Elite Traveler HRS 2025

INTERCONTINENTAL MALDIVES MAAMUNAGAU RESORT MALDIVES Surrounded by a large lagoon and a vibrant house reef, the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort envelopes you in the beauty of the Indian Ocean. Seven restaurants and bars, the kind of kids club that children actually want to go to, dreamy Maldivian views across the ocean, and brilliant white-sand beaches all combine on the shores of the Maamunagau. But it’s the friendly sta ff that really make this place special — nothing is too much trouble, and they genuinely care that you’re having the most wonderful time (and trust me, you will be). They’re discreet, but with the seemingly telepathic skills to know when you might want a drink or feel ready to change activity. And the resort's eco credentials are pretty punchy too — besides the manta ray sanctuary and alongside the standard eco practices you’d expect at any self-respecting hotel these days, there are 1,577 solar panels that run 15% of the resort, sophisticated water treatment processes and waste monitoring programs. STAY If you’re in search of privacy and seclusion (but with all the bene fi ts of being at a resort), the Royal Beachfront Residence has you covered. It has direct beach access, a large private pool and enough living space to relax in without ever having to venture to the shared common area of the resort. It has indoor and outdoor dining areas and a bells-and-whistles kitchen: For an intimate night, book Dining by Design, where a private chef and on-island sommelier will cater to your every whim in the privacy of your residence. RELAX With six overwater villas and an expansive treatment menu to tempt all ages, the AVI spa is a wellness mecca. Alongside all the treatments you’d expect from an award-winning spa, AVI invites health practitioners from across the globe to come for a few weeks at a time to host residences at the resort. From naturopathy and Chinese medicine to energy healing and martial arts, guests in search of something a little bit di ff erent won’t be disappointed. DINE Though there are seven restaurants and bars across the resort, when you’re in the middle of the Indian Ocean with nothing but dreamy blue expanse before you, fresh fi sh is a must. Fish Market is a unique experience; you’re given carte blanche on the day’s catch, choosing your fi sh and how it is prepared with the ‘ocean-to-plate’ initiative. Served infused with an abundance of the aromatic fl avors of Southeast Asia, it doesn’t get fresher or more authentic than this. The Lighthouse o ff ers 360-degree panoramic views across the sea. The food is elevated but traditional Mediterranean-inspired dishes, in fl uenced by what’s available from the shores around you. Sample rainbow trout carpaccio, oxtail tortellini and rack of lamb.

The Lighthouse restaurant

The Royal Beachfront Residence

The residence’s bedroom

Mantarays

in March the resort hosts a Manta Retreat where guests can spend time with the in-house Manta Trust team. Expert-led workshops and educational presentations are hosted by the team, as well as guided snorkeling expeditions and scienti fi c research trips where guests can help track the rays. You can even name and adopt your very own ray. By Thea Halstead Three-bedroom Royal Beach Residence from $9,100 per night. Contact reservations.icmaldives@ ihg.com, +960 658 0500, maldives.intercontinental.com

Choose to sit within the main restaurant, or enjoy a private dinner on the terrace or adjacent beach for a more intimate experience. The Lighthouse hosts visiting chefs throughout the year, so be sure to check out who is in residence. EXPLORE Though snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters of the Maldives is always going to be an exceptional experience, Maamunagau is particularly special, as it is home to a manta ray sanctuary. With extensive breeding grounds for juvenile manta rays, each year

Photos Felix Hug