Evaluation: InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort

Wednesday newsletters all the time characteristic a lodge or flight assessment.

I lately loved an fantastic vacation within the Maldives. Throughout my journey, I didn’t keep at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani – my favourite resorts within the Maldives (I’m going again although in 2024) – however I attempted out some new, ultra-luxurious and fabulous resorts. Learn my journey experiences right here:

At the moment: Evaluation of InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort

An unique personal island resort, located on the southernmost tip of the distant Raa Atoll, subsequent to UNESCO biosphere reserve Baa Atoll, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort enjoys probably the most secluded and sumptuous places within the Maldives. The property’s 81 spacious villas and residences – both positioned on the seaside, across the lagoon or overwater – are mixed with intensive wellness & leisure amenities, bespoke experiences and 6 eating places & bars. A spotlight of the resort is its world-class service, together with being the primary resort worldwide to supply Membership InterContinental advantages to all company (e.g. each day afternoon tea, night aperitif and and all-day refreshments by the pool or seaside). The ultra-luxe property is surrounded by a myriad of marine life and residential to a singular and spectacular manta ray sanctuary, making it the perfect lodge within the Maldives to snorkel with manta rays 12 months spherical (which actually units it aside amongst luxurious resorts within the Maldives).

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort options in my high 10 lists of the finest luxurious resorts & lodges within the Maldives, the finest family-friendly resorts within the Maldives, and the finest InterContinental Motels & Resorts on this planet.

Have you ever ever stayed at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort? In that case, what was your expertise? Go away a remark.

On this assessment (extra information and images under my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

• Opened in September 2019, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is about on the southern fringe of the largely untouched Raa Atoll, simply north of the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Website. The property is reached by way of a 35-minute scenic seaplane switch from Male. After touchdown at Velana Worldwide Airport (Male), the resort’s airport representatives meet company as soon as all immigration formalities have been accomplished to escort them to check-in for the seaplane switch to Maamunagau Island. Subsequent, company are taken by personal switch to Male’s new seaplane terminal (a 5 min automobile experience), which homes a dedicacted InterContinental lounge the place company can comfortably relaxation and calm down until the departure of their scheduled seaplane flight. Seaplane flights solely function throughout daylight, so for worldwide flights arriving after 3.30 pm, a 20-minute home flight by wheeled aircraft, adopted by a brief speedboat experience will probably be organized.

• InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is about inside Maamunagau, the Maldives’ largest pure lagoon. Maamunagau is a identified juvenile manta ray aggregation spot, the place younger manta rays spend their days in a sheltered space till they’re massive sufficient to journey. Between December and April, manta rays are simply noticed within the lagoon as they migrate between the atolls throughout the northeast monsoon months. Simply south of the resort sits Baa Atoll, which is residence to Hanifaru Bay, one of many only a few locations on this planet the place whale sharks congregate to mate, and the place guests can snorkel amongst feeding congregations of whale sharks and huge teams of manta rays between Might and September. It makes the InterContinental Resort the perfect spot within the Maldives for snorkeling with manta rays all 12 months spherical.

• Created with each {couples} and households in thoughts, the intuitive design of InterContinental Maldives was created by Singapore-based architects’s Eco-ID, aiming to be inspiring, refined and made for trendy barefoot residing. All through the resort structure, pared-down, localized components are the essence, hereby placing the concentrate on the majestic outside, enhancing the unrivalled magnificence, mesmerizing mild and tropical panorama of the atoll. Inside the resort’s open-air pavilions (such because the reception space and the eating places), off-form and subtly textured concrete finishes are paired with timber log columns. Intensive use of contemporary Nako louvres complement the glossy aesthetics whereas permitting pure mild and air flow management. Interiors of the general public locations characteristic delicate color palettes with beige materials and light-weight wooden, subtly interrupted by some playful touches of brilliant crimson and yellow. Total, the resort’s design is outlined by honesty and authenticity reasonably than opulence and glitter.

• InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort incorporates a good structure wherein the resort is split into three distinct areas, each coming with its personal amenities and distinctive kind of lodging. First, there’s the magnificent island itself, which is residence to the principle pool space, a number of eating places (together with the Lighthouse), a wellness heart, and 30 seaside villas, all of them surrounded by expansive personal gardens that result in the seaside. On the heart of the resort is the lagoon space, which is residence to the foyer pavilion, boat home, adults solely space, and 26 two-storey lagoon villas, the primary of their form within the Maldives, combining overwater views with direct seaside and lagoon entry (3 islets have been reclaimed to create this distinctive website situation). Boardwalks then lead from the lagoon space to resort’s third space, the overwater space, which is residence to the resort’s 25 overwater villas.

• Among the many resort’s 81 villas are six monumental residences. That includes 2 or 3 bedrooms with kitchen, eating and spacious in and outside residing area, these residences are the right option to host a giant household or group. Throughout my keep, I used to be upgraded to one among these villas, the three-bedroom lagoon residence, a heaven of luxurious on the finish of the lagoon space. The villa provided a big eating and front room , a personal cabana with a big infinity pool and an outside deck space overlooking the turquoise lagoon. The main bedroom was positioned in its personal personal pavilion separated from the principle villa with a king sized mattress overlooking the ocean and an en-suite lavatory that includes an over sized bathtub and outside rainshower. As well as, there have been two visitor bedrooms on the primary ground of the principle villa that includes one king mattress and two twin beds; each got here with en suite bogs and ocean views. The bogs have been stocked with luxurious facilities by Byredo.

• InterContinental Maldives’ seaside, overwater and lagoon villas all include a personal pool. But, as if that’s not sufficient, there are additionally two distinct communal pool areas, each of them overlooking the turquoise lagoon. Positioned on the principle island, instantly on the seaside, the principle pool is open to all visitor (together with youngsters) and enjoys views of the sundown. Surrounded by dozens of solar loungers and two eating places (extra on that under), the free-form pool options completely different sections with variable depth, a separate children pool and a swim-up bar. Positioned within the lagoon space of the lodge is The Retreat, and adults solely enclave which is residence to a wonderful infinity pool. The Retreat is a perfect venue to spend a morning lazing by the pool with a curated cocktail to chill down adopted by a collection of candy and savoury finger meals paired with an beautiful collection of tea, and to finish the day with sundowners or night digestives of premium wines and cheese.

• Along with Soneva Fushi, Anantara Kihavah, and Park Hyatt Maldives, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort ranks among the many most lovely and pristine pure islands within the Maldives, rising up out of the ocean’s sapphire blue like a mirage. Actually a tropical paradise, the idyllic island is totally surrounded by the whitest of powdery sands, lapped by crystal-clear turquoise waters, and framed by coconut palms swaying within the breeze. Set inside its personal pure lagoon on the southernmost tip of the Raa Atoll, the ocean stretches out so far as the attention can see, with hardly one other island in view, and there’s even a powerful sandbank with lighthouse which makes for good Instagram pictures. The island of Maamunagau is sort of small: it takes lower than half-hour to stroll round it. Bicycles are offered to discover the canopied paths, which wind throughout the island between the a whole lot of palm bushes. Complimentary buggy service (24/7) is offered as properly.

• InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort provides six distinct eating places and bars, providing quite a lot of scrumptious delicacies in thoughtfully curated ambiances.
  • The Lighthouse is the resort’s signature restaurant and it delivers a memorable eating expertise with 360-degree views of the Indian Ocean. The venue serves vibrant dishes crafted from the best seasonal components and seafood. For a extra intimate setting, go for a personal desk on the terrace or a candle-lit desk on the seaside.
  • Fish Market is a singular sea-to-table interactive kitchen idea mixing the Maldivian seafood with fragrant flavours from South East Asia. Designed as a hub of connectivity, the overwater restaurant is a favorite for sundown eating.
  • Positioned alongside the principle pool is Café Umi, a Japanese-inspired restaurant offering elevated consolation and basic favourites, impressed by pure, natural and sustainable delicacies.
  • Additionally positioned alongside the principle pool is The Collective, a extra informal affair serving scrumptious recent juices, pastries and wholesome wraps, and wood-fired pizza. The Collective additionally options an indoor “Gelato Bar” with boutique.
  • Subsequent to the Fish Market is a ship home. The higher deck’s Sundown Bar supplies a trendy and romantic atmosphere with the perfect sundown moments on the island. Right here, signature cocktails and skilled suggestions of the resort’s Champagne Sommelier go hand in hand with delectable canapes with the curated music amplifying the intimate atmosphere. On the decrease deck is a wine bar which is ideal for personal occasions.
  • The Retreat, the adults-only enclave with a personal bar and its personal infinity pool on the water’s edge, additionally has its personal restaurant (open for lunch solely).

• The resort’s signature AVI Spa is positioned on the island’s southern tip, close to the Lighthouse. The intimate wellness heart options six overwater therapy villas together with steam rooms, ice fountains, an outside vitality therapeutic massage pool, a yoga pavilion and a gymnasium. A number one Conventional Chinese language Medication (TCM) practitioner, who’s specialised in acupuncture and Chinese language natural medication, makes use of the pillars of Chinese language wellness to revive concord and stability to company via numerous therapies. These embrace anti-ageing facial acupuncture, cupping remedy, remedial tui-na therapeutic massage, physique therapies, dietary plans and natural medication. Along with the onsite TCM, InterContinental Maldives can tailor menus to any dietary want, enabling company to take pleasure in a versatile and balanced wellness retreat expertise with out compromising their total expertise. All therapies start with a mineral wealthy detoxifying grapefruit and lavender foot cleanse, yogic respiration and a meridian tapping ritual to sluggish the thoughts and put together for the therapy.

• Impreccable and mindblowing service – with out being overbearing – is what units InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort aside. Every villa is allotted a devoted ‘Island Curator’ (butler), who commits to creating ever-lasting reminiscences and considerate particulars. The property can also be the primary and solely all-Membership InterContinental resort, offering company with entry to unique advantages and personalised service all through their keep. Membership InterContinental’s each day complimentary advantages embrace:
  • Day by day breakfast at Café Umi, which provides a terrific breakfast buffet along with an in depth à la carte choice
  • Afternoon tea (served from 3 to five pm) with three tiers of tantalising savouries in addition to uncommon loose-leaf varietals chosen by the in-house tea sommelier
  • Night aperitif providing a deluxe collection of premium wine and cheese. For households, a non-alcoholic beverage choice can also be accessible.
  • All-day refreshments by the pool or seaside

• Dedicated to preserving the ocean for future generations and company, InterContinental Maldives has launched two key conservation initiatives. The primary is a devoted manta ray sanctuary in partnership with the Manta Belief. The partnership, which is in assist of the Maldivian Manta Ray Venture, will nurture a protected habitat for the manta rays throughout the resort’s lagoon in addition to offering company with invaluable data and a possibility to swim alongside these swish creatures and snorkel over underwater coral gardens. InterContinental Maldives can also be centered on minimising its environmental impression with a dedication to decreasing waste from each plastic and glass, and composting bio waste. The resort has additionally entered into an settlement with Parley Maldives, which works to cut back reliance on single-use plastics, intercept sources of plastic waste, and forestall it from coming into the oceans or being disposed of in damaging methods. Parley takes the resort’s plastics and recycles them to make usable merchandise.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

• IMHO, the resort’s “greatest drawback” is that it bears the InterContinental identify. Whereas the InterContinental model is a strong luxurious model with higher-end vacationers amongst its clientele, it isn’t a model that one associates with an ultra-luxury property, which is totally the case for InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort. The lodge ranks among the many easiest resorts within the Maldives I’ve ever stayed at, and much exceeds the expectations one would have when contemplating a keep at an InterContinental Resort. The setting (with the manta ray sanctuary close by), the great thing about the island itself, the superb eating & wellness amenities, and particularly the top-notch service are actually mindblowing. I consider that within the close to future, the IHG Group must give you a brand new model identify to group (and re-brand) its high properties, resembling InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort.

• InterContinental Maldives incorporates a distinctive, up to date and colourful design, which could not be to the liking of all company and which is reasonably uncommon for the Maldives, the place most resorts are characterised by both a conventional tropical type (with tatched roof pavilions) or a minimalist & modernist structure. Additionally, among the resort’s bars & eating places are housed in “faux” venues, resembling a copy Maldivian dhoni boat and a newly constructed lighthouse, which could really feel a bit odd and Disney-like to some company (though I completely liked it). Additionally, the place most resorts within the Maldives make an try to camouflage their workers quarters (by hiding them within the islands’ lust interiors), the InterContinental’s workers quarters are positioned on the island’s shore and are seen from the welcome pavilion & foyer – though the workers quarters are fully surrounded by lush vegetation (so it’s not likely bothersome).

MY VERDICT

• Location: 10/10
• Design: 8/10
• Pool: 10/10
• Rooms: 9/10
• Meals: 9/10
• Breakfast: 10/10
• Spa: 9/10
• Service: 10/10
• Worth for cash: 9/10
• Total expertise: distinctive 9/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

• Lower your expenses: learn right here my suggestions for getting the perfect deal at a luxurious lodge like InterContinental Maldives (and/or obtain many free perks).

• Lower your expenses: IHG has a loyalty program which I reviewed right here and which lets you accumulate factors and change them keep at no cost stays at IHG properties, such because the InterContinental Maldives.

• Learn my suggestions for making ready your journey in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The most effective climate within the Maldives is between January and April, which additionally means excessive season (with low availability and really costly room charges). The monsoon runs from Might to October, peaking in June. It’s price paying larger costs and sticking to the dry season as there’s nothing to do on a wet day besides drink, eat, work out or scuba dive. Particularly November and December, which are sometimes labelled as dry season months, have been very unsettled lately.

HOW TO GET THERE

Attending to the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort requires a 35-minute seaplane switch from Male Worldwide Airport (MLE). Test the Wikipedia web page of Male Worldwide Airport for an up to date record of airways that supply flights to Male Worldwide Airport.

PHOTOS

Right here’s a collection of images of InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort. To view extra lodge images (together with breakfast, luch and dinner), click on right here.

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