Destination Maldives: The personal touch prevails at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort

Call off the search, paradise has been found at this plush, personalised resort.

Personalised is a phrase that is often overused in the hotel industry. What does that mean for you? Is it the staff remembering your name, drink preferences or check-out day? At the five-star InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, an IHG Hotel, it was all that and more. Here’s what happens when personalisation gets an upgrade. 

Before we arrived, we were sent an Insight Form with questions to answer regarding our favourite cocktails, cravings and colour. So far, so personal. When we landed, the staff seamlessly took us from Malé International Airport to the Maldivian Seaplane Terminal. The InterContinental lounge came with marvellous munchies; make sure you try the chocolate brownies. 

Located 35 minutes from Malé, the flight felt like something out of an action film, from the birds’ eye view of the islands to the take-off and landing on the Indian Ocean. And, once you see the barefoot pilot, the tagline might as well be: Maldives Says Relax.

On arrival, we were given the Maldivian welcome with drums. A curator – aka a butler – was assigned to each guest. To make the most of the experience, download the guest app. The staff are ready, responsive and remember the details. 

Rooms and suites

Pictures do not do InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, an IHG Hotel justice. The hotel is home to 81 beach, lagoon and overwater villas. Plus, a range of residences. The rooms range from an Overwater Pool Villa at 100 square metres to a Three Bedroom Beachfront Residence at 1,120 square metres. 

We checked into the standard Overwater Pool Villa, which included its own walkway. The room felt larger, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows that opened onto the terrace. It’s tough to tell where the private pool ends and the sea starts. The beige and white decor is punctuated by pops of colour across the terracotta chairs, orange headboard, and yellow room dividers. Plus, the traditional touches ranged from the rattan roof to patterned carpets. 

The layout is relaxed yet refined, optimising the stunning surroundings. The king-size bed and bathtub faced the water. While we couldn’t see our neighbours, we could see the seaplane and speedboat. If you’re after an alternative, book a sunset-facing room.

The plush touches included a pillow menu, sweet treats and Byredo bath products. The personalised touches included a professional photograph of ourselves on arrival; a turn down service with sand art messages; and bikes with our initials.

Restaurants and bars

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, an IHG Hotel is home to a range of restaurants and bars. At the heart of the hotel is the all-day dining restaurant, Café Umi. Located on the beautiful beachfront, the breakfast menu offers local, international and wellness favourites. Dishes range from the Maldivian Breakfast with tuna curry, salad, rice and chapatti, to the Middle Eastern Breakfast with egg, falafel, meat and olives. Plus, the live stations let you watch the chefs at work.

Look out for special chef collaborations. Our food favourite was the pop-up, five-course dinner from the Dubai-based chef, Kunwal Safdar. She is behind the successful supper club, Moreish by K, and famous for her Persian meets Punjabi cuisine. 

The Lighthouse serves Mediterranean cuisine, The Fish Market serves spectacular seafood, and The Collective serves Italian pizzas to pastas. The Pool Bar is family-friendly, and The Retreat is adults-only. The latter, with its serene lagoon setting, was our go-to, and at times we couldn’t see anyone else.

Facilities 

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, an IHG Hotel makes the most of its luxurious location. Located near Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, excursions include a dolphin as well as a sunset cruise, and swimming with manta rays. Book the house reef tour with Gareth, who had an infectious enthusiasm and identified each fish. Find nemo, parrotfish, rabbitfish and more. 

Fitness fans will get a kick out of the sports centre and sunrise yoga. Trainer Mett offers one-on-one sessions, from kickboxing to stretches. Planet Trekkers keeps children entertained on sunny as well as rainy days. AVI Spa is a dreamy destination, and treatments are carried out in huts with a soothing overwater setting. 

During our stay, no demand seemed daunting. Best of all, the curators anticipated our needs. They were one smiley step ahead with buggies to baths – on the last night and with bubbles, no less.

Enjoy the personal touch at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, an IHG Hotel. 

GO: Visit www.ihg.com for more information.