MALDIVES


The reef is a hot topic of conversation this year, as the ongoing programme of coral restoration hit a key milestone


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Stay and play Of the resort’s 77 villas, 44 are overwater and 33 are on the beach; all but a handful enjoy direct beach or ocean access. Last year’s renovation included expanding the property’s six Two-Bedroom Ocean Villas to add a living and dining area, extended deck, bigger pool and hammocks to lounge in while soaking up those sea views. As with all the accommodation at this resort, my Beach


FROM TOP: Overwater villas at The St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort; sea turtle on the coral reef; breakfast buffet at Alba Credits: Ralf Tooten; Hazel Araujo


Villa with Pool comes with a butler (in my case, Amy), who is on hand to help with anything from restaurant reservations to garment pressing. That dedicated service started from the moment I arrived, with a personalised welcome video to watch as I was whisked from the international airport terminal at Malé to the St Regis arrivals lounge to wait for the 45-minute seaplane transfer. The most striking feature of the villa is its high, pointed Viilin}] Ì>kin vÀom Ìhi ÃÌÞli ov ÌÀ>`iÌion>l wÃhiÀmin½Ã hÕÌà that once allowed for boats to be brought inside during ÃÌoÀmÞ Ãi>Ãonð 7iÌh `>Àk Üoo` >n` n>ÌÕÀ>l wLÀiÃ] Ìhià spacious villa is a cool retreat, with a bathroom featuring an outdoor shower and oversized soaking tub, along with a plunge pool that’s big enough to enjoy a few laps. Some villas are set closer to the beach for expansive views while others, like mine, are slightly farther back and shielded by greenery, allowing for greater privacy on the terrace, so it’s worth asking clients which they would prefer. The jewels in the crown are the Caroline Astor Estate, an airy, three-bedroom retreat with a beachfront location, and the John Jacob Astor Estate, which is reportedly the largest three-bedroom overwater villa in the Maldives. The latter is the resort’s pièce de résistance, complete with its own vintage-style buggy, cinema room, exclusive-use gym and sizeable pool, along with direct access to a private coral reef for unlimited snorkelling.


74 ASPIRE MARCH 2026


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