There’s a certain cachet in staying at a hotel when it’s only just opened: the joy of pipping fellow travellers to the post, and the enviable experience of crowning a crisp new resort.
Which is why the brand new Cora Cora Maldives island resort is on wish our list this season. Just 45 minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport, or 30 minutes by domestic flight with a 20-minute speedboat journey, you’ll find Cora Cora in the pristine and pure Raa Atoll, surrounded by nothing but palm trees, lush tropical landscaping, long beaches with soft, silky sands, and aquamarine waters filled with kaleidoscopic sea-life and 10 unique dive sites.
The resort is home to 100 villas and suites, ranging from chic and tucked away beach villas that are perfect for couples, to larger two-bedroom Lagoon Pool Villas with a slide for ultimate overwater family fun.
A true gem of Cora Cora Maldives is its Gourmet Meal Plan (premium all-inclusive) that offers guests complete flexibility and freedom in their dining choices. Centred around the resort’s five restaurants and bars, you’ll find breakfast and buffets at Tazaa, sushi and teppanyaki at Teien, street food and noodles at Ginger Moon, laid-back Italian at Acquapazza, and coffees and cakes at My Coffee - all with absolutely no hidden charges.
With wellness sitting at the heart of Cora Cora Maldives, there is also the seven-room MOKSHA Spa that draws on the natural healing powers of its surrounding environment. With mindful activities, yoga, meditation and, of course, an extensive treatment list, it’s a serene sanctuary space perfect for both relaxation and revitalisation.
When you’ve woken from your MOKSHA Spa reverie, it’s time to turn your attentions to the ocean, where the warm, crystal clear waters teem with colourful fish. Cora Cora Maldives has a PADI-certified dive centre allowing guests to snorkel above the waves or dip down below them to explore the aquatic home of curious lemon sharks, marlins, triggerfish and brightly-coloured nudibranchs. Jump aboard the resort’s boat and 10 dive sites are within easy reach, with the expert divemasters on hand to help you investigate.
And to ensure guests feel a unique sense of place, Cora Cora Maldives is also the first resort in the Maldives to house a licensed art gallery and museum. With over 400 local artefacts in its collection and guest artists throughout the year, it invites all who step foot on the island to learn more about its culture, its people and fall even deeper in love with the location.