SimplyAbuDhabi XLVI

Velaa’s 47 villas and residences feel less like accommodations and more like sanctuaries. Each is an architectural gem: airily modern yet grounded in Maldivian craftsmanship, with cathedral ceilings of thatch and teak, outdoor baths shaded by frangipani, and private pools framed by swaying palms or endless ocean. Some rise above the lagoon on stilts, others are cocooned in dense jungle. The most iconic, the Romantic Pool Residence, is accessible only by boat—a hideaway of such seclusion that it has become legend among elite travellers seeking ultimate discretion. But what truly sets Velaa apart is the singularity of its service and the sense that anything—truly anything—is possible. A dedicated butler is never more than a whisper away, yet intuitively invisible when solitude is all that’s desired. Want a private screening under the stars with refreshing hand- crafted beverages and gourmet popcorn? Or a last- minute diving excursion led by a marine biologist? Consider it arranged. And while the island is entirely geared to unplugging, the speedboat-fast WiFi ensures you can dip in and out of the real world at will—though few guests ever do. The culinary experience is a symphony of global finesse. Under the direction of award-winning chefs, Velaa’s dining concepts are as elevated as its setting. At Aragu, European haute cuisine dances with Asian influences, all served atop a starlit deck that seems to float on water. Tavaru—an architectural marvel of vertical design— features live-fire Teppanyaki cuisine. Even beach barbecues here are transformed into refined culinary affairs, with truffle-infused marinades and fresh-caught lobster grilled to perfection by your private chef. Wellness, too, is woven into the very fabric of the island. The Velaa Spa, set above the lagoon in an Simply Abu Dhabi | 127