Anantara Kihavah Villas

The Maldives

With its coconut palms, coral atolls and dream islands, The Maldives is an open invitation to an exotic vacation. This idyllic setting, somewhere between myth and reality, is ideal for discovering the myriad islands in the beautiful Indian Ocean. 1200 of them spread throughout 26 atolls make up the Maldives archipelago, a Mecca for deep sea divers as they contain some of the richest marine depths in the world.

Since the mid 1980s, many of these islands have been transformed into veritable island-hotels for welcoming the constantly increasing number of visitors which has made tourism the country’s primary source of income. Of the 200 inhabited islands, 90 are reserved solely for tourists.

The Baa atoll, located in the northwest part of the Maldives, has 15 island-hotels, where guests can play Robinson Crusoe, although in total luxury. Classified as a “biosphere reserve” by UNESCO, the atoll possesses in its numerous reefs, a biodiversity of world importance.

It is also one of the rare sites in the world where whale sharks come together to mate and the venue where one can observe the largest gathering of manta rays.

A Garden of Eden

The Anantara Kihavah, the Maldives’ most design hotel, is located on an island covered with coconut palms and bordered by a white sand beach in the Baa atoll. Spread throughout the beach or on the transparent water of the lagoon, its 78 ultra luxurious villas were designed according to Maldivian tradition.

Architect Mohamed Shafeq, a Malé native, made certain that the surrounding nature was preserved and that the villas were in total harmony with their environment. The resort was therefore built around the greenery, and no trees were either moved or cut down.

The ultra spacious villas are decorated in a contemporary style that blends Indian, Moroccan and tropical elements. The natural materials, Asian objects and the combination of colors inspired by the coral reef, create an elegant and refined space.

On the water or hidden in the lush vegetation, all the villas have a private mosaic pool, a terrace and an outdoor shower. In the water villas, the bathtubs have a stunning glass bottom, enabling guests to admire the abundance of fish living in the lagoon.

The Presidential Villa is the most incredible of all. With its textured walls, refined fabrics and doors that open entirely onto the outside, it represents 2,734 square meters of pure luxury.

But the height of luxury here is the preserved sense of intimacy. Surrounded by lush vegetation including a scattering of orchids, the island villas seem to be protected by the pandanus and coconut palm trees, and above the transparent lagoon, the water villas are a blend of exquisite style and spacious intimacy.

The Anantara spa dedicated to well being, is also on the water. It’s the place to go for a well deserved massage after swimming a few lengths in the huge open air pool. Located above glass boards, guests can enjoy the lagoon’s underwater life.

The 5 star Anantara, with its 5 restaurants and 2 bars, and a design inspired by the ocean, assures guests of exceptional cuisine.

But the real jewel of the island is the gastronomic Sea Fire Salt and Sky. Hidden at the end of the jetty, it consists of a bar, the Sky, with a superb view of the ocean, a Teppanyaki restaurant, the Fire, whose roof is in the shape of a cuttlebone and an Asian restaurant, the Salt, which uses Himalayan salt to present and to serve its dishes. Finally, the Sea is an underwater restaurant unique in the world. Surrounded by the coral reef, guests can dine, immersed in the lagoon, as they admire the incredible ballet of turtles, dolphins and manta rays.

Kihavaha, the name of the hotel means coconut, a running theme throughout the resort.