A Family Escape to The Nautilus Maldives

We travelled to The Nautilus during the October half term, my husband Adam, our two children, Zachary (10) and Ava (7), and me. As a family we’re seasoned travellers, but nothing could have prepared us for the particular kind of magic that this island exudes. The Nautilus isn’t just beautiful, it’s beautifully different.

Arrival: The Journey Into Calm

Our experience of The Nautilus began long before we arrived at the island itself. At Malé airport, the resort had arranged the CIP service, a VIP arrival experience that immediately set the tone. We were met at the aircraft steps, whisked away in a private vehicle and taken to a serene lounge where refreshments awaited. Immigration and luggage were handled discreetly for us while the children marvelled at the idea that our holiday had already started.

From there, we boarded a seaplane to the island, an adventure in itself. For Zachary and Ava, it was unforgettable: pilots flying barefoot, turquoise waters stretching endlessly below us, and the exhilarating splash as we landed beside the island’s jetty.

Freedom is the New Luxury

From the moment we stepped off the seaplane, shoes became redundant. There’s a saying at The Nautilus: “Time stands still here.” And it truly does. The island operates without clocks, schedules or dress codes, a philosophy conceived by Maldivian entrepreneur Dr I.U. Maniku, who wanted to create a resort free from the usual constraints of time.

You can dine whenever and wherever you like, spa treatments happen when you feel like them, and experiences unfold organically rather than being pre-planned. I wasn’t sure how I’d take to the idea of “no time”, but it turned out to be the greatest luxury of all.

Our House Master, Risan, contacted us before we even arrived to find out our preferences — favourite drinks, pillow type, even our preferred pool temperature. When we walked into our villa, the fridge was stocked with our tipples of choice and the pool was exactly the right temperature for an immediate dip.

Our Home by the Sea

We stayed in a one-bedroom beach pool villa, one of nine elegant beach houses just steps from the water’s edge. With its curved architecture and seamless indoor-outdoor flow, it felt like our own private home. The main bedroom opened to a spacious living room that became the children’s den, with two beds set up for them behind a huge sliding door.

Outside, a private sundeck led to our temperature-controlled pool, framed by palm trees and a traditional Maldivian swing perfect for lazy afternoons which led to the sea. The bathroom was a sanctuary in itself, glass-walled with views onto a garden courtyard, a freestanding tub, and both indoor and outdoor rain showers so you could bathe under the stars.

The Nautilus’s attention to detail was remarkable. On arrival, a bottle of Champagne and a bespoke gourmet platter awaited us. Two children under twelve stay and eat free when dining with parents, an almost unheard-of policy at this level of luxury, and a huge plus for families.

Dining: Wherever, Whenever

Dining at The Nautilus is unlike anywhere else. Here, menus are merely suggestions, conversation starters between you and the chef. If you crave lobster curry for breakfast or sushi at sunset on the beach, that’s exactly what you’ll get. Each of the island’s four restaurants has its own distinct personality.

At Thyme, the all-day dining space, we began most mornings with fresh fruit, warm pastries and ocean views. Zeytoun offers refined Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours in an elegant over-water setting, while Ocaso brings a touch of theatre with its outdoor grill and Japanese–South American fusion dishes. For laid-back days, Naiboli Pool Bar is perfect for casual snacks and cocktails that flow effortlessly until sunset.

Dining here feels spontaneous, personal, and free, a reflection of The Nautilus’s philosophy that time and appetite should never be bound by rules.

Yousuf, one of the restaurant team, quickly became part of our holiday story, always greeting the children by name, remembering their favourite mocktails, and making them smile at every meal. Zachary couldn’t resist the short-rib beef at the Japanese restaurant, ordering it two nights in a row and leaving the plate clean. 

One evening we had dinner barefoot on the sand under a canopy of stars, with the kids making crab “hotels” nearby on the beach. On another, we had Champagne at breakfast and Sushi at sunset, because, at The Nautilus, why not?

Spa and Wellness: Slowing Down Beautifully

This is somewhere to truly switch off and tune in. The Solasta Spa floats serenely over the lagoon, a collection of treatment rooms where you can watch tropical fish drift by as you melt into relaxation. After my first massage, I immediately booked another, this time with Ava. It was her first spa experience, and the therapists made it so special: a gentle facial, body scrub and massage using natural ingredients like cucumber and coconut. Watching her feel so grown up as she relaxed beside me was one of those unforgettable mother-daughter moments I’ll treasure forever.

Mornings for me often began with yoga at the over-water pavilion. Walking along the beach at sunrise, with the softest light reflecting off the ocean, became one of my favourite rituals, a chance to reconnect with myself before the day unfolded.

For the Kids: Barefoot Adventure

Although The Nautilus is often described as the ultimate romantic hideaway, it’s actually perfect for families. The Young Wonderers kids’ club is one of the best we’ve seen, creative, nurturing, and completely flexible. There’s no strict timetable, so Zachary and Ava could dip in and out whenever inspiration struck. They made bracelets, candles and artwork, checking themselves in and out under the watchful (and secret) eye of Risan, our House Master. 

As well as the kids club is the games room, where Zachary found a love of table tennis. The children even took part in a private paddle-boarding session which was arranged with just ten minutes’ notice.

The sense of freedom for them was incredible. They could explore safely, meet new friends, and experience the world around them without constant structure. Watching them race down the beach barefoot and carefree, I realised how rarely children get to experience that kind of liberation.

Moments of Wonder

Some of our most memorable experiences were entirely spontaneous, which is exactly the point of The Nautilus. One morning at breakfast, Risan appeared to tell us manta rays had been spotted at the reef nearby. Within minutes, a boat was ready, and we were soon snorkelling in the deep ocean surrounded by these graceful giants. Seeing Zachary and Ava’s faces as they swam with manta rays, wide-eyed, fearless, awestruck, was beyond anything a classroom could teach.

Evenings brought another kind of magic. Each sunset felt like a cinematic masterpiece, the sky melting from gold to violet as we sipped cocktails and mocktails at the nightly sundowner, a chance to connect with others staying on the Islands. 

Life Without a Clock

The longer we stayed, the more the island’s philosophy made sense. Without schedules, everything becomes fluid, you nap when you’re tired, swim when you’re hot, eat when you’re hungry. It reminded me that real luxury isn’t just about opulence; it’s about the freedom to simply be.

I didn’t once check the time. We didn’t wear shoes. The kids didn’t ask for screens. We all just lived, connected to the rhythm of the island, and to each other.

The Details That Make it Seamless

The service at The Nautilus is a masterclass in invisible luxury, intuitive, discreet, and deeply personal. Everything is orchestrated quietly behind the scenes, what I came to think of as a kind of ‘ghost service’, where needs are anticipated before they’re even spoken. From unpacking your suitcases to arranging private excursions or the perfect sundowner spot, every detail is handled with effortless precision and grace.

Would I Return?

Without question. I often ask myself after a trip whether I’d go back and with The Nautilus, the answer is a definite yes. It’s rare to find somewhere that manages to feel both ultra-luxurious and completely laid-back, where every detail is perfect yet nothing feels pretentious.

The Nautilus isn’t about ticking boxes or chasing itineraries. It’s about surrendering to the moment, barefoot, blissful, and utterly at ease. For our family, it was more than a holiday; it was a reminder of what life feels like when you stop counting the hours and start living them.

When we left, shoes in hand and hearts full, I understood exactly what The Nautilus means when they say that time is the greatest luxury of all.

thenautilusmaldives.com