Luxe Stay // Jumeirah Vittaveli, Maldives
I had been dreaming of visiting a tropical island in the Maldives. Sandy white beaches. Crystal clear turquoise ocean. Drinking cocktails out of coconuts. I thought I would visit with my future husband. We all know the Maldives are only for loved up couples…. right?
Well wrong! I was a single, independent woman and I was not waiting for a future husband to take me to the Maldives. So, when I randomly quit my job, I booked a flight. And 48 hours later I landed in Male.
The Arrival
The arrivals hall at Male International Airport is like an open shed with 5-star hotel lounges lined up next to each other. I was met at arrivals and guided to the Jumeirah lounge where there are cold drinks and light snacks. The Jumeirah staff do part of the check-in at the lounge. I booked a shared transfer so was waiting for the other guests to arrive.
Then it was off to the Maldives taxi rank…. a wharf lined with boats. I am not a huge fan of small boats so was happy to see the Jumeirah catamaran was big. Jumeirah Vittaveli is located on Bolifushi Island in the South Male Atoll. So, it is only a 20-minute boat trip to the resort. On arrival, the guests and I were welcomed by traditional music and gifted with a banana leaf necklace.
Then I was off to my villa. There are none of those golf buggies here in paradise.
The Villa
Ahh, the villa! It was everything you would expect of a 5-star resort in the Maldives. And everything you would expect of the Jumeirah brand. In true Middle Eastern luxury hospitality, everything is thought of. Their flagship hotel is the Burj al Arab after all. I have been spoilt many times by the Jumeirah hospitality and their attention to detail. Whether it is a bottle of sparkling wine on arrival, a fruit bowl, more drinking water than you need and, on this occasion, even the small things like sunscreen, after-sun lotion, insect repellent and a lens wipe for your sunglasses. The housekeeping staff even left me a bookmark when I left my book lying around one morning.
I stayed in an overwater private pool villa and it was spectacular. A glass floor in the lounge room, an outdoor dining area, outdoor lounge, a bath large enough for a whole family and of course the pool. Which became the perfect spot for my reading.
The Resort
If you wanted to leave the villa, there was plenty to do on the island. You can stroll along the paths, use one of the bikes provided at your villa, hang out on the beach, laze in a hammock, enjoy the mini ice-skating rink, shop, eat gelato, play chess, watch stingray feeding, do yoga, use the gym or have a spa treatment.
Then there is the main pool, snorkelling on the reef right off your villa, jet ski hire, dolphin cruises, scuba diving, parasailing or go searching for turtles. For a small island, the list of things to do is endless!
The Food
When it comes to dining there is so much to choose from. The Cuvee Wine Library was my favourite evening venue. A delicious menu and an expertly curated wine list. B4R was super casual for a lazy lunch. And breakfast at Samsara had all the choices you could want.
The Experience
What I loved most about Jumeirah Vittaveli is I did not feel like I was surrounded by loved up couples. Yes, there were many loved up couples…. it is the Maldives. But the resort was very family-friendly so there was a nice balance of guests and even though a small island, there are plenty of private places to retreat. And there was always a quiet spot to watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean.
Have you been to the Maldives? I’d love to hear about where you stayed!
Also if you like island luxury, check out my post on my luxe stay in Seychelles.
