Reethi Rah (‘beautiful island’) are not words that necessarily come to mind when strolling through a grey November day in Europe, but they could be a formula for reconnecting with yourself and your surroundings in these turbulent times.
One&Only Reethi Rah is the perfect destination for those seeking privacy and the ultimate in relaxed luxury in the most complete natural setting the world has to offer. The resort is located on one of the largest islands in the North Malé Atoll, an exceptionally beautiful chain of coral atolls and lagoons where a year-round sea breeze cools the bright sunny days and balmy evenings. The resort is a 50-minute private yacht ride from Malé International Airport.
There is an effortless ease to One&Only Reethi Rah that immediately soothes the senses. Surrounded by picturesque bays and 6km of powdery beach that seem to stretch forever into the distance. The resort has aged beautifully, a feat largely due to its designer, the legendary Jean-Michel Gathy, who has artfully blended modernity and intimate private spaces – such as the overwater spa suites – with a vivid sense of the larger tropical environment and natural vegetation.
Each of the resort’s 122 villas – some nestled in lush gardens, others perched on stilts over the lapping Indian Ocean – is an escapist fantasy where the line between interiors, sleekly dressed in warm tones of stone and wood, and expansive outdoor decks, furnished with spacious daybeds and ample parasols, is as seamless as the sea meeting the sky on the horizon.
The resort even operates on its own time zone, an hour ahead of Malé, partly so that guests can enjoy the transcendent sunsets at a more cocktail-friendly hour. Fanditha Bar is the place to be at this time, with its cabana beds, shisha pipes and laid-back vibe. Elsewhere, romantic Botanica is a lantern-lit spot under the trees with a focus on garden-to-fork dishes, and Tapasake will be good for sea views again once construction of the new venue is complete.
Rejuvenation can be found in the spa and wellness facilities, where guests can indulge in treatments in breathtaking surroundings or a yoga session in the yoga pavilion overlooking the sea. This not only contributes to physical wellbeing, but also enhances the overall sense of tranquillity, accompanied by a perfect day and night average temperature of 28C, which leaves the body in balance. Visiting world class therapists will balance or heal your body and mind with expertise in the best in wellness and sometimes health care.
Leisure activities such as water sports, snorkelling and island-hopping excursions invite guests to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the Maldives.
There are also ideas and inspirational concepts that guests can participate in and contribute to.
There is a sea turtle rescue programme, run by the Olive Ridley Project marine biologist, to help injured sea creatures survive.
There is the art and pottery studio, which is a perfect place to translate what you have seen or experienced during your stay on the island, and often acts as a filter for your inner self, bringing back the creative side of you.
And then there is nature, a lush tropical environment that feeds your senses and your soul. You can never get enough of that, especially when you are cycling around the island or swimming in the morning sunrise.
I suppose this is the real luxury of this mid-November escape, along with the many encounters that come with travelling far and wide.
This journey can be booked with Radermacher Reisen
