It is eight in the morning, and I stir to a soft chorus of birdsong and waves lapping gently against the shore. Though tempted to stay a little longer in bed, I am beckoned by a sliver of sunlight slipping through the gap between the curtains of my beach villa. I climb out of bed, step outside and a spectacular Maldivian scene greets me: pristine white sand meets an expanse of ocean and sky in royal turquoise and cobalt blue. It is a pinch-me moment.
I am at NH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort, where this dazzling view unfolds before me. Formerly known as the Reethi Beach Resort, the property is a 35-minute seaplane flight from Malé and sits on a private island within the Baa Atoll, a protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve renowned for its marine biodiversity.
Part of the international hospitality group Minor Hotels, NH Collection Reethi reopened in December 2025 following an eight-month rejuvenation. The revamped resort now embraces a cool, contemporary aesthetic that fuses Maldivian heritage with modern island living.
Whether perched above calm lagoon waters or tucked within lush foliage, the resort’s 105 villas have been refurbished with warm timber furnishings and tactile flourishes that nod to local craft. Every beach villa faces the ocean, with select residences offering private pools for lazy afternoon dips. The overwater villas, so emblematic of island life in the Maldives, open onto private decks that offer unobstructed views of the horizon.
The crystalline waters surrounding the island hold many surprises, and a brief swim from the shore reveals a house reef teeming with vibrant coral formations and marine life. I spotted schools of fish drifting through the reef, mesmerising like floating mirror shards. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the resort’s dive centre also organises guided snorkelling tours to Hanifaru Bay, a site famous for manta ray and whale shark sightings from May to November.
Time moves at its own pace at NH Collection Reethi. Quieter hours can be spent lounging by the beachfront pool, its glassy surface reflecting drifting clouds above, unwinding at the Revive spa, or simply indulging in delectable treats at the resort’s seven restaurants and bars. There is Jumla restaurant, the culinary heart of the island serving an assortment of international flavours from morning to night; Alifaan Grill, the resort’s signature beachfront grill where steaks and seafood take centre stage; and Kaiyo restaurant, which showcases the best of Asian cuisine.
In the Maldives, it is the service that ultimately elevates the experience. At NH Collection Reethi, it is warm and attentive. You feel it from the moment the resort’s liaison meets you at the airport, and it continues throughout your stay on the island. Before long, the team remembers your coffee order or your preferred table, greeting you as if you are an old friend and not a passing visitor.
As you wander the island on the winding sand paths, a simple hello sometimes grows into a meaningful conversation. “Since our opening, we have welcomed guests from different parts of the world. It is heartening to see them pause, connect, and share their cultures,” observes Valentin Osolos, general manager of NH Collection Reethi. “We hope this spirit of community on the island is something our guests can look forward to when they visit, and one that will always be there to welcome them when they return.”
Soon, day gives way to night. Blue fades into streaks of gold, orange and violet across the sky before darkness settles and stars sparkle overhead. I retreat to bed, eager for what tomorrow will bring. Shaped by the ocean’s rhythm and the warmth of its people, no two days are ever the same here in the Maldives.
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