The Insider MALDIVES
towering palms and distant lapping of the ocean instantly immerse me in the island’s undeniable charm. I’ll be spending the next few nights in one of the
property’s 59 Beach Villas, complete with private pool, outdoor shower and cocoon-shaped daybed, which, by the end of my stay, I deduce to be the dreamiest spot for reading and watching the waves break just metres away. Each villa boasts bikes for guests to use at their
leisure. It seems rude not to, so I hop in the saddle and set out to explore the resort. After a leisurely ride, I feel like I’ve got my bearings. A sprawling pool is at the
“
By the end of my stay, I deduce the cocoon-shaped daybed to be the dreamiest spot for reading and watching the waves break just metres away
heart of Kuda Villingili. The 150-metre expanse of cool water stretches through the centre of the island, with a smattering of restaurants at one end and a boardwalk that leads to the 36 Water Villas at the other. On either side, there are cabanas and loungers interspersed with clusters of tropical foliage, with the Beach Villas that stud the island’s perimeter just a few steps away. Venturing beyond the pool to the opposite end of
VJG KUNCPF + ƂPF VJGTGoU CNUQ C [QIC RCXKNKQP C MKFUo club, a dive centre and a small cluster of boutiques, each building meticulously designed in the resort’s signature style, which pays homage to both the local EWNVWTG CPF YKFGT #UKCP KPƃWGPEGU YKVJ VJG WUG QH natural materials and displays of traditional Maldivian textiles and works of art.
PEACE AND QUIET During our stay, we’re told the resort is at 95% capacity, but it never feels crowded and it’s impossible to deny the tranquillity, even though we’re just 30 minutes from busy Malé. As a private island, peace and seclusion are somewhat of a given, but this is something Kuda Villingili actively fosters with its thoughtful design and chilled-out ambience. One aspect of my stay I particularly enjoy is the laidback dining experience. Three of the resort’s signature restaurants (East, Med and Spice), along with The Bar, are set in a square formation at one end of the pool, each with completely open sides and tables that spill out onto the sand, OCMKPI KV GCU[ VQ ƃQY HTQO VJG UWP NQWPIGTU VQ NWPEJ before heading for a mid-afternoon cocktail. 6JG FKPKPI UGV WR KU EQU[ YKVJQWV HGGNKPI EQPƂPGF and each mealtime I enjoy sumptuous dishes (the beetroot gnocchi at Med is a personal favourite) combined with glorious views – either of the sun’s rays as they dance across the pool’s surface or, later on, a sky festooned with glimmering stars. The same can be said for The Restaurant, which is
the biggest dining venue at the resort, but its separation into three distinct spaces means the experience remains intimate. On our third night, we dine at Earth, the area dedicated to meat-free dishes, and I enjoy one of the best paneer curries I’ve ever had. Alongside the other two outlets – seafood specialist Ocean and grill Fire – Earth is on the beachfront, with all guests able to enjoy unbeatable ocean vistas as they dine.
SURF’S UP #U YGNN CU ƂXG UVCT FKPKPI YGoTG CNUQ VTGCVGF VQ C TQUVGT of activities, many of which allow us to venture beyond the shoreline – after all, a trip to the Maldives wouldn’t be complete without a dip in those crystalline waters. In addition to jetskiing, we have one morning entirely
OPPOSITE, FIRST ROW: Water Villa; main pool; outside area of Water Villa
SECOND ROW: The Restaurant; dolphin; surfer heads to the waves THIRD ROW: The spa; Mar-Umi restaurant; bath and outdoor area of Three-Bedroom Beach Retreat
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ASPIRETRAVELCLUB.CO.UK THE INSIDER NOVEMBER 2024
CREDITS: Kuda Villingili Resort; Natelee Cocks; Shutterstock/Marek Mierzejewski
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