Happy Monday! The new week is here and with it comes the chance to delve deep into some fresh culture and fashion. Here’s your latest look at the i-D Guide.
Stay at… W Maldives
The Maldives is not a destination that needs a grand introduction. Indeed, the archipelagic nation – a necklace of 27 coral atolls off the southwest coast of India – is one of the most lusted-after vacation spots on the planet, with its coral-ringed, teal lagoons puckering a deep sapphire Indian Ocean a holiday moodboard mainstay. Despite that, its abiding reputation as a destination for lounging and little else means that it isn’t an instinctual choice for all.
The thing about a country made up of over 1190 islands, though, is that there’s a pretty broad array of versions of a Maldivian vaycay. For those after fun as much as sun, for example, W Maldives offers as robust a package as you’ll find, with sparkling living amenities, a buffet of top-tier dining options, a world-class spa, and one of the Maldives’ liveliest house reefs. Set on the island of Fesdu, just a 30-minute seaplane hop from Malé – the Maldivian capital, where your international flight will land – arriving at the five-star private island resort is as cinematic an experience as you can muster. Set amid an emerald thicket of palms, and fringed by powder-white beaches lapped by calm turquoise seas, it’s basically a Robinson Crusoe fantasy brought to life.
Before moving onto the island, though, it’s worth noting that the bath-warm waters that surround it house one of the most stunning house reefs in the entire Maldives, an accolade partly due to the fact that W Maldives is located on a natural island, as opposed to the many resorts perched on reclaimed plots of land. As a result, snorkelling during a stay here is nothing less than a must, with even a short swim in the shallows basically guaranteeing up-close encounters with clownfish, polychrome parrotfish, blacktip reef sharks, and the island’s resident family of sea turtles – including the titanic Bob.
Aquatic activities aren’t limited to snorkelling, though, with W Maldives offering everything from paddleboarding and jetski rides through to whale shark-sighting yacht cruises and night-time diving experiences. When you do eventually make it back onto dry land, though, you’ll find a plethora of dining options – six in total – to sate the appetite you’ll have worked up. KITCHEN, the island’s all-day bistro, offers a truly global spread, offering everything from traditional Chinese breakfasts to lazy, mimosa-fuelled brunches; Sri Lankan curries and Thai wok dishes to decadent desserts; FIRE, as the name suggests, specialises in all things grilled – and an emphatic recommendation for any carnivores – while FISH’s remit is the bounty proffered by the rich Maldivian seas. For a light, poolside bite – best-enjoyed with a book and a piña colada in hand – WET is your go-to, while SIP is the place for innovative, sustainably crafted cocktails against the backdrop of one of the Maldives’ painterly sunsets. Last but not least is KADA, a casual beachside spot dedicated to the fiery local cuisine.
Though indulgent dining and beachside frolics are no doubt high on your agenda, if you’ve made it this far, chances are that relaxation’s pretty high up there, too. Lucky for you, AWAY – W Maldives’ dhow-shaped spa – is a custom-built temple of rest and relaxation, offering massages, steam baths and (very much welcome) sunburn soothing treatments in treatment huts set over the Fesdu’s calm seas.
Arguably, though, the place you’re most likely to spend your time unwinding is your own room – or ‘escape’, as they’re referred to by the property. Whether you’re in an archetypally Maldivian overwater villa or in one of the island’s beachfront villas, an indulgently luxurious stay is a guarantee. With each villa featuring a plunge pool, a gigantic bathtub and an outdoor shower as a given, the main distinction to note here is that overwater villas offer sweeping views of either the open Indian Ocean or the island’s lagoon, while beach villas offer a second-floor veranda-cum-lounge, and dedicated loungers on the stretch of sand just metres from your king-size bed. Which is better? Well, different strokes for different folks, but we’d have to say that if life’s a beach, why not stay on one? Tempted? Book your stay here. MS
…or Westin Maldives
Of course, as we said, given the sheer number of options on offer, there’s arguably no such thing as a definitive Maldivian experience, but for the discerning design buffs among you – of which we know there are many! – the resort for you is Westin Maldives. Located on Miriandhoo in Baa Atoll – a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – the entire resort was designed by esteemed Italian architects PEIA Association, with conscious nods to the diverse marine life found in its surrounding waters. The vaulted roof of the central reception, for example, echoes the yawning mouth of a whale shark, while the ‘shells’ that encase each villa are a homage to the sea turtles regularly spotted grazing off the island’s coast.
More than aesthetic quirks, though, these elements are the product of the resort’s sustainable ethos, with the ‘shells’, for example, allowing for greater airflow into and around each building, reducing the reliance on high-energy consumption AC. The consideration invested into Westin Maldives’ design is immediately apparent on stepping into any of its recently renovated rooms – whether a beach villa, an overwater villa or the island’s flagship residence, each comes with a ludicrously capacious bathtub, an al fresco waterfall shower, a plunge pool, and a high-tech Japanese toilet as standard, making for a resolutely chic water-closet experience – a must for any successful holiday, if you ask us! Each spacious room also features sliding room partitions and Westin’s signature king-size Heavenly® bed, which, honestly, will guarantee some of the best sleeps of your life.
Ensuring a restful stay is, indeed, a focus of Westin’s – after all, within the wider Marriott group, Westin is the most wellness focussed brand. Accordingly, a plush spa offering signature massages, facials and even ocean-view jacuzzi sessions is, naturally, at guests’ disposal. For those intent on leaving the island in better shape than they first arrived, a very high-spec 24/7 fitness studio and a floodlit multi-sport court are available, too.
Of course, a central facet of living well is eating well, and across Westin Maldives’ four dining options that is a certainty. Set in a cavernous, open-walled hall, the Island Kitchen offers an eclectic yet impeccably considered fare throughout the day, offering a dedicated clean-eating menu alongside more indulgent options for those on full vaycay mode. The chilled-out, feet-in-the-sand vibe of Hawker offers the perfect setting for tucking into street food delicacies from around South East Asia – think Singaporean chilli crab and punchy pad thai – while Sunset Bar is the ideal spot for just what it says on the tin. For a special occasion, though, a trip to The Pearl, the resort’s flagship dining experience is of the order. An elegant Japanese restaurant set over the water, this is the place to indulge in sushi and sashimi omakase, created from ingredients sourced from the seas you sit above.
If you’d like to learn a little more about life in said seas, then Westin Maldives offers no shortage of opportunities to do so up and close. While we’d empathically recommend snorkelling on the island’s fish-filled house reef, the resort’s location in Baa Atoll uniquely positions it as an ideal jumping-off point for some of the most arresting underwater spectacles that the Maldives has to offer – not least the manta rays that flock to Hanifaru Bay (just a 45-minute boat ride away) in their thousands to frolic and feed. To catch this Blue Planet-worthy sight, you’ll need to plot your trip at some point between now and November. Though, should you choose another time of year, you’ll find dolphin-sighting and turtle snorkelling trips a-plenty to tick off your bucket lists. Book your stay here. MS
Go to (and watch)… Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City pop-up
Asteroid City has a limited release in the US right now, before dropping pretty much globally in cinemas from this Friday. In honour of it, Lush Cosmetics have created a limited edition collection of bath bombs, shower gels and soaps themed to the absurdist sci-fi romance. For true Wes aesthetes, they’re the ultimate must-have. Grab them from the Lush website, selected stores and, for a short time only, the Asteroid City pop-up at Lush Studio in London’s Soho, where you can also grab a free slushie. DG
Check out… Glastonbury’s Silver Hayes
If you’re at Glasto this weekend, it is well worth checking out the iconic Silver Hayes space. The original dance music area of the festival has had a revamp for its 10 year anniversary. A pavilion has been erected in the space, this year made with mushroom mycelium (when mycelium is fed with agriculutral waste it forms a construction material) to celebrate and champion the adoption of the fungi biomaterial across the creative industry for a more sustainable future. Elsewhere, The Information stage is a new addition to Silver Hayes this year with talks on climate action, food vulnerability, free press and music diversity. The line-up for the stage is set to be announced soon. Finally, The Levels stage crosses jaw-dropping architecture, lighting and experimental music art-forms to create a one-of-a-kind, open-air nightclub experience. Designed by Bristol artists Hidden Corners, it is a must to end your night! TG
Wear… everything from the Dover Street Market sale
Everyone’s favourite concept store has just launched their summer sale. Expect brilliant wares from the likes of Jacquemus, ERL, Kiko Kostadinov, Molly Goddard and Junya Watanabe. Also, as you might hope from the de facto home of the brand, some highly coveted CDG too. Check it out online or in store. DG
Wear… Damson Madder’s pivot to jewellery
Alongside the launch of their beach-ready new collection, the Instagram faves have teamed up with conscious jewellery brand frkl. on a capsule range of jewellery. Centred around gold chains and freshwater pearls, designs are customisable with a series of charms, and just look at those perfect gold hoops! Check the full collection out here. FD
Buy… Byredo’s Summer Rain candle
We know it’s the last thing you want to think about when the weather’s like this, but there’s nothing quite like the hot scent of summer petrichor: when the rain hits tarmac, or funnels through the grass and flowers beds, and bakes in the sun that follows it. With notes of tonka, ginger and green fig, this earthy new candle from Byredo captures that moment. Buy it here.
Listen to… FIZZ
We love a supergroup here, and the latest instalment brings together the best of British indie-pop at the moment. FIZZ — comprised of dodie, Orla Gartland, Greta Isaac and Martin Luke Brown — just unveiled their first single “High in Brighton” ahead of their debut album dropping later in the year. The kind of raucous, high energy stuff that could embolden a whole generation of raging, pop-hungry British youth. Follow their IG here and stream the new track above. DG
Watch… ballet at the Royal Albert Hall
Not going to Glastonbury and need an alternative culture fix? The English National Ballet have just kicked off a 10-day run of Cinderella in-the-round at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall. Who needs the Pyramid Stage when you’ve got a cast of 90 dancers and a live orchestra bringing a beloved dark fairytale to life? The show runs until 25 June and tickets are available here. FD