Graham Hawkes says
“The ocean is this beautiful, unexplored place. Why on Earth everyone isn't down there, I don't know.”

XXIV | July 08, 2021

THE EDITOR'S NOTE


We all deserve the sunny side of life! Where better than the Maldives to get the perfect roast as you toast to the good life. With travel opening up, the Maldives is our recommendation for you to get your travelling legs strong before you venture into the world. The Maldives is the perfect start to what we hope will be a long and unbroken voyage to the far lands the good earth has to offer. So without much ado, pack your Portmanteau and head over to the Maldives.

Yours in sunshine, 
Ashish

PS: Really pack well, the luxury of Maldives is of experiences. You might find it hard to access your favourite brands if you forget to take something along. 

01 Stories That Matter

A deep dive into a story that's arcane, thoughtful, and sometimes humorous!

Luxury Experiences

If there ever were the Atlantis of Luxury holiday, it has to be the Maldives! Here are a few of our recent discoveries and timeless classics to share with you.


Imagine sailing across turquoise seas to your own private beach house in the Maldives. Or settling in for a private screening on a secluded sandbank under a swirling bowl of stars. The Nautilus offers a selection of once-in-a-lifetime experiences for you to share with your loved ones.  At The Nautilus Maldives beach resort, eat when you’re hungry, have breakfast for dinner, drink Champagne in bed. The Nautilus delights in veering off script, crafting bespoke culinary journeys designed just for you. Explore intriguing infusions of Mediterranean and Arabic cuisine at Zetytoun, celebrate simplicity with Japanese and Latin-American creations at Ocaso, or savour an array of global delicacies at Thyme throughout the day. No opening or closing times; no dress codes. Come as you are, enjoy great company and indulge in a shared passion for extraordinary cuisine at this luxury Maldives beach resort. 


Accessible by a scenic 40-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport, Cheval Blanc Randheli is one-of-a-kind exclusive property from the luxury fashion group Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH). Cheval Blanc Randheli Private Island is the epitome of exclusivity and privacy: a single villa occupying a perfect private island. Launched by the luxury conglomerate LVMH, the villa is magnificent in design and execution, from its soaring architecture down to the bespoke furniture, unique works of art and hand-selected crafts that adorn it. 

The luxurious Retail Therapy experience at Patina Maldives takes place in the comfort of your villa. A style expert from The Rake, a luxury e-commerce platform offering an expertly curated offering of clothing and accessories, as well as exclusive collaborations with the most exciting sustainable artisans and brands in the world — will present a selection of resort wear to each one - which they can mull over, Champagne in hand. Following the styling session, you will be treated to a full hair and makeup appointment to finish the look.
Take the celebrity favourite, the One and Only Reethi Rah, home to an enormous fashion showcase. As a guest at the Reethi Rah, you have access to some of the most beautiful designer goods including exclusive Melissa Odabash beachwear, clothing by Missoni and Kisshoten, jewellery, artwork and some beautiful, scented candles that are perfect to set the mood in your luxury villa. If you purchase larger items from here, the resort will be able to arrange them to be safely shipped back to your home or office.
Another Maldives resort that is said to have one of the best boutiques around is that of Karumba Maldives. Here you will find the fashionable Nala Boutique offering a wonderful selection of men and women’s apparel, beachwear, accessories like sunglasses and some flowing evening gowns that will be sure to turn heads at dinner. We also recommend stocking up on some freshly made coconut oil from here too. The shop offers a range of beach toys that will help to keep little ones entertained while on vacation.


Rent a Private Island for Your Luxury Vacation
The Maldives is synonymous with Private Islands! If you have not experienced a private island resort, all to yourself in the Maldives, you have truly not lived the good life - Remote, uncharted, unfettered and in many instances, inaccessible, these natural wonders can be the ultimate way to reset in style. 

02 What You Missed When Grounded

Liveaboard and ScubaSPA

Liveaboard

The best way to experience the true Maldives underwater marvels is to explore with a liveaboard boat between the 1,192 islands. The Maldives' crystal clear waters are home to mantas, whale sharks, and reef sharks, not to mention the brilliant flatworms and ghost pipefish who hide among its wrecks, coral gardens, channels, and pinnacles.

Maldives liveaboards make accessible the world-class dive sites of North Male Atoll, Ari Atoll, Baa Atoll, Hanifaru Bay, Rasdhoo and many more, including remote atolls in the far north and south where you'd be hard-pressed to see another liveaboard.

Scubaspa Ying and Scubaspa Yang

Floating Resort by Scubaspa is a unique concept combining exceptional scuba diving with unforgettable experiences and attractions. Designed for divers and those who travel with non-diving partners. Scubaspa’s purpose-built yachts explore the picture-perfect islands and reefs in the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean.
Discover the rich marine life under the ocean or indulge in daily treatments in the sumptuous onboard spa. Or why not experience both? The beauty of Scubaspa is that the choice is yours.
Four spacious decks offer a gym, Jacuzzi, and deck hosting sunset cocktails, star gazing outdoor dinners and an open-air cinema for evening entertainment. With a crew of 30 on each yacht, guests benefit from a high staff to guest ratio, including four spa therapists, a yoga master, four highly skilled chefs and a guest services manager to ensure excellent service.
Ever wondered what a high seas wedding would look like? Plan yours on the Ying and Yang. About the legalities of such a wedding? Well, we leave that to the legally minded to unravel.

03 Let's Get Comical

The Beach Holiday Paradox!

04 The Reel

Documentaries and Films Shot in the Maldives!

After bringing democracy to his country, President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives, the lowest-lying country in the world, takes up the fight to keep his homeland from disappearing under the sea.

Flames

A real romance filmed over five years. Josephine and Zefrey simmer in the white hot apocalypse of first love until the throw of a dart finds them on a spontaneous trip to the Maldives and cracks open the question -- is their love true or just a performance?

05 The Improbable

An ice skating rink on a tropical island

Now that is a true expression to ‘Wow’ and might we add a little confusing to the lizard brain in you!

Be carried away into a small winter wonderland of their own, while being enveloped by the warmth of the tropics. Maldives’ first, this 87 square meters, eco-friendly ice rink at Jumeirah Vittaveli.

The rink is made of Glice, a novel material from Switzerland that allows for eco-friendly ice rinks, eliminating the need to keep the ice rink cold.

This enables guests to experience a world-first at Jumeirah Vittaveli when they go for a swim in the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean, followed by a quick stroll across the beach to put on their ice skates and glide the picturesque backdrop of a ‘tropical winter wonderland’. Located a short 20-minute ride on board a luxurious motorised catamaran from the capital, Jumeirah Vittaveli offers unmatched diversity, subtle luxury and personalised exploration, whether you are seeking a romantic getaway or an exotic destination for your family

Underwater SPA
A great pampering at the spa under the sea is definitely our definition of improbable. Huvafen Fushi has taken indulgence to the next level by opening the first and only Underwater LIME Spa in the world. Experience massage on a whole new level lying face-up “on the water, under the water”. An unrivalled treatment for comfort and relaxation; the body is embraced and lifted by heated Hydrotherm water cushions. The best massage experience in the most unique treatment space in the world.

06 The Thinking Owl

Less than five per cent of the planet’s oceans have been explored. Unbelievable!

07 Food for Thought

H2O by Chef Andrea Berton

You and Me by Cocoon Maldives 

Newly rebranded the underwater restaurant to H2O by Chef Andrea Berton, the first time in the world that an underwater restaurant will be branded and supervised by a Michelin Starred Chef. 

Berton, who started working in the kitchen in the 90s, is elated to be working in such an ambience.



In 2005, he began his collaboration with the Ristorante Trussardi alla Scala where he gained the first Michelin Star in 2008 and the second in 2009. In December 2013, he decided to open the Ristorante Berton in Milan, where the broth becomes the protagonist of a real tasting menu. In 2014, he was awarded a Michelin Star, which was replicated in 2016 just 9 months after the opening of the Ristorante Berton al Lago at the hotel Il Sereno on Como Lake.

08 The Travel Record

DREAMING OF MALDIVES OFFICIAL

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