This Overwater Villa in the Maldives Will Make You Want to Book a Trip Stat
Our column "The Best Room At" offers a glimpse inside some of the most charming, luxurious, and iconic properties around the world.
As one of the very first luxury hotels to open in the Maldives more than three decades ago, Baros has since cemented its reputation as a luxury hospitality pioneer in the region-and it has also amassed a loyal following of guests who return year after year.
So what is it about the resort that sets it apart from all the others? Well, for starters, there’s a sense of intimacy that you feel immediately upon arrival. Unlike many larger, more vast properties in the Maldives, Baros is decidedly boutique, with just 75 rooms. It’s located on a fairly small island that’s easy to navigate on foot-there are no bikes, golf carts, or motorized water sports-which is all part of the hotel's effort to keep the experience as peaceful and relaxing as possible.
And yet, despite Baros’ commitment to low-key luxury, everything about staying here is five-star. The thoughtfulness and attention to detail can be seen all throughout the property-from the cuisine to the impressive wine list-and the staff goes to great lengths to ensure that guests (quite literally) don’t lift a finger. When you’re offered a cold water bottle, for instance, they’ll make a point of loosening the cap before handing it to you; when you sign up for snorkeling with the hotel’s marine biologist, she might just bring an underwater camera to snap photos-and then provide you with a thumb drive filled with images the next day.
Beyond the service, there’s also the fact that the property itself is breathtakingly beautiful. Overwater villas stand on stilts above crystal clear turquoise water, while beach villas come with their own private strip of sand and sea. The convenience of getting here, too, is another selling point. We recommend flying to Male via Hong Kong in Cathay Pacific's Business Class (if you can swing it). From there, Baros is just a 20-minute ride-and the hotel's speedboat will pick you up the second you land, so there's no time wasted. Comparatively, many other properties in the Maldives require transfers via seaplane that make multiple stops.
Below, the hotel’s General Manager Ahmed ‘Jay’ Jihad shares everything you need to know about Baros-including the best room to book when you go.
BOOK NOW Baros Maldives
Describe the hotel in a sentence.
Baros reflects heartfelt Maldivian hospitality making guests feel right at home from the minute they step on the island-a place that’s far away from the pressures of modern life, but close enough for a restorative and refined high-end vacation.
Which room is the best?
The newly introduced Baros Suite. Each suite is composed of 200sqm features a spacious, luxurious bedroom, a concealed, semi open-air bathroom and a large living area with sliding glass doors opening on to a wooden deck with sun loungers and dining area. In addition, it has a swimming pool and a thatched gazebo with a traditional swing overlooking the ocean. It is a haven of seclusion, especially created to maintain the utmost privacy and tranquility.
Why?
The Baros Suites are designed for guests to enjoy the freedom of space as well as the inspiration of tropical tranquility and a chance to relax in solitude. A winding pathway through the lush foliage leads to these exclusive suites, which feature wooden floors and high ceilings in a traditional Maldivian concept. At the foot of the king-size bed is an ottoman concealing a television screen; on one side there is a work desk and on the other, a cozy reading nook. In the adjoining lounge, there is a 55” television. Sliding glass doors open onto an expansive wooden deck, ideal for sunbathing or private dining under the stars. There’s also a 19 ft swimming pool (which has a hot and cold Jacuzzi) adorned with fiber optic lights for a magical ambience in the evening.
Guests staying in a Baros Suite benefit from a dedicated butler on call at all times and a bottle of champagne and fruit platter on arrival.
What's the average nightly rate?
We have dynamic rates that vary from season to season.
Who is your typical guest?
Baros guests have exceptionally high standards but are generally undemanding – they expect the best and reward it with loyalty. They relish variety, but are also deeply comforted by warm familiarity – for them, true relaxation means feeling completely at home.
What's one local recommendation you always give first-time visitors?
The vibrant underwater marine life of Baros house reef is claimed to be one of the healthiest and better preserved in the Maldives. Surrounded by a sandy beach only 15 meters from the shore, it gives life to the most rich and colorful community of marine species. It is bright with colors, fish, turtles, rays and living coral.
On the culinary experience side, The Lighthouse, our fine dining overwater restaurant, is really a must. It features elaborate seafood dishes as well as modern fusion cuisine with a touch of Asian and Mediterranean influences. We also offer private dining on a remote sandbank, and on an unusual Piano Deck in the lagoon.
Can you share an interesting tidbit about the hotel's history?
Few visitors to the Maldives know about the rich heritage and fascinating past that bind 1,192 coral islands isolated in the Indian Ocean together as a nation. Baros Maldives is one of these, and a Maldivian entrepreneurial success story that started in 1973, being the third Baros Holiday Resort with 28 rooms on an uninhabited island that was previously a coconut palm plantation. Baros Maldives was also the second hotel to introduce the Water Villa.
Lindsay Silberman is Town & Country’s jetsetting Contributing Editor. She chronicles her travels on her blog and on Instagram to an audience of 148K. Check out her full guide to the Maldives here.
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