A privately-owned island in the heart of a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The Nautilus Maldives promises wonderful luxurious getaways from everyday life.
RESIDENCES
Accommodation at The Nautilus is called ‘houses and residences’ because guests should feel the same levels of comfort and ease as when at home, along with the most spectacular features the Maldives has to offer. Those features include private pools, ocean views from every house, soft sandy beaches encircling dense tropical greenery, and a rich coral reef just metres from the island’s shores. Originally a deserted island – too small at 250m diameter for inhabitation – the tiny island retains many of its original native plants and trees.
FREEDOM
The Nautilus philosophy therefore is one of absolute freedom for its guests, offering a laid-back ‘modern bohemian’ lifestyle where guests can escape from their everyday lives, truly be themselves, and reconnect with their inner being, with nature and with their families – all in a beautiful Maldivian setting. This philosophy has meant rethinking how a luxury resort is run in order to base services around the guest and not follow standard operating procedures. With this in mind, service is driven by the House Captains (butlers), who take care of every detail instead of handing over to receptionists, concierges, excursion guides etc.
Restaurants don’t have set opening hours: breakfast can be taken at any time of day – and not even in the restaurant if the guest prefers breakfast in bed or by their pool. While there will be menus in each of the three restaurants, these are seen as starting points for a discussion with chef about what the guest would like to eat rather than as set guidelines for what can be ordered.
Spa treatments can happen without appointment and if the urge to borrow the resort’s yacht and head out into the blue yonder for a picnic should suddenly strike, the House Captain – one to every guest – will simply arrange everything as needed.
Uniquely in the Maldives, The Nautilus experience begins on the runway at Velana International Airport, where every guest will be taken straight from the plane to a VIP terminal in the airport for a relaxed customs and immigration clearance. From there it’s a short hop to The Nautilus’ own private lounge to await the 35-minute seaplane flight to Baa atoll.
Photos: The Nautilus Maldives