Move over thatched villas, there’s a new player on the scene in the Maldives that promises to be “a disruption to the Maldivian mould”. Enter LUX* North Male Atoll.
The luxury resort, which opens today, has 67 over-sized double-storey, penthouse residences each with private pool, showcasing “fresh forward-thinking design for the Indian Ocean”.
The resort, which is a short transfer from Male by luxury speedboat or seaplane, is the work of Singaporean design house Miaja.
Inspired by the curves and lines of a luxury boat and its sails, it has taken years to perfect the resort on Olhahali, a six-hectare island fringed by white-sandy beaches.
“We are so excited to be opening a truly different resort which dares to get away from what we call the ‘sea of sameness’ with a thoroughly original approach to a luxury Maldivian holiday.”
Chief Operating Officer of The Lux Collective Dominik Ruhl
Each of the residences sits right on the beach or over the water with living areas that are at least 350 square metres.
The oversized bathrooms feature a bath and couples rain shower, but for those who want to embrace nature, there is also an outdoor shower.
Guests will have a butler-style villa host to give them all the assistance — or privacy — needed.
Resort restaurants include Barium, a secluded private dining room with an underwater fish tank; INTI restaurant with a prepared-in-front-of-you sushi bar and GLOW serving European classics, Italian and Spanish delicacies through to South East Asian specialties.
On over-the-lagoon spa offers two-hour treatments for twosomes including body scrubs, massages and aromatherapy bathing rituals.
Guests can choose to dive or snorkel on the spectacular reef, charter a luxury yacht or try jet-skiing, flyboarding, SUP sessions or kayaking tours.
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