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Best of the Maldives: Water Camo – Amilla Fushi

October 18, 2016 10:31 am \ 1 Comment \ by bruce

Now you see it. The camouflage of the animal kingdom always fascinates. We came upon the king of camo a chameleon on our South Africa safari. We would never have seen it had the guide not pointed it out. In fact, even when the guide did point it out, we struggled to see it at first. And the Maldivian masters of masquerade are of course the octopi. Lori and I spent a delightful snorkel watching an octopus move around the coral croppings constantly changing his color scheme and his very skin texture to match the new coral he was next too.

The octopi of the resort world is Amilla Fushi’s water villas…

“Anyway, it has its own magic: it is a mirror that reflects the surrounding colors!! Can you see the magic? — at Amilla Fushi.”

More literally hidden wonders of the Maldives. Thank again to Paola – she knows all the Maldives secrets!

Posted in: Best of the Maldives \ Tagged: Amilla Fushi, water villa

Best of the Maldives: Over Water Bathrooms – Kandolhu

July 26, 2016 10:37 pm \ 1 Comment \ by bruce

Kandolhu puts the water in the “water closet”.

During the past couple of decades that we have been visiting the Maldives, the tubs have gotten larger and the showers more decadent. The bathrooms have emerged from being tucked away to standing out with al fresco opulence. These days villa bathrooms have become almost mini private spas with their lavish design, bountiful space, and luxury fittings. Kandolhu resort exemplifies this trend with their over water villas whose bathrooms exemplify the flair of the resort’s contemporary design with its soaring airy motif, clean lines and crisp styling.

Posted in: Best of the Maldives \ Tagged: bathroom, decor, Kandolhu, water villa

Best of the Maldives: Value Glass Floor – Embudu

July 16, 2016 9:09 am \ 2 Comments \ by bruce

The heart of any Maldives trip is the unworldly seascape and resorts do everything to bring with water wonderland front and centre – snorkelling, glass bottom boats, decks overlooking. One of the hot features at the glitziest water villas is the glass floor. A portal to this maritime magic even when you are sequestered inside. But you don’t have to be a millionaire to enjoy this fancy foot-level fenestella. The value priced Embudu resort sports lovely versions in their Water Bunglows. And there is plenty to see. We watched a couple of puppy reef sharks and a baby stingray during our short stay. The most affordable glass floor water villa in the Maldives.

Posted in: Best of the Maldives \ Tagged: Embudhoo, glass floor, water villa

Best of the Maldives: Eco-Doors – One & Only Reethi Rah

November 3, 2015 3:10 am \ 1 Comment \ by bruce

Some resort gizmos don’t just help you control your villa, but they actually control it for your automatically. One of our favourite eco-innovations is featured by One & Only Reethi Rah’s climate control. When either front door or deck door is open, the AC automatically cuts off. That way you can invite the outdoors into your villa where you are relaxing or getting ready without having to remember to turn the air conditioning off.

Posted in: Best of the Maldives \ Tagged: best of, Reethi Rah, technology, water villa

8 Out-Standing Maldives Water Villas

October 26, 2015 6:06 pm \ Leave a Comment \ by bruce

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

3. Jumeirah Dhevanafushi – Ocean Pearls

4. Jumeirah Vittaveli – Ocean Suite with Pool

5. Medhufushi – Lagoon Suite

6. Angsana Velavaru – In Ocean Pool Villa

7. Meeru – Honeymoon Suites

8. Waldorf Ithaafushi – Stella Maris Ocean Villa with Pool

8. Soneva Secret – Castaway Villa

Posted in: Lists \ Tagged: Angsana Velavaru, Gili Lankanfushi, Jumeirah Dhevanafushi, Jumeirah Vittaveli, lists, Medhufushi, Meeru, resort lists, Velaa, water villa

Best of the Maldives: Sunset Villas – Atmosphere Kanifushi

October 25, 2015 9:37 pm \ 2 Comments \ by bruce

One resort who appreciates “Sunset Villas” is Atmosphere Kanifushi. There is no choosing between sunrise and sunset at this resort…because ALL the villas have been built westward facing. All four of their room types are designated “Sunset”.

In all fairness, the standard “Beach Villas”, the left most villas numbered “12” on the resort map below, are really “north” facing. In fact, all of the villas are really NNW facing if you want to be precise. North by Northwest should give you a fine view of the sunset on the western horizon in most cases. But one visitor did report to me that at certain times of the year, the sunset was really hard to see (and that would certainly be the case for the westernmost “Beach Villas”. So if you are draw to this sunset orientation of Kanifushi, you might want to veer toward the villas on the eastern most end of the island.

Westward ho!

Posted in: Best of the Maldives \ Tagged: Atmosphere Kanifushi, best of, water villa

Best of the Maldives: Pool / Jacuzzi Combo – Ayada

July 2, 2015 1:09 pm \ Leave a Comment \ by bruce

Jacuzzi or pool? The soothing bubbles in the intimate confines of a Jacuzzi? Or the placid, tepid pool where you can stretch your legs a bit? The top villas offer one or the other option for your own personal plunging. Some more extravagant ones provide both though it’s quite rare. But Ayada’s Royal Ocean Suite has an integrated Jacuzzi/pool combo.

Still and sparkling in one.

Posted in: Best of the Maldives \ Tagged: Ayada, best of, pool, water villa

Best of the Maldives: Glass Table – Six Senses Laamu

June 14, 2015 3:57 am \ Leave a Comment \ by bruce

Glass floors have become a signature design feature in Maldives water villas, but Six Senses Laamu has literally raised the concept to a new level. Their Lagoon Water Villa has transparent portal into the colourful lagoon below, but by making it a table, it’s easier to sit down and enjoy the spectacle with a tropical cocktail.

Today’s post has triggered the addition of a new category tag of the best “Tables” in the blog.

Posted in: Best of the Maldives \ Tagged: best of, dining, glass floor, Six Senses Laamu, table, water villa

10 Water Villa Accessories

December 13, 2014 6:01 pm \ 1 Comment \ by bruce

On the heels of the Maldives Complete index, I think it’s time for another Buzzfeed-inspired listicle. A Christmas list for every self-respecting Maldive water villa. Not surprisingly, the “Water Villa only” pioneer Gili Lankanfushi dominates the list with 3 mentions.

Pimp my water villa!

1. SLIDE – Gili Lankanfushi: Yes pleeeeeease!

2. HAMMOCK – One and Only Reethi Rah: The most expansive of the over water “floating” nets.

3. INDOOR/OUTDOOR POOL – Huvafenfushi: Great for the inner cat person (“I want to be outside, no inside, no outside…”)

4. DINING GAZEBO – Velaa: Your own over water dining room.

5. JETTY – Angsana Velavaru: Strolling along the jetties provide a front row “dry” seat to the maritime spectacles of the Maldives and Velavaru gives you your very own private one.

6. PRIVATE BEACH – Velaa: Surf and turf Maldives villa style.

7. PRIVATE OCEAN – Gili Lankanfushi: Private back areas in beach villas give you privacy, but in a water villa any passing boat can see you on your deck or swimming off it. But Gili offers your own private enclosed swimming area (mind you, it does become a bit less private at low tide when the water level drops).

8. GLASS FLOOR – Jumeirah Vittaveli: When being 10 feet from the water view trigger withdrawal pangs.

9. BOAT – Gili Lankanfushi: Your own private transport to your own villa island.

10. GLASS DINING TABLE – Six Senses Laamu: Best placemat ever.

Posted in: Lists \ Tagged: Gili Lankanfushi, lists, resort lists, water villa

Best of the Maldives: Water Villa Foliage – Park Hyatt Hadahaa

November 24, 2014 12:22 pm \ 2 Comments \ by bruce

The charm of the water villa is to nearly literally immerse you into the signature Maldivian seascape. But you do sacrifice a bit of that complimentary tropical isle landscape of lush foliage. Park Hyatt Hadahaa’s water villas, however, bring a touch of that island paradise onto your own private nook with a mini-garden of dense greenery on the deck. The sizeable planter provides a very softening and natural touch to the otherwise hard edges and surfaces of characteristics of water villas. Reclining on the adjacent settee, I felt that I was on my own personal deserted island.

Frondescential!

Posted in: Best of the Maldives \ Tagged: best of, Park Hyatt Hadahaa, plants, water villa

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