InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, an IHG Hotel

"The team at this private island oasis breaks out all the festive trappings, bringing some holiday magic to the tropics. Ballet performances, fire shows, illusions, a tree lighting, Santa’s arrival, Christmas dinner, and the elements-themed New Year’s Eve party are just a few of the many jolly happenings. The fun doesn’t stop and end with special events. Enchanting decorations and kid-approved activities like themed crafts, pool Olympics, and pirate treasure hunts sweeten the deal." - Lindsay Cohn Lindsay Cohn Lindsay Cohn is a writer, editor, and avid traveler who has visited 45 countries across six continents — and counting. She contributes to Travel + Leisure, Hotels Above Par, InsideHook, Well+Good, T

"A luxury resort in the Maldives featuring overwater bungalows with private infinity pools."

"The InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is one of the high-end properties where you can redeem the IHG Rewards Club Premier card's free night award."

"Why book? For a life-affirming escape that perfectly pairs back-to-nature activities with serious relaxation. Set the scene A 45-minute seaplane ride from Malé, think crystal-clear water, sugar-white sand, and over-water bungalows that are just about as dreamy as they come. Set within its own natural lagoon on the southernmost tip of the Raa Atoll, the ocean stretches out as far as the eye can see, with hardly a blip separating sea, horizon, and sky. Part of the IHG group, the hotel manages to combine the streamlined efficiency one would expect from being part of such a giant conglomerate with the peaceful abandon of a lone island. The backstory Despite having over 6,000 hotels worldwide, this hotel is IHG’s first Maldives hub. It opened in September 2019, so a few lucky guests were able to enjoy one rapturous season before Covid turned the world upside down. It speaks volumes, then, that such a short time after its opening date several guests decided to stay on the island for the duration of lockdown. And, as a result of the hotel’s subdued launch, the island oozes a kind of secret appeal; a place that has the benefit of more than three years' experience, but not a huge amount of media coverage, and definitely no crowds. The rooms There are 81 rooms to choose from, available in three categories. Beach villas fringe the sandy shoreline, hidden behind towering palms and lush greenery and each with giant private pools. The overwater bungalows are pretty special, hovering over lapping waves where guests can stay in total peace and solitude. We stayed in a lagoon villa, which gets the best of both worlds—set around the tranquil lagoon where shoals of colorful fish swim, these residences also have small private pools at the back, where guests can gaze across the reef and out to the horizon. Interiors aren’t hugely inspiring: pared-back design with incongruous splashes of colour that feel more sporadic than considered. However, some lovely touches add personality, nodding to local artisans and Maldivian heritage with beaded lamps, rattan furniture, and hand-woven wallhangings. Food and drink There are six restaurants and bars scattered around the island. Café Umi is the all-day eatery. Here, a breakfast buffet to beat all other buffets is available, with plenty of fruit, a serious pastry section and a daily changing South Asian offering such as Sri Lankan hoppers or Maldivian tuna curry. The Fish Market is a seafood spot with a sea-to-table concept—guests can select their own seafood, which is then cooked with Maldivian flavors and ingredients. The Lighthouse is the most spectacular spot. Climb to the top for 360-degree views of the Indian Ocean for a pre-dinner tipple before descending to the restaurant for Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Those travelling without kids should try adults-only The Retreat for epic cocktails, private cabanas, and infinity pools overlooking the lagoon. The spa There are few problems that a floating spa over the Indian Ocean can’t solve. An in-house team of experts are stationed at the AVI Spa, offering a selection of unique therapies and signature treatments. The spa also has a rotating schedule of visiting practitioners. International wellness consultant Joao Santos was there at the time of our visit. After training at Chiva-Som Academy he began developing his own dry massage practice, combining techniques from different East and West-inspired therapies to create a brand-new form of massage. The back massage felt like a form of targeted sports massage, with a lot of heavy pressure that immediately melts muscle tension. The reflexology was the most spectacular experience; a chart of holistic pressure points designed around each guest’s individual needs. I left feeling physically and emotionally lighter after an hour-long session with nothing but the sound of the waves. There is also a gym and a yoga studio (which looks out over the shore). The service This is what sets the resort apart. The hotel is the first IHG to offers club benefits to all guests, the best part of which is undeniably the curator service. Each residence is allocated a dedicated host who will take care of every whim you could imagine, from collecting you for breakfast in a buggy each morning to arranging water sport activities or planning romantic beachfront dinners. Speaking of which, ask your host to arrange a secluded island picnic—there is a tiny sandbar that disappears and reappears with the changing tide, so guests can spend the afternoon totally alone, surrounded by nothing by the ebbing sea, in a location that no one else has been. The team want guests to feel at home, so they do their homework. Before arriving at the resort, guests fill out a questionnaire covering everything from your favorite movie to your guilty sweet treat of choice. When you turn up at a bar on the island, your favorite drink seamlessly arrives without you having to ask. Each evening when you return to your villa, a different kind of personalized dessert is ready and waiting for you (one guest had a full chocolate cake incarnation of her Dachshund). The hotel truly offers a mastery of expert service, without being overbearing. The area The hotel is located in the Raa Atoll, a region best known for its excellent diving, sailing and surfing spots. Nearby, the Baa Atoll is the Maldives’ first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Stretching across more than 139,000 hectares, Hanifaru Bay is home to coral reefs with colorful shoals of fish, turtles, manta rays, and whale sharks. Eco effort This place takes ocean conservation seriously. The hotel takes part in ‘Green Engage’ initiatives to minimize carbon footprint and is committed to reducing plastic use by 90 percent and glass waste by 80 percent (although no official end-date has been set). There are solar panels installed which produces 15 percent of the resort’s total energy, and they use an ultrafiltration system that recycles and manages waste water efficiently. But the most impressive initiative is the hotel's partnership with the Manta Trust and Ocean Conservation Program. As one of the world’s leading manta ray research organizations, The Manta Trust is dedicated to educating and conserving habitats for these majestic creatures. The hotel hosts marine biologists from the trust to conduct research and take guests on safe and responsible excursions to see them in their natural habitat. As both reef and Oceanic mantas are listed as vulnerable and endangered on the IUCN Red List, the work of this organization is critical and it was a true honor to have been able to swim with these graceful giants alongside scientists who have dedicated their career to helping protect them. Accessibility Being a remote island, accessibility is a tricky nut to crack, but it’s great to see certain hotels working towards ensuring each and every guest is looked after fully. Here, the hotel has specific villas that are fully accessible, sand-friendly wheelchairs and ramps can be set up if required, there are vibrating pillows available for those with hearing difficulties and alarm systems and extra amenities for those with visual impairments. There is still work to be done, but it’s a start. Anything left to mention? Only to continue waxing lyrical about the Manta Trust. Farah Hamdan is the resident manta ray and marine ecologist, and Emily Hoad is the assistant project manager in the Raa Atoll. Both are sparkling bursts of energy and passion—I defy anyone to meet them and not leave feeling nearly as obsessed with manta rays as they are. The marine biologists are also able to take you out on alternative reef excursions, like snorkeling trips to swim alongside some of the other fascinating fish near the island—we saw reef sharks, eagle rays, lobsters, and tiger fish, among a list of 43 others (yes, we counted)." - Olivia Morelli