BEST SPA
Velaa Private Island
Indulgence knows no bounds in the Maldives. At Velaa
Private Island, a 43-villa affair founded by the Czech
billionaire financier Jiri Smejc, the six-room spa offers
guests something found at no other resort in the region
- a snow room. Conceived as a mini-archipelago of
thatched huts hovering above a blue lagoon, this is one
of only a handful of hotel spas managed by Clarins.
It also features a Cloud Nine flotation suite, a stylised
adult “cradle” designed to rock guests into a state
of profound relaxation. Velaa also lays claim to the
Maldives’ only shaded tennis court, its largest wine cellar - and a submarine.Noonu Atoll, velaaprivateisland.com
BEST ADULTS-ONLY EXTRAVAGANCE
Huvafen Fushi
Huvafen Fushi has been a jetset staple since opening in
2004 with the world’s first underwater spa. Drift from
a glass-walled treatment room to one of 44 bungalows
- each with plunge pool, espresso machine, and Bose
surround-sound system – then to your choice of seven
restaurants and bars (including a wine cellar set eight
metres underground). It’s set to become even more
grown-up this year when Huvafen rebrands as an
adults-only (21 and over) haven.North Malé Atoll,
huvafenfushi.com➤
GOURMET TRAVELLER 155