International

The Newly Renovated St. Regis Maldives is Back With a Padel Court and More Refined Services

Robb Report India celebrated nine years of St. Regis Vommuli Resort with the team in the Maldives. Here is everything that unfolded at the celebrations, and what St. Regis loyalists can look forward to next.

St. Regis Maldives
The resort has revamped its two-bedroom family villa, adding an extra living room and a larger pool.Image courtesy: St. Regis Maldives

Once your seaplane descends in the private waters of The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, you know you’ve officially disconnected from the regular world. The sky shifts shades through the day, handing you one painting at a time. The water moves rhythmically, creating a natural soundtrack. The staff greets you with warm smiles. The accommodation feels like home yet entirely otherworldly, because you are looked after in a way you can’t possibly think of.

“Welcome to paradise, you won’t want to go back,” says the team, in sync. I sip on fresh coconut water plucked from the gardens, I am told. My butler guides me to the buggy and to my overwater villa, ready to commence an exquisite holiday.

Nine Years of Paradise

St. Regis Maldives
St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is located on an exclusive, 9-hectare island in the Dhaalu Atoll of the Republic of Maldives. Velana International Airport (MLE), can be reached by seaplane in 45 minutes.Image courtesy: St. Regis Maldives

It is a special time on the island, the resort celebrates nine years. The celebration is intimate and full of heart. As I walk to the beachside party, a group of local performers dance to Maldivian classics, their foot-tapping rhythms instantly drawing me in. Food stations line another corner, offering the best from across cuisines, Japanese, Asian, Chinese, enough to thrill the food lover in me.

St. Regis Maldives
The resort offers six different culinary experiences with Alba, Decanter, T Pan, The Whale Bar, Cargo, Crust and Craft, and Orientale.Image courtesy: St. Regis Maldives

In a quieter spot, the St. Regis’ team has displayed artwork created by local school children around coral preservation, a cause the resort takes seriously. Their passion is palpable. We talk about coral life, and they invite me to snorkel the next day to experience their restoration efforts firsthand. I agree instantly, and it turns out to be one of the most surreal experiences of my life.

Back at the celebration, the night unfolds with more music, more laughter, and great food. The moon shines unusually bright that evening, and I find myself gazing at it long after the festivities. As I walk back, I promise myself to burn off the feast by biking the next morning. Which I do, happily losing track of time while cycling through the beautiful property surrounded by lush greens.

Always Evolving at the St. Regis

St. Regis Maldives
The resort has 33 on-land and 44 overwater villas.Image courtesy: St. Regis Maldives

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort continues to be one of the most loved luxury addresses for discerning travellers, and the team ensures they keep evolving for the guests who return year after year. This season, the resort revamped its two-bedroom family villa, a thoughtful accommodation option for families who come to the Maldives to unwind together. The villa now has a living room and a bigger pool.

On the culinary front, while Alba, Decanter, Orientale, and T Pan are already favourites, the resort now adds Cargo, a new dining space celebrating flavours from Sri Lanka, India, and the Maldives. And beyond food and stay, the resort elevates its recreational offerings. There’s a new padel court, complementing their existing tennis court. With padel becoming a global phenomenon, it only makes sense to bring it to this island.

An Exquisite First Stay

St. Regis Maldives
Image courtesy: St. Regis Maldives

This was my first time in the Maldives, and my first time at St. Regis. Firsts are always difficult to explain, and even more so when they come wrapped in details that make them unforgettable.

For me, it began with the delight of finding several vegetarian options at Alba for breakfast and at The Whale Bar, where I spent my evenings. I wanted to make the most of my short vacay, and I did, from yoga to spa therapies to snorkelling to cycling, and meditation.

What do you want after an eventful day when all you crave is your bed? A warm bath prepared for you overlooking the dark waters, the moon casting its glow across them, or personalised chocolates to enjoy as you flip through your book. Or a beautifully turned-down bed with a sweet note and a thoughtful gift waiting on your pillow. The team’s thoughtfulness behind each gesture is a reminder of St. Regis’ signature high-touch service.

As I bid adieu to the property, I realise that you don’t come here solely for the brand’s signature luxury, but for the warmth, attentiveness, and unwavering dedication of a team committed to making every moment of your Maldivian escape unforgettable.