One&Only Reethi Rah
Located on North Malé Atoll, one of the largest islands in the Maldives, One&Only Reethi Rah delivers a reality-bending escape to the divine. A mere 45-minute yacht ride (or 15-minute seaplane flight) from Malé, this five-star, all-villa resort has mastered the art of understated opulence with 12 immaculate beaches, six restaurants, genuinely gracious service and a lavish, open-air design. It’s even found a way of controlling time; the resort operates one hour ahead of Malé, for an extra dose of sunlight.
What you do with that extra hour is up to you, but you’d be forgiven for spending every moment enjoying your accommodations. While water villas tend to be considered the choicest way to spend a Maldivian holiday, there’s something to be said about arriving at your own personal beachfront refuge, complete with a private strand, outdoor shower, pool, and patio. The lush greenery creates an illusion of perfect seclusion, and the spacious interiors include cathedral-like thatched ceilings, his-and-her dressing areas, and a sea-view bathtub. The in-room amenities speak to Reethi Rah’s attentiveness, boasting a chilled champagne bar and vanity table with a hidden fridge for cooling face creams. With such surroundings, although the call to get out and enjoy the island is strong, it’s just as tempting to hole up on your veranda daybed, order a bottle of Chablis, and watch the breeze tickle the water.
The resort has even found a way of controlling time; the resort operates one hour ahead of Malé, for an extra dose of sunlight.
If you do decide to venture beyond your villa, do so for Reethi Rah’s culinary fare. The Beach Club, a breezy enclave on sandy shores, serves up a spectacular Maldivian tuna ceviche. Fanditha, another beachfront beauty with views of the island’s sunsets, offers a sensual Middle Eastern vibe along with a sensational wine list. Botanica envelops diners in a candlelit jungle oasis, where Maldivian lobsters are grilled over coals alongside vegetables fresh from its organic garden.
As for what to do with all that additional sunlight, Reethi Rah offers everything from sunrise yoga on a sequestered ocean sandbank to painting classes on the beach, as well as sea turtle snorkeling adventures by way of traditional wooden dhoni. For guests looking to take their relaxation to new levels, One&Only Spa is a haven of massages, outdoor steam rooms and WatSu treatments that will have you wondering how you’re ever going to return to real life.
One&Only Reethi Rah, North Malé Atoll, Malé, Maldives.
Photo courtesy of One&Only.
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