Resorts · North Malé Atoll

Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives

A 2021-opened resort on a four-island archipelago in North Malé Atoll, with 95 villas and the country's longest pool at 150 metres. World-class left-hander Chickens surf break sits on the doorstep.

The MT Verdict

A confident newcomer with the longest pool in the Maldives, a serious surf address, and a 30-minute speedboat from the airport. The Indian-developer-built spec is unusually generous.

Atoll

North Malé Atoll

Villas

Opened

2021

Transfer

30 min speedboat

Dive Grade

Advanced

From

$$$$

The Villas

Kuda Villingili runs 95 villas across the main island and connected satellites — Beach Villas, Pool Villas, and a long chain of Water Villas extending in two arms over the lagoon. The resort markets the 150-metre lap pool as the longest in the Maldives.

Dining

The line-up runs nine restaurants, including the Mediterranean-leaning East / West, the over-water seafood-focused Hawwa, and the resort's signature wine programme that won an Asia 50 Best designation.

Surf & Dive

The island sits on the same reef as the famed Chickens left-hand surf break — boat access is included for surf-trip guests. The house reef is also strong by North Malé standards.

Logistics

Transfer is a 30-minute speedboat from Velana International Airport. The resort is owned by India's MFAR Hotels and opened in June 2021.

In the Same Atoll

Other properties our editors have reviewed in North Malé Atoll.

All Resorts →

North Malé Atoll

Baros Maldives

One of the original Maldivian resorts, still independent and still itself. Discreet, adult-leaning, and a quiet pioneer of the country's diving programme.

75 villas$$$$

North Malé Atoll

Coco Bodu Hithi

A reliable, locally-owned mid-tier-luxury option with a long overwater chain and a short speedboat. Coco Collection's flagship — not flashy, but consistent.

98 villas$$$$

North Malé Atoll

Gili Lankanfushi

The original all-overwater barefoot resort, two decades old and still distinctly itself. Wood-and-thatch villas, a no-shoes-no-news policy, and Crusoes that you reach by boat.

45 villas$$$$$

Related Coverage

Editorial we’ve published touching on this resort.

Awards

Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives Achieves Dual Nominations in the Condé Nast Traveller UK & US Readers' Choice Awards 2026

The North Malé Atoll resort has been nominated in the Resorts category of both the UK and US editions of the Condé Nast Readers' Choice Awards 2026, building on a string of global recognitions over the past two years.

Openings

Maldives Resort Openings — First Half of 2021

03 new resorts have opened in the Maldives in the first half of 2021. While several more resorts have announced to open their doors this year, delays due to COVID-related issues could mean some of these resorts will push their opening date to 2022 or late.