Welcome to the neighbourhood to Velaa resort which opened this week. The latest of the super-premium gold-plated rush. In line with its elite spec, it includes another addition to the under-represented pastime of golf in the country with its own golf academy…
“Golf enthusiasts can enjoy the only ‘Short Game Golf Academy’ in the Maldives, 170m of greens and a swing studio carefully crafted by Masters Champion Jose Maria Olazabal”
If One and Only brings the bedroom into the pool, Cheval Blanc Randheli brings the pool into the bedroom. It has made an entire wall of its villa openable for an expansive vista from within. I love this design element which was have been thinking of adding to our own house (replacing the back floor-to-ceiling windows of the dining room with French doors that open up to our back yard). The approach melds the best of both the gorgeous outdoors with some of the comforts of inside.
The architecture of the villas also features record-breaking entry doors themselves. The previous tops was The Haven’s 4 meter high doors, but Randheli features“An architecture sequence of 7-meter high doors in each villa [which] creates a spectacular space.”
No worries about bumping my head on the frame there then.
I have wondered who might have a water bed, but One and Only Reeth Rah’s pool bed is not what I meant. Still, a bit more elegant than a seventies-style pleasure pit and probably just as seductive.
After all that horizontal tandem activity, Constance Halaveli brings a new vertical dimension to some tandem rest. Our kids always enjoyed a bit of “sleep over” ambience on our holidays where they invariably stayed in the same room and chatted surreptitiously in the dark while Mom and Dad got in a few more chapters on the deck. Despite their camaraderie, except at the very youngest age, they started to want their own beds, but often twins were hard to come by at resorts. Sometimes one could improvise sleeping on a couch or day bed. But Halaveli’s bunks are a great solution that my children would have adored (though definitely would have prompted many fight over who gets the top bunk).
For ocean proximity of a more active sort, Baros offers a pedalling tandem ocean kayak (1 hour session for $40)…
Olhuveli and Fun Island might be the closest geographic neighbours, but Angsana Ihuru and Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru are the closest operationally (not attached).
“You have Angsana which is literally a 2 minute hop by hourly water ‘taxi’, so you have the benefit of two islands in one resort (you can also charge any costs on Angsana to BT, and visa versa.” (thanks John)
You might not be able to go pick watermelons, but you can enjoy any of the other amenities (perhaps a watermelon martini).
“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.
If you prefer amore adventurous route to your towering view, then you need to check out One and Only Reethi Rah’s climbing wall.
“Extreme Engineering, the largest supplier of zip lines, climbing walls, Extreme Airs™ and adventure products in the world, has installed the 1st climbing wall in the Maldives at One&Only Reethi Rah!..The new climbing wall is a key feature at the resort, providing guests with high-action entertainment. The resort is equipped with the Monolith Stationary 5-Climber, a 26 feet tall (7.9 meters) climbing surface. The Monolith Stationary 5-Climber has 5 distinct climbing routes, one with over a 2 foot overhang! Each route will provide a unique, challenging climbing experience. The climbing hold placements can be reconfigured to provide endless combinations on the climbing wall. The route possibilities are very diverse! The very same wall has been used by ESPN for the X-Games’ climbing competition. This model has also been used by the USA Climbing team. The climbing wall comes fully equipped with the patented, Auto-belay systems (the safest patented automatic belay devices on the market). The Auto-belay is a mechanical device (no power required) that keeps climbers safe and secure at all times. The Auto-belay removes the need of a belayer at the bottom of the wall during use. Just click into the carabiner with your climbing harness and you can head straight to the top! The fully redundant system is the safest on the market and the primary choice for climbing wall use. The Extreme Engineering climbing wall is accessible to anyone above 6 years old (minimum weight 45lbs. / 20.5kg and maximum 250lbs. / 113kg).”
The pinnacle of paradise.
For a country whose highest natural elevation is no higher than your average stoop, the few places where you can get some height is a real rarity. The seascape is so uniquely exquisite, but the sea-level topology precludes much of an expansive vista overlooking it. This is why the sea plane transfers are such a special treat providing that breathtaking perspective that eludes the beachside gaze. I’m a big fan of Kandooma’s tower and whenever I am in Male I always stop by Traders’ roof top Azure lounge.
While not open for another couple of weeks, Velaa has started to post pictures of its ravishing new resort online including a number of shots of the surreal Tavaru Tower…
“Tavaru houses a Teppanyaki restaurant and makes up the centerpiece of the island: a visually striking ivory-white tower where live cooking and Velaa’s extensive wine cellar take center stage.”
High standards.
