Heritance Aarah: Four Nights of Food, Adventure and Proper Maldivian Luxury

If you've followed my travels, you'll know I like luxury, but I also want value. Heritance Aarah isn't a cheap holiday. For the quality of the accommodation, the range of dining and everything you can enjoy around the island, though, I think it offers remarkable value at its level. You could spend a week here doing something different every day and still make time to do absolutely nothing.

My overwater villa

My overwater villa felt like a treat from the moment I walked in. It was spacious and beautifully comfortable, with cool cotton bed linen and air conditioning that was an absolute blessing after a day in the sun. The bathroom had a freestanding bath, a separate shower and Elemis products. Outside, there was a generous deck with a comfortable sofa, a table and chairs, loungers and steps down towards the ocean. It was the sort of place where you could lose a whole afternoon watching the water.

The minibar was well stocked and replenished, and our butler made the stay feel effortless. He was easy to reach, happy to bring a buggy and take us anywhere we wanted to go on the island and always seemed to know when we needed something. Across the resort, the staff were warm and attentive without making the experience feel formal.

A different dinner every night

Food can make or break an all-inclusive resort for me. Here, the variety is a huge part of the appeal. Heritance Aarah has seven dining venues, ranging from a relaxed buffet and pizza by the sea to overwater restaurants where dinner is an occasion in itself.

Ranba is the main buffet restaurant, with international and Asian dishes. It gives you the flexibility to eat casually without feeling that you're settling. Ralu is an overwater restaurant serving Mediterranean and French-inspired food, while Ambula brings Sri Lankan spices and Maldivian flavours together. Ambula is one to consider if you love a more considered, course-by-course dining experience.

Hathaa has a livelier, interactive feel, drawing on the street-food flavours of Tokyo and Bangkok. For something easy between activities, there's the Pizza Shack. At the other end of the spectrum, Ginifati offers private pod dining by the ocean, with seafood and the day's catch at its heart. It's a special-occasion option, so check any supplement when booking.

Then there's Baani, an elegant overwater restaurant serving contemporary fusion food, with à la carte breakfast and lunch and a six-course dinner. Baani is reserved for guests staying in an Ocean Suite or Ocean Residence, so your villa choice matters if this restaurant is on your wish list. That's exactly the sort of detail I check when matching someone to a resort.

There are also bars for different moods: cocktails by the pool at Bandhi, sunset views at Sky Bar, and a leisurely drink over the water at Ralu Lounge Bar. What impressed me was that eating and drinking here felt like a collection of experiences, rather than the same all-inclusive evening repeated four times.

I barely had time to sit still

The Maldives is often sold as a place to lie on a beach, but my days at Heritance Aarah were full. I snorkelled with manta rays, went looking for turtles, watched dolphins from a boat, tried handline fishing and got out on the water with a paddleboard and kayak. I even tried flyboarding, which was exhilarating and probably gave everyone watching a laugh! Those are the moments I'll remember just as vividly as the villa.

There is plenty for guests who want to be active: snorkelling, diving, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing, catamaran sailing and other watersports. On land, the resort has a gym and courts for tennis, padel, badminton and pickleball. Or you can slow the pace right down at the beautiful pool or spa.

The programme goes beyond sport. You can join a cooking class, learn from the mixologists at a cocktail masterclass, explore the Maldivian Village experience or head out on a cruise or fishing trip. I loved that there were ways to take part, learn something and have fun together, as well as plenty of space to disappear with a book.

The premium all-inclusive offering covers an impressive amount, but inclusions depend on your villa type, length of stay and booking terms. Some excursions and motorised activities cost extra. I would always check the exact package for your dates rather than assume that every activity is included.

Would I recommend it?

Absolutely. Heritance Aarah gave me the overwater-villa Maldives experience I'd hoped for, but it also surprised me with how much life the island had beyond the villa. The food was memorable, the service was exceptional and the choices meant the stay could be as energetic or as peaceful as I wanted.

For couples celebrating something special, food lovers, families wanting more than beach time, or anyone who likes a premium all-inclusive holiday with a lot built into it, I think it's a brilliant resort to consider. The best room and package will depend on what matters most to you, particularly if you have your heart set on certain restaurants or experiences.

If you're thinking about the Maldives, send me a message. I've stayed at Heritance Aarah myself, and I'd love to help you work out whether it's the right island for your holiday.