Simply Abu Dhabi XXVI

1 4 6 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Six dining venues offering distinctive cuisines from Italian to Asian are located throughout the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, with two signature beachfront restaurants found within the Beach Zone. A pop-up restaurant, fashioned from an old shipping container (rumoured to have washed ashore from the Titanic) and located in the Jungle Zone, showcases gourmet street food with a daily changing menu. For lighter bites, a beachfront eatery specialises in custom pizzas, fresh juices and homemade ice cream. A highlight among the resort’s transcendent villas is the John Jacob Astor Estate, a 1,540sqm villa with panoramic vistas of the tropical ocean waves, impeccable design and pristine amenities. The estate’s vast furnished terrace showcases a 92sqm infinity pool framed by a plush daybed, sofas and sun loungers. Opening onto the terrace, the palatial living room is distinguished by its lofty ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass doors suffusing the space with natural light; perched on the second floor, the master bedroom is a lavish haven revealing dramatic ocean views from a magnificent private balcony. As the largest three-bedroom overwater villa in the Maldives, guests of the estate enjoy a dedicated St. Regis butler who provides around-the-clock customised services. The suite also includes a private fitness centre, mini-cinema, private spa suite and two butler rooms for guests with accompanying support staff. Vommuli Island has a lush and dense jungle spread over the whole inner island. Inspired by the many mature trees and flora and fauna in the Jungle Zone, many trees and plants were conserved and protected during construction to maintain the essential character. The garden villa is a reminder of the lushness of the jungle, equipped with a private outdoor shower with dual showerhead, and complemented by an indoor glass-enclosed rainforest shower. While the raw jungle is just outside the compound walls, inside the compound is a tropical garden with many local flowering plants which can be found in typical Maldivian villages. In the heart of the jungle is the nature discovery centre, Vommuli House – a design inspired by a large banyan tree in the dense vegetation. One of the most expansive integrated recreational areas in the country, it offers a children’s club, a teenagers’ club, a large fitness centre, a meditation and yoga studio, outdoor tennis courts and a hair and beauty salon. A serene tropical oasis as far as the eye can see, the resort’s 452sqm outdoor infinity pool reveals unfettered views of exclusive white-sand beaches and the alluring waters of the Indian Ocean. But for something even more restorative, the most sought-after wellness practices and the latest personalised services curated by Ayurvedic and acupuncture experts are provided at the overwater spa. A dedicated Ayurvedic specialist is on-site to provide complimentary consultations, explaining the ancient healing benefits of Ayurveda. Other amenities include six private couple treatment suites, a steam room, sauna and the Blue Hole Pool, the Maldives’ largest heated seawater hydrotherapy pool.