The Maldives has been synonymous with luxury for as long as tourism started flourishing in this paradise of an island. With the local construction laws being relaxed over the last decade, there has been a massive surge in the number of resorts and hotels on each of its 300 inhabited islands that are spread across 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean. In a bid to provide tourists with unmatched experiences, a number of resorts that could only exist in a romantic’s most passionate dreams have come to life and how! These resorts serve luxury to tourists on a platter right from the time they arrive at the airport till the time they catch their flight back home. The icing on the cake is that they keep getting better with each passing year.
To detail what we are talking about, we bring you five new resorts in Maldives that are making heads turn in 2017:
St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Island Resort
A property of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, the newly-opened St. Regis spreads over 23 acres in Maldives’ Dhaalu Atoll Vommuli. The resort boasts seventy seven grand villas that come with beautiful manta ray shaped lagoons. The villas can all be explored on foot through the sandy trails. Lined with palm and pandani trees, the roofs of rooms have also been shaped after the manta rays whereas the overwater bar resembles the open mouth of a whale shark. The restaurants serve Mediterranean cuisine, and are designed with delicate French and Italian interiors. The sand-floored Crust restaurant serves delectable pizzas and bruschetta. The fitness centre is an excellent facility that comes with naturopathic doctors and Ayurvedic spa treatments.
Soneva Jani Resort
Located on the island of Medhufaru in the Noonu Atoll, Soneva Jani has 24 overwater villas, all of which are designed organically with natural materials. The luxury rooms have timber walls and plank floors that have been imported from Sri Lanka. The rooms are sprawling and come with spacious bathrooms with jalousie panels, and have steps leading directly into the water. The resort has one-bedroom to 4-bedroom villas, some of which have their own waterslides that lead directly to the lagoon on which the villa is constructed. Besides, the resort boasts two restaurants, a water sports centre, an ayurvedic spa as well as an outdoor cinema.
Finolhu Resort
Touted as a party island, Finolhu is located in the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Advertised as a retro-inspired island paradise, Finolhu has every reason to be proud. The resort comes with Lagoon Villas, Ocean Pool Villas as well Beach Pool Villas. With popular music bursting out loudly at every public place, a performance by acrobats near the pool as well as woman floating about in pools dressed as mermaids, there’s always a party scene at the Finolhu Resort. The resort leads regular excursions as well as diving adventures to the sea for its guests. Kanusan as well as Fish & Crab Shack restaurants of the resort serve sumptuous sea food.
Four Seasons Private Island at Voavah
Located in the northern Baa Atoll, the Voavah Resort is a dreamland that redefines luxury. Comprising of three-bedroom beach villas that offer 200-degree view of sea and sand; two-bedroom overwater villas as well as Mezzanine Suits, Voavah Resort is ideal for that once-in-a-lifetime experience of splendour. From pizza-making classes for kids to traditional dance performances at sunset while you relax at the beach; the resort has ample to make you stick longer than you intend.
Cocoon Resort
Located in the island of Ookolhufinolhu in Lhaviyani Atoll, Cocoon Resort is a breathtaking resort situated at a 30-minute distance from the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. A designer resort, Cocoon boasts of 150 beach and water villas. The score of luxurious offerings here include three restaurants, two bars, a dive centre, a spa, a lounge, library, gym and kid’s club among others. The resort also arranges for adventures at sea for its guests including water-sports, diving, snorkelling, fishing as well as cultural enrichment tours for an interaction with the local way of life. If you would rather prefer a romantic escape, the resort will happily organise a candle light dinner for you and your beloved.
