The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives

"Why book? To rethink the staid romantic cliches. Born from star-studded Hollywood roots and having conquered cities like New York, Miami, and London, The Standard brings a rare sense of irreverent cool to the Maldives. For the crowd that prefers a bath with a disco ball over candles and rose petals. Set the scene It’s tradition for hotels in the Maldives to welcome guests with a fresh coconut to drink. Of course, not at The Standard. Instead coconut ice cream, packaged in red popsicle pouches branded with the hotels’ purposely upside down logo, are handed out upon arrival. Naturally, this is a Maldives resort that does things differently—the typical cream-covered and thatched roof signatures of the region are replaced with brightly colored murals and neon pink pool floats. This playful spririt attracts an international mix of not just couples and families but also groups of friends. All come together on the beach in the evenings to sip orange and cinnamon piña coladas while a DJ plays chilled house music as a suitably colorful sunset unfolds. The backstory The very first Standard hotel opened to an A-list fanfare and a sex, drugs, and rock‘n’roll reputation on Los Angeles’s Sunset Strip in the late 1990s. Hotel magnet Andre Balazs was the developer, Leonardo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz were amongst the original investors. Since then the boutique brand has expanded to the buzziest locations—The High Line and East Village in New York, Miami, London, and Ibiza. In 2019 the brand introduced its downtown cool to the natural island of Huruvalhi in the Raa Atoll, with New York-based designed Matthew GoodRich transforming an old hotel setup via bright pops of color and large-scale artworks by Rostarr. The rooms As you approach the overwater villas from the island, each exterior features a variation of sunset shades—yellow, orange, and pinks. As you leave the villas, the exterior walls are cool tones of blues and greens. This clever trick is just one example of The Standard’s exuberant personality. Another lies inside the villas' open-air bathrooms, where a disco ball presides over a supersized bathtub that’s more akin to a round paddling pool. Glass bottom floors in the overwater villas mean you can wave to the friendly reef sharks as you have a bathroom boogie. Neon pink lined beds are backed by an ‘activity wall’ featuring white snorkels, life vests, and a matching neon pink pool ring. Instead of the typical sand-colored tones and shell tchotchkes typical of the region, rooms have a cheery sunshine yellow feature wall and a table with a white ukulele. Outside, an infinity Jacuzzi plunge pool overlooks either the ocean or lagoon—for total privacy opt for an Ocean view villa. Beach villas also offer good privacy, tucked away between palm trees. Food and drink Mornings start with freshly prepared eggs, tropical fruit, and proper coffee topped with fish foam art in the breezy beachside all-day restaurant, Kula. Or you can order in to your villa, or more specifically to your villa’s plunge pool, with a full breakfast spread served on a floating tray. For supper the options are equally scenic—either on the beach or overwater. At beachside restaurant BBQ Shack, tables sit right on the sand and underneath the stars, with lanterns strung between palm trees adding to the magical atmosphere. Expect uber-fresh tropical flavours—coconut flesh salad, beef brisket, and Cajun tiger prawns grilled to perfection over coconut shell charcoal. On the other side of the island, Gudagudaguda—cheekily named after the sound that shisha makes—sits overwater and offers an authentically Maldivian experience. Opt for one of the traditional low tables outside with floor cushion seats. Highlights on the menu include reef fish cooked in banana leaves, coconut chapati with tuna sambal, and a whole range of curries with just the right spice level. The spa Adults only, overwater and colorful, The Standard Spa takes a laidback do-it-yourself approach to wellness that’s perfectly suited to the hotel’s brand of cool and the island location. Guests are free to use the communal Hammam, cypress aroma steam room and spa deck—complete with sun lounges, swim up bar, and floor hammocks. Facials use Organic Pharmacy products, while massages offer a choice or oils based on your mood. The spa is also where you'll find a full program of yoga and mediation ranging from aerial yoga to Thai Chi and even sound healing sessions. The service Laidback in all the right ways. From restaurant staff to the housekeepers, everyone is keen to approach in a genuinely friendly and helpful manner without feeling forced. Our villa butler Shaan, a Maldivian who lives on an island nearby, made a point to check in on us regularly, whether to say hello at breakfast or to share the days’ activity options—yoga classes or movie nights—via Whatsapp. Staff were also particularly enthusiastic to greet our toddler, who while shy at first, was won over by the end of the trip via high-fives and coconut ice cream. For families All villas come with two banquette seats in the lounge that easily double as kid’s beds. Two bedroom options are also available overwater and on the beach. At the kids club, hidden amongst lush tropical gardens, ages four and above can gather for a daily roster of activities including kids yoga, coconut painting, and volleyball games. Club rooms are comfortably air conditioned and decorated with vibrant murals. Outside, the playground area has multiple slides plus a trampoline, ball pit, and kids pool. At the restaurants, little guests can order from the dedicated three course kid’s menu, with their meals smartly prioritized to avoid any hangry moments. Eco effort All the usual sustainable efforts typical of the region have been made—rooms free of single use plastic, glass bottled drinking water that’s been treated on the island plus the use of solar panels and low wattage LED bulbs. The property also operates a composter on the nearby island of Vadhoo to help reduce waste and enrich the soil for the hotel fruit and vegetable gardens. Accessibility The whole hotel is wheelchair-accessible, including the overwater villas. Anything else? There are more disco balls…the largest in the Maldives in fact, which presides over a see-through dance floor at the overwater Beru Bar. Come for the spectacular sunset views and stay for a dance and late night sushi." - Lauren Burvill