Our first experience in the Maldives couldn’t have been more wonderful—we’re already eager to return! Emerald Faarafushi truly felt like an absolute dream.
From the very beginning, everything was seamless. After collecting our luggage, we were immediately greeted by Emerald’s representative, a friendly and helpful gentleman who guided us through the process of checking in our luggage, obtaining tickets, and transferring to the seaplane terminal. While waiting for our seaplane in the lounge—which was a bit crowded but offered a fun view of the runway and seaplanes—we experienced a slight wait of about an hour and a half before our flight departed, and our flight made a stop at another resort before arriving at Emerald, so unfortunately we didn’t arrive at the island before 2pm.
Upon arrival at the dock, our adventure began with a delightful lunch, followed by meeting our villa host, Daria. We want to give her special recognition for making our stay truly perfect. Daria was fantastic throughout—her humble, kind, and professional approach impressed us deeply. She helped organize our evenings, activities, and any requests with a warm smile, always present but never intrusive. Her attentive care was a special touch that enhanced our entire experience at Faarafushi.
The villa itself was absolutely amazing—spacious, spotless, and with a bathroom that felt like a dream, featuring an outdoor shower and bath. The private pool was incredible, offering stunning views while maintaining a sense of privacy. We were fortunate to be upgraded to a sunset villa, which was a wonderful bonus we truly appreciated. Its location on the island was perfect, right next to the sunset pool, making it easy to grab a cocktail during the day and enjoy it in our garden.
We also want to extend a special thanks to Bagus, our villa keeper, who was kind and patient, keeping our villa immaculate twice a day. His professionalism and warmth were truly appreciated.
The island itself is breathtaking—lush and green with pristine white sand beaches perfect for swimming. While there were some white corals on the beach, the staff diligently kept the area clean every day. The sea was stunningly clear and teeming with colorful fish. The coral reef was spectacular, and in certain spots, we enjoyed fantastic swims surrounded by fish of all colors and sizes. Just be mindful of the tides, as they can be quite strong at times. We brought masks and flippers at the Dive Centre, which we used throughout our vacation.
As for dining, we must start by praising Moreno, the MasterChef! He is not only incredibly talented and friendly but also leaves his mark on every restaurant. From breakfast to all five dining venues, the food was consistently excellent, each offering something unique and worth trying. As Italians from Rome, we have to say Moreno’s Carbonara was absolutely outstanding! The entire restaurant staff was professional, accommodating, and always smiling. We didn’t have a single meal that wasn’t delicious. The wine list was equally impressive. If we hadn’t been trying to maintain a “healthy” vacation, we would have happily indulged in five courses at every meal, every day! 😊
Cocktails, mocktails, and beverages were fantastic and available throughout the day.
We also enjoyed massages at the spa, which was a wonderful experience—special thanks to Ayu for taking such great care of my shoulders!
Patrick, the manager, was friendly and unobtrusive, checking in daily to ensure everything was perfect.
Overall, we cannot recommend Faarafushi highly enough. The only downside is that we’re not there right now, but we’re already looking forward to our next visit!
Vale and Alex
