Last month, Vakkaru Maldives reopened for guests with a new concept, Vakkare, “a new standard in luxury hospitality, unmatched in the Maldives, that will place the concept of care at the core of all that Vakkaru Maldives offers,” according to their spokesperson.
Nestled in Baa Atoll, a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, Vakkaru Maldives is a timeless sanctuary intuitively designed for guests seeking unassuming luxury and experiences. A scenic 30-minute seaplane journey from Male International Airport takes you to this secluded reef island blessed with timeless ocean views, powder-soft white sand beaches, unique deep blue holes and spectacular marine biodiversity. The 113 beautifully appointed over water and beach villas are elegantly designed to respect the surrounding tropical nature and Maldivian charms. Additionally, indulgent dining choices, a world-class wine cellar – home to a curated selection of fine vintage and non-vintage offerings from old to new world as well as curated leisure activities and amenities create enriched experiences for everyone. Comprising four pillars - We Kare, Self Kare, Let’s Kare and After Kare - Vakkare incorporates the resort’s practical responses to the challenge of operating a remote private-island resort in the age of Covid-19 but also considers the physical, social and emotional needs of guests who have sought out this peaceful retreat as a timeless sanctuary in which to rest, rejuvenate and refocus following the exhaustions of the last few months. Vakkaru Maldives has always upheld the highest hygiene standards, but various new measures have been introduced in response to the emergence of Covid-19. They include thorough medical checks for team members and health screenings for new arrivals, alongside enhanced sanitisation practices and the provision to guests of We Kare packs to include face masks and other personal items and keepsakes. While social distancing is now a consideration around the world, its implementation didn’t require a drastic change to the property’s infrastructure. With the protection of privacy a consideration from day one, villas, restaurant seating and the like have always allowed for exclusivity. Self Kare refers to the many restorative, wellness-minded experiences and services that will be available to every guest. Among them are a range of enhanced light- and no-touch spa treatments and rituals that will complement the resort’s most popular massages and facials. The ultimate new spa immersion is the resort’s signature Merana Healing Journey, a day-long ritual that incorporates yoga, sound healing and a rebalancing coconut shell massage. Apart from personal trainers, the Self Kare portfolio includes a range of outdoor exercises such as tennis, beach volleyball and family-friendly mini triathlons, dining experiences including cooking classes, private nature walks winding through a forest of over 2,300 coconut trees. Guests can also explore the seascape that envelops the resort. Located in Baa Atoll, a Unesco Biosphere Reserve internationally recognised for the abundance of sea life drawn to its warm, crystalline waters, Vakkaru Maldives can arrange private, marine biologist-led excursions in search of manta rays and whale sharks, alongside access to superlative diving and snorkelling sites. They include a remarkable blue hole, so close to Vakkaru’s beach that it can be reached in just a few minutes by kayak. That abundance of natural wonders contributed significantly to Vakkare’s third pillar: Let’s Kare. Keenly aware of their responsibilities to this vulnerable, vital ecosystem, the team at Vakkaru Maldives already follow stringent sustainability procedures and will increasingly look to facilitate opportunities for curious guests who wish to contribute to environmental and community-based endeavours, be they participating in coral-planting programmes, assisting local conservation efforts or supporting community work on local islands.