Fresh , relaxed and harnessing laid back Maldivian existence there was just one more stop on my whirlwind adventure , and that was for a sneak peak at the newest jewel in the CCR Crown : the new 5-star ultra luxury , ultra exclusive adults-only Hurawalhi Island Resort .
Situated across the water from Kuredu in the Lhaviyani Atoll , Hurawalhi looks set to revolutionise the luxury resort sector with an emphasis on healthy people , healthy planet and healthy local communities . This resort is not just about showcasing the beauty of the Maldives but of protecting it ; of offering the best cuisine , but with a nod to clean living ; of providing the best treatments not just for body but for mind and to do so in absolute luxury .
Offering just 90 rooms – 60 of them built on stilts above the water – these are suites of the next level . The wide ( enough for a golf buggy transfer should you wish ) wooden jetty at the western tip of the small island snakes across the house reef out into the azure blue Indian Ocean and leads the way to a decadent mix of sunrise and sunset Ocean Villas , the pinnacle of which are the Sunset Ocean Pool Villas , and if you make it to the end you will be rewarded with an ice cold glass of bubbly from what may be the most primely located champagne bar in the world .
Designed by award-winning Yuji Yamazaki of YYA New York , the 100sqft suites offer the best of luxury contemporary design , high vaulted ceilings
in pale wood offset by dark wood panelling , and furniture bedecked with plush furnishings and linen , and art commissioned to bring the sea into the room with an array of ocean-themed paintings , pictures and sculptures . Adjacent to the bedroom is a marble bathroom with rainforest shower and Molton Brown toiletries which also leads directly to the enclosed private decking area with private infinity pool and steps directly into the crystal clear ocean beneath .
Every aspect of the room – from the king-size bed to the sofa , the shower to the pool – is designed to harness the view beyond , and standing on the edge of the pool allows you , quite literally , to stand on the edge of the world with uninterrupted panoramic views of the horizon beyond – it is quite honestly spectacular .
And of course that is not all . As well as offering prime snorkelling and diving at the house reef there will be a host of activities and entertainment including football , tennis and yoga , the over-thesea Duniye Spa where every treatment room is above water , and plenty of excursions including one to Dream Island , a tiny bank of sand with one little wooden umbrella – paradise found !
And of course there is the food …
The three signature restaurants take complete advantage of this beautiful setting : the plush , high ceilinged , contemporary lit Canneli is situated ‘ on the beach ’, offering stunning views ; but venture further out across the jetty and you will find yourself on the large decked area of Aquarium , the ‘ over the water ’ fine dining ofering ; but by far the icing on this paradise cake is 5.8 / Under the Sea – the largest ‘ under the sea ’ restaurant . In . The . World ! Descending the spiral staircase takes you 5.8m under the Indian Ocean and into another world . It is beautiful , captivating and surprisingly bright ! During the day the joke is that you will probably need to wear your sunglasses as the sun ’ s rays light the array of marine life swimming by in their natural habitat , whilst at night spectacular underwater lights will subtly yet charismatically light the reef providing a once in a lifetime opportunity to dine on a signature menu in a unique , mesmerising and memory creating setting – one I am honoured to have seen .
www . hurawalhi . com
And that is what the Maldives really offers : uniqueness , beauty and charm ; Crown & Champa Resorts do so with an added air of service , commitment and passion .
With a heavy heart but with an abundance of new , unique and amazing experiences , I bid a fond farewell to the Maldives , richer in knowledge and richer in soul for having experienced it .
www . crownandchamparesorts . com
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