Last month, Southern Travel Agency had the pleasure of arranging the summer vacation of dreams for our clients, the Carter family. A group of seven, the Carters jetted off for a four-day getaway and some quality time at the luxurious One&Only resort in the Maldives, a lush tropical paradise off the coast of India. Read on to find out why Lee Ann, the matriarch of the Carter clan and a seasoned STA traveler, felt this vacation at the One & Only Reethi Rah Maldives Resort Hotel stood out from all the rest.
Highlights from the Carter Clan Stay at the One & Only Reethi Rah Resort in the Maldives
STA: Welcome back, Lee Ann! What initially drew you and your family to the Maldives?
Lee Ann: Well, we try to take a family vacation every year and the Maldives had been on mine and my three daughters’ bucket lists for quite a while. Recently, we’ve been trying to explore some of the farther places on our lists, so we figured it was time! Getting away is really key for us to spend quality time together since we’re all so busy. My daughters each have husbands of their own (two of which got to come along!) and my husband is a doctor, so if we vacation near home, there’s always a chance he could get called in.
STA: It’s so important to have that quality time together! How did One&Only help create those special moments for your family?
Lee Ann: Oh my gosh, the One & Only Reethi Rah Maldives resort exceeded all of my expectations! You know, we actually had a different place in mind for this vacation but Mike really pushed the One&Only resort as he felt it would be right for us. I’m so glad we trusted his judgment — we’ve been traveling for a long time, and nothing else compared to this experience. My husband and I stayed in one of the over-the-water bungalows, with each of our daughters and their husbands in the neighboring bungalows as well, so we basically had an intimate compound all to ourselves right there over the ocean. Each bungalow came with bicycles, so we could easily ride down the deck to the main resort for meals and activities.
STA: That sounds absolutely serene! What kind of activities did you guys participate in?
Lee Ann: We did a lot of snorkeling… every bungalow came with its own snorkeling gear, so you could just jump off the side of your resort villa and enjoy the ocean! But we also arranged a snorkeling trip with the resort one day, and they took us out to some of the best snorkeling spots I’ve ever seen. We saw so many fish, turtles, and even sharks, it was like being inside of an aquarium! One of my daughters accompanied my husband on a scuba dive as well, but I was happy enough to stay on the surface!
STA: Wow, what an experience! Were there any other highlights of this vacation at the One & Only Reethi Rah Maldives resort hotel that stood out to you?
Lee Ann: Everything felt like a highlight! The food at the One & Only Reethi Rah resort was phenomenal (especially the breakfast buffet!) and the service was impeccable. When the airlines lost our luggage, One&Only went above and beyond to track it down for us and even provided us with clothes to wear in the meantime so we could meet the dinner dress code. Our personal butler was also so gracious and attentive, and always anticipated our needs. They made sure our lost luggage didn’t negatively impact our trip at all.
But you know, overall some of my favorite moments were just being there and enjoying the scenery together.
Everything was so beautiful: the white sand, the lush greenery, the neon fish. It almost felt photoshopped! In the back of each bungalow, there were decks that extended over the water with hammock netting that was big enough to fit all seven of us, so we spent a lot of evenings just laying out there together and taking it all in.
STA: Ah, those are the moments we live for! Finally, how did Southern Travel Agency help you make this vacation a reality?
Lee Ann: Southern Travel has been helping us plan our annual family vacations for about 10 years, and they are always on the ball. Not only did they point us in the right direction resort-wise, but they were there throughout the entire experience to make sure it went off without any glitches. For instance, on the way there, we missed our connecting flight and ended up having to stay overnight in Amsterdam. STA made sure to handle all of the new transfer information and hotel arrangements, so we didn’t have to stress. It gives me such peace of mind to know they’re on our side every time we travel!
Ready for some quality time with your loved ones?
For 30+ years, Southern Travel Agency has been helping families and loved ones create special moments and quality vacations with memories to last a lifetime. Reach out to us today for a complimentary consultation to plan your One & Only Reethi Rah Maldives Resort Hotel vacation and find out how our team of seasoned travel advisors can make it one to remember!