The Maldives may be heaven on earth, but when you’re running a luxury resort like Velaa Private Island, all that fresh sea-salted air can take a devilish toll on the furnishings.
Which might explain why the 47-key property has found it necessary to spruce up one of its four private residences when it’s only been open since December 2013.
The masterplan is to invite a tent-pole designer to refurbish each of the remaining villas – originally designed by Czech architect Petr Kolar – and first out of the box is Patricia Urquiola’s work on Nika Private Residence.
With a quietly sure hand, the Spanish-born, Milan-based designer infuses the two-storey, 1,350 sq m pleasure dome with a low-key mod-Euro atmosphere that doesn’t detract from that fabled vista of sun, sand and sea visible from each of the four bedrooms. The furnishings are a tight edit of her Moroso collection framed against straw weaves, dark timber screens, and earth-toned textiles, making Velaa primed for a fresh close-up.
ADDRESS
Noonu Atoll
Maldives
-
Designers craft wooden furniture to mark LA wildfires anniversary‘From the Upper Valley in the Foothills’ (on view at Marta, LA, until 31 January 2026) brings together two dozen creatives from the city to transform trees cleared from fire-damaged areas
-
CES is awash with the far out and futuristic. Here are nine things that caught our eyeDiscover what’s new in robotics, AI wearables, rollable screens, all-electric roller skis and more in our guide to the quirkiest tech innovations at CES 2026
-
More changes are coming to the White HouseFollowing the demolition of the East Wing and plans for a massive new ballroom, President Trump wants to create an ‘Upper West Wing’
-
Waldorf Astoria Maldives rolls out a rare Ferrari joyride for guestsWaldorf Astoria Maldives, in partnership with Hedley Studios, allows guests to test-drive a scaled-down, all-electric version of Ferrari’s 250 Testa Rossa
-
The new design-led hotels that should be on your radarExplore the best new openings in the world, from an intimate bolthole in Mexico City to a sunny island resort in the Maldives
-
One&Only’s portfolio of ultra-luxury escapes reaches out to new horizonsFrom the Maldives to Mexico, One&Only’s resorts and private homes around the world offer exceptional stays in idyllic locations, soon to include a first USA property, designed by Olson Kundig
-
Dive deep into Soneva’s ultra-luxury new resort in the MaldivesSoneva Secret, the first resort in the Haa Dhaalu Atoll, offers 14 secluded overwater and island villas
-
An eclectic luxury island getaway awaits at SO/ MaldivesEnnismore’s SO/ brand gives the Maldives a boost of vibrancy with its new opening a short 15-minute speedboat ride from Malé
-
At Patina Maldives, sustainability and luxury blend harmoniouslyLuxury resort Patina Maldives recently partnered with natural skincare brand Haeckles to craft a bespoke wellbeing range
-
Missoni takes over One&Only Maldives resort in calming blue huesItalian fashion house Missoni reimagines Maldives resort One&Only Reethi Rah
-
Villa One at the One & Only Palmilla — Los Cabos, Mexico
