Taj Exotica Resort & Spa sits on Emboodhu Finolhu Island, in one of the largest lagoons in the Maldives. This tropical isle, known locally as ‘Three Coconut Island’, is ornamented with pale white sand, crystal blue waters and lush flora. Private luxury speedboats, available 24 hours, take guests to and from Malé International Airport in only 15 minutes.
The award-winning resort seamlessly incorporates the island’s natural beauty in its design, even as it offers the finest contemporary amenities. Luxurious rooms, private verandahs, and personal sundecks with endless views of the Indian Ocean, make this the perfect setting for a private retreat. Jiva Grande Spa, an authentic Indian spa, offers a range of special wellness treatments. A choice of bespoke dining options and water sports complete the exclusive experience.
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa has been voted the Best Resort in Asia and the Second Best in the World in the Condé Nast Traveller USA Readers’ Choice Awards 2012. This year it is Business Destinations’ Best Luxury Hotel, Maldives, 2013.
The luxury of choice
Each of the resort’s 64 villas and suites is furnished in natural tones and textures and offers ocean views. Most of the luxuriously designed villas are perched over the lagoon with nothing but blue ocean waters and glorious sunsets in sight. Every villa is palm-thatched, with exteriors of fine natural wood and interiors delightfully appointed in classic Maldivian style.
Set in series of two adjacent villas along the edge of the island’s lagoon, the 71sq m lagoon villas offer private sun decks with loungers, easy chairs and direct access to the lagoon. Each villa has a double vanity bathroom, rain showers and bathtubs with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. Deluxe lagoon villas are even larger and feature a private deck with a freshwater plunge pool and an alluring day-bed area with spectacular views.
At 200sq m, deluxe beach villas come with a private outdoor area, their own stretch of beach and direct access to the lagoon. Each of the luxuriously styled villas offers an oversized plunge pool, a private veranda with sun beds, and a tropical outdoor shower in a private walled garden. Premium beach villas are newly built and come with a master bed, extravagant round bathtub, a private beach, oversized plunge pool, private veranda with sun beds, a tropical outdoor shower in a private walled garden and an infinite view of the lagoon.
Taj Exotica’s ocean suites have 195sq m of space and boast a living room with pantry, a bedroom with glassed bathroom looking over the Indian Ocean, a large freshwater pool with a private sundeck, a sala for dining, and a beautiful suspended deck filled with powder-soft sand. The luxurious one and two-bedroom duplex beach villa suites are just five metres from the lagoon. Each suite, set on the beach, has a spacious living room, a private courtyard, an oversized plunge pool, private veranda, sunset balcony and a tropical outdoor shower. In the two-bedroom villa, the first-floor master bedroom has an oversized attached bathroom and a private balcony from which to enjoy spectacular sunsets. Guests can experience Jiva Grande Spa treatments in complete privacy in a treatment room attached to the villa.
The Rehendi Suite is Taj Exotica’s impressive two bedroom presidential villa. This tastefully appointed, award-winning villa boasts a living room; a master bedroom with attached his and hers bathrooms; a guest bedroom; a glass-walled bathroom; a 12m freshwater pool with a private sundeck; two salas for relaxing and dining; and a beautiful suspended deck filled with sand; and a hammock over the turquoise lagoon. This suite comes with a host of personalised amenities and services. The glistening waters of the Indian Ocean and mesmerising sunsets provide the backdrop for the two restaurants with menus featuring progressive world cuisine and tasting menus filled with gourmet creations.
A gourmet selection
For all-day dining, try 24 Degrees. The restaurant has an impressive display kitchen, offering a variety of Pan-Asian and European comfort food. The teppanyaki with masterly crafted set menus of fresh seafood, meats and vegetables, is a unique culinary experience. The restaurant has nightly themed menus that cater to different palettes from different parts of the world.
The Deep End is a progressive world cuisine restaurant, serving an award-winning tasting menu inspired by cuisines from Europe. It includes a wide choice of meats, seafood, but also many vegetarian choices, all complemented by the finest wines from the cellars.
After dinner, the Equator Bar offers the perfect balance of mood, music and vibrancy – and a variety of traditional vintages, new world wines, cocktails and cigars. If you don’t want to leave the comfort of your accommodation, a vast selection of food and beverages are served 24 hours in the comfort and privacy of your own villa or suite. Or try the Pool Bar and Restaurant. Set beside the resort’s infinity pool, it offers a choice of healthy coolers, snacks, oven-fresh pizza and exotic tropical cocktails.
Your personal butler
Each villa has a dedicated butler to provide personalised attention. From unpacking luggage to filling your private bar with precise beverage preferences, the butlers endeavour to make your stay stress-free. Butlers will offer to draw a bath, arrange scuba-diving excursions and organise al fresco dinners and day trips to uninhabited islands – the ultimate opulence.
Jiva Grande Spa offers superior Indian rejuvenation therapies, ranging from aromatherapy massages, to yoga and meditation. Trained experts, using natural products, in a harmonious setting, deliver the spa experiences. Jiva Grande Spa offers alepa, a signature treatment evoking the fabled and privileged lifestyle of Indian royalty. Alepa – literally, the act of anointing the body – is inspired by ceremonial, time-honoured Indian bathing rituals.
The abundant culture of the Maldives can be understood by visiting the Islamic Centre, the Munnaaru (Minaret) and the shrine of Abdul Barakath Yousouf Al-Barbari, the former presidential palace, the Sultan Park, the National Museum and the tomb of Mohamed Thakurufaanu. This exotic destination has much to offer the discerning traveller.
