Resort Guide: One&Only Reethi Rah,...

One of the elite upper echelon of luxury resorts in the Maldives, One&Only Reethi Rah is bound to impress

Key selling points for agents:

The resort has villas sleeping up to nine and 10 guests
The signature suite features a stylish bar, sunken fire pit, shisha lounge and outdoor cinema
There are eight bars and restaurants, including plant-based Botanica and a Tree House for two
Barrecore workouts can be enjoyed in villas
The resort houses the Maldives’ first Queenax Superfunctional outdoor training facility
There’s a barbershop, hair and beauty salon, and a spa offering ESPA treatments are available at the spa

Overview
One&Only Reethi Rah is set on one of the largest islands in North Malé Atoll. The name Reethi Rah means ‘beautiful island’ in the local language, Dhivehi. One of the Maldives’ elite ultra-luxury resorts, it opened in 2005 and underwent comprehensive refurbishment in 2016, when several facilities – including a barbershop – were added.

Accommodation
One&Only Reethi Rah is home to 122 private villas discreetly tucked along a talcum shoreline. They’re among the largest resort villas in the world. Choose between 90 luxury Beach Villas, 32 decadent Water Villas and the uber-exclusive Residences. Beach Villas offer unobstructed strolls straight to the glittering Indian Ocean; some have their own private pools. Water Villas have sweeping open-air sun decks that lead directly into the ocean’s refreshing turquoise depths. The extravagant Grand Residence sleeps up to nine, and Grand Sunset Residence sleeps 10.

Food and Drink
Eponymous overwater restaurant Reethi serves an exotic blend of Asian, Modern European and Italian cuisines. Rising from the ocean, it’s a serene spot to enjoy breakfast. By night, it transforms into a dramatic food theatre with three acts: ‘Earth’ fine French fare; ‘Fire’ comprising Asian flavours from the Maldives to Sri Lankan; and ‘Aqua’ seafood with Italian flair.

Garden-grown ingredients and alfresco cooking are on the menu at Matthew Kenney’s plant-based, outdoor dinner restaurant Botanica.

Another atmospheric dinner option, Tapasake serves tantalising Japanese-Peruvian fusions with panoramic ocean views. Among its many treasures are elegant plates of sashimi and nigiri and a rare sake collection.

The flaming teppanyaki grill is as mesmerising as the oversized granite and steel sushi counter is a striking centrepiece

High above the green canopy of the island, the Tree House rustles up a seven-course menu for two, while more romantic signature dining experiences can be arranged on the sand, under the stars.

For casual bites, pull up a chair at poolside Rabarbaro and Rah Bar, a den of delicious woodfire oven-baked pizza and authentic Italian gelato.

The Sicilian lemon flavour gelato is like a mouthful of Amalfi Coast

Fanditha is a majlis (Arabian meeting place) on the beach. Enjoy the sand between your toes and Levant-inspired snacks and sundowners while your eyes soak up vitamin sea.

Open for lunch and afternoon snacks, The Beach Club at ClubOne – all rattan swings, double-sized sunbeds and luxury cabanas – is an idyllic setting for relaxed bites between seductively swaying palms.

Facilities
Guests can lose themselves across 12 pristine beaches dotted around the resort, and there’s a pool for every mood, from adults-only to infinity. Further afield, guests can drop anchor in an isolated cove and enjoy a picnic at sea. The ocean is a playground for up-close encounters with sharks, rays and turtles. Canoeing, kayaking and windsurfing are among the water sports on offer.

Master downward dogs in the overwater Yoga Pavilion or visit the sea-facing Fitness Centre for cutting-edge Technogym equipment, a Queenax outdoor workout station and juice bar. One-on-one personal training sessions span disciplines including Power Plate, kinesis programmes, cycling, boxing and kickboxing.

Unwind in the sea-facing sanctuary of the Only&Only Spa where therapeutic journeys inspired by the island include Asian massages, Watsu pool sessions and guided meditation.

Nature’s Resonance by ESPA is a unique spa experience built upon the pillars of eco-therapy and vibrational energy

Draw on the beneficial powers of binaural beats, the Solfeggio scale and the rhythms of nature to harness the positive energy of the Earth’s vibrations.

Barber&Blade offers a curated menu of grooming options for the discerning gentleman. One&Only Hair Salon offers comprehensive hairstyling. Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio by Bastien Gonzalez takes a holistic approach to manicures and pedicures using world-renowned Bastien Gonzalez’s famous methods.

While grown guests enjoy the facilities, little VIPs will be looked after with Reethi Rah’s KidsOnly programme.

Before departure, guests can nip into Neo Boutique for a chic souvenir.

For more information, visit www.oneandonlyresorts.com/reethi-rah

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