RAFFLES MALDIVES MERADHOO

Only a few months old, this luxury hotel is an oasis in the middle of the ocean.

A circular dining room allows guests a 360-degree view of the surrounding ocean.

To reach this unparalleled property, fly to the southern end of the Maldives archipelago, near the equator. From there, a speedboat is the only way to reach the Raffles Maldives Meradhoo, located on the Gaafu Alifu Atoll – one of the world’s largest and most remote island atolls. Once there, the feeling is clear: This is paradise.

A member of Raffles Hotels & Resorts – whose story started in 1887 with Raffles Singapore, the property that introduced private butlers – Raffles Maldives Meradhoo features an architectural style in line with its context. Offering views of the Indian Ocean, the 38 villas built on the sand and based across two separate islands (Main Island and Overwater Island) are the perfect place to relax and admire the fascinating panorama.

Scheduled to open in the second half of 2019 on the Main Island, the Raffles Royal Residence will be home to expansive living spaces and a lavish marble bathroom with a sunken bathtub and outdoor shower, as well as a private pool and its own private beach.

In all of the hotel’s airy spaces designed by Yee Pin Tan, creative director of BLINK Design Group, the style is modern classic and concepts of fengshui and biophilia were introduced. The colours – mainly blue and sand – evoke tones of the ocean, sky and beach. Painted in blue, windows help to frame sublime views. With glass flooring panels, the terraces encourage the observation of marine life beneath one’s feet at every moment. Art curator Henny Scott invited 14 artists to create 78 artworks inspired by the sea theme and Maldives landscape. Non-traditional materials such as bamboo, ceramic, lacquer, fabric and soil were incorporated into the artworks.

Thanks to the hotel’s resident marine biologist and team of marine butlers, guests can learn more about the underwater world. With the resort’s Padi-certified dive centre, guests are assured of being ready to explore the pristine waters.

The natural beauty of the surroundings clearly inspired the design of the property, including the food and beverage establishments. The alfresco restaurant Thari is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner; Peruvian and Japanese fusion restaurant Yuzu features an immaculately decorated space overlooking the water; The Firepit gives guests the opportunity to have dinner under the stars; while Yapa Sunset Bar – adjacent to Yuzu – and the Long Bar offer open-air beverage experiences. Also set over the water, the Raffles Spa offers luxury facials by Biologique Recherche, and a manicure and pedicure concept by Margaret Dabbs London.

In this dream environment, guests also have access to a fitness centre, seaside yoga sessions and a vast array of water sports. Both through its concept and aesthetic, Raffles Maldives Meradhoo honours the beauty of nature.