As one of the world’s most sought-after travel locations, The Maldives has become a bucket list destination for families, couples or even solo travellers, looking for a one-in-a-lifetime beachside getaway.
With crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and unparalleled luxury it’s not surprising this small Indian Ocean country has become so popular in recent years. With 1,192 coral islands and over 130 resorts to choose from, selecting the perfect retreat can feel overwhelming. With a host of Maldives destinations, Marriott Group has a resort to suit every guest’s needs, to help make your decision easier. Here, we explore two of the group’s exclusive properties — St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort and JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa— and realise that each Maldivian destination has its own quirks, perks and unique experiences to offer.
Reaching the Maldives from Dubai is relatively simple. A direct flight with Emirates takes just under four hours, making this tropical haven an ideal long weekend getaway. Upon landing in Malé, the journey continues via speedboat or seaplane to your chosen resort. Our trip involved the latter, seaplane travel with Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA), the world’s largest seaplane operator and Marriott’s partner operator.
Taking off from Malé’s newly built seaplane terminal, TMA has a fleet of 65 DHC-6 Twin Otters flying to over 80 resorts across 14 atolls. The process and journey were surprisingly seamless (even for nervous first-time seaplane fliers) and picturesque, with a direct flight to our first resort that took just under an hour. Soon, we were in paradise!
St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
Our first destination, St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, is consistently ranked as one of the Maldives’ finest resorts, and we can immediately see why. Its commitment to quality and excellence is clear from the moment we step off the seaplane and are whisked to our beachfront villa by golf buggy, with no need for a complicated check-in process.
On arrival at our room, we were greeted by jaw-dropping ocean views through floor-to-ceiling windows. The room features traditional Maldivan-style décor blending with modern luxury, as well as the latest technology, including a thoughtfully integrated iPad system that controls every aspect of the villa. The indoor-outdoor living concept featured a plunge pool, outdoor shower and direct access to the beach.
After going with the vision that there was little to do in the Maldives aside from spending time relaxing by the pool, I was soon proved wrong. There is so much to do at this resort that there was barely time to squeeze it all in! Our stay started with drinks at the breathtaking Whale Bar, where we savoured the sunset during the resort’s signature evening ritual. After dark, we made our way to one of the resort’s seven dining destinations. Our first gastronomical stop on the journey was Orientale, a speciality Asian restaurant offering a unique twist on classic dishes. This isn’t the resort’s only Asian dining location. The exclusive Teppanyaki haunt, T-Pan, holds just 16 guests per sitting and is a one-of-a-kind experience, with food prepared at your table by the resort’s expert chef. T-Pan is, in fact, so exclusive that you are advised to book your spot months before arriving at the island to guarantee a seat.
Other dining locations around the island are Alba, the all-day dining venue which is also the location for breakfast; Cargo, a Middle Eastern restaurant set amidst tropical gardens; and Crust & Craft, a casual family-friendly destination that offers freshly made pizzas and snacks as you gaze out to the blue waters of the ocean. Room service is also available round the clock for guests who prefer to dine in the comfort of their own room or villa.
After a well-earned rest in the incredibly comfortable bed, we woke up feeling refreshed and happy to be there. After a short bicycle ride to breakfast (bicycles are provided at all rooms), and an indulgent start to the day, we were ready to discover some of the activities the island has to offer. This began with an invigorating dip in the Blue Hole Hydrotherapy Pool at the Iridium Spa. As the largest hydrotherapy pool in The Maldives, this unique experience involved immersing ourselves in a pool filled with varying types of water massage jets, designed to deliver exceptional therapeutic properties for the body with skin cleansing. The warm salt water helps relieve pain and induces muscle relaxation. After the Blue Hole experience, discover Iridium Spa’s extensive treatment menu, which includes signature massages, facials, and full-body experiences. That afternoon consisted of snorkelling in the island’s coral reef. Just steps from the shore, we encountered vibrant marine life, from technicolour fish to gentle sea turtles.
Our final day on the island allowed us to explore the resort by bicycle further. This 1.5km island can be circled in just a few minutes, but there’s plenty to discover. In total, the resort has 33 on-land and 44 overwater villas, including an impressive three-bedroom overwater villa spanning 1,726 square metres.
Each villa comes with a private butler service, who will be on hand 24 hours a day to meet your every need. This resort’s personal touches and attention to detail take it to new heights. Two nights was not nearly long enough to spend in this idyllic location – we will definitely be returning!
JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa
After another smooth and safe flight back to Malé with TMA and a second 55-minute journey, we landed at our new destination, the JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa. We were immediately impressed by the palatial architecture and homely feel of this island.
Despite the rain, the resort’s staff were waiting to greet us for this new experience. This island immediately has a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere, which the groups of guests reinforce as we pass them on the way to our beachside villa. Our spacious room has an impressive two bedrooms and is perfect for a family of four. The upstairs lounge can also be converted into a third bedroom, making this a great location for group holidays. The island has 60 villas in total – beachside and overwater – many of which have been recently renovated. These villas feel expansive, with large wooden decks and pool areas looking out to the ocean. Each villa comes with a personalised butler service.
JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa offers a diverse dining scene, with five restaurants catering to every palate. Our first stop during the stay was a trip to Teppanyaki Grill Hashi. During our visit, Dubai-based chef and founder of Jun’s, Kelvin Cheung was on the island to host an exclusive three-day residency experience. Known for his creative dishes that combine global flavours, Cheung created an exclusive tasting menu for guests during his visit. It was truly a taste sensation and a chance to embrace a touch of the UAE in this tropical paradise.
Other dining locations on the island include the unique treetop Thai restaurant Kaashi, whose views make it the perfect spot for lunch. The food is divine, and goes down incredibly well with sampling the cocktail menu. Fiamma, the island’s Italian eatery, is perfect for those who want to spend the afternoon in a well-earned food coma! Those who prefer in-villa dining at JW Marriott should also try the floating breakfast, which can be enjoyed in each room’s private pool. It’s a unique experience, and for first-time Maldives visitors, it’s a must!
The next morning was a rainy one, but there was still plenty to do – starting with a morning dip in the sea, followed by a visit to Spa by JW, the resort’s picturesque spa. Set within a cluster of overwater buildings, the spa offers uninterrupted sea views and the sound of the waves, creating a calming experience during your treatment. We tried a couple’s signature massage, but the spa also offers body scrub and wraps as well as fashion and other treatments. There is also a picture-perfect overwater fitness centre for those who want to work our during their stay.
The afternoon was spent discovering some of the other activities available at the island’s dive centre, including dolphin watching, fishing, snorkelling and diving. As well as watersports such as jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking and more. For those with young children, the island is fully equipped starting with the Little Griffins Kids Club for kids up to 12 years and following with the teens lounge for kids over 12. There are over 100 activities for kids to try, from pizza making to sports to trampolining – they will never get bored! The resort also offers a babysitting service so that younger children can be safe and occupied while the adults enjoy their holiday.
After a busy few days our trip was sadly coming to an end. It had really been the adventure of a lifetime, but not so much of a bucket list trip but rather a – let’s go every year destination!
