MALDIVES


rocks just off shore, its S-shaped neck, absurdly long legs and sharp, pointed bill perfectly framed against a backdrop of lush greenery and shaded villas. Treading water, I watch as the ungainly


heron launches itself into the air, revealing an impressive wingspan as it soars over yÕÌÌiÀin} «>lm ÌÀii vÀon`Ã LivoÀi ÃiÌÌlin} on the pitched roof of a neighbouring villa, the perfect vantage point to survey its surroundings. This heron doesn’t want to move too far from its sea view and nor, I discover, do I.


Marine magic


wÀÃÌ -Ì ,i}ià hoÌil in iÜ 9oÀk in £9ä{] Ìhi ceremony is a suitably solemn affair that marks the transition from daytime to evening. The Whale Bar updated its menu last year


The sea is never far away on this tiny isle in the Dhaalu Atoll. Each area of the resort, which marks its 10th anniversary this oÛimLiÀ] h>Ã Liin VÀ>vÌi` Ìo ÀiyiVÌ the marine life around it. The private treatment rooms of the Iridium Spa fan out like the claws ov > loLÃÌiÀ ÜiÌh Ìhi Ã>lÌÜ>ÌiÀ-wlli`


lÕi oli


hydrotherapy pool at its head; the overwater villas branch off the main body of the resort like the long, thin tail of a manta ray; and the eye- V>ÌVhin} `iÃi}n ov Ìhi 7h>li >À ÀiyiVÌÃ Ìhi gaping mouth of an enormous whale shark. Perfectly positioned to capture the island’s best sunset views, the bar is also the setting for the nightly champagne sabreing, a unique St Regis ritual that takes place around sunset in each of the brand’s resorts worldwide. A tradition drawn from the lavish parties of the original Astor family, who established the


The sea is never far away on this tiny isle. Each area of the resort has been crafted to reflect the marine life around it


`


from grill-style dining to Latin American-inspired tapas, while garden restaurant Cargo – an outdoor venue set amid towering trees and ÌÜinklin} li}hÌà q ià ÃhivÌin} iÌà VÕiÃini Ìo ÀiyiVÌ its Indian Ocean location; think tender Maldivian lobster, lightly spiced wÃh VÕÀÀiià >n` vÀiÃh Ãi>voo`° There are further changes afoot around the resort: the Vommuli House kids’ club is undergoing renovation, the gym was updated last year with new reformer Pilates equipment and a padel court is set to be added in the coming weeks. That’s on top of a new partnership with private coaching brand Lux Tennis,


which will bring professionals – including former world number-one and three-time Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber in late March and Spanish tennis champion Feliciano López in May – to lead exclusive tennis workshops. They feature private lessons ($160 per person), complimentary tennis clinics for kids and adults, and even a chance to ‘beat the pro’, where guests can challenge the expert to a match and, if they Üin > ÃiÌ] }iÌ Ìhi fÓ{ä ÃiÃÃion vÀii ov Vh>À}i° These visits form part of the annual Tastemaker Series, bringing experts in wine, wellness, food and sport – including British chef Glynn Purnell in April – to the resort. Details of the 2027 series are due to be announced later this year.


ª


OPPOSITE: FIRST ROW: Knickerbocker Villa pool area; the distinctive Whale Bar SECOND ROW: Ayurveda treatment in the Iridium Spa; writer Katie McGonagle; kayaking in the crystal-clear water THIRD ROW: Sunrise yoga session FOURTH ROW: John Jacob Astor Estate; guests can take part in the coral restoration programme PREVIOUS PAGE: Aerial view of The St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort’s Iridium Spa Credits: Ralf Tooten; Hazel Araujo


72 ASPIRE MARCH 2026 aspiretravelclub.co.uk


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