Six Senses Kanuhura in Lhaviyani Atoll

Super friendly staff throughout, in particular the Head of Market restaurant and his staff as well as our GEM Rajje. Quality of food in Market restaurant outstanding. A good selection of wines. Robinson Crusoe feeling all-over. A fantastic beach (one of the best in the Maldives I‘d say). Snorkelling directly from the over water villa and its pool were a dream. The only thing we missed was a sun umbrella on the terrace as there is almost no shelter provided until early afternoon. And the coffee machine / quality of the coffee in the room was a bit underwhelming. The rooms’ furniture is somewhat more „modern“ / less Maldivian than Six Senses Laamu. But theses are all minor points and we had a fantastic six days in Kanuhura. Can‘t wait to come back. Kudos to the whole team for making our stay truly exceptional.

This was the best trip, and it will stay in our memories forever!

Our stay at Six Senses Kanuhura was absolutely incredible from start to finish. The private villa with the overwater pool was stunning — waking up to endless ocean views and stepping straight into the water felt like a dream. The hospitality was truly next level. Every staff member was warm, attentive, and went above and beyond to make us feel special throughout our stay. A huge thank you to Zaha, our guest experience manager, who made everything seamless and personalized. Zaha was thoughtful, responsive, and made sure every detail of our trip was perfect. We also loved the healthy food options available across the resort. There were so many fresh, delicious choices that still felt indulgent while fitting a wellness-focused lifestyle. One of the things we appreciated most was how sustainable the resort is. It is clear that Six Senses Kanuhura genuinely cares about the environment and has thoughtfully incorporated sustainability into the guest experience without compromising luxury. This was easily one of the better resort experiences we have ever had, and we cannot wait to come back.

The entire island and the service were excellent. We'll definitely go back.

First time in six senses , but definitely not last, amazing experience and really satisfying all six senses, big difference make Shifu Ali who take care personally for my family

Six Senses Kanuhura has made every aspect of our stay truly memorable. We travelled with our 2.5 y.o. while 6 months pregnant, and it felt grounded, wholesome, deeply relaxing, and truly luxurious — service on another level, and in a different way to St Regis, Patina, or Four Seasons: less performative, less dress up, no influencers, no gold and marble. The size is perfect: just large enough to have the needed infrastructure, yet small enough that every member of staff knows you by name. No ask was too big. Our GEM Sameeh had gone above and beyond to make sure our trip felt effortless, yet full of activities and moments to remember. We wanted to find out the gender of our unborn child, and Sameeh arranged a special ceremony at the beach during sunset, with beautiful small touches I’ll keep between us. Special shout out to: Janaah — for answering our countless questions pre-arrival and making us look forward to our holiday even more by raising the bar so high. Udey — our incredible yoga teacher and PT, who taught me to meditate, improved my back, challenged me physically every day, and has a heart of gold. Kevin — the executive chef; the food at every restaurant was sublime (including the kids menu — I have asked for the bolognese recipe!), never repetitive, and his passion for cooking is clearly contagious to the team. Kevin, I can’t wait to try your wife’s noodles in Bangkok! Visiting consultant David (Osteopath) — gifted with healing hands; Kanuhura was lucky to have you. Separate mention to GEM Zaha for keeping our daughter entertained, resident marine biologist Athif and the entire world-class water team for leaving guests with more than just pretty pictures, Ihuwan for wonderful craft classes, Vel and Bolat for welcoming us so warmly during each breakfast, and Waarish and his housekeeping team for being seamless and meticulous. We didn’t use the kids club much, but interacted a few times with staff and all felt very warm and attentive. Lastly, Alicia (GM) — thank you for putting your heart and soul into your team. It shows in every interaction with each of them. Six Senses Kanuhura will stay imprinted in our memories, and we can’t wait to come back as four.

A stunning hotel on a small private island, with amazing service and friendly staff, in a beautiful location, delicious food, and a relaxed atmosphere. The cabins are luxurious and comfortable, within a few of the beach or the sea. All guests have bicycles to get around the island. There are plenty of activities, many of them sea-based, but also tennis and squash. Sharks and turtles can be seen in the sea. But most importantly, it's a wonderful place to relax.

We’ve stayed at over 30 resorts across the Maldives — from Four Seasons to Nautilus, Joali, Velaa and Cheval Blanc — and this is one of the very few that genuinely surprised us. Quick Take - Best for: natural, pristine beach, house reef, quiet luxury - Avoid if: you’re looking for a more dressed-up, social atmosphere - Must book: Beach Retreat Villas (40, 36, 38, 39) Six Senses Kanuhura has lived several lives — from its early days as Kanuhura to its reinvention in 2023 as “a Maldivian island icon, reborn.” Set in the pristine Lhaviyani Atoll, about a 40-minute seaplane ride from Malé, it retains something increasingly rare: space, natural beauty, and a sense of authenticity that has largely disappeared elsewhere. Unlike meticulously curated resorts such as Cheval Blanc— exceptional in its own right — where every detail is orchestrated, Kanuhura follows a quieter philosophy. The long-standing barefoot ethos, present since the island’s original opening, remains intact and sets the tone from the moment one arrives. The Island — A Rare Return to Natural Maldives Kanuhura is, above all, a beach island — and an exceptional one. Erosion is minimal, there are no sandbags or stone barriers, and the shoreline can be walked in its entirety — a rarity today in Maldives. What truly sets it apart, however, is its approach to sustainability. Under Six Senses, over 3,000 kilograms of legacy plastic sheeting — once used to suppress seagrass — have been removed, allowing natural ecosystems to regenerate. The result is not the engineered turquoise seen elsewhere, but something far more compelling: a lagoon that feels alive. A special mention should go to James, the island’s Oxford-trained marine biologist, whose friendliness, knowledge and genuine commitment to marine conservation are as impressive as they are infectious. His passion for the subject — and for sharing it — adds a meaningful dimension to the experience. Accommodation — Why Room Choice Really Matters Kanuhura is effectively two resorts in one. On one side: newly built Six Senses villas around The Point — contemporary and refined. On the other: original Maldivian-style villas — well maintained and upgraded throughout the years, but from another era and a different interpretation of luxury. The contrast is not subtle — in design, experience, and price — and ultimately shapes both the stay and its clientele. Traveler tip: download the resort map in advance. At roughly double the price — but fully justified — the standout villas are the (Family) Beach Retreat Villas with Pool, particularly rooms 40, 36, 38 and 39. Their open views toward Drift Island and the reef offer a level of openness, seclusion and natural beauty unmatched elsewhere on the island. Positioned directly opposite the house reef (the “Coral Garden”)— one of the finest we’ve experienced — they allow daily, effortless swims with turtles, manta rays, baby sharks and vibrant reef fish just steps from your villa. Traveler tip

My partner and I have just left, and I can honestly say this has been the most exceptional Maldives experience we’ve ever had, and we’ve been ten times.

From the moment we arrived, the natural beauty of the island completely took our breath away. Some islands need preserving carefully because their beauty feels fragile, this one feels abundant. The turquoise water is endless, almost surreal in its clarity and colour. The powder soft sand is brilliantly white and fine, not always a given in the Maldives, and you can swim for what feels like miles in shallow, calm, crystal clear water. It feels both expansive and intimate at the same time.

One of the absolute highlights is the two smaller islands sitting alongside the main one. The resort runs a charming pontoon boat between them, which adds a sense of adventure and exclusivity to your stay. Exploring the smaller islands and having lunch at Drift was unforgettable, relaxed, beautiful, and effortlessly special. It gives you the feeling of discovering your own private paradise within a paradise.

The food was simply exceptional. We travel the world extensively, and I can genuinely say there was not one disappointing mouthful all week. Every restaurant is led by a chef from the cuisine’s home country, Spanish, Japanese, Italian, and local Maldivian, and each experience felt as authentic as dining in that country itself. The quality, creativity, and execution were flawless.

We also adored the complimentary ice cream shop, such a joyful touch, and special credit must go to the pastry chef. Every dessert and pastry across the island was extraordinary. Refined, beautifully balanced, and indulgent without being heavy. Truly world class.

And then, the people.

We run businesses ourselves, and we know that exceptional people make exceptional brands. Every single member of staff we encountered was warm, attentive, and genuinely proud to be there.

Our GEM, Lucia, was beyond outstanding. You made our experience. We would return to a hotel simply to experience your hospitality again. You supported every request with ease, shared laughter with us, and created a connection that made our week even more meaningful. You are an absolute asset to the business, a beautiful human being inside and out, and Six Senses is incredibly lucky to have you.

Our room attendant, Rosalina, was equally wonderful. She noticed the small details, the things we liked, the little preferences, and added thoughtful touches to our room that made it feel like home. I had the pleasure of speaking with her at length, and her pride in working here was evident. That pride translates directly into the guest experience.

What we have found in recent years is that the very best brands in the world leave a lasting impact because of how their people make you feel. You have absolutely nailed this. Please continue to look after your team because they are the magic.

All in all, we have had the most incredible week. This property is truly exceptional in every way, the setting, the food, the atmosphere, and most importantly, the people.

We are already looking forward to exploring your Ibiza and London properties later this year.

Thank you for a stay we will never forget.

My girlfriend and I visited Kanuhura during the Spring Festival holiday and had a wonderful five-day trip. From the moment we landed at the airport, we were greeted by the hotel's warm service. Hotel staff with Six Sense signs met us at the airport, and after a less than 10-minute drive, we were taken to our private lounge to wait for the seaplane (a 45-minute flight to the island).

The hotel's service was what made us feel most comfortable. Our butler, Ardana, was very welcoming and always available for assistance via the room phone. She proactively made restaurant reservations, arranged daily activities, and answered our questions. Every staff member on the island greeted us upon seeing us.

The hotel environment was beautiful. While some areas had patches of seaweed, there were also clear blue lagoons everywhere. The surrounding waters had a healthy ecosystem. We only snorkeled near our water villas; there were many small fish in the coral reefs, and occasionally larger fish were also seen nearby.

The hotel offered many activities daily, some free and some with an extra charge. All of them were interesting, and even if you didn't go into the sea or during the hot daytime, there were activities to enjoy.

The food here is delicious. Of the four restaurants on the island, our favorites were the Italian restaurant and The Market's buffet. We stayed for five days, tried every single one, and even had lunch at The Drift on a nearby island. We never got bored or disappointed. A special mention goes to the unlimited scoop ice cream 🍦 after noon every day; it always makes us happy.

Highly recommend this place!