This large, attractive and modern resort is run by the Singapore-based Cenizaro group. It showcases a stylish, unpretentious luxury that – while far from cheap – will not necessarily involve remortgaging your house; by the standards of the top end of Maldivian resorts, The Residence offers strong value for money. The beaches here are stunning and the welcome is genuinely warm.
Falhumaafushi island is long and features two similarly lengthy lines of water villas built over the gorgeous cobalt waters of the lagoon. There are 94 villas on the island and their building materials reflect their location, with palm-thatched roofs and locally produced fabrics lending a rustic edge to the stylish accommodations. Many come with their own plunge pools.
There are two main restaurants – the Dining Room on the beach and the overwater Falhumaa. There's also a beach bar serving snacks and small plates, plus a host of private dining options. Plenty of activities are on offer, including diving and water sports, and there's a drop-off with a wonderful reef for snorkelling. For pampering, there's an overwater Clarins-run spa. The island's vegetation is thick and fragrant from the many frangipani trees.
