hours prior to arrival, but there is no quarantine requirement and no mask mandates.
General Manager, Giles Selves says, “Here at Anantara Dhigu, we work to make sure holiday relaxation and wellness go hand-in-hand.”
The Main Point of Distinction
Dhigufinolhu Island is a private island and together with two other nearby private islands share a lagoon. The family-friendly resort offers 110 villas, a combo of 1- and 2-bedroom beach villas and over-water suites, each with private sundecks. The resort’s over-water Anantara Spa, incorporates traditional Indian wellness philosophies with results-oriented clinical therapies, allowing guests to choose from a variety of carefully created holistic and restorative experiences, including those offered through the property’s Cocoon Medical Spa. The resort also welcomes visiting practitioners from around the world.
New Health & Safety Protocols and Procedures
Selves points out that Anantara Dhigu is committed to safeguarding guests’ health and wellbeing through the Anantara brand’s initiative Stay with Peace of Mind. Plus, he says “Extra measures have been taken to reflect the advice and guidance of the World Health Organization, Health Protection Agency (HPA) and the local authority.” A complete guide to new protocols has been prepared for every stage of the guest’s experience from pre-arrival to departure. You’ll find the most recent update here: anantara.com/en/dhigu-maldives/health-safety-update.
New Programs Being Offered
The resort has recently added a resident naturopath/nutritional therapist plus a fitness consultant to the on-property team giving guests the opportunity to focus on their nutrition to help overcome issues such as stress, sleep deprivation and unhealthy eating patterns, including those which may have built up over the past year. In-house nutrition sessions and wellness cuisine workshops are also designed to help with immunity, digestion, weight management, hormones, skin and blood sugar balance. These new offerings are part of the resort’s 3, 5 and 7-day programs, priced between $795 and $1,585 and include a personal consultation with a nutritionist/wellness consultant.
Selves points out that “many more of us are now much more mindful and conscious about our health and wellbeing and looking for opportunities to grow our knowledge and adjust our behaviours in this regard. Our wellness programs are designed to leave guests feeling physically and mentally enhanced after staying with us.”
Types of Activities Offered
Between simply relaxing and enjoying the view, Anantara Dhigu offers a wide range of activities. Guests can choose to snorkel and dive the house reef, take a diving course from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), or swim with local ocean life including whale sharks and manta rays. Other activities both on and under the waves include surfing, with lessons offered year-round, dolphin and turtle snorkelling, and cruising on the resort’s Nirvana yacht. On land, guests can enjoy daily yoga and meditation, tennis and beach games, or hone their skills in the kitchen with Anantara’s on- request cooking classes. Kayaks are available on a complimentary bases for guests to enjoy self-guided excursions to the nearby island of Gulhifushi. One of the three islands sharing the lagoon, Gulhifushi welcomes guests for a day of snorkelling, swimming in its turquoise ocean pool or simply relaxing in over-the-water hammocks and swings suspended from coconut trees.
Client Goals/Intentions that Might be Achieved by Selecting this Property
The Maldives can be considered for clients looking for a place of peace and quiet, to be surrounded by nature and to experience something new and different. Goals or intentions such as to reduce stress, renew focus, shed unwanted weight, or promote overall physical and mental wellbeing for a longer, healthier life, are also achievable at Anantara Dhigu.
Programs Can be Customized to Suit Clients’ Needs
Following a one-on-one consultation with the nutritionist/wellness consultant, a customized program can include additional spa treatments, yoga, meditation and fitness classes. A specially-crafted wellness food menu based on the results of the initial consultation is another option available to guests. The addition of customized extras may result in an extra charge above and beyond the basic program.
What is the Best Time to Travel?
Anantara Dhigu welcomes guests year-round. Maldives enjoys warm weather throughout the year and its climate is split into a wet season (May- October) and a dry season (November to April).
For more information, visit anantara.com/en/dhigu-maldives.
For more from the Wellness Tourism Association, click here.
