Adaaran Select Meedhupparu

A visit to Adaaran Select Meedhupparu begins with a
(possibly lengthy) wait at the Male Airport to catch a seaplane transfer. The
40-minute flight is incredibly scenic, if you can stay awake for this final leg
of the journey. Upon arrival, guests are greeted at the end of a pier that’s
surrounded by dazzling aquamarine water and then given fruity welcome drinks at
check-in.

Opened in 2000, the resort is
situated on a 43-acre island with three restaurants, a swimming pool, spa, lush
garden, tennis and badminton courts, and four bars (three of which are on the
beach). All of the resort’s 215 rooms are located next to the beach, and an
additional 20 rooms are built over the water -- though these are technically
part of a higher-end sub-resort called Adaaran Prestige Water Villas.

With no kids’ club or playground,
Meedhupparu is primarily geared towards couples and honeymooners. The majority
of guests are from Russia and other parts of Europe. The resort vibe is casual,
with most people congregating at the pool bar, sunbathing on the white-sand
beaches, or snorkeling at a coral reef just off shore.

Adaaran Select Meedhupparu is located
on its own private island in Raa Atoll, a 40-minute seaplane flight north from
Male International Airport. Time on the island is one hour ahead of Male time
-- an artificial time zone difference that many resorts use to make the days
feel longer. At 750 meters long and 670 meters wide, the island totals 43
square acres. A staff of about 380 lives and works on the island year-round.

With the exception of one four-person suite, all of
Meedhupparu’s rooms are Beach Villas with one king or two twin beds. Because
most rooms are designed for couples, families commonly book side-by-side rooms. Guest rooms are spacious (507 square feet)
and feature open-air bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers. All rooms
include TVs, minibars, free bottled water, electric teakettles, beach towels,
beach-facing patios, and plastic lounge chairs. The simple, island-style decor consists of
cream-colored walls, white bedspreads, hardwood floors, generic wooden
furniture, and tall turquoise headboards. More stylish Ocean Villas with
personal butlers and Wi-Fi are also available, but these rooms are technically
part of a sub-resort on the island (Adaaran Prestige Water Villas).

Meedhupparu has a solid range of amenities. A spa offers
everything from couples massages to facials and includes its own beauty salon,
sauna, and steam room. A Chinese Therapy Center also provides reflexology
treatments. Multiple gift shops sell
paintings, souvenirs, and jewelry, and a medical clinic is available for
emergencies. For those who don’t like snorkeling, daily fish feedings provide
ample opportunity to view aquatic life up close. A dimly lit fitness center has
plenty of equipment, but lacks views and ambience. The resort’s most popular
feature is a spacious outdoor pool with swim-up bar and hot tub. Board games
and a multi-lingual library are located in the main bar.

The beaches at Meedhupparu are nearly picture perfect.
Unsightly sand bags (used to prevent erosion) occasionally jut out from the
white sand, and we spotted a current of bubbles floating just offshore, which
looked like a washing machine had emptied into the sea. Otherwise, the water is crystal clear and the temperature during our visit was perfect -- cool enough to feel
refreshing, yet warm enough to slip into without a chill. White plastic lounge
chairs are provided for guests, and drinks are available from three beach bars.
We couldn’t find a speck of trash anywhere (besides the mysterious bubbles).

Sports facilities on the island include pool and ping-pong
tables, badminton and tennis courts, and beach volleyball. A dive center offers
lessons and excursions, and a water sports center rents snorkels, kayaks, Jet
Skis, and other gear. The island’s lagoon is full of dead coral thanks to an El
Nino current in the late 1990s, but the reef is regenerating and snorkelers
will find plenty of colorful fish in the waters around the island.

The resort’s all-inclusive restaurants, Jaafaiy and Sufura,
serve buffet food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The food is solid overall,
with international dishes that range from fish curries to Italian pastas. Free
snacks are provided at the main bar three times a day, and guests can purchase
bar food at the beachfront Grill Bar. For a more romantic atmosphere, guests
can pay extra to have an a la carte dinner over the water at the "Fine Dining
Restaurant," which is technically part of Adaaran Prestige Water Villas. Fresh
lobster and seafood barbecue are available on select nights.

The resort technically has five bars: three on the beach,
one connected to the lobby, and a swim-up pool bar. All-inclusive soft drinks,
mineral water, and cocktails (guests have a choice of five) are available at
every bar and restaurant. Fresh juices and minibar items cost extra. The
all-inclusive liquor and beer is bottom shelf, and guests have complained of a
poor wine selection.

For those willing to pay extra, the
resort offers plenty of special services. Popular excursions include sunset photography
cruises, night dives, fishing trips, and tours of nearby inhabited islands.
Staff can also arrange private candlelit dinners on the beach or full-day picnics
on a deserted island (20 minutes away). Guests can use Wi-Fi in the lobby and
main bar by purchasing a prepaid card from the gift shop. Weekly events
include a Mexican food and music night, karaoke night, crab race, beach party,
and lobster barbecue. Food and drinks may cost extra on theme nights.