The beautiful Maldives is nothing short of a dreamy, tropical paradise that left an indelible mark on my heart. From the moment I arrived until the day of my departure, the Four Seasons resort provided an unforgettable holiday experience. And, for one of the best wellness holidays of my life, I hop on the newly refurbished seaplane called “Boxy” which takes inspiration from colours of the bright box fish. On the bright yellow and black polka-dotted sea ride, I am headed to the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru.
Best of Wellness and Luxury:
As we step down, we are greeted by our beautiful host Carole, who takes us on a quick buggy ride to showcase the lush vast island and the top-notch restaurants with panoramic views and are famous for their Michelin-star chef collaborations and delicious food. The central theme of the island revolves around holistic wellness and planetary well-being, which makes it a perfect stay for someone who needs to spend a holiday in the lap of nature. Here, I stayed in the premier oceanfront bungalow with a pool overlooking the sandy shores of the Indian Ocean. While there are all kinds of indoor and outdoor bathing facilities in my luxurious villa, I believe there’s nothing that beats the joy of taking in the seawater.
The resort offers an impressive array of activities to suit all interests. I was fortunate enough to explore the vibrant marine life during a snorkeling excursion, where I swam alongside manta rays and colorful coral reefs. The Marine Discovery Centre’s conservation efforts left me inspired and educated about the local ecosystem. For relaxation, the overwater Spa and Ayurvedic Retreat was a sanctuary of tranquility, offering rejuvenating treatments in an idyllic setting.
As I spend the next three days discovering the best of hospitality and natural wonders around the island, I am fascinated by the gastronomy trail within the resort. The island of Landaa Giraavaru has some of the most amazing culinary destinations like Blu, where I tried some of the best Italian food like Burrata salad, wood oven calamari pizza, fresh ceviche, and delightful gelatos overlooking brilliant sea views with 50 shades of blue. Another remarkable restaurant here is the Al Barakat, an Arabian delight for those who love Lebanese, Moroccan and Armenian flavours under the colourful Turkish lamps and a royal-themed décor. Stop by Café Landaa for the fresh catch of the day cooked in Asian style, or simply order the comforting Indian, Chinese, or Malay food to satiate your soul.
Holistic Wellbeing:
On the final leg of the holiday, we spend an entire day at the in-house wellness haven AyurMa and attend a wellness talk with Dr Arun Tomson, who tells us about the positive, enduring impact of numerous sustainability efforts that are ongoing in the resort. To add to the indulgent wellness experience, I book a soothing oil massage overlooking the turquoise blue ocean and enjoy the beautiful aromatherapy by the sea. On a tour of the wellness retreat, we learn more about the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda principles and get on board with a calming yoga session by the deck post-dinner to complete our holistic journey on the island.
(Trip Courtesy: Four Seasons Resorts Maldives. To get a feature, connect at newspeakwork@gmail.com)