Pullman Maldives Maamutaa Resort
Pullman Maldives Maamutaa is one of the more lavish all-inclusive resorts in the Maldives. There are several features unique to Pullman, but one of our favorites has to be the Aqua Villa - you can stay in an underwater villa and fall asleep with the fishes! From a complimentary spa to a variety of food options across multiple cuisines and restaurants, this Accor 5-star resort does not disappoint. Located only a short boat ride from its sister property, Mercure, Pullman is on its own island and has tons of activities on offer, for anything from a romantic honeymoon to a family-friendly getaway.
BEST TIME TO VISIT MALDIVES
High Season falls between December and February. This is the dry season in Maldives, which means a lot of sunshine and not much rain. And of course with end of year holidays, the prices can be at their highest.
Low Season is from May to November. This is going to be the rainy season in the Maldives. This means more rainfall than the rest of the year, but still some opportunities for sunshine. We have visited the Maldives though in June and found it to be quite sunny (though a cyclone had passed only one month prior). Due to the overall changes in global temperatures, the seasonality of the Maldives is not quite so predictable, which means rainy season vs. dry season is now much more of a blurred line. Visiting during this time means lower rates and much less crowds. Another bonus is that the marine life is most vibrant during the rainy season!
Shoulder Season is during the months of March to April. These months will be the ideal time to visit Maldives. You won’t have to battle crowds or high season prices, but still be able to enjoy good weather and tranquil atmosphere without all the people. Do note that prices will be up around the Easter holiday! We always recommend, if you can, trying to visit any place during the shoulder season.
AIRPORT TRANSFER / ARRIVAL
Upon arrival to the Male International Airport, you will be greeted by a Pullman representative and escorted to the domestic terminal to check in for your next flight down to the Gaafu Alifu Atoll. This flight is coordinated during your reservation with Pullman. The flight itself only takes about 55 minutes. After landing at the Koodhoo airport, you will be met by another Pullman representative and escorted by golf cart to the boat dock, where you will take a 20 minute boat ride to the resort!
ACCOMMODATION
With 122 luxury villas on offer, Pullman’s selection ranges from staying on the beach, over the water, and even under the water! Regardless of the style you choose, you will surely experience the true essence of luxury.
BEACH VILLA / BEACH POOL VILLA
These thatch-roofed villas are tucked into the vegetation with their own secluded private space as well as quick and easy access to the ocean. You can hear the sounds of the ocean and the rustling of the palm leaves in the breeze. Depending on the size of your party, Pullman has both small and larger accommodation to cater to families. And if the ocean isn’t enough, you can opt to have your own private pool to relax in!
OVER WATER VILLA / OVERWATER SUNSET VILLA / OVERWATER SUNSET POOL VILLA
Overwater bungalows are indeed as luxurious as they sound. Imagine falling asleep to the sounds of water on all sides and being able to step right out into the ocean for a morning dip. Pullman has several options to choose from including sunset views, pool additions, and of course family size accommodation. You’ll have your own private dock for direct ocean access and both netting and loungers to chill while you soak in the sun.
AQUA VILLA
This once-in-a-lifetime experience is a rare find in the world of hospitality. Equipped with both an over the water and underwater bedroom, you can fall asleep while watching the marine life swim by! Imagine having a private aquarium all to yourself. Pullman is the first luxury resort to have 2 underwater bedrooms in the Maldives. So if you are feeling like celebrating something special or seeking out a truly unique experience, look no further than the Aqua Villa.
RESTAURANTS
Pullman’s extensive culinary offerings range across 6 restaurant and bars. There really is something for everyone and you are bound to find exactly what you are craving after! And if you are feeling like experiencing something special, you can coordinate a floating breakfast or floating tapas to enjoy sunset in your own private villa. Private beach dinners can also be arranged either on the sand or in one of the floating pavilions.
Phat Chameleon – This is the Maldive’s first organic, vegan and vegetarian restaurant. Surrounded by the resort’s own organic vegetable garden, Phat Chameleon’s cuisine includes produce freshly picked daily and is the perfect spot for a romantic night out. This was our favorite meal of the stay, the dishes were so fresh and flavorful as they offer creative ways for both vegans and meat lovers alike to enjoy a beautiful garden taste. They are open only for dinner.
MÉLANGE – Serving up multiple culinary options, Melange provides a culinary smorgasbord of tastes ranging across Maldivian, French, Arabic, Italian, Indian, and even Chinese cuisines. We ate most of our meals here and were always surprised at the new foods they served at each sitting. You can eat here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and enjoy the tranquil setting under the palm trees or next to the main pool.
Souq Oven – Focused on the flavors of the Middle East, Souq Oven brings the spice market to your table! Moroccan cuisine is one of our favorites so we were happy to enjoy a romantic night out on their patio over the water during sunset. Be sure to set a reservation early to get a table with a good view of the water! You can eat here for lunch and dinner.
Sol Rising – A perfect spot to kick off the day with their select wellness breakfast menu or just to grab bar bites and drinks during the day, Sol Rising is located over the water and provides some of the best sunrise views on the property, hence the name ‘Sol Rising.’
The Hub – Located next to Melange, this bar & lounge is the perfect place to chill out and relax next to twin pools and listen to the sound of the palm leaves rustling together.
Saffron Affair – The spot to be for sunset is Saffron Affair. They have overwater netting with comfy pillows to relax and enjoy a sundowner with your special someone. They also have small bites on offer to accompany your glass of wine!
AMENITIES
DIVE & WATER SPORTS CENTER
With a 5-star PADI Certified diving center, Pullman caters to the beginners and even most advanced divers with its array of diving excursions available. The Gaafu Alifa Atoll is one of the most diverse and beautiful displays of marine life in the world. They also offer the only PADI Mermaid program in the Maldives!
Additionally, the water sports center offers non-motorized activities such as SUP or kayaking, which are included in the All Inclusive Benefits by being a guest at Pullman. You can also hop onto a dolphin watching cruise, snorkel the house reef or go for a sunset fishing expedition to learn the traditional bait and hand reel style of fishing!
BEACH
Because Pullman is located on its own island, you have a variety of beach areas to choose from. They even have their own sand bar which can only be accessed at low tide! The island itself is quite large so we spent heaps of time exploring different coastlines, enjoying the white sandy beaches and swimming in the turquoise waters.
The marine life in the lagoon is also quite flourishing. As your walking along the boardwalks or swimming on the shore, you are sure to see plenty of fish! We even spotted a few stingrays and reef sharks hanging out by our villa (which are beautiful animals to see up close and of course are harmless and safe to swim alongside)
BEACH BIKES
End to end, the island can take anywhere from 10-20 minutes to walk, so beach bikes are a viable option. It’s an activity in it of itself to bike under the lush greenery and explore around the island on your beach cruisers. You just rent them from the fitness center to enjoy during the duration of your stay.
FITNESS CENTER
Pullman has a beautiful fitness center equipped with new state-of-the-art equipment, kid & teen center, gaming room and tennis courts, all for complimentary use to guests. There are also classes you can join ranging from areal yoga to zumba to cardio.
PULLMAN SPA BY PHYTOMER
The perfect spot to relax and unwind is at the Pullman Spa by Phytomer. Located over the water with views of the vibrant blue waters and white sandy beach, the wellness spa is a journey of tranquility that offers massages, facials, beauty therapies, and body treatments that are sure to put you in your most relaxed state. And if you book a 5 night stay, you’ll have a complimentary visit to the spa included with your booking.
SERVICE
Because the property is a bit larger, we weren’t sure what to expect from a service standpoint, but we were constantly greeted with a smile and the team would recognize us everywhere we went. They were very kind and always willing to help with anything we needed.
There is no dedicated butler service, but plenty of staff always around to assist. Service levels in the Maldives are always some of the highest in the world, and Pullman definitely lives up to that standard.
We thoroughly enjoyed our time exploring the island of Maamutaa with Pullman. By riding our bikes around to the different beach areas and enjoying their extensive culinary options, we wish we had more time to experience what the resort had to offer. You could easily spend a week here and still have new adventures each day. Pullman Maldives Maamutaa is a unique resort not to be missed on your next trip to Maldives!