Babymooning in the Maldives: Five days at the Shangri-La Villingili

The Maldives has always been one of my dream destinations. We considered it for our honeymoon but decided against it since July is not an ideal period. We finally got the chance when I got pregnant and settled on the Maldives as our babymoon destination.

We opted for the Shangri La located within Addu atoll and which, just south of the Equator, is one of the southernmost islands of the Maldives. We were a bit anxious about having to take a local flight after arriving in Male but the hotel handled all the arrangements and made it a relatively easy journey. After a 3.5 hour flight from Dubai to Male International Airport, we were greeted by a hotel representative which took our luggage and handed us a boarding pass for the local flight before escorting us to the waiting lounge. From then on it was a 70-minute flight on a turboprop plane to Gan airport followed by a 10-minute speed boat ride to Villingili island where the hotel is located.

You’d never believe it but despite it being only 10 minutes away from Gan, the hotel is a completely different time zone a full hour ahead of Gan.

Spread across 12 hectares, the Shangri La Resort and Spa is one of the biggest resorts in the Maldives and is nestled within the island’s lush vegetation which includes 17,000 coconut trees and over 45 species of plants. The resort offers a wide range of services and activities including a nine-hole golf course and offers guests three main types of accommodation: beach villas, water villas, and ocean tree houses.

Greeted with flowers and a fresh coconut drink, a buggy collected us from the reception and escorted us to our water bungalow. Given the size of the island, the hotel provides bicycles to all its guests as a main mode of transportation. Alternatively, a buggy service is also available on an on-demand basis.

We opted for the water villa which was great as the views are breathtaking and nothing beats jumping straight from your bungalow into the turquoise sea to go snorkeling and exploring the coral reef and its fish of all shapes and colours.

At 166 sq. m. our villa was larger than our apartment back home!

Water villas feature both indoor and outdoor showers, large bathtub and, my favorite, a large terrace overlooking the ocean with an outdoor bed, beach chairs and a hammock allowing you to float in the air only a few feet from the clear blue waters.

Restaurants and bars

The food across the resort was generally excellent. Three main restaurants cater offer a variety of tastes and experiences:

• Javvu, the resort’s main restaurant offering breakfast lunch and dinner
• Dr. Ali’s, an ethnic restaurant with a mix of Indian, Chinese and Middle Eastern cuisines
• Fashala Mediterranean with spectacular views of the ocean and fresh seafood caught from the surrounding Maldivian waters and neighboring farms
• Three bars and lounges

I had the chance of trying the three restaurants but my favorite was Dr. Ali’s. The restaurant offers a variety of Indian, Chinese and Middle Eastern cuisines and pays tribute to a famous Maldivian doctor who travelled extensively in the late 19th century across Asia and the Middle East. Finally, the in-villa dining menu with its extensive menu was also excellent.

Notwithstanding the above, breakfast was probably my favourite meal of the day as it was served on the beach just a few meters away from the waves. Do make it early though as the best tables along the beach get snapped up quickly. Another tip, try the traditional Maldivian Tuna Curry…not your typically breakfast fare but surprisingly tasty!

 

Activities

One of the reasons we picked the Shangri La over other resorts is the variety of activities on offer. These include two tennis courts, a full gym, kids club, spa, dive and water sport centers and one of the Maldives’ largest golf courses.  Wind surfboards, wave surfing stand up paddle boards, kayaks and even yoga classes were all available for free at the resort while you can also sign up for various activities at the sports center (for a fee) including scuba diving, seabob, kite surfing, parasailing, waterskiing, dolphin cruises and visits to neighboring Addu city.

During our stay we were given two sets of masks so we can snorkel at our own pleasure around the hotel’s coral reef. For dive enthusiasts, there are more than 25 dive sites around the hotel. My husband opted for a dive and the hotel provided him with a PADI refresher course and full set of diving gear. Beginners can also partake in many of the diving course on offer.

 

Final thoughts

Perhaps the hotel’s greatest strength is its staff and commitment to providing superior service. The staff was great, friendly, professional, and always went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that all our needs were met.

Would I recommend the Shangri La? Absolutely.  It’s a bit pricey and not as easy to get to as other hotels (especially if pregnant) but is worth it and I wouldn’t think twice if I ever had the chance to go back. Whether you are looking for a honeymoon, romantic getaway, or even a family trip, it is a place I would recommend.

 

Tips!

• A check in to the resort spa, CHI, is also a must. The treatment rooms are spacious villas and you’ll never want to leave! The spa also offers treatments for expecting mothers so you won’t be left out even if you’re pregnant.
• Do not miss the dolphin cruise!
• Don’t miss the hotel’s “Dine by Design” for a romantic private dinner on the beach with your custom menu prepared by a private chef. An unforgettable and memorable experience.
• Get an all-inclusive or half board package if possible as the food and beverages are expensive on the island