The variegated blues of the ocean meeting the gleaming white sand of the land, shaded with an envelope of dense green foliage was the bird’s eye view of the Four Seasons’s Landaa Giraavaru island in the Baa Atoll Unesco Biosphere Reserve from the bold yellow and black luxury eight-seater Flying Triggerfish seaplane that transported us from the Male International Airport on a 40-minute ride. Upon arrival, we were greeted with a welcome card. Mine read: “Welcome to paradise…”
I have not experienced a stay in paradise, but the pampered two-day stay in this 44-acre property surely compares to the idea of bliss that the word ‘paradise’ communicates. This Four Seasons’s property welcomed us into the lap of nature to experience the haven of holistic wellness and healing that it is while enjoying a five-star luxury stay. Conservation, innovation and nature lie at the heart of the experiences and activities in this wonderland.
AyurMa Sourced by the Telegraph
AyurMa Spa Sourced by the Telegraph
The Stay
Baa Atoll is a UNESCO-recognised biosphere reserve for its rare biodiversity. Aligned with the location, recreation, relaxation and wellness are ideas that define the stay in Landaa. With over 11 different categories of rooms to experience various views and the comfort of the stay, we chose our stay at the premier oceanfront bungalow with a pool.
The interiors, a blend of contemporary resort luxuries and ancient Maldivian house architecture, allowed us to experience island life in the best way possible. Each bungalow gives a feel of privacy, being secluded from one another. High-thatched roofs, traditional coral walls and lush gardens add to the traditional island life experience further.
The stay was a joy not only because the chirping birds woke us up from sleep each morning and the creaking crickets lulled us to sleep after hopping geckos accompanied us on our way back to the room each night, but also because of the sunbath on the private sundeck, the relaxing Indian Ocean view from the room and the private pool, the room access to the shoreline and the traditional Maldivian outdoor shower attached with each bungalow. Amenities included free Wi-Fi, pool, spa and fitness facilities, and 24-hour in-room d
Therapy spots amidst nature at AyurMa Sourced by the Telegraph
Yoga Therapy Sourced by the Telegraph
Holistic Healing and Wellness
The focus of Four Seasons’s Landaa Giraavaru resort lies in providing guests with an unmatched experience of a healing and wellness retreat. With experts in hair, skin and body treatments associated with the resort, and yoga and ayurveda specialists from India as a part of its team, the resort is an oasis for body and mind healing and wellness.
Ayurveda, Yoga Therapy, Wellness and Planetary Wellbeing are the four important pillars that support AyurMa, the spa, wellness and healing centre at the resort. The idea is to reset the awareness and embrace a path balanced with health, harmony and happiness to love oneself, others and the
Om Supti Night Spa set-up Sourced by the Telegraph
Sunrise Yoga Sourced by the Telegraph
Planetary Wellbeing
Planetary Wellbeing as a wellness program involves processes of naturopathy or the belief in nature’s ability to heal. The retreat involves personal consultation for choosing the right lifestyle, experiences, group activities and understanding of the natural world. Daily group activity includes the gratitude ritual of seeking Earth’s blessing through song, dance and mindfulness. Another interesting experience in this category is the moon yoga that we had a chance to experience during our stay.
Sitting on a deck above the turquoise lagoon, combined with the soothing effect of the ocean breeze, the full moon or new moon yoga meditation is a set of flowing yoga poses that help in building physical, energetic and emotional resistance and a process to achieve absolute peace by clearing energy fields and recharging. After an easy and relaxed deep sleep post the moon yoga session, our morning started early on the next day with some breathing exercises at AyurMa, a forest walk followed by a beach yoga session on the Blu Beach, which is also a part of Planetary Wellbeing.
Other healing practices in Planetary Wellbeing include the five elements trail involving five stops to focus on the five elements — earth, fire, space, air and water; mud therapy, acupuncture and moxibustion, and hydrotherapy.
The stone tub bath at AyurMa Sourced by the Telegraph
With sleep being compromised often for most of us due to busy schedules, the Night Spa in this category comes to the rescue for improving sleep by putting the body and mind in a deep meditative state by calming the nervous system and reducing stress. It is a one-of-a-kind experience, in which the therapist takes the guest on a retreat into the private jungle to experience an outdoor bath and relax on a swinging bed and then starts the process by restoring inner equilibrium and a soothing moondrop therapy to unite the energetic flow between the seven main chakras. The body’s sleep centre is harmonised with facial therapy and an inner peace bath in a stone tub at AyurMa.
Ayurveda
The island is scattered with exercise spots like this Sourced by the Telegraph
Ayurveda embraces natural living based on the 5,000-year-old Vedic science and its quest for a balanced life by harmonising internal energies through diet, herbal remedies and lifestyle modification. Guests are allowed a complimentary consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor to identify the unique properties of their bodies. Ayurvedic treatments include 120-minute massages like energising massage, herbal powder massage, warm herbal oil massage, herbal milk and warm rice poultice massage for muscle strength and skin nourishment, warm medicated oil massage and warm herbal, spices and oil massage. Focused therapies of 30 minutes are done to address issues like digestion or congestion. The detoxifying bath is also a part of this therapy category. The Panchakarma, an intensive 14-21 days full body cleansing and rejuvenating program, is also offered with complete guidance.
Yoga
Anti-gravity yoga Sourced by the Telegraph
The yoga therapies at AyurMa target specific ailments as well as common issues, like immunity building, stress management, diabetes, spinal care and addiction management. Yoga sessions are available in groups or private class and include antigravity yoga, aqua yoga, aqua float yoga, pregnancy yoga and yoga energy trail, a 75-minute session, including breathing, stretching, toning, strengthening and jogging around 15 outdoor stations and pilates. Guests can practise with live stream sessions from home after returning from their stay and can also approach doctors for private consultation.
Wellness
Wellness at AyurMa refers to mindful self-care, connection with self and outer world through alignment rituals, involving seven extraordinary multi-faceted treatments that open and align the body’s chakras or energy centres for optimal emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual balance. The 120-150 minute rituals including scrubbing, massaging, shower and yoga help one to align with Earth, joy, power, love, truth, intuition and wisdom. There are specially curated rituals for women, kids, families, teens or moms-to-be incorporating nurturing treatments to tap into the energy of the mind and body.
Arun K. Tomson, director of AyurMa and naturopathic physician. “Every experience at AyurMa is woven through a reverent connection to nature. From ayurvedic herbs to our daily rituals, we celebrate the Earth’s ability to heal us and our capability to heal her in return,” said Arun K. Tomson, director of AyurMa. Sourced by the Telegraph
Nikhil Natayil, ayurvedic physician Sourced by the Telegraph
Pampering Session
The AyurMa Spa offers a variety of massages at its ocean-view spa rooms. We were pampered with the special Landaa massage, an energising and relaxing restorative massage that was effective in relieving body aches. Other messages available include Thai, Five Elements, Pregnancy and Anti-cellulite. Other services include high-tech wellness at skincare expert Teresa Tarmey’s resort studio on Landaa, a brand trusted by the likes of Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss, Julianne Moore; non-invasive face and body therapies; laser body contouring, salon and beauty services; and the Rossano Ferretti Hair Spa.
Experiences and activities
Relaxation and recreation go hand in hand at Landaa Giraavaru. Activities and experiences at the resort can be attended privately, in groups and through pre-booking where applicable. Starting from adventure activities in the ocean to romantic experiences for couples, like photography sessions, sunrise and sunset fishing, dolphin cruises and cinema under the stars, the resort has an exhaustive list of things to explore.
Girinathan Panicker, naturopathic physician Sourced by the Telegraph
We enjoyed a tour of the Marine Discovery Centre, watching fish breeding and feeding of rescued turtles. We gave in to the fun of the Hologram Room experience at the Marine Discovery Centre. In what is credited as Maldives’s first Hologram room, we participated in fun games as a group to discover marine life and the ocean surface through a 3D screen.
Apart from relaxing at the private accommodation, guests can spend their relaxing hours at the Seawater pool, Infinity pool, Blu pool, and let the children have a fun time in the children’s pool if they want an entirely relaxed vacation devoid of activities. The resort shop, gym and library are also spots to chill. Ice cream on the Blu Beach every afternoon is an experience not to be missed as it surely elevates the joy of the chill scenes on the beach.
Marine Discovery Centre Sourced by the Telegraph
Sip and bite
When it comes to food and drink, the resort had ample options for us to pamper our taste buds. Reaching Landaa around the afternoon, our exploration of the resort’s gastronomical delights started with sunset cocktails at Cafe Landaa which gives the best sunset view in the resort, followed by dinner. The chefs at Cafe Landaa made our first dinner on the island memorable with a Chinese dragon dance and lantern-themed table set-up and served a specially curated menu featuring Chinese and Asian dishes.
The next morning, post the beach yoga session, an elaborate buffet breakfast greeted us at Cafe Landaa, done up pretty with thatched roofs and reflecting ponds. Asian and local cuisine are specialities of their kitchen. With many Indian chefs in Cafe Landaa’s kitchen, the craving for Indian delicacies or home-cooked flavours was easily fulfilled by just asking and they brought it to the table like genies.
Sip and bite options at Al Barakat, Seabar, Cafe Landaa and Blu Beach Club Sourced by the Telegraph
Sourced by the Telegraph
Sourced by the Telegraph
Sourced by the Telegraph
A light lunch of fresh salads and an array of Italian cuisine dishes made the lunch experience at the Blu Beach Club memorably relaxing, with the ocean breeze calming the mind and the different patches of the ocean blues surrounding the cafe soothing the eyes. This all-day hangout with the blue colour-themed decor is a pretty place to chill at any time of the day. Cabana set-up by its poolside adds to the laze-around experience. The menu featuring Neapolitan pizza and authentic gelatos has been curated in collaboration with Michelin-distinguished Italian chef Gaetano Trovato. The Blu Bar, a beachfront bar, was the perfect stop for keeping ourselves hydrated by sipping exotic juices, tropical cocktails or coconut water.
Dinner was set up elaborately at the mesmerising Al Barakat and Shisha Lounge to treat our taste buds to Lebanese and Arabian flavours. Chefs also serve flavours of Morocco and Armenia at this overwater indoor and outdoor rooftop restaurant decorated vibrantly with glasswork lanterns. Turkish coffee, cocktails and shisha are also specialities that one could try.
Feugo Grill, along the shoreline, serves the catch of the day fished by the resort team as well as a wide selection of organic and prime-cut meats, salads and Asian dishes. The Seabar, on the ocean-bound deck, is the perfect spot to try the beverages while admiring the view of the lemon sharks and reef fish swimming in schools in the turquoise waters below the deck. The resort also arranges private dining experiences at scenic spots with customised menus, keeping variations of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and ayurvedic-approved options to choose from.
Efforts in sustainability
The resort’s choice of sustainable operation makes the stay more meaningful. Guests can travel around the property on bicycles parked outside their rooms or call for electric buggies. The electricity in the resort is operated with the installation of one of Maldives’s largest resort-based solar installations. The use of biodegradable products and running the kitchens with garden herbs and fish and seafood sourced from sustainable, local sources show the resort’s effort towards sustainable operations.