Beach House Decor
The Beach House – the Over Water Villa
My first stop in the Maldives, the Beach House , a former Relais & Chateaux member, is located in one of the most Northern Atolls, the lagoon-ringed Haa Alifu Atoll, and requires a 45-minute domestic flight from Male to Hanamandoo, the regional airport followed by a 45 min speedboat ride to Manafuru island. (note the map below and north airport = Hanamandoo)
The lush, jungle-like fauna on the island is atypical of the Maldives, as I was told, and is more reminiscent of their closest neighbor, Sri Lanka. I will admit I was barely paying attention being far more drawn to the exceptional turquoise waters, white sand beaches and promise of the over water villa experience.
status with its remote location, multi-tiered travel and lower number of rooms. Right away, the notion of privacy is evident (comparitive to the larger resorts). Spread across the tiny island are 68 thatch-roofed villas and suites, half of which are on the beach and the other half over-the-water. Between them are three restaurants, a massive kid’s club, games room with Wii, a golf simulator and billiards, a lagoon pool set aside for families and an adults-only infinity pool and of course, a spa. Set in the middle of the island, the spa menu features everything from aryuvedic (oil on the third eye) to swedish to thai massages and a litany of body scrubs and facials. I enjoyed a hot oil massage (having chosen the lavendar oil as my preference) and a pedicure, which was well done though somewhat overpriced (particularly when it chipped the next day).I was thrilled to learn I was staying in one of the above villas and despite the inclement weather, was mesmerized by the 360-degree water views, constant sloshing soundtrack and glass floor tiles offering peepholes into the sea. I figure if you can like your room in bad weather (especially bad weather in a spot that promises none) then that’s the ultimate accolade for a guestroom.
...New era in beach dining
There’s lashings of chrome and while readers could be thinking, ‘how does that work?’ believe me, it does and very well too. Only a few colonial chairs are left over from the past while Kelly considers a proper replacement. Otherwise this is one snappy venue.Impressive is the new and palatial bar separating casual drinkers/diners from the more formal dining area. Walls have been removed to provide streamlined access from front to back and there are new seating arrangements with room to accommodate musicians such as the Roundhouse Jazz Band, which provided the background music on Saturday night.
It was great to see outdoor courtyards have scrubbed up too – lovely on a fine summer’s day or balmy evening. A small lounge area near the toilets allows patrons to wait in comfort if the “little room” is occupied and toilets have received new basins and paint.
It doesn’t take a genius to appreciate that Eastern Beach is a wonderful site for a restaurant but it does take genius to get the mix right. And it looks like Alex, Kelly and Josh are right on track. Not only does this rejuvenated venue look out to sea, it is finally being presented in a way that makes the most of its potential.
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