Brummell recommends: Jumeirah Olhahali Island

Believe the hype, this island resort is setting the standard when it comes to personalised experiences

Travel and Wellbeing 22 Jan 2025

Beachside and overwater villas on Jumeirah Olhahli Island

It may be a cliché to say the Maldives is the most beautiful place on Earth but once you visit there is no other way to describe it. On arrival we were welcomed by two porters who led us to our own private speedboat, just one of the guest perks in store for those visiting Jumeirah Olhahali Island. We were whisked away through waves of turquoise blue before arriving at our idyllic destination.

Olhahali is the definition of a Maldivian paradise. With 67 water and beachside villas, a suspended-over-ocean spa, three restaurants and a gelateria, it has all the ingredients for a luxurious wellness retreat.

It’s hard to believe that only two days before our arrival, the Maldives had suffered from torrential rain (a signal that monsoon season had begun). ‘You’ve brought the best of the weather,’ our porter Nooh tells us, which doesn’t seem likely considering we’d left a dreary London just 11 hours before. Here, it is picture-perfect. Right down to the white sand and lapping crystal-clear waters. Everywhere you look there is a source of natural beauty, from swaying palms and noni fruit trees to coral reefs and coconut borders.

Double bed sun loungers around a pool

Guests can snorkel with in-house marine biologist Andreia Tami Akaki to see colourful seabeds, eagle rays, tropical fish and nurse sharks. There are even coral-planting workshops as part of the island’s coral restoration programme, which launched back in 2019. Bringing about positive change, this project leans into a growing popular travel trend of ecotourism, helping with guilt-free long-distance travel. The island’s chief gardener, Wajeeh, explains how ‘every single drop of water is recycled and reused’ and that they rely on natural insect and mosquito repellents by planting frangipani around the island – a green-thumb trick we immediately put to the test when we got home.

Other popular adventure excursions include a jet-ski safari, a semi-submarine adventure, water sports and various themed events throughout the year. 

However, you would be forgiven for spending all your time in close proximity to your villa. With a living room, double bedroom, the dreamiest bathroom you’ll ever see, plus a private deck, swimming pool and roof terrace, our villa could have been taken straight from the fourth season of The White Lotus – and we did not want to tear ourselves away. Not to mention the superior customer service, from your own dedicated island host (who can be reached by smartphone, provided by Jumeirah Olhahali Island) to pillow and mattress menus. The personal touches really bring this island resort into a whole new league of luxury.

Sun loungers on private terrace, overlooking the ocean

Experiences can also be arranged. After arriving back from dinner at Glow (more on that later) we were welcomed to our own cinema screening of Clueless – because what else would you watch on a tropical island? – taking place on the rooftop of our villa, underneath the stars, complete with bean bags and popcorn. On the wellness side, sunrise yoga sessions and a guided Tibetan sound healing bowl meditation will leave you in a state of complete zen. And if that doesn’t do the trick, there’s the Talise Spa.

With six overwater treatment rooms, the spa takes a holistic approach to guests’ wellbeing with a selection of massages, facials and body care treatments available. Guests are recommended to book in advance of the holiday but there is the occasional last-minute appointment for those lucky enough. 

We were among the lucky ones, and it was an experience that can only be described as transformative. After filling out a questionnaire detailing health history, concerns and desired results we were led to an overwater treatment villa where every kink was smoothed out by our therapist, along with a coconut oil hair mask and body care treatment for some quintessentially British sunburn. A parrotfish made a very special guest appearance, gliding past a floor window while we were on the massage table. All too quickly our hour-long session was over, but we were left to bask in the ocean views, wrapped in a robe for a few more minutes before enjoying a delicious ginger tea back at reception.

Speaking of delicious, if food is high on your agenda when it comes to travel, Peruvian and Japanese Nikkei restaurant Kayto offers plates of velvety wagyu beef and marinated seafood that are a testament to chef de cuisine Mauricio’s talents. Born in Argentina, Mauricio explains that every dish has an alternative to suit guests’ needs – even if it’s simply a personal preference for Italian, Thai or South African – recipes can be adapted to suit. But with flavours such as these, who needs to substitute? 

Just adjacent is Glow, an all-day dining restaurant with a buffet and à la carte menu. For breakfast, think lemon blueberry pancakes, chia granola bowls and, of course, the traditional Maldivian local reef fish curry. Or get it delivered to your private pool to experience the famous floating breakfast: almond croissants, waffles, streaky bacon and platters of meat and cheese all served on a heart-shaped tray. You might say indulgent… we say very necessary for immersing yourself in island life. 

Ocean side dining table in all-day dining restaurant Glow

In a matter of days, we felt we had achieved a state of recovery that usually takes us weeks. Even now, whenever an overcrowded Tube or a broken umbrella gets us in a tizzy, all we have to do is look at our photo gallery and remember the soft rippling of waves and burnt orange sunsets to bring back a calm that only comes with spending a week in paradise. It’s this power that, in our opinion, makes Jumeirah Olhahali Island the most beautiful place on Earth. 

A one-bedroom villa with pool starts at £864 a night, including breakfast; jumeirah.com