Best of the Maldives: Pool Channel – Oaga

Oaga - river

Pools have evolved in the Maldives from simple rectangular intra-island swimming holes to infinity pools, fountain featured, split-level, swim-up bar extravagances. But none are quite so extensive, creative and storied as Oaga pool channel behind its Veyoge Gallery Pool Villas.

  • “Nestled in the lush gardens of Oaga Art Resort, the Veyoge Gallery Pool Villa draws inspiration from the enchanting Maldivian folklore of the star-crossed lovers ‘Khalid and Sitti.’ This captivating garden villa in the Maldives features an exterior made of invisible mirrors, reflecting the secretive and mystical nature of the lovers’ tale. According to legend, Khalid and Sitti leaped into a lake and transformed into mystical creatures, eternally united.”

The “pool” connects all of the plunge pools for the Veyoge Gallery rooms with a long, sinuous channel that culminates at a larger pool by the craft beer bar and decorated with images of Khalid and Sitti.

Oaga - channel pool

Best of the Maldives: Most Pools – Haven Villa

Haven Villa - pools

The very earliest beginnings of Maldives Complete was a spreadsheet of my research looking for resorts with pools (which in the 1990s was not all that prevalent and the kids really enjoyed a break from the gritty coral sand and salt swimming in the lagoon). Over time, pools (infinity ones at that) became standard fare for resorts and increasingly, especially at the luxury end of the market, for villas themselves. We enjoy having our own private pool for a cooling plunge. And I have seen a couple of properties with two pool villas. But Villa Haven’s Two Bedroom Residence with Two Beach Pools and Garden Pool is the first THREE pool villa I have come across. An enclosed one in the back area for those wanting privacy, a small one for maybe the kids and a big one for everyone.

Best of the Maldives: Largest Hydroponic Greenhouse – Le Meridien

Le Meridien - hydroponic garden

Some resorts have gardens for the ultimate in low-mileage produce. Others have invested in sophisticated nurseries and infrastructure to expand their capability (not to mention tap into the Maldives biggest and free-est natural resource…sunshine). But Le Meridien sets a new bar for scale  (see the chart below which shows the gorwn stuff growing) and sophistication of local grown produce with its state-of-the-art hydroponic greenhouse:

  • “Our greenhouse is semi-automatic with area around 500 m2 which can accommodate 7580 plants. We grow plants with hydroponic technique (NFT system) under controlled environment. We maintain air temperature below 30 degree Celsius using misting system, shade net and nutrient water temperature 24 degree Celsius using chiller. It’s a cyclic process, we do seed sowing and transplanting twice a week and harvesting every day. In our hydroponic system we use Albert solution (Nutrient A+B)  for proving nutrient to plants. Nutrient range is maintained 1.5 EC and pH -6. We do organic cultivation in our greenhouse, for controlling insects if any we use yellow/ blue sticky traps. We have rainwater harvesting system as well which accommodate 30k liters of water. Our production capacity is: 30kg/day.”

Le Meridien grows…

  • Lettuce
    • Green Coral
    • Crystal lettuce
    • Red Oak
    • Mizuna
    • Lollo Rosso
    • Romaine (Baby Gem)
  • Herbs
    • Spearmint
    • Peppermint
    • Thai Basil
    • Italian Basil
    • Rosemary
    • Thyme
    • Parsley

  • Vegetables
    • Bokchoy
    • Asian Spinach
    • Water Spinach 

Le Meridien - hydroponic garden 2

Best of the Maldives: Lip Enhancement – Soneva Fushi

Soneva Fushi - lip enhanceent

For that jellyfish-stung, fish-like pucke for your Instagram kissesr, Soneva Fushi’s spa offers lip enhancement treatment:

  • “To deliver plump yet natural looking lips, nanoneedling with PRP is used to provide a gentle exfoliation to the lip area while reducing lines and Fordyce spots. The injections also work to stimulate collagen within your lips and leave you with a youthful, plump effect.”

Best of the Maldives: Petting Zoo – Oaga

Oaga - petting zoo 1

The Maldives is famous for its underwater menagerie of marine critters, but no resort has as many land critters as Oaga. A range of cute and curious animals can be found across the Maldives islands from local flying foxes and push-up-manic litt’l lizards. Some properties have some domesticate imports like cats and bunnies. But Oaga has an entire petting zoo which includes:

  • Bunnies
  • Goats
  • Chickens
  • Ducks
  • Macaws
  • Parakeets

One of the lattermost, named “Kiwi” is especially social with the guests flitting about from villa to villa to see if anyone happens to be munching on minibar nuts (which by coincidence we had, so she became Lori’s best friend enjoyed a prolonged and intimate visit for an extended period).

Oaga - petting zoo 2

Oaga - petting zoo 3

Oaga - kiwi 3

Oaga - kiwi 2

Oaga - kiwi 1

Best of the Maldives: Gourmet Maldivian – The Standard

The Standard - maldivian food 6

Many resorts feature Maldivian curries, fish dishes and of course the classic breakfast dish, mas huni. But The Standard’s Gudaguda restaurant takes Maldivian ingredients and recipes to a truly distinctive gourmet level. We enjoyed a meal including (pictured)

  • Rihaakuru Gulha (dried tuna balls – above)
  • Boraboa Riha – pumpkin curry
  • Ravaa Foni – semolina pudding, coconut sugar, pandan, pine nuts
  • Dhivehi Farumas Garudhiya – reef fish broth, moringa bread

The Standard - maldivian food 5

The Standard - maldivian food 4

The Standard - maldivian food 3

The Standard - maldivian food 2

The Standard - maldivian food 1

Best of the Maldives: Gut Reset – Joali Being

Joali Being - gut reset

With the holidays behind us, many of us are plotting our January resolutions or at least recovery from the excesses of the festivities. Joali Being offers and complete “Gut Reset” which is a 5, 7 or 10 night programme with comprehensive catalogue of consultations, meals and treatments – Massage, Detox, Microbiome Therapy | Gut Reset, Wellbeing | JOALI Being:

  • Especially designed to address the root cause of digestive disorders, this Wellbeing Programme promotes cellular detoxication and restores the natural balance of your microbiome through a synergistic blend of gentle detoxifying treatments.”

My gut feel is that this will make your gut feel great.

Best of the Maldives: Candy Spa – Centara Mirage Lagoon

Centara Mirage Lagoon - candy spa

Tonight children around the world will have visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads, but the at Centara Mirage Lagoon, they can have these all year round at its “Candy Spa”…

  • “The Centara Mirage Lagoon Resort, located in the North Male Atoll, provides a range of sweet-themed services, including manicures and spa parties. Children can create body scrubs from bubble gum sherbet and toffee apple flavours, or enjoy massages infused with strawberries and cream.”

Best of the Maldives: Glass Floor Treatment Room – Joali Being

Joali Being - glass floor treatment room

Some of the classiest treatment rooms in the Maldives are situated overwater and feature a glass portal under the treatment table so you can be lulled into more a relaxed state looking at the tranquil waters sloshing about below with its colourful tropical fish cruising by. Joali Being has given its entire treatment a glass floor so you are immersed in the aquatic tranquillity the moment you enter.