Need to know
Rooms
26 houses and residences.
Check–Out
Check-in is from 2pm and check-out is at noon. Both are flexible, subject to availability.
More details
Rates include cooked-to-order breakfast served all day, tailor-made welcome platter with champagne on arrival, light bites and a daily cocktail at Naiboli pool bar and non-motorised water sports, snorkelling and access to padel courts (to name a few).
Also
There are daily yoga and meditation sessions in the yoga pavilion, and you shouldn’t have trouble clearing your mind with the endless sea and sky as your backdrop. For the jetlag-afflicted, three over-water treatment pavilions are open 24 hours, or in-room treatments are available to bring the spa to you.
At the hotel
Beach, house reef, pool, a flotilla of yachts and boats, dive centre, spa, steam room, yoga pavilion with daily yoga, gym, padel tennis courts, multipurpose sports court, free non-motorised water sports gear (snorkels and masks, paddleboards and transparent kayaks), kids' club, free WiFi throughout and your own House Master (personal butler). In rooms: private temperature-controlled infinity pool, furnished sundecks, free bottle of champagne on arrival, fruit bowl refilled daily, free laundry service (up to two pieces a day), packing and unpacking service, TV with free on-demand movies, desk, air-conditioning, minibar with non-alcoholic drinks, free bottled water, Nespresso machine with Dinzler coffee, Dilmah tea, black-out curtains.
Our favourite rooms
Let’s be clear, each of the 26 houses and residences on the island are pinch-yourself slices of paradise – they all come with a private pool, a furnished sundeck, out-of-this-world ocean views and a House Master, so there’s absolutely no chance of picking a dud. However, we did lose our cool a little over the glass-bottomed living rooms in the Ocean Houses – it’s a beautiful thing when little Smiths totally lose interest in screens because the real Finding Nemo is playing beneath their feet. For a once-in-a-lifetime stay, it has to be the scene-stealing Nautilus Mansion, a literal sandcastle which was personally designed by the resort’s Maldivian owner as his platonic ideal of a beach residence.
Poolside
As well as the individual infinity pools at every house, there’s also a family-friendly temperature controlled pool on the beach at the island’s edge. It’s dotted with cosy cabanas and sleek sunloungers – plus, you’re perfectly placed to take advantage of the deli-style snacks which are served all day at Naiboli Pool Bar. At night, you can watch the ‘Nautilus rising’, when the shell decal lights up and the pool is filled with a phosphorescent glow.
Spa
The soul-soothing Solasta Spa is made up of three overwater, glass-bottomed treatment pavilions, so you can watch tropical fish buzzing about through your massage chair. The extensive menu boasts skin-plumping facials, Ayurvedic mud scrubs and stress-busting massages. You can also mix and match treatments according to your mood. Bliss out afterwards in one of the relaxation lounges or the steam bath. For a supplement of $100, you can have any spa treatment in the privacy of your room.
Packing tips
An underwater camera… so you make like Man Ray among the Manta Rays at legendary dive spot Hanifaru Bay.
Also
As The Nautilus is spread out and sandy, there's limited wheelchair access.
Children
All ages are very welcome and the resort lays on lots for littl'uns in its Young Wonderers club (so you can sneak off for Smith time). As long as it's prearranged, up to two children (under-12s) can stay and eat for free when accompanied by an adult.
Best for
All ages are very welcome and two children under the age of 12 can stay and eat for free (hurrah). The Young Wanderers kids club and playground will keep them occupied for hours.
Recommended rooms
You’ll have plenty of privacy, lots of living space and an al fresco dining room if you opt for one of the Two-Bedroom Beach Residences, which spread out over two floors.
Activities
Even miniature attention spans will be captivated by the inventive itineraries at the Young Wanderers kids club – arts and crafts galore, snorkel missions with the resident marine biologist and junior yoga, to name just a few.
Swimming pool
You’ve got your own of course, but the resort’s infinity pool with the nifty nautilus pattern is also family friendly.
Meals
You’ll find kids menus at each of the restaurants and baby food is also available on request.
Babysitting
Babysitting is available for an extra cost – just give the hotel 24 hours’ notice.
No need to pack
Buggies are available on request and there’s an array of items on hand for infants and toddlers – changing mats, bedlinen, puzzles, toys, baths, towels and baby-safe bath products.
