Starting off on a speedboat at the Male’ International Airport, the trip was a 45 minute ride to reach Vivanta by Taj Coral Reef. We were accompanied by one of the resort representatives, the Sales Cordinator at the Airport who was very well inclined and guided us throughout the trip. Smiling faces of the very polite staff were at the Vivanta Coral Reef jetty as we arrived, waving and welcoming each and every client with warm wishes. The island is quite cosy with top notch architecture, we could walk from one end to the other in a few minutes. On arrival, if you are tired, let the resort staff drive you to your villa in a buggy, enjoying the island view. The total 9 acres around the Luxury Maldives Resort can be walked within 10 minutes. As we made our way to the Reef Bar, which overlooks the infinity pool and house reef, I noticed how the island had been named, as the island looked like a piece of beautifully moulded land floating on a coral reef.
At the Reef Bar, couples were unwinding, relaxing with a good read, or a tablet browsing the internet, reading magazines and sipping on a cocktail while enjoying the cool evening breeze. The bar sure gave me the feeling of soothing the senses. We enjoyed a nice mocktail, with cranberry and orange flavor which refreshed us for the upcoming events. After a while to loosen up, we headed out to the main jetty where cranes were flying around making the scene look striking.
As we walked past the infinity pool, clients, mostly couples were lying on the pool sun loungers, some taking a swim, perching away beautiful moments with a spectacular view. Next to the pool is the Open - The Grill and Pizzeria, joined by a walkway bridge. It provides a young stylish interactive experience at the Teppanyaki Grill where the meal is accompanied with flavoured organic sea salts and a choice of different olive oils while the Sushi chef demonstrates his skills at the sushi bar. The seats at Open - The Grill are limited and therefore is available for pre booking. And the Pizzeria offering wood fired pizza oven that dishes out Italian classics all day long. At night exclusive private dinners can be arranged at Open, with slow cooked Italian delicacies savoured under the twinkling and bejewelled night sky.
Next up was a tour of the JIVA Spa, an indian Spa with massage rooms, steam room and retail boutique. Offering face treatments, manicures and pedicures along with body massages and treatments. The all-natural treatments draw on the ancient health and beauty traditions of India, from cultures that celebrate beauty and refinement and honour nature’s precious gifts. All oils and herbs used for all treatments are custom designed exclusively for JIVA. The exotic aromas of spices and fragrant blooms, and the gentle sound of soothing music, will bathe your sense and lull you into a state of relaxed bliss. A salon service in accordance with JIVA is on its way to be opened at Vivanta by Taj Coral Reef.
We, the ALPHA MALDIVES team, went into exploring and examining the categories of villas, and the suite. The Charm - Beach Villa has a grand entrance, interiors with light pastel shades and total privacy. A total of 12 elegant, 58 sq metre spaces. Delight - Deluxe Beach Villa, 16 villas which are spacious and boast of an amazing beach view through large glass bay windows, a space of 66sq meters. Both Beach Villas come with thatched roofs, equipped with large comfortable sea-facing bed, mini bar, well ventilated four fixture toilet with grab bars, glass enclosed shower stall and outdoor shower allowing natural in light and uniquely designed open space. Nirvana - Beach Suite, 2 Spacious 215 Sq metre two bay villas (duplex-140 Sq metres ground floor, 75 sq metres first floor) with thatched roof offering stylishly designed interiors and total privacy. The large wooden deck has a private plunge pool, sun loungers and umbrellas facing the sea and an outdoor rain shower. The Villa is equipped with large comfortable master bed and twin beds,sitting-cumdining area with pantry, three fixture powder room, day bed, elegant workstation, luxurious well ventilated five fixture toilet, glass enclosed shower stall, spacious bath tubs, energy efficient mood lighting and personalized in-room butler service. All of the accommodation spaces were breathtakingly awing, with a touch of nature and luxury added in.
The dive centre, Blue In is situated a few meters from the swimming pool and the diving entrance. It is a member of the PADI International Resort Association. On a daily basis the team of instructors organize different sessions of scuba diving courses from beginner levels to the more advanced ones. These lessons are held in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Japanese. A shipwreck diving site right next to this Luxury Maldives Resort is the favorite part of all diving clients. Snorkeling sessions are free of charge for all inhouse guests and the required instrument will be provided on request.
Latitude is the all-day dining restaurant of Vivanta Luxury Maldives Resort,serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to all guests. We probed the majestic environment of white sand and grand architecture with notable lighting which complimented the white dining tables and wooden motifs. Emphasising on Pan Asian cuisine where all main course items are served a la carte from a daily changing menu. The restaurant offers a private dining room along with a wine display, an ideal venue for private wine dinners offering tailor made menus by the Vivanta Executive Chef.
Time was ticking by so fast as we explored the beautiful heaven, it was almost 1700 hours and that, at Vivanta by Taj Coral Reef is the time when some very tame stingrays swim by the beach, and the in house guests get to feed them by hand as they clutter up at the sandy shores and slew around in a friendly manner. We joined in for the very unique experience. The excitement was overhauling as the relatively large sting rays glided on the shore and I fed them with my own hand, which virtually felt like a vacuum cleaner suction when the stingrays pulled in the fish we fed them. The moment was intimate and the feeder can pat on the ray’s head near the eyes before it swims back to the shallow water. The trained staff assisted us, and kept a close watch, as everyone basked the hour. Not to mention cranes flying in and joining for the delicious treats of the feeding session.
As the sun was almost about to set, the happy and full stingrays swam back to the ocean and all house guests took part in a tug of war friendly game. Resort staff enjoyed along, and took part after which a beach volley session continued. Couples and families socialised and got to know each other in the friendly environment of the Luxury Resort. As we headed off to the Reef Bar to have some snacks and get ready for our departure, the sky turned shades of orange, pink and purple like an artist painting brush strokes on canvas. The tunes played in the bar were boosting our senses as we enjoyed the atmosphere and drinks, talking away the evening with the very friendly staff and cracking jokes. Guests were having fun and making new friends as some of them danced and played pool at the pool table. Our departure was just as warm as everyone lined up at the jetty to wish us a safe journey back home and set us off with happy smiles.
Writer: Afza Hassan (ALPHA MALDIVES)
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