Barefoot Luxury at One & Only Kanuhura, Maldives
If it's an escape from the real world you seek, look no further than One & Only Kanuhura in the Maldives. Here the concept of the barefoot luxury vacation has been fine-honed, polished and perfected. In an idyllic location, far from the madding crowd, this island resort offers the highest standards of luxury for the most discerning guest, in a context that is casual yet elegant. Set in an azure lagoon, and fringed by fine white coral beaches, the locale is a true haven of tranquillity.
Dramatic Arrival
It's true that the Maldives are far, cast adrift as they in the Indian Ocean, but arriving from your long haul flight at Male International Airport, you will soon forget your weariness. A smiling representative from One & Only Kanuhura is on hand to escort you to your seaplane for a short but spectacular flight over the atolls that make up this island nation. The excitement of the journey is topped only by the descent towards Kanuhura with its white beaches, its villa rooftops peaking out from lush vegetation and the impossible blue of the lagoon. Quickly forgotten are thoughts of the outside world...!
Laid-back ambiance
The first thing you will notice as you are escorted to your villa is the air of relaxation which permeates the island. The genuine smiles of the staff, safe in the knowledge that you are soon to share in the delectable secrets of this hideaway, touch you like the warm air that envelops you. Whether you have chosen a discrete and shady beach villa or one of the water villas on stilts for your stay, it will probably be the Maldivian-inspired, open air bathrooms which will surprise you. Half indoors, half open to the sky, you will be able to bask in your shower or soak in your bath in a room lit by the stars. All beach villas have their own private beach area, and the water villas have terraces with steps leading directly into the gently lapping ocean.
Once refreshed, leave your other-world shoes at the door and set out to explore the multiple activities on offer, if you want more than relaxing by the fresh water pool or taking in the breathtaking scenery. Of course, those wanting water sports are well catered for, with accompanied snorkelling and diving trips to the 40 dive sites close by the island. Windsurfing, canoeing, catamaran sailing, waterskiing are also available, along with tennis, squash, football, volleyball, billiards, darts and table tennis... for those wanting to keep one foot in the regular world!
Spoilt for choice
At first it's hard to imagine just how the American chef manages to get perfectly fresh ingredients for the three restaurants on the island, but when you saunter through the dense greenery, you may well come across a clearing with a little plaque announcing that you have arrived in the Chef's Garden. Orchids grow year round in coconut shells attached to palm trees, providing some shade for the many herbs and vegetables being grown for the kitchens. Local fish is served at every meal, and ingredients that might be just a little harder to find are flown or shipped in from New Zealand,Australia and Asia. Nothing is lacking at the Veli Café, the romantic Asian restaurant at the tip of the isle, or at the Olive Tree, the Mediterranean themed restaurant and Thin Rah, where breakfast and cuisines of many styles are served at buffet throughout the week. Both of these restaurants are adjacent to the pretty pool area. For those wanting something to drink, the indoor/outdoor Handhuvaru Bar serves snacks and a wonderful array of smoothies, fruit purées with vitamin boosters, along with a full menu of creative cocktails and a selection of Cuban and Dominican cigars.
De-stress, please!
If you are still having trouble unwinding despite all the calm, luxury and beauty around you, a trip (or two!) to award-winning One & Only Spa is a must. A haven of peace, with a diverse range of treatments and massages on offer, half the treatment rooms are equipped for couples, most notably the beach side pavillion for a pampering you will never forget. A one and a half hour de Bastien pedicure will have you walking on the clouds long after your holiday is over.
And the kids?
Yes, children are well-catered for here, even if a resort of this nature lends itself more to a romantic escape. Thanks to the clever design of the resort, any rambunctious child can let off steam without disturbing the other guests. Lots of fun and creative activities are on offer at the all-day KidsOnly Club, with baby-sitting services for parents needing to get away from it all for a few hours.... The One & Only question you need to debate before heading off to this very special resort, is whether you should take the kids too!
It's true that the Maldives are far, cast adrift as they in the Indian Ocean, but arriving from your long haul flight at Male International Airport, you will soon forget your weariness. A smiling representative from One & Only Kanuhura is on hand to escort you to your seaplane for a short but spectacular flight over the atolls that make up this island nation. The excitement of the journey is topped only by the descent towards Kanuhura with its white beaches, its villa rooftops peaking out from lush vegetation and the impossible blue of the lagoon. Quickly forgotten are thoughts of the outside world...!
Laid-back ambiance
The first thing you will notice as you are escorted to your villa is the air of relaxation which permeates the island. The genuine smiles of the staff, safe in the knowledge that you are soon to share in the delectable secrets of this hideaway, touch you like the warm air that envelops you. Whether you have chosen a discrete and shady beach villa or one of the water villas on stilts for your stay, it will probably be the Maldivian-inspired, open air bathrooms which will surprise you. Half indoors, half open to the sky, you will be able to bask in your shower or soak in your bath in a room lit by the stars. All beach villas have their own private beach area, and the water villas have terraces with steps leading directly into the gently lapping ocean.
Once refreshed, leave your other-world shoes at the door and set out to explore the multiple activities on offer, if you want more than relaxing by the fresh water pool or taking in the breathtaking scenery. Of course, those wanting water sports are well catered for, with accompanied snorkelling and diving trips to the 40 dive sites close by the island. Windsurfing, canoeing, catamaran sailing, waterskiing are also available, along with tennis, squash, football, volleyball, billiards, darts and table tennis... for those wanting to keep one foot in the regular world!
Spoilt for choice
At first it's hard to imagine just how the American chef manages to get perfectly fresh ingredients for the three restaurants on the island, but when you saunter through the dense greenery, you may well come across a clearing with a little plaque announcing that you have arrived in the Chef's Garden. Orchids grow year round in coconut shells attached to palm trees, providing some shade for the many herbs and vegetables being grown for the kitchens. Local fish is served at every meal, and ingredients that might be just a little harder to find are flown or shipped in from New Zealand,Australia and Asia. Nothing is lacking at the Veli Café, the romantic Asian restaurant at the tip of the isle, or at the Olive Tree, the Mediterranean themed restaurant and Thin Rah, where breakfast and cuisines of many styles are served at buffet throughout the week. Both of these restaurants are adjacent to the pretty pool area. For those wanting something to drink, the indoor/outdoor Handhuvaru Bar serves snacks and a wonderful array of smoothies, fruit purées with vitamin boosters, along with a full menu of creative cocktails and a selection of Cuban and Dominican cigars.
De-stress, please!
If you are still having trouble unwinding despite all the calm, luxury and beauty around you, a trip (or two!) to award-winning One & Only Spa is a must. A haven of peace, with a diverse range of treatments and massages on offer, half the treatment rooms are equipped for couples, most notably the beach side pavillion for a pampering you will never forget. A one and a half hour de Bastien pedicure will have you walking on the clouds long after your holiday is over.
And the kids?
Yes, children are well-catered for here, even if a resort of this nature lends itself more to a romantic escape. Thanks to the clever design of the resort, any rambunctious child can let off steam without disturbing the other guests. Lots of fun and creative activities are on offer at the all-day KidsOnly Club, with baby-sitting services for parents needing to get away from it all for a few hours.... The One & Only question you need to debate before heading off to this very special resort, is whether you should take the kids too!
Avril 2014
By Helen FITZGERALD
