Anantara vs St Regis in the Maldives
Back then, both were the new kids on the block—Kihavah with its space-age observatory and Vommuli with its lagoon that glowed blue at night. Today, they’re still the two resorts I’m asked about most when clients want a side-by-side. The question isn’t just ‘which is better?’ It’s ‘which is better for me?’ Because that’s the thing about the Maldives: the right resort isn’t the one with the most stars or the longest jetty. It’s the one that feels like it was built for you. Below, I’ll walk you through the real differences—no fluff, no ‘rare’—just the facts that matter when you’re choosing between these two heavyweights. And at the end, I’ll tell you exactly which one Fede would book for which kind of traveller.
Why people come here
Anantara Kihavah sits on a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Baa Atoll. The resort’s signature is the SEA underwater restaurant—one of the world’s largest all-glass undersea dining roomsand the Sky Observatory, where you can stargaze through a state-of-the-art telescope. The villas are contemporary, with sun decks that drop straight into the lagoon. The spa, overwater and built into the reef, is one of the few in the Maldives where you can get a treatment while floating above coral. guides clients here when they want a mix of astronomy, underwater dining, and a spa that feels like it’s part of the ocean.
The villas: size, privacy, and that view
Anantara Kihavah has 79 villas: 36 beach, 43 overwater. The overwater villas are modern, with glass floors so you can watch fish swim beneath you. The Beach Pool Villas have direct lagoon access and private pools. St Regis Vommuli has 77 villas: 47 overwater, 30 beach. The overwater villas here are more organic in design, with thatched roofs and curved edges. The Beach Pool Villas are larger, with outdoor showers and daybeds. If you want a villa that feels like a contemporary art piece, Anantara wins. If you want a villa that feels like a natural extension of the island, St Regis wins.
Dining: where to eat and why
Anantara Kihavah has six restaurants and bars. SEA is the underwater restaurant, serving Mediterranean cuisine. The Sky Lounge is a rooftop bar with sunset views. The Beach House serves seafood, and Taboon offers Middle Eastern. The St Regis Vommuli has six restaurants and bars too. Decanter is the wine cellar, Allegra serves Italian, and Whale Bar is the signature overwater restaurant. The St Regis also has a butler-drawn bubble bath set up for honeymooners. If you want underwater dining, Anantara is the only choice. If you want a wine cellar and a butler-drawn bath, St Regis has the edge.
House reef: snorkelling from your villa
Both resorts have house reefs accessible from the beach. Anantara’s reef is known for its coral gardens and frequent turtle sightings. St Regis’s reef is part of a larger lagoon system, with nurse sharks and rays often seen near the jetty. Neither reef is as vibrant as those in Ari Atoll, but both are healthy and great for snorkelling. If you want to snorkel from your overwater villa, Anantara’s villas are closer to the drop-off point.
Signature experiences: what you’ll remember
Anantara’s Sky Observatory is unique—you can stargaze with a telescope and a guide who points out constellations. The spa, built into the reef, offers treatments where you can hear the ocean beneath you. St Regis’s signature is the Iridium Spa, with outdoor treatment rooms and a hydrotherapy pool. The resort also offers a ‘Blue Hole’ experience, where you can float in a hydrotherapy pool with ocean views. If you want astronomy, Anantara is the only option. If you want a spa that blends into the landscape, St Regis is better.
Transfer: seaplane vs seaplane
Anantara Kihavah is a 30-minute seaplane ride from Malé. St Regis Vommuli is a 45-minute seaplane ride. Both transfers are scenic, but Anantara’s is shorter. If you’re arriving late or leaving early, the shorter transfer can make a big difference. Both resorts have private lounges at the seaplane terminal, so you won’t be waiting in the general area.
Who Fede guides where
Fede guides couples who love astronomy, underwater dining, and a contemporary vibe to Anantara Kihavah. The Sky Observatory and SEA restaurant are experiences you can’t get anywhere else. Fede guides families, design lovers, and those who want a more organic, natural feel to St Regis Vommuli. The larger beach villas, the wine cellar, and the hydrotherapy pool make it a great choice for groups. And if you’re honeymooning, the butler-drawn bubble bath is a nice touch.
The honest bit
Anantara Kihavah’s beach isn’t as wide as St Regis’s. The sand is soft, but the lagoon is shallower, so swimming isn’t as good. St Regis’s lagoon is deeper and better for swimming, but the beach villas are set back from the water, so you don’t have direct access. Anantara’s overwater villas are closer to the drop-off, so you can snorkel from your deck. St Regis’s overwater villas are more spread out, so you’ll need to walk to the jetty to snorkel. Neither resort is ‘better’—they’re just different. It comes down to what you value more: astronomy and underwater dining, or a more natural, organic feel with a great spa.
What I’d actually book
If I were booking for myself, I’d choose Anantara Kihavah. I love the Sky Observatory and the underwater restaurant. The contemporary villas and the spa built into the reef are also big draws. But if I were booking for a family or a group, I’d choose St Regis Vommuli. The larger beach villas, the wine cellar, and the hydrotherapy pool make it a better fit for groups. And if I were honeymooning, I’d lean toward St Regis for the butler-drawn bubble bath—though I’d still consider Anantara for the underwater dining.
WHICH RESORT IS BETTER FOR HONEYMOONERS?
Both resorts are great for honeymooners, but they offer different experiences. Anantara Kihavah has the underwater dining at SEA and the Sky Observatory, which are unique. St Regis Vommuli has a butler-drawn bubble bath and a wine cellar, which are more traditional honeymoon touches. If you want something different, choose Anantara. If you want classic romance, choose St Regis.
WHICH RESORT HAS BETTER SNORKELLING?
Both resorts have healthy house reefs, but Anantara’s overwater villas are closer to the drop-off point, so you can snorkel directly from your deck. St Regis’s reef is part of a larger lagoon system, so you’ll need to walk to the jetty to snorkel. Neither reef is as vibrant as those in Ari Atoll, but both are great for spotting turtles and reef fish.
ARE THERE KIDS CLUBS AT EITHER RESORT?
Neither Anantara Kihavah nor St Regis Vommuli has a dedicated kids club. However, St Regis offers babysitting services and family-friendly activities like dolphin cruises. Anantara is better suited for couples or families with older children who can appreciate the astronomy and underwater dining.
WHICH RESORT IS MORE PRIVATE?
Anantara Kihavah’s overwater villas are closer together, so you’ll see more of your neighbours. St Regis Vommuli’s villas are more spread out, especially the beach villas, which are set back from the water. If privacy is a priority, St Regis is the better choice.
CAN I VISIT BOTH RESORTS IN ONE TRIP?
Yes, but it’s not easy. The resorts are in different atolls, so you’d need to take a seaplane from Malé to one resort, then another seaplane to the second resort. It’s doable, but it’s expensive and time-consuming. Fede recommends choosing one resort and staying there for the duration of your trip.
WHICH RESORT HAS BETTER BEACHES?
St Regis Vommuli has wider, more pristine beaches. Anantara Kihavah’s beach is narrower and the lagoon is shallower, so swimming isn’t as good. If you want a classic Maldivian beach, St Regis is the better choice.
WHICH RESORT IS BETTER FOR SPA LOVERS?
Anantara Kihavah’s spa is built into the reef, so you can hear the ocean beneath you during treatments. St Regis’s Iridium Spa has outdoor treatment rooms and a hydrotherapy pool. Both are excellent, but Anantara’s spa is more unique. If you want a spa that feels like it’s part of the ocean, choose Anantara.
WHICH RESORT HAS BETTER DINING?
Anantara Kihavah has the underwater dining at SEA, which is a unique experience. St Regis Vommuli has a wine cellar and a more varied selection of restaurants, including Italian and overwater dining. If you want underwater dining, Anantara is the only choice. If you want variety, St Regis has the edge.
WHICH RESORT IS BETTER FOR FAMILIES?
St Regis Vommuli is better for families. The beach villas are larger, and the resort offers family-friendly activities like dolphin cruises. Anantara Kihavah is better suited for couples or families with older children who can appreciate the astronomy and underwater dining.
WHICH RESORT IS MORE EXPENSIVE?
Both resorts are in the ultra-luxury category, so rates are similar. However, St Regis Vommuli’s larger beach villas and wine cellar experiences can add to the cost. For current rates, message me on WhatsApp.
DO EITHER RESORTS OFFER ALL-INCLUSIVE OPTIONS?
Neither resort offers a traditional all-inclusive package. Both operate on a half-board or full-board basis, with additional charges for premium drinks, spa treatments, and excursions. St Regis Vommuli offers a ‘Premium All-Inclusive’ option that includes select wines, spirits, and some excursions.