Our Dream Getaway at the Four Seasons at Landaa Giraavaru
Confession: I rarely take a vacation. Despite all my world travel (and accumulated miles!), a luxury vacation, solely for the purpose of ‘getting away from it all’, is not something we do often. Or even, occasionally. Ok, we took one in 2018 that had been on my bucket list. But my stay at the Four Seasons at Landaa Giraavaru last spring has me shouting about this place from the rooftops (or from my balcony).
I love my job and all the travel perks that come with it. In a single year, I may touch down in ten different countries on five different continents and never book a single vacation for myself. And that’s exactly the way I like it—usually. But all this staying indoors has me itching to ‘get away’. So, if you’ll let yourself travel (in your mind’s eye) to an island far, far away… I thought I’d take us all on a little trip to the Maldives. I can just hear the gentle waves lapping onto the sand now…
A Rare Opportunity
Around this time last year, we found ourselves with a few days all to ourselves in the Maldives, a beautiful collection of islands in the Indian Ocean made up of atolls. We were between two jobs: a 100-day baby celebration (Yes, that’s a thing! In fact, a beautiful Korean and Chinese tradition) at the exclusive and regal Cheval Blanc in the Maldives and a wedding in Hong Kong. I’m a notorious last-minute travel planner. I didn’t start researching where we’d spend those few days until the last minute; in fact, we were already on the islands shooting the first celebration. But when you’re stuck in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, where every island is its own private resort, we almost couldn’t go wrong.
Getting to the Maldives
Traveling to the Maldives can require patience, as there are no direct flights from the United States to MLE (the Malé International Airport), the main airport in the islands. The difficulty of getting there is the same reason travelers keep coming back: it’s remote and isolated. At a point in history when it can feel that nothing is undiscovered, you can still feel very much ‘away’ in the Maldives.
On our journey to the Maldives, we connected through Hong Kong, and luckily, we had a day (and a few practices) to adjust to the long travel. I highly recommend scheduling in one day to decompress after your arrival. Most itineraries require you to stay the night in the capital city of Malé before continuing to your resort destination, as seaplanes can’t fly at night in the dark.
Travel Tip:
To avoid the stopover in the congested city of Malé on our way out of the Maldives, we spent the night at the Four Seasons at Kuda Huraa, which is just a boat ride away from Malé and a much more enjoyable experience than overnighting in the capital.
What to Pack for the Maldives
The Maldives remains warm year-round, with temperatures settling in the mid- to high-80s most of the time. There is a dry and a wet season, and we visited near the end of the dry (also the high) season which runs from November through April. Packing for the Maldives is like packing for paradise: a swimsuit, a pair of sunglasses, a good book, and you’re all set. Even those who aren’t inclined toward sandy beaches and infinity pools will find themselves mesmerized by the clear waters and the thriving ocean life of the atolls. There is so much to explore and discover, and with a hat and your sense of adventure you’ll have everything you need.
Travel Tip:
Ladies—don’t pull out your bikinis just yet! The Republic of Maldives is an Islamic country, resulting in some conservative laws on the main island (Malé) and some local islands. Resort islands are not subject to these laws, so save your suits for your resort. Also not permitted—bringing alcohol into the country. Stick to the offerings at your resort and you’ll be just fine!
Choosing the Four Seasons at Landaa Giraavaru
One of my main requirements for our accommodations was that they be remote (hello, Maldives!) and eco-friendly. You’d be surprised how many resorts aren’t focused on environmental impact at all. Plastic waste is massive problem in this area, so it was important that we chose a resort that was working to solve this issue and not contribute to it. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to relax if tourists were crushing coral with their snorkel fins or sipping from plastic water bottles on the beach. Through some digging, I found the Four Seasons at Landaa Giraavaru. And—well—it was absolutely perfect.
Our Accommodations
As I said, we rarely take personal trips that aren’t work-related. But we do frequent luxury vacation destinations, and I can tell you that our three days at this resort were truly magical. Having not been in the Maldives since one of our favorite wedding shoots, we instantly remembered why it is so special.
The perfectly un-fussy, well-appointed rooms were everything you’d want in the way of physical and mental rest. There is a perfect place for whatever activity you’re feeling at the moment—be it a swim, a read, a happy hour, a nap, an open-air shower or sunbathing on the mesh overhang on the deck. And that’s all from your own villa!
We stayed in the Beach Villa, complete with a private lap pool, an outdoor shower and ocean views. Chad and I are quite partial to our ‘reading happy hours’ and it’s safe to say that the view from our open-air living space may have won out over our books at the time. It’s almost impossible to not fall under the hypnotic spell of those bright turquoise waters.
Travel Tip:
For a free upgrade, we joined American Express Platinum, and boy, was it worth it. In fact, it is actually fully worth whatever it costs to have the beachfront villa, but the free upgrade didn’t hurt!
In addition to all the amenities you expect at a luxury resort (spa, fitness facility, 24-hour in-room dining), the Four Seasons at Landaa Giraavaru boasts no less than four swimming pools, including the only Olympic-sized pool in the Maldives. We weren’t lacking for more adventurous activities either. Their Manta On Call program peeked my interest as the area has the largest known population, essentially when they spot the manta rays they whisk you away in a speedboat to see and swim with them, but ultimately, we found ourselves at the medical clinic, where we got a complimentary consultation with the island’s own Ayurvedic doctor. I’m so glad we did it, it was a standout experience and our first experience with Ayurvedic medicine which is rooted in holistic healing and was developed more than 3,000 years ago.
We rode bicycles around the small private island, worked out, read, and we went snorkeling in the turquoise waters daily. I was truly more relaxed there than I had been in years.
A Focus on Conservation
What made our stay most special is the resort’s focus on conservation. Amongst several conservation programs, including the opportunity to help build coral reefs, they run a Maldivian Sea Turtle Conservation Program in alliance with their second resort at Kuda Huraa.
There, we were able to learn more about the turtles they were rehabilitating, and rescuing, and observe them in their natural habitat. The Maldives is home to five of the world’s seven species of sea turtles, including the endangered Green sea turtle and the critically-endangered Hawksbill sea turtles. Their dwindling numbers and continual threats from human actions (such as ‘ghost’ fishing nets and black-market egg and meat trade) is a cause the Four Seasons is very passionate about.
Dining at the Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru
With four bars, four restaurants and 24-hour in-room dining, there are dining options for every mood and lifestyle at the resort. Fresh seafood is the highlight of the fare, but Asian and regional specialties can be found at the Café Landaa, as well as customized vegetarian and vegan options that are as much works of art as they are sustenance. The overwater restaurant, Al Barakat, named in honor of the North African scholar who lived on the atoll in the 12th century, features Lebanese, Moroccan, and Armenian flavors.
The Blue Beach Club, serving Mediterranean dishes with a southern Italian flare, was just my speed. It’s difficult for me to resist a fresh plate of pasta and shellfish, especially when the accompanying vegetables are grown from their very own garden.
For special occasions, there are lots of romantic options. Tree-top dining, a private, mid-ocean table for two, and a candle-lit dinner on a sandbank are just some of the more secluded culinary experiences, perfect for the couple on honeymoon or celebrating an anniversary.
Leaving the Four Seasons Maldives
You can image how difficult it was to leave this gorgeous oasis with all its natural beauty. Ultimately, it was a very special few days—some we will never forget. I can’t recommend this property enough for a meaningful destination for a celebration, vacation, or honeymoon. Enjoy this rare adventure, and, who knows, maybe we’ll plan a vacation this year… we’ll see.
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