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Velassaru Maldives

Malé, Maldives • South Malé Atoll • OPTIMIZE

avg. $217 / night

Includes $11 / night in cash back

Cash back is redeemable via Virtual Visa, Venmo, or bank transfer starting 24-48 hours after check-out

Hilton Honors™ property

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5% cash back on all completed stays (redeemable via Virtual Visa, Venmo, or bank transfer starting 24-48 hours after check-out)

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Free breakfast

Breakfast-included rate options available

Room upgrades

Complimentary room upgrades (subject to property availability)

Extend your stay

Early check-in and late check-out (subject to property availability)

Part of Small Luxury Hotels

Location

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At a glance

Private island resort in South Malé Atoll with overwater villas, teak interiors, and lagoon access.

Best for: Couples seeking accessible Maldives luxury near Malé

Highlights:

  • 129 villas split between island and overwater jetty
  • Teak interiors with backlit timber headboards and teal accents
  • 20-minute speedboat from Malé ferry terminal
Tropical-contemporaryintimate

PB hotel design editorial

Barely twenty minutes by speedboat from Malé's ferry terminal, a private island in South Malé Atoll has been shaped over decades into one of the atoll's most resolved resort environments. Velassaru Maldives — formerly known as Laguna Beach Resort before a comprehensive repositioning and renovation under Universal Resorts — distributes its 129 villas across both the island's palm-dense interior and a long jetty of overwater structures that extends into the lagoon's shallower reaches, their thatched rooflines visible in the aerial image as a broken necklace against turquoise water. Inside, the villas work through a familiar but well-executed Maldivian vocabulary: steeply pitched timber ceilings with exposed rafter structure, wide-plank hardwood floors in a warm teak register, and low-slung platform beds dressed in neutral linens with teal accent runners that quietly echo the lagoon colour outside. The sitting areas mix rattan bucket chairs with dark-framed occasional furniture and circular sisal rugs — a contemporary tropical register that avoids the heavier ethnic detailing that dates comparable properties. The headboard wall in several villa categories carries a backlit chevron panel in pale timber, giving the rooms a considered focal point that reads more like boutique hotel design than resort vernacular. Dining happens at an open timber deck shaded by tensile sail canopies, and the infinity pool — photographed here at dusk, its surface mirroring a violet sky — dissolves cleanly into the horizon with thatch-roofed water pavilions marking the edge.

Travel notes

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About

Luxury Undressed. Gentle sands leading you to the water's edge. Soothing vistas across the spectacular turquoise lagoon at sunset. Minimalist contemporary chic meets comfortable natural elegance in your own private hideaway. Five dining venues, each providing a taste of the exotic. Two innovative bars, the ultimate chill-out. Experiences that immerse you in local culture, underwater explorations that introduce you to our tropical marine world. Days and nights of simple indulgence. Step into the unknown. Welcome to Velassaru.

Amenities

Restaurant

Fitness center

Internet

Beachfront

Suites

Room service

Free Internet

Wifi

Free Wifi

Beach Access

Velassaru Maldives Reviews

2,833 reviews

"Beautiful Island. Immaculately kept. Had bungalow over the water with our pool and steps into water where I snorkeled. Plenty of fish to see. Staff were wonderful and sorted out a prescription that we were unable to fill arranging for the resident doctor to see us (all at no cost). Staff took us back to our bungalow by buggy when we wanted. Complementary cruise on Viking boat a few times a week. Food was top class. Movie night on the sand was lovely. Island is small we would walk around it early mornings 25 minutes. Lovely soft sand to walk on. Thoroughly recommend this resort. It is about 20 mins by boat from Malė Airport."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

May 10, 2026

"Its the third time we have been to Velassaru which on its own tells you how much we like it there. We have an overwater villa with pool which is a great place to chill in the afternoon before getting ready for dinner - its also got a huge comfy bed. everything is kept spotless with room maintenance taking place twice a day. The setting is fantastic with white sandy beaches and turquoise sea and away from the pool area it is quiet. the sea is not too deep and snorkelling around the coral is a great way to spend a lazy day. There a numerous bars and restaurants on the island and the food and service in each is exceptional - special shout to Riya in the main restaurant who has been there each year we have been: for one so young she is ultra confident and someone Velassaru can be proud of - don't lose her! The sushi head chef from the Philipines (Arnood?) is another very gentle and kind soul who is a whizz at all things fish, The Sands restaurant (no surprise) is on the beach and very romantic place to eat with its own a la carte menu. One disappointment this year ( and the reason the review is not five stars) was that the boat wasn't at the airport when we arrived - we had to wait half an hour - and when we did arrive at the resort one of the rooms wasn't ready. After an eleven hour flight this is the last thing that you need and it wasn't dealt with very well at reception who seemed to shrug and say "We're very busy". Not good enough and hopefully when we return next year these sort of issues will have been dealt with and never reappear. Luckily the drama happened on day one and once we had got over the problems we could enjoy the following 13 days."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

May 04, 2026

"This was our first time in the Maldives, and Velassaru Maldives completely met all our expectations and even exceeded them! From the very first glance, you realize — you’re in paradise. The island is well-maintained, green, and surrounded by stunning beaches on all sides. The staff are incredibly friendly and always smiling, ready to help with anything. The atmosphere is calm and relaxing, yet there’s plenty to do. For a first trip to the Maldives, this place is simply perfect. We’re already recommending it to all our friends. Thank you, Velassaru, for a truly magical vacation!"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Apr 27, 2026

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