I have heard the term “Black woman in luxury“a lot in recent years. In fact, at Unbothered I have been encouraged to study it: it is cultural phenomenon in social media, or bougie material things to look forward to, or just the little, no-cost pleasures that make life beautiful, gentle, and more bearable for a black woman trying to do it all, all the time? Some equate it with softness, others with material things. Last year, the term “quiet luxury” became a popular term. where you look like you stepped out of the Hamptons wearing a Chanel tweed set, Hermes mules and Dior sunglasses are said to epitomize wealth that whispers instead of shouts. Depending on which TikTok video you watched on the subject, it reeked of class undertones (but the less said the better) that many interpreted as rich and white and only available to a select few, the elusive one percent. However, my personal definition of luxury values experiences and travel over consumerism things — and yet, some destinations still remained fantasies reserved for those with a lot of money. So far.
Last year, I finally had the chance to experience the exclusive luxury when I was invited Maldives trip; a country known for its pristine private beaches, extravagant marriage proposals, luxurious remote retreats and widely recognized as one of the the most expensive tourist destinations in the world. It’s also considered one of the most romantic holiday spots on earth – yet I’d travel without my partner and with strangers. (I left my man at home! Shout out to Beyoncé.) I’m all for maintaining independence in a relationship, but why did this solo trip make me feel so guilty even with the enthusiastic support of my significant other? Why would I want to travel alone to a place famous for extravagant marriage proposals? Of course, I didn’t sit in this discomfort for long and luckily I confirmed my flight. “It’s going to be like my very black version of him Eat Pray Love“, I said to my partner before leaving for the airport, “As long as it’s not a version of him How Stella got her groove backwe’re cool,” he joked.
Seaplane trip
In what looks like a scene from one Bond movie (cliché, but so true!), my travel group prepared for a flight in a very small seaplane after traveling from London Heathrow to Dubai and then on to the Maldivian capital, Male. The plane was tiny — I’m 5-foot-10 and couldn’t stand up straight — and I panicked momentarily as the plane went over the ocean and blew us into the air. As commercial flights go, it was one of the most daring I’ve ever done. From the air, you see its glorious peak The 26 atolls of the Maldives appearing as miniature paradises with bushy palm trees. I will never forget this view in my life.
I was invited to stay at St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Hotel Resort on the private island of Vommuli, based in the Dhaalu Atoll of the Maldives, known for its countless natural beauty, coral reefs and marine life. I was not prepared for the spectacular scenery that would unfold before my eyes. The resort is described as “nestled among lush rainforest and white sand beaches’ — but that doesn’t do it justice. It is, quite simply, heaven. The formerly uninhabited private island is surrounded by undulating palm trees and a long stretch of white beach. The resort consists of 77 luxury villas, 44 of which appear to float above the deep blue sea.
My companions and I agreed that the island would be the perfect setting for another season White Lotus (I could almost hear the show’s theme tune as we disembarked on the island and resort staff dressed in crisp white shirts and chinos lined up and waved at us from the deck).
Quiet in a villa over the water
I stayed at one of the resorts 44 villas over the water and gasped on arrival. It was amazing. The one-bedroom villa, with floor-to-ceiling windows, opened onto a large wooden deck, private plunge pool and hammocks suspended just above the sea’s surface. From the deck, you can go down and swim directly in the ocean and go snorkeling or scuba diving — the resort’s most popular activity. Full disclosure: I did not do this. My swimming skills are not the strongest. I could almost read the headline ‘British journalist lost at sea after failed snorkelling attempt’. I cursed myself for this missed opportunity and made a note to book swimming lessons as soon as I got home.
Sometimes it felt like I was alone in a honeymoon suite. On my first night, the champagne chilled on ice as I chilled in the large en-suite bathroom overlooking the sea as the sun began to set. It was objectively a sexy scene. as was the large waterfall shower and a king-size bed that felt fit for lovers. I quickly shook off the thoughts of needing a partner to be here with me. I did not do it. Alone, I allowed myself to enjoy the quiet. I swam in the pool, hydrated myself with fresh fruit and drank from a freshly cut coconut. I read books from the hammock. I meditated from the deck at sunset. I cried at the sheer beauty of it all. At home, I don’t always appreciate “quiet” – I like the soundtrack of my family and friends always nearby. I prefer bustling coffee shops to the silence of the library, for example. But quiet serves so much when you’re a black woman who’s overstimulated and tired (so tired).
Hugging a boogie, very personal experience
The service at the St. Regis Vommuli was unparalleled and So kind, I felt I should apologize. I had a butler. This took me a minute to wrap my head around. As someone who can be super-independent, I felt guilty for fully embracing this 24-hour personalized service. For every request I made, I would add an insecure “sorry” — I’m very British in that regard. But, when in the Maldives you don’t lift a finger. I made a deliberate decision to lean into the rare opportunity to be fully cared for. Speaking of which, Hussain was So friendly, even recording and sending me a video welcome message before I arrived. I returned to my suite to find my suitcase unpacked and my clothes arranged (and steaming!) in my room. As he showed me around the island in a golf cart, he shared snippets of the best of Maldivian culture, food (a traditional fish soup that I had to try) and traditional ceremonies that I would soon experience.
I create my own love story
“You should see a lot of suggestions,” I asked Hussain, to which he agreed. The Maldives’ reputation for romance preceded the country’s transformation into a sought-after tourist destination. In Maldivian folklore, he explained, there is an enduring story about two divided lovers that has come to be known as “Maldives Romeo and Juliet“. Digging deeper, I discovered that this story passed down from generation to generation, was about a man who goes on an epic journey to meet the love of his life, but an unfortunate twist would change their lives forever.”Man, this place is so romantic.” I couldn’t help but think. “And I’m doing this without my husband. Maybe this love story is about myself. This is my epic journey.”
Throughout the trip, I couldn’t help but see romance in every corner – watching the sunset from the architectural marvel of the resort’s Whale Bar to private dinner on the beach under the stars as we sipped wine and dipped our bare feet the cool sand. I was tired, in awe and gushed, like a woman in love. But, as I was constantly reminded, this trip would be about my.
There were many moments that stood out on this short trip. hydrobiologist Hazel Araujo explained in depth the resort’s efforts to restore the Maldivian coral reefs and save their marine life from the lasting effects of climate change and warming. Meanwhile, the general manager of the St. Regis Vommuli, Vincent Pauchon, who lives on the island with his family, took us out on his yacht, where he introduced us to Champagne Ritual St. Regis (something the staff would do a few times on the trip) and shared details of the enviable serenity that comes with living and working on the island. I experienced a transcendent full-body massage at the resort’s Iridium spa and swayed upside down in an aerial yoga class.
I eat (and grant) my desires
And then there was the food. This is where I really sunk my teeth into luxury. Every meal was a masterpiece. From dining under the palm trees and feasting on fresh Middle Eastern food at Cargo, to a sumptuous evening at Japanese Kaseiki-style restaurant T-Pan, where albino white caviar and wagyu beef were on the menu. I could wax lyrical about this beef.
In the Maldives, I ate and drank with abandon. I luxuriated in giving up. And I realized that all these activities would fill me with some form of guilt at home. Giving in to my desires, selfishly, is not something I always allow myself to experience unless it’s for someone else. That’s why one of the greatest luxuries I’ve longed for is the ability to travel to “heal” at yoga retreats and spas in idyllic, remote locations — where the primary purpose is to renew your spirit and give back to yourself. Perhaps then, traveling to the Maldives, alone, is the most romantic gift I could give myself.
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