One&Only Reethi Rah – Maldives

Sally Woolley

Travel Manager

On the luxury boat journey from Male International Airport to One&Only’s magnificent man-made island Reethi Rah I got my first chance to enjoy the splendour of the Indian Ocean. The sea breeze and turquoise waters were a welcome pair that made my regular life feel as though it were a million miles away.

Travelling in June made me slightly nervous as it is typically the start of the rainy season, but cutting through the waves under a bright sun alleviated my worries. I hoped that the blissful weather would continue, and it did! On our final push towards Reethi Rah’s island paradise, the luscious forests, white sand beaches, and stunning residences came into view and the effect was utterly moving. It was picture perfect luxury, and I couldn’t wait to get amongst it.

Upon departing the boat, I was warmly greeted by a welcome party of staff. This was a wonderful touch that made me feel like a celebrity arriving to my own private island. The feeling of being the most important person on the resort continued throughout the duration of my stay thanks to the remoteness of the location and the fantastic efforts of the extremely dedicated One&Only staff. Every aspect of the man-made island is deliberately designed to meet guests needs; from the majestic setting, right through to the splendid accommodation.

The Three Bedroom Residence was particularly impressive and look like they would be perfect for families or large groups – they even have their own movie screen! It’s something that I would have been jealous of had my Beach Villa not been quite so stunning and packed full of incredible luxury amenities of its own. Check-in was taken care of in the villa and with a vast amount of living space, a butler on hand to cater to my needs, and an incredibly speedy laundry service, I could spend my time relaxing and making the most of my spectacular surroundings.

My villa was designed to bring me closer to the natural splendour of the island and being right on the beach only added to my feeling of remote bliss. Wood-panelled ceilings, neutral colours, and lots of open spaces constantly made me feel at ease. Another example of One&Only’s meticulous attention to detail is found in dressing tables that feature an in-built fridge, allowing you to keep your creams and products cool throughout your stay.

No island paradise is complete without a breathtaking beach and Reethi Rah does not disappoint. The pristine white sands are the perfect location for some well-earned relaxation; something that I spent a majority of my trip indulging in. Although, from my sun-lounger vantage point, I could also see the fantastic water-sport options being enjoyed by other guests. The relaxed tone of my trip aligned perfectly with the Beach Club where I would go for lunch most days, not only for its proximity to the beach, but also for its delightful dining options.

The dining at Reethi Rah was marvellous. It was really clear how One&Only had gone to a lot of effort to provide plenty of options to their guests. My favourite dining venue was Fanditha, a stunning middle-eastern inspired restaurant decorated with alluring fabrics and boasting a carefully cultivated atmosphere of relaxation. Enjoying tapas-style dishes from Syria, Morocco, Lebanon and beyond was one of the most memorable experiences from my trip. There are five other extraordinary dining options on the island including Botanica, an eatery nestled amongst the trees and featuring garden to fork healthy options, and Reethi, an Asian inspired fusion-dining experience set amongst stunning columns.

I can’t fault any areas of my trip to One&Only Reethi Rah and would definitely recommend a visit to families, couples, singles, and honeymooners alike. Reethi Rah lets you have every aspect of your trip your way. For me, it was all about relaxation and I can safely say that I got everything that I desired and so much more. I would love the chance to experience this incredible Indian Ocean escape again in the future.