By The 8 a.m sunbeams reflected off azure waters at Velena International Airport and directly onto the rich brown seating aboard the luxury speedboat beckoning us to Kuda Villingili Resort. A mere twenty-five minutes enjoying the lightshow of rainbows from the waves on the water and we had arrived.
The most impossibly stunning blue as far as the eye can see greeted us at the jetty and we were whisked off to breakfast. The buffet was fit for modern royalty, teeming with holistic and natural elements dynamically mingling with every dish. The care and love for the guests in this island lie in an eye for detail such as graciously offering the immense health benefits of Pathimugam (East Indian rosewood) herbal water for every guest at breakfast among towers and towers of beautiful delicacies.
Much like a canopy center in ancient Alexandria, the endlessly stunning pool running through what looks like a majority of the island’s center hosts only love. The pool is 150 meter long and the largest pool in the Maldives with Jacuzzis and shallow areas designated for the younger guests. These shallow areas of the pool at night transforms into spaces that are ideal for romantic dinners.
As 16:30 (and mid-tide) neared, we busied ourselves to head on down to Raalhu Bar- home of the world-famous Chickens Surf Point to see thrill-seekers tackling over ten second barrels on almost double overhead waves thanks to the low current-interference of the Southwest swells.
Kuda Villingili’s signature restaurant Mar-Umi features the true art form of Peruvian ingredients molded by Japanese techniques with their Nikkei cuisine. Speak to a few guests familiar with the island and one of the first things you will hear is “Have you tried Spice?”. The island’s Indian cuisine at Spice plays host to the 450 year-long legacy of excellence of Mughal-style with a fifth generation Qureshi brother, leading the helm.
The Spa, located on a small islet nearby, is simple, honest and reminds the visitor of the respect this property has for the native nature of the island. Emerge, completely renewed from any one of the eight overwater villas and treatment rooms with ancient ayurvedic treatments, steam sauna and salon.
One of the island’s most luxurious attractions stands resolute; the Cigar Lounge and Library begins with a sensuous dance of cream and mahogany wood staircases that wind up and lead to a room of soft leather-floors and artifacts. The collection of cigars here would make a gentleman from the 1920s Jazz Age swell with jealousy.
Kuda Villingili is that rift in time and space where the architecture and structures tower over you and speak to something bigger than all of us. Being on the island, you are both within and without. Introspective and pulled by the confident pull of the world outside of you. That is the majesty of Kuda Villingili.