Honest review
A sensible choice for those who want no extra flights within the Maldives: Velassaru island sits in South Male Atoll, 12 km from Velana airport — 25 minutes by speedboat and you are there.
The second strong argument is the food. The variety of meal plans here is rare for the Maldives: you can take half board or breakfasts only, which is getting ever harder to find on the islands. The all-inclusive has its own quirk: different meals are served in different restaurants, so over a holiday you will visit each more than once. Seafood lovers should head straight for the beach restaurant: salmon, tuna and prawns are served generously.
The resort itself is calm: spacious renovated villas, deep bathtubs, good pools. No hi-tech — restrained classics in excellent condition, the very classic idea of the Maldives people come here for.
The beach is wide, the sand flour-fine with no shell grit, the entry into the water gentle; the best stretch is the south-eastern side, by the jetty, the restaurants and the pool. One caveat: many of the resort's boats moor off the north-eastern side — swim elsewhere, and check the currents map.
For honeymooners, one specific tip: the Water Suite. It is the only one on the island, comes with butler service, and children are not accommodated.
