THEGUIDE
south asia
142
FAHTHAI
EXCEPTIONAL POOLSIDE SERVICES; EXTRA FINE DINING; TUNE NIGHT
Extravagant
eats
Sing out
Sunny
days
Indulgent poolside
services that
you’ll only find
in theMaldives
Boutique stay
M A L D I V E S
M A L D I V E S
M A L D I V E S
M A L D I V E S
MILLION DOLLAR
PIZZA
Flamboyant and innovative
food abounds on many
Maldivian menus but the
new $200 pizza at Taj
Exotica takes the cake.
For this princely sum
you’ll receive a crispy,
15-inch base divided into
quarters – one loaded with
caviar, lobster and edible
gold leaf and another with
roasted duck, fois gras and
shaved Italian truffles. The
restaurant also serves up
a Maldivian lobster burger
and Australian Wagyu beef
with bacon salt.
tajhotels.com
HOLY WATER
In hot and humid climes,
water is fundamental on the
dining table. Soneva Fushi
doesn’t just offer exclusive
branded bottled water or
carafes of San Pellegrino,
it also produces its very
own mineralised water,
which is infused with crystal
gems such as rose quartz,
amethyst and emerald.
Soneva Fushi says the
water provides a wealth of
wellness benefits.
soneva.com
While the Maldives
is synonymous with
relaxation, there’s also a
budding nightlife scene
bubbling just beneath
the surface. Drop by
Rendezvous Lounge at
Kurumba Maldives for
high-tech karaoke booths
– it’s open every night of
the week.
kurumba.com
Staying on a non-resort island in the Maldives no longer means compromising on luxury or
comfort. A range of quality boutique hotels has sprung up across the country. One of the coolest
new options is Arena Lodge Beach Hotel in Maafushi, South Malé Atoll. The glass sliding doors
on the balcony offer eye-catching views of the private beach and cerulean Indian Ocean beyond.
There’s even a hot tub on the roof.
arenalodgemaldives.com
An estimated
10% of
coral-reef
damage is
attributable
to sunscreen,
according
to Aethic
Skincare,
whose
brand of
sunscreen is
scientifically
proven to
do no harm
to coral or
marine life.
DID YOU KNOW?
Excess reigns
supreme in this
plush part of the
world. These two
dishes are prime
examples
DR SHADES
A new poolside service launched at
the Four
Seasons Kuda Huraa
resort sees spiffy staff
member Mohamed Shareef, clad in a white
doctor’s coat and stethoscope, on deck to swipe
away sunscreen smears from your sunglasses.
It’s a sweet and sunny job for the Maldivian,
who also repairs designer shades. He works
with the beach service team, which offers iced
cucumber water, cold towels and Evian facial
spritzers to sunbathers.
fourseasons.com
THE SUNSHINE BUTLERS
Sunscreen’s a must in these climes, but it’s not
exactly pleasurable to apply, often requiring
yogi-esque flexibility to avoid rosy sunburn
patches and strange tan lines. Help is at hand
at Anantara Kihavah’s beaches in the form
of the Sunshine Butlers. They patrol the sand
armed with 30+ lotion to slap on those hard-
to-reach spots. The butlers also clean sunglasses
and provide cold flannels, ice water and fruit
skewers.
anantara.com
HOT TIP
As the weather in India cools down, head from Mumbai to the desert town Pushkar. In November more than 50,000 camels converge here for a famous camel fair
