What makes the location of the resort so special?
We are lucky to be the only resort in the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve which supports one of the largest groups of coral reefs in the Indian Ocean, accounting for 5% of the world’s reef area. We’re in very good company in terms of marine life as we share the area with over 1,200 fish species and animals. In this central western part of the Maldives you’ll often see green turtles, hawksbill turtles, whale sharks (don’t worry, they’re docile!) and some of the largest gatherings of graceful manta rays worldwide.
How did sustainability influence the design of the hotel?
All the buildings on the resort are built with sustainability in mind. Waterproof concrete cubes are topped with a timber roof, creating natural ventilation systems through the double roof and material combination, where the timber absorbs heat and the concrete acts as a coolant. As for our interiors, we’ve used a ceramic product for floors, pool and bathrooms that is more sustainable than real stone or marble without compromising on the look and feel. Teak wood is often used for decking, however this is rare and endangered, so we opted for engineered and treated fast-growing timber which came from controlled forestation areas.
As you’ve only been open for just under 2 months, are there any upcoming sustainability projects you are particularly looking forward to implementing?
Certainly! The flat rooftops of many of the back-of-house buildings where our staff live are already used for solar panels, as we certainly get a lot of sunlight here in the Maldives! In future we plan to expand this and we also have ambitions to use some of these spaces for hydroponic cultivation of fruits, vegetables and herbs for the resort, which we will use in the kitchens.