Travel + Leisure - India & South Asia
Haven of Wellness
IT’S ONE OF THOSE destinations that can never bore you, especially if you’re a beach bum.
It is my fifth visit to the Maldives, and this time, I check into JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa. What truly arrests my attention this time is the foliage—green pathways shape the island resort in a way that’s unique and calming. I check into a two-storey Duplex Beach Pool Villa that can easily accommodate a family of four to six people; I have so much space that I manage to find a different comfortable corner each night during the three nights I spend at the 278 square metrevilla. My favourite turns out to be the upper deck with its lounge-like minimalist decor—the sofa here becomes the spot for my virtual meetings throughout the stay.
JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa boasts 60 luxurious beach and overwater villas, each with its own private pool, spacious wooden decks, and children’s amenities. In fact, FAMiLY by JW—Little Griffins Kids Club is one of the biggest in the archipelago, and has
100 activities to keep children engaged while adults enjoy quality time at the spa or simply laze by the pool. Gordana, who welcomes me at the kids’ club, says, “This service is complimentary [for all guests] and is available to kids above three years. Also, we don’t encourage virtual games— all games here are interactive.”
The culinary treasure is a treat for the taste buds. With an option of five dining destinations featuring international cuisines, three bars, and a cellar with 1,200 grape beverages, you’re spoilt for choice. Whether it’s Chef Jayson’s teppanyaki at Hashi, the delectable steak dishes at Shio, or my favourite Thai spread at Kaashi that is enjoyed on a treetop—the gourmet experience is unmissable. And if you’re looking for a more intimate set-up, an Italian wine dinner at Wine Room, located in the heart of the all-day dining venue Aailaa, comes highly recommended. There are over 300 wine labels to choose from! I save the best for last—Spa by JW. There are six overwater treatment rooms, and a total of 10 treatments on the menu. I opt for the ultimate aromatherapy massage with a natural product-based facial. After an hour and thirty minutes, I feel my muscles relax, and head to the open-air yoga pavilion.
I sit by the ocean and feel a deep sense of rejuvenation. It’s the Maldives, I tell you. jwmarriottmaldives.com
THIS YEAR, AS I was planning my birthday, an invitation to Baglioni Resort Maldives landed up in my inbox. I had never been to the Maldives, so without much ado, I grabbed the opportunity. Baglioni Resort Maldives is a 45-minute sea plane ride from Velana International Airport in Malé, and is located on the island of Maagau in Dhaalu atoll. The property is an outlet of the eponymous luxury Italian brand. Suffused with Italian hospitality and charm, the resort is surrounded by white sands and blue water. The villas with thatched roofs—some set amidst coconut groves and others above water—add to the tropical vibe.
The highlight for me was the beautiful house reef that I explored on my first ever snorkelling stint. Perfectly trained and egged on by the guest relations officer (GRO) Khassu, I took my first leap of faith under water where a whole new world opened up in front of me. There’s a reason why coral reefs are called underwater gardens; the coloured plants and marine life they support are unlike anything you see on land.
The resort has inhouse marine biologists who conduct research and work towards coral reef restoration, and inform guests about the significance of adopting corals in the region. Those who pledge support are taken through the process of coral planting in the ocean.
Another important aspect is the warmth and hospitality of the staff that make you feel at home. The hearty buongiorno and buona sera that the staff greets you with, or the unique experiences that the GROs curate for you make the stay even more special. I was surprised with a beautiful beachfront dinner replete with a celebratory cake followed by movie screening under the stars.
However, there are other activities that guests can choose from, like daily wellness classes—yoga, aqua aerobics—and water sports like kayaking, snorkelling, and deep-sea diving. The resort also arranges dolphin-spotting tours, sunset and stargazing cruises, and fishing excursions. The gourmet offerings deserve a special mention too. The beachfront Taste restaurant offers European and Asian cuisine while the poolside Gusto serves authentic Italian fare and the Japanese restaurant Umami with outdoor seating on water decks serves sushi, sashimi, and seafood dishes. On my last evening, as I sat by the sea looking at the moon peeping through the trees, I felt oddly at peace and most importantly, at home. baglionihotels.com
THERE’S A LOT THAT HAS already been said about the Maldives. Many call it an island paradise, others sing praises of its azure blue waters. After spending years writing desk pieces on the Maldives, I am finally in the island nation to experience it first hand, and Cheval Blanc Randheli is my host for this inaugural trip.
Cheval Blanc is known for bringing a French touch to its resorts. The white sand outside my Maison—a water villa perched on Maldivian stilts—reads ‘bonjour’.
It takes me half an hour to get acquainted with my new abode. There’s a bright living room, which leads to a master bedroom; double dressing rooms, which offer views of the swaying palms; and a bathroom with an indoor and outdoor rain shower, bathtub, dual vanities, and a separate toilet. “We can lay your meal at this dining table with sunken benches and serve you cocktails in your outdoor lounger,” suggests my personal majordome, Sadaam, as he leads me towards the outdoor deck. Meanwhile, I’ve already added an activity to my itinerary: swimming under the stars in the 12.5-metre-long infinity pool.
The dining options are varied. The overwater Deelani pampers with Mediterranean delights, while Diptyque does so with a bold display of Japanese and East Asian flavours. At The White, island-inspired flavours take centre stage amid vast ocean views and a lush tropical garden. The garden-facing restaurant Le 1947—named after Château Cheval Blanc’s soughtafter vintage wine—floors me with a 12-course meal. Adjacent to the restaurant are two more iconic spots: Wine Museum, home to rare vintages and Cigar
Lounge that boasts a curated cigar menu. Ditching the flamboyance, I celebrate in true Maldivian style—a champagne toast to the melting sunset at The White Bar.
The following day, I enjoy a snorkelling session and revel in the world of fish and corals, surf waves in Maldives’ only surf simulator, ride a dhoni, relax at Cheval Blanc Spa offering the island nation’s only Guerlain rituals, and enjoy a guided yoga session at an overwater pavilion.
On my final day, the team hands me a doggy bag of macarons for my return journey. In the distance, Saddam waves goodbye as the seaplane takes off into the clear blue Maldivian sky. I wave back, hoping to return for more of this hospitality. chevalblanc.com
IT’S NOT EVERY DAY one is on an island surrounded by tranquil skies and blue waters, soaking in the tropical sun. I arrive at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kudaa Huraa for the 10th anniversary of the Four Seasons Surfing Championship. Kudaa Huraa caters to surfers of all levels—beginner, semi-professional, and professional. I take a beginner lesson, and fall irrevocably in love with the world of waves.
But there is more to Kuda Huraa than surfing.
The resort has a village setting with flower gardens and a private spa island. Traditional Maldivian design shines through the architecture. While walking around, I spot a dhoni bobbing in the water. It takes me across Kuda Huraa’s blue lagoon to The Island Spa Sanctuary. It is magical, brimming with lush green gardens, ponds, and sandy paths that lead you to treatment rooms. A healing massage later, I am back on the dhoni to discover the rest of the resort.
My villa is tastefully designed, there is an infinity pool overlooking the clear waters of the Maldives. I spend the entire afternoon lounging on the outdoor deck, sipping cocktails, and enjoying occasional dips in the pool and the view of the endless ocean.
The sun is shining overhead when I make my way to the beachside trattoria—Reef Club—that serves fresh seafood inspired by Tuscan flavours. From tagliolini al granchio to authentic wood-fired pizzas to refreshing sorbets, I sample a little of everything. Later, I stop by Baraabaru, a restaurant inspired by the architecture of Kerala, serving Indian cuisine. I hesitantly place my order not knowing how a restaurant in Maldives would do justice to Indian flavours. But my concerns are quickly put to rest; the dishes are undoubtedly Indian, so much so that the fragrances manage to transport me back home. At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, time stands still, a true blessing for a city girl like me. I spend hours watching the dance of the trees, drifting sand, and rise and fall of waves. While wandering around, I stumble upon a lacquer craft pop-up shop set up by Four Seaons to preserve dying Maldivian art forms. I marvel at the pieces made by the artisans of the Thulhaadhoo island; it is heartening to see a part of the local culture being promoted at the resort.
As the sun sets, I sit by the beach on an undholi—a traditional wooden swing—and watch the stars sneak up across the night sky. fourseasons.com
ACOUPLE OF MONTHS ago, Hilton invited a few experts from various fields to experience its newest property in the Maldives—Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa. There were customised itineraries for each of the guests—a wellness expert, beverage expert, chef, photographer, and well, me. And so, I spent my maiden flight to the Maldives pondering what I am an expert of. When the turquoise waters of the island nation began gleaming at a distance, I still hadn’t found an answer.
Located a 20-minute boat ride away from Malé Airport, Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa, fortunately, brought relief to my taxed brain. The overwater villa with pool pushed the existential crisis into a corner of my head. Over the next three nights, I immersed in all the new and unconventional experiences the resort offers.
While my diver companions went on an underwater adventure to play with sea turtles and reef sharks, I got my first-ever snorkelling lesson from the inhouse instructor, Ali, near my water villa. As thrilled as I was at the sight of butterfly fish and lobsters flitting below me, the real rush came from conquering the fear of water and sea creatures.
Quite emboldened by this mini adventure, I made my way to the resort’s Sub Oceanic Watersports Center for glass kayaking. In less than 10 minutes, I was paddling to the centre of the sea, and being followed by shoals of Maldivian fish who later parked themselves under the glass floor of the kayak.
I also attended a gin tasting session with beverage expert Karina Aggarwal at the seafood restaurant Origin, by the end of which I learned to say if the drink was light, malty, or dry. Like Aggarwal rightly put it, “A good intro for those who love their gin but don’t know enough about it.”
At Habitat, the high-ceiling restaurant that juts out into the sea, we had an authentic Maldivian dinner—banana blossom stir fry, egg and tuna cutlets, chicken curry with kanamadhu nuts, and steamed rice with pandan leaves—that turned out to be the best meal of my stay.
At night, I sat on the suspended hammock in my villa, watching the water below lapping against the stilts. A sting ray glided across silently. In a few minutes a white reeftip shark followed course, unfazed by the spectator above it.
As I was leaving the next day, the resident marine biologist asked us what the best part of the stay was. Wellness expert Namrata Purohit said, “I loved the dives, I found it very relaxing and therapeutic.” “Sunsets,” I lied. The best part was definitely rediscovering myself. hilton.com