Nousheen and Anaz – Maldives
Nousheen and Anaz dived into lots of fun while snorkeling on their honeymoon at Shangri-La's Villingili Resort & Spa in the Maldives
Honeymoon Planning
Visiting Maldives had always been one of Nousheen’s dreams for many years. “I had heard that Maldives was one of the best honeymoon destinations so we decided to plan ours there – and after our amazing experience, you could say our decision was right! We had also considered Bali in Indonesia but finally settled on Maldives.”
The South Asian island country surrounded by coral islands located in the Indian Ocean derives its name from the Malayalam words ‘maala’ (garland) and ‘dweepu’ (island). With its crystal clear turquoise waters, stunning natural beauty and luxury resorts, Maldives has become the go-to place for couples as well as families.
Honeymoon Highlights
The couple chose to stay at the luxurious Shangri-La Villingili Resort and Spa in the 30-acre Addu Atoll. “We booked an Ocean View Villa which offered beautiful views of the ocean. It was amazing to wake up to the views of the endless ocean and the sound of the waves. The service and food options here were also top-notch.” Built on stilts on the ground, the Ocean View Villas include an infinity pool with comfortable sunbeds where couples can relax in total privacy.
This luxurious property is picture-perfect with its rows of gently swaying coconut and banyan trees, powder-soft sandy beaches and plenty of bicycles for guests to ride and explore the sprawling environs. The resort can be reached by a 70-minute plane ride from the Male International Airport, after which a speedboat will take visitors from the Gan Airport to the resort in a few minutes.
Apart from exploring this beautiful resort and spending time with each other, the couple also slipped into their wetsuits for some snorkeling adventures. Since the resort is situated close to two deep water channels, it offers a richer marine life experience than other atolls. “This was one of the best parts of our honeymoon – we loved the amazing scenic views of underwater corals – and the life in the ocean is just fascinating!” recalls Nousheen.
For some authentic rest and relaxation, honeymooning couples prefer to head to the resort’s Chi Spa which offers a host of relaxing Asian and Ayurvedic treatments with fragrant coconut oil and other relaxing blends. The couple enjoyed sunset views by the beach in a relaxed environment by the sea.
Couples who want to pack in a range of new experiences on short honeymoons can avail of a host of activities offered by the resort. These include Guided Snorkel Explorations which Nousheen and Anaz enjoyed. Scuba Diving, Night Fishing, Glass Bottom Boat Tours (great to gaze at the awesome marine life) and the Villingili Eco Tours led by a naturalist are always a hit with visitors.
Best Meal
Nousheen shares, “The best meal we had in Maldives was a candle light dinner where we had authentic Arabic food which was the best part of all.”
Advice to couples
“We would definitely recommend that couples try snorkeling here – it’s one of those activities that should not be avoided!”
“Couples can consider staying in the Water Villas – these are built on stilts in the resort’s lagoon and are connected to the island by a timber walkway.”
Where They Stayed
Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa in the Maldives
To book a bespoke romantic trip for two, click here
