Tucked away on the North Malé Atoll, Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa feels like a verdant village retreat.
Thatched roofs peek out among swaying coconut palms and clusters of frangipani. Quiet paths dotted with white and yellow blossoms and scarlet jungle flames lead to powdery beaches hugged by cerulean waters. Bridges connect you to romantic overwater villas perched over coral-studded lagoons, where the ocean beckons on your private terrace, inviting you to dip in.
Spread across three islands, this Maldives resort has long inspired loyalty among its guests, with many returning for decades since it first opened its doors in 1998. From the moment you arrive, you understand the connection. The attentive service is palpable. The repertoire of restaurants is excellent. And with a kids club, three outdoor pools, a 24-hour fitness center, a sea turtle rehabilitation and marine discovery center, an oceanfront tennis court and a private spa island, it’s easy to see why this resort is a destination unto itself in the Maldives.
A Scenic Start
From the arrivals hall at Malé International Airport, you’re whisked away on the Four Seasons’ luxurious speedboat for the quick 25-minute ride to the resort. The beautiful journey, which is accompanied by coffee, cookies and, if you’re lucky, a pod of dolphins swimming alongside the boat, forces you to relax and savor the ocean breeze. But if you need to check your emails quickly, there’s fast Wi-Fi on board.
At the resort, step off the speedboat and find yourself greeted with a chilled coconut water and the infectious rhythms of boduberu (traditional drums), instantly setting the tone for the next few days of laidback island living.
Restful Refuges
The resort’s 96 beach and overwater villas, each with a pool and a terrace, don a breezy contemporary aesthetic infused with Maldivian touches, such as palm-thatched roofs, coral-stone walls, woven seagrass lampshades and warm wood furnishings.
In the bright and spacious Sunrise Beach Villas, wake up beneath a pale timber ceiling reminiscent of a boat’s wooden deck, with serene views of a lush, tree-filled terrace under a rosy sunrise. A private 88-square-foot pool awaits outside, flanked by a daybed and a shaded pergola with dining and lounging areas that lead to sunbeds set on a quiet beach.
The bathroom features a deep freestanding bathtub, a walk-in shower, high-quality Natura Bissé bath amenities and fresh aloe vera gel to soothe your skin after a day in the sun. It opens onto an outdoor shower where you can cool off to the sweet sound of birdsong. With a large, lighted mirror; a dressing table; a chair; and ample storage, the generous vanity area is well set up for getting ready. In-villa amenities such as a Nespresso machine, a wine cooler and bedside wireless chargers ensure the utmost convenience throughout your stay.
Mouthwatering Masterclasses
With its Kerala-inspired design, lagoon-top setting, and musicians playing the mridangam (a traditional drum used in Indian Carnatic music) and flute, the resort’s acclaimed Indian restaurant Baraabaru creates a memorable affair for dinner.
The menu is a collaboration between head chef Kishan Singh and celebrity chef, restaurateur and author Hari Nayak, renowned for his mastery of modern coastal Indian cuisine. A meal here takes you on a flavorful journey across India, showcasing the country’s diverse regional cuisines with dishes such as grilled lobster musallam, lamb shank biryani and Malvani fish curry.
The New York-based Nayak, who is also the creative force behind the acclaimed Indian restaurants JHOL in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, has had an illustrious international career, drawing on global techniques and ingredients to develop his own innovative take on Indian cuisine. He visits the resort twice a year for week-long residencies and crafts seasonal menus that remain available for the following six months.
If your visit happens to coincide with Nayak’s residency (he’s due back March 30 to April 4), a cooking class with him is highly recommended. Not only is it a chance to learn the secrets behind his signature dishes, like truffle-infused chicken malai kofta (creamy, spiced meatballs) and Goan vegetable caldin (a coconut curry), it’s also an opportunity to chat with the talented, down-to-earth chef about his exploration of India’s coastal cuisines.
“I grew up on the west coast of India, but even for me, there’s so much to learn about Indian food,” Nayak told Forbes Travel Guide. “To somebody who’s never eaten Indian food, I like to say, ‘Let’s try something from Goa, something from Bengal.’ And as I travel in India, I discover so many new things. I’ve evolved and matured as a chef, and I like to do more regional Indian food now.”
A Taste of the Italian Coast
For a quieter, adults-only escape from the resort’s main pool, head to the Serenity Pool at Reef Club, the chic Italian restaurant tucked at the island’s southern end. From the semi-circular wooden deck, you’re treated to sweeping views of the Indian Ocean, while a whirlpool perched right at the edge lets you soak in the shifting blues as warm jets ease the tension in your back.
With a playlist that channels a touch of la dolce vita and a menu of stone-fired Neapolitan pizzas and pastas (including a particularly delicious Ligurian risotto and flavorful seafood spaghetti), Reef Club is the kind of spot that transports you straight to the Italian coast.
A Private Spa Island
Set sail on a timber dhoni (traditional boat) to reach the resort’s ŪRJĀ Naturopathy Island, a picturesque renewal sanctuary just a two-minute ride away. After a quick consultation, you’re led through lush gardens to a thatch-roofed overwater spa suite with a steam shower, bathtub, outdoor shower and dressing area. Inside the treatment room, large windows frame the azure ocean, while glass floor panels offer a glimpse of the lagoon sparkling beneath you.
The spa menu is extensive, spanning everything from classic Thai massages to ocean-inspired therapies such as Swedish massages with heated seashells. But if you seek a more energizing session, try a lymphatic drainage massage.
A family-friendly spa, the space also offers a range of treatments for kids and teens, while pregnant guests will appreciate the gentle, restorative massage that eases muscle aches and tension.
Set on the water’s edge, the yoga pavilion is designed for finding your inner calm, including antigravity yoga, which enhances flexibility as you float cocooned in a hammock. In the spa’s 18-foot healing tent, singing bowls and gongs create a meditative soundscape during a sound-healing session or an invigorating ice bath.
Sunsets with Dolphins
As the strong Maldivian afternoon sun begins to soften and the first streaks of pink appear in the sky, set out on a two-hour sunset dolphin-spotting cruise with the resort’s marine biologists.
Before long, you’ll find yourself joining the crew as it claps and sings, something that seems to coax the pods of bottlenose and spinner dolphins, both abundant in these waters, into showing off their most playful flips and spins. In late March, you might even catch a rare glimpse of pilot whales passing through on their migratory route.
Heartfelt Hospitality
The people-centric ethos at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa shines through its long-tenured team — some of the employees have been part of the resort for more than two decades — and the thoughtful service is what keeps guests returning.
Whether it’s restaurant staff remembering your preferences, the meticulous care with which your in-villa floating breakfast is arranged or the responsive Four Seasons WhatsApp chat that adjusts restaurant reservations at a moment’s notice, you’ll feel genuinely looked after with service that’s both personal and sincere.
A defining aspect of the service is its strong local foundation: many Maldivian team members at the resort began their careers through the government-accredited Four Seasons Resorts Maldives Hospitality Apprenticeship Program, which provides comprehensive training across hospitality disciplines, helping associates weave their own skills and cultural heritage into a meaningful and long-term career.
Unforgettable Private Meals
Beyond its exceptional restaurants, the resort offers an array of bespoke dining experiences. Linger over a candlelit dinner prepared by a private chef or opt for a laid-back barbecue under fairy lights, either on the main island or the resort’s private island. Either can be booked for private events.
Enjoy a slow morning at your pool villa with an indulgent floating breakfast, the tray strewn with rose petals as you tuck into fresh fruit, croissants and a rock-lobster omelet with the ocean as your backdrop.
For something equally atmospheric, the team can arrange a private movie night beneath the moonlit sky for a romantic date or a cozy family evening.
Beneath the Blue
While doing nothing is a perfectly valid way to soak in the resort’s setting, if you’re after a dose of sea, sand and surf on your Maldives holiday, you won’t be disappointed. Whether a beginner or a seasoned diver, you can join guided trips to more than 30 nearby dive sites, with the resort’s PADI 5-Star IDC Center, or work toward scuba or open water diving certifications.
Guided reef snorkeling and snorkeling safaris with nurse sharks and rays offer another close-up look at the area’s vibrant marine life. For something more adrenaline-fueled, the water sports menu spans surfing (with lessons from Tropicsurf coaches), stand-up paddleboarding, parasailing, jet skiing and more.
A Lasting Legacy
For a rewarding, family-friendly activity, participate in the resort’s coral propagation program along with marine biology consultancy Reefscapers. You’ll team up with a marine biologist to tie coral fragments onto a metal frame and release it into the lagoon to grow new coral colonies. Thanks to the program, there are more than 3,500 coral frames in the waters around Kuda Huraa, helping regenerate the area’s natural reefs.
