Travel agents planning a trip to the Maldives for their clients would do well to consider Baros Maldives, a resort that not only offers beauty, luxury and tranquillity, but is also within minutes of the international airport.
On board, we were offered cold towels and cold water to freshen up after the flight.
After a warm welcome on the jetty of the resort – we were taken to a comfortable lounge for a welcome drink of choice.
From there, we were escorted to our room by our villa host where all the check-in formalities took place. By this time, our bags were delivered.
We had three villas booked but as we arrived early in the morning, one room was just getting the final clean, therefore, a day room was offered to us. As we were all friends and had the two other villas, we shared and did not have to take up this kind offer.
Baros Maldives is a 75-key property comprising 30 water villas, 15 with infinity pools and 45 beach villas offering five categories; 2 premium pool villas of 160 sq m and including a private Jacuzzi, 8 Baros pool villas of 134 sq m, 10 Baros beach villas of 103 sq m with direct access to the beach, and twenty-four, 89-sq-m deluxe villas. Although these deluxe villas are slightly smaller inside, their uniqueness is their outdoor bathroom, a feature that is very popular with Europeans.
Last but definitely not the least, is the 268-sq-m Baros Residence, very popular with the Middle East market as its 7x3-m pool is completely private as is the walled garden and sundeck, which includes a canopied four-poster daybed. A dedicated villa host is available 24/7 in all categories, however, Baros Residence has a dedicated 24/7 butler.
We were given the Baros pool villas that came with their own private 4x2.4-m infinity pool and lounge chairs, day beds, or very comfortable bean bags. Also near these villas are two sun decks with lounge chairs, with beautiful views of the sea and some of the resort. We were nine in all so we were given an extra bed in each of the three villas and the hotel kindly accommodated our request of giving us villas that were close to each other.
Inside, the rooms provide ample space for three and the king bed was so comfortable, it was hard to get up and enjoy the day. And I was told, so was the third bed! There is a TV, DVD player and iPad docking station with a library of DVDs and books too, for those who have had enough sun for the day. The TV is folded away into a padded bench so that guests may have an unobstructed view of the lush gardens and sea from their beds. Free wi-fi, coffee and tea are also available. The bathroom had both a shower and a bath, with an additional shower outside for those who do like ‘getting back to nature’. It also meant, that if needed, all three guests could get cleaned up all at the same time!
For a relatively small resort, there is a wide choice of food and beverage options. At the all-day dining Lime Restaurant, next to the overwater infinity pool, we had a delicious breakfast each morning including fresh fruits cut and carved in front of us.
The meal we all enjoyed the most was at the Lighthouse. This overwater restaurant served up some delicious seafood and chicken, and with a full moon shining bright that night, a telescope was set up to admire its splendour.
One of the waiters took a photo of the moon through the telescope with our iPhone, capturing this spectacular view. He also pointed out the sharks swimming underneath the restaurant! The Lighthouse lounge just above the restaurant is just the place for sundowners.
There is also Cayenne Grill – an alfresco restaurant above the lagoon that our meat-lovers enjoyed. Sails Bar is another venue for refreshments anytime from 10 am.
However, for a unique experience, I highly recommend the Sandbank, a secluded sandbank, just a short boat ride away. It can be set up for a romantic dinner for two, sundowners (which we were lucky enough to have been invited to) or even as a spot to exchange wedding vows (as one couple did while we were there).
A luxury experience isn’t complete without a spa, and the spa at Baros Maldives has a wide variety of treatments including something for those who had had too much sun. Single and double treatment rooms can be booked.
I highly recommend the Baros Signature treatment, which combines four different massage techniques – Swedish, Thai, Pressure Point and Hot Stone – and left me weak in the knees!
Manicures and pedicures are available (one of my friends said it was the best manicure she had ever had) while yoga and meditation packages are also on offer, with the option fo choosing them on the Sandbank.
Last but not least, is the beautiful sea and coral that surrounds the island, and Baros Maldives has two centres devoted to diving and exploring the sea: The Dive Centre and a separate Marine Centre.
There are also 30 world-class diving spots within 50 minutes by boat.
I am not a diver, but I tried my hand at snorkelling, and this was truly amazing. Having learned there were sharks by the reefs I was a bit wary, but with spectacular marine life just a few strokes from the beach, it just was safe enough. I also kept a sharp look out for sea turtles but to my bad luck, they only showed up after I left the waters and handed over snorkelling duties to my daughter and her friends!
Baros Maldives is very conscious of the effects of global warming, and guests can get involved in workshops on coral gardening, which demonstrate how coral reefs are being conserved.
If luxury is all about service and expecting and anticipating a guest’s needs, then the Baros Maldives ticks all the boxes. All the staff – from the recpetionsist at the jetty to the villa host, to the spa receptionist, therapist and waiters – were attentive and professional, remembering our our favourite dishes, our names, and, more importantly, making us feel welcome and very special.
I would highly recommend the Baros Maldives as a luxury resort which offers the essence of this tropical Indian Ocean paradise.
By Kim Thomson
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Baros MaldivesBaros was one of the first holiday resort islands in the Maldives, opening in December 1973 with 56 beds in round cabanas with conical-shaped palm thatched roofs and rough coral walls.
This island was chosen to be a special because it was small, unspoilt and idyllically located in the centre of the atoll, with its own reef encircling a pristine lagoon and untouched sandy shores.
To conserve the island’s intrinsic beauty, the Maldivian family who leased it from the government and still operate it today, resolved to keep Baros pure. In 2005, the natural beauty of the island has been preserved and has transformation into the top class resort it is today with a total of 75 water and beach villas.