The resort is built around what it calls majaa, the spirit of joy and adventure. Every villa comes with a personal butler. Materials are chosen to breathe with the island, in sand and sea colours, with natural light and ocean views in each home.
The one-bedroom villas are suspended over the lagoon. The two-bedroom houses are made for shared days, and the residences are among the largest in the Maldives, with a four-bedroom option as well. Guests who want the whole island can take Velaa for themselves for a celebration or a milestone.
Dining is spread across the island. Aragu serves an East-meets-West menu with piano and wine. Tavaru is a teppanyaki restaurant high above the palms, and inside the Tavaru Tower sits the Maldives' largest private wine cellar. Faiy offers balanced seasonal dishes, Athiri is the everyday restaurant with chefs from fourteen nations, Cru is the champagne and wine lounge, and AVI is a poolside lounge with live music. A Beach Bar sits by the water.
The spa hovers above the lagoon, with personalised facials, Swiss skin treatments, massages, a sauna and steam rooms, plus meditation, yoga, Cloud 9 and Dream Pod experiences. The Velaa Golf Academy is a 9-hole par-3 course designed by José María Olazábal, with PGA coaching, a TrackMan simulator and swing analysis. There are padel and tennis courts and a climbing wall, with water sports and diving on the reef. The Kids Club has its own programme.
Maafaru International Airport is a 7-minute seaplane ride from the island for private jets, or a 35-minute yacht ride. It suits families who want an island with a children's club, golfers and couples who want a quiet overwater villa.
