Island Escapade and Modern Indulgences | Resorts

Venue REETHI RAH, MADIVES

My First Encounter

Reethi Rah which means “Beautiful Island” in Dhivehi, the official language of the Maldives, is one of the largest islands in the region. Still, large is relative. You can explore the islet and its many charms and wonders on a bicycle, and cover it from end to end in a little over half an hour tops. It is 109 acres, with over 3 miles of coastline, 130 standalone guest villas of various configurations and sizes, and 12 private white sand beaches, each one lying in a secluded cove.

When we arrived in the evening aboard the One&Only luxury yacht, dark clouds were gathering overhead, but there was no feeling of uneasiness, only a sense of suppressed excitement and a familiar feeling of refuge and sanctuary. We were greeted by our exotic, vivacious and warm hostess, who presented us with a suggested itinerary for the course of our stay. We later found out that she hails from Mexico, and in fact, during the next few days, we encountered a resort staff that could be compared to the United Nations, not just because of the melting pot of nationalities and cultures, but also because of the diplomacy and hospitality which they displayed towards all their guests.

As we washed up and prepped ourselves for dinner at the highly-acclaimed Tapasake, which serves modern Japanese food, I felt completely overwhelmed by the curious and intoxicating mix of stylish sophistication and rustic island charm of our water villa, which was perched directly over the sea, but whose true colours and range I could not yet fully experience, as it was already dark then, and all the wooden sliding doors had been closed and louvres shuttered. The warmly-lit spacious and woody interiors of the villa, with its sky-high ceilings with a 45 degree pitch and a height of 21 feet at the apex, exuded comfort, luxury and tranquility and soothed our tired nerves from the day’s travel.

Tapasake was nothing one would expect to find on a solitary island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. It was as if we had just walked into one of the trendiest Japanese fine-dining restaurants in New York, Tokyo or Hong Kong. It exuded sophistication and cool, and the culinary offerings were many notches above the typical island-fare in the region. Naturally, seafood was the order of the day. We were told that only the finest and freshest of ingredients, straight from the local waters are used, while much of the fish for the sushi and sashimi bar is flown in twice a week from Japan. There was also an impressive selection of sakes, almost 30 in total, to complement your meal.

This gloriously stunning showcase of glass, stone, and stainless steel, with its black terrazzo floor and red Japanese lanterns, offered direct views of the ocean from every seat, and on that tempestuous evening, as the tropical storm was coming in, with lightning bolts splitting the sky into day and night, and the rumbling of thunder in the distance, I felt a strange sense of disengagement from reality.

Our first encounter of One&Only Reethi Rah was a truly theatrical experience, and boded well for our days ahead in this paradoxical paradise, where we felt completely removed from the world because of the absolute privacy and sense of being castaway; And yet, our senses were fully pampered by the luxury and convenience the resort offers to the city-dweller who is used to the good life. In short, it provides the perfect vacation for the urbanite who yearns for an island escapade for the soul, and modern indulgences for the body.

Your Own Private Sanctuary

When morning came, the warm fuzzy sunlight streamed in through the gaps in the louvres. I opened the sliding doors, and lo and behold, I truly felt like the King of the World! I was looking straight at this huge expanse of waters that was the Indian Ocean in front of me, around me, and under me. From my vantage point, it was as if we were all alone. This was what the designer of the resort, Jean Michel Gathy, had in mind when he conceptualised the villas and the layout of the resort.

Gathy wanted to encapsulate Space, Luxury and Privacy in his design of One&Only Reethi Rah, which is in line with One&Only’s principal policy, that their resorts afforded every guest as much space and privacy as possible. Perhaps, this is why, for city-dwellers used to tighter living spaces, and having to constantly share space with other people, this feature is a huge attraction.

Each villa is a totally self-contained private sanctuary, set in a landscape of generous terraces and verandas, and separated by a minimum of 65 feet of vegetation to afford complete privacy. As a result of this unusual amount of space between each villa, it makes the place a perfect getaway for honeymooners, couples and even families.

There is a range of choices, from beach and water villas with the option of a private infinity pool, to duplex and grand villas to cater to families. To get around the island, you could either call for a buggy to pick you up, or if you want to explore the place a bit, just hop onto the bicycles which come with each villa. Children even get their own kiddy bikes with their room number on it.

We were so in love with our water villa with the split level verandas and large netted ocean hammocks suspended from the deck for lazing over the sea that we spent most of our time enjoying the space, other than our trips to the restaurants and the spa. It didn’t help that they had state-of-the-art in-room flat-screen TV, DVD and CD players. I can’t tell you how heavenly it was to just laze in bed watching movies in the afternoon, or tucking under the warm blankets late at night, as another dramatic storm came in, while watching a blockbuster thriller. Another totally indulgent thing I enjoyed was soaking in the huge, over-sized terrazzo bath tub, which was positioned at the window, with views over the Indian Ocean.

Whoever said one had to do anything useful while on holiday? No, you don’t.

All the air-conditioned villas offered the option of natural ventilation. The architecture of the villas is such that they allowed for very good air circulation, and I was impressed with the built-in energy-saving feature which automatically cut off the air-conditioning when the windows or doors were not closed properly. The décor is heavily influenced by Asian styles, with the use of strong vivid colours, mixed with tropical materials and natural textures, such as teak, rattan, mahogany, coconut shell and silk. In a nutshell, the style of the villas would best be described as a contemporised version of tropical architecture; sleek, with a touch of Zen, yet playful.

Food for the Soul

Eating well scores high on making or breaking a holiday, especially for a foodie like me. At One&Only Reethi Rah, the next meal was definitely something worth looking forward to. Although there were only three restaurants on the island, each one was spectacular and provided a myriad of inspiring and authentic selections. From fine dining to casual light bites to tantalizing buffets, the dining experience at One&Only Reethi Rah was always inspiring and enriching, in every sense. From the ambience of the restaurants and their exhilarating surrounds, to the presentations and innovative takes on ethnic fare (including European, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Maldivian), every meal was simply delicious and satisfying to the soul. For the health conscious, there was also a Well-Being Menu which offered healthy options in consultation with the resort’s nutritionist to ensure all ingredients are low in fat, sugar and free from additives.

Besides Tapasake which I dined at on my first night at the resort, I was to enjoy most of my meals at the main dining room called Reethi Restaurant. It was elegant and spacious, with cleverly marked out distinctive settings which exuded contrasting moods, so that even though the majority of the guests took most of their meals there, it felt like a different restaurant depending on where one sat, and at which time of the day. Each seating area took full advantage of the magnificent sea, sunrise and sunset views. In the evenings, we even spotted baby reef sharks and stingrays swimming right up to the restaurant.

It was utter joy to begin each morning with a feast of a breakfast at Reethi Restaurant. Beginning with an energy shooter at the door, which changed daily, and despite the most exotic combinations of fruit, vegetable and other “healthy stuff”, it was surprisingly palatable and made me feel clean and like I was being good. A whole menu of made-to-order fruit and vegetable juices, freshly-brewed coffees and premium leaf teas was on offer, as well as both international and Asian breakfasts.

We were completely spoilt for choice, as I deliberated between the huevos rancheros and the thai omelette, all not-so-common breakfast options at most hotels. Of course, there were also the staples such as fluffy pancakes and scrambled eggs, to congee and ham and sausages.

Other than ordering the main course from the hot menu, there was a buffet of freshly baked breads and pastries, a generous cheese and cold cuts board, fruits galore, and a huge selection of muesli, cereals and dried fruits and yogurt. After breakfast every morning, while we sipped our second cup of cappuccino after a big feast, we would walk out to the deck to admire the schools of fishes that gathered below in the sea, as young children and some of the waiters had a habit of tossing out the leftover toasts to the regular “visitors” who have discovered this secret feeding place.

On the northernmost point of the island was Fanditha, an exotic beach restaurant and bar, with carpets in the sand, swing sofas to idle in, inviting day beds and giant colourful cushions. To accentuate its boho-chic ambience, there were sails draped over trees while Arabian tents were suspended from palms. Open only for dinner, Fanditha specialised in Middle Eastern influenced cuisine. With its vintage brass hurricane lamps, shisha pipes and crystal chandeliers, it was the ultimate in shipwreck chic, providing a wild and romantic locale to dine and chill in.

Oasis of Calm and Vitality

The One&Only Spa by ESPA (the internationally renowned UK-based spa specialists) at Reethi Rah is a great source of pride to the resort. It takes up an amazing 100,000 square foot, making the spa a destination in its own right. Guests are encouraged to embark on a physical, mental and spiritual journey, ideally over several hours, allowing them to enjoy and relax in the soothing and tranquil surrounds.

Before starting any of the pampering treatments, guests can luxuriate in swirling vitality pools and crystal steam rooms, or feel the invigorating effects of stimulating ice fountains. Open-air relaxation pavilions in the beautifully-manicured gardens allow for total relaxation before or after treatments, so that one can extend the calming effects of a sensual massage.

I spent an uplifting afternoon at the spa, beginning with an invigorating session of Pilates at the Chi Pavilion. I had never felt better working out, than at this inspiring and energising venue, facing the sparkling blue sea and hearing the crash of the waves against the rocks. This was followed by a light refreshment of a detoxing concoction of juices, and finally a pampering treatment by my soft-spoken and attentive therapist from Thailand. I emerged revitalised and reborn, with baby smooth skin, a tauter stomach and a ready appetite for dinner.

One&Only Moments

For those who are not into spa treatments, or lazing around resort-style, fear not. Activities abound at One&Only Reethi Rah, definitely more than one could hope to finish experiencing in one visit. There are land, water and sea sports, including volleyball, tennis, badminton, scuba diving, snorkeling, pedaloes, windsurfing, canoes, etc. The island’s lagoon and house reefs are home to a huge variety of fish, including sea turtles, white-tip sharks, butterfly fish, and the endangered Napoleon Wrasse. There are also fishing trips aboard a traditional dhoni or even chartered big game fishing expeditions.

The resort is also very family-friendly, with a complimentary KidsOnly club tailored for younger guests, aged between 4 and 11. The KidsOnly Clubhouse is open for 12 hours a day with its own dining area and KidsOnly menu, swimming pool, computer stations, arts and craft and sporting facilities. Parents can enjoy a well-deserved rest knowing that their children are being taken care of, having a great time, and meeting friends from all over the world, while experiencing a whole range of exciting activities, such as a pirate excursion, and learning to bake cookies and make pizzas.

For honeymooners and couples, what could be more romantic than a private sandbank dining experience beginning with drinks at sunset, and dining under the stars?

For a true blue city gal like me, what really impressed was the unexpected shopping experience that was afforded me on this tiny little island. We have all been to resort boutiques which might have stocked some very interesting and beautiful local ethnic wear or jewelry. I stepped into Reethi Boutique one lazy morning after a big breakfast, thinking I would just poke my head in there to “check it out”. It ended up being a major shopping trip, as if I had just stumbled upon a gem on Bond Street, Orchard Road or in New York’s Soho. There were tasteful selections from designer resort chic (bikinis and maillots to folksy kaftans and animal-print wraps) to urbanite favourites such as Comme Des Garcons and Acne to red-carpet ready gowns by Lanvin and YSL, and holiday glam Louboutins.

On our last night at One&Only Reethi Rah, we had one last dinner out on the deck, enjoying the balmy breeze, and being grateful to God for the privilege to have been here. We shall miss the good life, but it was good to leave before we got too used to it. Recharged and ready to face the world again with a renewed vigour, we headed home.

Magical Weddings at One&Only Reethi Rah

Against the stunning backdrop of the Indian Ocean, experience a once-in-a-lifetime romantic wedding ceremony island-style. Consult with their dedicated Celebration Consultants who will work with you to plan the most special day of your life, right down to the last detail. For more information, visit www.oneandonlyresorts.com.