Vakkaru Maldives celebrates a  significant milestone this month as it marks five years of providing an unforgettable private  island experience and creating memories of a lifetime for over 32,000 guests. Since it  welcomed its first guests on 17 December 2017, the luxury sanctuary has maintained its  position as one of the top resorts in the region, winning a slew of awards and recognitions,  both international and local. 

Vakkaru Maldives is the only resort in the Maldives owned by Egypt’s El Chiaty family. While  conceptualising the resort, chairman and CEO of Travco Group, Hamed El Chiaty, worked  closely with his son and Vice-Chairman of Travco Group, Karim El Chiaty, to create a  peerless distillation of all that he and his family have pioneered and admired in the luxury  sector over a lifetime of work in the travel industry. Travco Group under the leadership of  Hamed El Chiaty is the Middle East’s leading leisure group operating through its integrated  companies operating in the tourism, hospitality and aviation sectors. 

The resort is thoughtfully built around the natural landscape of the island to preserve the  natural vegetation. Conceived by Dutch firm, OT Design BV, the resort’s 113 vast, palm thatched overwater and beach villas and residences are pitched over the ocean or shaded  by the island’s coconut trees. Mr Hamad El Chiaty’s wife, professional interior designer Dora  El Chiaty, also the Managing Director and Head of Interior Design at the Travco Group, has  played a crucial role in the resort’s design process. The resort’s interiors exude a  timeless elegance inspired by the beauty of its location featuring bespoke furniture crafted in  Indonesia. 

Five reasons that make Vakkaru Maldives one of the top resorts to stay at in the  region: 

Timeless Location: Lying within the heart of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll,  Vakkaru Maldives is a secluded reef island fringed by ivory-white sands, surrounded by  Tiffany-blue waters, and bookended by two deep blue holes. The island, which once was a  coconut plantation, is home to over 2,300 fully grown coconut trees (Vakkaru is the Dhivehi  word for “coconut timber”). Access to this idyllic paradise is via a scenic 30-minute seaplane  flight from Male International Airport. The exceptional natural beauty paired with breathtaking  endless views of the Indian Ocean makes the resort the perfect place to relax and reconnect  with nature.

Luxury Accommodation: Your villa, whether on the beach or over the water, has one or  two bedrooms. The residences offer more space and go from one- and two-bedroom layouts  to the magnificent two-storey, four-bedroom Over Water Residence with a dedicated chef,  an infinity pool and unobstructed ocean and sunset views. Each of the 113 luxury villas and  residences draws on the rich traditions of the locale. Design elements incorporates Maldivian  style fused with the finest natural resources and local architecture in a contemporary style.  Each villa and suite offer intelligent connectivity and are stocked with all the requisites for a  luxe vacay. 

Passionate Service: The heart and soul of Vakkaru Maldives is the diverse team of  dedicated professionals. Each member brings their own unique background and perspective,  but each one is passionate about delivering memorable moments and creating emotional  experiences for the guests through highly personalised service every day, every time.  Private butlers take care of guests’ whims and fancies during their time at this island resort.  Celebrating a special occasion or simply craving your favourite dish? The culinary team will  go above and beyond to create a memorable dining experience or cook up something to  your preference. At the luxurious Merana spa, ask the specialists to tailor a wellness or spa  journey to help you relax and rejuvenate. The friendly and caring ‘yes we can’ attitude of the  staff is what keeps Vakkaru Maldives at the top of the rankings in the region. 

Engaging Experiences: Leaving your villa might be hard, but the vast array of experiences  on offer are impossible to ignore. Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach, go  snorkelling or diving, or try your hand at water sports, Vakkaru Maldives has something for  everyone. The over water Merana spa, with its long list of wellness programmes, therapeutic  massages, and Siddhalepa Ayurvedic treatments, is just the place to reset body, mind and  soul. 

The dive centre will get you up close and personal with the lagoon’s fabulous underwater  world. Or, even arrange a safari to catch a glimpse of the Baa Atoll Big Five – manta rays,  whale sharks, sea turtles, dolphins, and the multitude of sharks that inhabit the surrounding  waters. Sports aficionados can go up against the tennis pro from Tipsarevic Luxury Tennis  or enjoy a game of padel tennis. Or, live the high life with a Baa Atoll discovery tour aboard  the luxury yacht, complete with Champagne and canapes. Also available are various cultural  experiences, such as cooking and mixology classes, trips to local islands and more. And finally, guest can renew their vows or plan an island-style ceremonial wedding at one of  the idyllic venues around the island. The stunning ocean views make it the perfect backdrop  to say “I Do”. 

Delicious Dining: Nobody goes hungry at this island resort. Six exquisite dining options  serve the flavours and textures of Europe, Asia and local cuisine, with produce from the on island organic farm at the centre of the delicious fare. If that’s not enough, there is the  Maldivian-inspired cooking class at the Organic Farm, teppanyaki live action at Anguru, the  new Jungle Cinema and private dining experience, or an intimate dinner under the stars on a  private sandbank. For something extra special, there are gourmet dinners at the award- winning Vakkaru Reserve wine cellar paired with Old and New World vintages by Sommelier  Ivan Zugic. 

These five reasons are why the resort has kept adding awards to its trophy case over the  years. The top accolades are the World Travel Awards for World’s Leading Luxury  Honeymoon Resort and Indian Ocean’s Leading Suite (Vakkaru Over Water Residence) for  three consecutive years. Other awards that make the list are the Tripadvisor Traveller’s  Choice Awards, where Vakkaru is now ranked #7 in the Maldives, the Wine Spectator Award  2020 for the private wine cellar, Vakkaru Reserve, and the No. 1 Favourite Family Hotel in  the 2021 Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards. 

“Celebrating our 5th anniversary is a proud moment for all of us at Vakkaru Maldives. Over  the past half-decade, the team has been striving to deliver our guests the best service and  experience. I hope we have created exceptional memories for our guests and experiences  that will stay with them for a lifetime. I’d also like to give my amazing team who have been a  part of this wonderful journey a high five,” Iain McCormack, General Manager, Vakkaru  Maldives, said. 

For reservations and general information, visit vakkarumaldives.com or contact  [email protected]. For real-time updates, follow the resort on Facebook at  facebook.com/vakkarumaldives, Instagram @vakkarumaldives and Twitter @vakkarumaldives.