DESTINATIONS
Maldives
Male
JULY 2016 - Maldives
From the first moment I saw Bar Refaeli featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit TV special in the Maldives I knew I would one day have to find my way to this gorgeous luxurious destination. For me the Maldives had been on the top of my bucket list for years and at the age of 29 I made my dream come true. I took a one-month trip around the world and visited the Maldives for the very first time. I have since returned two different times, yes that’s right the world traveller who travels all over the world and never goes to the same destination more then once has found her very own guilty pleasure.
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The Maldives is absolute my favorite place to vacation in the world, I am madly in LOVE with the Maldives. I love its exotic vibe, remote location and gorgeous white sandy beaches and clear water that go’s on forever. The Maldives is unlike anywhere I have ever visited in my life, the water, sun, air everything is different. The ocean is the clearest water I have ever seen with gorgeous white sand, there’s nothing like it. The air is so fresh as most of these atolls are miles and miles away from anything making this location very remote. The sun gives you the most gorgeous
sunrises every morning and the stunning vibrant sunsets every evenings. I'm telling you this location is insane and if you can make it happen a must visit at least once in your life. I am sure I will visit at least 10 times in my life as I have come to have such a love for this exotic destination.
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It is unlike anything I have ever experience in my life, it’s a calming, soul regenerating, life healing location and gives you a feeling unlike anything else. You are so far removed from everything in the world you simply melt into your surrounding and forget about everything. These small atolls located in such remote areas of the world make you truly appreciate the small things in life. Like a good glass of wine, a star filled sky and the people around you. I have travelled to many countries and places and have never felt the feeling I have when I leave the Maldives.
There are beautiful coral reefs sprinkled throughout the Maldives, which you must experience while visiting this exotic location. If you are like me and afraid of sharks be prepared for some heart stopping action. The sharks in the Maldives are known as whale sharks and are not dangerous what so ever, they will run the in opposite direction once they know you are there. This doesn’t mean you won’t freak out when you see one as I did a few times, but once you realize they don’t even care you are there you can truly relax and enjoy the beauty of the coral reef. The colors, fish, and coral you will see can never be capture in a photo or Go Pro video as none of these devices can do it justice. The untouched beauty of the coral reef is one which everyone needs to experience and see with there own eyes, and I feel blessed I had that opportunity.
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After visiting three different resorts I can tell you they don’t all meet expectations in terms of location, accommodations, food, service and coral reef. I have visited; Hadahaa Park Hyatt, W Maldives and Sheraton Maldives (see hotel review for full details). The best coral reef is hand down found at the Park Hyatt Maldives. They are also the most remote location, which involves an hour plane ride from Male in addition to a 45-minute boat ride to reach its remote location. If you’re lucky you might even be blessed with dolphin welcoming you to this magical location known as Hadahaa.
My favorite hotel in the Maldives and one I am eager to return to is the Park Hyatt Maldives, aka Hadahaa. Luxury in the middle of the Indian Ocean is what welcomes you to this deluxe retreat. If you are asking yourself were to stay when in the Maldives hands down stay here, the staff is impeccable, the food is out of this world and the location is the best around. It is till this day my favorite hotel in the world and top location. Whenever I can I look to see if I can go back to experience it all over again. I am also not the only travel blogger to make this statement. When I was researching the Maldives numerous travel blogger never return to a hotel twice, but they make it a point to return to the Park Hyatt Maldives every year. That tells you something.
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Most hotels in the Maldives are so far off the beaten path there staff live on the remote island. Although not all hotels offer this to guest, but the Park Hyatt allows guest a guided tour throughout their facilities, you see the staff quarters, kitchen, staff gym, rec room and dorms. It’s a unique concept and I really enjoyed seeing the behind the scenes of the hotel. Most hotels also grow a lot of there own produce to allow for the freshest ingredients to be used. They are located so far out that they only receive produce and supplies once or twice a week, but for most this does not deter from the hotel ensuring you have all the food you need to make your stay in the Maldives one to remember.
One thing that I highly recommend when visiting the Maldives is waking up for sunrise. I did it almost every morning I was there. Most guest are still asleep and the staff is starting to slowly open the hotel for the day ahead so you feel alone in this magical place with some of the most beautiful sunrises I have ever seen. The colors are unlike anything I had ever seen, the peaceful feeling, which over takes you, is one I miss. For me it ended up being my favorite time of day, waking up at 5:30 am walking out of my bungalow onto the white sandy beach and watching the sunrise over the boats in the water. Such a calming, magical moment for your mind, body and soul.
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Recap:
Hotels: W Maldives, Park Hyatt Maldives; Hadahaa, Sheraton Maldives
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Must experience: Snokling
