From the moment we arrived, our stay at Heritance Aarah was pure paradise. After landing early in the morning, we were warmly welcomed into the resort’s private lounge at the airport — a peaceful, spa-like space where we could refresh, enjoy breakfast, and relax before boarding the seaplane. Everything ran smoothly, and within minutes we were flying over the turquoise waters toward the island.
Our overwater villa on the eastern side of the island turned out to be a perfect choice — we had sunshine for most of the day, but could always find shade when we needed it. The villa itself was beautiful, spacious, and spotlessly clean, with spectacular views. In the evenings, we loved watching fish swimming below our deck — such a simple joy that made the experience even more magical.
Dining was an absolute pleasure. Although we didn’t have access to the exclusive restaurant and pool reserved for Ocean Suite guests, every à la carte restaurant we visited was excellent. Ambula especially impressed us — the fusion of Sri Lankan and Maldivian flavors in a modern presentation was unlike anything we’ve tried before. A true highlight, and an absolute must. Special thanks to Mr. Alsan, our waiter, whose service was impeccable. His knowledge of the dishes and warm, professional attitude added so much to the evening.
Another favorite was Hathaa Overwater Japanese, where Mr. Ibrahim both prepared our meal and entertained us with a teppanyaki-style performance. While we’ve seen similar experiences before, the flavors here truly stood out — the sushi and freshly cooked dishes were delicious, and the atmosphere was fun and engaging.
We also want to highlight Mr. Deepak at Ralu, who always greeted us by name and helped us discover new drinks based on what we liked. Every cocktail he brought us was perfectly suited to our taste — and all delicious!
The entire service team was wonderful — friendly, smiling, and always helpful. While we don’t remember every name, we felt welcomed and cared for everywhere we went.
We also had a couples’ massage at the spa, which we thoroughly enjoyed. The therapists were professional, gentle, and the selection of oils added to the deeply relaxing experience.
But the true heart of our stay — and what made it genuinely unforgettable — was our butler, Mr. Kunal. From the very first day, he took care of us with such warmth, professionalism, and quiet attentiveness that we instantly felt at ease. He was always available when needed, but never intrusive. Discreet and thoughtful, yet always cheerful and engaging, he found the perfect balance between being helpful and giving us space to enjoy our time together.
Mr. Kunal had a natural sense for anticipating what we might need — often before we even knew ourselves. Whether it was sharing a helpful tip, telling us something interesting about the island or its traditions, or simply making sure every little detail was taken care of, he did everything with calm confidence and genuine care. He made us feel not just like guests, but truly looked after — like we mattered.
There was a moment during our stay when we found ourselves in an unexpectedly stressful situation. Without hesitation, and despite the late hour, Mr. Kunal took full initiative and handled everything with grace, speed, and total dedication. He made sure we felt calm, safe, and supported throughout — and his presence in that moment meant the world to us. It became clear that this is not just a job for him — it’s something he does with heart, purpose, and true passion.
We’re deeply grateful that Mr. Kunal was assigned to us. His kindness, emotional intelligence, and attention to detail made our stay feel seamless and special in every possible way. If we’re ever lucky enough to return to Heritance Aarah, we can only hope he’ll be there to welcome us again 😊
There were only a few small things that could be improved. The coffee served throughout the resort wasn’t to our taste — a bit too sour for coffee lovers like us. Also, lactose-free milk wasn’t always available at breakfast in Ranba, which we usually enjoy with our cereal or coffee. While plant-based options like almond or oat milk were offered, they just didn’t quite work for us when it came to oatmeal or cereal — so we did miss having the lactose-free alternative. Some excursions were quite pricey — we went on a snorkeling trip with manta rays and turtles, which was fantastic. Mr. Ash, our guide, was cheerful, professional, and made us feel very safe in the water. However, due to the cost, we decided to skip other activities. Lastly, the coral reef around the villas wasn’t very rich, so we went snorkeling near the dive center to see more colorful marine life — though we were lucky enough to spot a turtle right near our villa one day!
To sum up: the island is stunning, the food and drinks are excellent, the staff are warm and professional, and the overall experience is unforgettable. Mr. Kunal made it feel like a dream — we couldn’t have asked for a better stay. Heritance Aarah is truly a slice of paradise, and we hope to return one day.
