Four Seasons Resort - Kuda Huraa

The Maldives, Four Season Resort at Kuda Huraa Reef officially opened in November 1997, spending many million of dollars to turn a rough and ready campers into a top of the market. The way it is being managed, and the buildings themselves, are of the highest standard. Today, the natural settings has reach the same quality.

The moment you step-on to the island-jetty and walk across the beautiful nautilus mosaic in the lobby floor, you may feel and realize that this is a classy place. It is the latest enterprise of a major player in five star international hotels; the one before this was the ultra- chic  Metropolitan hotel on parke Lane, London.

The rooms are disbursed into five categories: Beach Bungalow (sixty two), Beach Bungalow with POOL (five), Water Bungalow ( thirty four), Navaranna Water Villa's ( two) and Kuda Huraa Beach Villa ( two). Thus all-together there are 105 rooms in this 5 star.

We may not consider the Beach Bungalow's large, but they are good looking, cozy, comfortable and distinctly modern. The sand and white striped counterpanes, the sea grass motifs on the wardrobe and the underwater fantasy painting give the rooms a seaside feel. The bathroom is a fair size and well appointed, maintaining the high standards with its own range of herbal amenities. Though the tiles seems to be a bit ordinary

Just steps from the pristine, white sand beach and Resort facilities, and overlooking the Indian Ocean, the spacious and comfortable Beach Bungalows with Pool include a large plunge pool and the private luxury of an outdoor shower. These bungalows measure 93 square meters (1,000 square feet). As you could see from the left-side picture each offers expansive outdoor living spaces, with garden-wrapped private deck and plunge pool. And full, tiled bathroom includes a deep soaking tub and separate shower stall, plus a private outdoor shower.

WATER Bungalows are built on sturdy columns rising from the placid waters, and with bedroom views of the sea, the over the-lagoon Water Bungalows offer an atmosphere of delightful isolation. Each has a private sun deck with stairs to the turquoise lagoon. These Bungalows measure 98 square meters (1,054 square feet). Each has an entrance lobby and a spacious bedroom with day bed as well as a king-size bed facing picture-window views of the sea. A dressing room leads to a spacious bathroom overlooking the lagoon. The verandah deck is angled to be seen only from the sea, perfect for secluded sunbathing. Stairs lead down to the lagoon, a natural swimming pool where neon-colored fish lazily drift in the crystal-clear waters. A fresh water shower is conveniently next to the stairs.

Out of the three restaurants, "Baraabaru" offers a La Carte with an informal setting for the finest dining, at a reasonable price. Well, you would expect to pay a little more for such starters as "sail in fill pastry served on red pepper cream and saffron sauce", followed by "stuffed quail with shitake mushrooms and pistachio nuts on tarragon cream sauce".

The other restaurant is main restaurant, known as "Cafe Huraa", an open-sided thatched roof pavilion overlooking the swimming pool and lagoon; and serves buffet breakfast, lunch and all. Indeed the food is good, especially the salads, but perhaps not yet at the consistently high standard that one might expect.

The Reef Club is the perfect spot to savor a relaxed meal, featuring delicious Mediterranean cuisine. Guests can enjoy a selection of fresh seafood, piping-hot Italian pizzas and grilled meats. The restaurant features a free-standing bar, ideal for a sunset toast, and dining areas outside on the wooden deck beside the ocean or inside under the thatched roof pavilion.

The evening begins here for many guests, with a glorious sunset and cocktails in the Nautilus Lounge. This open-sided pavilion adjoins the reception area and overlooks the jetty and harbor island. Music complements the relaxed mood, while a tantalizing selection of Maldivian cocktails is available into the wee hours.
Afternoon tea is also served in the lounge. Choose from a traditional afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, pastries, scones and Devonshire cream, or a Maldivian afternoon tea with tuna chapatis, coconut scones, and foli and bokiba pastries.

During the day time, the real focus of the resort is the swimming pool, due to the attractiveness. The beaches entirely man-made, they really look like a natural setting, littered with small coral pieces. And the disappointment might be the huge and shallow lagoon, without much coral and fishes.