Maldives' First Resort Museum – Loama

Loama Resort Maldives, a brand new resort on the Maamigili island in Raa Atoll, has opened for visitors. The resort is spread over 100 hectares of virgin coral reefs surrounding the island and is a 45 minute seaplane ride from Ibrahim Nasir International airport or a 10 minute ride from Ifuru Domestic airport.
Unlike any other resort in the Maldives, Loama comes with an in-house Museum. “We are creating a place of hospitality… but we add art, culture and heritage to the mix” said veteran hotelier and general manager of Loama resorts, Andres Rubio. “We have established the Maldives’ first gallery of contemporary Maldivian art, Loama Art Gallery, in an overwater pavilion near the resort’s main arrival pier and with the blessing of the National Art Gallery of Maldives in Malé.”

Loama Museum has an important collection of artefacts from key periods of Maldivian history, from an extensive collection of 15th century Chinese porcelain to a pair of 11th Century sunken baths found on the island. These are part of an on-going process of excavation where other ancient artefacts have also been found and put into the museum’s collection.
Maamigili Island was once thought to be the holiday playground for royalty; in fact, Maa means Grand, large and ‘Kingly’ in the local Dhivehi language. In keeping up with the meaning of the word Maa, accommodations at Loama Resort are truly fit for kings (and queens).
Loama Resort boasts 38 beach villas, each spanning 67 sqm, nestled amidst lush natural foliage with private outdoor bath tubs, each room bearing its own Maldivian name that reflects heritage and the history of the Maldives. Loama Resort’s five spacious twin and connecting family villas, at 134 sqm each, are perfect for a getaway with your loved ones. The resorts also comes with two beach suites which are spacious 155 sqm sanctuaries with separate dining and living areas. Maldivian artistry such as Kuna (mat) weavings and handcrafted Run’ba pottery, and accentuated by sophisticated contemporary nuances such as open-air showers and spa-like amenities.The main draw are the resort’s overwater 52 Ocean Villas perched on poles above the shallows of the lagoon.

The resort features six dining options. They include a Thai fine dining restaurant, a Japanese restaurant with Sushi bar and Teppanyaki at the open-air lounge. Fazaa is an all-day dining restaurant offering Western, Asian and Mediterranean cuisine and for barbecue enthusiasts there is the Athiri Club. At poolside, Iru Café offers Italian cuisine.
Rubio added that the resort’s spa experience would also be special by blending best practices from traditional and contemporary wellness.