If there is paradise on Earth, away from the terrifying hustle of the news and the tedious office routine, perhaps it emerges from an ocean that is neither green nor blue, like a Velázquez canvas, in the form of a coral atoll in the middle of nowhere. And if we add to that atoll an orgy of wild palm trees, a spell of blinding sands, and overwater villas that hang over, let's say, the Indian Ocean, we have just found, perhaps, one of the most exclusive destinations to spend the best vacations of our lives.
And those vacations have a name. The RAAYA by Atmosphere, a hotel that has taken a triple somersault in the concept of luxury; perched like a prodigious fortress on a private island in the Maldives - one of the most desired destinations in the world - this resort that rides between zen disconnection, the energy of turquoise waters, and wild adventure has it all.
But let's start with the origins of this small islet just 45 minutes by seaplane from Malé, the capital of the Republic of Maldives (composed of 1,200 islands of which only 203 are inhabited). The legend circulates in those paradises, with more or less truth to it, of an artist named Sebastian who, in the 1950s, set sail from Bangkok in a small boat bound for Istanbul to participate in an art fair. But a storm in the middle of the journey left him stranded on the islet where today the RAAYA by Atmosphere stands, where he managed to survive as a castaway until he was rescued. Today, the entire complex is filled with references to that feat, wrapping the stay in a certain aura of untamed adventure.
However, the experience transforms as we delve into its impressive villas. And as the saying goes, there is something for every taste, although not for every budget: beach villas with or without a pool, or in a family format with two bedrooms, or overwater villas, which extend into the Indian Ocean suspended on pillars (imagine the infinite views through their immense windows). And at the top of the pyramid, the two crown jewels: the family villa with two bedrooms, a pool, and direct beach access, and the RAAYA residence, a breathtaking mansion with private suites and beach, an impressive garden with infinity pools, terraces in the pure Maldivian style... In other words, the epitome of luxury.
As for rates, prices start at $1,000 per night in low season (just over 900 euros) for a beach villa, the cheapest in the resort's impressive catalog. This rate is for double occupancy and, most importantly, includes the Raaya Plan: a concept that takes all-inclusive to another level. From arrival and departure by seaplane, treatments at the impressive spa, dinners at the restaurants, to excursions, everything is covered.
Besides the beaches that saturate the stay with the authentic Maldivian philosophy, haute cuisine is the final touch to an unforgettable stay. Thus, the restaurants are also a celebration of world flavors without leaving the island: from the Italian The Village to the buffet at RAAYA Life, the Middle Eastern flavors of Mizaj, Seb's Farm, a restaurant in the middle of an orchard where the main ingredients have just been harvested, or the pan-Asian cuisine of Ampers&nd. And between meals, the hotel offers a complete program of activities ranging from paddle surfing or diving to mangrove walks, art classes, mini-golf, and even a kids' club. Can anyone ask for more?
