Naladhu Private Island, the exclusive luxury island resort in the Maldives, was closed for six months for a complete renovation and has relaunched in November with an impressive new look and feel. The resort will undergo a total redesign with all the public areas and accommodation included in the renovation and the resort’s top suite, the Two Bedroom Pool Residence, will reopen with its own 20m private beach. The island is located on the edge of a pristine lagoon in the South Malé Atoll, just 30 minutes by luxury speedboat from Malé’s international airport.
Home to just 20 keys, Naladhu offers the ultimate in privacy and seclusion for the most discerning guests. The resort is being redesigned by New York-based designer Yuji Yamazaki, with new sleeker furniture throughout and a lighter color palette creating a modern colonial South East Asian look. Yamazaki has focussed on maximizing the number of spots around the houses where guests can have a moment of pause, ranging from ocean-side seating for breakfast to pre-dinner cocktails on the chaise longue overlooking the pool. The restaurant, bar, wine cellar, and gym are among the public areas receiving a completely new look.
The resort’s two categories of ‘Houses’, each with 300 sqm of living space, are surrounded by tropical vegetation and invite a total immersion in nature. The Beach House with Pool has direct access to the white sands and lagoon, whilst the Ocean House with Pool and Private Beach Cabana has a large terrace with panoramic ocean view, in addition to its own dedicated cabana, where guests can relax on their super king-sized day bed and enjoy drinks, snacks or lunch served by their butler, to be known as a Kuwaanu.
The guest experience at Naladhu will be totally bespoke. The Kuwaanu, deriving from storyteller in Dhivehi the Maldivian language, will be at their disposal 24 hours a day, both as their guide and to provide services ranging from unpacking or serving early morning coffee to organizing a private island picnic. The resort will also be introducing some new experiences, including a snorkeling tour with the in-house marine biologist to see some of the 2,000 species of tropical fish and sea mammals and to understand more about the coral conservation program.
The jewel in the resort’s crown is the 600 sqm Two Bedroom Pool Residence. Sleeping up to six guests, this vast space guarantees both privacy and quality time with loved ones. The Residence benefits from both sunrise and sunset views, with its pool and large deck facing the ocean, along with loungers, alfresco dining area and a swing, and its new private beach offering direct access to the lagoon.
The resort will be expanding their no-menu dine anywhere concept, enabling guests to choose their favorite dishes and dining spots round the clock – whether it’s in The Living Room with views over the lagoon, a Champagne floating breakfast in the pool or moonlight midnight snacks on the beach. The chefs are experienced in cuisines from around the globe ranging from Arabic to Italian, French to Sri Lankan or Japanese to Indonesian.
As part of the sustainability programme, Naladhu has started working with Parley Air to reduce marine plastic pollution and recycle plastic waste and all single-use plastic has been banned on the island. In addition, all the resort’s old furniture has been donated to the Maldives’ only hospital for mental health.
Naladhu Private Island will be renewing its focus on wellness with a new dedicated spa treatment area including a double treatment room and bathing and changing area and the introduction of a resident Naturopath and Nutritional Therapist. Guests are offered the opportunity to focus on their nutrition to help overcome stress, sleep issues, and unhealthy eating patterns as well as helping with immunity, digestion, weight management, hormones, skin and blood sugar balance.
Naladhu Private Island’s General Manager Giles Selves said: “This substantial investment will ensure that Naladhu Private Island continues to be one of the most exclusive private islands in the Maldives. The resort already has a significant number of repeat guests, and I have no doubt the new-look Naladhu will entice many new travellers to experience the privacy, seclusion and bespoke personalised service that it’s renowned for.”
For reservations, please contact stay@naladhu.com
