An Appetite For The Exceptional

Eat and rest well-like a Maldivian would-at Velaa Private Island.

- Alvin Wong

BEHIND THE SCENES of the most exclusive luxury resorts in the Maldives, armies of hoteliers labour to ensure every iota of advantage to stay ahead of the competition. Where every property professes to offer the most evocative golden hour views, intuitive butler services, luxurious spa treatments and breathtaking house reefs, the margins for excellence are narrow and every word of praise, hard-earned.

If the glowing reviews of Velaa Private Island are anything to go by, the resort’s ability to lure its guests into a state of bliss is testament to its mastery of six-star Maldivian hospitality. Conceived by Czech financier, Jiří Šmejc, and his wife, Radka, who felt compelled to build their own Maldivian haven after frequent trips to resorts around the country, Velaa Private Island is the type of ultra-luxurious tropical island escapade tailor-made for the insouciantly wealthy such as the Šmejcs.

Opened in 2013, the resort is located on Noonu Atoll and comprises 47 villas, houses and residences. From the one-room beach villa that envelopes its residents in absolute solitude to the sprawling 1,342sqm Nika Residence designed by award-winning interior designer, Patricia Urquiola, each abode is intimate, sophisticated and sumptuous in equal measure. Velaa Private Island accommodates a maximum of 134 guests at a time; the size and exclusivity making it perfect for visitors who expect personalised and undivided—yet discreet—service.