Taj Exotica Resort & Spa

The archipelago of paradise

The southern Malé atoll is one of the most popular in the Maldives because of its proximity to the capital city of Malé. It’s the smallest capital city in the world but interesting nevertheless for those who want to know more about the history of the Maldives. Tourists can visit the city’s mosques especially the famous Huruku Miskiiy Mosque, or they can simply stroll through the town to see how the archipelago’s natives live. Maldivians are very hospitable. They’re accustomed to seeing tourists from all over the world and are only too willing to show you the way to the different sites like the fish market or Port Dhonis. Island-hotels in this atoll offer tourists a discovery circuit of the Indian Ocean’s underwater life. Considered to be one of the most beautiful diving sites in the world, the South Malé atoll possesses a fabulous aquatic seascape with a great deal of coral and schools of fish with hypnotic colors. Experienced deep-sea divers can also swim with the gray sharks or the leopard rays. It’s hard to be bored in the Maldives even though the primary tourist activity is still basking in the sun on the beach. Who can blame them after discovering the exceptional settings of hotels like the Taj Exotica?

In the heart of the largest lagoon in the Maldives

Once you’ve recovered your baggage and leave the airport, a speedboat ride of barely 15 minutes takes you the Taj Exotica, the exact sort of hotel tourists fantasize about. Here, dreams are surpassed by reality.

The hotel’s 62 villas have a magnificent view of the horizon and the Indian Ocean. Many of them are built on stilts with every possible modern comfort, a beautiful terrace overlooking the ocean and swimming pools whose blue water blends in with that of the lagoon. The most prestigious villa is the Rehendo presidential suite with its large living room opening onto a superb wooden terrace and a 12-meter swimming pool. On the beach side, the villas are just a few meters from the sea and are equipped with lovely bathrooms and an outdoor shower in the garden, hidden from curious eyes. The Bedroom Deluxe Beach villas have a private massage room where guests can take advantage of the treatments offered by the sumptuous, Indian inspired Jiva Grand Spa, in total privacy.

The hotel’s swimming pool is right near the beach, and those who wish to remain active, even on vacation, can use the very well equipped fitness center, or take deep-sea diving classes in order to explore the mysteries of the Indian Ocean.

Two restaurants are available to guests with a choice of enjoying refined Asian cuisine at the 24° on the beach or Mediterranean dishes at the Deep End, while admiring the superb landscape. Wine is also featured with an international selection of the finest quality wines, which can be discovered during a meal or during a wine tasting session organized by the Equator Bar. Guests can also ask their personal maître d’hôtel to organize a romantic private dinner on the beach or in the small pavilion on the ocean, a few meters from the hotel.

“We tend to leave regimented lives when we’re on vacation. Our guests like to have nothing special to do on the island, thus enabling them to relax. Shopping is not on the program. There are no tours of a city, because we prefer that guests discover the small neighboring islands to get a precise idea of local life.” Girish Sehgal, general manager of the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa