AWAY YOU GO
When it comes to the honeymoon, there’s no such thing as too much pampering. Jacqueline Kot discovers the latest resorts and experiences that will fulfil your dreams
The Muraka at Conrad Maldives rangali island
The ultimate honeymoon destination, the Maldives is all about the romance of a cerulean ocean teeming with rainbow-hued marine life. At the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, nestled in the South Ari Atoll, happy couples can immerse themselves even further in the wonders of the deep. That’s because the hotel opened the world’s first underwater villa, the Muraka, in November 2018. The two-storey villa features one floor that sits above water while the other is submerged five metres below sea level and encompasses a viewing theatre and a bedroom with a bathroom and walk-in closet, all featuring floor-to-ceiling windows so you can marvel at the sea life that is constantly moving and changing all around you, even while you are brushing your teeth. The top floor includes an integrated living room, dining room and kitchen, an en-suite master bedroom should you want to spend a night or two sleeping above the water instead of under it, an infinity pool and a sunset deck.
The Muraka follows in the wake of the hotel’s celebrated Ithaa restaurant (the name means “pearl” in the local language), which opened in 2004 and shares the distinction of being the first undersea restaurant in the world, featuring curved transparent walls that afford diners a spectacular 180-degree view of coral reefs and tropical fish as they dine. And with a total of 12 restaurants and bars, the Conrad Maldives is something of a dining paradise. Elsewhere,
the resort features 150 villas and suites—the larger main island, Rangalifinolhu, caters to families, and the smaller Rangali island is restricted to adults. There’s also a third option, the Spa Retreat, a resort within a resort positioned off the tip of the main island that features both an over-water spa and over-water villas.
The resort is big on experiences—and guests at The Muraka get to pick from a host of exclusive experiences categorised under four menus: the Wanderers, the Flavours, the Soul and the Thrill. Options include a snorkelling experience accompanied by a film crew, mindfulness activities on the Muraka’s sunset deck, or a cooking class at the resort’s Ufaa Chinese restaurant (meaning “happiness) that is led by celebrity chef Jereme Leung. And to help you capture the perfect photos to make everyone back home jealous, the resort even employs “Instagram Butlers” to guide guests to the most picturesque locations.
andbeyond Tengile river lodge
Situated in South Africa’s Sabi Sand Game Reserve, andbeyond’s newest luxury safari lodge features nine standalone guest suites that all have their own unique view of the Tengile River. To call them suites is an understatement, as each measures over 2,150sqft and feels more like a little home in itself, complete with a spacious living room featuring a bar fully stocked with complimentary wines, spirits, beer and non-alcoholic drinks, a separate bedroom and a vast bathroom area with a walk-in wardrobe, his and hers sinks, a bathtub and a rainforest shower. And then there’s the outdoor space, where there is a private swimming pool and a lounge area. A contemporary design marked by an eclectic mix of materials and patterns prevails across the whole safari lodge, and the suites are decorated in a warm palette of brown, tan and orange hues accented with pops of black and green.
The spacious suites are ideal for relaxing between the day’s two game drives. The morning one starts with coffee at 5.30am before setting out with a ranger and a tracker in search of wildlife, including giraffes placidly chewing on leaves, zebras flicking their tails to ward off flies, and hopefully representatives of the big five: lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and Cape buffalo. The morning drive ends with a refreshment stop at a picturesque spot in the bush, where the ranger can whip up a mocha coffee mixed with Amarula—a creamy, dessert-like liqueur made in
South Africa.
After the morning game drive, guests have the rest of the morning and afternoon to eat, take a nap and cool down during the hottest part of the day with a swim in their private pool—from which they just might spot elephants or zebras ambling along the banks of the Tengile.
Breakfast and lunch are served in the main dining area, which also overlooks the river. Rather than a standard lunch buffet, guests are treated to an impressive spread of tapas-style dishes paired with South African wines, a rustic tablescape made for Instagram.
The evening game drive often gets the adrenaline pumping even faster than the morning one, as dusk is when the predators are out hunting. Sightings might include a leopard stalking its prey or a pride of lions lounging after a full meal, all against a backdrop of dusky blues, purples and oranges as the sun slowly calls it a day. The drive ends on a satisfying note with a sundowner somewhere in the bush, where it is entirely possible that a mob of impala or other curious game will be watching while guests sip their gin and tonics.