First look: inside InterContinental’s new Maldives Maamunagau Resort
Known for occupying the very best locations around the world, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts’ first property in the region is situated on the southernmost tip of the Raa Atoll near Baa Atoll, a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and one of the most secluded locations in the Maldives.
The resort boasts 81 Beach, Lagoon and Overwater Villas and Residences and is the first to offer all guests access to the world-class service and amenities of Club InterContinental throughout the entire island. These generous offerings, coupled with extensive wellness facilities, bespoke experiences and six restaurants and bars, combine to take this Maldivian gem to the next level.
Stefan O.Huemer, General Manager of InterContinental Maldives, said: “The opening of the InterContinental Maldives signals a new era for the brand; and further raises the bar in terms of luxury and immersive experiences here in the Raa Atoll. We are truly privileged to open this resort, which flanks the Baa Atoll UNESCO biosphere and creates an offering that enriches guests’ stay through education, exploration and relaxation, whilst ensuring the preservation of this ocean idyll for generations to come.”
InterContinental Maldives has been created to give families and couples the time and space to disconnect from the everyday in an environment designed to enhance the unrivalled beauty, light and landscape of the atoll.
Inspiring, refined and made for stylish barefoot living, the design was conceptualised by Singapore-based architects’ Eco-ID to be in perfect synergy with the incredible surroundings and views. The private villas feature contemporary Maldivian interiors by Avalon Collective Interior Design Studio and offer expansive areas with breath-taking vistas of the Indian Ocean.
The first-of-its-kind in the Maldives, the two-story Lagoon Villas combine overwater views with direct beach and lagoon access, as well as private infinity and jacuzzi pools. Overwater Villas offer expansive outdoor decks and Beach Villas provide direct beach access. The resort also has four exclusive two and three-bedroom Residences, with the largest, the three-bedroom Royal Beachfront Residence, offering 790sqm of luxurious privacy.
The resort’s signature AVI Spa features six overwater treatment villas along with steam rooms, ice fountains, a yoga pavilion and a fitness centre. A leading Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner, who is specialised in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, uses the pillars of Chinese wellness to restore harmony and balance to guests through various treatments. These include anti-ageing facial acupuncture, cupping therapy, remedial tui-na massage, body therapies, dietary plans and herbal medicine. In addition to the onsite TCM, InterContinental Maldives can tailor menus to any dietary need, enabling guests to enjoy a flexible and balanced wellness retreat experience without compromising their overall experience.
As the first and only all-Club InterContinental resort, InterContinental Maldives provides guests with access to exclusive benefits and personalised service throughout their stay. A dedicated Island Curator commits to creating ever-lasting memories and thoughtful details. Club InterContinental benefits include afternoon tea with rare loose-leaf varietals selected by the in-house tea sommelier, after-dinner drinks and all-day refreshments by the pool or beach.
The resort offers six distinct restaurants and bars including The Retreat, an adults-only enclave with a private bar and its own infinity pool at the water’s edge and Café Umi, a Japanese-inspired restaurant providing elevated comfort and classic favourites, inspired by natural, organic and sustainable cuisine. Fish Market is a unique sea-to-table interactive kitchen concept blending the best Maldivian seafood with aromatic flavours from South East Asia. The Lighthouse delivers a memorable dining experience with 360-degree views of the Indian Ocean, whilst the The Collective is a more casual affair with grab-and-go offerings. Sunset Bar provides a stylish and romantic ambience with the best sunset moments on the island.
InterContinental Maldives enjoys an enviable location enclaved within Maldives’ largest natural lagoon, with emerald blue waters, unfettered sunset views and pristine white sands. The island is located near the Maldives’ only UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and is home to Hanifaru Bay, one of the very few places in the world where visitors can snorkel amongst feeding congregations of whale sharks and large groups of enigmatic and graceful reef manta rays.
Committed to preserving the ocean for future generations and guests, InterContinental Maldives has launched two key conservation initiatives. The first is a dedicated manta ray sanctuary in partnership with the Manta Trust. The partnership, which is in support of the Maldivian Manta Ray Project, will nurture a safe habitat for the manta rays within the resort’s lagoon as well as providing guests with invaluable information and an opportunity to swim alongside these graceful creatures and snorkel over underwater coral gardens.
InterContinental Maldives is also focused on minimising its environmental impact with a commitment to reducing waste from both plastic and glass, composting bio waste and giving it new life with the IHG Green Engage system. The resort has also entered into an agreement with Parley Maldives, which works to reduce reliance on single-use plastics, intercept sources of plastic waste, and prevent it from entering the oceans or being disposed of in destructive ways. Parley will take the resort’s plastics and recycle them to make usable products.