The ridiculously beautiful 5-star Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas has launched the first and only observatory in the Maldives on the roof deck of its stunning Sky bar.
Not content with having one of the world’s only underwater restaurants, the uber-luxury private island in the Maldives has custom-built an Ash-dome observatory that now sits on the roof deck of the Sky Bar surrounded by nothing but clear skies and the lapping ocean below.
Sounds like a terrible place, doesn’t it? (Not)
Sipping ice cold Champagne and lazing on a circular daybed with the stars and sky above as resident astronomer and Sky Guru Shameem points out the pale yellow rings of Saturn or the counter-rotating zones and belts of Jupiter that vary in width, colour and intensity from year to year.
“What was that?… Jupiter? Ahh yes. Sorry Shameem, I drifted off there.”
If you can actually be bothered to drag yourself off your daybed, you can take a peek through the giant telescope to check out the Milky Way’s shining Omega Centauri or Messier 13, a globular cluster of over 300,000 stars in the constellation of Hercules.
Thanks to the Maldives’s location just above the equator means both hemisphere’s stars are visible from Anantara Kihavah and shining bright thanks to minimal light pollution.
If that doesn’t float your boat, then you can always just pretend to look interested in the stars and pout and chill in the new Sky cocktail bar as you sip Champagne and revel in the majesty of your life right now.
A circular bar serves as the centrepiece to this heavenly spot, with the resident mixologist busy at work while you’re most definitely not.
You can sip on more champagne or try an island signature cocktail such as the Kihavah Island Tea which includes an Indian Ocean white rum and arak with lychee, peach, lemon and a dash of Earl Grey Tea.
Then perhaps graze on innovative tapas followed by a fragrant shish to smoke whilst Resident DJ Kristina spins the mellow vibes that will have you floating on air.
The panorama Sky Bar lounge is perched over the lagoon and has ocean views from every vantage point. With a contemporary, warm fit out, raw timber and soft lighting throughout, this is totally the place to take in Indian Ocean sunsets and of course, take a gazillion photos.
The Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas is a luxury resort offering the ultimate in privacy and tranquillity. Built on a former coconut plantation and located on the beautiful Kihavah Huravalhi Island in Baa Atoll, it is a sanctuary within a sanctuary.
Each spacious beachside and overwater villa features high ceilings, timber interiors and a private infinity pool surrounded by brilliant tropical nature.
The resort features a world-class spa and one of the few incredible underwater restaurants and wine cellars in the world, allowing guests the insane opportunity to enjoy the fine flavours of culinary art and wine amidst a panorama of aquatic life.
This is a place that most of us mere mortals can only dream of visiting, but one we can all certainly dream about as we look up into what still is the same sky after all right? Sniff, sniff.
Private Villas start from around AU$4000 per night.
For more information visit www.skykihavahmaldives.com