Vakkaru Maldives
The Maldives continues to be one of the hottest destinations in the world and earlier this year I had the opportunity to visit the newest luxury kid on the block – Vakkaru Maldives.
Located in a stunning enclave within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of the Baa Atoll, this five-star resort is perfect for high-end clients… families and couples alike.
A lush and secluded floating paradise of palm-lined beaches and powder-white sand, Vakkaru oozes barefoot elegance.
Arriving in Paradise
I love arriving into the Maldives – Male International Airport is always buzzing with the palpable energy of masses of travellers excited to have touched down in paradise.
Vakkaru makes the arrival process impressively easy. As soon as you land, a resort host meets you, helps you with your bags and escorts you to the private Vakkaru lounge in the seaplane terminal.
Here you can relax and freshen up while you wait for your seaplane transfer to the resort, which is an easy (and scenic) 25-minute flight north west of Male.
Rest Your Sleepy Head
Vakkaru’s aesthetic fuses local, nature-inspired design cues with sophisticated amenities and stylish décor.
Capturing the essence of island living, beautifully-appointed rooms are set right on the beach or suspended over the lagoon, catering to different guest preferences.
Personally, I love being as close to the water as possible and my wish was granted in the form of an Over Water Pool Retreat. As its name suggests, the villa was my own haven that was equal parts spacious and exclusive.
Suspended over the impossibly clear, blue water of the lagoon, it had amazing views of the ocean and the famous Maldivian sunsets.
The highlight (after the big bathtub overlooking the water) was definitely my private outdoor terrace with hammock, sun bed, direct lagoon access and private infinity pool.
You Won’t Go Hungry
There are five dining outlets on the island – including a South East Asian restaurant, a poolside cabana, and a relaxed Italian piazza – so there’s no fear of guests not being able to find something to eat.
The spot that tickled my tastebud’s fancy the most was Vakku, an elegant open-air grill specialising in meat and seafood. It goes without saying that the seafood in the Maldives is extremely fresh and at Vakku, your freshly-caught selection is grilled to perfection in front of you as you enjoy the sound of the water lapping gently on the shore and bask in the glow of starlight.
Vakkaru’s Organic Farm is also worth mentioning because not only is it a beautiful, expansive garden where most of the produce for the resort’s restaurants and bars is grown, but it also serves as an experiential dining option.
On a ‘Farm to Table Experience’, you’ll be taken on a personal tour of the garden by the Chef and Head Gardener and will learn more about the array of organic vegetables, fruits and herbs that go into your meals. Afterwards, a sensory cooking class is available by personal arrangement.
Immersive Experiences
For a destination renowned for its endless beaches and flop-and-drop appeal, the Maldives sure has a lot to do and Vakkaru has definitely tapped into the ‘experiential travel’ trend.
If you tire of relaxing by the pool or on the white-sand beach, you can choose between a whole host of water activities, like sea bobbing, jet skiing, kayaking, windsurfing and paddle boating. You can relax in the sun on the ocean with a private dhoni (local boat) expedition or go on a sunset dolphin cruise.
The Baa Atoll is famous for its diverse marine life and Vakkaru is extra special because it’s home to three rare deep blue holes, so I recommend either snorkelling or diving at least once while you’re there.
The resort has a PADI-accredited dive centre and a great range of tours for beginners and advanced divers. There’s even a young diver’s introductory program for kids aged eight and over.
I went on a snorkelling expedition with the resort’s in-house marine biologist, which was an incredible way to experience the underwater wonders surrounding the island.
Sustainability
Vakkaru Maldives prefers to keep the natural beauty of the island as unspoilt as possible, allowing guests to connect with each other and the surrounding environment. This means the island is much lusher than a lot of others in the Maldives and riding your bike through the shade of thick coconut palm groves adds an extra unique element to your tropical holiday.
Some of the resort’s sustainability practices include: an on-site water treatment facility; a monthly earth hour and regular reef clean ups.
To book your very own stay – please contact me here
*Images are courtesy of Vakkaru Maldives
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