The Most Luxurious Resort in the Maldives?…

26/07/2013 editor

…It’s definitely the most expensive, with rooms costing up to £19,500 a night, the Velaa Private Island resort is going all out to ensure it is worth the money. It’s not often that you see resorts like this!

Hans Cauchi, executive director of Velaa Private Island says ‘We are not over the top’, however, whatever he may claim, Velaa Private Island isn’t your typical intimate and restrained resort to travel to. The most expensive rooms at the resort cost an £19,500 per night, making it the most expensive place to stay in the whole of the country.

The resort will have a mixture of one and two bedroom villas and will also feature a small number of four bedroom residences. These are spread across a private island, part of the southern Noonu Atoll. Luxurious features come as standard here, with all rooms having a dedicated butler and private pool. The biggest villas will have more than 210sq m of living space and their pools will measure a very generous 60sq m. Those individuals willing to spend out on the one of the top-end rooms will also have exclusive use of the resort’s super-yacht. This means they can arrange an impromptu day cruise or an intimate dinner on board, prepared by the yacht’s dedicated chef, should they want a break from the island.

Although the Maldives is no stranger to luxury resorts, Velaa claims ‘it differs in its approach. While other hotels plump for gimmicks’, says Cauchi, ‘Velaa’s version of the high life is all about giving people the space and the discreet service they need to relax when travelling’. But that’s not to say the resort doesn’t have some eye-catching additions of its own. There is a Teppanyaki restaurant located in a 37ft whitewashed tower and also a golf academy designed by Spanish professional golfer Jose Maria Olazabal. There is a wine cellar which cost £1million to stock (see left) and the resort even has its own in-house marine biologist. Cauchi then explained, ‘we also have our signature restaurant with champagne bar and entertainment lounge, which stands over the sea and features menus created by Michelin star chef Adeline Grattard.’ Judging It’s all about giving guests lots of choice, whether they want to eat on the yacht or in the restaurants or travel to our other island across the bay to have a picnic.’

Right now however, the resort is still a few months from completion as it is scheduled to open on November 1st 2013. Cauchi anticipates soaring sales from the start as the management have already seen large amounts of interest. The real challenge, he believes, will be in persuading honeymooners that Velaa isn’t just about the super-rich but normal couples too, provided they have the funds. ‘We have had lots of requests already, particularly in the Christmas and January times of year,’ he insists, ‘It’s really about having great service on an island in the Maldives.’

It is evident that the owners have taken great, pride, care and attention when creating their dream, opting to give travellers the best experience possible from the Maldives. The services and features the resort will offer are second to none for quality and I believe this resort has the potential to be a truly phenomenal holidaying experience. Is this somewhere you would be interested in visiting? Let us know your thoughts on the Velaa Island Resort!