Wanderlust Wednesday: Dive into sustainable luxury…and some yoga… in the Maldives

Now that the weather is finally becoming pool/beach suitable (we’ll forget about the hiccup yesterday), I have been on the hunt for the perfect combination of a pool and beach…and a little eco-consciousness might help to!

Well I think I found a new favorite pool that I would die to visit…if I ever win the lottery…

The infinity pool at the Huvafen Fushi Resort in the Maldives.

Huvafen Fushi resort and spa in the Maldives

The freshwater infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean at the Huvafen Fushi resort in the Maldives

Have your cake and eat it too...at your room: a private infinity pool, hot tub, expansive deck, and a private portion of ocean (maldives.tropicalideals.co.uk)

Named the best beach resort by Harper’s Bazaar and featured in Conde Nast Traveller, the resort is located in the North Male Atoll area of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. Arrive by plane to Maldives International airport and either take a 30 minute speed boat ride, complete with complimentary champagne, or a sea plane out to this man-made, but nature conscious, paradise.

Map of the resort...the Maldives are located off of the South West coast of India

The hotel created an underwater spa and organic raw restaurant as part of their sustainable luxury endeavors. They also take part in fair trade practices of local goods and conservation of their local island reef and the greater reefs of the Maldives.

The freshwater infinity pool, surrounded by day beds, the private pools for each of the 43 rooms, the sustainable reef and the healing floating saltwater pool, all combine to give this resort the title of holding the best quality pool:ocean:guest ratio.

Ariel view of a portion of the resort (maldives.tropicalideals.co.uk)

Every room comes with either a private plunge pool, or if your are willing to pay the really big bucks…a larger private pool.

This particular room even comes with a telescope for prime romantic star-gazing in the middle of the Indian Ocean....ahhhh...the rooms also boast 7ft x 7ft beds (maldives.tropicalideals.co.uk)

Lonu Veyo is a “green” saltwater floatation therapy pool…the first of its kind in the Maldives

The resort also boasts a “green” saltwater pool, called Lonu Veyo, that has “special healing techniques”.

The resort has its own area of reef for SCUBA and snorkeling that is preserved by the hotel, complete with rays, turtles, and on occasion, even sharks...

I just melted when the website states they have complimentary SCUBA out of their PADI dive center…I would probably find myself fully addicted again, doing 2 dives a day…spending all my time in those glorious waters looking at rays, exotic fish and sea turtles, that are abundant and viewable even from some of the decks of the resort.  The resort also boasts sunset fishing, deep-sea fishing,snorkeling safaris and boating trips.

The hotel even has an “in-house” reef, and a spa, Lima (by the Per Aquum group),  immersed under water surrounded by the reef! Even if you aren’t a swimmer, you can enjoy the reef while experiencing the resorts spa treatments which include all natural spa treatments and remedies, spa cuisine, aromatherapy massage, and yoga massage, among a slew of other treatments that can be customized for you. The spa boasts “chromotherapy” lighting and an indigenous treatment known as crystal therapy. Wooden tools for massage were created by locals specifically for the spa, while the virgin coconut oil was purchased in a fair trade, sustainable way and is used as a staple in  signature treatments for guests.

An organic spa paradise in the Huvafen Fushi resort (photo: maldivedigst.com)

Even though you are on a private island, it does not mean you go hungry…far from that, actually. As I mentioned before, there is “spa cuisine” and fresh fish plucked from the ocean at the resorts many restaurants and bars. The main bar, UMbar, has been frequented y some of the world’s top DJ’s,while serving designer cocktails.

There is also an underground wine room/restaurant called Vinum and a more casual restaurant called Fogliani’s.

Meanwhile, for a healthier stay, the restaurant, Raw, serves that aforementioned spa cuisine and even raw cuisine for optimal health benefits. Celsius and Salt are also options for deliciously fresh food on the island,or take a break from the resort and explore other restaurants in the Maldives through the resorts speed boats or plane, along with “destination dining” at private locals around the island.

Yoga pavilion at Huvafen Fush...picture doing yoga out there at dawn...mmm

I must admit, the element of the resort that really got me hooked was its perfect yoga pavilion…completely separated from the rest of the resort, jutted out into the Indian ocean…your yoga practice here is sure to bring you to new levels physically, spiritually and mentally. You can even experience the resort through a yoga retreat through teachers such as Annoushka Hempel.

The resort boasts a 'yoga therapy' sessions as well as numerous yoga retreats from world-renowned gurus

The pavilion is not the only delegated yoga spot...you can practice practically anywhere...even in the underwater lounges and spa, surrounded by fish! (photo courtesy of blog.360dgrs.nl)

The resort is expensive, I am not going to lie.

It can range,depending on season, from about $1100 per night to about $8000 a night if you are one of those people who just absolutely needs the larger private pool.

For me, I think I’d be happy just working as a concierge here, or maybe as a visiting yoga teacher…hint,hint, Huvafen?…sigh…

I think I would easily find paradise at the place where infinity meets the ocean

For more information on sustainable tourism in the Maldives click here.

For more information on the Huvafen Fushi Resort click here.