...The review

The Nautilus

Tropical fantasy meets boho-luxe style on the Maldives’ Baa Atoll at The Nautilus, an ultra-luxury private island hideaway enveloped by white sandy beaches and vibrant coral reefs.

Located in the heart of the renowned Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, The Nautilus is an ultra-luxury private island hideaway offering complete flexibility and freedom, giving the island a bohemian feel, perfect for free spirits that adhere to an anything, anytime timetable. Your intimate island sanctuary takes bespoke luxury to a new level, boasting unrivalled space and utter privacy; personalised home comforts and a dedicated butler service; exquisite fine dining anytime, anywhere; and experiences tailored to your every whim. Add to the mix sprawling beach and ocean hideaways and an island encircled by whiter-than-white sand and lapped by translucent water, and you’ve found paradise.

“The Nautilus definitely comes into the category of ‘barefoot luxury’ but it’s so much more than that. Dream up any marine adventure, dining experience or deserted beach exploration and staff will bend over backwards to make it happen.”

Things to do

Known as ‘free spirited experiences’, The Nautilus is proud to allow guests to veer completely off-script, giving them an opportunity to do something they’ve only ever dreamed they could. Would you like to swim around giant manta rays as they perform their timeless dance? How about movie time on a deserted sand bank with a loved one and plenty of champagne? Or if you’d like to create a house party in your private residence with live music and cocktails – just ask. From private picnics on castaway sandbanks and tailor-made treatments at our overwater spa, to spectacular underwater adventures and enriching and fun-filled childrens’ programmes, The Nautilus offers endless possibilities of free-spirited experiences tailored to your every whim.

Sleeping

There are 26 boho-chic houses and residences dotted around the palm-fringed beach and on stilts over the turquoise Indian Ocean. Circular thatched houses are grouped together to create each sizeable ‘house’, and all come with a private infinity pool. Inside, soaring ceilings create a feeling of space, and ocean houses and residences benefit from a round glass panel on the floor to facilitate marine gazing. If you’re travelling as a family, take over the three-bedroom beach mansion and create your own island idyll.

Food and drink

Continuing the anything, anytime theme, dining is an unscripted affair which is very much based on your own personal whims. There are three restaurants and two bars, with no closing times or dress codes, or you can of course dine in your own residence, or on a secluded spot on a beach. Take inspiration from your environment and order freshly-made sushi or grilled lobster or go off-piste with Turkish meze, a Wagyu burger or enjoy free-flow gourmet canapés from Naiboli poolside bar.  Wines are sourced from all over the world – you’ll find old favourites and new world wonders.

What stands out

The can-do mentality and approach of the staff at The Nautilus is outstanding. Private house masters (butlers) come as standard and constantly look for ways to make your experience better with flower petal bubble baths, pre-breakfast juices or snorkelling gear on demand. Elsewhere from the dive and watersports centre, yoga pavilion to the restaurant staff, you’ll find hand-picked professionals who really know their stuff.

Best for

If you’ve ever been frustrated by a private island food service timings or asked for something and been denied, then The Nautilus will be a breath of fresh air. Attracting bohemian types who are drawn to the sanctuary’s laid-back vibe, this is the place to come for a highly personalised experience in a setting of sensational natural beauty.

The Verdict

Press pause on life and allow yourself to be swept away by The Nautilus. With no set agenda, you can really make this gorgeous island your own. This is the ultimate tropical fantasy.

The collection
Best of the Best – Maldives

The last few years have seen some sensational openings and refurbishments in the Maldives, so we’ve put together a collection of three of our favourites.

Joali Villa, Maldives
Maldives
Booking with Bailey Robinson means access to the finest travel experiences. When planning your holiday we do all the hard work – in-depth research and meticulous organisation. You can be confident in the individual care for your holiday from your dedicated and experienced Personal Travel Designer and Concierge.
The collection
Which Maldives are you?
Joali, Maldives
Maldives
The review
North Island, Seychelles
North Island, Seychelles
The Seychelles
Travel Ideas