Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort
Avani+ Fares keeps the clear water, house reef and overwater villas that make the Maldives special, but feels more accessible and far less ceremonial than most ultra-luxury island resorts.
The best-value family island in the Maldives right now — polished, playful and far less stiff than its neighbours.
“A relaxed and modern Maldives experience built for families who want to be in the water.”
- 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
The Maldives can sometimes feel as though it has been designed entirely around couples. Overwater villas, private dinners and sunset cruises are usually photographed with two people in mind, not a family arriving with several suitcases, four pairs of shoes and children who want to enter the sea immediately. Avani+ Fares takes a more flexible approach. It retains the clear water, house reef and overwater accommodation that make the Maldives special, but it feels more accessible and less ceremonial than many ultra-luxury resorts. For my wife and our two children, that more relaxed personality made it easier to settle into island life.
Location and Arrival
The resort is located approximately 45 minutes from Malé by seaplane. Guests are escorted from the international airport to a shared lounge before boarding. The lounge experience is less private than at the most exclusive resorts, but it provides somewhere comfortable to wait and prepare for the next stage of the journey. The flight itself is one of the highlights. Our children watched the islands pass below, trying to decide which one would be ours. From the air, the Maldives looks almost unreal, with shallow turquoise lagoons surrounded by deeper blue water. Arrival at Baa Atoll includes a short boat crossing, followed by music, welcome drinks and an in-room check-in. Completing the formalities inside the accommodation is especially helpful for families. Nobody wants to spend additional time standing at reception after an international journey and seaplane transfer.
The Room
Avani+ Fares offers a broad range of accommodation, from rooms in two-storey pavilions to beach villas, overwater villas and multi-bedroom residences. This variety makes the resort more accessible to families. The pavilion rooms provide a more affordable route into the Maldives, particularly for parents who cannot justify booking multiple private villas. They may not provide the complete deserted-island fantasy, but they offer modern accommodation and access to the same water, facilities and restaurants. Beach villas provide direct access to the sand and can be a practical choice for families with younger children. Parents do not need to worry about a long overwater walkway, and the children can move easily between the room and beach. Water villas offer greater privacy and direct lagoon access. Their terraces sit close to the water, creating the classic Maldivian experience. However, families should think carefully about safety and supervision before selecting overwater accommodation for younger children. The villas are relatively compact by Maldivian standards, but the layouts use the space well. They feel modern, comfortable and easy to live in. For a family of four, the most important question is not whether the room has the most dramatic view. It is whether everyone has enough space to sleep, store belongings and relax without constantly being on top of one another.
Design and Style
Avani+ Fares sits on the outer edge of Baa Atoll. Its position gives the island open views, clear water and relatively few neighbouring resorts in sight. The atmosphere feels more energetic than at some of the Maldives’ quieter honeymoon retreats. Families and groups fit naturally into the environment, and the island does not feel as though every activity must be silent or romantic. There is still plenty of space to find privacy, but the resort has a social quality that works well for children. The house reef is one of its biggest strengths. Being able to snorkel directly from the island removes the need to book a boat trip every time the family wants to see marine life. For children who are confident in the water, this can become the central experience of the holiday. Even a short swim can reveal a completely different world below the surface.
Pools and Facilities
The resort offers water sports, diving, snorkelling, yoga, meditation, a modern gym and a spa. For our family, the reef and lagoon would naturally shape the day. The children could spend the morning swimming, return to the room for a break and then head back out without needing to wait for an organised excursion. This flexibility is one of the strongest parts of the resort. Diving is available for guests who want to explore farther from the island, while the spa and wellness facilities give parents something beyond the beach. The resort also has a boutique showcasing work from Maldivian designers and craftspeople. This adds a welcome sense of local identity and offers something more meaningful than the usual collection of generic hotel souvenirs.
Spa and Wellness
The spa, gym, yoga and meditation offering is genuinely useful rather than decorative. My wife and I would take turns using the spa or gym rather than trying to create a rigid schedule. That is the realistic approach to wellness on a family holiday: one parent takes an hour, the other stays with the children, and the roles reverse later in the day.
Food and Drink
Ocean Terrace serves as the main buffet restaurant. For families, the buffet offers useful flexibility. The children can see the food before choosing, while the adults can try several dishes without committing to one menu item. Skipjack Bar provides casual food and drinks, making it well suited to lunch between swimming sessions. Tribe is an attractive setting for sunset drinks, while Charcoal focuses on dishes cooked over fire and provides a more distinctive evening experience. The resort offers different meal plans, but the Premium All-Inclusive option is the most straightforward. The standard package includes supplements for some drinks and restaurants. These additional charges can make the experience feel less simple than expected. With two children, I prefer knowing what is included before the holiday begins. Constantly checking whether a drink, snack or restaurant carries an extra charge removes some of the ease that an island resort should provide. Families planning to use several restaurants may find the upgraded package better value, even if the initial price appears higher.
Service
Avani+ Fares feels comfortable with families. It does not demand that guests behave as though they are on a private honeymoon, and the variety of accommodation helps create a broader mix of visitors. Parents can still find quieter areas, particularly around the more private villas, while the children benefit from a resort that feels active and sociable. The design is contemporary without being intimidating. Nothing feels excessively formal, which makes it easier for the family to relax.
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
The standard meal plan contains supplements, so the inclusions need to be understood before booking. The villas are not among the largest in the Maldives, and families should check the precise layout. Overwater accommodation provides an unforgettable experience, but it may not suit every family with young children. The shared seaplane lounge and more social atmosphere also mean the resort feels less exclusive than the Maldives’ most expensive private-island retreats.
What Worked Well
The house reef straight off the island, the range of accommodation for different budgets and family sizes, and the relaxed, unceremonial atmosphere.
What Could Be Better
The supplements attached to the standard meal plan, compact villa sizes and the shared seaplane lounge.
Value for Money
It offers many of the classic Maldivian experiences at a more approachable level. Families planning to use several restaurants should price the Premium All-Inclusive plan, which usually works out better value.
Final Verdict
Avani+ Fares is a strong choice for families who want the Maldives to feel exciting rather than overly formal. The house reef, flexible accommodation and modern atmosphere allow children to engage with the destination rather than simply accompany their parents. My wife and I could still enjoy the sunsets, dining and privacy, but the holiday did not need to revolve around keeping the children quiet. It offers many of the classic Maldivian experiences at a more approachable level, making it one of the most practical family options in Baa Atoll.
- 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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