The Hilton Maldives Amingiri Cocoons Guests In Its Heartfelt Hospitality

Beyond glorious ocean views and delectable menus with a sustainable focus.

Photo: Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa

By Joe Tan - published 29 Dec 2022

The Maldives is one of an exalted handful of travel destinations that has achieved almost mythological status. Even though stories of its natural beauty have been retold countless times, it somehow still manages to thrill the sense of being when one actually takes in its sights and sounds for the first time.

Comprising 26 atolls—ring-shaped natural landscapes formed by extinct volcanoes—stretching north and south of the Equator, the Maldivian Archipelago is roughly 99 percent water and one percent land, and it is here that some of the world’s most exclusive resorts have been built.

The latest is the Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa, the fourth property under the Hilton portfolio in the island nation. Occupying the entire Amingiri Island in the North Malé Atoll, the resort has 109 beach and overwater villas. Accessible from Velana International Airport via a 20-minute luxury speedboat service provided by the Hilton, you can sink your toes in powdery white sand within an hour of your arrival.

The one-bedroom beach pool villa with direct access to Amingiri’s pristine white beaches.
Hilton Maldives Amingiri_One-Bedroom Beach Pool Villa

From the patio of my one-bedroom overwater villa, the impressive sight of the Indian Ocean and cool breeze promises to ease the senses from the get-go. Those with the willpower to pull themselves out of bed in the early dawn are rewarded with a world-class view of the water glistening like iridescent fabric in the golden sun. Looking up in the small hours, I can see the stars on a cloudless night as clearly as though it was day—different from the sunrise yet just as awe-inspiring.

The overwater villa offers three different bathing facilities—an ocean-facing bathtub, and indoor and outdoor rain showers—as well as a private pool. Within the roomy interiors, glass floor panels inserted in the warm wood-panelled floors offer views of the shallow reef and its roaming aquatic life from 2022 the comfort of your room. A ladder access located right at the patio also allows guests to take a dip in the crystal clear sea. Beachfront villas come with an outdoor terrace and sun deck, with immediate access to the beaches.

Shower with unobscured views of the Indian Ocean.

Guests at the Hilton Amingiri can sign up for a guided ocean tour alongside two marine biologists who will point out the amazing variety of aquatic species that call the Indian Ocean home. On our dive, we spot anemones, groupers, clownfish, manta rays, eels, and the elusive endangered sea turtles. Diving enthusiasts will be delighted to know that there are whitetip reef sharks in Maldivian waters too—we catch sight of them as we’re returning to the ship deck, as well as from our seafront villas. There are no known reports of incidents in the Maldives involving these sharks, which, fortunately, have a greater interest in hunting small reef fish rather than humans. Diving with the experts allows guests to better appreciate the beauty of Maldivian seas and understand the issues they are facing due to climate change and human action.

But you don’t have to submerge yourself in the deep blue for close encounters with marine life as the Hilton offers dolphin-spotting cruises. Our encounter with pods of these mammals in early October is serendipitous—we are told that the best season to go dolphin watching is between the months of February to early May, when there are no strong monsoon winds and the sea is calm.

With the island nation’s fate closely intertwined with its environs, it goes without saying that the ethos of sustainability at the Hilton Maldives Amingiri is a priority. Take for example, the essential oils used in the Amingiri Spa’s relaxing Liquid Memories massage treatments and traditional hammam steam bath rituals. Made from all-natural ingredients and housed in 98 percent biodegradable packaging, they are testament to the resort’s commitment to protecting nature.

The Amingiri Spa where guests can choose from a selection of 51 teas along with their wellness treatments.
Hilton Maldives Amingiri_Amingiri_Spa hammam room

Similarly, the resort’s main dining concepts all follow environmentally-friendly practices. Origin features a menu heavily influenced by its abundant access to seafood, harvested sustainably by the locals. Tuna—the country’s primary export—and other fish, are supplied daily by Maldivian fishermen who use the traditional pole-and-line fishing technique when catching produce, minimising unwanted bycatch and harm to other marine species. Lobsters are retrieved by hand to prevent damage to the sea bed. Fishermen dive into the shallower reefs in the evenings, flashlight in hand, to catch the crustacean when it’s most active. The all-day dining spot Habitat offers its own spin on the Mexican tepache—a refreshing elixir made from fermented pineapple peels, flavoured with Cajun spices. No part of the fruit is wasted—the rinds are dehydrated into edible chips, and served as garnishes for drinks. Fruit peels and other edible food byproducts from the kitchens of both restaurants are also used by the Aura Pool Bar and Cocktail Lab to flavour liquers and spirits for its cocktails, in line with the resort’s practice of reducing food waste. My choice of tipple is the Old Fashioned, crafted with bourbon infused with banana peel, which lends a pleasant touch of sweetness.

The family-friendly resort has a Krakengiri Kids’ Club where parents can drop off their children to enjoy a plethora of activities—playrooms furnished with toys, board games stacked from floor-to-ceiling, a milkshake bar counter, and an outdoor splash pool, all supervised by babysitters—while they spend some alone time at the adults-only overwater bar, Eden. Teens get their own chill-out space at the Re:Fuel lounge which serves non-alcoholic beverages.

While the accommodation and amenities are impressive, the one thing that truly stands out is the hotel’s hospitality. After I casually mention that I had trouble removing the metal pull-tab covers of the bottles of water to my room attendant, two of four bottles replenished daily have their pull-tabs opened before they are stored in the fridge. The breakfast service made it a point to remember my order: Three eggs scrambled, plenty of black pepper, and two glasses of mimosa.

There are many definitions of an ideal escape—a digital detox, a respite from everyday worries or even a place to rediscover oneself. After staying at the Hilton Maldives Amingiri, I realised that for me, it’s the familiarity of feeling right at home in a foreign land and being surrounded by people whose care is more authentically felt than said. I know that’s where my next getaway will be.