Nova Resort: The Maldives trip that finally convinced me the hype is real

Around 15 years ago my wife and I made a conscious decision to start travelling more, with each destination becoming ever more adventurous than the last.

After years of discussing the possibility of renewing our wedding vows, and following a series of events making it possible, we jumped at the chance to say “I do” again in the Nova Maldives resort on the island of Vakarufalhi.

Interested in the Maldives wedding experience? Read about it here

A little piece of paradise

The tiny island of Vakarufalhi, which you can stroll around in 15 minutes, is approximately 100km from the coast of Malé, among the South Ari Atoll of islands that make up part of the Maldivian island nation.

While the island may seem tiny, the Nova resort makes the most of the natural space, with excellent facilities intertwined with nature.

Our stay started after a 17-hour journey which featured pretty much every mode of transport you could care to mention. Thankfully, when we arrived in Malé, the on-the-ground Nova crew were on hand to make our journey through airports, seaports and boats stress-free during those last few coffee-fuelled hours.

As we arrived, with jet lag kicking in, we were quickly and efficiently checked in at the reception (Hub) and shown to the overwater Aqua Villa that would be our home for the next few days.

Our Aqua Villa really did feel like a home from home

You’re sure to have seen Maldivian Aqua Villas posted on social influencer accounts or on postcards or brochures. Yet surprisingly, they are even more impressive when you see coconut leaf–topped structures jutting out of the sea with your own eyes.

As you enter you are greeted by a large bedroom/living area, with sliding doors leading out to the overwater decking and private infinity pool.

The open plan space guides you through to a huge washroom with sea views. The bathroom is stocked with towels and bathrobes along with a selection of disposable bathroom accessories, really handy if you have forgotten your razor or dental floss, which we had.

Around another corner are full-length fitted wardrobes and a dressing table, which we made the most of ahead of the wedding.

And while the space was impressive, it really was the small things that made it for us.

The hand-drawn sand note at the door, the array of complimentary bathroom accessories, the fresh tropical fruit bowl, a bottle of Champagne on ice and the coconut leaf design on the bed all helped to make you feel a little bit special.

A culinary experience

While the accommodation has been meticulously planned down to the finest detail, the relatively new resort’s layout has also been carefully designed to ensure that guests have everything they need.

At the foot of the Aqua Villa jetty stands the Solis poolside beach bar, serving drinks to sunseekers throughout the day. The space is perfect for those looking to enjoy the relaxed pace the island can offer, with sun loungers and a pool to cool off.

Each evening as we passed, a DJ would be entertaining the guests with gentle dance music, with the bar becoming a go-to location as evening turned into night.

The Solis is just one of a pair of bars available to island guests, with The Wink bar just a short five-minute walk away.

Undercover close to the main reception, we would regularly visit The Wink to grab a pre-dinner cocktail and relax after a busy day of activities. We’d usually settle in the comfortable seating just outside or in one of the covered areas, taking in the beach views - but the Wink is more than just a quiet spot for a drink, with a large entertainment featuring live bands, which I can imagine would be a buzzing space at peak season.

From The Wink we would venture to one of the three island restaurants, each offering completely different flavours and experiences.

Soul Kitchen is the main dining area, where we enjoyed our buffet-style breakfast and lunch each day. It’s a huge space, with a great selection of food, which suited my fussy wife.

If you are looking for something a little different, the island also has two speciality restaurants, which we visited during our stay.

Flames Grill House offers a range of degustation menus (tasting menus) with options including the Lobster and Champagne, Surf and Turf, Meat Grill and From The Ocean menus, as well as extensive à la carte and vegan menus.

However, our favourite experience was the Mizu overwater Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant, where the skilled chef wowed us as he cooked seafood, meat, vegetables and rice on a flat iron plate at the table, while entertaining us with his theatrical flair and tricks throughout.

Something for everyone

We only stayed on the island for a few days, so we aimed to fit in as much as possible — and there were plenty of ways to occupy our time, whether we wanted to chill or get active.

Ahead of our wedding vows we decided to chill out, enjoying a late morning massage at the EsKape Spa. After enjoying our hibiscus tea and filling in a brief questionnaire, we were shown to the steam room for a 20 minute session ahead of an hour-long relaxing massage.

The rooms were also overwater, with viewing panels below the massage beds for you to enjoy the views while the attentive staff worked out the stresses and strains of UK life.

While we generally enjoy a slower pace holiday, there were also plenty of activities available for those thrillseekers, with a range of watersports available as well as excursions with the Aquaholics team.

The Aquaholics team offer a range of snorkelling and diving experiences to suit beginners and more advanced divers, watersports including jet skiing, parasailing and wakeboarding, as well as a variety of boat cruises and excursions, with the Manta Quest an island favourite.

If you fancy staying active, the island has a well-equipped free gym, and for anything else you might need there’s also the Awesome Stuff Shop for clothing, souvenirs and any last-minute bits you might have forgotten.

Would we go back to the Maldives?

There is just something very special about the Maldives — and Nova will have a special place in our hearts.

While the amazing weather, beautiful beaches, clear seas and wonderful facilities made Nova a great destination, it was the wider experience that made it a holiday of a lifetime for us.

What really set the stay apart for us were the details, little touches and the way we were treated.

During those few days we really felt like we belonged on the island, and that was testament to the Nova ‘Soul Mates’ team, who made us feel so comfortable and welcome, like we were part of their island community for those few short days.

It’s an epic journey, but the Maldives hit me like no other destination I’ve visited.

Yes, there are incredible beaches and blue skies just a few hours from the UK, but there are moments when a Maldivian island feels like your own tropical paradise. You’ll see things you won’t find anywhere else, from the island views on arrival to the abundant marine life just off the coast. It’s an experience I’d encourage everyone to seize.