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| WATER VILLAS have their own secluded setting and are notable for their Surround sound—lapping waves. |
The Maldives is still hot, and the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is on our radar as the new “it” spot. Paul McCartney and Katie Price Jordan have visited this all-villa resort, so your uber-chic clients will feel right at home.
Of the 150 villas, we hear the best are the Sunset Water Villas. These two-bedrooms stand in a private part of the resort’s lagoon. They come with a kitchen, private butler service, circular rotating bed in the master bedroom and our favorite touch: glass floors in the living room.
Outdoor dining with a twist: The hotel offers eight dining options but we recommend Ithaa, an underwater restaurant. The dining room is set 16 feet below the water’s surface and offers 180-degree views of the reef. Note: The restaurant does not accept reservations for children under 12 for dinner.
Switch your perspective at the Mandhoo Spa Restaurant, set on stilts above the water about 330 feet out to sea. (We hear this spot has the best views.) Reservations for all dining should be made at least two weeks in advance. Contact the resort’s Island Hosts for reservations at [email protected].
Time to relax: Choose from one of the resort’s three spas. The 12,539-square-foot Spa Retreat has nine treatment rooms. The must-try here is Peace, a three-hour ritual that includes a private steam and sauna, organic sugar scrub, body wrap and massage.
Romantic Touch: For couples, there are treatments at the Over-Water Spa, a 2,648-square-foot space with four treatment rooms. Request the Art of Love treatment, which includes a three-hour ritual with body exfoliation, scalp massage, nourishing bath, body wrap and body massage.
No adults allowed: The Ice Cream Spa at Conrad Maldives is just for kids. Designed like an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, its treatments include manicures and pedicures as well as body scrubs and body massages for children under 16. Signature treatments include Clean Me Up and Calm Me Down facials.
Tip: All treatments should be booked about three weeks before arrival. Contact Anita Foss, spa director, with all queries at [email protected].
The resort can arrange a host of activities. We suggest a Luxury Sunset Cruise. Depart mid-afternoon and enjoy champagne and canapés with an Indian Ocean sunset. Contact Moli Rajeev at [email protected] for details.
Getting There: Guests fly into Male International Airport, which is about 30 minutes from the resort in a seaplane. Nice Touch: The vacation begins at the airport itself with a special greeting and refreshing stop at the Conrad Maldives VIP Lounge. Guests are then escorted to the seaplane, which has a separate fee.
The luxury travel advisor liaison is Resort Manager Boris Blobel ([email protected]).