The Maldives, where to even start. Once a year I make it a point to take some time off and head to this beautiful tropical paradise. I wanted to spend some quality time with two of my friends and enjoy some time off from the hustle and bustle of the city.
I wanted to spend four days in the Maldives, and there is no better place to stay other than the Conrad on Rangali Island. The Conrad gives you all you need when you are looking for an escape on an island. The minute you arrive, everything feels like home. The beaches are perfect; you are able to roam around the island barefoot and in your swimsuit with no care in the world.
I made sure to request a water villa as I wanted my privacy in the middle of the ocean. There are two super spacious bedrooms and in between a luxury bathroom with a gorgeous bathtub. And the best part of the villa? You get your own private pool where basically you have the view of the endless ocean. If the pool isn’t your thing, the stairway down to the sea will take you directly to the ocean to zen with the gorgeous fish and soft sand between your feet. You are literally surrounded by water, and nothing beats going to sleep and waking up with the sounds of the waves. I spotted so many baby sharks and the occasional turtles swimming freely.
I make it a point to make some time to snorkel whenever I go away on an island vacation. We took a 45-minute boat ride to the middle of the Indian Ocean and snorkeled for an hour with the help of one the staff from the hotel. It was an unforgettable experience; the amount of coral and fish that you see is something surreal. One memory I will not forget is swimming side by side with the turtles, I made sure to capture those moments thanks to my waterproof case for my iphone.
One thing about me is that I enjoy some time at the spa, and I made it a point to visit the spa at the Conrad for some R & R. I went for a coconut scrub and massage that had me feeling revitalized and relaxed. Of course, I took advantage of taking a snap of the outdoor toilet located at the spa, its something to be seen!
If I’m not at the spa or taking some time out on the beach, I’m obviously eating. The Conrad offers delicious cuisines at the variety of restaurants located on the island. There are so many options to choose from and Koko Grill was one of my favorites! You get to have an intimate dinner where the chef prepares you fresh seafood dishes with a twelve-course meal. The food was out of this world, but I have to say, by the 5th course, I was pretty full but made sure to try everything as I was enjoying the food way too much. Another restaurant to check out is called Mandhoo. All their food items are organic and the best part is that the majority of the produce served there is actually grown on the island. This restaurant is best enjoyed during the day as the view from the restaurant bungalow is out of this world (it also makes for some great photo ops!) If you are visiting the Conrad, you must check out Ithaa, the underwater restaurant, and the first under water restaurant in the Maldives. You need to make your reservations before hand, as the seating is limited. But trust me, you cannot go to Conrad without dining here. You literally dine amongst the vast amount of fish swimming on the island and the food is exceptional!
If you are looking for amazing sundowners, you cannot beat having a chilled drink at the island bar with some light bites as the sun sets. The pink and purple sky alone will have you breathless. The sunset at the Conrad is one of the best I have ever seen and pictures do not do it justice.
If you are looking for a proper island getaway, the Conrad is the place to go. The island itself accommodates 300 guests and houses 600 staff from all over the world. I cannot wait for my next visit to the island, it’s definitely something I look forward to every year.
