ON the southern most tip of Addu Atoll in the Republic of Maldives is Shangri-La’s newly opened Villingili Resort and Spa.
The natural dense vegetation of the three kilometre long island features 12 hectares of lush vegetation, towering banyan trees, 17,000 coconut trees, 45 species of plants, three natural lagoons and nature trails for guests to explore.
The resort, which opened last month, is a 70 minute domestic flight from Malé International Airport and an eight minute boat ride from Gan International Airport on Addu Atoll.
Accommodation ranges from private ocean retreats to tropical tree houses with panoramic views, in five different villa styles, all a minimum of 133 sq m in size, while two presidential villas will measure up to 957 sq m.
Overlooking the Indian Ocean are the 16 tree house villas perched among the treetops on stilts three metres above the ground. They come complete with elevated infinity pool and wooden deck below,
two iPods and a docking station, a 40 inch television, a DVD player, IDD telephones, laundry and valet services, minibar, espresso machine, personal safe, hairdryer and bathroom gear.
All day dining is available at the Javvu Restaurant & Bar, and the Khazaanaage Restaurant & Bar offers three distinct culture cuisine concepts from the Indian Ocean, South China Sea and the Arabian Gulf. The ambient chill out Arabic and Asian lounge music sets the mood.
Other facilities include the Shangri-La Eco Centre – a place to learn about the conservation works around Villingili and how visitors can support these efforts. Guests are given information on the island’s nature trails, surrounding underwater beauty and best dive sites.
CHI The Spa offers therapies and healthy lifestyle programmes, there’s a gym and fitness centre, tennis courts, a water sports and a dive centre with a decompression chamber. There are more than 25 dive sites here teeming with marine life.
Water activities available include wave surfing, scuba diving, kayaking, water skiing, sailing, deep sea fishing or a sunset cruise on a luxury yacht. There is a house reef with colourful corals and exotic reef fish. For less experienced swimmers, there are ‘snorkel gardens’ close to the shoreline.
There’s also a kid’s adventure zone for active children below 12 years old, and an entertainment centre with play stations, billard table, air hockey and pinball machines.