Best of the Maldives: Welcome Wreath – Jumeirah Vittaveli / Dhevanafushi

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Jumeirah Vittaveli palm leaf pendant

Origami Day today. If you are impressed with what the Japanese can do by folding paper, then you should see what the Maldivians do folding palm leaves.

One of the iconic welcome gifts in the travel world is the Hawaiian aloha lei. More than just a greeting, it is an immediate generous gift of hospitality. In keeping with its ‘everything Maldivian’, guests arriving at Jumeriah – both its Vittaveli and Dhevanafushi properties are greeted with an artistic folded palm leaf pendant (hung on a palm leaf chord).

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8 Out-Standing Maldives Water Villas

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Gili Lankanfushi water villas

The Maldives are renowned for diminutive islands (a plot of sand and a palm tree). But at some resorts, the “island” has diminished to nothing at all. Don’t worry…it’s not the often reported “sinking of the Maldives”. It’s just resorts bringing their guests closer to the alluring seascape and more remote from the rest of the world.

Gili Lankanfushi (above) was the one who started it all with their lagoon villas (and dedicated boats to ferry guests to and from their villas). And it still commands the destination topping, paragon of the concept, their Private Reserve.

Jumeirah then took the concept to a whole new level by making a stand-alone neighbourhood of water villas.

Now a small collection of room types not so much “marooned” as “maritime”. I excluded the “yachts” even the semi-permanent moored one (eg. The Rania Experience, Huvafenfushi’s Dhoni Suites) because it’s not quite the same even though they too are places to stay out in the middle of the water.

Thanks – again – Paola (who prompted the list and initiated the research).

  

1. Gili Lankanfushi – Crusoe Residence [above]

2. Velaa – Romantic Pool Residence

Velaa - Romantic Pool Residence

3. Jumeirah Dhevanafushi – Ocean Pearls

Jumeirah Dhevanafushi - Ocean Pearls

4. Jumeirah Vittaveli – Ocean Suite with Pool

Jumeirah Vittaveli - Ocean Suite with Pool

5. Medhufushi – Lagoon Suite

Medhufushi - Lagoon Suite

6. Angsana Velavaru – In Ocean Pool Villa

Angsana Velavaru - In Ocean Pool Villa

7. Meeru – Honeymoon Suites

Meeru - Honeymoon Suites

8. Waldorf Ithaafushi – Stella Maris Ocean Villa with Pool

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Best of the Maldives: Ceiling Fan – Jumeirah Vittaveli

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Jumeirah Vittaveli ceiling fan

We are big fan fans. Especially big ceiling fans. No distinguished Southern room in the USA would be without them turning languidly to stir the thick summer air. Every bedroom in our house has these not-so-turbo-props. For our UK house, I shopped and shopped, but didn’t find much exceptional in the designs though. And most Maldives resorts, even, have fairly pedestrian models. I would have loved to have this model from Jumeirah Vittaveli in my house. The elegantly carved wooden versions here bring as much cool style as cool breezes to the villa.

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Best of the Maldives: Tandem Bicycle – Jumeirah Vittaveli

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Jumeirah Vittaveli tendem bicycle

Give me your answer true
Will you let me peddle along with you
When you and I go cruisin’
You’ll thank me for choosin’
You to come and have some fun
On a bicycle built for two

I’m half crazy for the love of the Maldives and the distinctive touches each resort brings to enhance this paradise. A number of resorts offer bicycles as a leisurely way to explore the island. And given the Maldives romantic ambience it’s a bit surprising that no resort has offered this earlier – a tandem bicycle. Jumeirah Vittaveli introduced their doublemint fun just recently describing…

“A tandem bicycle – made for two – will allow newlyweds to explore the winding lanes of the island, which mirror the aesthetic of a traditional Maldivian village.”

Buddy biking!

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Best of the Maldives: Open Shelter – Jumeirah Vittaveli

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Jumeirah Vittaveli Samsara restaurant

 

I would eat al fresco every meal if I could. The temperate weather and the enchanting surroundings of the Maldives provide ample opportunities, but all too often one is sequestered away in a main dining area. One of the reasons for this is the need for reliable protection from the elements. Both the beating sun and the occasional shower can detract from an open air meal.

Jumeirah Vittaveli has finessed this issue with its striking north side Samsara restaurant. A soaring shard of a roof provides ample shelter while keeping the sides completely exposed to gentle breezes and a 270 degree view of the ocean.

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Best of the Maldives: Boardwalk – Jumeirah Vittaveli

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Jumeirah Vittaveli boardwalk

 

One of my favourite parts of the Maldives are the jetties. They are like boulevard balconies to the spectacle of Maldivian marine life cavorting below often attracted to the pseudo-reef structure of the jetty itself. Resorts will often equip them with lighting which provides further attraction to the nocturnal creatures after dark.

Mostly these jetties take you to the arrivals welcome or the water villas, but Jumeirah Vittaveli has one which simply encircles part of the island. It really is more of a boardwalk than a jetty. And boardwalks are classic ocean-side features. Another benefit they bring is that people can walk along the water’s edge without the challenge of the sand if they are so disinclined (eg. less mobile folks, people dressed up for dinner).

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Best of the Maldives: Low Miles Menu – Jumeirah

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Maldives fishermen

“Fishermans Day” in the Maldives today celebrates the true main industry and for centuries the mainstay of the Maldives’ existence

And Jumeirah – both Vittaveli and Dhevanafushi properties celebrate and support local Maldives fishermen with their own “Low Miles Menu”…

“Azara and Samsara, restaurants at Jumeirah Dhevanafushi and Jumeirah Vittaveli in the Maldives, have unveiled a new ‘Low Miles’ menu as part of an on-going commitment to reduce the hotels’ carbon-footprints. The new ‘Low Miles’ menu makes the most of local, fresh ingredients to preserve the idyllic surroundings as well as offer a delicious taste of traditional Maldivian cuisine. By utilising ingredients sourced nearby, the chefs are able to ensure minimal air and sea miles are required to bring the food to the resort, minimising the harmful greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere. The localised set menu offers a truly sustainable, and delicious, culinary experience, with dishes such as Reef Fish Pappillote with Vegetables, Coconut and Chili or Mild Yellow Fish Curry with Chapatti, Mango Chutney and Local Herb Salad. And, for dessert, guests can indulge in a Maldivian Fruit Cocktail served with Biscuit and a Local Custard Cream or Fried Local Banana Fritters served with Island made Coconut Ice Cream. Guests at Jumeirah Vittaveli can also enjoy the menu as destination dining, choosing a private stretch of white sandy beach for a romantic meal or a celebration among friends”

Most resorts make a point of sourcing what they can locally, especially the abundant fresh reef fish, but Jumeirah has made it a design point for two of its restaurants that dovetails nicely with its general native Maldives inspired architecture and decoration throughout the resort. While the Maldives’ remoteness does mean that some (especially luxury) items do need to be brought in from far away, their reef fish is probably the lowest mile food item of any resort in the world often sourced from just feet from the dining room.

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Best of the Maldives: Martinis – Jumeirah Vittaveli

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Jumeirah Vittaveli martini

 

 

“The only American invention as perfect as the sonnet" – H. L. Mencken

"The elixir of quietude.” – E.B. White

While gin is the most traditional foundation to a martini cocktail (some purists would say that properly chilled gin is all you need…maybe wave an open bottle of vermouth over the top of it), the vodka variant is growing in popularity. In fact, 23 of the Maldives leading 25 martinis on offer at Jumeirah Vittaveli are vodka based. A perfect place to celebrate National Vodka Day today for that perfect “quietude” experience. Not only a vast number, but sterling quality that we can attest to after our meticulous investigation during our visit this summer…

  1. Melon Tini Ginger Tini
  2. Green Apple Tini
  3. Basil Tini
  4. Peach Tini
  5. Coconut Tini
  6. Orange Tini
  7. Lemon Tini
  8. Pomegranate Tini
  9. Chocolate Tini
  10. Caramel Tini
  11. Dukes Cosmo Tini
  12. Rosemary Tini
  13. Coffee Tini
  14. Sparkling Berry Tini
  15. Almond Tini
  16. Passion Tini
  17. Citrus Mist Tini
  18. Pineapple Tini
  19. Metropolitan Tini
  20. Tropical Tini
  21. Mint Tini
  22. Spicy Vodka Tini
  23. Strawberry Tini
  24. Jasmine Sour Tini
  25. Blueberry Basil Tini

And they all come shaken or stirred.

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