Water defines the Maldives and so island water features that maintain that aquatic feel even in the interior are always a fitting touch. A number of spas a have added lily ponds and fountains to their spas to bring that fluid tranquillity to their treatment retreat. The longest spa water feature I have ever ambled across is JA Manafaru’s Calm Spa (one of the most expansive in the Maldives) where it meanders through lush foliage and colourful flowering plants. The equally sinuous Victoria Lopyreva (Miss Russia 2003) posted a snap of the fashionable runway herself during her recent visit.
Best of the Maldives: Banana French Toast – Six Senses Laamu
Best of the Maldives: Petal Aisle – One & Only Reethi Rah
The bedroom isn’t the only palette for mixed media artistic creations. One and Only Reethi Rah doesn’t just merely strew the bridal’s path with petals, but rather paints an efflorescent path culminating in a heart altar. Beach bridal bouquet.
Best of the Maldives: Mixed Media Bed Decorating – Diamonds Thudufushi
Bedroom artistry in the Maldives has evolved from a few petals sprinkled on the pillow to elaborate constructions. A recent masterwork is Diamonds Thudufushi’s mixed media opulent opus – petals, towel sculpture, palm fronds, lettering.
Best of the Maldives: Maldivian Scenes – Hideaway Beach / Conrad Rangali
Portraits of the Maldives using a more conventional medium are the latest highlight at Hideaway Beach. The décor in their newly launched Deluxe Sunset Beach Villa features commission by Eagan Badeeu…
“Eagan Badeeu is a prominent local artist and Maldivian national treasure, his works mainly focus on abstract or impressionist seascapes and landscapes”
They have an impressionistic feel with a rich texture, colour and light. His work can also be found at Conrad Rangali.
Best of the Maldives: Towel Portraits – Atmosphere Kanifushi
One of the towel cuties belongs as much on the cover of Maldives Illustrated Swimsuit Edition is Atmosphere Kanifushi’s towel portraiture. Guest Lance Vickers tweeted…
“Early night tonight @atmosKANI but our room attendant Adhil brought a smile to our faces”
Best of the Maldives: Towel Animals – LUX South Ari Atoll
LUX South Ari Atoll has a different pageant of bathing cuties. I’ve seen a few towel art creatures at resorts, but LUX has produced an entire menagerie of them…
“The towel art done by Shareef and Ali. Started as a way to entertain children on the island and to surprise them with little towel toys upon their return to the villas. Based on our guests’ feedback, we came to know that those towel toys started to replace the children’s comfort toys (that in most case got left behind at home) making their time on the island more enjoyable. Shareef has been working in housekeeping since more than 13 years, 3 of which at LUX*. Towel art is now part of his daily routine, it takes an average of 15 minutes for him to create a little elephant, turtle or even a whale shark. He also takes persona responsibility in teaching this trick of the trade to the guests wanting to learn. Shareef did not learn how to make these great towel sculptures anywhere, he tries over and over again until he gets the perfect shape – it’s pure ‘learning by doing’.”
The line above pictured above includes…
- Rear row – penguin, swans, flower, elephant
- Front row – snake, lion, donkey, elephant seating, turtle
LUX’s creativity has inspired me to add a new board to the Maldives Complete Pinterest for “Maldives Towel Art”.
Best of the Maldives: Largest Round Tub – Zitahli Kudafunafaru
If size does matter to you, then the Zitahli Kudafunafaru tub is the soak for you. Not just wide, but deep. At nearly 2 metres, I am not a small guy and I could barely keep my head above water. It was like a little indoor swimming pool (small children could do laps in this pool).
It’s all part of the Kudafunafaru expansiveness. The villas a quite substantial for their relatively modest 4.5 rack rates (the resort is in the top 5 for lowest cost per square metre in the 4.5 star category). Like a giant ceramic caldron to simmer away whatever the stresses remain after a day of lounging in the Maldivian sun.
15 Romantic Suds
Happy Valentines Day sweethearts everywhere. But especially in that global hotbed of romantic paradise, the Maldives
Get your clothes off for a hot and steamy, sensual delight, with a touch of perfume, bubbly, and flower petals. Yes, a romantic bubble bath. Here’s a not-so-dirty dozen of the best in the Maldives…
I’ve also added a “Maldives Tub Art” board to the Maldives Complete Pinterest so I can add more sexy suds as I find them.
I©Maldives
1. Atmosphere Kanifushi [above]
3. Vakarufalhi
4. Coco Bodu Hithi (thanks Paola)
7. Kuramathi
11. Loama Maamagili
13. Hideaway Beach
Best of the Maldives: Brioche French Toast – Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru
Who put the “French” in French toast?
I’m always surprised there is not more brioche served in the Maldives at the high end resorts. It is a truly elegant bread. A staple with the delicacy of foie gras. And often the way the trendy London gourmet burger bistros decadently dress up their ground beef in order to charge $30 for it.
Or for breakfast – well, any time really, slathered with Nutella. Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru’s breakfast features a brioche French toast garnished with candied orange peel. More “Pain Doré” than “Pain Perdu” (Both are the French words for “French Toast – I guess they don’t call it “Our Toast”. “Pain Doré” translates to “Golden Bread” while “Pain Perdu”, the more prevalent name, means “Lost Bread” referring the dishes ability to resurrect old or stale bread). Maybe just a little dollop of Nutella…
A bit of research found that Gili Lankanfushi also serves brioche French toast, but I will give this nosh nod to Landaa for their mouth watering treat tweet.