Best of the Maldives: Outdoor Teppanyaki – One & Only Reethi Rah

One and Only Reethi Rah Tapasake

Not every al fresco meal has to be toes-in-sand table to provide a charming moon lit meal. One and Only Reethi Rah’s Tapasake restaurant is one of the best outdoor restaurants we have seen. Most resorts have an outdoor ‘feel’ being situated in areas open on all four sides, but full out-in-the-open rather than just open-air is much rarer (for the sensible reason that you do get no protection from the occasional precipitation and strong breeze limiting it usage during those times).

“Out on Tapasake’s open deck are the new Teppanyaki stations – perched above the waters edge where delectable smells of sizzling fresh fish and seafood drift through the Maldivian air. Cocktails are served at a semi-circular bar, which overlooks a vast expanse of the Indian Ocean and offers one of the best sunset views on the island.”

Best of the Maldives: First Growth Wine – One & Only Reethi Rah

One and Only Reethi Rah first growth wines

 

Wines have their own 5-star system to help buyers distinguish between the subtle quality differences. Although in the wine world the “5 star” system is the 5 “Crus” and the grading is flipped (“1” is best and “5” least distinguished). Actually, the full “Cinquieme Cru” is only for Medoc red wines, but other French wines have comparable classifications. The grading follows the property (not unlike resort ratings) and denotes the quality of the vineyard and a wine making operation.

At the top of the class (or “classee” so to speak) are the “1er Cru Classé” (sort of translated as “first class growth”). And at the top of the class in the Maldives for 1er Cru Classé selection is One & Only Reethi Rah. First growth wines on the Island include such legendary bottles as…

  • 2001 Château Latour, 1er Cru Classé
  • 1999 Château Latour, 1er Cru Classé
  • 1985 Château Lafite Rothschild, 1er Cru Classé
  • 1999 Château Lafite Rothschild, 1er Cru Classé
  • 2009 Château Mouton Rothschild, 1er Cru Classé
  • 2004 Château Mouton Rothschild, 1er Cru Classé
  • 1993 Château Mouton Rothschild, 1er Cru Classé
  • 1989 Château Margaux, 1er Cru Classé
  • 2003 Château Margaux, 1er Cru Classé
  • 2009 Château Haut Brion, 1er Cru Classé
  • 2006 Château Haut Brion, 1er Cru Classé
  • 2001Château Haut Brion, 1er Cru Classé
  • 1995 Château Haut Brion, 1er Cru Classé

They even have a very rare vintage of Château d’Yquem – 1904 1er Cru Classé Superieur.

Here at Maldives Complete, the “1er Cru” of all things Maldivian is of course “Best of the Maldives”. And so many vinous distrinctions have come to my attention recently that I have added the new “wine” tag to the categories.

Best of the Maldives: Transfer Connections – One & Only Reethi Rah

One and Only Reethi Rah - transfer

Speaking of Internet transfers, one of my most productive surprises travelling around the Maldives was the One & Only Reethi Rah’s in-boat wifi service. Transferring between resorts on tour is one bit of interstitial time that I put to good use preparing notes and posts on the tour. Having access to the web en route was a huge windfall for me to make use of this downtime. It wasn’t that long ago that getting Internet in your room was a big deal. I still struggle to get reliable Internet connections (3g. 3G or Wifi) when I travel in Europe on a train or plane never mind a boat in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

Alternative title – “Best High Speed Connection”.

Best of the Maldives: Wedding Proposal – One & Only Reethi Rah

One and Only Reethi Rah - fire wedding proposal

 

Will you be my Valentine?

Or will be be mine forever? Both are popular questions being asked today. But few with more bright light and fervid heat than Nick Candy’s proposal to firey Strictly contestant and actress Holly Valance.

“The 38-year-old property tycoon got down on one knee on a beach in the Maldives with the words 'Will you marry me' written in fire when he popped the question.”

None of the reports divulged the resort where it took place, but the tell tale give-away was the Reethi Rah pool shown in the picture she tweeted.

Not only is Valentines Day an iconic occasion to start a brothel, but the Maldives is also THE dream location to conclude it with your honeymoon according to the latest Agoda survey.

Happy Valentines to the romantically inspired everywhere.

Best of the Maldives: Concave Shoreline – One & Only Reethi Rah

One and Only Reethi Rah aerial

 

 

One & Only Reethi Rah inverts the one of the most classic landscapes of the Maldives. The archipelago is renowned for its pointilistic array of white sand dots punctuated by green centres strewn across an aquatic tapestry of variegated blues. Those “dots” mean that nearly all the shorelines are convex, ie. outer curves. These shapes protrude the beach comber out toward the ocean with limited shoreline in view as it wraps behind him. But Reethi’s shorelines are terraformed into a collection of cosy coves. These convex harbours provide a completely different ambience which amplifies the sheltered sensation of the shallow lagoons surrounding the island.

Best of the Maldives: Rare Scotch – One & Only Reethi Rah

Macallan 50 year old

 

The ev’ning gilds the ocean’s swell; All creatures joy in the sun’s returning.” – Robert Burns

Break out your neeps and tatties and put e’ haggis on de fire. It’s Burns Night. A chance to celebrate all things Scottish. And for an obligatory oblation as rare and mellifluous as Rabbie’s own verse, One & Only Reethi Rah serves a 50 year old Macallan. Not sure what Reethi charges for a wee dram, but the bottle retails for £30,000.

Then auld Guidman, maist like to rive, Bethankit! hums.”

Best of the Maldives: Watsu Pool – One & Only Reethi Rah

One and Only Reethi Rah watsu pool

Water based healing is the principle behind One & Only Reethi Rah’s Watsu pool. “Watsu” is Japanese for “water”, in this case mineral water from sea warmed to 36 degrees and used for stretching sessions overlooking the ocean.

“(WATer ShiatSU) is a form of aquatic therapy, which combines massage, yoga-like stretches and point work carried out in skin temperature water. The weightless environment of the water allows for graceful, fluid movements which can release muscle tension, improve circulation and increase your range of motion.”

Even without its therapeutic properties, it is a distinctive spa relaxation pool.

Best of the Maldives: Yacht Fleet – One & Only Reethi Rah

Reethi Rah yacht Gulf Craft

The New Year brings a new model year for a range of luxuries and this weekend’s annual London Boat Show kicks off the range of new yachts for the maritime elite. One & Only Reethi Rah is a virtual Maldives Boat Show every day of the year with its extravagant fleet of sleek cruisers (first in list above and rest below in order)…

  • 55 foot Gulf Craft with 3 air conditioned cabins (above)
  • 50 foot Majesty
  • 42 foot Leopard catamaran
  • 52 foot luxury sailing dhoni
  • 131 safari yacht
  • 70 foot Azimut

 

One and only Reethi Rah yacht Majesty

 

One and Only Reethi Rah yacht Leopard catamaran

 

One and Only Reethi Rah yacht luxury sailing dhoni

 

One and Only Reethi Rah yacht safari boat

 

One and Only Reethi Rah yacht Azimut speed boat