Small Island Luxury for the Ocean Enthusiast at Park Hyatt Maldives

Location & Access

The Park Hyatt Hadahaa resort is nestled within the remote Gaafu Alifu Atoll of the Maldives. Its secluded location in the southern reaches of the country lends an unrivaled sense of tranquility. It is far removed from the bustling boat and plane traffic of more populous atolls like Baa and Raa. Park Hyatt is encircled by a 360-degree reef, making this the ideal destination for divers, snorkelers and ocean fanatics. The island's developers made a conscious decision to preserve its pristine reef by avoiding dredging a channel for boats, unlike many of the modern resorts in the Maldives. This decision, coupled with the resort's longevity, has fostered a thriving marine ecosystem. Sharks, large schools of fish and flourishing coral reefs can be seen from every angle of the property. We spent our days watching small reef sharks chase schools of fish and rays gently lapping against the shallow water.

Reaching this hidden gem is not the fastest or shortest transfer, but is 100% worth the journey. Upon landing in Malé, you are taken to a domestic flight, followed by a speedboat ride arranged by the hotel. The entire journey from Malé takes approximately 2 hours. Once you arrive on the island, your personal butler checks you into the privacy of your villa.

Villas

Park Hyatt Hadahaa offers a small selection of villas, from beach villas to overwater villas. The beach villa categories all have the same interior spaces, but the upgraded villas offer expansive pools and outdoor lounge areas. The overwater villas are all the same, while the upgraded villas have pools. There is also a 2-bedroom beach villa as well as a 3-bedroom overwater residence on the property that is newly renovated.

We checked into a Deluxe Beach Pool Villa and it was incredible. Each beach villa is a stunning example of mid-century modern architecture, with angled roofs and panoramic glass windows. On entering, sleek, dark wooden features welcome you with breathtaking tropical vistas, and a clean, contemporary space. The king-sized bed takes center stage, facing the view. The room also includes a seating area with a bench and plush lounge chairs, as well as a built-in desk. The minibar comes equipped with an espresso machine, tea, soft drinks and snacks. If you're on a meal plan, you can enjoy complimentary non-alcoholic minibar items.

The bathroom is a design masterpiece, with a floor-to-ceiling glass window and door that make you feel like you're outside, all while enjoying the comfort of air conditioning. It comes with dual vanities, dual closets, an indoor shower and a separate toilet room. Outside, you'll find a bathtub and a waterfall shower. We were particularly impressed by the bathroom setup and the unique experience of the outdoor shower.

The spacious exterior patio boasts a large pool with an inset sunbed deck and two oversized floating bean bags. The patio also offers a large L-shaped sofa under a pergola and fan, as well as a small dining set. We particularly enjoyed spending our evenings on the L-shaped sofa, with the fan providing a gentle breeze and the view being nothing short of spectacular. Despite the outdoor area's lack of complete privacy due to its proximate location to the jetty, Villa 02 offers an unobstructed view of the lagoon, a tradeoff that we found more than worthwhile.

Food & Beverage

The property features two primary restaurants, supplemented by additional dining options such as an Asian restaurant and a selection of private dining experiences. We had the opportunity to sample the offerings of their two main venues, The Dining Room and The Island Grill.

The Dining Room, the primary outlet on the property, provides breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guests on any meal plan can enjoy both the a-la-carte offerings and the buffet for breakfast. We particularly appreciated the fresh juices included, a good coffee selection and the wide variety of breakfast dishes.

The Island Grill offers a unique dining experience with sandy floors and comfortable seating throughout. The menu features a range of seafood and meat dishes, all delicious. Certain items are not included in meal plans, but the majority of the menu is available. We were particularly impressed by the quality of the steak.

Once a week, the resort hosts a special "seafood market", an experience we thoroughly recommend. Tables are arranged at the water's edge, providing views of the overwater villas. Guests can choose from a variety of seafood and meats, all cooked to order. The lobster, octopus and fresh fish were expertly cooked and utterly delicious. Dining under the stars was a truly magical experience and we do recommend this as a dinner option if it's available during your stay.

The bar, located next to the pool and main restaurant, serves light food throughout the day. We had lunch at the bar one day and enjoyed the ambiance, sitting on a comfortable swing overlooking the lagoon. It was also a popular spot for guests to enjoy a post-dinner drink.

Facilities & Activities

The resort has a variety of facilities, primarily focused on wellness and ocean exploration.

The spa is located in the heart of the island. It features an expansive pool and jacuzzi that are accessible to all guests, irrespective of whether they've booked a spa treatment. It's the perfect spot for unwinding either before or after your spa session. The spa has 5 suites, each with its own private relaxation area. The signature massage treatment we tried was excellent and we highly recommend it. To truly savor the spa suite's offerings, make sure you book the private bath experience. Our only regret was not adding this on, as we could have enjoyed the spa suite for longer.

Next to the spa is the fitness center, equipped with two separate workout rooms. One dedicated to cardio and the other to weights. The equipment is top-of-the-line, spotless and up-to-date. The fitness center, open 24/7, is a great refuge from the sun.

The marine activities center is the property's main attraction, offering scuba diving, snorkeling and excursions. During our stay, we had the opportunity to take part in a guided snorkeling session around the house reef led by the marine biologist. The experience was amazing to be able to spot sea life and learn about their origins and their benefits to the reef. The resort's house reef, which extends around the entire island, is teeming with marine life and can be explored without having to venture too far off the beach. During the snorkeling session, the marine biologist pointed out different types of corals and fish and gave us tips on where to go to see the reef's most vibrant sections after our guided experience.

Park Hyatt is a very small island and the main priorities are wellness and ocean exploration. I recommend this property for guests looking to relax and enjoy a peaceful, quiet resort as well as travelers who are interested in spending a lot of time in the ocean. This is not ideal for young kids or people looking for a lively and social atmosphere as it is more geared towards couples and travelers looking for a quiet, romantic escape. Reach out with any questions and let me help plan your perfect escape to paradise.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Maldives. In need of further inspiration? Check out Susan Anderson’s Trip Report, Vakkaru is a Fun-Packed & Relaxing Maldives Resort.