Peppy, vibrant, sophisticated: The Standard Huruvalhi Maldives makes a perfect escape from the mundane

Dreaming of a luxurious vacation in the Maldives? Think no more and give wings to your dreams. A short sea plane ride away from Male, The Standard Huruvalhi Maldives offers a unique blend of relaxation and social life; perfect for a romantic escape or a getaway with your loved ones.

Rooms with a view

A laid-back island retreat combining barefoot luxury (even the staff are not obliged to wear shoes), this is Standard's first resort property (and its first foray into Asia). Whether an overwater villa floating in our lagoon or settled on a pristine sandy beach front, each of their 115 villas feature their own private sun loungers deck and plunge pool. Expect king size bed in each room, air conditioning, overstocked mini bar, flat screen TV, custom bath amenities, free Wi-Fi, and in-room Bluetooth speaker. The least expensive and largest rooms are the Beach villas, of which there are 27 tucked into the trees. All come with a pale wood and off-white colour scheme livened up with hot-pink accents and textural touches that mimic the patterns of sunlight on the sea. An 'activity wall' hung with snorkelling equipment adds a playful element, as does the disco ball above the oversized bathtub (bathrooms also feature walk-in showers, twin sinks, and are huge). The overall look is replicated in the 88 Overwater villas, which stand in a double row above the jewel-coloured lagoon and are brightly painted in the style of a traditional Maldivian village. Couples can amp up their stay with chocolate covered strawberries and a bottle of chilled champagne in villa upon arrival, a 60-minute couples’ massage, beachside dinner under the stars, and a sunset cruise.

More the merrier: food and drinks

The best way to win someone’s heart is through good food and The Standard Huruvalhi Maldives does it perfectly right. Kula is the resort’s all-day dining restaurant with a breezy and bright room. It serves up a mix of cuisines buffet style, with a large open kitchen and food stations to make your selections. Enjoy your meal with open views of the pool and ocean among lush plants that fill the space. Guduguda features authentic and celebratory Maldivian food. The name "Guduguda" describes the activity of relaxing and conversing while enjoying a meal. The menus are driven by locally caught, seafood-driven dishes like flavourful coconut milk curries, regional fruits and vegetables, spiced rice, and homemade bread. Dining in the restaurant is done in traditional style, low to the floor on cushions, with seating available indoors and out on a patio overlooking the water. Joos Café is the perfect place for a quick snack, bite or refresh. The all-day spot offers small items like smoothies, coffee and pastries, as well as full breakfast dishes and light lunches like salads, wraps and sandwiches. The lounge area, also a great spot to work, is lined with a library of vintage books, magazines and more. Todis is the spot for a relaxing and playful afternoon. Located off the pool deck, Todis serves up bar snacks like fresh oysters, fried chicken sandwiches, and dry aged beef burgers, along with plenty of fresh cocktails, cold beer and wine. Take a break from the sun to play in our custom-made tubular ping pong table, or sit down with a drink and classic board game or book, all available for your use. For a casual beach dinner, swing by the BBQ Shak, where fresh seafood and meats are grilled to perfection over charcoal, with a variety of house-made sauces paired with each dish. Watch chefs grill your meal right in front of you while enjoying the ocean breeze and views. Wait, that’s not all. There’s also an adult-only bar – Beru Bar – an over-water-club perched just feet above ocean with a see-through dance floor. Enjoy the breeze with cocktails and fresh tropical juices, and the best sunset-viewing seat in the house. Carry on into the evening, with the largest disco ball in the Maldives and dance the night away.

Fun-filled adventures for adults and kids alike

All your favourite outdoor watersports, like snorkelling, kayaking, waterskiing, wakeboarding, monoskiing, tubing, kayaking and diving are available. In accordance with HPA guidelines, all group activities are restricted to single households – just you and whoever is in your villa. In snorkelling, there are several options like turtle expedition, snorkel safari, house reef snorkel, starlight snorkel, and Hanifaru manta snorkel. No experience brings you closer to Maldivian culture than fishing, a vital economic and social island activity. Learn to fish like a local on this nautical adventure, casting hoop lines off an atoll while enjoying a selection of cold beverages. With one of the world’s most diverse aquatic ecosystems, you’ll be pulling in mackerel, snappers, emperors, jacks, and other nocturnal reef fish and, if you so choose, have the chef grill them up for you back at the resort. Fishing with the kids? They’ll love snacking on fish bait-shaped gummies, sweets and drinking from fresh coconuts. A boat for every occasion, their charters will take you in search of dolphins, on a sunset cocktail cruise, surfing or even to your own private island. Because the little ones too deserve some fun! Parents relax and kids rejoice, the Lil’ Shark Kids Club provides professional childcare services complete with their own paddling pool; for children 4 years and above during operating hours. There’s also an inflatable water park wherein kids can also slip n’ slide around. No Standard stay is ever complete without a night to remember; so whether dancing to groovy beats at a beach bonfire or at the glass bottom, overwater nightclub, the only thing that will end the fun is the sunrise.

Recipe for rejuvenating the mind and soul

Recover, play, chill or explore. The Standard Spa, Huruvalhi continues the Standard’s tradition of communal bathing, and do-it-yourself services accessible to all. Spa therapists are encouraged to go off-protocol to administer tailored treatments (such as the jetlag-busting Rock-a-Bye, which combines rhythmic massage, hot stones, stretch and hemp-derived CBD oil). The indoor hydrotherapy playground boasts a communal hammam, cypress aroma steam room and contrast plunge shower to complete the circuit. The spa deck is the perfect place for a sunrise yoga session or moonlit soiree under the stars.