Is This The Most Naturally Beautiful Hotel In The Maldives?
The Maldives is a holiday destination that sits atop many bucket lists, and with good reason. The topaz blue waters teeming with marine life, idyllic overwater villas, and surreal golden sunsets is a combination many conjure up if asked to describe ‘paradise’. For those lucky enough to visit, the distance and premium offerings mean that it’s often a once-in-a-lifetime trip, so securing the perfect itinerary is paramount.
In Partnership With Hilton
After a quick Google search for the ‘Best Hotels In The Maldives’, there’s clearly no shortage of places to stay with the Maldives comprising nearly 1,200 islands. In fact, the sheer amount of choice can border on daunting… So, let us help cut through the noise. If you’re after a resort brimming with natural, breathtaking beauty, without compromising on luxury, then there’s one spot you’ll want to know about: The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. Here’s what our Editor thought about their recent visit…
What Sets It Apart
Situated amidst the Southernmost atolls, Rangali Island has been a beacon of tranquility for nearly three decades. Twice voted Best Hotel In The World, the resort has also hosted some impressive clientele including Roger Federer, Paul McCartney, and Paris Hilton.
Sprawling across two natural islands – one catering to families and the other exclusively for adults – The Conrad celebrates the raw beauty of the surrounding nature in every aspect of its design. From soft sand floors sweeping throughout reception and whale sharks spotted a short boat ride away – plus, plenty of award-winning dining spots, it is the epitome of barefoot luxury.
Nature aside, the resort is home to a handful of trailblazing locations. From the world’s first underwater residence and restaurant to the Maldives’ first underground wine cellar, it’s earned its place as one of the most innovative resorts in the region.
From soft sand floors sweeping throughout reception and whale sharks spotted a short boat ride away – plus, plenty of award-winning dining spots, it is the epitome of barefoot luxury.
First Impressions
Arriving at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is an experience in itself. Located in the South Ari Atoll, one way to access this secluded paradise is by a 30-minute scenic seaplane flight. From the air, you can see the picture-perfect islands surrounded by crystal-clear lagoons. And, as you step off the plane and are enveloped by island warmth, you’re handed a refreshing cold towel and fresh coconut to sip while you sit back and take in your surroundings.
From the outset, you know that the service at The Conrad is exceptional. On arrival, we meet our dedicated island host, Shamak, who looked after everything from booking excursions and activities to making dinner reservations. Our bags were taken directly from the seaplane platform to our room, and we made our way there shortly after by way of a chauffeured golf buggy. With the resort stretching across multiple islands – and connected by a 500m footbridge – going from one end to the other takes between 30-40 mins by foot which, admittedly can be less appealing in the height of the day’s heat, but staff are all too happy to arrange golf buggies to take you wherever you want to go.
The Rooms
When it comes to accommodation, there are plenty of options to choose from depending on your party’s size and needs. Couples villas are located on the adults-only Rangali Island, whereas the Rangali-Finolhu Island plays home to the larger, multi-bedroom villas ideal for families and groups.
This editor stayed in a Sunset Water Villa With Pool (Rangali Island) and it did not disappoint. Perched on overwater stilts and complete with a thatched roof, the setup fits the brief of the Instagram-worthy Maldives snap you envisage when you book. As you walk through the front door you’re immediately met with uninterrupted ocean views.
The room has a large (and incredibly comfortable) bed – exactly what you need to help combat the jetlag – along with a walk-in wardrobe and bar area. The sizeable bathroom boasts double vanities, an ocean-facing bath and a spacious rain shower. One of my favourite details is the range of complementary Byredo amenities to use – with the Conrad exclusive partnering with the coveted brand.
As you walk outside, onto your private sundeck, and away from the reviving air conditioning, you can see steps leading down directly to the ocean. Ahead of you is the infinity plunge pool looking out to the sea, flanked by deck chairs and umbrellas to relax on.
The resort’s crown jewel, however, is The Muraka—the world’s first and only underwater residence. It might look unsuspecting from the outside, but from inside and below, it’s something else entirely. The upper level features two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a dining, lounge, and kitchen area, and an overwater deck complete with an infinity pool.
As you descend the spiral staircase (or take the lift) down to the second floor, you’re greeted by a 180-degree curved acrylic dome master bedroom submerged in the Indian Ocean.
The resort’s crown jewel is The Muraka—the world’s first and only underwater residence. It might look unsuspecting from the outside, but from inside and below, it’s something else entirely.
For this editor, the idea of sleeping underwater felt slightly unnerving, until I entered the space and found it to be bright, incredibly peaceful and serene. Guests of the Muraka can also enjoy private jet skis, a personal chef, 24-hour butler service (all included in the residence’s exclusive room rate) and unparalleled privacy as the residence sits in an undisturbed spot just off the island.
Things To Do
While relaxation is certainly on the agenda at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, there are plenty of activities to keep guests entertained beyond their villas.
For those looking to get out on the water and witness the best of the Maldives’ marine life, this is the place to do it. During the day, we hired snorkelling gear from the Dive Centre to explore the house reef and were fortunate enough to spot a (thankfully small) nurse shark along with plenty of iridescent fish nestled among the coral.
You can also sign up for a range of trips or excursions. From day and night scuba experiences to whale shark or manta ray trips, there’s something for everyone. If you’re travelling with kids or simply prefer to enjoy the marine life from above the surface, Conrad also offers glass-floored boat trips, which are excellent for exploring the natural surroundings. On our final evening, we took the Sunset Dolphin Cruise and were visited by a small pod of Bottlenose Dolphins – a great way to finish the day.
The watersport offering is similarly strong. Adrenaline-lovers will be drawn to jet skiing, water skiing, or scooter snorkelling, while this editor enjoyed the kayaks you can book to travel between the two islands. Other non-motorised sports, including stand-up paddle boarding and catamaran sailing, are also included in your stay, you just need to book ahead.
For those looking to relax and unwind, you can’t go past the resort’s two spas – one on each island. Enjoy a therapeutic massage at one of The Spa Retreat’s overwater treatment villas, with glass floors meaning you can take in the ocean below throughout your treatment – that is, if you’re not too relaxed and fall asleep part-way through.
Keeping active during your stay is made easy with a tennis court, daily fitness classes including bootcamps and circuits, daily yoga sessions along with 24-hour gyms. If you want something more bespoke, you can also book in for 1:1 consultations and lessons.
Dining
Despite being located on remote islands, the resort has 12 impressive restaurants, so there’s no shortage of dining options. Here are my top recommendations.
Start your day right with breakfast at Atoll Market. With an expansive buffet, ranging from cheese, cured meats and fruit-filled cold room & juice bars to live cooking stations, you’ll be spoilt for choice for the most important meal of the day. By night, the market switches into an a la carte menu, with creative-themed nights three times a week.
Foodies won’t want to miss the opportunity to visit Uufa By Jereme Leung. The celebrity chef has his own authentic Chinese restaurant on the island. The contemporary menu draws inspiration from various provinces of China, which guests can enjoy metres from the beachfront. As for dishes, the Sichuan Shredded Chicken is a must-order. If you want to secure a great table, be sure to make a slightly earlier reservation (6-7pm), as the best spots fill up first.
Of course, one of the resort’s most famous spots is Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, AKA the world’s first undersea restaurant. Offering set lunch and dinner menus that blend local flavours with Western influences, guests can enjoy fine dining while immersed in an underwater sanctuary 5m below the surface. Alternatively, if you prefer to just pop in, you can book for visiting hour and experience the unique offering while sipping champagne (I opted to skip the canapés).
For something lighter, head to Mandhoo Spa Restaurant. Perched on stilts above the lagoon, the holistic menu is arranged by the five elements (air, earth, fire, water and plants), each with a specific taste, temperature, level of moisture and density depending on what you’re in the mood for.
Wine fiends will be glad to know there are not one, but two dedicated wine haunts in the resort. Enjoy private dining at the Maldives’ first underground Wine Cellar where 18,000 bottles of wine and up to 800 labels are expertly preserved. Here, guests can settle in for a six-course, paired degustation menu. Or, for something more relaxed, the Cheese & Wine Bar features a cooling black volcanic sand floor, where you can enjoy tapas, fondue, or a platter.
The Verdict
If you’re looking for an idyllic escape from busy streets, screens and noisy everyday life, you would be hard-pressed to ask for better than what we experienced here.
This was my first, hopefully not my last, trip to The Maldives and it was truly breathtaking. The natural beauty of the region is every bit as brilliant as you imagine before you go (sometimes more) and it’s amazing to see the surroundings incorporated so seamlessly into The Conrad.
As a couple, we found the separate adults-only island to be a wonderful retreat, but I’d also recommend the hotel for families, with plenty of activities, facilities, and accommodating team members on the main island.
If you’re looking for an idyllic escape from busy streets, screens and noisy everyday life, you would be hard-pressed to ask for better than what we experienced here.
While I might not be able to book to go back to The Maldives each year (a girl can dream), I would certainly love to return in the future as, I fear, this trip might have ruined all other holiday destinations for me.
Things To Know
Given the remote nature of The Maldives, practically everything is imported to the islands. With this in mind, goods come with a premium price tag – especially alcohol. Whether you decide to treat yourself, or take this as an opportunity to try a booze-free retreat is up to you. If you’re thinking about BYO-ing drinks for your time though, don’t. The Maldives is a Muslim country, which means that importing alcohol is illegal, and it will be confiscated by customs on arrival.
On that note, you’ve probably already guessed that The Maldives is not the most environmentally-friendly destination to visit, however, resorts like The Conrad are pledging to reduce the carbon footprint by minimising plastic use across the resort, as well as promoting on-site produce with its own seed-to-plate initiative and nurturing two Hydroponic Gardens on the islands, plus, a banana plantation expansion project. Conrad also undertakes reef cleaning and has a coral regeneration program. Find out more here.
Island Time is 1 hour later than Malé time, to make use of the extra daylight hours, so be sure to change your watches when you arrive.
Before you fly, make sure to complete your own travel declaration form (call IMUGA) – it’s super easy and free to do, and takes about 10 minutes.
How To Get There
There’s no direct flight from London to Rangali Island, so the best thing to do is travel first to Velana International Airport in Malé – a 10.5 hour flight from London Heathrow. From Velana, The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island team will take care of all your transfers – all you have to do is share your international flight details and they’ll sort the rest, so that your holiday can begin that bit sooner (and last slightly longer).
If you arrive at the airport between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m., you will be transferred to the resort by seaplane. If you land at Malé later, between 4 and 10 p.m., you’ll hop on a short domestic flight and then ride a speedboat. You can also go by sea and take a three-hour yacht charter.
How To Book
For reservations and inquiries, visit the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island website or contact their reservations team directly.
