Best of the Maldives: Reception Large Chair – SAii Lagoon

SAii Lagoon - large chair

While you’ve got a whole holiday of stretching out and lounging, too often reception area have pretty basic seating, I guess, to prepare you for the shock of sitting in a confined seat for hours on the plane. But SAii Lagoon has the biggest reception chairs we’ve ever gotten swallowed up in (photo above). It reminded me of the feature item in Copenhagen’s renowned Design Museum which itself jumbo sized (photo below with Lori as well). Great for bringing out the kid in you (or at least looking like it on Instagram…and it makes those holiday extra pounds look less prominent).

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Best of the Maldives: Art of Seating – Joali

Joali - art seating

  • I wanted to help draw guests into an immersive experience in which they can relax and feel the waves and textures of the island.” – Dough Johston – Coiled

Joali immersive art motif is not merely about immersing yourself amongst an expansive collection of art, but also becoming part of the art itself. Not just the piece of artwork, but the surroundings of paradise that frame it, imbue it and inspire it.

One of my favourite parts of an art museum is the seating. After a few hours of standing and soaking in the works of creativity, weary legs can do battle with energized eyes. I especially appreciate seats situated directly opposite particularly engaging works so I can stop and take the piece in a literally relaxed manner. Joali doesn’t just have seating to enjoy its works…the seating are the works. The best collection of artistic seating I’ve seen since the Copenhagen Design Museum. With the added distinction that you can actually sit in them (and are encouraged to do so as a part of the immersive process.

  • These works at JOALI are vessels that carry my past. They now breath the air of the MALDIVES and their surfaces will absorb the heat of this wonderful island. They will now listen to stories and befriend guests as they live and age.” – Reinaldo Senguino – Ceramic Mini Stools [BELOW]
  • Combining traditional technique with playful fabrication, my work embraces – and at the same time protests – functionalism…” – Chris Wolston – Terra Cotta Furniture [BOTTOM]

Joali - ceremic seat

 

Joali - seating art 1

Best of the Maldives: In Pool Loungers – Shangri-La Villingili

Shangri-La Villingili - in pool loungers

A break from the Olympics today. And I mean a real break…sort of the opposite of the Olympics. National Lazy Day today. Like the Tweet below (which does take laziness to gold medal standard).

A great training camp for laziness is Shangri-La Villingili with their villa in-pool loungers. Like the Maldives islands themselves, the loungers are situated at that perfect elevation just above the level of the water. Just low enough to be cooled by the pool water perhaps dangling one feet in, but high enough so that you don’t have to be submerged.

Take your laziness to the next level.

Nationla Lazy Day Olympic tweet

Best of the Maldives: Rocking Chairs – Anantara Kihavah

Anantara Kihavah Villas - rocking chair

Lapping waves, swaying palm trees, ocean breezes. There is something soothingly relaxing about gentle movement. Which is why rocking chairs sort of epitomise lazy summer days. Our family’s most prevalent activity at our beach house is sitting on the back deck in rocking chairs looking over the intercoastal waterway (North Carolina). Increasingly, you will see rockers that are just as popular as the coin-op massage chairs in airport terminal for de-stressing during your travels.

Anantara Kihavah embraces the rocking vibe with a number of especially comfortable models set out at its Sea, Salt, Sky over-water restaurant collection. The chairs have nice deep seat, especially plush cushions and 2 pillows so you can rest your head against the tall back of the chair.

Pass the iced tea!

Best of the Maldives: Support Bean Bags – Coco Palm Bodu Hithi

Coco Bodu Hithi - support bean bags

Bean bag chairs or other various styles of comfy poofs are now quite popular lounge-ware at the resorts. I too love plopping down into them. But, frankly, most of my Maldives chilling involves reading. And on these giant bean bags, I just can’t get the head support to comfortably read. I either have to hold my head up and relax my hands, or relax my head and hold my head up. But Coco Bodu Hithi solves the problem with their special support poofs. Heads up thinking.

Best of the Maldives: Maldivian Kids Swing – Dusit Thani

Dusit Thani - Maldivian kids swing

Here’s a little bit of Maldivian culture for the little ones. I love checking out the resort kids clubs whether they have all manner of items shrunk down to tyke size. You will find these Maldivian classic seats throughout the Maldives, but Dusit Thani’s “Baan Sanook” kids club was the only place I’ve seen a tiny tyke version adapted for the little ones.

 

Best of the Maldives: Boat Swing – Centara Ras Fushi

Centara Ras Fushi - boat swing

 

 

Another land-lubbing dhoni is featured at Centara Ras Fushi for those looking for the gentle tropical breezes to rock their boat.

I couldn’t resist a long overdue post for Bad Pun Monday – A final chant to England’s knocked out rugby team…”Swing boat, sweet chair, (it’s hot!) Smile