A trip to the Maldives can literally seem like a visit to a deserted tropical island, but the archipelago is rich with history and culture. Many times this local backdrop is quite removed from the contrived resort experience. Many guests are interested in it and get a taste with local island excurisions. But Oaga has infused every single one of its rooms with their own stories taken from Maldivian lore (which you can read here). And the XXX villas have their stories written in the pool which connects them all (as a good story should).
Best of the Maldives: Cocoon Body Steam – Soneva Fushi
The costume awards for “Innovation” and “Wellness” goes to Soneva Fushi’s Cocoon Body Steam:
- ·This innovative treatment balances 02 and C02 and was developed by Anders Olsson, the founder of Conscious Breathing. It improves vagal tone, increases oxygenation of all tissues, and is applicable for chronic pain recovery, energy and treating inflammation.”
Best of the Maldives: Round – Ritz Carlton Maldives
- “Get around, round, round, I get around.” – Beach Boys
Design 101 is it identify a key motif and stick with it, and no “design resorts” (which are abounding in the Maldives) has mastered this concept more completely than the Ritz Carlton Maldives. And that motif is round. The entire property is replete with circular structures from the spa, kids club (complete with spiral climbing frame and Hobbit-like round door), the villas, ocean pool, loungers, pool restaurant. Even a sculpture on the island for sitting and reposing (see directly below).
One could say that the Ritz is indeed the best ALL ROUND resort in the Maldives.
Best of the Maldives: Bathroom Graffiti – Oaga
Normally, graffiti on the bathroom walls is considered a bit of a downmarket flag, but Oaga has made such street style into a distinctive feature of its Bodu Haruge Beach Villa with Private Pool villa:
- “Graffiti Gifili: The bathroom, inspired by Maldivian ‘Gifili’, features bare walls, banana leaves complete the tropical feeling enjoyed by our ancestors, with the graffiti wall providing a contemporary twist. Multi-disciplinary street artist Ahmed Sobah (aka Toxicrew) took inspiration from local animals such as the cat and rooster, transforming each of the walls to one-of-a-kind pieces of street-style art.”
Best of the Maldives: Bathroom Sparkle – The Standard
For a bathroom that sparkles, not even the most powerful cleaner will get you as dazzling as the The Standard. Their villa water closets feature their own glitterball which radiates as many shimmers of light at the Maldives nighttime sky or the sun-splattered Maldives sea.
Best of the Maldives: Stem Cell Treatment – Soneva Fushi
Stem cells are truly amazing components of the human body. They are undifferentiated cells that can turn into wide range of cell types (or they can just replicate indefinitely to produce more of the same stem cell). As a result of these distinctive characteristics, they are seen as the original human cell from which the human organised has evolved. A friend of mine recently had a life saving stem cell transplant where his faulty immune system was destroyed by the doctors and then they introduced the right stem cells to grow him whole new, healthy immune system (forgive the over-simplification).
Soneva Fushi has brought the scientific magic of stem cells to the Maldives offers the first ever stem cell treatments for a range of skin care procedures – Soneva Soul – First And Only Stem Cell Centre In Maldives (maldives-times.com):
- “By importing stem cells with prescription, Soneva Soul has eminent its collection of bespoke health and wellness services. Operating with the essential approvals from the Maldives Food and Drug Authority and maintenance world-class standards, the resort is now competent to provide targeted treatment and protocols by the power and probable of stem cells. The stem cells used in their treatment are complete by Sweden-based Cellcolabs, a biotech company that’s devoted to growing global access to stem cell treatments. Built on two decades of study at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, they specialize in the high-class manufacture of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).”
The treatments are from Sweden-based Cellcolabs, a biotech company that’s devoted to growing global access to stem cell treatments. Built on two decades of study at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, they specialize in the high-class manufacture of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The procedures include:
- Ntra-Articular Orthopedic Injetions to assist damaged tissue repair
- Topical injections with Micro-Needling to promote skin renewal
- IV system Stem Cell to reduce swelling and aid tissue recovery
- Intradermal Injections for a range of cosmetic treatments
Best of the Maldives: Beach Pond – The Standard
The Maldives are famed for their tranquil and shallow lagoons, but The Standard features the calmest, shallowest micro-lagoon in the Maldives. A little tidal pond formed on the main beach. We used to play in these with delight when we were youngsters. If your lucky a few tiny fish will have been trapped in a little temporary beach aquarium.
Best of the Maldives: Colourful Plunge Pool – Oaga
We are noting a increasing number of plunge pools in villas. Having your own private pool is becoming the norm for the 5-star luxury properties. The plunge pools are actually superb for the younger children (safe and perfectly adequate) and frankly for most adults (who often just want a literal “plunge” to cool off from the heat especially if they have been lying in the sun. Oaga’s plunge pools, like al the rest of the property, present an yet another canvas for artistic creativity.
Best of the Maldives: Duo Submersible – The Patina
The Maldives’ underwater spectacle was its first (drawing divers from around the world) attraction and, even with all of the on-land development of spectacular properties, remains one of its top attractions today. But if you don’t want to get wet snorkeling or invest in the training for scuba, the growing fleet of submersibles around the resorts give you a cozy front row seat to all the underwater wonders. The latest launch is The Patina’s two-seater, bubble canopy SEAmagine. The two seater also allows for the pilot to hand the controls over to the guest for the Maldives’ first ever submarine pilot training:
- “The resort partnered with Dive Butler to establish the Maldives’ first submarine pilot training facility. Ocean Pearl has been engineered by the world-renowned SEAmagine Hydrospace Corporation, established in 1995 and recognised for its leadership in the recreational submarine industry. Today, SEAmagine submersibles have accumulated over 12,000 dives – surpassing the total number of dives accumulated by all its competitors combined – and are extensively used by various leisure, commercial, defence and scientific organisations worldwide. Ocean Pearl will be operated with Dive Butler, whose submarine pilots have completed SEAmagine’s rigorous training programme, initially developed in collaboration with the US Coast Guard and since established as the industry standard. Every expedition is led by an onboard pilot and a surface co-pilot, ensuring guests’ safety and access to the profound knowledge of marine life, complementing the sheer wonder of the experience with an educational dimension.”
Best of the Maldives: OBLU Helengeli – Female Diving
Not only has the Maldives grown as a destination over the years, but the role of women at the destination continues to grow as well. OBLU Helengeli set a milestone in one of the areas most synonymous with the Maldives – diving –
- “OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO, a resort managed by Atmosphere Core, and its dive partner, TGI Maldives, have been recognized for their exceptional dedication to female divers. The prestigious PADI® ‘Outstanding Contribution to Female Diving’ award marks a global milestone, being the first of its kind ever presented.”