We're all guilty of scrolling endlessly through travel blogger and wondering where they actually are on holiday. Paradise? Heaven? Nope, it's the Maldives. And we've found a hotel that makes you feel simultaneously like you're the most important person in the world, the only person in the world and like you're at home. Introducing The Residence.
After touching down in Male, the international airport for the Maldives, we took some time to relax in The Residence’s very own VIP lounge and, already, we were getting seriously special treatment. It was time to head to paradise...
What’s the vibe?
After arriving James Bond-style on a luxury speedboat, we pulled up to the 1km-long island consisting of huge luxurious water and beach villas stretched in one long line, meaning half are sunrise villas and the other half sunsets, whichever your preference maybe. The name ‘Residence’ really reflects the overall feel, it’s a homely, cosy piece of paradise. It almost felt like we were the only people staying on the island, but when we asking our amazing host Linette if it was empty, she told us it was 90% full. Somehow the spaced out location and quiet surrounds make it feel like it's your own private island.
Let’s Talk About The Room
I stayed in a sunset water villa, and I have never seen anything like it. Made up of three separate rooms: the living room first, bedroom in the middle, and bathroom on the end and an outside terrace that stretched the entire length of all three. We didn’t just have a plunge pool, as with so many Maldivian resort villas, it was a huge private pool long enough to swim up and down every morning, with the heavenly ocean below us. We fell in love with our room so much, we didn’t leave it all day despite there being several other pools to lounge around in. I also need to discuss the bath. The stand-alone tub situated next to a full length window looked over the beautiful Indian ocean where the sun set. Heaven.
Tip: If you’re as lazy as me on holiday, you’ll want to order breakfast to the room. They’ll kindly set it up on your terrace so you can sip your morning tea in a bikini out in the open air.
How Do You Get Around?
Located outside your front door are two super chic vintage style bikes (very Insta friendly, of course) so you can cycle to breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you are a little wobbly after dinner a beach-buggy taxi will be ready and waiting to drop you home to bed.
What’s For Dinner?
Our first night we dined above the waters at The Falhumaa Restaurant. Listening to the waves beneath us and looking out at stars I opted for the mouth-watering lobster with a cheese crust and side of gnocchi.
The following night we experienced the seafood pot on the beach. This was a dining experience with a difference, as the food was in fact tipped onto the table and it was all about getting stuck in with our fingers. Seriously messy but, with every kind of fresh seafood possible, it was oh-so yummy.
What Else Is There To Do?
We ventured out on The Residence’s sunset dolphin cruise in hope to get lucky and spot them. And as soon as we entered the deeper waters the crew spotted two, and within minutes dozens of them were gracefully swimming alongside the boat jumping out the water and playing with one another. A truly magic experience as the sun was setting on the horizon.
Is There a Spa?
There is indeed a Spa by Clarins at The Residence which is instantly relaxing. I would strongly recommend Clarins’ signature melting honey massage. It felt as delicious as it sounds and left my skin feeling totally rejuvenated and moisturized.
The Best Bit?
I love snorkeling and have always try to do it everywhere I go in the world, but the house reef at The Residence was one of the most amazing I have ever experienced. Just a few meters swim away from our back door was an array of beautiful tropical fish, turtles, baby sharks and manta ray. Seriously beautiful.
Interested?
Stays at The Residence start from £483 per room per night and can be booked at www.cenizaro.com/theresidence. Sea planes from Male can be arranged through the hotel.
