By the time you land at COMO Maalifushi, you’ll be fully convinced you’ve entered a parallel universe where everybody has a six-pack, a serene smile, and a standing date with enlightenment.
First things first: if Gwyneth Paltrow, David Attenborough and a barefoot billionaire who doesn’t want to be named got together and dreamt up an island, COMO Maalifushi would be it. Set adrift in the Thaa Atoll — where, incidentally, COMO is the only resident because sharing is not caring — this untouched sliver of paradise offers all the barefoot luxury your burnt-out soul has been thirsting for.
The Welcome: Feels like heaven
You’ll arrive in “serene-style”, which is Maldives-speak for boarding a seaplane that looks suspiciously part of a new James Bond movie (but don’t worry, you still have to wear noise-cancelling headphones and pretend you’re nonchalant about the view of endless glittering turquoise). Upon landing, you’re greeted with a cool towel, a cooler smile, and an even cooler vibe — the kind of welcome that whispers, “You’re about to live your best soft-focus life.”
Accommodations: Minimalism, but Make It Millionaire
Each villa is a Pinterest board brought to life: vaulted ceilings, billowing white muslin curtains, bleached wood, outdoor showers, sunken marble tubs so large they have their own weather systems — and French doors leading to views so dreamy you’ll want to double check if you’re actually awake.
Overwater villas are the crown jewel: private pools, sundecks, and steps right into the sea, for when you need a casual swim between spa treatments. Beach villas, meanwhile, feel like you’ve stumbled onto the set of a very tasteful lifestyle documentary, directed by yours truly. Honestly, good luck leaving.
Food: McDreamy
Breakfast isn’t just a meal here — it’s a spiritual journey. Smoothie bowls adorned with edible flowers, nut-and-seed toasts so hearty they could hold political office, ricotta pancakes with banana and honeycomb butter that might bring a tear to your eye.
By night, dine at Tai, the Japanese restaurant where reef sharks and stingrays casually glide by as you sip sake and contemplate your life choices amid an Omakase dining as your sushi chef cuts the best tuna you’ll ever taste (spoiler: you should stay here forever).
Special mention: the COMO Shambhala menu — perfect for anyone who likes their wellness with a side of organic almond milk.
Activities: Do Everything, Or Absolutely Nothing
You could theoretically spend your day chasing whale sharks, sunset-dolphin-cruising, paddleboarding to a private island, playing padel, perfecting your crow pose in complimentary yoga classes, or diving through coral gardens so colourful they look AI-generated.
Or you could just spend eight hours starfished on a sun lounger, sending cryptic “wish you were here” selfies to your colleagues stuck in grey cubicles. (Both approaches are valid.)
Surfers, rejoice: Thaa Atoll’s secret breaks mean everyone from pro shredders to “still working on standing up” beginners will find a wave to fall in love with. And yes, instructors are available — both for surfing and for gently stroking your ego.
Wellness: Resistance is Futile
If you think you can come here and not have a spa treatment, think again. The COMO Shambhala retreat lures you in with overwater treatment rooms where the only soundtrack is the Indian Ocean sighing lovingly at your newly invigorated pores.
Sign up for a deep tissue massage and watch your last three ex-partners dissolve from memory.
Kid Situation: Surprisingly (and Delightfully) Sorted
Parents: take heart. COMO isn’t one of those “no kids allowed” resorts that frowns at toddlers wielding ice-cream cones like paintbrushes. They welcome children with open arms (and robust daily programs of crab racing, nature walks, and sandcastle tournaments).
Pro tip: if you want to avoid heart attacks every time your child approaches an edge, maybe pick a Beach Villa rather than an Overwater one.
Eco Vibes: Saving the Planet, One Blissed-Out Guest at a Time
From the organic gardens and recycled water to the bicycles and electric golf carts, Maalifushi hums along with enough eco-consciousness to make your reusable tote bag weep with pride.
Final Thoughts: Come for the Sun, Stay for the Enlightenment
There’s a reason guests here look suspiciously happy, toned and glowy: COMO Maalifushi is a full-body reset disguised as a holiday.
Come armed with oversized sunglasses, leave your emails unread, and prepare to re-emerge into society approximately 87% more luminous.
Side effects may include: an obsession with hammocks, random urges to drink green juice, and an overwhelming sense of superiority when discussing “the Maldives” at dinner parties.
By: Lucas Raven
