Evaluation: InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort

June 28, 2023

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Wednesday newsletters at all times function a lodge or flight evaluation.

I not too long ago loved an great vacation within the Maldives. Throughout my journey, I didn’t keep at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani – my favourite resorts within the Maldives (I’m going again although in 2024) – however I attempted out some new, ultra-luxurious and fabulous resorts. Learn my journey stories right here:

In the present day: Evaluation of InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort

An unique personal island resort, located on the southernmost tip of the distant Raa Atoll, subsequent to UNESCO biosphere reserve Baa Atoll, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort enjoys one of the vital secluded and luxurious places within the Maldives. The property’s 81 spacious villas and residences – both positioned on the seashore, across the lagoon or overwater – are mixed with in depth wellness & leisure services, bespoke experiences and 6 eating places & bars. A spotlight of the resort is its world-class service, together with being the primary resort worldwide to supply Membership InterContinental advantages to all friends (e.g. day by day afternoon tea, night aperitif and and all-day refreshments by the pool or seashore). The ultra-luxe property is surrounded by a myriad of marine life and residential to a novel and spectacular manta ray sanctuary, making it one of the best lodge within the Maldives to snorkel with manta rays yr spherical (which really units it aside amongst luxurious resorts within the Maldives).

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort options in my high 10 lists of the greatest luxurious resorts & inns within the Maldives, the greatest family-friendly resorts within the Maldives, and the greatest InterContinental Accommodations & Resorts on the planet.

Have you ever ever stayed at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort? In that case, what was your expertise? Depart a remark.

On this evaluation (extra information and images under my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

Opened in September 2019, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is about on the southern fringe of the largely untouched Raa Atoll, simply north of the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. The property is reached through a 35-minute scenic seaplane switch from Male. After touchdown at Velana Worldwide Airport (Male), the resort’s airport representatives meet friends as soon as all immigration formalities have been accomplished to escort them to check-in for the seaplane switch to Maamunagau Island. Subsequent, friends are taken by personal switch to Male’s new seaplane terminal (a 5 min automotive trip), which homes a dedicacted InterContinental lounge the place friends can comfortably relaxation and calm down until the departure of their scheduled seaplane flight. Seaplane flights solely function throughout daylight, so for worldwide flights arriving after 3.30 pm, a 20-minute home flight by wheeled aircraft, adopted by a brief speedboat trip can be organized.

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is about inside the distinctive Maamunagau lagoon, the most important pure lagoon within the Maldives. Maamunagau is a recognized juvenile manta ray aggregation spot, the place younger manta rays spend their days in a sheltered space till they’re massive sufficient to journey the atolls. Between December and April, manta rays are simply noticed within the lagoon as they migrate between the atolls through the northeast monsoon months. Simply south of the resort sits Baa Atoll, which is residence to Hanifaru Bay, one of many only a few locations on the planet the place whale sharks congregate to mate, and the place guests can snorkel amongst feeding congregations of whale sharks and huge teams of manta rays between Could and September. It makes the InterContinental Resort one of the best spot within the Maldives for spending time with manta rays all yr spherical.

Created with each {couples} and households in thoughts, the intuitive design of InterContinental Maldives was created by Singapore-based architects’s Eco-ID, aiming to be inspiring, refined and made for trendy barefoot dwelling. All through the resort structure, pared-down, localized components are the essence, hereby placing the deal with the majestic open air, enhancing the unrivalled magnificence, mesmerizing mild and tropical panorama of the atoll. Throughout the resort’s open-air pavilions (such because the reception space and the eating places), off-form and subtly textured concrete finishes are paired with timber log columns. Intensive use of contemporary Nako louvres complement the glossy aesthetics whereas permitting pure mild and air flow management. Interiors of the general public locations function mushy color palettes with beige materials and lightweight wooden, subtly interrupted by some playful touches of vivid crimson and yellow. Total, the resort’s design is outlined by honesty and authenticity slightly than opulence and glitter.

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort contains a good structure by which the resort is split into three distinct areas, each coming with its personal services and distinctive sort of lodging. First, there may be the magnificent island itself, which is residence to the primary pool space, a number of eating places (together with the Lighthouse), a wellness middle, and 30 seashore villas, all of them surrounded by expansive personal gardens that result in the seashore. On the middle of the resort is the lagoon space, which is residence to the foyer pavilion, boat home, adults solely space, and 26 two-storey lagoon villas, the primary of their form within the Maldives, combining overwater views with direct seashore and lagoon entry (3 islets had been reclaimed to create this distinctive web site situation). Boardwalks then lead from the lagoon space to resort’s third space, the overwater space, which is residence to the resort’s 25 overwater villas.

Among the many resort’s 81 villas are six monumental residences. That includes 2 or 3 bedrooms with kitchen, eating and spacious in and out of doors dwelling area, these residences are the proper option to host a giant household or group. Throughout my keep, I used to be upgraded to considered one of these villas, the three-bedroom lagoon residence, a heaven of luxurious on the finish of the lagoon space. The villa supplied a big eating and front room , a personal cabana with a big infinity pool and an out of doors deck space overlooking the turquoise lagoon. The main bedroom was positioned in its personal personal pavilion separated from the primary villa with a king sized mattress overlooking the ocean and an en-suite lavatory that includes an over sized bathtub and out of doors rainshower. As well as, there have been two visitor bedrooms on the primary ground of the primary villa that includes one king mattress and two twin beds; each got here with en suite loos and ocean views. The loos had been stocked with luxurious facilities by Byredo.

InterContinental Maldives’ seashore, overwater and lagoon villas all include a personal pool. But, as if that isn’t sufficient, there are additionally two distinct communal pool areas, each of them overlooking the turquoise lagoon. Positioned on the primary island, straight on the seashore, the primary pool is open to all visitor (together with kids) and enjoys views of the sundown. Surrounded by dozens of solar loungers and two eating places (extra on that under), the free-form pool options completely different sections with variable depth, a separate children pool and a swim-up bar. Positioned within the lagoon space of the lodge is The Retreat, and adults solely enclave which is residence to a ravishing infinity pool. The Retreat is a perfect venue to spend a morning lazing by the pool with a curated cocktail to chill down adopted by a number of candy and savoury finger meals paired with an beautiful number of tea, and to finish the day with sundowners or night digestives of premium wines and cheese.

Along with Soneva Fushi, Anantara Kihavah, and Park Hyatt Maldives, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort ranks among the many most stunning and pristine pure islands within the Maldives, rising up out of the ocean’s sapphire blue like a mirage. Actually a tropical paradise, the idyllic island is totally surrounded by the whitest of powdery sands, lapped by crystal-clear turquoise waters, and framed by coconut palms swaying within the breeze. Set inside its personal pure lagoon on the southernmost tip of the Raa Atoll, the ocean stretches out so far as the attention can see, with hardly one other island in view, and there’s even a powerful sandbank with lighthouse which makes for excellent Instagram photographs. The island of Maamunagau is sort of small: it takes lower than half-hour to stroll round it. Bicycles are supplied to discover the canopied paths, which wind throughout the island between the a whole lot of palm timber. Complimentary buggy service (24/7) is supplied as properly.

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort presents six distinct eating places and bars, providing a wide range of scrumptious delicacies in thoughtfully curated ambiances.
- The Lighthouse is the resort’s signature restaurant and it delivers a memorable eating expertise with 360-degree views of the Indian Ocean. The venue serves vibrant dishes crafted from the best seasonal elements and seafood. For a extra intimate setting, go for a personal desk on the terrace or a candle-lit desk on the seashore.
- Fish Market is a novel sea-to-table interactive kitchen idea mixing the Maldivian seafood with fragrant flavours from South East Asia. Designed as a hub of connectivity, the overwater restaurant is a favorite for sundown eating.
- Positioned alongside the primary pool is Café Umi, a Japanese-inspired restaurant offering elevated consolation and traditional favourites, impressed by pure, natural and sustainable delicacies.
- Additionally positioned alongside the primary pool is The Collective, a extra informal affair serving scrumptious recent juices, pastries and wholesome wraps, and wood-fired pizza. The Collective additionally options an indoor “Gelato Bar” with boutique.
- Subsequent to the Fish Market is a ship home. The higher deck’s Sundown Bar supplies a classy and romantic atmosphere with one of the best sundown moments on the island. Right here, signature cocktails and skilled suggestions of the resort’s Champagne Sommelier go hand in hand with delectable canapes with the curated music amplifying the intimate atmosphere. On the decrease deck is a wine bar which is ideal for personal occasions.
- The Retreat, the adults-only enclave with a personal bar and its personal infinity pool on the water’s edge, additionally has its personal restaurant (open for lunch solely).

The resort’s signature AVI Spa is positioned on the island’s southern tip, close to the Lighthouse. The intimate wellness middle options six overwater remedy villas together with steam rooms, ice fountains, an out of doors vitality therapeutic massage pool, a yoga pavilion and a health club. A number one Conventional Chinese language Medication (TCM) practitioner, who’s specialised in acupuncture and Chinese language natural drugs, makes use of the pillars of Chinese language wellness to revive concord and stability to friends via varied remedies. These embrace anti-ageing facial acupuncture, cupping remedy, remedial tui-na therapeutic massage, physique therapies, dietary plans and natural drugs. Along with the onsite TCM, InterContinental Maldives can tailor menus to any dietary want, enabling friends to take pleasure in a versatile and balanced wellness retreat expertise with out compromising their general expertise. All remedies start with a mineral wealthy detoxifying grapefruit and lavender foot cleanse, yogic respiration and a meridian tapping ritual to gradual the thoughts and put together for the remedy.

Impreccable and mindblowing service – with out being overbearing – is what units InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort aside. Every villa is allotted a devoted ‘Island Curator’ (butler), who commits to creating ever-lasting recollections and considerate particulars. The property can be the primary and solely all-Membership InterContinental resort, offering friends with entry to unique advantages and personalised service all through their keep. Membership InterContinental’s day by day complimentary advantages embrace:
- Each day breakfast at Café Umi, which presents a terrific breakfast buffet along with an intensive à la carte choice
- Afternoon tea (served from 3 to five pm) with three tiers of tantalising savouries in addition to uncommon loose-leaf varietals chosen by the in-house tea sommelier
- Night aperitif providing a deluxe number of premium wine and cheese. For households, a non-alcoholic beverage choice can be obtainable.
- All-day refreshments by the pool or seashore

Dedicated to preserving the ocean for future generations and friends, InterContinental Maldives has launched two key conservation initiatives. The primary is a devoted manta ray sanctuary in partnership with the Manta Belief. The partnership, which is in help of the Maldivian Manta Ray Mission, will nurture a secure habitat for the manta rays inside the resort’s lagoon in addition to offering friends with invaluable data and a possibility to swim alongside these swish creatures and snorkel over underwater coral gardens. InterContinental Maldives can be targeted on minimising its environmental affect with a dedication to decreasing waste from each plastic and glass, and composting bio waste. The resort has additionally entered into an settlement with Parley Maldives, which works to scale back reliance on single-use plastics, intercept sources of plastic waste, and forestall it from getting into the oceans or being disposed of in harmful methods. Parley takes the resort’s plastics and recycles them to make usable merchandise.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

IMHO, the resort’s “greatest downside” is that it bears the InterContinental identify. Whereas the InterContinental model is a strong luxurious model with higher-end vacationers amongst its clientele, it isn’t a model that one would affiliate with an ultra-luxury property, which is completely the case for InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort. The lodge ranks among the many best resorts within the Maldives I’ve ever stayed at, and much exceeds the expectations one would have when contemplating a keep at an InterContinental Resort. The setting (with the manta ray sanctuary close by), the great thing about the island itself, the eating and wellness services, and particularly the top-notch service are really mindblowing. I imagine that the IHG Group should invent a brand new model identify sooner or later to group its high properties, similar to InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort.

InterContinental Maldives contains a distinctive, modern and colourful design, which could not be to the liking of all friends and which is slightly uncommon for the Maldives, the place most resort are characterised by both a conventional tropical fashion (with tatched roof pavilions) or a minimalist and modernist structure. Additionally, a number of the resort’s bars & eating places are housed in “faux” venues, similar to a replica Maldivian dhoni boat and a newly constructed lighthouse, which could really feel a bit odd and Disney-like to some friends (though I completely beloved it). Additionally, the place most resorts within the Maldives make an try and camouflage their workers quarters (by hiding them within the islands’ lust interiors), the InterContinental’s workers quarters are positioned on the island’s shore and are seen from the welcome pavilion & foyer – though the workers quarters are fully surrounded by lush vegetation (so it’s not likely bothersome).

MY VERDICT

Location: 9/10
Design: 8/10
Pool: 10/10
Rooms: 9/10
Meals: 9/10
Breakfast: 10/10
Spa: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Worth for cash: 9/10
Total expertise: distinctive 9/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Get monetary savings: learn right here my ideas for getting one of the best deal at a luxurious lodge like InterContinental Maldives (and/or obtain many free perks).

Get monetary savings: IHG has a loyalty program which I reviewed right here and which lets you gather factors and change them keep totally free stays at IHG properties, such because the InterContinental Maldives.

Learn my ideas for getting ready your journey in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The most effective climate within the Maldives is between January and April, which additionally means excessive season (with low availability and really costly room charges). The monsoon runs from Could to October, peaking in June. It’s value paying larger costs and sticking to the dry season as there may be nothing to do on a wet day besides drink, eat, work out or scuba dive. Particularly November and December, which are sometimes labelled as dry season months, have been very unsettled lately.

HOW TO GET THERE

Attending to the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort requires a 35-minute seaplane switch from Male Worldwide Airport (MLE). Examine the Wikipedia web page of Male Worldwide Airport for an up to date checklist of airways that provide flights to Male Worldwide Airport.

PHOTOS

Right here’s a number of images of InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort. To view extra lodge images (together with breakfast, luch and dinner), click on right here.