Relax on this private island in the Maldives archipelago in the Indian Ocean.
By: Stella Katsipoutis
When Josh Duhamel, star of Las Vegas, met pop star Stacy “Fergie” Ferguson on set in 2004, they both hit the jackpot. After celebrating their wedding at a star-studded event held in January, the couple retreated to the ultra-secluded One&Only Reethi Rah resort on a private island in the Maldives archipelago in the Indian Ocean.
Located far from the prying eyes of paparazzi, the super-intimate One&Only Reethi Rah is accessible via yacht from the Maldivian capital of Male. One hundred thirty thatched villas, with spacious verandas, personal beach access and sexy outdoor showers, are scattered along the private island’s powder-sand beaches and tucked among lush tropical foliage. The Asian inspired bungalows are furnished in handcrafted pieces made of coconut shell, Indonesian teak, mahogany and bamboo, and accented with brilliantly colored silk fabrics. Bathrooms feature oversize terrazzo soaking tubs and built-for-two showers.
The hideaway is surrounded by famed snorkeling and dive sites, with neon-bright reefs, vibrantly colored fish and barnacled shipwrecks. Other popular adventure activities include wakeboarding, paragliding and dolphin watching. Take a private catamaran charter to a nearby deserted island. Stroll along the pearlywhite sands and enjoy a msunset-kissed picnic.
At the resort, luxuriate in the enormous One&Only Spa by ESPA. The sanctuary, set among the property’s gardens, includes eight treatment rooms that feature water treatments and Asian style holistic therapies. Continue the laidback vibe with a wine tasting or flower-arranging class. Or learn the art of champagne sabering—opening a bottle of bubbly with a sword.
Choose from among four fabulous eateries. The Reethi Restaurant houses a wine cellar of more than 9,000 bottles, and offers modern ethnic cuisine. Lounge on Arabian carpets, hammocks and divans in the sand at Fanditha, a boho-chic beach restaurant specializing in savory Middle Eastern mezzehs (traditional tasting menus). A leisurely after-dinner stroll through the resort’s orchid garden makes for a blissful ending to a dreamy day (rates start at $860 a night; oneandonlyresorts.com).
Photography: Courtesy of One&Only Resorts Reethi Rah
