Hadag was invited to the Niyama Private Islands resort to spend three days and nights in this extraordinary part of the world.
It is challenging for one to think of a place on Earth that beats the breathtaking beauty of the Maldives. Renowned for its sapphire blue waters, white powdery beaches, green tropical forests and golden sunshine, this archipelago has been attracting tourists from all over the planet to its shores for decades.
The Journey
Half the adventure of visiting the Maldives is the journey there.
Positioned southwest of Sri Lanka and India, about 750 kilometres from mainland Asia, The Maldives is an archipelagic country formed by 26 natural atolls consisting of 1,192 islands.
Once at Valena International Airport, it was a comfortable and spectacular 45-minute flight by seaplane to the Niyama Islands.
Set in the pristine, crystal-clear waters of Dhaalu Atoll, we were in awe of the beauty of the two islands, aptly named Play and Chill, as we approached from above. From the sparkling waters to the lush greenery to the quintessentially Maldivian layout of the accommodation, we could not have been more excited to land in this tropical paradise.
On arrival, we were greeted like long-lost friends, experienced a hassle-free check in and were soon on the way to our stunning villa.
Picturesque Accommodation
The dual-island setup of the resort ensures plenty of space for guests to feel comfortable and exclusive. The location has 134 accommodations of various types that suit different needs, budgets, tastes and preferences. An assortment of villas is on offer, including Beach, Beach Pool, Over Water Pool and Family Beach Pool options. Deluxe versions of each of these are also available.
Our Deluxe Over Water Pool Villa was the accommodation travellers dream of. An overwater ocean haven with plenty of room to play. Each morning, we awoke to the glimmers of sunlight reflecting off the lagoon. It was hassle-free to descend into the refreshing waters or to plunge into our private pool. The starlit Jacuzzi was our best friend each evening as we sat and soaked up the magnificence of our surroundings.
Inside the 190sq/m villa, there was plenty of space for three adults and a child. The king-sized bed was amongst the most comfortable I have had the pleasure of sleeping on. The oversized soaking tub proved a welcome addition after long days on the beach, as did the large rain shower.
Special extras included strong complementary wi-fi, a much-appreciated Nespresso machine and even a popcorn machine.
If these spectacular accommodation options are not impressive enough, the resort also offers a variety of sizeable pavilions for larger families and groups. Then there is The Cresent, the crown jewel of the Niyama Private Islands. This overwater world consists of five pool villas for up to 22 guests. Along with all the bells and whistles, it comes with two Thakurus (Villa Hosts) that keep this oasis running smoothly throughout your stay.
Classy Cuisine
Not only does Niyama offer the very best when it comes to accommodations, but also the finest range of culinary experiences.
Nest
The first night we spent at Nest. To reach our table we navigated the jungle on a labyrinth of wooden walkways to a private perch amongst the treetops. It was in this unique location, surrounded by natural beauty, where we partook of scrumptious Asian cuisine. The talented Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Indonesian chefs provided nothing less than an unforgettable night out.
SUBSIX
It is hard to imagine another dining experience topping the one we had at Nest however, the most novel meal we had during our stay was at SUBSIX, a simply surreal underwater restaurant.
Arriving by speedboat, we made our way down a stunning three-tier staircase lit by Italian abstract chandeliers resembling radiant coral. Once submerged, we admired the flowing curves of the clam-inspired refreshment area. The anemone chairs beneath a canopy of capiz shells swaying gently from the ceiling ensured we were completely immersed in the experience.
Along with the captivating nature of the restaurant, the five-course Nikkei tasting menu proved exceptional, with all the quality ingredients taken from the beautiful waters that surrounded us. This is definitely one of the finest and most unique dining experiences we’ve ever had.
The resort boasts several other high-end restaurants and entertainment options to choose from, offering an array of cuisines and culinary experiences.
Wellness Resort Spa
Yet another sublime offering from Niyama is the exquisite Wellness Resort Spa.
Feeling the powdery sand between our toes and the familiar warmth of the sun on our faces, we set out along the beach and into a world of pure relaxation. Once inside the centre, we were greeted by a serene environment that gave an instant sense of calm.
The spa is made up of six overwater treatment rooms and two idyllic garden sanctuaries with an outdoor bath, rain shower and daybed. We found the Lime Tree Garden perfect for complete relaxation and took advantage of the sauna, steam baths, plunge pool and the Vitality juice bar.
Various treatments are available, including messages, body treatments, facials, Ayurvedic treatments and ancient healing traditions. These experiences can be had solo, as a couple or as a family.
Additional Amenities
To ensure there is plenty to do around the island for the whole family, the resort has ample in-house amenities designed to keep everyone thoroughly entertained.
A floodlit tennis court surrounded by dense vegetation is available for booking. We enjoyed the 24-hour gym fitted with state-of-the-art equipment, offering a variety of workout classes. Furthermore, the additional Pump Studio delivers a high-energy workout session designed to get your blood flowing.
Whenever we felt a little lazy, we ventured to The Lair, an indoor, climate-controlled room on the isle of Chill with ultra-comfortable seating and plenty of books, magazines and DVDs to choose from.
We also frequented the games room, which is equipped with a pool table, air hockey, table tennis, a PS5 and an Xbox One. Admittedly, there were times when we had to drag ourselves away from this addictive zone and back into the beautiful outdoor environment.
Lapping up the Leisure
Thanks to its numerous natural atolls the Maldives is one of the world’s primary destinations for ocean life experiences. This life includes sea turtles, dolphins, whale sharks, manta rays and beautiful coral reefs, home to thousands of fish species.
Niyama Private Islands resort offers various ocean adventures in one of the most breathtaking aquatic environments. These include snorkelling and diving, allowing you to experience a guided tour of the reefs and the pure beauty of the deep blue Indian Ocean.
There is also the option of taking a boat with sea-savvy guides to witness dolphins playing in their natural environment. Other cruising and boating opportunities such as big game fishing or catamaran adventures are available.
Water sports on offer include Jet Skiing, waterskiing, mono-skiing, wakeboarding, knee boarding, surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, parasailing, glass kayaking and SEABOB racing.
Heading Home
All too soon, it was time to depart this dual-island paradise. As difficult as it was to leave Niyama Private Islands, we took a wealth of unforgettable memories with us that will always be treasured.
We thank all the staff members for their kindness and attentiveness. They were the heart and soul of this remarkable adventure.
For more information, please visit www.niyama.com
@niyamamaldives