This is the first Maldivian resort of its type located south of the equator. Villingili island has more than six kilometers of picturesque beach, but it is one of the smaller islands in a large atoll.
Of the other islands, five are connected by seventeen kilometers of paved road. Exploration of the few settlements located on this trail, especially on a bike, is an unexpected attraction in the Maldives.
Another unusual feature of the island is its lush, dense forest: the island is covered by twelve hectares of coconut and fig trees, as well as forty-five other plant species. And there is a natural freshwater lake on the island, too—not something you normally associate with the Maldives.
Shangri-La made an effort to keep the vegetation and trees intact when building the resort: to avoid cutting threes down the villas were built around the trunks. Some are built as “treehouses”—another first in the Maldives.
The Maldives is often associated with the romantic holiday and the islands are particularly popular with honeymooners—but the Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa is designed for families with children (we recommend the two-bedroom villa). But that’s not the only thing differentiating the Villingili property from other luxury Maldivian resorts.
The hotel has a spa, two bars, three restaurants, and the Dine by Design: dinners served in unusual places (e.g. when crossing the equator, on a luxury yacht).
This would not be a Maldivian hotel without good water sports and great diving, with a dramatic 140-meter long wreck of the British ship, which lies just a few minutes by boat from the island.
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Categories: Barefoot luxury, Beach resorts, Eco travel, Family vacation, Honeymoon, Island resorts, Luxury resorts, Modern design, Private villas, Quiet location, Relaxing vacation, Romantic, Secluded location, Shangri-La Hotels, Spa, Tropical vacation, Wedding hotels,
Number of rooms & suites: 142 villas
Rate per night: From $825 USD
*The rate is only approximate and is based on our own independent research, at the time of writing. We cannot guarantee the rate in any way.
Check room rates and bookAuthor: Travel+Style. Last updated: 29/11/2019