Situated among the turquoise waves of the Indian Ocean, on an endless sprawl of pristine white sand, is The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort. Vommuli is one of the 56 stunning islands that make up the Dhaalu Atoll. The country of Maldives consists of 26 atolls, which are collectively made up of 1,192 islands. Of these islands, only 200 are inhibited, making this Vommuli resort a rare gem.
“We are thrilled to debut The St. Regis Maldives—an incredible addition to our expanding collection of resorts in one of the world’s most spellbinding destinations,” said Lisa Holladay, global brand leader of St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “The design reflects a contemporary aesthetic and exemplary attention to detail, redefining the concept of private island luxury.”
St. Regis has 15 resorts around the world, with exquisite destinations from Bali to Bal Harbour, Florida. However, the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is the first of its kind. Designed by WOW Architects and Warner Wong Design, the Maldives location is the first St. Regis resort on its own private island. With the integration of contemporary design with local craftsmanship, combined with a profound appreciation of the island’s natural beauty, tropical luxury is taken to an all-new level.
Upon stepping off the plane at Velana International Airport, guests are greeted by a St. Regis Airport Butler. They are then escorted to The Great Room—a private, refined airport lounge—for a short wait while transportation is prepared. It takes 45 minutes to get to the island from the airport by seaplane; or visitors can choose to take Norma, the resort’s Azimut luxury yacht. Upon arriving, guests are greeted with a breathtaking view of untouched tropical landscape. From vibrant lagoons brimming with sea life, to glimmering beaches, to the exquisite resort itself, visitors step into an exclusive paradise like no other.
Design inspiration for The St. Regis Maldives was drawn from the stunning ecological environment surrounding the resort. This can be seen in the imaginative designs of buildings inspired by local sea creatures—such as the manta ray-shaped lagoon villas, a lobster-inspired spa, and the signature award-winning Whale Bar. Other buildings pay respect to local cultural symbols; the beach villas are inspired by fishermen’s huts, while the coastal villas along the southern shore resemble traditional Maldivian dhoni boats.
Surrounding the resort is a large house reef; teeming with colorful fish, it is the perfect place for snorkeling. The resort is divided into four distinct ecological zones: lagoon, beach, jungle, and coastal. Each area offers unique activities and amenities that combine to form an unforgettable experience. The lagoon zone contains a water amphitheater and the famous Iridium Spa, the beach zone boasts two exquisite beachfront restaurants, the jungle zone includes a recreational center and a pop-up cafe, while the coastal zone hosts a dive center and a signature bar. Throughout the resort, a trail of artwork brings the individual zones together. Between activities, guests can stop to admire seasonal work from artists in residence and pop-up installations crafted from locally sourced materials.
A stay at the John Jacob Astor Estate allows guests to experience the pinnacle of island luxury. Not only is it the grandest villa of the resort, but it’s also the largest three-bedroom over-water villa in all of the Maldives. Among other exclusive luxuries, the two-level villa comes with electric Bentley buggies and a dedicated 24-hour butler service. The wood-panel walls are modern yet simple, and an elegant, minimalistic deck hosts a 300-foot infinity swimming pool and offers a sweeping, panoramic view of the stunning island. The villa embodies the perfect combination of privacy and luxury.
Six dining venues offer distinctive cuisines to complement the alluring destination. Enjoy authentic dishes and exquisite desserts at Alba, a modern yet classic Italian restaurant; or head down the marble staircase to Decanter, an elegant underground wine cellar with a prestigious selection of exclusive century-old wines. For a relaxed yet sophisticated beachfront atmosphere to indulge in impeccably prepared Asian cuisine, Orientale awaits. Savor Middle Eastern dishes amidst a lush tropical garden, or enjoy the warm ocean waves with the family at a cozy beachfront pizzeria. End the day sipping a signature Island Mary at the Whale Bar, gazing into the magnificent sunset and listening to ambient music.
Sitting atop the scintillating azure waves, the 6,000-foot award-winning Iridium Spa promises a transformative journey through its holistic approaches to relaxation and rejuvenation. Plush furnishings set against white oak interiors create an ambience of elegant tranquility. Guests are invited to unwind in the Blue Hole Pool, the largest hydrotherapy pool in the Maldives. Heated seawater and an array of whirlpool jets melt away tension while offering curative benefits for both mind and body.
With the close integration of the resort and its surrounding ecologies, environmental sustainability was a key consideration for the designers. In one restaurant, hanging lamps were created from repurposed Indian pots. Along the veranda, beads made from recycled shells line the railing. In the Whale Bar, a stunning kitchen wall was intricately crafted from 15,000 wooden scales made of upcycled plywood remnants.
The St. Regis Maldives aims to guide guests through a transformational journey of self-discovery, reflection, and reconnection. From the spectacular architectural forms to the impeccable natural beauty of the island, the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is setting a new paradigm for luxury leisure.
