Located on the Noonu Atoll in the Maldives, Velaa Private Island is the ultimate luxury island retreat that offers guests the royal treatment. It has been designed and curated with privacy and comfort as its guiding principles, while the stunning Indian Ocean serves as its backdrop.

Inspired by the generations of sea turtles that have inhabited the island for countless years, Velaa Private Island features overwater villas that resemble the head of a turtle (when viewed aerially) while the island forms the body. The colors and patterns of a turtle shell make up subtle nuances in the design.

In addition to a golf course, a kids club, multiple restaurants and an array of activities, the island is also home to Velaa Spa—a serene sanctuary that has innovative facilities, including the only snow room in the Maldives. The spa embraces a holistic approach to wellness, offering a selection of Asian-inspired therapies such as Ayurveda, yoga and meditation to enhance and promote health and longevity.

We interviewed Spa Director Laurie Nott, who recommended treatments to try, shared insider tips, and more.

Why You’ll Love It: The resort guests love the advanced treatments and state-of-the-art facilities offered at Velaa Spa. Being set on its own little island in an over-water sanctuary surrounded by the turquoise lagoon, it allows guests to transcend into a tranquil oasis reconnecting body and soul.

The spa is also home to the only snow room in the Maldives, which when coupled with Velaa’s sauna and steam room, promotes positive health benefits that aid with the detoxification process. By stimulating the skin with hot and cold therapies, it helps clears out impurities and toxins that have built up over time.

Key Features: Snow room, sauna, steam room, Cloud 9 relaxation pods, outdoor jacuzzi, overwater therapy villas, and a retail boutique.

Insider’s Tip: We place a lot of importance on building relationships with clients by getting to know them on a personal level so we can understand their personal needs and aspirations and establish trust. It allows us to better advise and cater to them, and personalize their treatment programs based on their needs and preferences to incorporate a variety of fitness, mindfulness and nutrition components.

We make sure there is consistency and that each time a guest visits the spa, we provide the same therapist they had previously who is well-versed on the client’s needs. Customer care is crucial at Velaa Spa, and we aim to nurture a trusting and open relationship with the guests to ensure the best experience.

Insider’s Favorite: I personally love the DETOX Massage. It’s extremely refreshing and therapeutic for the body and mind, as it removes all your toxins. A 90-minute treatment, it starts with a vigorous body brushing to stimulate circulation, helping to exfoliate and eliminate toxins from the body.

This is followed by a full-body massage using Velaa Detox massage oils and is performed using lymphatic drainage techniques to remove toxins from the body. The therapist will spend extra time focusing on the areas of concern, which have been discussed in a consultation prior to the treatment. Afterwards, you are left feeling lighter and refreshed.

Unique Treatment: The most unique treatment offered is the Signature Chardonnay Ritual. It’s a 120-minute treatment using grape-seed extract from chardonnay, which is a powerful antioxidant. This procedure includes an exfoliation followed by a body wrap made from grape-seed extract and champagne. It finishes with a grape-seed oil full-body massage.

Splurge Treatment: Our most lavish treatment is the Velaa Elixir of Life. It’s a 180-minute treatment that includes a lavish Royal Rose Body Wrap—a luxurious body wrap made of royal jelly, honey, propolis and essential oils. It’s followed by our Signature Bespoke Massage and tailor made for each guest’s specific needs. The treatment is completed with a Signature Green Caviar Facial, which fuses Japanese green caviar with gold trace elements, using high technology ultrasound and cavitation peeling for a profound effect.

Featured Products: Last year, Velaa launched its very own line of spa products and bespoke scents, Velaa Spa Products. Inspired by the island’s flora and fauna, Velaa’s new line of products will include massage oils, room sprays and fragrances, giving guests a multi-sensory experience whenever they set foot into the spa. With stylish new branding and packaging, Velaa’s new products will be used across their treatment range, as well as available to buy.

Alongside its own spa range, Velaa has launched two new lines of spa products. The first is the organically produced Kotoshina, originating from Kyoto, Japan and is made from traditional ingredients such as green tea and pure spring water.

The second is Dr. Burgener, created by celebrated well-being practitioner, Dr. Marc Burgener. A luxury skincare brand that combines natural active ingredients with the latest advancements in science and technology, Dr. Burgener creates groundbreaking products, including a range of unique anti-aging treatments. Dr. Burgener’s daughter-in-law, Dr. Pauline Burgener—a doctor in biology and a key player in the creation of the product—will also be visiting the island in 2020.

As the first resort in the Maldives to introduce both Kotoshina exclusively and Dr. Marc Burgener, Velaa Spa has handpicked its products with each guests’ needs and requirements in mind.

For more information and to book a treatment, visit the website and follow them on Instagram: @velaaprivateisland

[Images courtesy of Velaa Private Island, Maldives]

Velaa Private Island

P.O. Box 2071

Noonu Atoll

Republic of Maldives

Phone: 960-6565-000

Email: info@velaaprivateisland.com