Velaa Private Island, named after the sea turtles that nest in the area, opened late last year in the Maldives.
The resort is located in Noonu Atoll, north of Malé, and offers 45 private villas, houses and residences. All of the guest accommodations are decorated with a blend of local materials and contemporary style and are designed to maximize both comfort and privacy. Some 18 of the villas are built on stilts over the water. The Romantic Pool Residence is only accessible via boat, while four Velaa Private Residences can house groups of up to 10 guests with four bedrooms each.
Czech architect Petr Kolar styled the property after a sea turtle, with turtle shell colors and patterns throughout. From the perspective of a seaplane, the over-water villas look like the head of a turtle, with the island forming the body.
Founders Radka and Jiri Smejc set out to give the resort unique features, including a private submarine, an indoor golf academy designed by Jose Maria Olazabal and operated by Troon Golf, and what it says is the only My Blend By Clarins spa in the Maldives. The spa includes a “snow room,” a cloud-shaped reclining pod for deep relaxation, and a yoga pavilion that offers personal training by the beach or on a raised platform among the trees.
Adeline Grattard, who holds a Michelin star, oversees the resort’s three restaurants, which include the over-water Aragu and Cru. Tavaru is a teppanyaki restaurant located in a white tower in the center of the island. Additional food and beverage outlets include the beachfront Athiri; Avi, a pool bar by day and cocktail bar by night; and a wine cellar.
Velaa Private Island also offers fitness facilities, covered tennis and squash courts, a beach volleyball court and water sports that include diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking, sailing, wakeboarding, water-skiing, and kite surfing.
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