Jumeirah Vittaveli’s stunning overwater bungalows in the Maldives now offer more than an awe-inspiring view. The newly revamped Ocean Villas have been refurbished with water slides so the young-at-heart can plunge straight from their room into the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
Dotting the azure waters in the South Malé atoll, all of the resort’s freestanding Private Ocean Retreats and seven Infinity Pool Ocean Villas now offer the 23 metre slide which runs from the top deck into the gentle waters of the crystal clear lagoon.
Just a 20-minute luxury catamaran ride from Malé, Jumeirah Vittaveli’s Private Ocean Retreats are popular with honeymooners and offer a wonderful sense of seclusion – it’s what dreams are made from. At 400sqm, guests can relax during the day on the newly enlarged open air deck and admire the underwater world from a glass bottomed sunken lounge. By night, they can sink into the outdoor relaxation bed for romantic evenings under the starry skies or recline in the extended overwater hammocks while admiring the chiffon-pink sunsets this tropical hideaway is so famous for.
Perched on stilts, the Private Ocean Retreats offer a fabulous vantage point to look for black tip reef sharks and shoals of tropical fish while sipping a piña colada or fresh coconut juice. There’s a private infinity pool with show stopping 180° views and wooden steps that lead straight into the warm waters of the lagoon. The sociable space offers a dining area for six, complete with glass-bottom floor – perfect for catching a glimpse of the vibrantly coloured reef fish as they swim by. The spacious villas also have the luxury of a master bedroom upstairs and a second bedroom downstairs, complete with separate bathrooms and a walk in closet on the ground floor.
For those who wish to be pampered, spaces inside the villas can be transformed into chic spa treatment areas. Bespoke yoga and personal training sessions can be arranged in the villa so fitness fanatics can keep up their routines in paradise. Luxury touches include a private bar area with a full size wine fridge and a personal butler on call 24/7, who can take care of every whim – from running a romantic flower-petal bath, to arranging a deserted sandbank adventure, or arranging a private seven-course gourmet dinner cooked by a personal chef – this is barefoot luxury at its best.
For the Infinity Pool Ocean Villas, exteriors include extended seating areas and glass bottom floors, with overwater hammocks completing blissful outdoor relaxation. The interiors have a fresh look too, and have been enhanced by a new colour palette, inspired by the warm Maldivian sunsets and sparkling turquoise lagoon. The additional windows add an airy touch and bring the beautiful outdoors in, and while the resort offers ten food and beverage outlets, the in-villa private bar means guests may simply choose to stay in the luxurious surroundings of their island hideaway.