Condé Nast Traveller India - Trident Hotel Bandra Kurla

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SHANgrI-LA’S VILLINgILI rESOrT & SPA, Maldives
Just metres from the Shangri-
La resort' s overwater villas,
the azure sea is bumper-tobumper
with denizens of the
deep. Swimming here is like
frolicking in a giant aquarium.
Out on a boat trip, guests are
entertained by dolphins racing
the dhoni (Maldivian boat) and
turning playful somersaults.
The 142-villa resort in the
remote, southernmost tip of
the Maldives is adjacent to two
deep-water channels. Sightings
of large sea creaturesÐmant a
rays, sharks, Napoleon wrasses
and barracudasÐar e frequent.
Granted, this is the Maldives,
so you would expect superb
aquatic pleasures, but the island
of Villingili offers moreÐsi tting
in the centre of the former
military base is a lush
forest, including three
freshwater lagoons and
a mangrove swamp. Nature
walks are obligatory and cycling
through the shady woods is
the best thing to do when the
sun is mercilessly hot. After
your vigorous workout, there' s
the Chi Spa and a perfectly
appointed villa to return to.
WHEN TO gO It' s sunshine
all-year round in the Maldives;
showers don' t last long, and
room rates lower during the wet
season, from May to October.
rOOm TO BOOk Pool Villa
Number One, between the
lagoon and the ocean, is
most private.
+960 689 7888; www.shangri-la.
com. Villas from 40,100
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