The sun. The sand. And the sea. I doubt there’s any corner in Amingiri that is not breathtakingly gorgeous. The less-than-a-year-old resort by Hilton is a great amalgamation of luxury with sustainability. Right from the practical design of the oh-so-gorgeous overwater suites and villas, to the fusion, local food offerings, you are bound to find something that aligns with your vacation personality.
A short 20-minute boat ride from Malé airport, Amingiri is a picturesque white man-made island surrounded by varying degrees of blue and green. The overwater suites come with their own pool and deck area, and a staircase that leads right into the ocean giving you the perfect experience of indoor-outdoor island living. If you have the will to drag yourself out of bed (it is tough, take it from us), you can explore so much more, such as the dive centre, where you can enjoy snorkelling and scuba diving. An absolute must-do is to rent out glass-bottomed kayaks and spend time in the ocean, enjoying the beautiful corals and occasional glimpses of schools of fish. If you are travelling with children, we recommend that you visit the Kids Club, and ReFuel, a rooftop lounge for teenagers.
Honest confession – as a true-blue city dweller, I spent the first day at the Spa. Intending to get the usual massage and wrap, I (thankfully) was convinced to try the Haman rituals instead, a session dedicated to scrubbing you clean! Inspired by the ancient ceremonies of the Turkish bath, these rituals, apart from calming your mind, make your skin supple. The perfect accompaniment to the relaxing Hamam was the energy healing session, where sound therapy is used as a tool to relax and rejuvenate the body and mind.
Gastronomic Delight
Discover a taste of the Maldives with a mix of romantic beach dinners, floating breakfasts and sunset cocktail hours. Each of the eight restaurants and lounges offers a unique setting to enjoy the local cuisine. The Beach Shack is easily a crowd favourite with a rustic luxurious vibe, serving flame-grilled meat and seafood dishes under the open sky. Habitat, on the other hand, offers a relaxed meal with its high ceilings and open kitchen layout and beach view; it’s the perfect breakfast spot.
As a seafood lover, I’ll vouch for Origin’s menu that offers seafood dining with a mindful approach. Think sustainable sourcing and reduced waste. (What a win!) The Aura Pool Bar & Cocktail Lab brings to the Maldives, its first cocktail lab where you can sip on kombucha-blended cocktails. The Eden Champagne & Gin Bar offers a carefully curated selection of champagne and gin, against the backdrop of the sea.
I ended my four-day trip with a beautiful sunset cruise, spotting dolphins and making a promise to return to the island life.
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