Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives Redefines the Tropical Space
One of the most anticipated new openings in the Indian Ocean, the design-led Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives encapsulates timeless elegance while paying homage to the rich local culture and seamlessly blending with the natural surroundings. Home to 95 beautifully appointed villas, nine outstanding dining venues, a remarkable 150-metre pool encircled by stylish cabanas, and a tranquil ocean-front Spa with eight self-contained treatment bungalows, Kuda Villingili is every style-seeker’s dream.
With interiors curated to enhance the ocean and vibrant flora that frames the resort, this tropical jewel is conceptualised by the Maldivian architecture firm GX Associates and the Singapore-based interior design company URBNarc. Each of the spacious 36 Water Villas and 59 Beach Villas blends classic Maldivian architecture with contemporary features that draw from the Asian style. Spacious and airy – with extensive living rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms envisioned as one open space – the resort’s villas surprise guests with eclectic décor and furnishings such as colourful cushions and tapestries adorned with traditional motifs, and Maldivian art pieces scattered throughout.
UrbanARC comments on this project: “For Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, we wanted to really place the nature at the heart of the guest’s experience, whether they are in the villa, in the restaurants or in other common areas. This is why we used plenty of glass and a calming colour palette inspired by the changing hues of the ocean, the nuances of the sunset and the island’s vegetation. Timber feature walls and customised screens contribute to a sense of understated luxury, which is the hotel’s design leitmotif.”
Built on an ethos of positive environmental impact, Kuda Villingili is a plastic-free resort where eco-friendly materials such as reclaimed wood, glass, recycled and biodegradable plastic are extensively used for custom furniture, bespoke rugs, placemats and the bathrooms’ beauty amenities.
Recreational spaces are designed to encourage socialisation, from the showstopping 150-metre pool that takes pride of place in the central piazza on the island, to dining concepts such as The Hawkers – a flavoursome and upscale three-armed open kitchen that sits poolside and serves up mezze-style dishes – encouraging sharing and a sense of conviviality. A rare find in the Maldives, Kuda Villingili’s Cigar Lounge is a warm, cosy space, designed to imbue a sense of old-world charm while retaining the resort’s signature timeless elegance. The leather décor, darker brown tones and rustic textures create a sophisticated atmosphere, perfect for sipping a dry whiskey with a cigar in one hand and a good book in the other.
For more information, visit www.kudavillingili.com