Lux North Male Atoll opens in Olhahali, Maldives
Lux North Male Atoll Resort, a 67-key development by Miaja Design Group, has opened on Olhahali – a six-hectare island in the Maldives. Taking cues from the glamour of boat life, the waters of the Indian Ocean and the adventures of James Bond, the resort features a series of penthouse villas inspired by the curves, lines and finish of a luxury boat and its sails.
Accessed via private speedboat from Male, the residences eschew the traditional thatched-roofed Maldivian style, and are crowned by a private rooftop area. The architecture and interior design of the over-water villas blends super-yacht panache with a South Beach pulse; the constant colour scheme throughout is white with fuchsia.
“When I was thinking of the design concept for the resort, I asked myself: if James Bond wished to escape to a luxury retreat after his adventures, what would it look like?” says Isabelle Miaja, the French designer who headed up the project. “The result is Lux North Male Atoll! I like the idea of James Bond escaping to a private island by speedboat, surrounded by crystal clear water.”
“I chose fuchsia because of its playfulness. It’s a colour that for me relates to the tropics, summer, heat, sexiness, being daring! It’s a colour I associate with being timelessly stylish, and the art deco areas of South Beach, Miami,” Miaja continues.
The details and fittings of the interiors are reminiscent of Riva boats and luxury yachts, with angled, clean lines and intricate craftsmanship. The furniture and fittings are contemporary and all guestrooms come equipped with the latest in technology and connectivity, yet there is still a focus on the simplicity and comfort synonymous with Maldivian island life.
Each of the residences, which sit on the beachfront or over the water, featuring expansive 350m² living areas and boast a choice of spaces to eat, drink, relax – from rooftop areas to the sun terraces that offer panoramas of the Indian Ocean.
For a shaken not stirred cocktail, Barium is a secluded private dining room with an underwater fish tank, eclectic wine tastings and communal chef tables, while Inti is the Peruvian-Japanese restaurant with an open sushi bar. Chef Gaston, the Maldives’ only Peruvian chef, serves smoked guacamole, ceviche and aged meats that reflect tastes from Peru, Argentina, Japan, Ecuador and Mexico.
Glow, meanwhile, showcases the best of European classics, Italian and Spanish delicacies through to South East Asian specialities, while pool-side venue Beach Rouge boasts a wood-fired pizza oven and Josper charcoal grill as well as generous views over the infinity pool and a live DJ.
Elsewhere, there are two swimming pools and a translucent overwater Lux Me Spa, while activities such as diving, water sports, tennis, beach volleyball and private yacht voyages are also available.
