Luxuriate in the Duniye Spa at Kuredu in the Maldives
In the Indian Ocean to the north of Male, is the Lhaviyani Atoll, and there you will find Kuredu, one of the larger islands in the Maldives. Kuredu has something for everyone: diving, water sports, a golf course, a football pitch, gym, beautifully fresh and delicious food, great bars and a wonderful spa.
In fact, Kuredu boasts two Duniye spas, the Land Spa in the tropical garden setting of Kuredu’s main area and the Over Water Spa is in the luxury setting of the “O” resort, set out on stilts over the Indian Ocean. Both are aromatic oases of calm and serenity, with the Over Water Spa maintaining your view of the turquoise blue waters of the Indian Ocean while you drift away into deep relaxation.
Duniye Spas have 11 different locations in the Maldives and Seychelles. Duniye means universe, and their spas provide a holistic approach to health and well-being. Their services are inspired by traditional and modern therapies from around the globe with an emphasis on regional healing traditions from Asia and Africa. Duniye Spas claim to have “created a space of healing, touch and aroma, to promote within you a deep sense of calm, joy and serenity” and I can attest that in Kuredu they certainly have.
The Duniye Spa at Kuredu has a wide menu of treatments, but it was their three signature treatments that caught my eye: Sense of Touch, Heaven on Earth and Maldivian Island Paradise, all sounding utterly divine. I had plumped for the Maldivian Island Paradise which “uses the essence of coconut from top to toe, to give shiny and lustrous hair, smooth and soft skin, profound and deep relaxation.” It sounded exactly what I needed.
On arrival at the spa, I was seated comfortably in the reception area, which smells divine, and given a welcome lemon drink with a cool lavender scented flannel, to ease me into a calmer frame of mind. I was then gently escorted to my treatment room where the beautiful array of coconut products were laid out for me. There were two massage beds with glass floors to look down through, a shower and changing room, and windows looking out onto the inspiring Indian Ocean. After I had changed into a robe, I was in for a surprise as I was guided out through a door onto the serenity deck, where I sat and drank in the uplifting view of the Lhaviyani Atoll while my feet were bathed and massaged for about ten minutes. The hypnotic sound of waves soothed my senses as I gazed out at the horizon and the beautiful blue waters. A wonderful start.
Next I was ushered back into the treatment room and was soon lying face down and watching the fish through the glass floor, which is mesmerising. Then followed about an hour of seriously good massage (you can choose between a Balinese or muscle ease massage, depending on your preference) with coconut oil: back, shoulders and legs, before turning over and the massage continued. Hot stones were placed on at different times, and later pure quartz crystals and jade rollers were used in a healing face massage. Even my hair was not neglected, and a warm coconut treatment was massaged in, followed by a cool coconut mask – incredibly refreshing. By this stage I had already reached an extreme state of bliss.
A freshly ground coconut-vanilla body polish followed for a moisturising exfoliation all over, which woke my sleepy skin though not myself, and it was then very hard to get up and stagger over to the shower to rinse my hair and body. I gratefully returned back to the bed for a final covering of soothing coconut body lotion, which was heaven. I had totally lost track of time during the previous two hours, all my senses had been stimulated: the view of the Indian Ocean and the fish beneath my feet, the sound of the waves, the scent of the coconut, the touch of the massage and the taste of the lemon drink to start and tea to finish. I felt like a cat stretched out in the sun – completely content.
Back in the reception area I sipped my ginger and lemongrass tea, glowing with essence of coconut and feeling utterly at peace with the world. The Duniye team are extremely professional and dedicated and the Maldivian Island Paradise is 120 minutes of total relaxation, with every inch of you cared for, in beautiful surroundings. I finished my tea and slowly drifted out into the hot sun and floated off down the beach, radiating health and happiness, in a state of pure tranquility.
