Tag: male

Where I’d Rather Be: St Regis Maldives

by Swati Jain, posted in maldives

One of the world’s most coveted destinations, St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort seems to be a tropical haven.

Like many resort properties in the Maldives, St. Regis, features island and outwater villa accommodations. Located on the 22-acre Vommuli Island, the report incorporates aspects of contemporary architecture and interior with Maldivian traditions, marine life and culture.

The overwater villas resemble a manta ray while the beach villas were designed as a modern interpretation of fishing huts. The interior design reflects the textures and patterns found on the island including a coral chandelier, headboards made of recycled glass beads and sofa fabric that replicates ripples of water.

The resort’s sunset bar reflects the shape of the whale shark. Inside, a mural etched into the wooden ceiling using a traditional Maldivian art form known as pyrography. It tells the story of the owner and his son who built a resort on Vommuli Island to celebrate its natural beauty.

The library lounge is sculpted in the spiral shape of a seashell shell and the carpets are inspired by the waves of the lagoon.

Iridium Spa and its Blue Hole Pool

The overwater Iridium spa is famous for its Blue Hole Pool that replicates the deep sink holes sometimes found in reefs. The most expansive hydrotherapy pool, which is located on the sheltered terrace and commands picturesque ocean vistas.

Swim with Mantra Rays and Dolphins. Create an unforgettable experience on one of the resort’s excursions where guests will get up close and personal to the underwater wildlife, photograph the colourful corals and admire the rich marine life of Vommuli Island.

Women’s Bp. Zandra Beaded V-Strap Sandal • BP • $59.95

Roberto Cavalli 55MM Round Mirrored Metal Sunglasses • Roberto Cavalli • $395

Quay After Hours Sunglasses • Quay • $38.50

Chloe Carlina Round Wire Metal Sunglasses • Chloé • $396

Melissa Odabash Classic Pareo • Melissa Odabash • $110

9seed Tulum Cover Up • 9seed • $136

Halter Tie One-Piece • Diane von Furstenberg • $137–228

Solid and Striped – The Anne-marie Striped Swimsuit – Light blue • $119

Kimchi Blue Riley High-Rise Brief • Kimchi & Blue • $19.99

BOWER Dream Baby One Piece • $135

 

Maldives’ Different Kind of Luxury

by Swati Jain, posted in maldives

Nestled on one of the Maldives’ most generously proportioned and picture-perfect islands, LUX* South Ari Atoll delivers a different kind of luxury. Inviting adventurous epicureans to effortlessly walk the line between beach relaxation and active adventure, the resort offers everything from cutting-edge spa treatments to the hottest trends in water sports in the ultimate beach chic setting.

Dotted at the water’s edge along two miles of powder-fine beach and perched on stilts above a crystal-clear lagoon teeming with colourful fish, reside LUX* South Ari Atoll’s 193 pavilions and villas. On land or water, sunset or sunrise facing, the top-to-bottom redesign of these super-spacious rooms and suites by renowned design studio P49 Design add a cool nautical vibe. Award-winning landscape architect Stephen Woodhams has also ensured that the tree and plant life abounds with fragrance everywhere.

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Once settled, food and drink quickly becomes a way of island life at LUX* South Ari Atoll. The resort’s unparalleled offering of seven restaurants and five bars make every mealtime a thrilling experience.

As for wellness, the LUX* Me spa is a sanctuary within a sanctuary. Incorporating a traditional Chinese teahouse, a dedicated zone for brand new skin and body care experiences, a Zen wellness pavilion and lagoon-view relaxation area, the spa offers treatments for the mind, body and soul. There’s also a Zhengliao treatment specially designed for LUX* Me Spa and daily activities such as yoga, meditation, Pilates, Taichi and Qigong overseen by an expert wellness concierge.

Located at the core of one of Maldives’ largest marine protected areas, LUX* South Ari Atoll is a perfect place to dive into underwater delights. Climb aboard one of the daily boat trips guided by the resort’s Marine Biology Centre to search and swim with resident whale sharks, manta rays and sea turtles. Or take a traditional dhoni or luxury catamaran to be part of the unforgettable experience of getting close and personal with marine life while helping to protect it.

 

6 Small Getaways if you live in the UAE

by Swati Jain, posted in Inspirations and Stories, United Arab Emirates, Wanderlust

It is easier to plan small getaways when a bunch of long weekends are around the corner (read- the whole month of December), but when it’s not December and you don’t have more than a day off you can take- small getaways are the necessity for not hitting your head on the wall.

The 6 best places you can travel to if you live in the UAE and are in dire need of just a weekend and a day’s getaway:

Georgia
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In December, on a rather impulsive trip, I ended up in Georgia. It was a four-ish hour flight and is the easiest getaway. I spent a total of three days- which included flying out on Thursday night and landing back on Monday morning. It was cold and snowing and was just what I needed to getaway from Dubai. (I have already written a long itinerary of stuff that I did there- should you need some inspiration! Three days is plenty to see Tbilisi, Gudauri and the old city of Mtskheta.

Maldives

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You can actually go to Maldives in 3 days and back. It will fill up your itinerary, but the three days won’t fill up your heart with enough ocean breeze – especially if you are crazy about the water as I am. It’s beautiful, blue and just reminds you how beautiful the ocean and nature is. You can chill and do absolutely nothing – or you can do tonnes of water sports and run around the whole day and dance the night in the little island disco!

Delhi (India)

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While 3 days isn’t enough for Delhi, you could try it. But, don’t try to rope in Agra, Jaipur, Amritsar, etc- because that will be extremely tiring and you won’t be able to really see Delhi! I’m actually planning to go with a weekend and a day with a few friends later in March just to eat and shop. Delhi’s the best place to do some amazing bargain shopping and eats lots of delicious street food (and fine dining). I’ll be sharing my “tourist” itinerary for Delhi soon!

Oman

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I haven’t been yet- but it’s definitely on my list of places on one of the weekends. It’s only an hour’s flight away and you can even just drive to it. Besides, there’s so much to do. You could be camping, trekking, swimming, chilling on the beach- the options are limitless!

Jordan

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I am one for longer breaks – and while I went to Jordan and stayed for a good 6 days, you might want to go and come back in 3! Land in Amman and you could head straight to the Dead Sea and then to visit Petra. A Little tip- if you are there, do visit Bethany. It was where Christ was baptised but the Cathedral is beautiful!

Azerbaijan

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In all fairness, there was a sign in Tbilisi that said the road goes to Baku and I was very tempted. But, Azerbaijan isn’t far from Georgia and the UAE. It’s not Europe’s most popular destinations (yet), but its a beautiful country, with lots of admirable architecture and the Caspian sea. It’s on the books for one of the weekends for me.

 

 

What would you recommend for me? 🙂

Postcards from Maldives

by Swati Jain, posted in maldives, Wanderlust

The perfect getaway, and not too far from the UAE, Maldives is beautiful. From the second the plane reaches close by, the never-ending waters will take your breath away. The landing strip is probably the most brilliant- a strip of land with the Indian ocean on both sides.

It doesn’t end there! There are no taxi drivers looming right outside the airport to take you to your hotel, Maldives plays it a little different. Several speed boats and captains await to take you to your destination.

I stayed at the Paradise Island. All most all resort islands have a similar theme- a coral to scuba dive near, parasailing and other water sport activities, live entertainment and feeding stingrays.

Unfortunately, when I traveled, I was struggling with the worst case of warts on both my feet- so much that I couldn’t walk a step without a padded bandage and socks. But, luckily, the salty waters actually helped soothe the pain and cure the warts.

And since I couldn’t feel any pain while I was in the ocean, I did first scuba dive in Maldives, and I’ve never felt more calm and peaceful, as I did in that hour under the water. It makes us think, everything around is so beautiful and soulful, why don’t we spend more time in quiet and wonder (I mean that is something coming from me, considering I’m never quiet, but still).

More words of adventure and advice to follow later! Enjoy the pictures!