Affluent Page - Index

Affluent Page - affluentpage - Index

for the diving and snorkeling enthusiasts who visit the property
from every corner of the globe.
Arrival at this Fantasy Island-esque resort—where every
wish is a concierge’s command—involves a spectacular
30-minute seaplane flight that is more a sightseeing adventure
than an airport transfer. The hotel arranges your flight
at the time of your reservation, ensuring that your vacation
begins the moment you step off your international flight
and meet the resort’s greeter at the airport in the Maldives’
capital, Mali.
Barefoot luxury envelopes you upon arrival at the
Conrad Maldives itself. Just past the palm-dotted beach
are the impeccably appointed deluxe water villas, each
with its own private terrace and oceanfront plunge pool.
Lush, indigenous foliage surrounds each spacious villa and
stretches directly onto the shore’s welcoming sands, creating
a distinctly Maldivian beach house feel. The sense
of being at one with nature is enhanced each morning
as villa guests awake to the sounds of birds chirping
around outdoor rain garden bathrooms.
If you’re a true ocean lover, you may prefer the resort’s
famous thatched-roof water villas. Sitting on stilts and
bordered by water on all sides, these luxurious dwellings
come complete with Philippe Starck design touches, offering
a taste of the yachting lifestyle at its finest. Outdoor
terraces boast private hot tubs, and the villas are stocked
with heavenly scented Bulgari toiletries.
Beyond its exquisite villas, the Conrad Maldives offers
an extensive list of activities and amenities. Your day can
begin with a snorkeling expedition to the coral reef that
surrounds the resort, or any other number of activities the
resort’s Water Sports Center organizes. Catamaran sailing,
windsurfing, canoeing, and wakeboarding are among the
options. If you prefer to relax at a less-active pace, the
resort’s spa is a virtual sanctuary with glass-bottom floors
and uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean’s turquoise
expanse. There are two-bed treatment rooms here, should
you care to indulge in a private couples’ massage.
Food and wine connoisseurs will find seven restaurants
and a recently refurbished wine cellar stocked with more
than 10,000 bottles. One eatery, the resort’s Ithaa restaurant,
incorporates the dizzying array of Rangali Island’s
marine life into its dining experience. Set 16 feet below
sea level, the world’s first underwater restaurant has a
glass ceiling and walls, allowing 360-degree views beneath
the ocean’s placid surface.
The Conrad Maldives offers packages that can include
a number of dining options. Summer 2008 rates range
from around $550 per night to about $1,600 per night
based on double occupancy.
MARCH/APRIL 2009 AFFLUENT PAGE LUXURY INDEX 87