Private island resort makes efforts to give its guests a nature-centric experience
With sustainability intertwined in its award-winning design and environmental practices at the forefront of its operations, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort continues to set new benchmarks for eco-tourism in the region.
Nestled on the 22-acre Vommuli Island – in a destination that thrives on tourism and the pristine natural environment – the exquisite resort acknowledges its commitment to the environment through a truly intricate design and sustainable practices. From a recycling plant and a diesel generation plant to island cleanups, the property is amping up efforts to create a more sustainable world whilst helping to shape industry standards.
Both modern and contemporary, the private island resort’s design remains respectful of the traditions, local culture, and the values of the St. Regis brand. Designed by WOW Architects’ Warner Wong, the eco-theme of the resort aims to inspire its guests to learn more about themselves and instill admiration for the natural beauty of the world.
The resort features 77 islands and overwater villa accommodations, each with a private pool and comprises of four zones – each drawing inspiration from both natural elements and a man-made environment. The four zones comprise The Lagoon Zone, The Beach Zone, The Jungle Zone and The Coastal Zone.
The overwater villas are designed to remind guests of the manta rays that grace the oceans, while the beach villas are a reminder of the fisherman’s huts that could be found on the island before the resort even existed. Guests staying in the family villas will be reminded of the Maldivian Dhoni, the local sailing boat that frequents the waters. These two-story structures are covered by a roof that mimics the sail on the Maldivian Dhoni and opens to expansive decks with stunning views of the ocean.
The interior design of the villas reflects the textures and patterns found on the island, including a coral chandelier, headboards made of recycled glass beads, artwork created from salvaged wood as well as a soft fabric that replicates ripples of water.
Guests who visit the Whale Bar will be mesmerised by its resemblance to the whale shark, while the Iridium Spa resembles a crustacean, the lobster. Vommuli House, the nature discovery center, is reminiscent of the large banyan tree that is found in the midst of the dense vegetation.
Several plants and trees in The Jungle Zone were conserved and protected during the construction to maintain the character of the island. Within the compound is a tropical garden that houses many of the local flowering plants, while the jungle outside retains its rawness.
The lighting found in the restaurant, Alba, is based on upcycling. These hanging lamps are made from repurposed Indian pots, while recycled shells were used to make the bead lamps found along the verandah.
A sculpture created by Wong Chiu Man and the artist Alex Davis graces the Whale Bar. The sculpture, Eroded Memories, was designed to evoke the idea of waste conservation among the resort’s guests. Leftover steel pipes from construction sites create mnemonic totems to remind guests how the resort was built; through the combination of man-made and natural materials. The piece is a collaborative effort of Stephen Siew of WOW Architects and Alex Davis.
In addition to the unique eco-design of the resort itself, sustainability practices are given great emphasis on Vollumi Island. The island boasts its own designated recycling plant, reducing the amount of waste produced while turning large piles of recycled material into smaller cubes for safe transport. In addition to this, the island is also home to its own diesel generation plant and takes efforts to closely monitor the use and consumption of diesel and fuel consumption.
Further to this, staff members on the island host cleanups on a weekly basis for the inner island and daily cleanups for the outer island. Full island cleanups are conducted monthly to rid the island of debris, fallen foliage, and garbage.
At 8.30PM on Saturday 30th March 2019, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort will join individuals, communities and businesses around the world in turning of their lights for Earth Hour 2019, the world’s largest grassroots movement for action on climate change – a further initiative reinstating the ethos of the private island resort.