“To have complete privacy and everything you need and want in one island is something that didn’t exist before”

every whim is a niche, indeed—and so far there’s a short but very interesting list of people who have stayed here. However, exactly who has celebrated their birthday or vacationed with their family here would be difficult to get out of Abdulla Shauzoon, the villa’s dedicated majordome (butler).

Shauzoon is one of the few who is truly privy to the preferences of the one per cent, and while he sets out to make everyone feel like royalty—including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge who, according to British media, came in 2014 —his polished and personalised service isn’t overly subservient. Much like an intuitive friend, his hospitality is the icing on the cake, given the natural beauty of the Noonu Atoll, where the resort is located, and the stylish space designed by Jean-michel.

The design of the Owner’s Villa follows the developer’s three-word brief. “They wanted the rooms to be airy, ventilated, and simple,” recalls Jean-michel. “They also insisted on having a thatched roof—that was a must.” The juxtaposition of the thatched roof with the neutral-hued, streamlined interior infuses the space with warmth, a feeling that is perpetuated with the use of other organic materials such as wood and stone. Another standout element is the soaring ceiling—each of the 47 villas on the main island has sevenmetre-high ceilings; the two-storey Owner’s Villa continues in this vein. The grandiose touch imparts instant relaxation the moment you open the villa’s double doors.