Ally Wybrew heads to the Maldives to experience a spa in total seclusion at the edge of the UNESCO-protected Baa Atoll.
Where is it?
The ultra-exclusive, The Nautilus, boasts an equally exclusive location on the tiny island of Thiladhoo, at the edge of the UNESCO-protected Baa Atoll. Guests arrive via a 55-minute seaplane from Malé to a floating dock at nearby Amilla Fushi, where the 30-metre Nautilus One yacht whisks them to the resort in under 10 minutes.
The Nautilus’ proximity to one of the country’s most protected marine sites furnishes it with a fantastic house reef – snorkelers can expect shoals of yellow snappers, stripey sweet lips, numerous triggerfish, and even juvenile reef sharks. It’s also just 20 minutes from the famous Hanifaru Bay, the ideal spot to see manta rays feeding up close.
What's the hype?
In the Maldives, The Nautilus has earned its place as a bastion of barefoot luxury. Since opening in 2019, its “timelessness” concept has set a benchmark among Maldivian properties, distinguishing it as a standout among the region’s luxury resorts.
Guests settle into boho-chic beach or over-water houses and residences (not villas) and enjoy a liberating lack of schedule. Guests can opt for the three-bedroom Nautilus Mansion on the beach for something extra special. Fancy a deep-tissue massage at 3am? No problem. Feel like eating breakfast for dinner? Consider it done. Central to its ethos is making guests feel at home, a philosophy that The Nautilus excels in.
The resort’s three restaurants – offering Japanese-Peruvian, Maldivian and international cuisine – have no fixed opening hours. Guests dine where they want, when they want, often enjoying the added luxury of dining alone, thanks to the flexible scheduling that minimizes guest congregation. Dedicated House Masters see to your every need 24 hours a day, from preheating your private pool to your preferred temperature to arranging activities any time of day or night.
Perhaps The Nautilus’ best asset is its near-unparalleled privacy. Properties are strategically ensconced in dense foliage and wooden panelling, drones are prohibited and the island itself is wrapped in the Indian Ocean’s largest "green wall", composed of over 20,000 dhun’gethi bushes. Despite 26 houses and the capacity for 117 guests, you’ll rarely see anyone beyond your house master during your stay.
What to have?
Of all Solasta Spa’s decadent treatments, the Queen’s Facial is a standout—though calling it a "facial" is an understatement. More of an upper-body experience with a focus on the face, this two-hour session includes a gold sugar exfoliation, hot stone massage, scalp massage and a 60-minute facial that literally leaves you sparkling.
While the spa’s therapists bring expertise from Indonesia, Bhutan and India, seek out Yuli and her impeccable hands for this one. Even the gentle sounds of her opening and closing product containers feel like an ASMR dream.
For a full-body indulgence, opt for the Base Layer Spa: a blissful moor mud wrap paired with a pressure-point-focused full-body massage. There’s also an array of wellness treatments designed specifically for kids.
Treatments take place in three over-water rooms, where the soothing scents of lavender and lemongrass set the stage for relaxation. These sessions begin with a steam bath and end with the cocoon-like comfort of impossibly soft sheets on plush massage beds (complete with a glass floor for views of colourful fish). Exclusive Omorovicza creams and Maison Caulières oils, imported from Hungary and France, elevate the experience further.
Best by boat?
Guests can bring their own yachts; The Nautilus can accommodate up to two at a time. These are berthed outside the resort's harbour, near the island’s jetty. thenautilusmaldives.com