Travel Review: Cheval Blanc Randheli in The Maldives

Discover paradise this summer with a trip to The Maldives. Stay at The Cheval Blanc Randheli Resort – with breathtaking views, spa and restaurants attached, this place has it all. We checked in for our August ’17 fashion shoot…

Review: Cheval Blanc Randheli, The Maldives

The Resort

The elegant Cheval Blanc Randheli developed by LVMH and designed by Jean-Michel Gathy, has really raised the bench mark, making it one of the best hotels in the world.

A short 40-minute private sea plane from mainland Malé transports you to the unspoilt Noonu Atoll.  Turquoise-fringed white sands surround the six small islands in the lagoon that make up Cheval Blanc Randheli. It’s the perfect romantic holiday destination.

Getting around the six small islands is easy by bicycle (or buggy) or you can take a short boat ride. Each island has its own special function; from the Tennis and Boot Camp Island and Guerlain Spa Island to Owner’s Villa Island, which you can hire exclusively and has a four bedroomed villa, its own spa and a 25 metre long pool. The islands offer 45 villas, some over water with the reef right at your back door and others lining the beach, with each one enjoying its own pool stretching the full width of the villa. Hammocks, sun loungers and day beds adorn the decking along with sunken seating areas for room service dining.

When you arrive at your villa and the huge wooden double doors open, you’ll be stunned by its sleek modern décor and beautifully thatched roof. The aroma of candles of Island Chic created by Francois Demachy, the nose of Christian Dior, lingers around every corner. Swiveling oak panels divide sections of the room, with the rest being controlled by an iPad panel that literally does anything you ask. The villas are furnished with materials from the Indian Ocean, teak, rattan, bamboo and coconut shell with a colour palette of white, taupe and oyster grey and accents of bright yellow resort. Each villa comes with its own butler, who attends to your every need, unpacking, ironing, organizing excursions such as diving and booking. They will even have run a bath for you for when you return from dinner, complete with frangipani flowers.

The Spa

Your journey begins as you sail to the idyllic Spa Island aboard a local dhoni.  Designed to cater to your every need, Guerlain has created a bespoke treatment menu exclusively for the hotel. Choose from a signature facial, a treatment day or a bespoke package for the duration of your stay. With treatment rooms set between the palm trees, all your senses will be treated at once. There’s also a hammam and you can book private yoga or meditation classes too.

The C&TH Guide to the Maldives

The Action

Pretty much anything can be arranged, whether it be a family day trip to a private movie screening of your favourite film under the stars, private dining on deserted beaches, boats trips and picnics… the possibilities are endless.

Visit the Tennis Island for lessons taught by professionals on two courts built to Australian Open standards, or if diving’s your passion, you can snorkel right from your door (from some villas) or head out into the deep with your scuba equipment to remember to look for the spinner dolphins, sharks and huge rays. Take a trip on the resorts 30m yacht Azimut, which can take 10 guests at a time and comes with an open deck Jacuzzi.

The Dining

The resort has five restaurants to choose from, from fine French dining at Le 1974 to Maldivian and Indian cuisine at The White, with seating on the beach among the palm trees and live music. There’s also Mediterranean and local sea food, such as langoustine prosecco risotto, at Deelani and Japanese and Southeast Asian cuisine at Diptyque (don’t miss the rock shrimp tempura).

Book it

A Water Villa from $1,800 (approx. £1,550) per night based on double occupancy, including breakfast. +960 656 1515; randheli.chevalblanc.com

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