Treasure island with a twist

A resort manager points to some of the antiques that may find their way into a cultural museum. [Photo by Matt Hodges/China Daily]

The new China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank could potentially help fund new ports, investment parks, energy hubs and other maritime infrastructure projects in the Maldives and at other stops along the way.

But most people go there to enjoy natural landscapes that have barely changed despite the onset of tourism and development.

Loama (pronounced "low-ma") is one of 102 operating island resorts in a necklace of 26 major atolls comprising 1,190 splotches of turquoise, yellow and green south of India and Sri Lanka. It took three years to build – most resorts of its size take around two – and it is immaculate in almost every detail.

The Singaporean-owned property has 105 rooms divided between land and sea jetty. It officially opened a few months ago, making it one of the newest, and cleanest, resorts in the Maldives. There are fruit bats but no bugs.

It is chasing the Chinese dragon by offering a deeper narrative to add to the idyllic views. Its main trump card is having the only resort-based museum of Maldivian culture outside of Male, as well as the country’s first gallery of modern Maldivian art in a stunning overwater pavilion.

"The big difference here is the Maldivian culture – the furniture, museum, heritage and people," says Jordanian Emad Nabulsi, director of operations.

Nabulsi, who spent nine years with the Four Seasons, neglects to mention the part about the Maldives being a strict Muslim nation where locals face prison terms if found consuming alcohol or pork. It is illegal for tourists to bring alcohol into the country, but fortunately Loama does a mean Long Island Ice Tea. You can't exchange renminbi, or most other currencies, so bring dollars and credit cards.