I love a creative sink and this one at Dhawa Ihuru strikes a particularlty personal chord. When we remodelled our home, I designed a “fountain sink” where water from the faucet flowed onto a flat marble slab which then cascaded into a basin on the floor creating a waterfall effect. Such designs are particularly apropos in the water wonderland that is the Maldives. Ihuru’s version takes flowing water concept to the next level with a little rivulet of water trickling into the basin.
Best of the Maldives: Room Names – Dhawa Ihuru
Mother Language Day and time for our annual Dhivehi lesson. And Dhawa Ihuru offers us more vocabulary than ever with their creative villa naming. Each villa is named after the Dhivehi word for a shell (which itself is “Boli” in Dhivehi).
- #1 – Orkid Boli – Banded Tun shell
- #2 – Fankaa Ridhali – Giant Atlantic Cookies
- #3 – Fulla Boli – Cyprea Tigris shell
- #4 – Ahffaikashi – Long Spined Star shell
- #5 – Thikijehi Boli – Juno Volunte shell
- #6 – Iru Boli – Apple Murex shell
- #7 – Kuriboshi Boli – Fighting Conch shell
- #8 – Raakani – Scorpion Spider Conch shell
- #9 – Kokaa Avi – Junonia shell
- #10 – Dhaa Boli – Cypraea Poraria shell
- #11 – Kurahi Boli – Brown Lined Volute shell
- #12 – Firuaunu Fagudi – Trochidae Tampa shell
- #14 – Hiyani Boli – Florida Cone shell
- #15 – Hulhubu Boli – Marble Alphabet Cone shell
- #16 – Fahnegi Boli – Harpa Major shell
- #17 – Dhunmaari Boli – Auger shell
- #18 – Hibaru Thun – Rhinoclavis Sinsensis shell
- #19 – Dhilli Boli – Toothed Cone shell
- #20 – Melaa Boli – Junonia Boli
- #21 – Lileemaa Boli – Aporrhais Pespelcani shell
- #22 – Sadharu Boli – Limpet shell
- #23 – Ginifoo Eburi Boli – Banded Tulip shell
- #24 – Laajehi Boli
- #25 – Chaat Boli – Cyraea Teres shell
- #26 – Funaa Boli – Comb shell
- #27 – Maakanaa Thalhudhadi – Shark eye shell
- #28 – Feylige Boli – Chestnut Turban shell
- #29 – Vara Ridhali – Van Hyning Cockle shell
- #30 – Mudhi Boli – Scotch Bonnet shell
- #31 – Fenkakkaa Boli – Giant Queen Helmet Conch shell
- #32 – Muraka Boli – Lace Murex shell
- #33 – Fanhaa Fooeburi – Spined Sea shell
- #34 – Pahfankaa – Calico Scallop Shell
- #35 – Dhoadhi – Pacific Calico Scallop shell
- #36 – Lonsi Boli – Haustellum Bandaris shell
- #37 – Kothuru Boli – Tulip shell
- #38 – Misuru Boli – Alphabet Cone shell
- #39 – Kinaari – Golden Alphabet Cone shell
- #40 – Fahmmini – Fighting Conch shell
- #41 – Dhon Boli – Nutmeg Scotch Bonnet shell
- #42 – Aifaanu Boli – Maramar shell
- #43 – Hiyala – Common Cantharus shell
- #44 – Ranhuras – Harpulina shell
- #45 – Randhi – Lettered Oliver shell
- #46 – Meli Boli – Crown Conch shell
Best of the Maldives: Artificial Thatch – Dhawa Ihuru
One of the classic tick-boxes for a Maldivian resort are the archetypal thatched roof villas. While styling contemporary designs have proliferated across the destination with dramatic aesthetic allure, many still want that ‘authentic’ vibe of a Robinson Crusoe hut on a tropical island. A major challenge to catering for this preference is that palm thatch roofs are very expensive to build and maintain. Dhawa Ihuru has outfitted its buildings with Palmex artificial thatch which not only keeps costs down (do the property can be more affordable), but is also itself an eco-friendly solution being produced in a sustainable way and reducing the demand on harvesting palm trees as Palmex describes:
- Product waste in all our plants is diverted from final disposal and sent to be recycled in other plastic manufacturing processes. Our packaging is kept to an absolute minimum for shipping and is made of Palmex production waste. We have also undergone a third-party verification process with Vertima Inc. and Athena Sustainable Materials Institute where Palmex International Inc. products and our entire supply chain were assessed. We received the Validated Eco-Declaration® Certification summarizing verified environmental claim.
Frankly, we didn’t even notice that they are artificial until it was pointed out to us and we had a look very close
Best of the Maldives: Mist Hammocks – Dhawa Iruhu
Overwater and on-water hammocks have become almost cliché from the countless Instagram photos posted of them, but Dhawa Ihuru offers the first (I’ve seen) *in* water hammocks. No, not sitting in the lagoon. But you sitting in a refreshing mist of cool spray while you relax in the tropical sun. For making your own misty water-coloured memories of the way you were in paradise.
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Tour 2023 – Dhawa Ihuru
Dhawa Ihuru is the “close” resort. It is a close 25-minute transfer from Male (but far away from airport traffic and not having Male in your face). Many people want a short transfer especially if they have an only a short stay or sometimes because they aren’t fond of small planes (like seaplanes). The house reef is just metres away for most of the island. Accessibility is a big plus for house reefs and Ihuru’s is one you want to access. And if you prefer even easier access to underwater sights, Ihuru offers the rare double snorkeling option with a coral cropping rich lagoon in addition to its dramatic drop-off reef. The villas, bar, and restaurant are all situated close to the ocean’s edge so you always hear the gentle lapping of the water. And in the beach villa is a comfy day bed right by the window so you can get some relief from the heat sitting in your AC space, but still feel close to the gorgeous paradise right outside.
Dhawa Ihuru ticks all of the boxes for a Maldives resort: stylish accommodation and décor, delicious cuisine, accessible house reef (with strong coral growth!), and reasonable pricing for a luxury property. All the things to push it close to the top of any short list for consideration.