When city living gets too much, this is the place that Kate Moss checks in to. A tiny speck of untouched paradise with only 19 colonial-style houses, Naladhu has to be one of the chicest private escapes in the world. You could call it the Hamptons of the Maldives.
Opt for an Ocean House on the exposed side of the island – these have huge decks with traditional Maldivian swing-beds protruding over the dramatic booming, foaming ocean surf. Each house is kitted out with the usual state-of-the-art gizmos, a Lavazzo coffee machine and a walk-in wardrobe. The décor is old-school: ornate rugs, antique maps, wicker chairs and a giant teak sleigh bed. Best of all is the genius bathroom set-up: think spa garden. Oversized stone baths are set at eye level with your infinity pool with nothing between you and the vast ancient blue beyond but a single pane of glass. Occasionally, you’ll spot Naladhu’s private yacht or a traditional dhoni letting down its sail on the horizon, but otherwise, it’s just you and your other half. Your house master will make an appearance when and how you need him.
Meals are served in a palm-shrouded area just off the beach called the Living Room, which really does feel like a second home, with chessboards and cushions strewn about and a long glittering lap pool. Naladhu’s South African managers Chris and Elmine can be found here most mornings, barefoot in linens, setting a thoroughly relaxed and loved-up tone.
A visit to Naladhu’s world-renowned over-water spa is a must. Recently nominated Quintessentially Retreat Spa of the Year, it has thatched therapy rooms perched on stilts above the crystal-clear lagoon. Viewing panels are set in the floor so you needn’t miss out on a moment of the subterranean action while Thai therapists scrub and pummel you. After all, you never know what you might see; the colourful coral kaleidoscope of sea stars, unicorn fish, butterfly fish, stingrays and black tip reef sharks changes every few seconds.
Should, God forbid, a spot of desert-island ennui set in, worry not. Naladhu’s sister islands, Dhigu and Veli – also owned by Anantara, though a little friendlier on the wallet – are a short kayak ride away, providing further swaying palm trees, baby-soft sand, agar-coloured waves and a lagoon festooned with effervescent coral, as well as a plethora of watersports. We recommend you try ‘sea bobbing’ which involves clinging onto battery-powered ‘rockets’ that propel you along like dolphins at speeds of up to 20kmph. Ducking and weaving around the lagoon is pure Childs play. There’s also a cargo wreck you can explore on a night dive, that is, if you you’re not too full from dinner. There are five restaurants to choose from, serving everything from teppanyaki to tagines with some of the best wine lists in the Maldives. What’s really wonderful is that venturing over to one of these restaurants from your palatial love-nest on Naladhu gives you the feeling of having a night out. If you only make it to one of them, choose Baan Huraa, a traditional Thai restaurant set over dark crashing waves connected to Naladhu via a long wooden walkway, where dark-eyed waitresses deliver dish after dish of fragrant spicy delicacies, then weave origami birds at the table while you pay your bill.
News just in…
Q Insider has just got word that Anantara is further shrugging off aspersions that the Maldives will soon be below sea level, and is throwing open the doors to a brand-new resort in the Baa atoll in January 2011. We’ve heard the main restaurant, ‘Sea’, and the wine cellar have been built under water mind you – just in case. Thirty-five minutes by seaplane from Male, Anantara Kihavah is set to be the hippest place to down towels next year. Watch this space.
