EXCLUSIVE: New One&Only Reethi Rah Maldives Resort Set to Open in March
One&Only Resorts will open a spectacular all villa resort in the Maldives in March 2005. Aptly named One&Only Reethi Rah, which means “Beautiful Island” (in the national language, Dhivedi), the resort is in the North Male’ Atoll and easily accessible by a 45-minute One&Only luxury yacht transfer, arranged around guests’ personal flight details. One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives will be one of the largest resort islands. Orientated north-south and free-formed shaped, with several private coves and a remarkable 12 powder soft white sand beaches, the island promises to be a truly unique hideaway that offers its guests an extraordinary degree of privacy in its 44 hectare/109 acre expanse.
On completion, the resort will feature 130 tastefully appointed villas and 40 swimming pools, 37 of which are private villas pools with carved lava stone aqua beds overlooking the sea and ranging in size from 23 m_ to 50 m_. Each villa will be a superb retreat and private gateway to luxury living in the tropics; with choice accommodation ranging from splendid beach villas featuring large verandas and direct ocean access, to grand over-water suites boasting magnificent sunbathing platforms, ocean hammocks for lounging and expansive leisure areas.
Commenting on One&Only Reethi Rah, J.T. Kuhlman, One&Only Resorts’ Chief Executive Officer, said: ‘This new resort will certainly be a special addition to our luxury group setting unprecedented new benchmarks for the resort industry worldwide and complementing our six existing award winning properties as well as boosting tourism to the Maldives.’
One&Only Reethi Rah’s stylish, haute chic feel is combined with a diverse Asian influence, blending clean lines with skilful use of natural materials such as coconut shell, sea grass, silk, rattan, teak, mahogany, terrazzo and thatch.
Set in lush vegetation, all villas are spaced approximately 20 metres apart for the ultimate privacy. Their high airy ceilings are complemented by bamboo arches and generous exterior space to allow for a variety of personal entertainment and al fresco villa dining options. With large terraces, sundecks, luxurious bathrooms with oversized custom crafted baths overlooking the Indian Ocean plus personal villa host service as regular offerings, guests are pampered in their private sanctuary throughout their stay at One&Only Reethi Rah. In addition, the villas will feature Philips wide flat-screen 30 inch LCD interactive televisions, CD/DVD players, surround sound theatre systems, high speed broadband access, satellite television channels, customised private bar, espresso and tea-making facilities, 30cm Sealy pillow top posturpedic mattresses, 300 thread-count Egyptian cotton linens with satin finish, and a choice of plush terry and linen bathrobes.
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The 54 beach villas, each with a total area of 135 m_, occupy their own stretch of sandy shore, and are positioned to offer guests unobstructed views of the ocean. Large verandas with picturesque outdoor seating areas, external showers for after sun play and roomy yet comfortable interiors provide guests the perfect setting for a truly exclusive getaway. With a larger exterior space to incorporate a private rectangular-shaped swimming pool, One&Only Reethi Rah’s 27 beach villas with pools are ideal for those who desire a cool swim in luxurious solitude.
Thirty water villas are neatly set in clusters of four on gangways that stretch out to the lagoon from various points of the island. Each villa has a total area of 135 m_ comprising beautiful interiors, which make up 75 m_ of glorious space, and a split-level veranda that boasts an external area of 70 m_. Large netted ocean hammocks similar to those on luxury catamarans will be suspended on the outer rim of the chic decking for breezy sunbathing or relaxing star-gazing.
The six duplex villas, amongst which three have their own private pool, are the ideal family option: each duplex comprises one king size bed villa and one villa with two queen beds and a divan (perfect to accommodate four children and a nanny, or a couple with three children). The two villas in the duplex stand five metres apart linked by a path but are screened by lush vegetation, making it possible to use them separately.
Perched majestically on sturdy platforms above the lagoon facing westward are One&Only Reethi Rah’s two Grand Water Suites. The setting presents the perfect place for taking in dazzling Maldivian sunsets. Each suite will have a sizeable private pool overlooking the ocean, large decks with covered and uncovered areas, sun loungers and netted hammocks that line the exterior perimeter of the veranda - quite possibly, the most unique feature of the resort’s over-water villas. The interior of the Grand Water Suite will boast a spacious bedroom, a luxury bathroom as well as a separate sitting area and dining room.
The largest villas on the resort are the Grand Beach Suites. Two of them offer one double bedroom and three have two double rooms. With five villas available, these elegantly appointed suites will be the ultimate experience in luxury holiday retreats. Occupying their own sections of coast amidst tropical foliage, all Grand Beach Suites will have individual pools, canopied day beds, extensive outdoor seating areas and private beach and lagoon access. Aside from the bedrooms, the large interiors include full en suite facilities as well as separate dining areas and sitting rooms.
The One&Only Spa will offer a fresh approach to healing traditions in the Maldives. Located on a secluded part of the resort, the One&Only Spa will be brought about by the joint efforts of One&Only Resorts and UK-based spa consultants and operator E’SPA. The total spa area is 18,000 m_, comprising eight single treatment suites, two double over-water treatment suites, a reception lounge with lifestyle boutique, hair salon, Tai-Chi pavilions for yoga and relaxation, separate rest areas for men and women, a fitness centre, a world-renowned Bastien Gonzales Podiatry and Pedicure Clinic, crystal steam rooms and ice fountains.
Award winning London-based florist, Steve Woodham is lending his specialist expertise to develop an orchid farm on the island, which will breed over seven unique species including one special hybrid - the One&Only Orchid. Steve Woodham, who is now developing his third project with One&Only Resorts after One&Only Le Saint Géran and One&Only Le Touessrok in Mauritius, will also design the orchid floral arrangements throughout the resort.
One&Only Reethi Rah will offer excellent cuisine and choice, including healthy options and a level of service that is unsurpassed in tropical island resorts. There will be two fine dining restaurants and an eclectic beachside restaurant with a lounge bar, as well as two additional bars.
Reethi Restaurant, the resort’s main dining room, will comprise three separate areas with “open-concept” kitchens, bakery and pastry stations, serving contemporary cuisine from Asia Pacific, Middle East and Mediterranean. A wine cellar with an extensive selection of premium labels from around the world, will double-up as a private dining room for special events. There will also be a coffee bar that serves traditional and speciality brews.
Tapasake will serve Japanese fare with an Indian twist in a unique over-the-water setting, complete with a sushi and sashimi bar. A special feature of this outlet will be fresh seafood - smoked to order. The premium selection of Rieslings and Sake will add the final touch to this truly extraordinary dining experience.
On the northern tip of One&Only Reethi Rah is Fanditha - an informal restaurant that will serve healthy chargrills and salads. The chill-out ambience with Arabesque influence and vibrant colours combined with the open views of the ocean will make Fanditha the ideal place for light lunches and private evenings.
The Rah Bar is the resort’s poolside bar, which will have the largest selection of Champagne and sparkling wine in the region. It will also offer a fine selection of cigars, frozen smoothies, fruit juices and even 20 different varieties of water. This bar will be perfect for light lunches, afternoon tea, and cocktails.
Paul Jones, Chief Operating Officer of One&Only Resorts, comments: ‘Having been with the group for over 30 years, I am confident and excited that One&Only Reethi Rah will be the pinnacle of our efforts and the ultimate expression of luxury.’
Michael Luible, General Manager to be of One&Only Reethi Rah, comments: ‘With its incredible sense of space and privacy, spectacular contemporary design, 12 beaches, 40 swimming pools and one of the highest staff to guest ratios in the world, the resort is absolutely intoxicating - a tropical playground for the world’s most elite travellers and a destination in itself.’
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