By Sara Liss
Resorts Expert, about.com
COMO Hotels and Resorts recently unveiled Maalifushi by COMO, the first private-island resort to open on Thaa Atoll in the Maldives. The 20-acre secluded retreat and private island is the company’s second resort in the Maldives, and its first in the untouched Thaa atoll. Its sister property, Cocoa Island by COMO, located further north in the South Malé atoll, opened in 2002.
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The 66-room property features a mix of overwater and garden accommodations, which are ideal for families with small children.
It offers seclusion and an abundance of
underwater experiences. The island’s white sand and bright turquoise
lagoons are surrounded by a string of uninhabited islands, including
another small piece of land belonging to the resort that can be booked
for castaway picnics and romantic private dinners.Rates begin at $650 per night for a Garden Room.
LOCATION
On the main resort island, tropical
vegetation featuring exotic birds provides lush “curtains” for private
rooms, suites, and villas, as well as Maalifushi’s ‘Madi’ restaurant,
‘Thila’ pool bar and lounge. Overwater accommodations, including a
number of luxury suites and villas with private pools, as well as ‘Tai’
restaurant, can be found on the west of the island, all offering
uninterrupted views across the ocean. Interiors throughout the resort
are by Japanese designer Koichiro Ikebuchi; they bear the hallmarks of
COMO’s signature, pared-back style, with locally sourced materials,
natural light, and open vistas taking center stage.
DIVING[post_ads_2]
Underwater, the Thaa atoll is a range of untouched corals,
attracting a host of colorful reef fish and sea creatures. The area
offers opportunities to spot Hammerhead and Whale Sharks, a rare treat
for dive enthusiasts.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Three expansive, two-bedroom overwater COMO Villas
- ‘Madi’ restaurant featuring all-day international, Maldivian, and healthful COMO Shambhala Cuisine
- COMO Shambhala Retreat spa with gym, eight overwater treatment rooms, and yoga pavilion
- On-island Dive Center and guided diving excursions led by a Marine Biologist and certified PADI instructors
- Activities and excursions including dolphin cruises, fishing, snorkelling, and sailing
GETTING THERE
Maalifushi by COMO can be reached by a 50-minute seaplane ride from the Maldives’s main airport at Malé.
