p30-36 ttg_lux_maldives Aut09 25/9/09 17:12 Page 34
Authenticity is something Alila oranges, black and yellow with a pretty villas (57 of them) makes this Halaveli’s
general manager Julian Moore is coral motif ever present, they’re too close “standard” category, a unique factor in
passionate about. Before the resort together, which means you can see your itself as the water villas often carry the
opened, he spent a long time visiting local neighbours in their pools and on the deck. premium price tag at resorts.
islands meeting the people, the chiefs and That deck does provide masses of
visiting schools. “It is so remote here some outdoor space though, including the Mac minis and manta rays
of the school kids did not even know what personal 21sq m pools, catwalk down to a Visitors to the Maldives tend to love either
a hotel was. They haven’t seen tourism daybed framed by drifty muslin, steps to staying over the water or on the beach; I’m
here so this gives us an amazing the sea, outside dining area, sunloungers an over-water girl, constantly blown away
opportunity to work with them to and the latest must-have in the Maldives by a hint of glass floor through which I
introduce it in a considered way and give – a hammock suspended over the water. might see my own version of Finding
our guests unique experiences we don’t One of the bigger villas has been turned Nemo, or being on the deck as a manta
feel are offered by other resorts.” These into a spa, where I had a great facial ray glides past. My Halaveli villa had a
include a “celestial navigation” – a moonlit followed by rooftop yoga at sunset. beautifully appointed bathroom and the
cruise offering stargazing in a sky totally Suzanna Doenz, sales representative for bedroom spaciously fits a bed, living area
free from light pollution. the resort, tells me the InOcean Villas are and hi-tech Mac mini system with massive
Tour operators who have already seen constantly sold out despite having only screen – you can while away the evenings
the appeal of Alila include the likes of been open for a few months – the shock of by picking a complimentary film from the
Azure Collection, Destinology, Elegant the new does seem to be a big attraction. system’s extensive library.
Resorts and The Couture Travel Company. So what can any other resorts offer to Of course during the day, the view
What they will be able to offer clients is top this lot? Well, creating a place where all outside is what you’re glued to. From the
exclusivity – there are just 50 villas at the villas have pools, for one. Constance private deck, all you see is miles of nothing
this remote resort. In addition, North Halaveli decided to make its mark by doing but blue, as you tuck into another delicious
Above: vibrant and
Huvadhoo is the deepest atoll in the this as a USP and the 86 villas which lunch delivered to your villa. The swanky
creative – Vivanta by
Maldives, so divers will find unexplored opened this summer are lovely, and an
Taj at Coral Reef
Jing restaurant is also over the water, with
waters; meanwhile snorkellers can simply impressive presidential villa will be ready
Below: over-water villas
an open kitchen and smart decor the
walk off the beach and be on the house by the end of the year.
at the all-pool-villa resort
backdrop for Asian fusion food
reef within minutes. The fact there are so many over-water of Constance Halaveli after a pre-dinner drink at sunset
Waterworld
For those who really do like being in the
water, another new arrival might tick
their boxes; the novel addition of the
“only floating resort in the Maldives” – the
InOcean Villas at Angsana Velavaru. There
are villas and a restaurant on stilts and
completely on their own, with the nearest
land a kilometre
away by boat.
There are just 34 of
the InOcean Villas
but while they
are super-stylish –
34
decked out in reds,
feature maldives
autumn 09 ttgluxury.com
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