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The Nautilus, a Maldivian ultra-luxury island retreat in Baa Atoll

Rabeeha Amir
24 April 2022, MVT 14:21
The Nautilus is a highly personalized, immensely private luxury resort in Maldives with 26 beach and ocean houses -- Photo: The Nautilus Maldives
Rabeeha Amir
24 April 2022, MVT 14:21

The Nautilus Maldives is a free-spirited Indian Ocean jewel that stands out for its bohemian ambiance and tailored approach to everything from off-menu, whatever-you-fancy eating to on-the-fly watersports activities on the house coral reef and bespoke spa treatments. The one-of-a-kind resort has received numerous accolades since its debut in 2019, including a spot on Condé Nast Traveler's Gold List 2021.

The independent resort, which opened in 2019 was designed to provide a true home-away-from-home experience - so there's nothing cookie-cutter about it. The design is premium, with opulent elements, but it still has a personality and an avant-garde vibe, thanks to brilliant accent colors, quirky decorative pieces, and the use of curved lines.

It's the Maldives' only Relais & Châteaux resort, so the service is unrivalled; intuitive staff provide a tailored experience that begins long before you arrive, so you'll find a minibar stocked with your favorite refreshments, library shelves stacked high with your go-to beach reads, and a pool already set at the temperature you prefer when you arrive. Relais & Châteaux is an international network of 580 unique hotels and restaurants owned and operated by private businesses - often families - who are genuinely committed to building warm, enduring relationships with their guests. Being a member of this warmly prestigious network adds an attraction to the resort’s new-fashioned style.

The Nautilus' four restaurants include Zeytoun, which specializes in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fine dining, and Ocaso, an outdoor grill that serves Japanese and South American cuisine. Off-menu ordering is encouraged here – the à-la-carte items are only for inspiration, and travelers are encouraged to order precisely what they want, when and where they want it.

The resort is in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve famed for its diverse marine life (including manta rays and whale sharks) as well as amazingly blue, molten-joy diving opportunities. The resort's speedboat or seaplane can take you to about a third of a dozen popular snorkeling and diving spots, including Hanifaru Bay.

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