THE MALDIVES
Likely the screensaver on your computer, the landscape of crystal-clear lagoons, blue sky, and white beaches can seduce one into instant meditation, proving the power of nature in mental health, but this powerful backdrop is quite literally what you wake up to every day in the Maldives.
The Maldives is my go-to meditation destination, and it’s a preferred getaway for affluent travelers who want to truly escape. These exclusive, luxury-drenched islands in the Indian Ocean trigger an immediate sense of calm, and they’re quite remote, so avoiding distraction comes effortlessly in fact, you can go days, even your entire vacation, without seeing another soul. Here, the connection to nature is unreal. I’ve snorkeled with stingrays and sea turtles, did sunrise yoga on the beach with a private instructor, and meditated in my overwater bungalow. Ultimately, the Maldives is paradise, and paradise heals.
Kudadoo Villa, Kuda, Kudadoo Private Island by Hurawahhi, Maldives
One of the best resorts to meditate is Kudadoo. The private island sanctuary only has 14 villas, so it’s incredibly private. When I checked in, there was only one other reservation (a gay couple), who I only saw once. Kudadoo is the type of place you don’t have to go out of your way to meditate. I had thoughtful reflections simply hanging out in my infinity pool, taking strolls on the beach and laying in swaying hammocks.
Kudadoo is an all-inclusive resort, including unlimited spa treatments in its bi-level spa. Guests can have as many treatments as they wish, whether a Balinese massage with Tibetan sound healing or coconut body polish, but the resort taps into even deeper experiences, like pressure-point reflexology, chakra balancing meditation, and reiki. It’s also the only spa in the Maldives with a Himalayan salt chamber, Lonu Cave, lined with mineral-rich Himalayan salt known for healing qualities, easing muscles, and restoration.
Outdoor spas in the Maldives are often as spacious as entire boutique hotels, and most luxury resorts are equipped with wellness gurus and curated programs. Throw in the high level of privacy and mesmerizing landscapes, and meditation becomes effortless, and worth the far-flung journey.
