CURATED BY Roberto Girotti
In all my years in the travel industry, I always dreamt of finding a piece of heaven on earth.
My wish came true this year when I visited the 5-Star InterContinental Maldives Resort, which is an IHG Hotel but, in my book, is in a whole league of its own. They take luxury and personalized service to the next level!
The hotel occupies the entire Maamunagau Island near the Baa Atoll, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
A few days before I arrived in the Maldives, the hotel sent me an Insight Form to find my favorite drinks, food cravings, and colors. When I landed, the staff seamlessly took me from Male International Airport to the Maldivian Seaplane Terminal, where InterContinental Hotel has a very nice lounge to wait for the short 35-minute seaplane ride to the resort.
At the lounge, I was asked to download the app to connect with my personal curator, AKA “Butler” who was assigned to each guest during the entire stay.
The staff was always ready, smiling, and responsive, and I remembered all the information I had submitted in the Insight Form!
I had a bike with my initials waiting for me at my villa, but the curator was ready to take me to any of the resort restaurants, bars, the SPA, or just for a quick ride along this idyllic island.
The resort has 81 beautifully appointed Villas divided into three sectors: Beach, Lagoon, and Overwater Villas.
This hotel is the first and only all-Club InterContinental resort, providing all guests exclusive access to the Club.
Some of these benefits include daily breakfast at Café Umi, which offers a terrific breakfast buffet and extensive a la carte selections.
Afternoon Tea has three tiers of tantalizing savories and rare loose tea leaf varietals—evening aperitifs with deluxe selections of premium wine and cheese. Nonalcoholic beverages are also available upon request.
The resort has a pristine white beach with turquoise transparent waters, two pool areas overlooking the ocean, an adult's pool, and a swim-up bar.
In the lagoon area is the adults-only The Retreat, which features a bar, infinity pool, and plenty of quiet places to relax. As with the other pools, towels and sunscreen are freely available.
There are activities for everyone, from swimming with the manta rays to reef tours, snorkeling and diving, and sunset cruises to spot dolphins while sipping champagne. Fitness fans will get a kick out of the sports center and sunrise yoga options. One-on-one sessions with trainers range from kickboxing to stretches with aerobics instructors.\
Children have a Club called Planet Trekkers to keep them busy all day, and a brand one initiative focused on Teenagers also keeps them busy, from learning Tik-Tok Dance techniques, creating mocktails, surfing classes, cooking classes, movie nights, and more!
The AVI Spa is near the lighthouse restaurant on the island's far end. This dreamy, rejuvenating space has six overwater treatment rooms. Each room has glass viewing windows on the floor so you can admire marine life while enjoying your treatment.
The impeccable and mind-blowing service without being overbearing is what sets the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort apart.
I could go on and on, but I think you can now understand why this is my little piece of paradise on earth.
Trust me, please put this InterContinental Maldives Resort on your bucket list! You will thank me later!
