A Paradise Found: My Stay at JA Manafaru, Maldives
The Maldives – a dream destination for many.
A place where shimmering waters in the most beautiful shades of blue meet pristine, fine sand, making everyday life a distant memory. JA Manafaru is in the far north of the Maldives, in the Haa Alifu Atoll, surrounded by untouched nature and crystal-clear waters.
However, with rising prices in the most famous resorts, the high season often becomes an expensive indulgence. That’s precisely why I started searching for an alternative. After many hours of research and reading countless reviews, I came across the JA Manafaru Resort. From the first impression, I had a good feeling about it.
Since my husband tends to prefer sticking to the tried and tested, it took a little persuasion. But the many positive reviews—especially regarding the food and the stunning beaches—eventually convinced him to embark on this new adventure with me. So, we booked the resort and eagerly anticipated our vacation.
The Journey to Paradise
Flying to the Maldives offers numerous options. For us, there are always two favorites: the direct flight with Condor or Discover from Frankfurt to Malé or the overnight flight from Zurich to Malé with Edelweiss—both are night flights. These options bring us conveniently and rested to our destination. Night flights are ideal for me since I usually sleep soundly—often up to seven hours—and wake up refreshed to start a new day in paradise.
From Malé, the journey continues with a seaplane—a unique adventure in itself. After about 1 hour and 20 minutes, with views of dazzling atolls that seem like something out of another world, we arrived at the resort. Yes, it’s a bit of a journey, but trust me: every minute of the flight is worth it.
A Warm Welcome
Like everywhere in the Maldives, we were greeted here with a cool refreshment towel and a welcome drink. Our island host, Rizam, escorted us to our beach villa—by buggy, of course. From the first interaction, we felt his attentive and warm personality.
What impressed me the most was his ability to remember small details. For example, that we never have breakfast but prefer a glass of water with fresh lemon juice and a detox juice every morning. Once I ordered it, it was automatically prepared for us every single morning.
Magical Sunsets
Another highlight was Rizam’s organization of sunsets. For the first two evenings, we spent time at the Veli Bar but found it a bit too lively. We craved romance, peace, and intimacy—after all, it was just the two of us. Rizam then created private spots for us where we could enjoy our favorite songs and breathtaking sunsets undisturbed. These moments were simply magical.
The Veli Bar: A Hub for Sunsets and More
The Veli Bar was not only a great spot to experience the first sunsets but later proved to be the perfect meeting point after dinner. With its relaxed ambiance and refreshing cocktails, it provided a stylish and laid-back atmosphere to end the day.
Infinity Pool: Delight with a View
The resort’s infinity pool is another highlight, perfect for a relaxed afternoon. With a bar and delicious snacks, it’s also an excellent place to enjoy the sunset. However, as the pool was often quite busy, we chose not to use it, preferring tranquility.
The Beach Villa
The beach villa with its private pool was beautiful and offered plenty of comfort. It would have been great if the pool had been located at the front with a view of the ocean, but even at the back of the villa, it provided a lovely retreat. The clear design, combined with the openness to nature, created a calming atmosphere.
The first glance out of the villa under bright sunshine—simply unforgettable.
The beach was expansive, the ocean just steps away, and a gentle breeze always blew through the loose vegetation. The villa itself was beautifully designed—perhaps not the most luxurious we’ve ever stayed in, but it exuded comfort and coziness. It was impossible not to feel at home here.
One of the standout features was the generously restocked minibar, which had everything one could wish for: soft drinks, juices, milk, snacks, and fresh water. Coffee and tea were also always included. I’m not sure if this is standard or part of the full-board package, but it was fantastic.
The resort also offers stunning overwater villas, which we had the chance to tour. Their location directly above crystal-clear waters, spacious terraces, and ultimate privacy impressed us so much that we’ve already decided to split our next stay between a beach villa and an overwater villa.
Culinary Highlights
This was our first stay with a full-board package, and I must say: I’d make the same choice again in a heartbeat. The value for money was unbeatable—especially compared to other resorts we’ve visited. After our arrival, we jumped straight into the ocean, but I was soon eager to try the food.
Lunch and New Year’s Eve at Kakuni
We mainly visited "Kakuni"—the main restaurant—for lunch, as it offered both buffet and à la carte options. Our first lunch there set the standard for the days ahead:
grilled chicken with a perfectly seasoned parmesan cream and fresh, crunchy vegetables. The flavors blended so harmoniously that I could only think, "Wow," and eagerly anticipated the next dishes.
In the evenings, "Kakuni" only served buffet, which we personally didn’t prefer due to the less intimate atmosphere caused by people frequently getting up. At home, I always cook, so on vacation, I enjoy sitting back and being served. Of course, this is purely a matter of taste, and many will appreciate the relaxed vibe there. Still, the restaurant itself is beautifully designed. On New Year’s Eve, "Kakuni" surprised me with a fantastic buffet that exceeded all expectations.
On the last evening, a staff member from "Kakuni" gave us a very special treat: He set up a beautiful table for us with a white tablecloth and gorgeous flowers. He had asked us to spend our final evening there and promised to make it extra special – which he truly did. This heartfelt farewell dinner deeply touched us, and we are incredibly grateful to him for it.
Italian Surprises at Andiamo Bistro
"Andiamo Bistro" amazed me with its fantastic Italian food. The pizza, pasta, and lasagna I tried were outstanding in quality and a true delight. I was impressed by the authenticity of the dishes—something rare to find in the Maldives.
Japanese Flair at the White Orchid
In the evenings, highlights included the "White Orchid" restaurant – a Japanese restaurant that impressed not only with its dishes but also with its stunning location right by the ocean.
We were particularly impressed by the Teppanyaki experience with Supriyano, an incredibly kind chef. The creations were fresh and creative, and the accompanying show was a delight.
Unfortunately, the evening was slightly overshadowed as other guests arrived far too late and didn’t even apologize. The team, especially the chef, made great efforts to salvage the atmosphere, but we were still able to enjoy other evenings at the "White Orchid" so immensely that this incident was quickly forgotten.
A special highlight was the day I had the chance to witness the fresh delivery of tuna. It was impressive to see how fresh and delicious they were prepared afterward.
Romance at Ocean Grill
My personal favorite, however, was "Ocean Grill."
My personal favorite, however, was "Ocean Grill." With our feet in the sand, under sparkling lights, and in an atmosphere like no other—it was simply perfect. The tenderloin I tried was one of the best I’ve ever had—unbelievably tender and flavorful.
The team there, especially Ziyad, Katchey, and Mauch, made every visit an unforgettable experience.
Love on the Beach
Another culinary highlight was the exclusive beachfront dinner called "Love on the Beach."
This experience was simply enchanting – with a beautiful setup, a delicious barbecue menu, and a fantastic dessert. Accompanied by love songs, we enjoyed the romantic atmosphere under the starry sky. It was an evening that will remain unforgettable.
In addition to the fantastic food, the resort offers a wide range of activities. For sports enthusiasts, there’s an excellent tennis court that is always in perfect condition. The watersport options are equally impressive, ranging from snorkeling trips to fishing excursions and an unforgettable dolphin cruise. There are countless ways to experience the beauty of nature and the ocean up close. We mostly enjoyed our time together as a couple and didn’t take advantage of all the activities available.
However, the gym with its ocean view was a dream come true for me as a fitness enthusiast.
The beautiful spa area, with professional therapists and relaxing massages, created moments of pure tranquility. I especially enjoyed the sauna, which I love using even at high temperatures – a highlight, as not every resort offers a sauna.
A Thank You to the Team
The only thing we didn’t enjoy as much during our stay was the band. The musicians were incredibly friendly, and the instrumental performances were quite good, but unfortunately, the vocals didn’t impress us. Nevertheless, we had plenty of opportunities to avoid this and enjoy our evenings in other areas of the resort.
A special thank you goes to the people who made this vacation unforgettable: Rizam, our island host, who anticipated our every need; Inash, our room attendant, who always prepared our room perfectly; and the entire restaurant team, especially Ziyad, Katchey, and Mauch from the "Ocean Grill." Each and every one of them contributed to making us feel completely comfortable and cared for.
Final Thoughts: JA Manafaru – A Hidden Gem for Foodies
Our stay at JA Manafaru exceeded all expectations. From the warm welcome to the final farewell, it was a vacation filled with unforgettable moments. For anyone seeking paradise with fair prices, excellent food, and stunning beaches: this resort is a hidden gem. We will definitely return!
