LUXURY

furnishings. This is a great aspect and it’s
good to know that even the base category
room has a similar feel to the most
is fashioned around the concept of a lodge
and comprises distinctly different dining
areas. Cuisine is a fusion of Far Eastern,
Arabian tents suspended from the
palms. This is Fanditha, a Middle Eastern
restaurant in a fabulous location at the
the larger reef sharks that often venture
here in the evening. The menu is creative
and delicious with an outstanding
One&Only Reethi Rah
at a glance
expensive. Inside, extra height is achieved
by the 45-degree pitched ceilings. The
Middle Eastern and Mediterranean with
the usual Western options. A glass walled
northernmost point of the island, serving
char grills, salads and mezze. No jacket
commitment to quality ingredients and
absolute freshness.
Category: Beach Resort
The choice is beachfront or over-water,
with the cost dependent on size and
extras such as your own private pool. A
mere 92 beach villas share 12 beaches.
We loved the way that the over-water
villas were designed in clusters of four, in
contrast to many other resorts where they
are built in long rows out into the water.
This extended jetty system offers little
privacy and can also spoil the view if you
choose the land option.
Each villa’s interior, regardless of size
and cost, shares the same quality of
décor is Asian-influenced with a strong
use of vivid colours that combine perfectly
with the dark timber.
Floor to ceiling glass sliding doors in the
bedroom reveal the most extraordinary
private pool. Infinity in style on every side
and designed to be at the same level as
the villa floor, it extends over and rises
above the beach resulting in the perfect
horizon effect. The above ground shell
of the pool is constructed of charcoal
lava rock and river stone, which makes a
striking contrast against the white sand of
the surrounding beach.
There are three restaurants on Reethi Rah,
the largest being Reethi Restaurant, which
cellar houses some 18,000 bottles of the
world’s finest wines.
Adjacent to this is the poolside Rah Bar
that also serves light meals and snacks.
The Rah Bar is designed on three levels
allowing various angles to view the
ocean and infinity pool. This astonishing
structure is an oversized lap pool that
extends way out into the lagoon. At the
furthest point, rest on a sunken double
width stone lounger, or lay back and feel
like you’re floating in the middle of the
lagoon. This pool is pure magic.
Picture a beach scene with Persian carpets
on the sand, day beds, giant cushions,
white sails draped over the trees and
and tie required here - or shoes for that
matter. In the evening, vintage brass
hurricane lamps, large candles and crystal
chandeliers illuminate the arena, and
carved colonial chairs, shisha pipes and
magnums of pink Champagne create the
ultimate shipwreck vista. This restaurant
must be experienced, but take note, go
with an appetite, as the servings here
are substantial.
Tapasake is the resort’s signature
Japanese restaurant and is also positioned
over-water. Like the Reethi Restaurant, it
has numerous seating areas within the
one restaurant and I especially liked the
outside terrace with its long communal
granite slab table - perfect for watching
Providing the most luxurious of
surroundings is not nearly enough to
satisfy today’s discerning traveller. Too
often the holiday experience is marred
by inept service. With a staggering ratio
of over 600 staff servicing only 130
villas, the service is what you would
expect of a One&Only property. Friendly,
uncompromising and attentive to any
request, no matter how outlandish. We
came to One&Only Reethi Rah with
high expectations. This opulent resort
is purportedly the world’s finest and
ultimately we tend to agree. This property
ticks all the boxes and easily deserves the
multitude of awards that have become
synonymous with its name.
Villa reviewed: Beach Villa with
Private Pool
What’s great? So many things… main
highlights include the privacy and luxurious
detailing of the villas and their glorious
private pools; the excellent choice of
quality food options; and despite nearing
100% occupancy the resort still felt quiet.
What’s not so great: Nothing - not even
any mosquitoes to worry about.
Editor’s tip: Just go, this place is amazing.
Worth the extra for the private pool villa.
Rate: From NZ$1557; AU$1244++ per
beach villa per night. From NZ$2386;
AU$1907++ per beach villa per night (with
private pool). Rates exclude service charge
and local tax.
Website: www.oneandonlyresorts.com.mv
Reservations: For more information or
enquiries please contact United Travel
on 0800 730 001.
Location
Villa size
Villa interior
Overall service level
Food & beverage
Hotel pool
Business needs
Recreational facilities
Spa facilities
Value for money
You have not
experienced true
94.5% luxury until you’ve paid
70 Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel resource. Your ultimate luxury and corporate travel Reethi resource. Rah a visit. 71