Banyan Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru - The Circle Of Tranquility

Enter a state of bliss on the coral atoll tucked away in the alluring Maldives archipelago where you can experience a total sense of serenity at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru. This island resort is well known for its sparkling blue waters, white sandy beaches, and tall coconut trees that sway along with the fresh salty sea breeze from the magnificent Indian Ocean.



Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts is a world-renowned partner in the hospitality and Spa industry with well over 20 years of experience; with several brands of 40 different resorts and hotels and 70 spas in 28 different countries. Banyan Tree has won 800 different awards since its establishment in 1994. Nothing defines ‘ultimate luxury’ better than Banyan Tree.


A 20 to 25-minute speedboat ride from Male’ International airport (transfers for US$ 185 per person); Vabbinfaru offers you a holiday like no other. Immerse yourself in the signature hospitality of the island alongside white-sand shores, rich reef brimming with marine life, and the natural ambiance of peace and solitude the island brings.


When you arrive at the island you are welcomed by friendly staff who will go out of their way to make you feel at home and will be ready to take away any discomfort you might face. The first thing you would be able to see is the 4-meter long pier that gives you a stunning view and a good photo location. You would be able to walk around the island within 12 minutes and see the spectacular view and lush green vegetation combined with the crystal clear turquoise waters the island has to offer.

Eco-Friendly?

With a wide spread of tourism one of the biggest worries for travelers is how their vacation impacts the environment. With Banyan Tree you can rest assured that your vacation will be perfectly tailored with the environment in mind as Banyan Tree is big on sustainable development. They support the local environment and responsible tourism projects. The island resort is very active in sustaining the coral reefs and marine life as you will find out later in the article.


Banyan Tree holds ‘sustainability’ as a core value with a three-pillar approach; operational efficiency, protecting biodiversity, and developing local capacity to create long term benefits for associates, guests, and partners. They minimize their impact while safeguarding and enhancing the human and physical environment to take you through a magical tale of tranquility and sustainability.


Since Earth Day 2018 they have been able to reduce plastic usage by 76%, produce water on-site and introduce the use of paper straws. Banyan Tree has won various awards such as Earth Check Silver certification, President of Maldives Green Resort Award 2004 & 2006, and Luxury Eco-Friendly Award in 2017. They also raise awareness of climate change through tree planting events across the Maldives with the aim of planting 2000 trees per year. This includes trees such as Mango, Coconut, and Breadfruit, etc. They also support seagrass and mangrove restoration and conservation which are two highly important ecosystems found in the Maldives.


On the island they have a marine lab which is first of its kind built on a private resort. They do reef and species inventory checks with the in-house marine biologist and are very active in cleaning and maintaining the reef. The lab is fully equipped to conduct research in coral biology and ecology. You will be able to sponsor your coral garden and actively take part in coral plantation and cleaning. A part of the money you spend will go to the sea turtle conservation fund providing you with a good conscious along with a memorable experience.

Rooms

The resort island is known for its eco-friendly thatched villas, surrounded by pristine sandy beaches that are shaded by the swaying coconut palms and other local flora to provide ecological ‘naturally luxurious’ experience. 48 round villas made mostly with organic materials (coconut, palm, bamboo, etc.), awaits to welcome you with its cone-shaped thatched roofs, amongst lush green vegetation with a king-sized four-poster bed, a corner sofa, private plunge pool adjoined jet pool, private patio, and a sun deck open onto the shore. Each room is equipped with air-conditioning, 32” flat-screen TV, CD player with iPod docking station, telephone, private safe, mini bar with a variety of snacks and drinks to choose from, hairdryers, bathrobes, wireless internet connecting and a tea/coffee making station to wake your senses up for the day.


Banyan Tree is family-friendly with each villa compromising of a small sofa bed suitable for a young child. However if you are traveling with older children you can opt for an interconnecting villa.

The Ocean View Pool Villa is a 110sqm villa with its ceiling inspired by the nautilus shell and framed glass door giving you a true embodiment of tropical living. The design of the villa provided utmost privacy and a garden area fully equipped with a pool, jet pool, sundeck, outdoor shower, and a recessed sitting area surrounded by shades of brown and green for a lazy afternoon lounging. It also has an extended wooden deck overlooking the pristine blue waters where you can relax and have a cup of coffee or drink of choice whilst enjoying the soft sounds of nature.


The Beachfront Pool Villa is a 110sqm villa set on the beach with jetties besides water offering you a panoramic view of the Indian Ocean and designed to bright and breezy. This villa also has all the facilities as an Ocean View Pool Villa.

If you desire space and privacy to the maximum; the Vabbinfaru Villa is your go-to villa. Alongside all the features of the other villa this villa has a large landscaped garden overlooking the ocean. Due to the size of this villa it makes a great space for small wedding parties.


Whilst the Pool Villas are set a little back. Each villa consists of dark tropical wood furniture with raw silk fabrics giving you a distinct Balinese style. You would be able to use the outdoor showers in the front and back gardens and chose your pillow from feather to foam. They also offer cleaning twice daily so that you can enjoy your vacation in the most hygienic way possible.

Service and Facilities

A visit to the Maldives would be incomplete without seeing the rich marine biodiversity that it holds that is world-famous. Vabbinfaru offers you an array of activities from PADI courses, diving trips, and water sport activities. After absorbing the tropical sun you would be able to select activities from snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, night fishing, canoeing, water-skiing, wakeboarding, mono-skiing, windsurfing, catamaran sailing, banana boat rides fun-tube rides and windsurfing.


The long coral reef of the island is a haven for snorkeling which houses a variety of fish, turtle, and small sharks. You will be able to take part in the resort’s marine conservation activities such as coral plant and reef cleaning led by the resident marine biologist.

Vabbinfaru also caters to land activities like watching the daily string ray feeding sessions, volleyball, table tennis, etc. The island resort also has a lifestyle retail gallery that showcases indigenous arts and crafts.


The island resort has a wide range of services to offer during your stay which includes an extensive range of massage, body, and beauty treatments at Banyan Tree Spa. You will be treated to the dedicated therapists that will provide you relaxation with the lightest of intuitive touches. They use nourishing balm from locally grown coconuts to knead you into a sense of relaxation whilst you enjoy the relaxing breeze from the Indian Ocean.

You will also be able to take an excursion to Banyan Tree’s sister resort Angsana Ihuru which is a five-minute boat ride away. Once on the island of Ihuru you would be able to visit the bar-restaurant spa and snorkel on the vibrant coral reef.

Snorkeling around the island’s long coral reef is magical, with angelfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish, pufferfish, turtles and small sharks. Guests can also take part in the resort’s marine conservation activities, such as coral planting and reef cleaning, run by the resident marine biologist. Other activities include boating, canoeing, wakeboarding, water-skiing, windsurfing, catamaran sailing, and island excursions. Back on dry land, you can go fishing or watch the daily stingray feeding sessions, play beach volleyball, or Ping-Pong. The island also offers Yoga sessions on the East and West jetties where the sun rises and sets.

Dining

Banyan Tree offers an assortment of local and international cuisines in their ‘Ilaafathi’ Restaurant. You can enjoy a wide variety of breakfast options and dinners. You will dine as you have never before at ‘Ilaafathi’ with choices of a romantic dinner under the stars with your toes dipped in the sand or Shark Point dining on the beachfront with a specially prepared menu that includes a variety of seafood and desserts. You can also try Banyan Trees famous Tuesday BBQ Beach Dinner with a four-course dinner prepared right in front of you. They also offer in-villa dining if you wish to eat at your privacy and within the comfort of the villa, you stay in. The resort provides candlelit barbecue dinner, gourmet meals paired with great wine or cocktails with your private chef and waiter to ensure you are well taken care of.


The bar ‘Naiboli’ (which is the local word for ‘Nautilus’ of which is the inspiration for the design of the villas) offers liquid refreshments you can sip on whilst enjoying the peaceful quiet ambiance the private island is known for. They also offer delicious appetizers and light meals while you enjoy the captivating traditional ‘Bodu Beru’ live music and dance in traditional Maldivian wear to give you a true Maldivian experience. This bar is set on the beachfront to give you fresh ocean breeze and a view of the world-famous Maldivian turquoise waters.

To add a more personalized touch the resort caters to romantic dinners and special events on deserted sandbanks or a traditional Maldivian sailboat. This would be a dining experience not to be missed during your visit to the Maldives.

Budget-Friendly?

If you are on a budget and would like to experience the luxury of the private island the resort offers great day trip packages which include the transfer, complimentary lunch or dinner, and access to all the facilities including the spa. You will also have access to the exceptional reefs in both Vabbinfaru and Ihuru and the pristine white sandy beaches ideal for a lazy last day before your departure off to your home. The friendly staff and the welcoming ambiance of the island will guarantee that you feel at home during your stay.


Your time in the Maldives will be one for the books, regardless of where you stay. But with Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru you can be guaranteed you will be taken care of by friendly and experienced people that welcome you with open arms, giving it their best effort to make you feel the relaxation that you deserve and that you experience a truly Maldivian holiday. Whether you are traveling solo, as a couple of a family, or if it is your first visit or 100th visit; your vacation will be tailored to provide maximum relaxation and comfort. You will leave with memories and photographs that you can hold on to for a lifetime and a craving that most visitors to the Maldives is familiar with. It is truly a ‘Circle of Tranquility’ and an experience worth your time and money.



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Banyan Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru - The Circle Of Tranquility
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