There are few places on earth where time seems to pause quite like the Maldives; where the sea melts into the sky, and each day drifts by as gently as the tide on soft, powder-white sand. It’s not just the azure-blue water or the hammocks slung over lagoons that create the illusion of stillness – it’s the quiet, the space, the rare sense that everything might just be… enough.

On Bolifushi island, home to the OZEN LIFE BOLIFUSHI resort, this feeling is sharpened. If its sister property on MAADHOO is a chic, intimate hideaway (more on that resort here), then BOLIFUSHI is the more grown-up cousin: bigger, breezier, and dialled all the way up. There are bikes to cycle along palm-shaded paths, a beach so wide it feels like a private slice of coastline, and villas that seem designed for people who’ve mastered the art of doing nothing – with style.

But don’t be fooled by the languid pace. This is luxury with intention. Everything here, from the floating breakfast in your own private pool to the overwater spa, is part of an all-inclusive philosophy that doesn’t skimp.

OZEN LIFE BOLIFUSHI: The Lowdown

OZEN BOLIFUSHI has all the bells and whistles you could wish from a five-star resort in the middle of the South Malé Atoll. A 20-minute speedboat ride from Malé, it’s close enough to feel accessible, but once you arrive, the mainland may as well be on another planet. The island, home to water lodges, villas and upmarket suites, is festooned with palms and verdant greenery, and has a natural, jungle-lush feel; less manicured than some of its neighbours, but no less luxurious. The villas, restaurants, outdoor pools and beaches are connected by winding sandy paths perfect for cycling barefoot.

Much like its sister site, Bolifushi is all-inclusive. It means snorkelling trips, dining experiences, and spa treatments are folded into your stay – not added to your bill.

OZEN LIFE BOLIFUSHI: The Accommodation

If it’s variety you’re after, BOLIFUSHI delivers. There are nine different villas to choose from, with each one merticiously crafted to offer the ultimate island escape. The Ocean Pool Suite with a slide feels typically Maldivian. If you’re never been to the Maldives before, waking up, donning your swimwear and making a beeline for the slide is a novelty we didn’t get bored of. Suspended above a lagoon so clear it looks filtered, this overwater villa is all about playful excess: a private infinity pool, an outdoor shower, and, yes, your very own slide. Inside, it’s sleek but soft. Sandy tones and wooden accents are balanced with soft, plush furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows. And how can we forget about the gangrenous tub in the bathroom. Truly massive. And the walk-in shower. Divine.

On land, the Earth Pool Villa (choose from Sunset or Sunrise) is just the ticket. Off the beaten track and far more secluded than the villas over the water, here you have direct access to the beach and your own private L-shaped pool. There’s an outdoor bathroom complete with a marble bathtub and enough privacy to feel blissfully off-grid, even though you’re only ever a cycle from dinner or a dive. Here, it’s all about natural tones, light and airy space, and generous windows that let the island in.

OZEN LIFE BOLIFUSHI: Eat and Drink

The food at BOLIFUSHI is genuinely excellent. Menus are thoughtful, produce is high-quality, and there’s a considered balance between highlighting local dishes and flavours, and offering global cuisines.

Alongside Vista Del Mar (where your breakfast and lunch buffet dreams will come true), Sangu Beach Bar (cocktails), and Ozar (drinks, ice cream and snacky bits), there’s four standout restaurants. Soyi is a Pan-Asian affair where carefully choreographed plates of dim sum sit alongside ginger-steamed fish, curries and pork ribs – all flavoured with aplomb. Saffron, though, is the one to write home about. It’s a love letter to Indian cuisine, with the thalis (meat, veggie and vegan), offering a delicious journey through the sub-continent. Sangu Beach Restaurant, set right on the sand, is knock-your-socks-off, let-order-everything-on-the-menu-wonderful. The restaurant champions Levantine cuisine, with the kitchen team knocking out chargrilled-cooked meats and seafood, wonderfully smooth hummus, hot and cold mezze and a homemade baklava to really write home about. Add in ORIGINƎ, the fine-dining European fusion spot with tasting menus and wine pairings, and you realise, the food here really is first-rate.

OZEN LIFE BOLIFUSHI: Amenities

The beauty of BOLIFUSHI is that you can spend your days doing absolutely nothing or absolutely everything. You decide. The ELENA Spa is tucked into an overwater pavilion and boasts a comprehensive list of treatments, ranging from classic deep tissue massages to full-body Ayurvedic rituals, delivered by therapists who genuinely know what they’re doing (and who are super lovely too). If you want to slow it down, there’s an open-air yoga pavilion (hello, sunrise and sunset sessions), and if you want to speed things up, there’s an overwater gym complete with all the mod-cons and personal trainers on demand. There’s so much on offer here, and we don’t have the word count to mention it all: morning snorkelling sessions, paddleboarding, diving and tai chi. It’s extensive.

 

 

For more information on OZEN LIFE BOLIFUSHI, see here. Save 15% on a seven-night stay at OZEN LIFE BOLIFUSHI with Inspiring Travel, with prices starting from £4,250pp based on two sharing an Earth Villa on an ultra all-inclusive basis, including return flights and transfers.