The Maldives have always been a favored vacation destination for the jet set, who know the tropical string of islands in the Indian Ocean for their unparalleled seclusion and natural beauty, but in November 2016, the island experience was brought to new heights of luxury thanks to St. Regis. The resulting St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort spans across 20 lush acres of private island living and is perhaps known best for its overwater villas that top out at a cost of $21,000 per night. Plus, there’s round the clock butler service, a fleet of Bentley autos, and world-class dining to boot.
Now, to add to the seemingly never-ending amenities the resort has to offer, they’re welcoming Norma, a 68-foot Azimut Flybridge 66 yacht. Considered to be the first and only vessel commissioned by a hotel, Norma is named in homage to the founder of St. Regis Hotels, John Jacob Astor IV, who, in 1884, purchased the largest private yacht in the world. The 264-foot mammoth, named after the heroine of Thomas Moore’s poem “Light of the Harem,” Nourmahal, was affectionately referred to as Norma. Since then, the boat passed through several generations of the Astor family and even had a stint as a U.S. Navy ship in the First World War.
The new Norma, slated to set sail in early 2019, is essentially a modernized replica of her ancestor, offering three decadent cabins suited for adventurous diving, romantic getaways, and everything in-between. Lucky hotel guests will be able to charter her by the hour, by the day, or overnight, with hourly rates starting at $1,950, daily rates ranging from $14,000 to $18,000, and overnight stays beginning at $25,000. But, in true St. Regis fashion, guests can always take their experience one step further.
Enter the “Live Exquisite,” package. With a decadent price tag of $150,000, the five-night getaway includes airport transfers via yacht, one night spent aboard the new Norma, and four additional nights in the John Jacob Astor Estate villa — the largest suite of its kind in the Maldives. Spread across 1,540 square meters, the three-bedroom, two-story property boasts an Olympic-size infinity swimming pool, home theater, and its own private wellness center. We think it’s safe to say, whichever package you might choose, we recommend that you start saving now.
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