THE 209 MARE MALDIVES LUXURY TRAVEL GUIDE
All the clichés come to life in the maldives but manage to do so without being the slightest bit tongue in cheek. home to eye-wateringly beautiful resorts, starbright sands, and seductive atolls – be sure to pack more than a pair of trunks. this is the spot for mingling with celebs in your best beachwear, dining in style, and falling in love with the underwater world.
ARRIVE LIKE A KING (OR QUEEN)
Anyone traveling to the remote and far-flung islands of the pearly Maldives will need to pass through Male first. Male is the main hub for international flights, often welcoming commercial long-haul jets from the likes of Emirates, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and more. As non-stop flights to Male tend to be long, a private charter could be just the ticket to a fresh-faced journey punctuated with peace, space and serenity.
Once you have touched down in Male, you will need to take a seaplane or speedboat to your luxe resort. Most five-star resorts will have their own private seaplanes for what is usually a 40-minute journey, or a speedboat transfer usually 15-minutes. A resort rep will be there to guide you through the silky process from shore to paradise.
WHERE TO STAY
VELAA PRIVATE ISLAND
Perched on the Noonu Atoll, Velaa Private Island is a heavenly hideaway. Golf lovers will delight in the Jose Maria Olazabal green and swing center, a flock of yachts and dhoni’s can take you cruising, fishing, and snorkeling, and the Ayurveda inspired spa will unlock every muscle.
Villas are a beautiful blend of European craftsmanship and Borneo wood, and with private butlers and award winning teppanyaki restaurant straddling a three-story wine cellar, the biggest wine collection in the Maldives, you couldn’t ask for more.
PARK HYATT MALDIVES HADAHAA
Bring your best luxury beachwear as the Park Hyatt Hadahaa boasts some of the brightest diving and decadent lounging in the Maldives. Surrounded by silver sand and perfecting that blend of grandiose and gorgeously eco-conscious architecture. Overwater suites invite streaming light and oceanscapes with floor to ceiling windows, private decks, and plunge pools. Spend your time dolphin watching and indulging in private picnics and starlit sailing.
FOUR SEASON RESORT LANDAA GIRAAVARU
Always a brand to go above and beyond, the Four Seasons on the Baa Atoll occupies prime real estate in the whale shark rich waters of a UNESCO world biosphere reserve. The grown-up retreat is a vision of traditional architecture – all thatched dining pavilions, daybeds, outdoor showers, lap pools, and emerald foliage. Riviera inspired restaurants, anti-gravity yoga, and a team who will call as soon as they spot manta rays all add to a fabulous experience.
WHAT TO DO IN THE MALDIVES
SNORKELING
Snorkeling in the tapestry of blue that makes up the Maldives is an unrivalled experience. Many top resorts have their own in-house reefs meaning you can step outside your door and swim alongside shimmering shoals and turtles. Coral is beautifully abundant, visibility is mirror clear, and water temperatures warm.
SCUBA DIVING
Scuba diving is another world class wonder for the Maldives. Some resorts will arrange scuba trips out into the depths of the midnight blue so be sure to pack your luxury beach blazer for when you emerge. The Baa Atoll is one of the best, with endless overhangs, coral gardens, reef sharks and drifting mantas.
SURFING
Those who prefer to dance on water rather than delve below will be blown away by the remote and rare surf spots scattered across the Maldives. The Male Atolls is one of the most popular spots and home to legendary break – Cokes, but the Central Atolls is where you will find those dreamy deserted peelers to ride.
