Best of the Maldives: Escape Room – Kandima

Kandima - escape room

Many people go to the Maldives to escape from it all. Well, at Kandima they can keep escaping during their stay in the first ever Maldives escape room (or “EsKape Room” as the “K” branded property dubs it).

  • “Featuring exciting themes like Pirates and Jungle where you can solve puzzles, unravel mysteries, and race against the clock for an unforgettable experience.”

Abandoned Resorts of the Maldives

Recently, a video about an abandoned resort in the Maldives went viral and I was curious to find out which one it was as I have come across several. My further investigation has uncovered five specifically:

  • J ALIDHOO – We actually had the distinction of staying at J Alidhoo went it was in the final stages of decommissioning. Our tour report mentioned “operational issues” as we thought that the property was having a bump in the road as resorts sometimes do, but I guess it never recovered. Our visit was actually quite surreal. We arrived and the marketing manager who had invited us had left the company a couple of days ago and had not passed on our visit details to the staff. So we arrived at the jetty and they were all a bit surprised (but they saw the correspondence I shared with the invitation and they happily welcomed us especially and the island was 95% empty with only a handful of other customers there. The spa was closed and the F&B operation was severely constrained (as mentioned in our earlier report). We were happy to see the place being in the neighbourhood so far up north, but it was a bit of an eerie experience even before it fully shuttered a few months later.
  • ZITALHI DHOLHIYADHOO – The “Out Chasing Stars” blog posted a pretty comprehensive photo essay about this place, “Walking an Abandoned Resort in the Maldives – Out Chasing Stars”, in addition to the video (see bottom).
  • FARU – Faru was one of the earliest resorts in the Maldives and was a renowned budget property (pretty much one of the cheapest resorts in the 1990s), but they never invested in some of the basics (eg. air conditioning) that the new waves of Maldives visitors were looking for and got left behind it seems. I heard rumours of the island being revamped, but nothing specific seems to have emerged.
  • J RESORT RAALHUVELI – This is the one that is causing all the fuss recently with the Kale Brock video (see below).
  • VELIDHOO – I’ve long heard about Velidhoo, but couldn’t find much about it and the video directly below explains why.

   

  

   

Best of the Maldives: Barn Doors – Oaga

Oaga - barn doors

Another piece of Oaga aesthetic woodwork is something we would love to take home are their bathroom barn doors. In fact, one of the questions in “The Interview Game” is “If you could take anything that you saw on the trip home (any size – a piece of art, a device, etc) for no cost, what would it be?” We couldn’t get Oaga’s into our baggage, but we will be integrating these style doors into our bathroom renovation.

Best of the Maldives: Wooden Amenities – Oaga

Oaga - wooden amenities

The move away from environmentally unfriendly plastics to more natural materials isn’t just good sustainability, but it is also great aesthetics. I love things made out of wood. Every year, I gave my godson a Christmas gift that was always wood. Oaga is giving away completely wooden sets of toiletry amenities for its guests which are as kind on the eye as they are on the environment.

Best of the Maldives: Bowling – Kandima

Kandima - bowling

With all of the sunshine and sea in the Maldives sometimes you want an escape from the heat and salt. All resorts have some typical board games and maybe a makeshift movie screen in an air conditioned indoor area. The kids club have plenty of activities but for kids only. But for some active, family fun Kandima has introduced its very own bowling alley:

  • “Have a blast at our two full-sized bowling lanes, perfect for everyone. Come and strike those pins down with modern equipment and scoring system.”

Best of the Maldives: Isolation – Soneva Secret

Soneva Secret - isolation

One of the many charms of the Maldives destination is the Crusoe sense of isolation and distant separation from the increasingly hustle-bustle of daily modern life. My one phrase to describe the aesthetic of the Maldives is “that iconic cartoon of a plot of sand with a palm tree on it”. Soneva’s latest property, Soneva Secret, takes that concept to its own extreme situated in it own mini single-island atoll.

  • There is no other resort in the Maldives where, as far as the eye can see, there is no other development and just nature

Get away from it all…including the rest of the Maldives.

Best of the Maldives: Dinner Theatre – Oaga

Oaga - dinner theatre

Delicacies, entertainment, culture…all the evening possibilities on a resort rolled into a single event. Dinner theatre is a great way to spice up your meal and to enjoy some theatrics in a most leisurely manner. Oaga premiered its first dinner theatre spectacle telling the story of star-crossed lovers Dhon Hiyala and Alifulhu’ (Oaga likes the romantic genre – Best of the Maldives: Pool Channel – Oaga – Maldives Complete Blog)

  • · “Oaga Art Resort has premiered a one-of-a-kind dining experience for Valentine’s Day at their luxury resort in the Maldives. In partnership with their own theatre team at Samaasaa the specialty restaurant, they introduced a five-course dinner by the beach paired with a live performance of the Maldivian tale of two star crossed lovers ‘Dhon Hiyala and Alifulhu’, creating an unforgettable evening for the audience. The theatrical dining experience is a first of its kind in the Maldives, providing guests with a unique and immersive experience that combines exceptional cuisine with a captivating live performance. Oaga Art Resort’s talented chefs, headed by Chef Zuhair, have created a five-course menu that features fresh and seasonal ingredients sourced locally.”

   

Best of the Maldives: Disco – Oaga

Oaga - disco

  • “Oh disco heaven, oh disco heaven” – Lady Gaga

A common FAQ is about the “nightlife” and “entertainment” on offer by the resort. I guess all that relaxation from lounging in the sun and soaking up the indolent poolside vibes during the day can generate some pent up energy for the evening. All too often, the “disco” or “dance floor” is a small square of by the beach bar and near a DJ deck. But Oaga has created a vibrant night spot that would stand out in the London club scene. Lights, ample space, lounging beds, great DJ, great sound systems all on a destination-distinctive sand-floor (for really kicking your shoes off).

Best of the Maldives: Waldorf Ithafuashi – Ferrari

Waldorf Ithafushi – Ferrari 2

The Ferrari Testa Rossa is a rare car indeed and cars n the Maldives are especially rare. So one on a resort is the quintessence of rarity:

  • “The Ferrari Testa Rossa J is a 75% reproduction of the iconic Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa – a model that holds a significant place in the annals of Ferrari and motor racing history. This exclusive vehicle, the only car on the island, has been shipped over for the use of guests who hire Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi exclusively.”

Maybe the most extravagant luxury feature I have come across in this opulence-packed destination.

Waldorf Ithafushi – Ferrari 1