Team Coco checked into Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa for a week of unrivalled tropical luxury. From lounging in our own private water villas, to sipping coconuts beachfront, farm-to-plate dining, and even sailing yachts among spinner dolphins; we’re letting our inner island girl free and living our best life at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa.

A picture is worth a thousand words – and so what better way to give you some mid-week travel inspiration than by sharing our own visual diary of our dreamy trip to the Maldives? We’ll just leave these here.

The Water Villas

Think natural wood interiors, a seductively comfortable king-sized bed, and a bathroom that’s bigger than a Victorian semi-detached. The Water Villas are exactly what our travel dreams are made of. Enjoy some in-room dining on your veranda, and lounge on a hammock-directly suspended from the sea. Have a soak in your oversized oval bath tub, or better yet shower outdoors. Trust us, there’s nothing more liberating.

Dining by Design

The resort has three restaurants, and each one has its own distinct personality, but if you’re looking for a truly bespoke culinary experience — try the Shangri-La’s Dine by Design. Fancy having lunch on the equator? A barbecue in your villa? Or maybe even a dinner in the Chef’s garden? Then let the Shangri-La’s expert chefs create an unforgettable dining experience just for you. We tried their new farm-to-plate dining experience, which began with picking our choice of island grown ingredients from the chef’s garden, followed by a visit to the neighbouring town of Meedhu.

A Traditional take on Wellness

Hidden amidst large banyan trees and tropical shrubbery, CHI, The Spa has eleven spacious treatment villas, two meditation pavilions, and a yoga pavilion overlooking the ocean. We tried the Kandu Boli Ritualmassage. This traditional treatment is a soothing body and face massage, where coconut oil is rubbed on you with a hot cowrie shell – absolute relaxation.

Eco-luxury at it’s finest

At the Eco-Centre, marine biologists take guests on nature trails, while dive-masters guide diving enthusiasts across the Addu Attol’s best kept snorkel gardens. After doing our part for the environment and planting some coral in the resort’s coral farm; We went on a snorkelling excursion just a 30 minute boat ride away from the island, and swam amongst incredible aquatic wildlife and coral — even spotting some sea turtles along the way.

Sailing with the dolphins

From jungle treks and golf to coral planting and sea-bobbing, here’s plenty to do at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa. We highly recommend venturing away from the resort’s many luxuries — and jumping onboard a Yacht for a sunset cruise like no other.During our brief expedition out to sea — we were greeted by large and friendly groups of Spinner dolphins, racing with our boat’s bow, and showing off with some pretty impressive flips too!

Room rates at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa are from US$645 (approx. £501) per night. This is based on double occupancy and includes all taxes and fees. To book, please visit www.shangri-la.com/male/villingiliresort or call 0800 028 3337.

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