Your ultimate guide to RAAYA by Atmosphere
When you’re in the depths of a British winter, it can be hard not to dream of somewhere more appealing. Where the twinkly sea is warm and blue, the white sand gets stuck between your toes, and the ice-cold pina coladas just keep on coming. Sounds idyllic, right?
This is what it’s like to wake up and spend the day at RAAYA by Atmosphere in the Maldives. Their dry season runs between December and April, meaning there truly is no better time to chuck your Factor 50 and straw hat into a beach bag, jump on a sun lounger and tackle your must-read list.
Before you head off, though, let us take you through the ins and outs of the resort, and give you everything you need to know on RAAYA - from the restaurants to the activities and the truly beautiful rooms.
The hotel
RAAYA is a slightly bigger resort than its sister VARU, and is made up of 162 rooms. Like many Maldivian offerings, they have water villas and beach villas, both available with and without private pools, as well as bigger accommodation for families. The hotel also offers everything you could need in terms of activities and extracurricular, including a beautiful spa, a gym, padel court and so much more.
The rooms are designed in such a way that they all feel secluded and unique; it’s like you’re on your own private island without another guest for miles, thanks to personal loungers and umbrella set ups along the coast. Each villa’s modern-yet-homely set up, with indoor and outdoor sofas and comfy beds, means your holiday starts from the minute you drop your bags. Rooms are spacious and clean, and have all the amenities you could need - a mini-bar which is frequently restocked, AC and huge bathrooms, perfect for washing the day away (and in our case, lathering up with aftersun.)
As you walk around the island (it takes about an hour to do a full lap, btw) it feels like there’s been a real focus on maintaining and encouraging the natural environment - tropical plants are everywhere and the beaches feel unspoilt. Whether you’re heading for a walk through the mangroves or up a watchtower, RAAYA has thought of everything - there are bikes you can borrow from drop-off points, regular golf buggies and even umbrellas, for the occasional tropical shower. And while snorkeling from any bit of the beach is encouraged, there’s also an impressive pool, with half-sunken loungers and easy access to the bar. Speaking of the bar…
Where to eat and drink
SOAQ
Sometimes, all you want is a cocktail and a bar snack while you’re sunbathing the afternoon away. SOAQ is situated just off a beautiful white sandy beach and next to the pool, so whether you fancy a quick dip or a paddleboard, all options are open to you from here. Alongside margaritas and mojitos made right in front of you, SOAQ offer freshly baked pizzas and small plates, like lamb croquettes and sundried tomato aranchini. RAAYA’s bar offers a full menu of wines and spirits from morning ‘til night (included in your package.)
RAAYA Life
The main restaurant within the resort is called RAYA life, serving up a buffet-style meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Explore the many different stations, and enjoy everything from fresh salad bars and seared fish (the tuna is amazing) to curries, noodle dishes and pasta put together in front of you. The fluffy American-style pancakes were a particular breakfast highlight, while we loved the fresh naan breads.
Seb’s Shack
Walk 20 minutes up the coast from RAAYA Life and you’ll find Seb’s Shack, a secluded cocktail bar that opens each afternoon. Settle into a beanbag, because it’s the perfect spot to watch the sunset from. Grab a cocktail in a tiki glass as the sun goes down, and take in your idyllic surroundings (we genuinely saw a crab making its way across the beach with a shell on its back here, and felt like we were in a movie.)
Ambers&nds
If you like sushi, this is the place for you. Set in a modern, open and airy restaurant (with a must-see roof terrace) Ambers&nds feels like an upmarket, bougiee Pan-Asian restaurant, hidden away on a Maldivian island. The menu features locally sourced seafood like seared scallops and herb-crusted tiger prawns alongside delectable charred beef and chicken satay. Thanks to its ideal beach-front position, you could basically spend all day here.
The Village
Who would’ve thought you’d find an Italian restaurant bursting with charm on an island in the Indian ocean? But that’s exactly what The Village offers, with porcini risotto, lamb ragu pappardelle and free-range poussin making up the menu. Of course, no Italian feast is complete without tiramisu and a glass of red wine. Perfect.
Mizaj
Another twist on fine-dining, RAAYA’s restaurant Mizaj takes over SOAQ bar in the evenings, serving a fusion of a la carte flavours with a Middle Eastern twist. It’s here you can enjoy a mezze platter, grilled halloumi and a Greek salad, alongside a great selection of meats and fish for your main.
What to do
Chill out!
Much of the appeal of a holiday in the Maldives is switching off from your every day, and giving yourself space to relax. You don’t need to have a packed itinerary - simply enjoy the beauty of the turquoise waters and sun on your skin. Sit in the shade with a brilliant book, and let the breeze blow through your hair. You can easily spend your days settling into different parts of the island with a sea view.
Snorkelling
The snorkelling is not to be missed at RAAYA. Whether you take yourself off to find a reef from the beach (tip: just in front of Ambers&nds is a great place to start) or go on one of the hotel’s guided snorkelling tours, you really must give it a go. There are incredible things to be seen under sea - and even schools of dolphins if you’re lucky. The resort will lend you flippers and a mask and snorkel to go at your leisure, or there are diving excursions if you want to take things up a notch.
Dhoni making
Much of RAAYA’s charm is built around a man named Seb; a shipwrecked artist who found paradise on the island. While you’re staying at the resort, learn all about his story while making your own keepsake to take home: a mini wooden Dhoni, a traditional Maldivian sailing boat, which you can paint however you like.
Sunset cruise
Speaking of traditional boats, why not make your experience even more memorable by taking in the gorgeous pinks and oranges of a sunset from the sea? Each evening, RAAYA offers a journey off the island by boat, so guests can watch a sunset like never before.
Have a spa treatment
There’s nothing like the serenity a holiday massage gives you, and ele-na spa ticks all the boxes. They offer many signature treatments inspired by local traditions and crafted with natural island ingredients, as well as facials, deep tissue massages and body scrubs. Choose an oil that suits your needs, as you melt into the massage table and try not to fall asleep.
Play mini golf
Yes, there’s a course! Hidden away in the middle of the island, you’ll find a whole host of activities to keep you - or little ones - busy. Whether you want to give mini golf a go, or there’s a pool table, table football, and even a full-size padel court and football goals. There’s no end to the amount of things you can fill your days with at RAAYA, perfect if you’re into activities more than sunbathing on the beach (we like doing both, tbh.) So whether it’s enjoying the RAAYA Ritual on Thursday evenings, or diving and watersports, it really is all up for grabs.
Things to note
The hotel is an all-inclusive, which means guests are immediately enrolled on the RAAYA plan, which gives you access to unlimited drinks and meals at Lime & Chilli, SOAQ and Seb’s Shack. You can then pay for meals at alternative restaurants, and experiences like massages, diving and water spot, or restaurant bookings are opened up to you if you stay for more than four nights.
The weather is tropical! The UV is always strong, even when it’s overcast, so be sure to wear your SPF, while thunderstorms are also not unusual. The hotel provides umbrellas but consider bringing a waterproof even if the weather forecast is good – it can be changeable and unpredictable.
In order to get to RAAYA, you have to take a 45 minute seaplane trip from Malé airport, which is included in your package.
Although it’s not expected, it’s nice to tip! US dollars are accepted as currency, if you’re unable to get your hands on Maldivian Rufiyaa.
To find out more about staying at RAAYA by Atmosphere, click here
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