Set in the middle of a vast ocean, this island nation is a dream destination for diving enthusiasts, newlyweds and travelers who want to leave their jobs behind and embrace nature. The Maldives, a regular honeymoon destination, is home to a plethora of five-star hotels, and at the end of 2016, St. Regis Hotels, an internationally renowned brand that has always been a symbol of luxury and top-notch service, chose the Maldives as the setting for the creation of what it calls “the world’s most expensive hotel”. The WOW Architects who were driving the design, used natural woods and luxury elements to spark endless imagination.
Blending in with nature and creating a marine world on the water
A 50-minute flight on a seaplane is your first step to visiting the hotel. You will be completely immersed in the blue sky, white clouds and sea water, giving you a sense of the island atmosphere even before you arrive. The overall design of The St. Regis works with this unique scenery, using nature as its inspiration to bring marine elements into the space, from the whale-shaped Sunset Bar to the shell-shaped Library, or the lobster-shaped Spa. The St. Regis perfectly blends art and local characteristics to welcome and host every traveler to the South Seas.
Bringing the view into the room, the wood design is symbiotic with the environment
The views of the buildings from the air are an intriguing sight, especially the log cabins that come into view after the plane has landed. The design team drastically reduced the use of steel and concrete in order to protect the local environment, and instead built the log villas in wood. They used light oak as the main medium for the interiors, with the wood grain climbing up from the walls to the ceiling, complemented by handcrafted decorative artworks made by local artisans, intertwining both warmth and luxury inside and out. To bring in the magnificent views of the Indian Ocean, the open floor-to-ceiling windows and the private pools in each villa, along with the blue waters outside, allow the sun to shine into every corner, making it feel like you have plunged into nature’s embrace, with something to behold inside and out!
Creating a resort atmosphere with light wood tones. (Photo credit / WOW Architects. Products used: K6196GS, K6169CS.
Fine woods that look good and function well
Perhaps tired of the glitz and glamour of neon and concrete buildings, a review of the choices of materials and the interior decoration trends at The St. Regis reveals a refined taste and a reverence for nature. The warmth of wood, in earthy tones, was a popular choice for the designers, as it adds an elegantly harmonious element in all styles and spatial qualities, offering new interpretations to a variety of design approaches. On the other hand, the design team chose KD Panels, with their complete coating technique to keep out water intrusion, not only for their beauty but also for their practicality.
Using soft elements to create an understated luxurious style. Photo credit / WOW Architects. products used: K6196GS, K6196CS.
Luxurious travel, a six-star masterpiece
Looking for a trip after a hectic day of running around? Why not take a trip to the St. Regis, plunge into the bay, take in the magnificence and splendor of the underwater world, and enjoy a magnificent holiday surrounded by tasteful wood designs, whilst being pampered by personal butlers?
Photo credit / WOW Architects. products used: K6196HN, K6169CS.
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resor
Vommuli Island, Dhaalu Atoll, Vommuli Maldives +690 676-6333
www.stregis.com
Photo © St.Regis Maldives Vommuli Island Resort
Design: WOW Architects | Warner Wong / Photographer: Aaron Pocock
