The Sassy Explorer : Taj Exotica Resort & Spa

Hi Guys!

I recently came from Maldives!! How great is that? Tsk Tsk Now don’t go being jealous folks, after you’ve read my review, you will be packing your bags and catching the next flight to the hidden gem or rather what I call “pearl paradise”.

To start off, Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean. It has around close to 1200 islands, out of which nearly 200 are inhabited by the locals and 123 have been turned into resorts. One island One resort. Its Capital “Male” is officially the smallest capital city in the world.

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa - Why I Loved it!

It’s breathtakingly beautiful, serene; every picture you take turns out to be better than a postcard pic, the hospitality is unbeatable with smiling and happy to serve attitude and the scrumptious feast at every restaurant and room service. I was hosted by a very interesting, calm, confident and charming man - the General Manager Mr. Ranjit Phillipose. And the very pretty, classy, fun and full of life Ms. Ruby Garcia, his Execitive Assistant Manager. The kind of people you always want to keep in touch with because of the warm and fuzzy at home feelings they give you to always remember them by.

A little interesting history behind it is, and I learnt this from the locals there, it is firstly based in the largest island of Maldives so you can imagine how massive the property is. When Taj took over the island in 1993 it had only three coconut trees on it thus giving it the name “Embodhu Finohlu” and had just ten rooms at a 2 to 3 star resort - since tourism had just taken off in those days. They re-branded after the tsunami hit in 2004, and used the opportunity to change all the products, services, and have major upgrades calling it Taj Exotica Resort & Spa since 2005.

Accommodation;

There is quite a variety of villas and suites that you can choose from. Of course that depends on the kind of vacation you want to have. Every room is assigned their very own BUTLER. Ours was Mausim, and in his absence, Ali. Both were so sweet and attentive and over willing to cater to all your needs from helping me open the exotic water bottles in the room to waking me up with coffee!

For Honeymooners; I recommend the Deluxe Water Villa with Plunge Pool. It is dreamy, romantically set on a beautiful and pristine blue lagoon. The room has state of the art features when it comes to luxury, from ipod attachments and a great TV/Audio system, to a big comfy bed you can slide into, a massive bathroom where the huge tub sits pretty and white where you can see the entire ocean from your window - I had called the view 50 Shades Of Blue - take that E.L. James ;p

Alternately, if you’re the beach crazies then I recommend the Ocean Front Villas that are right on the beach, you can catch a romantic swim in the clear blue waters and see the sun setting together right outside your door.

It also rains in brief heavy spells! *LOVE*

For families; The Premium Villa 2 bedroom suits are most suitable for the kiddie party or a group of friends too. They are even more spacious and so lovely. I saw a lot of little ones getting out of their suite and running into the gorgeous turquoise water right outside their doorstep.

For Ultimate Luxury; if you can afford it, MUST STAY at the Rehendi Presidential Suite. My jaw dropped when the Associate Sales Director Mr Saad Zahid showed me this beauty. It’s just in the center of the water villas, and the moment you set eyes in the outside you see big lamps with great architecture leading you inside - much like the red carpet! Once inside, it is so colossal and grand. The living room has, once again, state of the art technology. I totally flipped over the nearly 100 inch flat screen TV. Two lusciously decorated rooms with an indoor and outdoor shower. A pool bigger than the main pool in the entire resort, with a large deck that places a dining table, swinging chair, and the lower deck that has been made into a beach with two comfortable chairs you can soak up the sun in - but the best of all was the trampoline right above the ocean with cushions.

Tingle your taste buds - the FOOD!

I’m salivating just thinking about it. I never thought there would ever be place on planet earth, where a bit of an over critical foodie like me would order something on the resorts’ menu for four days - and gulp down every morsel of my dish without a single complaint. I seriously did - had not a single critique to offer. And if you would know me a bit better - to satisfy and exceed my expectations when it comes to great food is NOT an easy feat. They even had the most delicious cocktail for two called Romantic Escapade in a ginormous glass!

Delicious, Light & So Pretty!

The Taj Burger & Mixed kebab platter were to die for!

Lobster Night at the classy "Deep End" Restaurant!

Tranquility Unleashed - Jiva Grande Spa

It had several Ayurveda treatments - most of the names I don’t remember! But one luxurious and romantic one they have is called “Aleppa” where both partners rub each other with mud and scrubs and sunbathe in their separate beautiful outdoor private room right above the ocean. However, I got the more traditional oil aromatherapy massage, and my husband chose the sports version. When I asked him what his favorite part of the trip was…he said…the Spa…so you can imagine how wonderful and relaxing it was. You could hear the water crashing on the pavilions wooden stands right below which was much more calming than any spa music I have ever heard - and I’m a big spa person!

Things to do around the resort;

So much to do around the island, you may want o get out the comfort of your room and step out for a bit of shark feeding, where you can see the white tip reef sharks coming wildly close to you for the meat thrown out to them by the trained staff. There’s also Sting Ray Feeding that happens every evening at 5:30 where the marine biologist feeds them and explains all about the species. But don’t worry, they are only dangerous if you try and trouble them - if you mind your own business, they will too!

The Water Sports Centre is where you can get your diving equipment from, whether you want to book a tour to go out into the deep blue sea for scuba diving or just enjoy a bit of romantic snorkeling under your water villas -there is something for everyone. Alternately, you can just book a romantic dinner for two where you are taken to a private island and can even enjoy spending a night out there with your loved one underneath the starry sky.