Four Seasons Private Island Maldives presents “Breath of Voavah” by Recording Artist Prem Joshua

Inspired by Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the new 12-track collection Breath of Voavah by Prem Joshua captures the soul of one of the world’s most pristine locations.

Melodies whisper the secrets of the Indian Ocean while honeyed harmonies trace nature’s subtlest and most sublime features – from the ripple of a fish in the lagoon to a flash of sunlight between swaying palms.

Four Seasons Private Island Maldives, Voavah
Four Seasons Private Island Maldives

Born out of Prem’s own visit, it’s an ingenious interpretation of the sights, sensations and spirit of the Maldives designed to leave guests tingling from their ears to their toes. To create the album, he worked closely with fellow musician and co-composer Dondieu Divin and invited a number of talented friends to contribute: Raul Sengupta’s darbouka on Voavah Metro Station and shaker and tabla on Banyan Birds; Sandhya Sanjana’s vocals on A Spoonful of Infinity and Under the Mangrove Tree; Sanou Olszewski’s vocals on Bharata Blues and Vasundhara; and Francky Moulet’s electric guitar on James Baba.

Recalling his visit to Voavah and how it inspired him, Prem shared, “The incredible beauty and purity of nature is overwhelming. But the secret of this place is the people – their warmth, liveliness, smiles, laughter, dignity, honesty, kindness and contentment. With this album I want to return exactly these impressions and secrets in the form of contemporary music – the ever-changing colours of the endless sea, from a gentle breeze to a sudden storm, the warm rain on our skin, the night sky, the jungle birds in the trees, and again and again the friendly smiles of the people.”

“It was an honour to have Prem Joshua visit us,” comments Regional Vice President Armando Kraenzlin. “Our Maldivian Resorts have long aligned with Prem’s music, with it frequently appearing on our restaurant playlists, so to have him visit personally to capture Voavah’s essence in the form of a bespoke compilation is a very special thing.”

About Prem Joshua & Band

Prem Joshua & Band are pioneers of a crossover sound that is nestled at the cusp of Eastern tradition and Western innovation. With a soul-searching and dexterous blend of sounds and instruments, the music draws the listener into an emotionally rewarding journey across diverse musical landscapes. Elegant and contemporary, Prem Joshua & Band have consistently awed audiences with their virtuosity and confidence to create an experience that shall long outlive the classifications of genre or time.

Breath of Voavah is available to purchase from the Spa and Resort shops at Four Seasons Resorts Maldives.  The CD will also feature in all rooms and suites across Four Seasons Resorts Maldives.

Four Seasons First Private Island Escape at Voavah Maldives Opens

The world’s first exclusive-use hideaway in a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, Baa Atoll is a truly private island that couples legendary service with limitless living.

Capturing the imagination, this secluded five-acre (two hectare) haven transcends the private island experience: “entirely yours” from the moment of booking, seven bedrooms, a Beach House, dive school and 62-foot (18.9 metre) yacht extend the oceanic spoils of the Maldives’ only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve to up to 22 guests at a time. Guests decide the schedule, staff and services, redefining Voavah with every visit as somewhere to retreat, explore, connect, celebrate, and dream with one’s eyes open.

Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, Baa Atoll
Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, Baa Atoll

Voavah days revolve around the double-storey Beach House and adjacent white sands, crystal waters and abundant reef – all exemplary even by Maldives standards. The Beach House hub offers open-air living room, dining room, kitchen, pool deck, gym, library and loft lounge, while seven bedrooms are arranged on the beach, over the pristine lagoon or elevated in panoramic Mezzanine Suites.

A 62 foot (18.9 metre) private yachtVoavah Summer – invites exploration of a dazzling and undisturbed UNESCO domain. Experiences focus on the UNESCO territory, guided by a team that has already spent a decade protecting it: diving with whale sharks, snorkelling with manta rays, swimming with neighbourhood turtles, fishing for dinner, visiting local islands, surfing unknown breaks and cruising into breathtaking Baa Atoll sunsets.

Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, Baa Atoll
Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, Baa Atoll

At the heart of Voavah’s pledge to expand horizons, The Ocean of Consciousness Spa offers treatments based on the five pathways of Truth, Wise Action, Love, Peace, and Compassion – each designed to elevate awareness, transform actions and help individuals awaken to their power to affect wide-reaching change. Guests can also have yoga, meditation and pranayama classes, high-end beauty treatments and a Rossano Ferretti hair consultant on call.

A multicultural on-site team bestows nurturing one-on-one service, showcasing shining stars from Four Seasons culinary, spa, recreation, diving, housekeeping, childcare and marine conservation worlds.

Privacy-protected with single-entry, CCTV, night vision cameras, and 24-hour on-site security patrols, Four Seasons Private Island Voavah is far more than a luxury retreat. It’s a reconnection to self and surroundings; an island to call one’s own; somewhere to explore desires, in one’s own way, where no-one is watching and anything is possible.

An Island to call your own: Introducing Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, Baa Atoll

Off limits to everyone; limitless to you

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the world’s leading luxury hospitality company, today announced Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, Baa Atoll, the first private island in the company’s portfolio and the world’s only exclusive-use UNESCO hideaway located in a World Biosphere Reserve.

Opening in late 2016, this secluded five-acre (two-hectare) oasis transcends the private island experience. “Entirely yours” from the moment of booking, the island’s seven bedrooms, Beach House, Dive Centre, Oceans of Consciousness Spa and 62-foot (18.9-metre) yacht extend the spoils of the Maldives’ only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve to up to 22 guests on an exclusive basis.

Truly capturing the imagination, Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah couples legendary care with limitless living. Alongside the Four Seasons Private Jet and the company’s array of Extraordinary Experiences, the island showcases the company’s commitment to offering the world’s most discerning guests the best of a destination, while surrounded by the personalised service and attention to detail that are the hallmarks of Four Seasons.

“Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah will redefine exclusive luxury, opening as a tropical haven for those who seek an unprecedented experience of private luxury alongside Four Seasons legendary service,” said Mike Crawford, President, Asia Pacific. “As the latest addition to our Extraordinary Experiences collection, the island speaks to the company’s commitment to perfecting the guest experience and our ability to re-imagine the limits of luxury travel in creative and innovative ways. It’s just one of the many ways we’re constantly evolving our offerings to deliver the kind of memorable, fully-customised and exclusive experiences our guests want and value.”

“At Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, guests can design their own experience,” commented Armando Kraenzlin, Regional Vice President and General Manager, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru. “They can treat the island as a space to spend captivating moments with family and friends; a place to play to the extreme and explore to their heart’s content; a secluded sanctuary to retreat and spa; the most exclusive VIP venue to celebrate and party; or an inspiring landscape to meet and motivate.”

Maldives Private Island at Voavah, Baa Atoll
Maldives Private Island at Voavah, Baa Atoll

Many experiences – from year-round manta ray sightings to mind-expanding kids’ activities – focus on the surrounding UNESCO territory, guided by a team that has already spent a decade protecting it. Indeed, Four Seasons developed Voavah in close coordination with local environmental consultancies to ensure proper maintenance of the balance between man and nature, culture and conservation – in keeping with the prerequisites of the Atoll’s UNESCO Biosphere designation.

Voavah days revolve around the double-storey Beach House and adjacent white sands, crystal waters and abundant reef – all exemplary even by Maldivian standards. The Beach House hub offers an open-air living room, dining room, kitchen, pool deck, gym, library and loft lounge, while seven bedrooms span three separate locations: on the beach, over the lagoon or elevated in panoramic Mezzanine Suites.

As are all aspects of Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, dining on the island is tailored to the mood of island guests, meal by meal, from poolside to The Beach House dining room, at the water’s edge or on a sandbank. A 62-foot (18.9-metre) private yacht – Voavah Summer – invites exploration of a dazzling and undisturbed UNESCO territory. From diving with whale sharks to snorkelling with year-round manta rays, swimming with neighbourhood turtles, fishing for dinner, visiting local islands, surfing unknown breaks and cruising into breathtaking Baa Atoll sunsets, the possibilities on Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah are endless.

Expanding horizons, The Oceans of Consciousness Spa offers bespoke over-water spa therapies and rituals; yoga, meditation and pranayama classes; high-end beauty treatments; and Rossano Ferretti hair consultant on call.

In the mood for a party? On Voavah, there are no neighbours, no paparazzi and the possibilities are endless. Groups can create one-of-a-kind birthday surprises and celebrations, fly in big name acts or create their own mini music festival or beach party, all perfected with a sprinkling of Voavah magic.

Maldives Private Island at Voavah, Baa Atoll
Maldives Private Island at Voavah, Baa Atoll

The island is accessible via a 40-minute seaplane transfer from Malé International Airport, or a 20-minute speedboat ride from Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru. Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah will be the fourth addition to the company’s Maldives collection, including Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, and Four Seasons Explorer.

Four Seasons explorer near island
Four Seasons explorer near island

The experience of Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah will set the benchmark for private island travel, both due to the transfixing natural beauty of the island and the highly bespoke, privacy-protected service that epitomises Four Seasons. It is the very definition of an Extraordinary Experience. Such offerings invite travellers to see the world differently, with a level of access that is otherwise unavailable. The current collection of Four Seasons Extraordinary Experiences includes a wide range of unforgettable options, including those in:

  • Maui – Guests will soar by helicopter above towering waterfalls, rainforested peaks and a dormant volcano before touching down on Hana Ranch for a private tour and foraging expedition through the working ranch and organic farm. Guests will then enjoy a private lunch prepared by Four Seasons Executive Chef Craig Dryhurst and Hana Ranch’s Chef Jon Watson featuring ingredients freshly picked from the farm. 
  • San Diego – Armed with a waterproof camera and wetsuit, guests will capture the beauty of coastal California from sea to sky through an underwater photography expedition with Aaron Chang, considered by many to be the creator of modern surf and ocean photography. Following a morning of diving, guests will join Chang in a helicopter tour above the San Diego coastline to capture the perfect aerial shot of the breaking shore.
  • Cairo at Nile Plaza – Guests will relive the 7,000-year history of Egypt and the Pharaonic Empire by enjoying a spectacular sound and light show of the Pyramids at night. Narration and light displays will bring the history and mystery of the Egyptian empire to life, recounting the legends of ancient Pharaohs and the majestic Sphinx.  Set against the backdrop of the Great Pyramid, guests will then enjoy a private dinner under the stars while listening to the gorgeous strains of the private Cairo Symphony Orchestra. 
  • Cap-Ferrat – Guests will enjoy a private tour of Villa Santo Sospir, the legendary French Riviera estate that formerly belonged to socialite Francine Weisweiller and was once the favourite gathering place for celebrities, writers and artists such as Coco Chanel, Marlene Dietrich and Pablo Picasso. After exploring the Villa and taking in its many whimsical mosaics, murals and frescos, guests will enjoy a private dinner, prepared by Michelin-starred Chef Didier Aniès, overlooking the Mediterranean on the estate terrace. 
  • Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru – Guests will channel their inner Jacques Cousteau during a journey of discovery in the underwater world of manta rays and whale sharks. Led by some of the world’s leading experts on manta rays, guests will cruise the turquoise waters of the Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, learning to spot the creatures in the water and helping to record essential environmental information and take identification photos. Taking their oceanic study to new depths, guests will then free-dive into the Indian Ocean to observe the manta rays and whale sharks in their natural habitat.

    Sunset Water Villa, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
    Sunset Water Villa, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
  • Hangzhou – Guests will journey back in time on a traditional Chinese rowboat ride through one of Eastern China’s most lush and fabled lakes, taking in majestic mountains, ancient temples, traditional pagodas and graceful bridges while sipping premium Hangzhou tea and sampling local delicacies from Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake.