Family-owned for over fifty years, Baros is one of the Maldives’ original luxury resorts. Today, it remains an intimate, award-winning sanctuary that has evolved with grace. Maria Holloway checked into the resort and discovered a haven of timeless calm and understated luxury.
As the speedboat glides across the Indian Ocean, a flash of emerald green appears on the horizon — Baros, a heart-shaped haven of tropical abundance wrapped in palms and encircled by turquoise waters. Just 25 minutes from Malé, this intimate resort draws guests back year after year to experience this vibrant yet serene Maldivian tradition. As I arrive, welcoming smiles and a cool lemongrass towel mark the beginning of my Baros escape.
The Villas
Guided by an ethos of sustainability, the island invites barefoot living amid lush greenery, soft sands and ocean breezes. With just 75 villas nestled between jungle and shore, Baros feels both exclusive and like a home away from home.
The Water Pool Villa balances Maldivian charm with modern simplicity. Designed in timber and thatch, its light, airy interiors in teak and linen open onto a private deck with an infinity pool and uninterrupted ocean views. With steps that lead directly into the lagoon, it offers privacy that’s perfect for a morning swim or a sunset drink as the sky turns gold.
For those seeking a different setting, Baros offers beachfront Villas shaded by jungle foliage, as well as and tranquil Suites and Residences boasting extra space, garden courtyards and a 24-hour butler service.
Oceanic Bliss
Just steps from the beach and villas, the legendary and vibrant house reef wraps around Baros Island. With few islands in the Maldives matching its proximity to the reef, it lies just 15 metres from the shore.
Shortly after arrival, we embarked on an extraordinary journey into Baros’s underwater world — a guided snorkelling experience led by resident marine biologist Shuga, revealing the reef through the eyes of those who protect it. Set within the North Malé Atoll, Baros thrives at the heart of an ecosystem rich with marine life.
Beneath the surface, schools of neon fish darted through coral gardens, turtles drifted between parrotfish and angelfish, and for the first time, I found myself swimming alongside blacktip reef sharks — a moment both surreal and mesmerising, etched as an unforgettable memory.
From sustainable sourcing and ethical fishing awareness to the absence of motorised watersports, every detail reflects the island’s quiet philosophy of respect for its surroundings. Guests can join the Coral Reef Rehabilitation Programme, replanting coral fragments and helping regenerate the reef, a rare chance to contribute to restoration firsthand and preserve the delicate balance that defines the atoll.
Wellness & Stillness
Wellness at Baros becomes a daily ritual. Whether on a secluded sandbank, the Piano Deck, or in the open-air Yoga Pavilion, guests can shape their own journey through yoga, breathwork, and meditation.
As the sun rose, mornings began with yoga on my water villa deck — a peaceful, secluded moment bathed in ocean air charged with energising ions, known to lift mood and calm the mind.
Tucked within the island’s tropical heart, the Serenity Spa is a secret sanctuary. Four private spa suites sit hidden beneath the trees, each with its own open-air garden, rainfall shower, and deep soaking tub. Here I immersed myself in the Signature Massage. The treatment began with a warm, soothing foot soak, then eased into a focused deep tissue massage with coconut oil, releasing every trace of tension. The air was scented with frangipani and salt, and a profound sense of calm washed over me.
The Serenity Spa offers a full menu of facials and wellness therapies, from hydrating botanical rituals to soothing after-sun treatments, each designed to restore balance in your body and mind. As I drifted from spa to shore, I lingered in stillness by the calming lagoon... the perfect prelude to dinner.
Nourishing Plates
Dining at Baros is a quiet indulgence, with three refined venues and private dining experiences to explore.
As the sun sets in hues of pink and amber, the Lighthouse Lounge is the perfect spot to enjoy a pre-dinner toast whilst watching the night snorkellers trace their torches through the glittering water.
Just below, The Lighthouse Restaurant, Baros’s iconic culinary landmark, is crowned by an elegant sail-shaped roof over the overwater deck.
Our dining table, softly lit by candlelight over the ocean, offered an intimate setting as the chef cooked before us. As flames seared scallops and grilled lobster, the delicate balance of lobster bisque and the refreshing sweetness of guava and coconut sorbet delighted our palates. It was a magical evening under the stars that felt effortlessly romantic. The sommelier’s pairings of fine vintages from the island’s cellar elevated each course to perfection.
After dinner, the evening naturally drifts to Sails Bar, set beneath towering palms where live music fills the air, vibrant yet unhurried, blending seamlessly with the gentle rhythm of the island night.
For an al‑fresco dining experience by the lagoon, Cayenne Grill serves seafood and prime cuts infused with island spices. The chef presented a bespoke surf‑and‑turf — perfectly grilled wagyu steak paired with creamy lobster risotto — an off‑menu creation at the heart of Baros’s grill house concept.
Whilst evenings and lunches indulge the senses, mornings at Baros are pure magic. The indulgent Champagne Breakfast on the Piano Deck is not to be missed. In the middle of the Tiffany-blue ocean, you find yourself on a private platform floating above the lagoon. A short speedboat ride from the island takes you towards fluttering white drapes and an exquisite spread of fresh fruits, tropical juices, and gluten- and dairy-free blueberry and raspberry pastries. Starting the day with a Champagne toast, surrounded by gentle waves and easy conversation, captures the very essence of Baros — unhurried, elegant, and unforgettable.
Baros Escapes
Baros offers a collection of Escapes that reveal the island’s more adventurous side — from private sandbank dinners and cinematic stargazing nights to sunset cruises and guided snorkelling safaris led by the marine team. Each experience is designed to deepen your connection with the island, the ocean, and yourself.
In short, Baros invites you to fully immerse yourself in a world where refined luxury meets sustainability. From the tranquil lagoon to the thriving house reef, it’s a journey of escape and discovery.
There’s something magnetic about The Phoenicia Malta. Maybe it’s the way the light hits the limestone at sunset, turning the façade gold, or the quiet confidence of the staff who greet you as if you’ve stayed before. Within minutes of arriving, I understood why this hotel isn’t just where you stay in Valletta, it’s where the city begins.
