How blue can blue get? Well, we might not get a definite answer but at Oblu Xperience Ailafushi you could at least get an idea. The brand owned by Atmosphere Hotels and Resorts is surrounded by the bluest of the blue waters, so blue that it might even give B.B. King a complex. So, when I got the opportunity to experience this island resort, I, of course, ‘dived’ into the opportunity.
Oblu Xperience Ailafushi is the second property by Atmosphere in Maldives this year, with the first one being Oblu Select Lobigili by Colours of Oblu. The two islands are connected by a bridge. Translating from the Maldivian dialect of Dhivehi, aila means family and fushi means island. So, in essence, Ailafushi is the ‘family island’. While Oblu Select Lobigili by Colours of Oblu is more of a romantic set-up, Oblu Xperience Ailafushi is more family oriented. Basically, no more ‘forever alone together’.
On arriving at the island in a speedboat, I was greeted with warm smiles from Rifaa-Ath Saeed, the cluster director of sales and marketing of Colours of Oblu and Oblu Xperience Ailafushi. And the de rigueur wet napkin was followed by a glass of bubbly blue champagne.
There is white sand everywhere and the reception was next to the bar where everyone was having a sip and jumping into the infinity pool having a good time. At the pool , there is an instructor by the name of Estalitaa Pinto, who would carry out Zumba and other fitness activities in the mornings and evenings. And then, of course, there was the water. Ailafushi has installed a trampoline and water slide in the ocean as well to double the fun.
After settling in we were taken to our rooms in golf carts. I was given a beach room. Oblu Xperience Ailafushi offers 268 beachside and over-water accommodations in four categories. The beachside rooms come with a master bed, and wooden interiors. The attached bathroom is semi-outdoor with a shower and two basins.
A beachside room at Ailafushi
After freshening up, it was time for some grub. So I made my way to Element X, which set up an all-you-can-eat buffet. The restaurant is designed in a semi-open format where some people could sit indoors while others could take outdoor tables. As for the cuisine, I was spoilt for choice. Indian? Check. Chinese? Check. Continental? Check. What I loved the most were the cute mini-salads that were served in small bowls. The mix of flavours each of them had was unique. Some with small cheeses and others with beetroot! Most of the dishes being served at the buffet were comfort food. For my first meal I had some noodles, chilli chicken, those mini-salads and wine. At Ailafushi, the resort believes in self-service. From the food to getting your own drinks, everything requires self-service.
Being a family- oriented place, there are enough activities available for children to keep them from getting bored
After such a wholesome meal there were not many activities to do, so nothing like spending some time on the beach that is directly outside your room. The horizon is barely noticeable and the blue water and the sky just merge into one another. Sometimes, white-breasted waterhen come take a swim on the hot sunny island. And before we knew it was time for dinner with Shiruhaana, the marketing and communication executive, followed by live music at the bar.
Every night there is a party at the bar. The place either brings in their in-house Sri Lankan band, or their DJ who spins commercial hits. The bar is set up in a way where the musicians perform on the roof of the bar. The guests can easily take their drinks from the bar and the dance floor is clear of any jam. So yes, dance party on in full swing! The band too performs songs that everyone can jive to. From retro numbers to commercial hits to even Bollywood songs, their repertoire has it all and will ensure you have a good time.
The pair of Oblu island resorts in the Maldives
Around The Island
For the second day of the stay the resort had organised a tour for us to understand the island better. So after some waffles and pancakes for breakfast off we went on a golf cart to check out the entire island. Since the island is more family-oriented, the facilities on the island are too. Other than the over-water and beach-facing rooms, it also has two-bedroom Ocean View Family Rooms which are perfect for large families. It comes with one master bedroom along with a kids’ room which has bunk beds. The balcony in these rooms look out on to the ocean.
Ailafushi has a Copper Food Truck which serves up delicious seafood, but more on that later. The island also has a La Promenade which offers a chic retail and café scene. The place showcases a wine boutique, souvenir shop and patisserie where you can sit back and sip on a cup of coffee.
Black-tip reef sharks
With the Fushi Plan you will also have complimentary use of snorkelling gear and non-motorised watersports equipment (stand-up paddleboard and canoe) throughout your stay. Water lovers can also book ocean excursions and diving experiences at the resort’s PADI and SSI certified Dive School and Watersports Centre. But due to a storm unfortunately we were not able to go snorkelling or on the cruise. Better luck next time maybe!
Since big families come with their tiny tots there is also a kids’ club for the babies to have fun in. One of the largest in the Maldives, this kids’ club comes with a pool, a top-level for older kids with PlayStation and XBox, and a lower deck for younger kids. A dedicated food corner serves popular and easy-to-eat dishes, like pastas, pizzas, and cakes.
While the kids were having the time of their lives, there is also a self-pamper section for adults. ELE | NA The Spa offers Kaashi Naashi (coconut shell) or Bileh Holistic (betel leaf) massages. This sprawling spa complex features four couple and four single treatment rooms, two medical spa rooms, an express beauty salon, and an ocean-view thermal and relaxation area. The highlight is a one-of-a-kind Garden Community Spa where you can join holistic workshops and fun spa experiences.
This bridge across the ocean connects the two Oblu properties in the Maldives
We were next on our way to Lobigili where we would be joined for lunch by Sarah Walker (Kerr, VP Communications) and Shiruhaana. Off we went over the bridge that connects the two islands for a sumptuous meal at the Ylang Ylang restaurant.
This too is a buffet with live stations but comes with a larger range of dishes. After munching on starters with some cheese, salads and meat cuts I ordered an octopus in a lime sauce. Decorated in a fancy manner, this dish was light and came with the perfect balance of veggies.
After such a hearty meal it would only make sense to do a few laps in the 1,000sq m infinity pool at the X360 bar back in Ailafushi. Up and down I swam confidently. A few laps later a storm came in and forced me out of the pool.
From steaks, grilled prawns, octopus and clam chowder with bread, the menus at The Copper Food Truck and Only Blu were packed with flavours.
Meaty Affair
I was a little extra excited for the Copper Food Truck. Meats and veggies being cooked in a truck that is made of copper! What is there not to like? Here they offer you an a la carte menu and allow you to pair your meals with a wine of the server’s choice. I was ready to eat. So, I ordered a clam chowder followed by grilled prawns and rare steaks with a pepper sauce and a butter sauce. I did not regret asking for the huge plate of food that was served to me. Paired with some white and red wine, I ate my way through all of it. I didn’t become much of a fan of the clam chowder, but the prawn and steak were to die for. The prawn was grilled perfectly and was easy to cut. The steak was the winner though! It cut like butter and paired with the sauces, just hit the spot. There I was making my way through two ginormous steaks. The meat sweats that followed were definitely worth it and yes, I would eat that meal again.
The food at the restaurant is served in tiffin boxes and one can have the dishes one ordered one after another without having to wait for them
Time to relax
The food from the food truck had really kept me full the next morning as well. So, instead of breakfast I went straight to the ELE I Na Spa Complex for a little me time. On walking in you get a calming feeling where you can hear water rustling on both sides as you walk toward the reception there. You are given a form to fill to let the therapists know what you want and what they think will work best for you.
At the spa a treatment was prescribed to me where they massage the body and calm your mind with sound. They avoid massaging the legs but concentrate mainly on your torso and head, given by what therapy is required. Sixty minutes in heaven! After the therapy is done you are then asked to make your own juice using this blender that is fixed on a cycle! On pedalling the contraption the blender starts to blend your watermelon juice that you enjoy after this relaxing therapy.
After getting some lunch in Element X we were scheduled to go for a cruise. But since the weather was choppy and stormy, the cruise had to be cancelled.
The last dinner at the place was sure going to be fancy. In the middle of the bridge between Lobigili and Ailafushi is an underwater restaurant called Only BLU. It is considered to be one of the largest underwater restaurants in Maldives currently. As you go down into the restaurant, you feel as if you are in an aquarium but none of the fish are held captive. The coral reefs are easily visible and little fish swim round and round. We were also lucky enough to see two sharks do the rounds... probably looking for, ahem, dinner!
At the dimly lit restaurant you can choose among vegan, meat, seafood and vegetarian meals and, again, they are paired with wines recommended by the servers. I opted for the seafood spread which came with yellowtail fish in soy, breads and for the main course a deep grilled octopus with veggies and gravy. The yellowtail straight up tasted like deconstructed sushi. From the rice, to the soy, the horse radish and the fish, it was a dish to die for.
The octopus, on the other hand, was a shade dry for my liking as I enjoy a more moist version of the dish. The meal ended with a black rice pudding, which was served with a coconut milk-based sauce. The meals were served in a fun manner where they brought all the dishes at once in a tiffin box and served you your meals one after the other. The unique concept cuts down on waiting for your meals after you order them, which is a major plus point!
The landing jetty at Ailafushi
Taking off
The three days spent in Ailafushi were relaxing, fun and, of course, delicious. Although it was a bummer that we could not go snorkelling and cruising because of stormy conditions, the facilities in the resort amply made up for it. Even if the music, drinks, swims and food do not tempt you, the views from the place is sure to keep you amazed.
Pictures by the author