Do not let them fool you. Islands are not exclusive to couples and honeymooners. Sure what happens on an island is always classified information. But the truth is, islands help break free from stereotypes and embrace promises. Nonetheless, the honeymoon notion will never leave Maldives. Neither should we. Fantasy usually involves living on an island, which is equipped with serenity, is free of responsibility, decked with natural beauty and truthfully, resonates with paradise. Well, welcome to Velaa. What lies between you and a taste of utopian living is just a short distance to be traversed. Most couples have had their best memories on an island where they feel free, blessed and of course complete. The idea is to get away, from daily routine that in an estranged world would cease to exist. Maybe that is how Jiri Smejc and Radka fell in love with the cosmic idea of living on an island, they developed into a world-class resort. “This is a personal story of Jiri Smejc and his wife Radka, who fell in love with Maldives and decided to build a resort of their own. The result is Velaa Private Island, which fulfills their dreams about a perfect place on the Earth,” the welcome note reads. And so it begins. The luxury experience begins at Velaa's scenic lounge at Maldives airport. Their guest service ensures a Mercedes chauffeur service, boarding you on the 45-minute seaplane ride to the island to checking you in at Maldives airport during departure. And seaplanes are a different ball game. The extremely amiable pilots fly you over a series of wild tropical islands making the journey an unforgettable experience. Velaa offers the traditional beauty of an island, but what gives it the edge in the vast Indian Ocean is its ability to create a world where you get the lead role and only you are in charge. Honeymoon or not, there is something greater waiting for you. Inspiration reveals itself under a thousand stars and you can stay up to watch dolphins bathing across your oceanfront villa at sunrise. Many people tend to choose beaches and tropical islands during summer for a change. But then again, everyone ends up at the same spot. And as much as people enjoy the crowded, mostly familiar spots visited by your favorite celebrity or influential list of friends, preferences have now evolved. Some want better. A place untouched, undiscovered in its purest form of regality. With a strongly subjective, Mideast lifestyle that revolves around luxury and essentially- privacy, the GCC client wants that and more. So how about a private island? You can even rent it out. Yes, the entire island. If you want to get away, you should probably choose a different venue than people you follow on social media. Because chances are everyone will be there. For couples that seek privacy, nothing is more personal than a private island. Having established that, Velaa capitalizes on an incredible dream making experience. And they do so, quite well. You can easily walk past world famous celebrities and admire the fact nobody bothers them. The staff maintains a code of confidentiality and caters to the whims of every guest. “Here, everyone is a VIP,” Alex, Velaa's marketing manager told Saudi Gazette. Of course every villa, be it the beachfront or ocean view, is tailor-made to deliver an outstanding experience that does not just consist of an outdoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi and living room areas, you also get a dedicated personalized 24/7 butler service. The staff is extremely polite and goes out of their way to make you feel at home. Velaa is also home to a host of exquisite culinary destinations. Aragu is a fine dining restaurant with a Michelin star chef designed to enrich your culinary experience. You are in for a treat as the chef creates the best options of steak and black cod in Asia, making it a place worth going back to. Tavaru, the Tepanyaki restaurant, is also the highest restaurant in Maldives and is close to Athiri- the all day dining abode that serves a delicious breakfast spread by the ocean with a local live band strumming old rock and soulful songs into the night during dinner. Dedicate time to their spa for an invigorating experience. Partners with My Blend By Clarins, the spa features exclusive My Blend products and treatments by Clarins. Not only do they have an incredible open air Jacuzzi suspended above the ocean, the spa showcases an exclusive “snow room” in Maldives. But enough with the indoor settings, you are there to get a real taste of the ocean. Snorkeling, fishing, watersports, yoga, tennis, squash, semi-submarine and golf- there are a host of exciting activities lined up for the whole family. Much more than any five star hotel property and definitely more than your favorite island. Enjoy unforgettable moments on boards of boats, yachts and jet skis with your friends or loved ones. Snorkel with the resident marine biologist and adopt your own coral dome. The possibilities are endless. And while you are on a journey of self-discovery, remember the words of Rumi: “what you seek is seeking you.” Go with an open mind and embrace what awaits you. Isn't it time to?
