I’ve heard the time period “Black girl in luxurious” lots over the previous few years. In truth, at Unbothered I’ve been inspired to check it: is it the cultural phenom on social media, or bougie materials issues to covet, or simply the small, cost-free indulgences that make life stunning, tender, and extra tolerable for a Black girl making an attempt to do all of the issues, on a regular basis? Some equate it to softness, others to materials issues. Final 12 months, the time period “quiet luxurious” turned a trending time period; the place trying such as you’ve stepped out of Hamptons carrying a Chanel tweed set, Hermes mules, and Dior sun shades was mentioned to epitomize wealth that whispers as a substitute of shouts. Relying on which TikTok video you watched on the topic, it reeked of classist overtones (however the much less mentioned on that the higher) which many interpreted as wealthy and white and solely accessible to a specific few, the elusive one %. Nonetheless, my private definition of luxurious valued experiences and journey above consuming issues — and but, some locations nonetheless remained fantasies reserved for many who have some huge cash. Till now.
Final 12 months, I lastly received my alternative to expertise unique luxurious after I was invited to journey to the Maldives; a rustic famend for pristine non-public seashores, extravagant marriage proposals, opulent distant hideaways and broadly recognised as one of many costliest vacationer locations on the earth. It’s additionally thought-about one of the crucial romantic trip spots on earth — but I might be touring with out my companion and with strangers as a substitute. (I left my man at dwelling! Shout out to Beyoncé.) I’m all for sustaining independence inside a relationship, however why did this solo journey make me really feel so responsible even with enthusiastic assist from my different half? Why would I wish to journey to a spot famend for extravagant marriage proposals alone? Naturally, I didn’t sit in that discomfort for too lengthy and fortunately confirmed my flight. “Will probably be like my very own, very Black model of Eat Pray Love,” I mentioned to my companion earlier than I left for the airport, “So long as it’s not a model of How Stella’s Received Her Groove Again, we’re cool,” he joked.
Journeying by seaplane
In what felt like a scene from a Bond movie (cliché, however so true!), my touring group braced ourselves for a flight by way of a really small seaplane after journeying from London Heathrow to Dubai after which to the Maldivian capital metropolis, Malé. The plane was tiny — I’m 5 ft 10 and couldn’t arise straight — and I panicked momentarily because the airplane skirted throughout the ocean and propelled us within the air. As industrial flights go, it was one of the crucial daring I’ve ever taken. From the air, you see the fantastic end result of the Maldives’ 26 atolls that seem as tiny bushy-palmed paradises. I gained’t overlook that view in my lifetime.
I used to be invited to remain on the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort Resort on the non-public island Vommuli, primarily based within the Maldives’ Dhaalu Atoll identified for its immeasurable pure magnificence, coral reefs, and marine life. I wasn’t prepared for the spectacular panorama that will unfold earlier than my eyes. The resort is described as “nestled between verdant rainforest and white-sand seashores” — however this doesn’t fairly do it justice. It’s, merely, paradise. The previously uninhabited non-public island is surrounded by undulating palm timber and an extended stretch of white seaside. The resort consists of 77 luxurious villas, 44 of which seem to drift above the crystal clear blue sea.
My journey companions and I agreed that the island could be the right setting for one other season of White Lotus (I may nearly hear the collection’ theme tune as we descended onto the island and resort workers wearing crisp white shirts and chinos lined up and waved to us from the deck).
At peace in an overwater villa
I stayed in one of many resort’s 44 overwater villas and gasped upon arrival. It was beautiful. The one-bedroom villa, with floor-to-ceiling home windows, opened as much as a big picket deck, non-public plunge pool, and hammocks that hovered simply above sea degree. From the deck, you possibly can climb down and swim straight into the ocean and snorkel or scuba dive — the resort’s hottest exercise. Full disclosure: I didn’t try this. My swimming abilities aren’t the strongest. I may nearly learn the headline ‘British Journalist Misplaced At Sea After Failed Snorkelling Try’. I cursed myself for this missed alternative and I made a be aware to guide swimming classes as quickly as I returned dwelling.
At instances I did really feel as if I used to be alone in a honeymoon suite. On my first night time, champagne chilled on ice as I luxuriated within the giant standalone bathtub overlooking the ocean views because the solar started to set. It was objectively a horny setting; as was the massive waterfall bathe and a king-size mattress that felt match for lovers. I shortly shook away ideas that I wanted a companion to be right here with me. I didn’t. Alone, I allowed myself to benefit from the quiet. I swam within the pool, rehydrated with contemporary fruit, and drank from a freshly reduce coconut. I learn books from the hammock. I meditated from the deck at sundown. I cried from the sheer gorgeousness of all of it. At dwelling, I don’t at all times recognize the “quiet” — I like a background soundtrack of my household and buddies at all times close by. I choose busy espresso outlets to the hush of the library, for instance. However quiet serves a lot goal whenever you’re a Black girl who’s overstimulated and drained (so drained).
Embracing a bougie, very private expertise
The service on the St. Regis Vommuli resort was unmatched and so courteous, I felt I wanted to apologize. I had a butler. This took me a minute to wrap my head round. As somebody who could be hyper-independent, I felt responsible absolutely embracing this 24-hour customized service. For each request I made, I might add an insecure “sorry” — I’m very British in that respect. However, when within the Maldives you don’t raise a finger. I made an intentional resolution to lean into the uncommon alternative to be absolutely taken care of. Talking of which, Hussein was so pleasant, even recording and sending me a welcome video message earlier than I arrived. I returned to my suite to seek out my suitcase unpacked and my garments neatly organized (and steamed!) in my room. As he confirmed me across the island in a golf cart, he shared snippets of the perfect of Maldivian tradition, the meals (a standard fish soup that I needed to attempt), and conventional ceremonies I might quickly expertise.
Crafting my very own love story
“You should see a variety of proposals,” I requested Hussein, to which he agreed. The Maldives’ status for love preceded the nation turning into a sought-after vacationer vacation spot. In Maldivian folklore, he defined, there may be a permanent story about two fated lovers that’s grow to be referred to as the “Maldivian Romeo and Juliet”. Digging deeper, I found that this story handed down from era to era, was a few man who takes an epic journey to fulfill the love of his life, however an unlucky twist would change their lives ceaselessly. “Man, this place is so romantic,” I couldn’t assist however assume. “And I’m doing this with out my man. Possibly this love story is about myself. That is my epic journey.”
All through the journey, I couldn’t assist however see romance on each nook — when watching the sundown from the architectural marvel of the resort’s Whale Bar to the non-public dinner on the seaside beneath the celebs, as we drank wine and sunk our naked toes within the cool sand. I cooed, awed, and gushed, like a girl in love. However, as I used to be persistently reminded, this journey could be for me.
There have been many standout moments on this brief journey. Marine biologist Hazel Araujo defined in depth the resort’s efforts to revive the Maldives’ coral reefs and save its marine life from the lasting influence of local weather change and rising temperatures. In the meantime, St. Regis Vommuli’s resort common supervisor Vincent Pauchon, who lives on the island together with his household, took us out on his yacht, the place he launched the St. Regis champagne sabering ritual (one thing the workers would carry out a couple of instances on the journey), and shared particulars of the enviable peace that comes with residing and dealing on the island. I skilled a transcendent full-body therapeutic massage on the resort’s Iridium spa and dangled the other way up in an aerial yoga class.
Consuming (and giving into) my wishes
After which there was the meals. Right here’s the place I actually sank my enamel into luxurious. Every meal was a masterpiece. From eating beneath the palm timber and feasting on contemporary Center Jap meals at Cargo, to an opulent night at Japanese Kaseiki-style restaurant, T-Pan, the place white albino caviar and wagyu beef have been on the menu. I may wax lyrical about that beef.
Within the Maldives, I ate and drank with abandon. I luxuriated with abandon. And I spotted that every one of those actions would fill me with some type of guilt at dwelling. Giving into my wishes, selfishly, isn’t one thing I at all times allow myself to expertise until it’s for another person. It’s why one of many largest luxuries I’ve coveted is the flexibility to journey to “heal” in yoga retreats and spa retreats in idyllic, distant areas — the place the overarching goal is to resume your spirit and provides again to your self. Maybe then, touring to the Maldives, alone, is essentially the most romantic reward I may give to myself.
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