Marvel at the Maldives with Taj
With two different properties in the Maldives, Taj is ready to welcome guests back to paradise.
Unique dining at the Ocean Pavilion at the Taj Exotica, only accessible by boat (photo credit: Taj Hotels)
The Republic of Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean/Arabian Sea area, and we are thrilled to say that travel to the Maldives is once again re-opened to American citizens. It actually re-opened in July, and our friends at Taj let us know that they had around a hundred American guests in the first month of re-opening, which is of course fantastic and hope-inspiring news. Taj is perhaps most famous for its collection of hotels in India, which are also to-die-for, but their offerings in the Maldives are just as swoon-inducing. With two stunning villa resorts in different areas of the Maldives, we wanted to take a more in-depth look at both of the Taj resorts in the Maldives so that you can decide which one you’ll be packing up for next.
In very exciting news, both properties still have availability during the festive period, and we can think of no dreamier place for you and your loved ones to get away to celebrate the holidays or the start of a new year.
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa
Picture this: you land at the Velana International Airport, where you will be met by a speedboat for a quick 15-20 minute transfer to Taj Exotica, where your dreams of an island paradise will soon become reality. The resort is spread across the Emboodhu Finolhu Island and sits in one of the largest lagoons in the Maldives.
The resort is made up of 64 villas and suites, all with a sea view and many being over water. Because that’s not everyone’s cup of tea, there are plenty of accommodations that are not over the water, so you can always take your pick. Lots of the accommodations feature sundecks and pools as well.
The Rehendi Presidential Overwater Suite is absolutely stunning, with some guests who have stayed there actually referring to it as the “most beautiful place on earth.” This suite has a living room, two beautifully appointed bedrooms, a freshwater pool, two “salas” (large reception rooms), and a suspended sundeck with a hammock over the lagoon. Can you hear our hearts fluttering?
As for dining, there is a great range of options, from 24-hour in-villa dining to Pan-Asian to European. At the Equator Lounge, you can relax and listen to the music of the waves while enjoying a vibrant cocktail, trying some shisha, or choosing a glass of wine from their cellar. The Pool Bar & Restaurant is for casual cocktails or oven-fresh pizzas. At 24 Degrees, you will find nightly themed menus featuring cuisine from all over the world, and at The Deep End, which is perched over the water, you will enjoy the al-fresco seating and candlelit tables as you enjoy fare from countries touched by the Mediterranean Sea.
The resort also has some fabulous options for unique dining, should you want to have a meal you will never forget. Dine on a lush treetop, in a beach lounge carved from the sand (appropriately named The Dug Out), on a private sandbank, or out on the beach enjoying the unforgettable views. Perhaps our favorite option for an incredible meal is the Ocean Pavilion, which is situated in the heart of the lagoon and is accessible by boat only. You will feel truly away from the rest of the world, enjoying a meal with your loved ones in a moment that will feel like a dream.
Romantics love the Jiva Grande Spa for its authentic Indian wellness experience with yoga and meditation, where their resident experts will be able to help you decide the best options for you.
While you will be tempted to spend your entire time being pampered and relaxing in your villa or in the water (we don’t blame you), there are some activities on offer that you won’t want to miss. Take a thrilling seaplane adventure to see the stunning Maldives from a bird’s eye view. Cruise around the lagoon in a traditional Maldivian Dhoni or in a speedboat at sunset to see rare gray dolphins passing by. Windsurf, jetski, waterski, and wakeboard over the calm, crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean. For those interested in scuba diving, there are courses offered ranging from Scuba Diver to Rescue Diver, as well as beginner’s courses. The dive center also organizes snorkeling trips, with the coral garden trip being the most popular.
As if the stunning beauty and incredible service of this resort isn’t enough, we also have lots of extra perks we can guarantee our guests while staying at the Taj Exotica. For 2020, these include:
Upgrade on arrival (subject to availability)
Welcome in-room fruit and chocolate platters
Daily full breakfast for two guests per bedroom, served in restaurant
$100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Departure gift
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi
For stays of 3 nights or more, receive the following additional amenities:
Complimentary round-trip combined speedboat airport transfers
Complimentary lunch or dinner for up to two people per room, once during stay (excluding alcohol, taxes, and gratuities)
$100 USD equivalent Spa Services credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa
Set a bit farther afield than the Taj Exotica, you’ll find its sister property, the Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa, located an hour away by speedboat from the Male International Airport on the scenic Hambadhu Island.
With 62 luxurious thatched-roof villas on offer, you’re guaranteed stunning views of breathtaking turquoise vistas, unforgettable sunsets, and a stylish spin on a laidback tropical vacation. The villas range from a Superior Beach Villa right up to the Nirvana Presidential Suite, and while there is a fantastic range of accommodation on offer, you will find the same light, airy feel in each of them. You will always have a stunning view of the sea, and you will also enjoy walks around the resort’s lush gardens.
With three restaurants and a bar, you can expect to find fare from the Maldives (of course), South America, India, Southeast Asia, and other western cuisines. To sip on a sun-downer, head to the Reef Bar, which overlooks the infinity pool. For a casual meal, feast on fresh, hand-rolled pizzas a The Pizzeria, and for an afternoon of beverages and multi-cuisine bites, head to Pool Side. At Bokkura, named after a type of Maldivian boat, you’ll find Continental, Oriental, Pan-Asian, and Maldivian favorites. At Open – The Grill, you can dine al fresco by the pool, enjoying flavor-packed South American cuisine.
Like its sister property, Taj Coral Reef has some truly special unique dining experiences, should you want to do something a little different. Enjoy breakfast on a leisurely boat ride around the island on a traditional Dhoni, dine at the lagoon, enjoy a savory beach barbecue, indulge your romantic side at the Moondeck, or get whisked away to a scenic little island and dine under the canopy of stars. Whichever you choose, these unique dining options are perfect for a special celebration or perhaps a memorable last night of your trip.
There are some truly adventurous activities on offer here, should you wish to leave the confines of your stunning villa. For action and history lovers, we recommend that you go shipwreck diving (!) at the site of a ship that sank off the island 30 years ago. Those keen on fishing will not be able to resist the big game fishing on the resort’s all-equipped game boat. You can also choose to experience the unique Maldivian tradition that honors stingrays, called “the guardians of the island,” by feeding them! For something a little more romantic, get whisked away by a speedboat for hours of privacy, with snorkeling, diving, and swimming, arranged to your liking, culminating in a candlelit dinner on the resort’s main beach on your return.
At a slightly lower price point than its sister property, the Taj Coral Reef is still filled to the brim with luxury, both in its accommodation and its dining and experiences.
COVID-19 Requirements for Travel to the Maldives:
The current requirement from the Republic of Maldives is that all short-term travelers arriving into the Maldives present a negative COVID-19 test (PCR) in English dated within 72 hours prior of their departure to the Maldives.
If you would like to go away to the Maldives, or anywhere else in the world, simply contact us, and we will set you on your way.