Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort
A fresh, contemporary and relatively accessible way to experience the Maldives, with clear water, open ocean views and a house reef reachable directly from the island.
The best-value family island in the Maldives right now — polished, playful and far less stiff than its neighbours.
“Clear water, direct reef access and overwater villas — without relying on extreme levels of luxury.”
- Excellent house reef reachable directly from the island
- Wide range of accommodation, including two-storey pavilion rooms
- Modern design and strong facilities
- Open ocean views from the edge of Baa Atoll
- Villas can feel compact next to ultra-luxury Maldivian resorts
- Standard meal plan carries supplements that reduce cost predictability
- Sociable rather than secluded atmosphere
First Impressions
Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort offers a fresh and relatively accessible way to experience the Maldives. It does not attempt to compete with the most extravagant resorts in the country. Instead, it provides a relaxed, contemporary experience with enough accommodation and dining choices to work for couples, families and groups. The island has been developed in a modern style, but there is still enough vegetation and natural shoreline to retain a sense of place. It feels energetic and sociable without becoming overwhelmingly busy.
Location and Arrival
The resort is approximately 45 minutes from Malé by seaplane. Its position on the edge of Baa Atoll gives the island a feeling of openness, with relatively few neighbouring resorts interrupting the view. After landing at Velana International Airport, guests are met and escorted to a shared seaplane lounge. From there, the flight provides a spectacular introduction to the Maldives, passing over reefs, lagoons and scattered islands before reaching Baa Atoll. Arrival includes a short boat crossing, followed by welcome drinks and music at the resort. Check-in is then completed inside the accommodation, allowing guests to settle in without spending additional time at reception.
The Room
Accommodation ranges from rooms in two-storey pavilions to beach villas, overwater villas and larger multi-bedroom residences. The pavilion rooms provide a more affordable entry point and make the resort particularly practical for families or groups who want to experience the Maldives without booking several private villas. Beach villas offer direct access to the sand and a greater sense of space, while the overwater villas place guests directly above the lagoon. The villas can feel compact when compared with some of the enormous accommodation found at ultra-luxury Maldivian resorts. However, the layouts are efficient, and the modern interiors make good use of the available space. Water villa terraces sit close to the water, making it possible to move directly from the villa into the lagoon.
Design and Style
The design is contemporary and bright, leaning on clean lines and modern finishes rather than traditional Maldivian rusticity. It suits the resort’s sociable, easy-going character.
Pools and Facilities
Avani+ Fares has a modern gym, yoga and meditation facilities, a spa and a broad selection of water sports. The resort also has a boutique focused on work from Maldivian designers and craftspeople, which provides a more locally connected shopping experience than the standard souvenir selection found at many resorts.
Spa and Wellness
The spa, gym and dedicated yoga and meditation spaces cover the essentials well. Wellness is a supporting strength rather than the resort’s central identity.
Food and Drink
Ocean Terrace serves as the main buffet restaurant and provides a broad selection of international dishes throughout the day. Skipjack Bar offers more casual food and drinks, making it a convenient option for relaxed lunches. Tribe is one of the best places for sunset drinks, while Charcoal focuses on dishes cooked over fire, adding a more distinctive evening dining experience. The resort offers several meal-plan options, but the Premium All-Inclusive package is generally the easiest to understand and manage. Guests who prefer not to think about additional charges during the holiday may find the upgraded package worthwhile.
Service
The welcome is warm and organised, with enough ceremony to feel special without becoming overly formal. In-villa check-in sets a relaxed tone from the start.
The Neighbourhood
The surrounding water is one of the property’s main attractions. The lagoon is clear and inviting, while the house reef provides easy access to marine life without requiring a separate boat excursion. Diving and snorkelling are among the strongest reasons to visit.
Family Experience
Families are well catered for, particularly through the pavilion rooms and multi-bedroom residences, while couples can still find quieter parts of the island and more private accommodation categories.
Value for Money
Strong. The resort delivers many of the experiences people travel to the Maldives for at a more approachable price point, provided you choose the meal plan carefully.
Final Verdict
The villas may not be the largest in the country, but the modern design, strong facilities and flexible accommodation options make Avani+ Fares an appealing and practical Maldivian resort — particularly for guests who intend to use it rather than hide inside a villa.
- 1
Take the Premium All-Inclusive package if you would rather not think about supplements.
- 2
Book a water villa if reef access and privacy matter most to you.
- 3
Charcoal is the most distinctive evening option; Tribe is best for sunset drinks.
The Premium All-Inclusive package is generally the easiest to understand and manage; the standard package includes supplements for particular drinks and restaurants.
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This review reflects my personal experience. Any complimentary stays, upgrades, hosted experiences or commercial relationships will always be disclosed. I pay for the majority of my stays and never accept payment in exchange for a positive review.
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