Discover a more intense experience of nature at this
remote island resort in the pristine Baa Atoll, a UNESCO
World Biosphere Reserve. Flanked by flawless white
beaches and a two-kilometre lagoon, the island’s 44-acre
jungle interior hides vast accommodation compounds and
four isolated restaurants, inviting a real sense of
discovery. Snorkel with turtles and rays on the
kaleidoscopic house reef or join pioneering research
projects in the Marine Discovery Centre, including coral
reefscaping and the country’s only full-time manta ray
project. Immerse in the healing heart of the Spa and
Ayurvedic Retreat, with all-inclusive 7, 14 and 21 day
immersions plus intensive Panchakarma supported by two ayurvedic physicians and ayurvedic cuisine.
LOCATION: The Republic of Maldives is a cluster of atolls in the
Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka. The island of
Landaa Giraavaru is in the Baa Atoll of the Maldives.
The Resort is 30 minutes by seaplane or 75 miles/ 120 km
from Malé Airport (on the island of Hulhule).
TRANSPORTATION: A 30-minute airport transfer in a seaplane is available and
additional charges apply.
CLIMATE: The year is divided into two periods, iruvai, the dry
season, which runs from December to March, and
hulhangu, the wetter period, which runs from May to
November. Transitional periods in mid-April and late
November are typically very calm with exceptionally
clear water. The average maximum temperature is
remarkably consistent throughout the year at 86°F/ 30°C.
ACCOMMODATION: The Resort’s 103 thatched bungalows and villas occupy vast private areas on the beach or over the lagoon. Coral walls, teak furnishings and lush native vegetation provide an authentic, natural setting; features range from sand-floor living rooms and sea-viewing lofts to spacious gardens and private infinity-edged pools.
Beach Bungalow with Pool
(27 units, Interior: 75m², Exterior: 91m²)
The entry level of accommodation is the Beach Bungalow, which comprises an airconditioned living and sleeping pavilion with a lounge and dressing room. The extensive bathroom houses a bath, indoor shower and a traditional outdoor Maldivian shower. The bungalow opens onto a private garden with an outdoor deck, a 5-metre plunge pool with sunbed and a gazebo.
Beach Villa with Pool
(26 units, Interior: 137m², Exterior: 260m²)
A turquoise gate with traditional Maldivian style coral walls leads into the private compound of the spacious Beach Villa, which comprises a sleeping pavilion, indoor living area, dressing area and luxuriously appointed bathroom with outdoor shower. The highlight of the Beach Villa is a 12-metre lap pool coupled with an adjacent sand-floor outdoor living and dining pavilion. A mezzanine-level private loft complete with daybed is perfect for sea viewing. A traditional Maldivian swing, poolside daybeds and direct – yet shielded – beach access enhance the extensive outdoor living space.
Family Beach Villa with Pool
(4 units, Interior: 164m², Exterior: 260m²)
This spacious villa features an attached study room with a sofa bed with a pullout under-bed, a desk, wardrobe, TV and adjacent shower room – ideal for families with younger children.
Two-Bedroom Family Beach Bungalow with Pool
(2 units, Interior: 182m², Exterior: 182m²)
This accommodation type comes with lots of beachfront and fresh seaside-chic interiors. It also features an additional twin-bedded room linked by a short corridor to the master bedroom. A separate bathroom and outdoor shower makes it especially suitable for families with older children and teenagers.
Royal Beach Villa
(1 unit, Interior: 310m², Exterior: 890m²)
A suite of palatial proportions, the two-bedroom Royal Beach Villa consists of a Master pavilion with indoor and outdoor bathroom, a living and dining pavilion with kitchenette, a butler’s room and a separate guest pavilion. The extensive exterior has a 20-metre lap pool extending along – yet shaded from – the beach, an open dining area over the water, beachside Bale, private massage area and a spacious sundeck. An additional Beach Villa can be inter-connected to the two-bedroom Royal Beach Villa to accommodate large families.
Water Villa
(28 units, Interior: 86m², Exterior: 53m²)
Located along the jetty, the Water Villas are positioned to offer views of the sunrise or sunset. Interiors comprise a bedroom and adjacent lounge, dressing area and bathroom with outdoor shower. Outdoor decks have a separate dining area and lounge, sea-level shower deck, lounging nets suspended above the lagoon and a sea-gazing loft accessible via a spiral staircase.
Water Villa with Pool
(10 units, Interior: 86m², Exterior: 67m²)
In addition to the above facilities, ten of the Water Villas have an 11m² private plunge pool.
Two-bedroom Water Suite
(2 units, Interior: 182m², Exterior: 200m²)
Located at the end of the water bungalow jetty, the two-bedroom Water Villas offer stunning views of the sunset and sunrise respectively. Each villa consists of two identical bedrooms complete with separate dressing area, bathroom and outdoor shower. A shared living and dining area overlooks the plunge pool (16m²) and sundeck, which provides access to a sea gazing loft. Steps lead from the sundeck to a lower platform with sea access and feature shower.
Two-bedroom Land & Ocean Suite
(2 units, Interior: 280m², Exterior: 400m²)
A Maldivian first, Two-bedroom Land & Ocean Suites combine land-based, open-plan living and dining (complete with library, kitchenette and bathroom) with two ocean-based sleeping pavilions, each with en suite bedroom, dressing room and outdoor shower. The two are linked via a huge wooden walkway, 36 m² pool, large over-water nets and al fresco dining pavilion.
Three-bedroom Landaa Estate
(1 unit, Interior: 513m², Exterior: 1,500m²)
Located on the southeastern side of the island with uninterrupted views of Baa Atoll’s turquoise waters, the Three-Bedroom Estate is an über luxe hideaway: a chic retreat with private 80-metre beach, two pools, Stargazing
Lounge, vast al fresco ‘wall-less’ living space, lush tropical surround and 24-hour assistance from caring staff.
The two-tier estate offers an upper-level en-suite guest room, open-air lounge and second-floor plunge pool that cascades into the 25m beachfront pool below. The two ground floor en-suite bedrooms open up onto opposite ends of the vast timber decking for a personal stretch of daybed lounging. The master also features a large sunken marble bath with a private verandah leading directly onto the white-sand beach. Two outdoor showers, a kitchen and maid’s room complete the estate.
VILLA FEATURES
& AMENITIES: All villas are equipped with high-speed internet access, digital telephone lines, 42 inch plasma TV and DVD entertainment system. Deluxe bathroom amenities include thick, absorbent towels, make-up/ shaving mirror, hair dryer, pure cotton robes and slippers, and superior quality bath toiletries. In-room safes provide secure storage for personal valuables. Crisp 100% cotton bed sheets, air conditioning, overhead fans and refreshments from the private bar add to the feeling of cool comfort in every bungalow.
RESTAURANTS/BARS: Café Landaa
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Café Landaa has three thatched pavilions separated by reflecting ponds. The vast breakfast buffet includes Asian, continental and international buffet selections with ayurvedic-labelling, dosha-specific teas and ayurvedic tonics. Lunch and dinner feature Indian and Asian specialties; a separate Teppanyaki counter in a water garden setting opens for dinner only.
Al Barakat
Adjacent to the main jetty and spectacularly perched over water, Al Barakat features Moroccan and Lebanese cuisine. Perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks, the ground floor Shisha Bar offers magnificent views of the sunset and abundant marine life of the adjacent coral reef. A stairway leads to two rooftop-dining terraces with cosy niches decked with colourful cushions. Lebanese mezze, grills, Moroccan couscous platters and stews are served under a canopy of stars. After dessert, guests can move down to the bar to enjoy Arabic tea, Turkish coffee and Shisha pipes.
Blu
Located on the western tip of the island overlooking the 2km lagoon, Blu embraces the essence of the Maldives as the place where the ocean meets the sky. Serving contemporary Italian cuisine, Blu consists of a dining pavilion and a bar separated by a shallow pond. The restaurant offers a light buffet selection and an à la carte menu for breakfast, light antipasti, pizza and pasta for lunch, home-made gelati at the poolside nearby and elegant Italian dining in the evening. The wine list includes a fine selection of Italian wines. The adjacent Blu Bar is open all day, serving tropical cocktails in a relaxed, sand-floor setting.
Fuego Grill
Located adjacent to the seawater pool and overlooking the eastern coast of the island, Fuego Grill is open for dinner only, serving fresh catch of the day as well as a selection of organic and prime cuts, salads, sandwiches and Asian dishes from an open kitchen pavilion. Teak tables and chairs are set in the sand facing the sea.
Seabar
Standing uncovered in the sea, with steps down into the lagoon, Seabar draws guests nightly from 5 pm till midnight with an easy, breezy vibe and blissfully secluded feel. Watch the lemon sharks and reef fish below, laze on cushions with signature frozen margaritas and snack on tapas-style platters and light bites. Different DJs keep the lounge abuzz from 9pm.
Five Degrees North
Five Degrees North is the Resort’s casual bar named after
the island’s geographical location 5 degrees north of the
Equator. It is located on the first floor of the Reception
building amidst coconut treet-tops, and has commanding
views over the entire island. It features a bar counter
fashioned from a local dhoni and has a library, pool table
and selection of board games.
IN-VILLA SERVICE: Breakfast, lunch, dinner or between-meal snacks are
served in each villa’s dining area, overlooking the lagoon.
The menu is available 24 hours and can cater to any
request, including sunrise Champagne breakfasts,
romantic beach and sandbank dinners, Robinson Crusoe
picnics and private parties of any size.
DIVING:
The Maldives is known internationally as one of the
world’s best dive destinations. The Resort’s 5-star PADI
IDC Dive Centre is run by a multilingual team of
professionals. Its isolated location in the Baa Atoll’s
UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve places guests in
close proximity to many virgin dive sites, with 30
beautiful coral gardens within easy reach. It is also just 20
minutes by speedboat from several world-renowned
aggregation sites for mass gatherings of manta rays and
whale sharks (June to October).
Landaa’s Marine Discovery Centre (MDC) is an
interactive research and education centre designed to
guide guests and locals alike through the underwater
world of the Maldives and the Resort’s efforts to
conserve it. The Centre uses multi-language touch screen
video kiosks, dramatic photography, exhibition boards,
educational talks, life-size models and interaction with
marine biologists to educate its visitors. Image-clad
windows create the impression of being amongst a giant
shoal of fish. The Centre also has a dedicated children’s
area with touch tank and interactive activities.
Guests visiting
the Resort between May and October can become a
manta researcher for the day (with the on-site Manta
Trust charity) or sign up for ‘Manta on Call’: a thrilling
speedboat ride to snorkel with mantas spotted at nearby
hotspots.
WATER SPORTS CENTRE: The Water Sports Centre offers a wide range of group and individual activities. Non-motorised activities are complimentary and include kayaking, snorkelling, windsurfing, single sail and catamaran sailing. Lessons in windsurfing and sailing can be given by VDWS-certified instructors on request. Additional motorised activities such as water-skiing, parasailing, kite surfing, banana-boating and fun tubes are available at a charge.
RECREATION FACILITIES:
The Health Club – Equipped with the latest strength and
cardiovascular equipment with personal TV and headphones. There is also a floodlit tennis court.
Beaches
One kilometre of white sandy beach can be found on the
island’s northern and southern shores, ending in long
sand-spits on both the eastern and western tips. On the
western side, the lagoon extends two kilometres. The
beaches are served by the Resort’s Paddleboat Waiters,
who encircle the island equipped with chilled
refreshments, ready to deliver to guests as soon as they beckon.
Bicycles
Monogrammed cruiser bikes and junior bikes are available for all guests for the duration of their stay to enable them to explore the island at their leisure.
Orchid Garden
The Resort has its own exotic Orchid Garden – filled with dazzling Dendrobiums, classic Cattleyas, vivid Vandas and the ever-floriferous Rhynchostylis gigantean – open daily from 8.30 am to 6.00 pm for tours, tips and leisurely exploration.
The Library – Housed in a comfortable lounge, it is located on the first floor of the Recreation Centre and offers treetop views of the island. It features a variety of books, magazines and games as well a refreshment counter. Laptops with wireless Internet access are available for rent.
SWIMMING POOLS: There are four swimming pools at the Resort. The spectacular Olympic size 50m main pool on the northern shore of the island has a swim-up bar, spacious sundeck and private gazebos. A shallow free-form children’s pool is located nearby in the Kuda Velaa Kids’ Club. Adjacent to the main pool is the 20m wide ‘floating’ seawater pool, whilst the romantic sunset pool – an idyllic pool for quiet relaxation – is located on the western tip of the island at Blu restaurant overlooking the stunning 2km lagoon.
THE SPA & AYURVEDIC RETREAT:
The 2.5 acre Spa and Ayurvedic Retreat stretches from the heart of the island to the middle of the lagoon. Two Ayurvedic Physicians, an Acupuncturist, resident yogi and highly specialised team of therapists offer authentic healing and education from ten land and sea-based treatment pavilions and a yoga deck. All-inclusive 7-, 14-and 21-day Ayurvedic Immersions, intensive Panchakarma detoxification and individual ayurvedic therapies are complemented by a full spa menu.
Spa therapies use the naturally derived products of ila. Ayurvedic therapies use a range of ayurvedic herbs and medicinal plants picked fresh from the Herb Garden. Each of the three open-air treatment pavilions in the Ayurvedic Retreat is set within its own tropical garden and furnished with a droni (an ayurvedic treatment table) carved from a single piece of wood from the Jackfruit tree. Each pavilion also contains al fresco bathtubs, steam benches, mud treatment area and carved daybed.
All Resort guests are offered a complimentary dosha-determining consultation during their visit. Guests are also invited to visit and spend time in the Herbal Centre to learn more about the various oils and herbal remedies and physical, nutritional and emotional benefits of the Ayurvedic process.
FACES OF THE SEA SCUBA HOLIDAYS 