Designed by WOW Architects | Warner Wong Design, the resort’s architecture and interiors evoke a sense of tropical island village living, which earned it a nomination for the prestigious World Architecture Festival Awards 2015 under the Future Leisure Led Development category. The resort represents the first St. Regis resort on a private island.
Rather than repeating the secluded Robinson Crusoe theme or the concept of an exotic luxury escape abode, the design of The St. Regis Maldives draws inspiration from nature itself, including the local ecologies. Such aesthetics include manta ray shaped lagoon villas, a signature bar in the shape of a whale shark, a lobster- inspired spa and a spiral shell shaped library. Besides organic sea forms, some buildings are based on local cultural symbols; coastal villas along the southern shoreline, for example, are akin to Maldivian Dhoni boats.
Setting a new paradigm for luxury leisure, every guest who sets foot on the island is taken through a journey of reflection or reconnection with nature, their self, or loved ones. A large ‘House Reef’ surrounds the island, which is defined by several distinct ecological zones: lagoon, beach, coastal, and jungle. The 77 villas are divided according to these zones, which form the basis of experiential programs that guide guests through their journey of discovery.
Each zone offers unique anchoring activities. The Lagoon zone boasts a water amphitheatre and a signature spa; the Beach zone spotlights two signature beachfront restaurants; the jungle zone houses a nature discovery centre and a pop-up café; and the coastal zone provides a dive centre and a signature bar. An art trail threads through these activities; the seasonal work of artists in residence showcases pop-up installations using locally sourced materials.
Each individual villa embodies the perfect combination between privacy and luxury. For example, the Lagoon Villa, inspired by the majestic manta ray, features a main roof that covers the living room and bedroom, with a graceful wing that folds down and extends to form a private pool deck space. The villa sports an all-timber interior, augmented by a blown glass chandelier and glass bubbles art work in natural hues.
Catering to an extended generational family that traverses the globe, the John Jacob Astor Estate is among the largest villas in the Maldives, with a total size of 1,540 square metres. It spans across three different areas – a two-story main villa encompasses a 92 metre private pool, over 600 square metres of pool deck, a living room, a master bedroom, a show kitchen, a spa room, a mini theatre, and a fitness area; and two connecting lagoon villas, each featuring their own private pool, pool deck, bedroom, and living area. Further enhancing family travel, the resort provides two distinct child-friendly facilities: the well-equipped Children’s Club and a Socialite Club for youth aged 16 onwards.
The St. Regis Maldives offers six distinct dining venues, including an Asian specialty restaurant, a modern Italian restaurant that features a grand staircase, an underground wine cellar restaurant, a shack style restaurant, a signature overwater bar that rolls out stunning views of dramatic sunset, and a pop-up restaurant in the middle of the resort. The latter prepares visiting and in-residence chefs to cook up their specialty dishes.
Taking a holistic approach to relaxation and rejuvenation, Iridium Spa presents six overwater treatment rooms, including two treatment rooms that are dedicated to healing Ayurvedic treatments. Spa guests can also enjoy a Blue Hole pool, which contains heated seawater with different water jets – a system with proven benefits to the body.
As found in all The St. Regis properties worldwide, St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort offers the signature St. Regis Butler Service for all guests. Trained in refined English traditions, St. Regis Butlers provide 24-hour anticipatory service, customising each guest’s stay to their specific needs, tastes and preferences.