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Hotels The Island of Five Senses: JA Manafaru Maldives
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The Island of Five Senses: JA Manafaru Maldives

The barefoot luxury of JA Manafaru Maldives will help you slow down this summer. Plan an family getaway and be one with nature on this private island.

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By: Pallavi Phukan Published: Apr 18, 2017 11:49 AM IST

The Island of Five Senses: JA Manafaru Maldives

There was dance in my step in the Maldives. Time was measured in footprints on the beach and I was drifting with the soft sound of the waves, carrying music in my pocket, enjoying the feeling of being alone—yet not lonely—on the 35-acre private island, JA Manafaru. By Apeksha Bhateja

“City of stars, are you shining just for me? City of stars, there is so much that I can’t see…”

 

I remember sitting on the wooden walkway outside my water villa, head raised in reverence to the silvery blackboard of stars, following their rays as they touched the inky ocean.I was most calm, most still that night, not worried about the world outside of this panorama. It’s not often that this happens to me; I travel with a vengeance and that can be exhausting sometimes, but the island caught me unawares. In the Maldives, I finally got a chance to catch my breath and the clocks stopped.

 

JA Manafaru
The Water Villa has its own private pool and sundeck.

 

An exclusive resort with 84 villas, suites, and bungalows, JA Manafaru is located on the northern most atoll in the Maldives Haa Alif and the seaplane is the fastest way to reach there. (Most resorts have to share seaplane transfers and sit through multiple stops, but JA guests get their exclusive charter.) I was escorted to the lounge before the flight for light snacks and drinks and very thoughtfully, the staff handed me a sling bag with earplugs, a tablet with information about the Maldives and the resort, and a fan for the airtime. Turned out, I didn’t need any diversions; the view was riveting.It was a stunning display of blues and a tinge of green and white, bringing to mind the range of colour shades that paint companies use on their cards— from azure, sapphire, blueberry, violets to forest green and vanilla.

 

JA Manafaru
Calm Spa at the resort is set amidst lush greens.

 

After 75 minutes of being snuggled in the clouds, the island spread out its fluttering wings for us—an arm of water villas on each side. The resort was built in 2006 and opened the next year, but it went through different owners and management until William Harley-Fleming, General Manager of JA Manafaru, discovered it for Dubai-based JA Resorts and Hotels.

 

“The structures were ideal at the property, but we revamped it to give it a fresher, lighter look as well as redesigned the concepts of all outlets,”he said.The brand spent US$15 million on renovation and refurbishment of the property before they reopened in 2014, but their biggest asset, William believes, is their employees. “Good evening, Ms Apeksha,” my experience host Mangal beamed as he and more associates, including William, and some drummers welcomed us on landing. My introduction to the resort came from my guide and can-make-anything happen host. Our conversations often started with him asking me how I had been and ended with “No problem, Ms Apeksha. I’ll do it,” whether it was bringing back my cycle from the restaurant or opening the Chill Zone (entertainment room) for me after dinner. Steering me in a buggy, Mangal mapped out all the areas.

 

JA Manafaru
Andiamo restaurant and pool.

 

It has soft sand around its periphery, so you can actually walk barefoot along its circumference. It’s interesting that beaches are fidgety and can actually move around the island—imagine coming back to a beach side villa and finding the shore gone, replaced with waters coming to your doorstep. They always ask repeat guests of their room preference and mention this fact.

 

The design of the property allows you to be one with nature. As per the Maldivian law, a resort can only develop 30 per cent of the land, and JA has used just 18 per cent of it; the rest is natural vegetation and untouched landscape.

 

JA Manafaru
The Water Villa has a turquoise colour theme.

 

All restaurants have al fresco dining as well as indoor hear the faint sound of the waves. The water villas go one step ahead and bring the ocean inside. I was staying the Sunrise Water Villa that is decorated in aqua colours. From the floor-to-ceiling windows in the bedroom, I had the first glimpse of the sun poking its head above the waters each morning. I was fascinated with the patch of glass floor in my room—a great spot for in-room spa treatments—where sea creatures often circled. In the bathroom too, the plan was open with a Jacuzzi facing the ocean. There was a plunge pool on the sundeck, but for adventurous swimmers, a ladder led to the vast ocean. I found other animals around too: turtles at the door for the housekeeping requests of ‘clean my room’ and ‘do not disturb’, a plastic duck beside the Jacuzzi, and fish above his and her sinks.

 

JA Manafaru
Sunbeds at the Infinity Pool and Bar.

 

Apart from over water villas, there are other suites and bungalows on the island, hiding amidst plantation and tucked away for utmost discretion. Everyone finds their space on the island and when your path suddenly meets with another guest cycling through the property, you are mildly bewildered, “Where did they come from?” I saw couples and families at the restaurants or near the jetty or by the Infinity Pool, but most times, I was on my own private island. Every evening, I had chocolates on my pillow (there is also a pillow menu for fluff-connoisseurs) and a plan of activities for the next morning. But for that, I had Mangal too, who would call up in the morning and meet me before I retired to confirm my plans and fix my pick-ups. And of course, two bikes were parked outside to help me get around.

 

JA Manafaru
Restaurant Kakuni.

 

“Maldivian men don’t cook,” Executive Chef Moosa Nazeeh told us at the main restaurant Kakuni. An exception to that rule himself, Chef Moosa was hosting a cooking class in Maldivian cuisine, his makeshift kitchen setup on a wooden dhoni (a Maldivian boat). “Maldivians eat coconut, fish, chapatti, and rice. Our cuisine is very similar to Sri Lanka and India and we use the same spices,” he said as he named all herbs and ingredients. Maldivian chilli, one of the hottest in the world, is not cooked, but used at the end, and the curry paste is a staple in dishes. We had for lunch what we helped him cook—tuna salad, fish curry, and drumstick soup, a labour of our love.

 

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Little is produced in the Maldives, so most things come from countries far away. The resort sources fish, lobster, and crabs locally, but fruits and vegetables are from Thailand, and herbs and meats from Australia. They also have a herb garden, which is still a work-in-progress, but soon it will have plenty of veggies and spices for the restaurants. They may even host cooking classes there, I was told. With Indian chefs in the kitchen, breakfast dishes included sambhar and aloo poori. On our last night, the international buffet had a variety of Indian food, along with Asian and Italian. But, the most memorable gastronomic experience was the dinner under the stars, with a dance performance by a local troop on the beach.

 

 

Another spectacular setting is that of The Cellar at the resort, located two-and-a-half metres below sea level, that displays a stellar wine collection. There are 2,800 bottles here, ensconced within stone walls constructed with materials from Indonesia. Guests can have wine and cheese events in the cellar with tastings hosted by a sommelier. Visitors may not realise it, but it really is a luxury to drink in the Maldives since alcohol is illegal in the country and the laws are strict—there are heavy taxes levied on resorts importing alcohol and they must report each bottle to the authorities when it arrives after a long journey.

 

JA Munafaru
The Cellar goes down two-and-a-half metres.

 

A hedonist for experiences, I gathered all that I could fit in my two arms: A tour of the herb garden with chief gardener Tomato; a cooking class with Chef Moosa; an evening ‘lucky dolphin cruise’; a painting session with their electrician-turned-artist Shahid Ahmed; and an excursion to Muladhoo island, where we met locals and cooked roshi (chapatti-like bread) and mashuni (tuna) with their help. An island far from the capital, the resort has made itself self-sufficient. It generates its own electricity, has a sewage treatment system, and is equipped for all emergencies. They also have a doctor and nurse on call at all times.JA Manafaru has also stretched out their services to their neighbours—they have recently repaired the mosque and built a jetty on the island that we visited.

 

JA Manafaru
White Orchid,the Asian restaurant.

 

During those four days, I found out that there is strength in knowing how to slow down; that singing karaoke in an empty bar can be heady; that walks on the beach are just as romantic when you’re alone. And, I sang to myself, for myself.

 

I don’t care if I know just where I will go, ‘cause all that I need is this crazy feeling. A rat-tat-tat on my heart… Think I want it to stay…” —from the movie La La Land.

 

[box type=”info” style=”rounded”]Summer Fun For The Whole Family

JA Manafaru

 

Whether it is your baby’s first vacation or a summer holiday with your teens—JA Manafaru has a smorgasbord of activities for young guests. They have different clubs for youngers kids and teenagers. For family time, you can take a painting class together or book a cooking session with Executive Chef Moosa Nazeeh.

 

 

Diving, snorkelling, water sports, beach sports, and indoor games are aplenty. Additionally, the Maldives can provide an excellent opportunity to you kids to discover more about marine life, coral reefs, and the effect of modernisation on nature—learn from the resident marine biologist Stacy Mallaby at the marine research centre, Seatopia. There are fish feeding sessions, local island tours, dolphin cruises, and fishing trips too. If you want some time away from the kids, you can request for babysitting services and take a romantic cruise at sunset.

 

 

The three-night all-inclusive package valid until July 31, 2017 starts at US$4,500 for two adults and includes all meals, house beverages, and mini-bar; 20% discount on spa and F&B; return transfers, dedicated experience host; complimentary wifi, non-motorised sports, access to fitness centre and marine research centre. Valid only for Indian markets.

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Written By

Pallavi Phukan

Pallavi Phukan

Social Media Head

A social media addict and K-drama fanatic, Pallavi Phukan can often be found endlessly scrolling on Instagram for the next travel destination. When not racking her brains for a clickbait caption, you can catch this digital strategy expert dreaming of a beach vacation with her toddler daughter for company.

     
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