Like its pristine islands, the Maldives is speckled with luxurious hotels and resorts, each outdoing the other in hospitality and experience. And then there’s the Cheval Blanc Randheli, a jewel of exclusivity and bespoke luxury, nestled on the turquoise canvas of the Maldives. Since it’s situated just forty kilometers away from the Malé International Airport in the Noonu Atoll region, the approach to the property would require you to board a seaplane. As soon as you disembark, you are acquainted with your personal butler who escorts you and yours to your living quarters via a buggy. And this is just the beginning. Here are four things that prove why the Randheli sets a benchmark for any of its Maldivian contemporaries to aspire for.
An entire island for a spa
The Cheval Blanc Randheli truly represents the sanctity of a holistic and relaxing spa experience. Which is why it has its spa that is far removed from the rest of the property and takes a three-minute boat trip to arrive at. The spa is endowed with a hammam, a salon, and even a meditation centre. It’s only here, in all of the Maldives, that you can avail of authentic Guerlain rituals. As soon as you arrive on the dhoni boats, you’ll notice the beautiful pair of Orchidée Villas. The Spa Bar serves up health-conscious eateries and beverages and has its very own infinity pool that offers a sight to behold.
Your very own majordomo
The moment you land at the Chavel Blanc Randheli on the seaplane, your personal butler attends to you. He will greet you on arrival and will help get you settled in your buggy. That’s not all. The majordomo here also aids in packing and unpacking your luggage, giving you the feeling of being an Earl in Downtown Abbey. He makes you feel as welcome as you can feel and even treats you to all the delicacies from the kitchens, on your request. This warmth and hospitality are reflected in the mannerisms of every staff member, which often supersedes other fond memories that this paradise bestows upon you.
12 courses of French savoir-faire
Le 1947 is the flagship restaurant of the resort. It’s the kind of place where you settle down amid snow-white curtain partitions, relishing the rare presence of a garden, while you enjoy your meal in the accompaniment of a piano melody. It is open for dinner from Monday to Wednesday and serves up a 12-course feast that changes every week. Le 1947 has been created in collaboration with three-Michelin-star chef Yannick Alléno. The restaurant staff is courteous and often give out cashmere scarfs to guests who are cold. The name of the restaurant is inspired by its incredible collection of vintages dating back to, you guessed it, 1947.
Personalization on stilts
Truly inspired by the Maldivian culture, the Water Villas, at the Randheli, is full of surprises. Each villa is located in a manner to offer splendid views of the sea. The ceilings are tall, the rooms sprawling and the pillows are made to suit your preferences. The bedrooms are large enough to accommodate double dressing rooms, a bathtub-equipped bathroom that’s awash in grandeur and rain showers inside and outside the villa. The Signature Cheval Blanc Randheli essentials are addictive. The most endearing feature of the water villas is the inclusion of a private infinity pool that spans over twelve meters.
Where: Cheval Blanc Randheli
Noonu Atoll Republic of Maldives, Maldives
Phone: +960 656-1515
