Advertisement

Get fit at this luxury Maldives hotel

Photo credit: Jeff Hester
Photo credit: Jeff Hester

From Town & Country

“That afternoon we passed the most beautiful palm islands I have ever seen. With the sun low on our starboard side it threw a glowing sidelight on the tiny islets, which seemed to float by like flower baskets…” Thus the explorer Thor Heyerdahl wrote about his trip to the Maldives. It was with similar wonder that I sat with my nose pressed up against the window for the 40-minute flight to Cheval Blanc Randheli, mesmerised by the otherworldly panorama beneath us.

Cheval Blanc Randheli is one of three maisons in the luxury fashion group LVMH’s prestigious hotel collection. Located in the secluded Noonu Atoll, on the north-west of the Maldives archipelago (the other properties are in Courchevel and St Barts), it provides a degree of privacy that persuaded the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to leave baby George at home with the in-laws while they recharged their batteries on a second honeymoon in 2014.

Photo credit: Jeff Hester
Photo credit: Jeff Hester

As well as its discretion, and utopian setting, Cheval Blanc Randheli offers everything you would expect of LVMH’s high standards of craftsmanship and quality. Upon landing at Male International Airport, we were whisked to the hotel’s private lounge, which has been decorated in the brand’s signature shades of taupe and solar yellow. There, charming staff diffused the strains of the long-haul flight with flutes of icy champagne and an array of delicious snacks, before ushering us aboard the resort’s private nine-seater De Havilland Twin Otter seaplane, with its plush leather seats and scented cold towels.

Randheli’s wildlife was equally welcoming; from the moment we stepped onto the island, scrunching the velvety sand between our toes, it felt as if we were starring in our very own episode of Planet Earth. Translucent ghost crabs darted along the shoreline, white-tailed tropic birds swooped low across the jungle paths, and, as we made our way down the winding wooden walkways to our villa, shoals of needlefish shimmered in the ocean below.

The resort is within easy reach of some of the best diving spots in the Maldivian archipelago, and its fleet of boats will take you to reefs frequented by extraordinary creatures including the spinner dolphin. We spent a dreamlike hour in the calm, clear water, surrounded by iridescent, multicoloured fish and coral as intricate as lace embroidery. From the terrace of our villa, we spotted a pair of reef sharks patrolling the edge of the lagoon, and at dusk one night, an inquisitive turtle bobbed into view.

Photo credit: Kyle McBurnie
Photo credit: Kyle McBurnie

There are 45 villas at Cheval Blanc Randheli – some, like ours, built on stilts above the waves, others on the fringes of the beach – designed by the French architect Jean-Michel Gathy, who is also responsible for the Setai in Miami and Venice’s Aman Canal Grande. These magnificent structures have cathedral-like ceilings made from bamboo, and glass doors standing a staggering seven metres high, which add to the feeling of limitless space. Vibrant yellow features here too, on the huge ceramic pots that bordered our sleek infinity pool, and in the ‘Island Chic’ candles created especially for the resort by François Demachy, the nose of Christian Dior.

But there was much more to explore outside the walls of our luxurious abode. We had come seeking the restorative powers of the resort’s tailormade Wellness Journeys, for which a team of aptly named Alchemists were on hand to organise our three-day experience (you can also do one or five days) with bespoke spa treatments, fitness activities and a healthy menu of low-sodium, Paleo and vegan-inspired dishes. Each morning, with childlike delight, we would commute to breakfast on white bicycles, our baskets filled with sun cream and reading material for the day ahead. Visiting the Spa island involved an enchanting journey of its own – sailing across the bay on a wooden dhoni (a traditional Maldivian boat) to a cool, serene sanctuary where exceptional Guerlain treatments relaxed both body and mind. This was where we also enjoyed sunrise yoga overlooking the endless blue, and a secluded dinner on the beach under a swirling pastel sky, where we ate exquisite fish marinated in a myriad of spices.

Photo credit: Jeff Hester
Photo credit: Jeff Hester

The four restaurants delighted our taste buds in equal measure. The Diptyque is a live-cooking theatre that serves the finest Japanese cuisine, and the Deelani specialises in seafood, including a sensational langoustine Prosecco risotto. Then there is Le 1947, named after Château Cheval Blanc’s most sought-after vintage, which cooks up fabulous French fare, while the White hosts a lavish buffet. It is here that a Manuel Merida lemon-yellow artwork hangs – a giant disk filled with sand, which slowly, almost imperceptibly, rotates as the weight of the grains shift within it, and from which it is difficult to tear your gaze; much like these beguiling islands themselves.

Cheval Blanc Randheli (+960 656 1515; www.chevalblanc.com), from about £1,310 a villa a night B&B, based on two people sharing.

Four more paradise islands to visit this year

Best for ... wildlife

Fregate Island Private, Seychelles

If you were to imagine the Garden of Eden it might look like Fregate Island Private, the jewel of the Seychelles archipelago. Except that rather than serpents, giant tortoises roam free, and instead of forbidden fruit there are organic plots where the majority of ingredients for guest meals are grown. Conservation is a guiding ethos for the island, and rare and endangered species thrive on its pure-white sandy beaches and in the crystal-clear waters. This tropical paradise also offers an abundance of water sports, or for those who prefer more tranquil activities, there is a clifftop spa with a bird’s-eye view of the lush greenery below.

Fregate Island Private (www.fregate.com), villas from £2,500 a night including meals, drinks and excursions.

Best for ... conservation

Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia

A sustainable sanctuary with a conscience, Song Saa is situated in a 100-hectare marine reserve and straddles two picturesque islands. Whether you stay in a villa that’s hidden amid the jungle or suspended on stilts over the sea, you’ll marvel at the natural surroundings, whose preservation is at the heart of the resort’s philosophy. Echoing the environment, the villas have thatched roofs, timber beams and stone walls, while you can admire the sweeping sea views from your private plunge pool, or experience the waters first-hand by snorkelling along the surrounding coral reefs or kayaking through the mangroves.

Song Saa Private Island (www.songsaa.com), villas from £1,290 a night.

Best for ... tradition

Nihi Sumba Island, Indonesia

Entering into combat might not be top of your holiday wish list, but at Nihi Sumba Island you’d be missing out if you don’t. Every February, the villagers don their finest ikat prints and dress their horses with pompoms as they enact a mock-war – one of many traditional spectacles to experience while staying at the resort. The stunning guest villas are upscale replicas of Sumbanese lodgings, with rustic chic interiors that chime with the rugged rainforest surroundings. In addition, you can choose from a range of activities, from exploring the jungle on horseback to embarking on a ‘spa safari', to immerse yourself even further into island life.

Nihi Sumba Island (www.nihi.com), villa rates vary per season, from £845 to £16,595.