Why Go?
A place where marine-inspired architecture meets untouched natural beauty, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli is the pinnacle of honeymoon luxury. This private island retreat offers an escape from the everyday, blending avant-garde design, impeccable service, and nature’s serenity.
Honeymoon Style
Think sunrise swims from your villa’s private deck, champagne-fuelled sunsets worthy of a Bond film, and sand-between-your-toes dinners where the only dress code is love. It’s the Maldives, darling – but make it St. Regis.
Set The Scene
The arrival at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort feels plucked from a dream. From the moment your feet touch Malé, the tone is set: a private butler whisks you to a serene lounge with an offering of freshly squeezed juices, delicate pastries, and the kind of welcome that makes reality feel distant. Then comes the seaplane – a breathtaking, 45-minute flight over the Indian Ocean’s most dazzling aquamarines and emeralds. As you descend onto the resort’s pier, the cinematic moment crescendos (but this epic landing is only the beginning as more picturesque scenes await).
The architecture here is very much an ode to the Maldives’ natural and cultural heritage. Water villas mimic the elegant lines of stingrays; the Whale Bar, perfectly aligned with the pool at sunset, curves with the same ease as its namesake glides smoothly through the ocean. Elsewhere, the resort’s design playfully nods to fisherman’s hats, sea urchins and coral, blending thoughtful craftsmanship with a sense of wonder. Even Alba, the resort’s grand dining hub, takes inspiration from the first-ever St. Regis in New York, complete with soaring columns and an evocative ‘stairway to heaven’.
Vommuli attracts a global mix of the A-list and well-heeled honeymooners, their bronzed faces carefree beneath woven straw hats, champagne in hand. The vibe? Effortlessly chic, exclusive yet unpretentious, the ambience blends laissez-faire, laid-back vibes with a dose of sleek opulence. Picture curated sounds of jazz from a (rathern stunning) DJ and chilled house wafting gently through the air at sunset, paired with the occasional splash of leaping dolphins in the distance. It’s a place where life feels supremely photogenic yet uncontrived – it simply is this beautiful.
For those seeking adventure, the options are as dazzling as the surroundings. Choose a private boat to see dolphins up close or snorkel the vibrant coral reefs just beyond your villa, teeming with tropical marine life. For a slower pace, begin your day with sunrise yoga on a deck that seems to float above the water, or wander through the island’s herb garden, where chefs handpick brinjal (aubergine) and fragrant herbs for your next meal. And for the ultimate indulgence, the Iridium Spa is a sanctuary like no other. Its signature Maldivian Serenity Ritual combines traditional healing practices with unparalleled luxury, leaving you cocooned in bliss.
Whether you’re toasting the end of the day with the Sabrage Champagne Ritual – where the bottle is opened by sabre – or sipping on a signature Island Mary as the horizon shifts to twilight hues, every experience at Vommuli feels like a masterpiece in the making. Your time spent here is pure magic, designed to linger in your memory long after your tan fades.
Rooms
Step into your villa, and you’re greeted with floor-to-ceiling glass revealing the azure beyond. The Sunset Overwater Pool Villa is the ultimate honeymoon cocoon. Think plush beds swathed in Egyptian cotton, angled perfectly to capture that postcard-perfect horizon. The space evokes its Maldivian heritage with design cues inspired by the traditional dhoni boats, from the curved ceilings to nautical hues of driftwood and deep blue.
The bathroom? A sanctuary. Twin vanities, a freestanding tub facing panoramic views, and rain showers that seem to merge into the horizon. Toiletries are custom blends, sustainably housed in elegant tins and bottles. Outside, your private infinity pool glimmers invitingly, with steps leading directly into the lagoon. It’s not just a villa; it’s a world of its own.
Fancy more space? The John Jacob Astor Estate (a staggering three-bedroom masterpiece) comes with a personal spa room, home cinema, and infinity pool, perfect for the ‘spoil-me’ kind of newlyweds.
Food & Drink
Prepare for an epic journey. The six dining venues here make every meal a celebration. Alba, the hub of daytime dining, is where breakfast becomes an art form. Start with flaky croissants or go bold with the Maldivian Breakfast: tuna curry, coconut sambal, and roshi flatbreads – a spicy, soul-lifting start to the day.
For lunch, Crust & Craft is the casual charmer, serving wood-fired pizzas on the beach. The lobster and truffle pizza is a must-try, chased with a tropical spritz that’s fruity yet sophisticated.
Come evening, the romance unfolds at Orientale, a Pan-Asian masterpiece. Request a table to the far right – it’s intimate and offers sweeping ocean views. Highlights? The Wagyu beef rolls and delicate miso cod. Over at Decanter, a sommelier will guide you through the wine cellar’s treasures – vintages from Château Margaux and Dom Pérignon among them. It’s private dining elevated to perfection.
For sundowners, Whale Bar reigns supreme. DJs spin understated beats as you sip the Island Mary – Martini Bianco meets Maldivian salt in a glass that’s as artful as the sunset you’re watching. Dinner here is magical, with freshly grilled lobster followed by desserts served under a blanket of stars. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, opt for a private beach dinner. Your toes in the sand, candles flickering in the breeze, and a menu that dances between land and sea – it’s a memory to cherish.
The Story
Making its splashy debut in 2016, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort marked the brand’s first foray into the Indian Ocean, and, naturally, it came with all the trimmings of its storied legacy. Think butler service with a side of beachside chic. The architecture, a masterstroke by WOW Architects, takes its cues from the Maldives – overwater villas that mimic manta rays and a bar shaped like a whale shark – blending the natural world with modern elegance. It’s a resort that doesn’t just sit on an island, it’s part of the narrative.
Family-Friendly
While famed for its romantic seclusion, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort certainly has a family-friendly ethos. At its heart lies Vommuli House, a hub of activities for younger guests that feels less like a kids’ club and more like an architectural marvel. Designed with playful ingenuity, the children’s area – a whimsical nod to childhood joys – offers endless opportunities for creativity, from painting and crafting to interactive games led by engaging staff. For teens, the resort strikes a perfect balance of independence and entertainment. A sleek club space brimming with gaming consoles and chill-out zones ensures they’re just as enthralled as their younger counterparts.
Beyond these tailored spaces, the resort invites families to enjoy themselves in the breathtaking Maldivian landscape. Imagine snorkelling hand-in-hand with your children, spotting schools of kaleidoscopic fish darting through coral reefs, or learning the art of traditional Maldivian cooking in a lively, hands-on class. For families, it’s great to see lots of shaded cabanas providing respite for parents while children revel in the water. Dining here is as effortless as it is delicious, with menus crafted to delight even the pickiest of eaters – because at The St. Regis, every detail is designed to keep the entire family smiling.
Spa
Nestled above the aquamarine lagoon, The Iridium Spa at The St. Regis Maldives is more than a retreat – it’s an invitation to pause, breathe, and reset. This overwater sanctuary, with its sleek, minimalist design and panoramic views of the endless ocean, redefines relaxation. Couples will adore the Maldivian Serenity Ritual, an indulgent two-hour journey that begins with a sensual massage using fragrant, cold-pressed coconut oil sourced from nearby islands. The treatment flows seamlessly into a warm, herb-infused bath, where the scent of tropical blossoms mingles with the salt air. As waves gently lap beneath your private treatment suite, the experience ends with quiet reflection on the spa’s sun-dappled deck.
For those seeking a deeper connection to the island’s rhythms, the Bamford Signature Journey is a standout. Combining the flowing strokes of Swedish massage with grounding shiatsu techniques, it mirrors the ebb and flow of the Indian Ocean itself. Every detail here is considered: the treatments incorporate natural, locally inspired elements, while the spa’s serene ambience – an elegant blend of wood and stone – echoes the Maldives’ raw beauty. Whether it’s a rejuvenating couples’ massage or a restorative solo escape, Iridium Spa leaves you with a profound sense of renewal, and perfectly in sync with the tranquil spirit of the islands.
Eco-Friendly
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is an untouched treasure in a sea of engineered luxury, a place where nature takes the lead. Unlike many islands in the Maldives, Vommuli is 100% natural, with 80% of its landscape blanketed in lush, thriving vegetation. The resort, nestled unobtrusively within this emerald haven, feels less like a destination and more like a symbiotic extension of the island itself.
Sustainability isn’t a tagline here; it’s woven into every detail. Guests are invited to leave a lasting mark on the resort’s coral reef adoption programme, planting fragments in heart-shaped frames that are carefully placed in the house reef. Over time, these coral gardens bloom, and couples receive updates, creating a tangible reminder of their stay that grows long after they’ve left. It’s a romantic gesture with a purpose, mirroring the commitment the resort shows to the environment.
Plastic is notably absent. Every detail has been rethought, from toiletries in chic tins and paper packaging to the resort’s desalinated, filtered water, served in refillable glass bottles. It all feels authentic and seamless, not performative, but deeply connected to the ethos of the island.
Even dining carries a sense of place, with ingredients such as brinjal cultivated in the resort’s herb garden.
Location
Upon landing at Malé, your personal butler is already waiting to whisk you through the arrival process with ease. From handling your luggage to facilitating your seamless seaplane check-in – and even driving you to the terminal – it’s all thoughtfully choreographed to eliminate any stress. No crowded lounges here; instead, you’re ushered to the exclusive St. Regis Suite. With access to a balcony overlooking the seaplane docks, you’ll sip fresh teas and coffees, nibble on delicate pastries, and feel the anticipation build as you gaze out over the glistening Indian Ocean.
The seaplane journey itself is a charming adventure. Bumpy in just the right way to feel thrilling, yet undeniably romantic, it’s a quintessential Maldivian experience. As you glide above the turquoise waters, the aerial views are unforgettable – a kaleidoscope of blues and greens that dance across the ocean, each atoll more stunning than the last. There’s even the chance you’ll make a brief stop at another resort, offering a tantalising glimpse of the scattered gems that make up the Maldives.
For UK travellers, British Airways offers the perfect route with a convenient night flight out and a day flight back, ensuring you arrive rested and leave with the last glimmers of Maldivian sunshine.
To book go to: st-regis.marriott.com
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