There are no clocks and constraints at The Nautilus, a luxury bohemian resort in the Maldives, where experiences are tailored to your every whim.

In the Maldives that’s home to a spate of luxurious island resorts, one address stands out as the poster child of privacy and lavish indulgences. It’s The Nautilus, a luxury bohemian sanctuary where you can slip away for the weekend, especially for an all-girls trip in the summer.

It was my latest destination of choice – where time stood still, and the experiences were tailored to my every whim. Located in the Baa Atoll amidst the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and Hanifaru Bay, which is known for manta ray and whale shark sightings, the resort is immersed in nature and its pristine pleasures.

The first sign of its arms-wide welcome was when I was driven in a limousine to a private VIP lounge, where the usually time-consuming immigration and baggage processes were managed on my behalf. I was then flown in a seaplane to the property, where I arrived 30 minutes later and was greeted by exceptionally friendly staff and unparalleled views of the Indian Ocean.

The Nautilus promises you the good life – its 26 ultra-private beach and overwater houses feature spacious bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms, replete with Penhaligon’s and Hermés amenities. They also include outdoor showers, a separate living room, wide sundeck, and temperature-controlled infinity pool, with a private butler (house master) at your service.

There are eight Ocean and nine Beach Houses; two Ocean and five Beach Residences; a two-bedroom Nautilus Retreat; and the Nautilus Mansion, a three-bedroom beach home that’s akin to a castle on the sand. The property’s bohemian aesthetic vocabulary is on display at the mansion, which is decorated with custom furnishings and objets d’art. The expansive living rooms feature floor-to-ceiling glass windows that boast mesmerising views of the Indian Ocean and the surrounding flora and fauna.

At The Nautilus, expect an individualised experience at every level that gives you the chance to craft your own journey. This sense of freedom extends to the address’ many offerings, as it gives you the liberty to order food and visit its Solasta Spa at any time of the day and night. ‘No opening hours, no constraints’, as the resort promises.

The location’s three restaurants took me on a bespoke culinary journey that’s designed to delight every palate. Zeytoun offers intriguing Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes that pack a punch; Ocaso is the resort’s answer to an al fresco grill with a combination of Japanese, Mexican and Peruvian flavours; and Thyme spoils for choice with international cuisine. Naiboli is a poolside lounge, where you can enjoy gourmet canapés from the comfort of loungers and cabanas.

The Solasta Spa has three glass-floored private treatment pavilions, where tailored wellness programmes and daily rituals are supported by Maison Caulières and Omorovicza’s natural and organic product lines. Here, you can experience complimentary yoga, fitness and meditation sessions.

On World Sleep Day (17 March) this year, the resort launched The Nautilus Slumber Ritual that carries forward its mission of laidback luxury. The aim of the initiative is to create awareness about sleep health and emphasise its importance in ensuring mental, physical and social wellbeing.

Attuned to this year’s theme of ‘Sleep Is Essential For Health’, the slumber ritual is a complimentary turndown service performed by house masters, who prepare a hot bath filled with Omorovicza bath salts to soothe tired muscles and promote blood circulation. Awaiting at your bedside will be a pot of freshly brewed herbal floral tea and mixed nuts.

Your bedroom will be infused with sleep-inducing lavender scent with calming music playing in the background – efforts to aid a good night’s sleep that you probably haven’t had all year. For greater efficacy, Solasta Spa recommends a two-day slumber ritual, which includes a collection of treatments, such as body polish, restorative yoga and massage.

For an impromptu adventure, take a trip in a luxury yacht, or host a private soiree in your beach house whilst enjoying live music and indulging in seafood that’s grilled to perfection. You can also relish a private cinema screening on a distant sandbank under a sky full of stars for an evening you’ll remember forever.

Fitsphere is the property’s modern and fully equipped gym that’s open to guests with 24-hour access, and The Arena is a multipurpose sports court for you to indulge in a game of futsal, badminton, tennis, or volleyball. For children and teenagers, the location houses a Young Wonderers kids club, and offers multiple educational activities.

At The Nautilus, life truly revolves around you. Its free-spirited experiences made me vow that I’ll return soon.

Visit Thenautilusmaldives.com and follow @Thenautilusisland on Instagram.

This article was originally published in Villa 88’s Summer 2023 edition. Subscribe here.