What’s the vibe?
Remnants of the island’s past as a coconut plantation linger, most notably the runway-like entrance flanked by soaring palms. As you make your way through the island—best done on your monogrammed bike—the lush vegetation has a grounding effect, particularly powerful when you pull up to AyurMa. (The spa’s name means “Mother of Life.”) The spa is split into two sides: On one half you’ll find your typical Maldives spa, with overwater treatment villas where you can unwind with a massage, facial, or body therapy of your choosing; the other, though, is where things get really special.
Designated as a “well-being haven” rather than a spa, AyurMa is the kind of place where Buddhist prayer flags wave in the wind and an ambient om sound, set at 432 hertz, a frequency believed to have a harmonizing effect on the body, emanates from speakers. Amid the vine-trimmed arches, frangipani trees, and a herb garden, there are three spacious alfresco pavilions where treatments are held. Each one has a pair of stone bathtubs used for detox therapies, indoor and outdoor showers, a steam room, and Ayurveda-style treatment beds made from strychnine wood, a medicinal tree that’s believed to lower uric acid, thereby reducing inflammation. Bar none, they’re some of the most thoughtfully conceived treatment spaces I’ve ever seen and have left an impression since my first visit to the island nearly a decade ago.
Photo: Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Maldives
The history?
While Ayurveda has played a role at the spa since the resort’s opening in 2006, AyurMa launched in 2022. With the revamped concept came an even greater emphasis on physician-led Ayurvedic healing, along with the introduction of advanced health assessments and data-driven diagnostics that provide insights into biomarkers, gut health, nutritional preferences, posture, and joint mobility. But what has most strongly resonated with AyurMa’s loyal guests is the center’s ability to help them connect with nature, fostering self-love by caring for the planet.
Photo: Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Maldives
