On Location: The St. Regis Maldives
Perhaps the nicest resort we've ever set foot upon.
By Gray Shealy
From the Air
The Maldives—words that elicit paradise, if there was one, on Earth. The most differentiating aspect of this 1200+ island nation is the sheer beauty of its countless, circular atolls from the air.
The country is built upon a submarine ridge 600 miles North to South—tops of volcanoes washed away to become coral reefs, all with idyllic lagoons and sand-bank islands. Shades of Indian Ocean azure, jade, and sapphire are a symphony for the soul.The Maldives is one of the world’s most low-lying countries, and is projected to become totally submerged by rising seas in the next few decades. After all, the average elevation of the islands are under 5 feet. What a shame it would be to lose this global treasure. Upon arrival at the Malé, the capital (the airport is on its own island), we took a seaplane 45 minutes South to our resort island. Onboard TransMaldivian Airways, the world’s largest seaplane operator, the window gazing has to be the finest in the entire world.
Dreaming of an Over-Water Villa
It had been on my bucket list to stay in an over-water bungalow, famously imagined in a place like Bora Bora or the Maldives. So, if there ever was a time for such a splurge, this was it! Traditional thatch, it was not. It had the chic lines of tropical modernism making the villa even more captivating by design. Indeed, combined with unparalleled service unlike anywhere I have ever experienced (we had a lovely butler on call 24/7), this is easily the nicest hotel I have ever stayed at (and I’ve stayed at quite a few gems in my time).
The Island Resort: A World of its Own
At 3 degrees above the equator, this private resort island is a collection of perfect, tropical modernist architectural follies nestled behind lush foliage. Surrounded by powder white beaches, echoed by the songs of fruit bats and birds, and punctuated with incredible food and exquisite service, this was a paradise I didn’t want to leave! A historic policy limiting tourist contact with Maldivian locals, and a geography that literally separates resorts from towns, means that experiencing other islands is largely off limits. It’s a good thing our room had everything we wanted anyway: an ample supply of isolation.
Stay: The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, Dhaalu Atoll
44 over-water bungalows and 33 beach villas from 1,948 usd per night (or 152,000 Marriott points per night)
Note: May to November is the low season, coinciding with the monsoons, so it could be rainy if you find a deal during these months.
Photo Credit: Syllogi
Syllogi’s ‘On Location’ is a series of trip reports reflecting on our personal travels, as we research and experience the bounty the world has on offer.
