Let me take you to the finest address in the beautiful archipelago of the Maldives - The St. Regis Vommuli Resort. This luxurious resort is located on a private 9-hectare island in the Dhaalu Atoll offering a blend of ultra-luxury living, an environmentally friendly approach, and profound respect to the local culture. The guests will be amazed by the first impression they receive, mesmerized by the beautiful and pristine white sand beach, lush greeneries, and impeccable gastronomy offerings. Adding an architectural feature - the combination of modern design mixed with the Maldivian touch and the traditional craftsmanship of the reef and boat builders of the Islands. This combined with the timeless St. Regis heritage, is embodied throughout the entire concept and setting of this remarkable resort.
GOING THERE
Started the trip from DXB which took on a four-hour flight to Male International Airport. Upon arrival at the Airport, the butler will welcome the guests with a warm Maldivian greeting and hand over fresh towels setting the tone for the Island’s stunning surroundings. The St. Regis butler-serviced in an SUV going to the seaplane port while guests wait for their 45-minute flight to the resort. The spacious lounge gives a tranquil and calming lounge – a great start to luxurious experience for couples on a honeymoon or family bonding moments. At the St. Regis seaplane lounge, guests can enjoy a complimentary refreshment and freshly made sandwiches, light snacks, and bites to devour. The lounge also has a 2-bathroom, kids’ playroom, and shower to freshen up after that long flight to reach this beautiful paradise.
THE FINEST ADDRESS
As soon as the seaplane touches down at St. Regis Vomulli Resort, you’re greeted by warm smiles and waves from the welcoming staff, along with breathtaking views of the beach, featuring pristine white sands and crystal-clear waters.
Even within the scope of the island, specifically at location in southern part of the archipelago, four different ecological zones can be distinguished, each brimming with its specific features due to the location that transpired to its design and construction. Many of the resort’s structures and buildings are inspired by these incredible underwater wonders. Swim in parts of the translucent lagoon water teeming with marine life - from blue starfish to vibrant corals and majestic manta rays. The Resorts beach has a strip of cold coral sand whose temperature remains cool under the scorching sun. The shaded jungle is the best place to escape the heat, and the dense trees and bushes surrounding them preserve the state of nature where you can bike and or have a morning stroll around - regulated by the coast that has a perfectly cleaned sandy beach surrounded by palm bushes and other tropical plants - represents the island’s center.
Each zone presents an architecture that condenses or reacts with the natural and man-made environment. Beach villas emerge from the beach and resemble a fisherman’s hut – a story of the first house that might have been built on the unassembled uninhabited island. Where also the family villas are situated - in the coastal zones appropriate for kids and have great access to your very own “private beach. The garden villas are chosen to be in the middle of the forest, so the inside of the villa completely resonates with the shades of green outside the window where design is blurred in the raw and bushy jungle of the island. It is not clumsy but determines the boundaries of luxury and comfort of a tropical garden – where it is convenient to be – and where it should be.
Coastal villas took up the maximum tiering up the ocean, and some buildings-built overwaters which made everything more romantic or the experience of pure bliss. The St. Regis Vommulli Resort an Island Paradise also has five distinct restaurants that cater to the different tastes and palates of its guests, from Western food cravings to Middle Eastern flairs.
Accommodations
The accommodations at the St. Regis Vommulli Resort are designed both to pamper the guests with the utmost luxury and expose them at the same time to the island’s natural environment. Both types of villas were designed to be unique to the location of any villa in the resort and the characteristics of the specific ecological zone of the chosen site. From full-on personal butler service, daily housekeeping where you get freshly made bed, replenished towels, and even the light and warm greetings from the exemplary staff who ensure mornings every mornings begin beautifully.
Beach Villas
The designs of these villas were created concerning to the textures and patterns of the island’s sandy beaches. The interiors display customized bronze lights, and artworks inspired by driftwood, seashells, and seashore plants. The carpets in the villas reflect the beach’s layout. Moreover, all beach villas have large, floor-to-ceiling windows leading out to private terraces with views across the open ocean, free from any vegetation and right straight to your own private beach. Most interiors are designed to remain in the shade and stay calm during the day and keeping their privacy. While the blazing sun gives a scorching heat outside the villa, there’s the temperature control private pool with your very own outdoor lounge and sunbeds, making it a perfect retreat after a day spent on the beach and other water and land activities.
Garden Villas
The garden villas are in the dense garden jungles in sight of nothing but lush greeneries, enchanting flora and life of faunas. The designs of the villas include the elements of the island’s vegetation surrounding the villa; the colors and textures reflect the atmosphere of the green jungle all around. The private, spacious tropical garden in the garden villas is intentionally maintained in disarray, in vivid contrast to the wild jungle around, focusing attention on the replanted flora separated by a protective fence around the villa compound. The outside bathtub and the rain shower are also major features which all the villas have.
Overwater Villas
The overwater villas are designed to offer both space and stunning views of either the sunrise which rise on the east side and or the mesmerizing sunset on the west. The villas are divided into two types: those that are half-perched on the rocky coast and those that sit directly on the rocky shoals that fringe the island. When looking from a bird’s eye point of view - the overwater villa form and inspired by the manta rays gracefully swimming in the lagoon – what a very thoughtful and creative idea. The combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern design elements creates a warm, inviting atmosphere that is both timeless and contemporary.
Each villa has high-speed internet, flat screen TV, a luxurious bathroom which includes both a rain shower and a deep soaking tub, and full butler service. This means that every wish is met, whether it is getting a private dinner outside on the beach or just planning your day with a list of activities that guests will enjoy.
Dining Experiences
The resort’s dining experiences reflect the island being as unique and diverse; and each restaurant, as a distinct story, complements the culinary journey. In addition to its ultra luxury service, the resort’s approach to food service is to tell the narrative of each venue, its history and its inspiration.
The Whale Bar
As the name suggests, the Whale Bar is an iconic bar ideal for enjoying a drink surrounded by the beauty of the seascape, especially during a great sunset hour. The design concept of the structures resembles a shape of a whale which influences the name. The bar interior is a unique piece of artwork, which also has a mural a reference to a sea turtle and different underwater creatures. The legend behind the bar is of the owner and his little son, who were awestruck by the beauty of Vommuli Island and its lagoon and bought this unique piece for their resort. This luxurious bar offers a selection of fine wines, cocktails, and light snacks, serving as an ideal place for an aperitif. The bar also serves dinner service featuring an impressive selection of meats, poultry, and seafood – which they cook through a high-performance Josper grill – a closed charcoal grill that combines the features of a grill and an oven resulting in a unique, smoky flavor to the food while retaining its moisture. Notably, this is the only Josper grill in the Maldives, setting the resort apart from others. Adding into this, what a St. Regis experience without the Champagne Saber tradition – happening during the hour when the sun gracefully sets.
Cargo Restaurant
One of the most creative and indigenously designed resorts commands a hidden restaurant in the thick of the jungle. Cargo Restaurant is stuck inside a rusty, battered shipping container, representing the story of the founder John Jacob Astor went down in the Titanic in 1912. The Cargo container is a memento of the resort’s sustainability concept and a tale of survival and the ability to adapt to the surrounding world. During the day, the Cargo looks out of place in the greenery, when the night sets in; the container springs to life and becomes the home of a pop-up restaurant. The restaurant takes you to an Arabian flair of an elevated Middle Eastern menu, which is rich and hearty, and embodies the availability of some food products straight from the resort’s organic garden. The selection is always multifaceted, reflecting the chef’s wandering ideas and craftiness on the neighboring island. All tables and chairs are arranged in an intimate manner – where both couples on a sweet date can enjoy their privacy or for families to bond comfortably.
Crust and Craft
Near the beach, two junkie shacks representing Crust and Pantry. The design of these huts has been inspired by the surrounding rough, unpretentious fisherman’s cabins standing on the rafts near the islands and the coastline. At Crust and Pantry, fans of Western and Italian cuisines can feel at home with a palatable choice of hamburgers, chicken wings, bruschetta, and pizzas – which every guest dearly loved. The perfectly kneaded crust of the pizza and fresh bread ordered from the Pantry becomes exceptionally enjoyable right by the beach where the ocean, gentle breeze, and calm winds create the perfect setting.
Orientale
Feast in Korean, Chinese, and Japanese culinary to a different level of taste and hospitality. This restaurant is set in a majestic oriental gastronomic with a tropical and contemporary mixed ambiance. At Orientale, guests can enjoy these fine oriental dishes prepared by the best chefs on the island, who mainly focus on this delightful cuisine. Devour in fresh sushi and sashimi freshly caught from the Indian Ocean or savor the newly cultivated and picked herbs and greens from the resort’s sustainable garden. With calm seas and swaying trees adding to those calming feels.
Iridium Spa and Wellness
The Iridium Spa is one of the finest features of the resort’s wellness array. Based on an architectural feat and inspired by the life of the lagoon, the Iridium is built in the image of the marine fauna. Its components are designed to present the form of crustaceans and cephalopods. The focal point is the Blue Hole, a pool resembling the deep holes in the reefs. The water is so blue and peaceful, making it a relaxing experience. The spa rooms of the Iridium Spa are designed to blend in with its environment and provide an open-air experience to the visitors. The treatments range from massages, scrubs, and facials with the use of luxury natural-inspired products. One of the hallmarks of the Iridium is the Kahaia Haven ritual. The procedure consists of a black-pearl powder scrub and a massage to replenish one’s energy. The visitors are also encouraged to participate in the yoga and meditation sessions designed to give the body and mind the respite they need to connect with the island. As well as explore the gym room which has a decent enough space for every guest to exercise and burn those calories.
Snorkeling and Marine Biology Tours
The St Regis Vomullli Resort lagoon is home to several sea turtles, schools of fish, and many other bright representatives of very different marine species. The resort sends its marine biologists to lead the snorkeling tour and to explain a great deal both about the specifics of this very lagoon and the general operation of the ecosystem, and to stress the difference activities in the ocean might have for both the life underwater.
Additionally, the resort provides various cultural activities, such as dancing and music performances, cooking lessons, and art courses – upon request. These activities are aimed at fostering customer satisfaction and promoting resort visitors’ understanding of Maldivian traditions and the cultural heritage of the country in general. Moreover, various cultural events are offered to allow people to enjoy pastimes and leisure on the island.
REVIEW:
First, visitors are allocated personal butlers responsible for everything concerning their stay on the island, starting with the luggage ferried directly to the guest’s villas to organizing various events and food exploration. The most fascinating in these people is that they are really versed in - to the actual content of the stay gear and are eager to stick to any customer requests and customize all the services provided. There is also a team of very professional concierges who can give the best recommendation for any visit. They could organize and provide various pool, spa, beach, etc., services in the Maldives and other neighboring islands. Also, they can arrange a special secluded dinner on the beach and have every event exclusively made. It is also important to say that at this resort, everything is in the details, and is extremely customized and service-related, with all the customers' needs at the same amount of care.
One of the most outstanding resorts in the Maldives, this destination manages to combine luxurious vacations with sustainability and acknowledgment of local culture and traditions. The attention to detail of the island’s design and the way many of its features reflect factors of its nature and national heritage makes one feel surrounded by the place and at the same time fascinated by it. The irreproachable service and variety of vacation activities and food make it close to paradise for every guest, whatever they may desire or expect from their stay. If one enjoys active vacations or seeks spiritual peace with the natural world, there is no other place in the world that would allow such an experience in such a luxury in this Finest Address.