Russian charter airline Azur Air has launched charter service to the Maldives in time for the festive holiday season.
The first Azur Air charter flight to the Maldives landed at the country’s main Velana International Airport Wednesday afternoon. The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft was carrying some 400 tourists from Russia and CIS countries.
Thoyyib Mohamed, Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), together with officials from the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) and Resort Life Maldives, the local travel agency which operates the charter in collaboration with Russia’s Anex Tour, welcomed the crew and passengers of the flight.
An official from Resort Life Maldives told local media that another charter flight has been arranged for early next month. Azur Air will operate several charter flights between Vnukovo International Airport in Moscow and the Velana International Airport throughout 2020, he added.
With an all-Boeing fleet of 29 aircraft, including 11 Boeing 767-300ER jets and four Boeing 777-300ER planes, Azur Air operates seasonal charters to several countries, including China, India, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates. The airline also flies to several domestic destinations in Russia.
Russia is the sixth largest source market to the Maldives. Arrivals from Russia stood at 66,161 by the end of October — a 16.3 per cent increase over the 56,882 from a year ago.
Bandos Maldives has been named the leading dive resort in Maldives for the fifth consecutive year.
The latest award was presented at the prestigious Maldives Travel Awards gala, held on December 19 at Crossroads Maldives.
Initiated in 2012 by MATATO, the Maldives Travel Awards celebrate and honour the best tourism and hospitality products in the Maldives whilst fostering relationships with suppliers and local travel agents. From 20 categories in 2012, the awards have now expanded into three editions totalling 55 categories.
MATATO hosts three editions: the People’s Edition, which recognises successful pioneers and long serving individuals in the tourism industry, a Guesthouse Edition, which celebrates the outstanding performance of the up and coming guesthouse sector, and the Gala Edition, which is exclusive for winners in the categories for resorts, airlines and liveaboards.
At the Maldives Travel Awards, Bandos Maldives has won the ‘Leading Dive Resort’ title each year since 2014.
“It is our pleasure to announce that we have been awarded as the best leading dive resort award, by Maldives Travel Awards. This is the fifth time we have won this award consecutively. We would like to thank all of you on this occasion, for your amazing support in our continuous success,” an announcement by the resort read.
Located in North Male Atoll and accessible by a short 10-minute speedboat ride from the main Velana International Airport, Bandos features spacious rooms with balconies overlooking the garden, beach or the ocean.
Authentic Thai cuisine can be enjoyed at Koon Thai restaurant, whilst Sea Breeze Café offers western and international food by the sea. A wide range of buffet foods can be savoured at Gallery Restaurant. Huvan and Sand Bar provide lovely tropical settings to enjoy cocktails and live entertainment. Umi Yaki restaurant serves Japanese Teppanyaki food.
A pool with swim up bar is available, while beauty and massage treatments are available at the resort’s spa. Club House offers a range of fitness activities, including a gym, aerobics, badminton, tennis courts, squash and table tennis, while Kokko Club offers babysitting services along with a range of programmes for the little ones.
The resort also features a water sports centre and a dive school.
Kaimoo Travels & Hotel Services turns 40 this year, a major milestone in what has been a remarkable contribution by the company to the Maldivian tourism industry.
Wholly Maldivian owned, Kaimoo was founded in 1979 and today owns, operates and manages five properties in the Maldives, including three resorts and two hotels.
Kaimoo’s first resort, Embudu Village, opened 40 years ago with just 30 rooms. Since then, under the careful management of the late Kandi Ahmed Ismail, and his wife Moomina Haleem, the company steadily grew.
Embudu Village was progressively upgraded to its current 236 beds. The company acquired the lease of Ziyaraiyfushi island in 1996 and created Summer Island Village. It acquired Equator Village in 1999, expanding the firm’s total bed capacity to 832.
Throughout this period Kaimoo also developed real estate in capital Male, opening the Kam Hotel in 1993, the first privately owned hotel of its kind in Male. The Mookai Hotel opened in 2001, Kai Lodge in 1997, and Mookai Suites followed in 2008.
Kaimoo recently completed a multi-million dollar upgrade of Summer Island to a four-star plus resort, and has revamped Equator Village and Embudu Village.
The company also maintains a strong commitment to local causes and sustainability.
“As one of the Maldives’ first tourism companies, we have witnessed how the industry has evolved. When the first tourists stepped foot in our islands over four decades ago, they were drawn to Maldives’ seclusion, tranquility and breathtaking natural beauty. Since then, tourism has changed beyond recognition but visitors still flock to our islands for the same things: to get away from it all, to escape the frenetic city and lie on an empty beach, looking out over the blue horizon. Maldives’ transformation is underpinned by its unchanging, timeless beauty,” Manih Ahmed, Kaimoo’s Managing Director, said.
To celebrate its birthday, Kaimoo is hosting a number of celebrations throughout the year.
As we celebrate the Year of the Rat in 2020, a time to turn over a new leaf and take a fresh look at life, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives offers guests abundant opportunities to ring in the Lunar New Year.
From sumptuous feasts at a unique Shang Palace pop-up, activities and entertainment for the whole family to memorable moments with loved ones, these are just a few of the unrivalled experiences to enjoy on a luxury hideaway framed by white-sand beaches, lush forests and spectacular coral reef.
Gastronomic delights, culinary journeys
Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa will be debuting the first-ever Shang Palace pop-up, from January 24 to February 8. Guests will be able to experience fine dining Cantonese cuisine during its culinary tour of the Shangri-La resorts in the Indian Ocean and the Middle East, before its return to the Maldives for Golden Week, in October 2020.
Gourmands can indulge in Shang Palace’s signature Cantonese and Chinese cuisine, as well as a Michelin-starred eight-course menu with iconic dishes from Shangri-La’s multiple award-winning restaurants around the world, including Paris, Singapore, Beijing, Kowloon, and Guangzhou.
The pop-up brings to life the Shangri-La cuisine experience, combining Asian dining values, gastronomic innovation, and award-winning talent. The dishes will be crafted by Dr. Ali’s restaurant’s Chinese supremo, Chef Liu Shengquan, who boasts over 20 years of experience, including 10 years with Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts. Specialising in Sechuan, Cantonese, Hunan, and North-eastern Chinese cuisine, Chef Liu continuously creates exciting new dishes as well as traditional favourites, with his signature flair and passion.
Guests will be able to feast on Braised Abalone with Chinese Yam in a casserole, Shang Palace Fried Rice, and a special creation of Deep-fried Stuff¬ed Crab Meat in its shell, elaborated by Shangri-La’s Executive Chinese Chef, Gordon Leung, who has earned Michelin stars for his Cantonese cuisine.
On January 24, the resort will host Chinese New Year’s Eve reunion dinners at Javvu restaurant, offering a sumptuous buffet with Asian specialties and live cooking stations. Meanwhile, Dr. Ali’s restaurant will feature a Shang Palace set menu, showcasing the finest Cantonese cuisine.
On Chinese New Year day, guests will be treated to a superb seafood buffet at Javvu, using fresh and seasonal ingredients from the Indian Ocean and beyond.
During the Spring Festival, Fashala restaurant will present a special “Mediterrasian” menu featuring Mediterranean-Asian fusion in the magical setting where the ocean meets the lagoon.
Guests can also enjoy tailor-made gourmet moments, such as a Floating Breakfast from the comfort of the private pool at their villa, or a Dine by Design experience at a location of their choice, whether it’s on the beach, in the jungle, at the highest peak in the Maldives, or even at the equator, aboard a luxury yacht.
Entertainment, memorable moments
On the eve of the Lunar New Year, guests can sit back and enjoy the vibrant Chinese festival ceremony broadcast live from China, before indulging in activities and traditional customs such as dumpling making, Chinese couplet-writing, and Mah-jong games. The evening will also feature a lively karaoke session, a performance by talented local artists Black Pearl and a Maldivian Bodu Beru folklore show.
To welcome in the New Year, guests will be invited to take part in a thrilling Golden Treasure Hunt around the resort, searching through the lush jungle, along pristine beaches, climbing Mount Villingili and even exploring the underwater for the chance to win coveted prizes.
Shangri-La’sVillingili Resort & Spa is the ultimate destination for celebration and creating memorable moments with loved ones, especially during this auspicious time. From a tropical safari to discover the flora and fauna, Chinese lanterns making, crab hunting or an up-cycled art workshop, the resort provides an action-packed programme.
Sports fanatics can also take part in a tennis clinic with the pro player, Aymeric Petit, to improve their game or compete against other guests in social tennis matches, whilst those hoping to improve their swing can head to the golf clinic, for private sessions and beat the pro challenges with the resident instructor, at the only nine-hole golf course in the Maldives.
The retreat also offers bespoke excursions and activities such as dolphin cruises, coral planting, eco-adventures and the opportunity to explore the neighbouring islands for a fascinating insight into the local culture and customs.
Wellness, holistic harmony
Celebrating the Year of the Rat and its dexterity and vitality, CHI, The Spa has a wellness programme offering re-energising and rejuvenating treatments. From Asian massages to restore physical and spiritual harmony, Ayurveda treatments to release toxins, and local therapies to boost the natural immune system, wellness fans can start the first cycle of the zodiac year feeling relaxed, refreshed and revitalised.
Surrender to spa bliss, as specials during this season include complimentary group yoga sessions with an expert naturopath, and for every 90-minute full body massage booked, guests will receive a complimentary spa enhancement to choose from, such as Hot Oil Hair and Scalp Treatment, Caviar Firming, Collagen Mask, Healing Hot Stones, or Probiotic Massage Booster.
Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa offers incredible packages for Chinese New Year.
The half-board offer starts from USD 980 per night, for two persons in a Pool Villa, and the All-Inclusive Package starts from USD 1,165 per night for two persons, including full-board, house selection of beverages, unlimited access to non-motorised water sports, 20 per cent off motorised water sports, 25 per cent off spa treatments at CHI, The Spa, daily fitness and recreational group activities, and daily Eco-Centre group activities.
A private hideaway, in a world of its own, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa is the perfect setting for couples, with its secluded location as part of the Maldives southernmost atoll.
For the ultimate luxury experience, Villa Muthee, is the epitome of tropical refinement. The presidential villa nestles in its own luxurious environment with its private walkway entrance, a spacious deck with a private infinity pool and direct access to the ocean, a separate living room, yoga pavilion and even its own spa treatment room to let guests relax without leaving the villa.
Beyond Villa Muthee, the resort offers an extensive choice of accommodation, such as the unique Tree House Villas, Perched on stilts among the emerald green treetops, the villas offer intimate settings with marvellous views of the ocean and a large deck with its own private infinity pool. For true ocean lovers, the Water Villas, positioned over the lagoon, offer the perfect seascape for those who cannot resist slipping into the aquamarine waters teeming with tropical marine life. These open and airy villas come with overwater hammocks for languorous lounging.
The resort offers many options for water adventurers, such as turtle-quest snorkelling, diving to a unique shipwreck site, surfing with half a dozen great wave setups or parasailing for a bird’s eye view of the island. Tropical ‘havenists’ will also find their own piece of paradise in the unique flora and fauna that can be explored while cycling around Villingili’s jungle and coastal pathways or while playing on the only golf course in the Maldives. Couples can also enjoy a range of cultural experiences like no other in the Maldives, with guided tours of the neighbouring islands of Addu atoll, visits to the local farms and samplings of Maldivian cuisine.
The brightest gem in the sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean, Villingili island is a haven for those seeking true romance. As if it was meant to be, the resort is located in the heart-shaped Addu atoll, just a five-minute boat ride away from Gan International Airport.
Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) on Friday welcomed two aircraft together to its fleet for the first time, as the Maldives’ main seaplane operator continues its expansion drive.
With the two Twin Otter aircraft, which landed at the Maldives’ main Velana International Airport Friday evening, TMA will have 55 aircraft operating on regular flights throughout the Maldivian archipelago, making it the largest seaplane operator in the world.
“We started with 2 Twin Otters almost 27 years ago and have now grown to become a massive operation of 55 twin otters today. Our heartfelt gratitude to our amazing #Tmateam and #TMAPartners for the invaluable support, camaraderie and continued patronage,” an announcement by the airline read.
TMA had in September announced plans to add four additional seaplanes to its fleet, with the first of the four arriving in September.
TMA started in 1989 as a company operating a helicopter fleet under the name Hummingbird Island Helicopters.
Eight years later, the name was changed to Hummingbird Island Airways, as the first seaplane was added to the fleet. The transition to a seaplane-only fleet was completed in 1999. A year later, the name Trans Maldivian Airways came to be, and still today represents a synonym for connecting the Maldives islands.
In February 2013, Blackstone, one of the world’s leading investment and advisory firms, acquired controlling stakes in TMA and its sole competitor Maldivian Air Taxi (MAT), and merged the two under the TMA brand.
A consortium led by US-based Bain Capital and Chinese conglomerate Tempus Group had in 2017 bought TMA from Blackstone for around USD 550 million.
Seaplane is the preferred mode of transport between the main Velana International Airport and dozens of resorts, especially those located in the outer atolls.
A new seaplane terminal being developed at the Velana International Airport is expected to come into operation in May 2020.
The terminal, which costs USD 40 million, is part of a USD 800 million mega project to expand and upgrade the Maldives’ main gateway to cater to at least seven million passengers per annum. The project also involves building a brand new runway and a new international passenger terminal, as well as other support facilities, including a fuel farm that can store 45 million litres and a 120,000 tonne cargo facility.
This year, Komandoo Resort Maldives has a very special Christmas tree; the tree is made up from 1000 plastic bottles that have washed up on Komandoo’s beaches since the start of 2019.
Although looking spectacular, the tree does help show a very real problem.
These bottles are not from Komandoo, which has worked hard to reduce its single-use plastics by over 95 per cent, and hope to be 100 per cent plastic-free in the near future. These bottles rather help show how the issues surrounding plastic use, and wider environmental pressures, are global ones — ones which require all of us to not only work hard but also work together to tackle.
Komandoo has also continued to introduce solar panels to provide energy and heating, use grey-water for its gardens and have started to provide eco-friendly bags for guests to use to take their plastic waste home (where wider recycling options are more readily available).
Research has shown that 10 per cent of all plastic used ends up in our oceans, the equivalent of 700 billion plastic bottles! Scientists have suggested that by 2050 there could be more plastic in our ocean than fish, and only by working to reduce the plastic we all use we can hope to stop and reverse this trend.
“We urge all of our guests, champions and partners to work towards a plastic-free lifestyle where possible and help protect our fragile environment, and with luck, next year’s tree will be a lot a smaller,” the resort said, in an announcement.
“We will be recycling every bottle used in the tree after the festive season.”
Located in Lhaviyani atoll, Komandoo offers 65 villas in five categories. Each of them is independent well-appointed villas spaced adequately to provide privacy.
Since first opening in 1998, the resort has provided its guests with a unique take on the Maldivian dream holiday with its quiet, adult-only vibe, understated luxury and excellent service. It has remained one of the country’s best-ranking resorts for romance and a firm favourite to anyone looking for an adults-only, small island getaway in the Maldives.
Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives has hosted an extraordinary line-up of events for this festive season.
For this festive season, creativity at Grand Park kodhipparu has gone to a whole new level.
As part of its commitment to protect the environment, the resort initiated several eco-friendly practices to contribute to the future of this unique destination.
Chief amongst those initiatives is an eco-friendly Christmas tree. It’s not just a tree, but an eco-friendly tree made from waste bottles collected over the past year.
In addition to the eco-friendly tree, Grand Park Kodhipparu carved and painted its festive decorations in-house. These decorations — a project led by Director of Engineering Prakash Adumbil — are on display throughout the resort, from food and beverage outlets to beach club and The Spa.
Festive celebrations at Grand Park Kodhipparu kicked off on December 23 and will continue until January 1. These celebrations include a tree lightening ceremony, special Christmas themed buffet, culinary experiences by guest Chef Bernard Leprince, surprise Santa visit, wine and champagne dinners, as well as a special countdown party December 31.
“A very warm welcome to Grand Park Kodhiparu, Maldives Maldives at this special time of the year. We are happy to host of festive celebrations with a wide range of exciting activities created for you, your family and friends. From themed buffets to exclusive culinary journeys, to soothing Spa treatments, memorable stays and spectacular celebrations,” Raffaele Solferino, General Manager at Grand Park Kodhipparu, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
“We wish you a harmonious Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.”
Located in North Male Atoll and a 15-minute speedboat ride away from the main Velana International Airport, Grand Park Kodhipparu features a collection of 120 villas, including idyllic beachfront pool villas, breathtaking overwater villas and palatial two-bedroom villas. Sixty-five of the 120 villas come with their own private pools and the five two-bedroom suites feature extensive private terraces.
Designed by world-renowned hospitality design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates, the resort showcases sophisticated architecture, state-of-the-art interior, high ceiling of palm fringed roof, and contemporary exterior with Maldives’ traditional influence of wood and rattan, inventive rustic appeal and inviting peaceful atmosphere. Neutral tones, natural fundamentals and spacious social settings balance the unrivalled beauty of the cobalt sea and tranquility.
Grand Park Kodhipparu offers three restaurants and a pool bar, including the overwater Edge restaurant, which offers a wide selection of international culinary creations, Breeze poolside restaurant and bar, which serves lunch and light bites throughout the day followed by inventive cocktails and fine wines in the night, and the FireDOOR speciality restaurant, which offers grilled meats and fish coupled with the finest wines.
Recreational facilities at the resort include an outdoor swimming pool, gymnasium, sunrise yoga deck, wellness centre with spa and salon treatments, water sports and dive centre, children’s activity centre, and specialty shops.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) striker Mauro Icardi is in Maldives for a festive family getaway.
Icardi is spending the Christmas holidays at Baglioni Resort Maldives with his wife, Argentine media personality Wanda Nara, and their two daughters, Francesca and Isabella.
The Argentine professional footballer plays as a striker for PSG, on loan from Serie A club Inter Milan, and the Argentina national team.
Icardi began his footballing career at La Masia, the youth system of La Liga club Barcelona, before moving to Serie A club Sampdoria to begin his professional career in 2012.
After an impressive season, he joined Inter Milan in July 2013, where he developed into one of the most prolific strikers in Europe. Icardi won the Capocannoniere in both the 2014–15 and 2017–18 seasons, and was named the captain of Inter in 2015, at age 22. Three years later, Icardi was integral for Inter reaching a place in the UEFA Champions League, their first time in six years. He currently ranks as the club’s eighth highest goalscorer of all time.
In 2019, on the summer transfer window deadline day, Icardi signed for French side Paris Saint-Germain on a one-year loan deal.
Basking on the island of Maagau in the pristine Dhaalu atoll, just a 40-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport, the Baglioni Resort Maldives’ 96 exquisite villas are surrounded by tropical nature, turquoise waters and velvet-smooth white sands.
From breakfast to after dinner, a panorama of food and drinks are available from the resort’s pool bar and three superb restaurants – Gusto, for Italian verve; Umami, the place to eat Japanese; and Taste, the home of international cuisine – to delight the most exclusive international clientele, all in the resort’s signature Italian style.
The Baglioni Spa is an Italian oasis deep in the heart of nature. Amidst the tropical vegetation’s warm embrace, the Baglioni Spa is the perfect place to ease your way to a profound sense of peace.
At the Baglioni Resort Maldives, nothing is left to chance. The holiday experience includes multilingual staff available 24/7, a freshwater swimming pool, butler service, laundry, and a beach service with loungers. There is a boutique for treating yourself to a spot of shopping, and a kids’ club to keep younger guests aged 3–12 well entertained. All for an unforgettable holiday with a feast of sport, relax and gourmet experiences.
The resort also benefits from exclusive partnerships forged by Baglioni Hotels with some of the most prestigious Italian brands, including Ferrari Trento, makers of the world’s favourite Italian bubbles; Frette, sumptuous handmade bed linen and bath towels; MC2 Saint Barth, swimwear characterised by exclusive designs; and Insium, innovative anti-ageing cosmetics.
Maldives is amongst the most sought after destinations by high profile personalities and celebrity travellers from around the world.
Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio and American TV personality Paris Hilton have partied in the Maldives. The likes of English singer and television presenter Rochelle Humes and her husband Marvin, and British TV personality Billie Faiers have all declared the Maldives as their favourite part of the world for a relaxing getaway. Another British singer Perrie Edwards and English actress Millie Mackintosh have also fell in love with the white sands, turquoise waters and the blue skies of the Maldives.
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa has unveiled new beach hideaways that capture the resort’s all-embracing ocean village vibe and offer a connection to nature and a reconnection to self.
Flanked by the welcoming embrace of a lapping lagoon, lively gardens and genuinely caring staff, two new accommodation categories provide the perfect spot to relax and recalibrate: the recently-unveiled Two-Bedroom Beach Pavilion with Pool, and 10 Deluxe Beach Pavilions with Pool.
Soothing sounds abound with feature fountains splashing into spacious, extended pools creating a relaxing oasis vibe. Additional garden seating and relaxing daybeds offer more space to sit and soak up the gorgeous surrounds. The new “island-view-and-hues” palette continues the indoor-outdoor union: light and bright interiors are enlivened by bold bougainvillea accents; driftwood-coloured floors ensure the ocean energy is ever present; and a new pool-view “portal” window creates a living picture.
“Every detail of Kuda Huraa has been designed to offer ease of experience, from spontaneity of service to the wellness-inspired activities that reset your mind,” Randy Shimabuku, General Manager at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
“Our reimagined beach hideaways set the ‘at home in nature’ scene for all of this to unfold.”
Two-Bedroom Beach Pavilion with Pool: A spacious, steps-from-the-sand family sanctuary. Two bedrooms and bathrooms ensure a freedom of space, while a free-form plunge pool, private garden and gazebo invite outdoor lounging and living.
Deluxe Beach Pavilion with Pool: Holiday-home havens set in their own garden surround with direct yet private access to the beach. Fling open the bedroom double-doors to soak up the sunshine and tropical views from the cocooning comfort of the private plunge pool, thatched bale daybed or lush lawn.
Kuda Huraa’s enchanting and endearing island community is rooted in ocean devotion, sublime service and effortless ease – something that can only be earned through 20 years of getting it right.
Multiple depths of marine magic include the destination’s top water villa accommodations; pioneering coral and turtle conservation at the Marine Discovery Centre; world-class surfing tuition and annual Surfing Champions Trophy tournament; abundant water sports and diving, plus awe-inspiring ocean excursions from shark snorkel safaris to starlit sandbank dinners.
To be one of the first to experience Kuda Huraa’s brand new beach hideaways, contact the Central Reservations Department team at tel: (960) 66 00 888 or email: reservations.mal@fourseasons.com.
Kandima Maldives has won the Gold Circle Award from Agoda, one of the world’s fastest growing online booking platforms.
The Gold Circle Awards, now in its 11th year, recognises elite service, high scoring peer-to-peer customer reviews from the 22 million reviews on Agoda, as well as excellence in pricing and availability. Travellers who book properties with the Gold Circle Awards icon will be assured of the property’s exceptional service, quality and value.
“Thank you, Agoda for the recognition and our K’Krew for their excellent service to our guests,” an announcement by the resort read.
Located on a lush tropical island in Dhaalu atoll, Kandima offers a choice of 266 stylishly designed studios and villas, with 11 different categories to choose from, all of which have a private terrace and endless tropical views to enjoy.
The five-star resort has first class infrastructure, boasting one of the largest pools in the Maldives, tennis courts, an art studio, a marine biology school, a kids club, a game room, a library, a gym, a yoga studio and a spa. There is plenty to keep everyone occupied and the array of activities and events on offer is endless, including a huge choice of water sports, diving or snorkelling near the house reef, yoga, Zumba, bicycles, beach volleyball, petanque, arts and crafts lessons, and much more.
The island also offers one of the largest selection of F&B outlets in the country, with an incredible choice of 10 restaurants and bars, all featuring unique and individual menus offering flavours of the world from Chinese and Japanese to authentic Maldivian and Mediterranean. So be it tropical or traditional, Kandima has something to suit everyone’s tastes.
Lily Hotels and Resorts has appointed Dutch model Lilly Becker as the brand ambassador for the group’s two resorts in Maldives: Lily Beach Resort & Spa, and Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa.
This December, Lily Beach Resort and Hideaway Beach Resort were honoured to welcome back Becker to her “home away from home” in the Maldives.
The celebrity visit was not just a holiday in the Maldives, enjoying the activities and the fine dining of these two award-winning all-inclusive resorts; she has been appointed the brand ambassador for both resorts!
“With both resorts committed to sustainable practices and preserving the natural beauty of the environment, our focus on providing five-star service and innovative all-inclusive packages that remain at the forefront of the industry, we are pleased to have Lilly Becker helping to endorse Lily Beach Maldives and Hideaway Beach Maldives for the principles that we stand for,” an announcement by the resorts read.
Hideaway Beach Resort is located on the crescent-shaped island of Dhonakulhi in the northernmost Haa Alif atoll of the Maldives, 290km from capital Male. Characteristic features are unique quietness, comfort and privacy in a 297,000sqm tropical setting.
A total of 103 spacious villas in 10 categories are situated at a great distance from each other, either amongst evergreen tropical vegetation or above the turquoise blue lagoon. A personal butler is available in almost all villa categories and fulfils all guest wishes. The resort’s culinary diversity is reflected in four restaurants and bars.
With a paradisiacal house reef to be explored directly from the beach, Hideaway Beach Resort is the only hotel in the Maldives with a fully equipped harbour. It also offers the largest rum and whiskey menu in the Maldives, and is home to The Spa at Hideaway Maldives, diving school Meridis Dive & Relax, and a professionally supervised Kids Club.
The five-star Lily Beach Resort is located on the 600-metre-long and 110-metre-wide island of Huvahendhoo in South Ari Atoll.
With its Platinum Plan, which includes far more than the traditional package of cocktails, premium brands, champagne and international culinary delights, Lily Beach offers luxury all-inclusive holidays at the highest level. These include two excursions, which can be selected from a wide range of activities, including sunset fishing, snorkelling trips or a visit to a local island.
At your disposal are 125 luxurious villas in five categories. Add to this, the Tamara Spa, Prodivers Diving School, a specialty and main restaurant featuring fine dining, three bars, a shisha lounge, Turtles Kids’ Club, and one of South Ari Atoll’s best house reefs. Guests can also enjoy a diverse entertainment programme with live music and DJs, traditional cultural performances, fish feeding and much more.
Kooddoo Airport on Sunday celebrated its first private jet operation.
The jet landed in Kooddoo Sunday afternoon.
Kooddoo Airport, located on the island of Kooddoo in Gaafu Alifu atoll, was initially opened on September 10, 2012 with twice daily service from the main Velana International Airport by flagship carrier Maldivian. The airport was developed with a 1,200 metre runway.
The airport was upgraded in 2017. It now features a Code C runway measuring 1,800 metres in length, and is able to accommodate Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircrafts as well as all categories of private jets.
It also features a VIP lounge along with VIP accommodation facilities.
Kooddoo Airport serves Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort, located on the same island, as well as several other resorts in the atoll, including The Residence Maldives at Falhumaafushi and The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah, and Pullman Maldives Maamutaa.
The first private jet operation at Kooddoo Airport comes amidst increasing pressure on the main Velana International Airport, especially during the holiday season.
The Maldives main airport has set multiple new records on runway and flight movements over the past year.
December to April is considered the peak tourist season, as these months constitute summers in Maldives. Between December and April, the islands boast of dry weather, making it ideal for tourists to travel and enjoy the tropical environment.
Resorts across the archipelago organise special activities for the festive season, which falls during the peak tourist season.
Over a million tourists from across the globe visit the Indian Ocean island nation every year to holiday in one of the 154 resorts and 500 plus guesthouses located in all corners of the country. The multi-billion dollar tourism industry, which is the country’s main economic activity, relies heavily on the domestic transport infrastructure, especially air travel.
Maldives, the most dispersed country on the planet with 1,192 islands spread over roughly 90,000 square kilometres, already has 14 airports, including four international airports. The government has contracted both local and international companies to develop additional domestic airports across the archipelago in a bid to boost tourism.
Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives has announced plans to host special culinary experiences for the upcoming Valentine’s Day.
This February, Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives offers a tempting island escape to celebrate Valentine’s Day with enticing dining offers, setting more than hearts aflutter.
With a culinary heritage that dates back to the 1940s, the resort’s main focus for this Valentine’s Day is a unique Mövenpick experience with innovative menus available in a variety of restaurants that encapsulate their passion for gastronomy and innovation.
From here to eternity, all you need is love
Fill the love for appetite. What could be more romantic than roses, bubbles and a stunning beachside romantic dinner under the stars?
Guests can enjoy an exquisite dinner on the beach followed by a romantic bed decoration and an in-villa champagne breakfast the following day.
The ‘All You Need Love’ package also includes a private sunset cruise with champagne and canapes.
Bodumas, an evening to dine and wine
The sublime dining ambiance of Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives’ signature restaurant, the Bodumas, is the ultimate spot for a romantic evening. Guests can listen to the sound of waves lapping the shore whilst enjoying a five-course set menu carefully crafted by the resort’s chefs for this special day.
The package also includes a bottle of wine, a rose for the lady, and a box of chocolates — all complemented by live music.
Surf & Turf, beachside dining
Celebrate romance with a delectable beachside BBQ dinner featuring the freshest seafood and most tender meats. A dreamy set-up for two brightens the starry night. Surf & Turf comes with a free bottle of Bottega Rose.
Dessert overload at ONU Marche
Pudding, pastries and sweets are the centre stage of the Valentine’s buffet dinner at Onu Mache. Guests will get to indulge in delightful treats and satisfy the cravings from 6pm to 10pm.
Morning after Champagne breakfast
Guests will get the chance to soak up a leisurely morning in bed with a private in-villa breakfast and toast to Valentine’s day itself with a hearty breakfast and a bottle of champagne.
Chocolate indulgence
Mövenpick Coffee and Wine Lounge is not only the venue for the heavenly Chocolate Hour, offered daily from 4-5pm. During the Valentine’s Day celebrations, guests can also grab choco, macaron or bite-size cakes to go.
Nestled on a private island in Noonu atoll, situated in the northern part of the Maldives, Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives promised serene seclusion and tropical tranquility when it opened in November 2018. As Mövenpick Hotels & Resort’s inaugural property in the Maldives, it brought a fresh perspective to the country’s hospitality scene.
The resort is designed in a contemporary style with emphasis on comfortable accommodation and a private yet stimulating resort experience. Every modern convenience is incorporated amidst desert-island luxury, reflecting Mövenpick’s renowned commitment to genuine comforts, delivered exceptionally well.
Everywhere around Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives boats superior indulgence — from 105 spacious villas each complemented with its private pool, well-appointed Little Birds’ Kids Club, stunning Sun Spa, superb gastronomic experiences and luxurious guests amenities to unparalleled under- and over-water adventures.
For reservations, please email: Resort.Kuredhivaru.Reservations@movenpick.com, contact the direct reservations line: +960 400 9010, +960 400 9009, or mobile/WhatsApp: +960 7300880, +960 7300881, +960 7300882.
No surprises, no shocks, no hidden extras – all included in one price! You may have come across this tagline from tourism-related advertisements, and if you have, you shouldn’t be surprised or shocked. After all, that’s very true, but only if you have chosen a resort run by Atmosphere Hotels and Resorts.
Since opening its first resort in 2013, Atmosphere Hotels and Resorts have been making waves within the local and Indian Ocean hospitality industry. Especially OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo, the flagship of the Indian Ocean Hotel Group, has established itself as one of the top luxury resorts with a very special holiday plan according to the brand’s core philosophy: ‘The Joy of Giving’.
Amongst Atmosphere Hotels and Resorts’ five properties already in operation, its flagship luxury all-inclusive resort, OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo, stands out in particular.
Having opened its shores to the world in 2016, on the tranquil island of Maadhoo in South Male Atoll, OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo offers the discerning traveller a uniquely exclusive holiday plan — the Atmosphere Indulgence, where guests will experience the ultimate hassle-free beach holiday in the Maldives. The contemporary design style of the resort’s 90 standalone luxury villas and overall ambience of OZEN complements the naturally-blessed surroundings of Maadhoo island,
We speak to Nishant Agarwal, the General Manager at OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo, about what makes OZEN and its sister resorts a favourite amongst holidaymakers from the world over.
Maldives Insider: Atmosphere Hotels and Resorts is known for its guiding core philosophy, the ‘Joy of Giving’. Could you please explain how this philosophy shapes the guest experience?
Nishant Agarwal: Atmosphere prefers to go beyond the typical all-inclusive philosophy and is more extensive than what it is typically known as. Instead we refer to it as an all-encompassing Holiday Plan – custom tailored to each island’s unique experiences and for the type of guests that would come to the resort and to include elements of what they would like to experience on their holiday. We continue to strive to offer best in class experience for each uniquely positioned sub-brand of the Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts brand. In OZEN by Atmosphere we even top this, by having even included services, where people don’t think about. It’s called the Atmosphere Indulgence plan. It includes dine-around at four restaurants when you stay for minimum four nights. The only restaurant restricted to only one meal per stay is the M6m Underwater Restaurant. That’s because of the demand and we want to give all our guests the chance to have this experience. We have more than 80 labels of wine included in the package. There is no end when it comes to food and beverage. You can visit our a la carte restaurants or buffets and order whatever you want, with unlimited alcoholic beverages such as worldwide known exclusive wines, branded champagnes, high level whiskeys, gins, etc. Additionally, minibars are replenished twice a day with Champagne, wines and snacks. Sixty minutes’ spa treatment is included. You can even go for a dive – for every four nights stay.
With this plan, we are transparent in all our marketing collaterals. Whatever mentioned will be delivered and there will be no hidden costs. It’s about delivering more than what you promise. That gets incorporated in the entire service culture of the hotel where everyone serves you from their heart in order to make sure that our guests have the best experience.
MI: Maldivian resorts have traditionally focused on revenue from extras such as excursions, and food and beverage. As the ‘Joy of Giving’ philosophy stands to change that approach, what are the advantages offered by this new philosophy compare to traditional package holidays?
NA: Our Managing Director Salil Panigrahi and team wanted to create a truly luxurious lifestyle experience with no surprises, no shocks, no hidden extras – all included in one price. Where guests might usually spend up to an extra 50 per cent on top of the normal room rates to experience everything else, OZEN’s Indulgence Plan stands out as remarkably different. And so do our other four resorts – all in its own categories.
MI: What are the culinary highlights of OZEN?
NA: Variety of culinary options and restaurants — all included in the Indulgence plan — is a highlight of our resort. M6m Underwater Restaurant is without doubt the jewel in the crown of the fining dining experiences available at OZEN. This is the only underwater restaurant in the world that is included in an all-inclusive package. With a mesmeric view of the lagoon and ocean, M6m strives to deliver some of the finest modern seafood cuisine in the world. The creation, vibrant design and amazing presentation of dishes showcase the exemplary use of fine dining cooking techniques with quality ingredients, whereby drawing a fine line between gastronomy and art!
Besides that, our main restaurant, The Palms, offers international cuisine, with changing themes every day. IndoCeylon restaurant goes to traditional culinary roots of South Asia with Indian, Sri Lankan and Maldivian flavours. Peking overwater restaurant takes guests to a culinary journey to the origins of Far-East cuisine, showcasing authentic Chinese dishes. Apart from that, our ‘Joie De Vivre’ pool bar and pizzeria serves a vast selection of signature cocktails, drinks and snacks throughout the day. And every Friday – when all outlets are closed – we celebrate the Indian Ocean Nights – with live cooking stations open-air, live music, BBQ and much more.
MI: What is being done to maintain and further advance OZEN’s current standing amongst Maldivian resorts?
NA: We are well-positioned in the market. So, the challenge is to sustain the position. One thing we don’t compromise is our service philosophy and culture, which comes from our people. As food and beverage is one of our biggest strengths, we keep on enhancing what we offer. We regularly change the menus at the restaurants. And in addition to providing some of the world’s finest Champagne, guests at OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo can enjoy a variety of exclusive foods from Italy, Spain, Germany and France; all of which come from regions that are well-known for producing the highest-quality products. So we have very special bread, meat, olive oil and balsamic vinegar in OZEN by Atmosphere. Last year, we introduced a gin bar with more than 40 varieties of gin — also included in the Indulgence package. We are also working on introducing more services, including a new restaurant and a visiting celebrity chefs programme. The latest addition to OZEN’s extensive beverage menu is a selection of Guy Charbaut Champagne from one of France’s finest wine-making regions, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. This region is known worldwide for producing superior quality Terroir Champagne. So again, this will be also part of our Indulgence Plan. We are constantly improving and thinking about how to make our offer better. There is always room for improvement; and this exactly is our challenge.
MI: What do you focus the most in leading the team at OZEN?
NA: The essence of our service and guest experience is based on our team. To have a great team, you need to motivate and keep them engaged. Since we are away from other islands, we have to ensure that they feel like being part of one big family. At OZEN, we have a separate island for team members. In fact, we are the first resort in Maldives with a separate island for the team. We have a recreation centre with a fully-equipped gym and other facilities. Our HR team is trying to keep them involved with recreational activities such football, cricket, etc. We also organise regular fishing trips, island trips and picnics to nearby islands. We have a diverse team, comprising of 26 nationalities and more than 30 languages. We provide equal opportunities to both genders and try to maintain a good gender balance at all times. For instance, at M6m, we have an international all-female team So you will be served from maybe someone from Azerbaijan, Brazil or Uzbekistan. I believe in empowering the team by giving the authority to make decisions.
MI: Atmosphere Hotels and Resorts is arguably one of the most successful hospitality brands from the Maldives. What’s next for the brand?
NA: We have ambitious expansion plans for the Maldives and Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka we will open another OZEN by Atmosphere – which will take our brand to the next level of hospitality with our first international venture. Our newest addition VARU by Atmosphere just opened on October 17, 2019, it is already a success. Further to come – stay tuned.
Ever looked at a seabird and wondered what it would be like to fly over the ocean?
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru has become the first resort in the Maldives to make flying dreams come true with the launch of four pioneering hydrofoil experiences: Kite Foiling, Wake Foiling, Lift Foiling and Naish Wing-Surfer.
Brought to the Maldives in partnership with ocean innovators Ocean Group Pvt Ltd, hydrofoils redefine what’s possible on a board: a unique chance to become one with the water, gliding knife-like over its surface at thrilling speeds using a hydrodynamically designed fin with wings.
Featuring the latest technology and designs, the new hydrofoil experiences include:
Kite Foiling: Kitesurfing with the addition of a hydrofoil under the board, allowing boarders to reach unprecedented speeds as they “fly” over the surface of the water. Boarders get to experience true synchronicity with the ocean with the resort’s cutting edge North Pro hydrofoil kiteboard.
Slingshot Wake Foil: The very best of wakeboarding combined with the elevated thrill of using a hydrofoil, for those who want to cruise the waves behind the resort’s MasterCraft ski boat.
Lift Foil: A truly back-to-the-future Indian Ocean mash-up, the electric foil board uses a hand controller synced with an electric motor so riders can choose their own speed and master the art of “flying” over the surface of the water.
Naish Wing-Surfer: Those looking for a new wind-powered thrill should look no further than the wing-surfer. A cross between a windsurfing sail and kiteboarding kite, it’s the ultimate handheld inflatable board riding wing, with no rigging and no strings attached.
“With advances in the technology in water sports defying what seems possible, we’re delighted to be the first to bring these thrilling foil adventures here to the Maldives,” Armando Kraenzlin, General Manager at Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
Combining innovation, wellness and conservation, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru is a 44-acre, 103-villa wonderland in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — a 30-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport.
Its sister property, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa lies to the south: an enchanting garden island complete with Island Spa sea sanctuary and Tropicsurf coaches and guides. It features 96 thatched beach and water accommodations constructed by local craftsmen using indigenous materials and techniques to reflect a true sense of the Maldives.
The luxury catamaran Four Seasons Explorer connects the two properties via three, four and seven-night cruises, plus private leisure, surf and manta ray charters.
The latest addition to the Maldives collection, Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, Baa Atoll opened in 2016 as the group’s first exclusive-use private island: off limits to everyone else, limitless to the guests.
To be one of the first to experience cutting-edge hydrofoil technology in the Maldives, contact Landaa Giraavaru’s Reservations team on tel: +960 66 00 888 or email: reservations.mal@fourseasons.com.
With the beginning of a new decade, the Maldives on Wednesday warmly welcomed the first visitor of 2020,
The lucky winner, Mohamed Alamer from Bahrain, arrived in Maldives for a vacation with his wife Sara Aljasim via Gulf Air GF144.
At a ceremony held at the main Velana International Airport, officials from the official tourism promotion body Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), together with the state-owned airport operator Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), Maldives Immigration, Furaveri Maldives resort, Gulf Air and Ooredoo Maldives welcomed the lucky couple.
The stamping of the first visitor’s passport by the Maldives Immigration commenced the event where MMPRC staff escorted Alamer to the VIP lounge. Tourism minister Ali Waheed and MMPRC Managing Director Thoyyib Mohamed then welcomed Alamer.
MMPRC presented Alamer with a congratulatory certificate and special gifts, whilst Furaveri Maldives resort offered a complimentary holiday package, which was presented by the minister. He also received return flight tickets to Maldives from Gulf Air, along with a gift package from Ooredoo Maldives.
Speaking at the event, MMPRC Managing Director Thoyyib Mohamed reflected on the marketing activities conducted during the previous year and highlighted the efforts planned for this year.
“We are satisfied with the marketing activities we did last year. I expect to see the outcome of those activities in the coming days. We are targeting to achieve more in 2020. Maldives Year in Russia would be one of the many new initiatives which will be launched this year as part of the diversified marketing activities for 2020,” Thoyyib said.
As the first tourist of the year was from Bahrain, Thoyyib stressed the importance of this market for Maldives tourism.
“The Middle east and GCC region are important markets for us with its high yield, easy accessibility and potential for growth. A lot of activities were carried out for the market last year and we plan to do more this year. We are having a campaign with Vogue Arabia this January to kick off the 2020 campaign for this market,” he said.
The Maldives achieved the milestone arrival of 1.5 million tourists in November — 38 days ahead of schedule — with the total arrivals reaching 1.67 million by the end of year.
In 2019, MMPRC carried out more than 130 events, including fairs, roadshows, media fam trips and joint campaigns, to facilitate in achieving this target.
Committed to the synergy of integrated wellness, Emerald SPA has officially opened in Maldives, bringing a Balinese-inspired, healing wellness concept to this destination that is like no other.
A real first in terms of spectacular design, the Emerald SPA is cocooned by lush canopies and palm trees, creating the feel of a Balinese jungle — a sanctuary within a sanctuary.
Rooted in ancient healing practices, Emerald SPA can be found on a secluded corner of the private island resort of Emerald Maldives Resort & SPA, and offers a full range of Balinese, Ayurvedic and Thai based rituals in the privacy of 10 villa-style air-conditioned treatment rooms.
From traditional Shiatsu Thai massages, aromatherapy treatments using medicated, herbal oils, Abhyanga massages that target appetite and insomnia, and practices designed to aid depression and lesson anxiety – the new spa beautifully embodies a holistic approach.
Luxury skincare brand Elemis is used in treatments, bringing its reputation and proven efficacy to the tailored wellness experience. Home to a relaxation area with an Indonesian style pool, steam bath, sauna and jacuzzi, Emerald SPA is a place of calm, connection and compassion.
“With Emerald SPA, we wanted to create an oasis for guests who wish to escape the pressures and stress of modern-day life. This peaceful wellness space provides a further escape for guests already staying on the Island,” says Ni Made Rai Asri, Spa Manager at Emerald SPA.
Situated on one of the quietest parts of the island, Emerald Maldives Resort & SPA is also home to a yoga pavilion, where guests are invited to meditate and practise yoga with unobstructed views and sounds of the ocean. Yogis of all levels are welcome to join the complimentary yoga and meditation classes that take place at sunrise and sunset daily.
The resort has also been built with sports and fitness lovers in mind with two large tennis courts, two paddle courts and an air-conditioned Gym & Sports Centre with a state-of-the-art Technogym. Personal trainers are available to all guests upon request.
The Emerald SPA has prioritised sustainability by using long-lasting Langhi Langhi leaves to build the SPA canopies, and solar panels to power all hot water. In a bid to reduce single-use plastic waste, paper straws are used as well as glass bottles and the island is home to a recyclable water irrigation system and composting facility.
Emerald Maldives welcomed its first guests on December 4.
The 120-villa resort is located in the Raa atoll, renowned for having some of the most diverse marine life in the world and boasts one of the largest lagoons in the Maldives.
American pop icon Madonna has spent a festive family getaway in Maldives, ringing in the new year in the popular beach holiday destination.
Madonna reportedly arrived in the Maldives Sunday and travelled to Vakkaru Maldives, a secluded luxury island resort located within the Baa atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, in the heart of the Indian Ocean.
The pop icon, 61, updated her 14.7 million Instagram followers with clips from the families activities, which included riding a golf buggy and an idyllic boat trip.
The singer shared a plethora of fun-filled snaps as she holidays with her children, and boyfriend Ahlamalik, following a row with ex Guy Ritchie over where the kids should spend the holidays.
Joining Madonna and Ahlamalik on the trip is her daughter Lourdes, 23, twins Estere and Stelle, seven, Mercy James, 13, and her 14-year-old son with Guy, David Banda.
Son Rocco, 19, has not been seen on the holiday, amid claims Madonna and Guy fought over whether their son could join her on the New Year family holiday.
Madonna donned a colourful cover-up as she rode a bike beside her 25-year-old boyfriend, who was rocking an all black look teamed with striped sliders.
Madonna later shared a sweet snap of the couple looking cosy, as she wrapped her arms around his waist whilst celebrating New Year’s Eve on Tuesday.
Referred to as the “Queen of Pop” since the 1980s, Madonna signed with Sire Records in 1982 and released her eponymous debut album the next year. She followed it with a series of successful albums, including global bestsellers Like a Virgin (1984) and True Blue (1986) as well as Grammy Award winners Ray of Light (1998) and Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005). Many of her songs have reached the top of record charts worldwide, including “Like a Virgin”, “La Isla Bonita”, “Like a Prayer”, “Vogue”, “Take a Bow”, “Frozen”, “Music”, “Hung Up”, and “4 Minutes”.
Having sold more than 300 million records worldwide, Madonna is noted as the best-selling female recording artist of all time by Guinness World Records. The Recording Industry Association of America listed her as the third highest-certified female artist in the U.S., with 64.5 million album units. According to Billboard, Madonna is the most successful solo artist in its Hot 100 chart history. She is also the highest-grossing solo touring artist of all time, accumulating USD 1.4 billion from her concert tickets. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in her first year of eligibility, Madonna topped VH1’s countdown of 100 Greatest Women in Music. Rolling Stone listed her amongst the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time and the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time.
Maldives is amongst the most sought after destinations by high profile personalities and celebrity travellers from around the world.
Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio and American TV personality Paris Hilton have partied in the Maldives. The likes of English singer and television presenter Rochelle Humes and her husband Marvin, and British TV personality Billie Faiers have all declared the Maldives as their favourite part of the world for a relaxing getaway. Another British singer Perrie Edwards and English actress Millie Mackintosh have also fell in love with the white sands, turquoise waters and the blue skies of the Maldives.
Furaveri Island Resort and Spa is reinventing itself in this year!
All set to launch with 33 newly-built villas and additional upgrades, the resort has embarked on a journey to rebrand itself into a four-star deluxe property, to be known as Furaveri Maldives.
In giving new life to the Furaveri experience, the resort found inspiration by listening to the inherent beauty of the island and its culture. Staying true to core values such as making the best of what it has, the resort tuned into the simple beauty of the surroundings and embraced nature as its guide.
For the rebranding, Furaveri invoked the colour teal, which resembles the meeting point of open ocean and the lagoon, and the warm sunset yellow of memorable evenings by the beach. The white herons greets guests throughout the island, the vibrant screwpine trees, the turtles that frequent the island’s reef and the gentle mantas that visit the island are all paid homage to in Furaveri’s new brand identity.
In addition to being already recognised for its vibrant marine ecosystems, Furaveri is also set to unveil the first ‘Wellness Village’ in Maldives. This local village concept hosts a peaceful sanctuary in itself, complete with facilities that adopt ancient healing practices to immerse guests in lasting holistic experiences.
“Our hearts are coloured with gratitude and excitement as we invite you to join us in envisioning what it means to capture the best of authentic Maldivian hospitality,” an announcement by the resort read.
Located in the exotic Raa atoll in the northern part of the Maldives, Furaveri is accessible by a 45-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport.
The resort’s existing 107 private villas as well as the newly-built 33 villas have been specifically designed to meet guests’ individual preferences and are set amongst lush vegetation, in the first row on a sandy white beach or settled above a sparkling turquoise lagoon.
Situated on the northern shore of the island, Jaafaeiy Restaurant serves exclusive cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner from around the world with various choices of international and continental dishes. The buffet includes live cooking stations where food is prepared to individual desires.
Furaveri’s Wellness Village is a holistic sanctuary where guests will find themselves in a serene world of delicate scents with a comprehensive range of facilities in a beautiful wooden interior that echoes Furaveri. With four open air pavilions and four air conditioned pavilions for side-by-side couple treatments, separate steam bath, sauna, jacuzzi, relaxation area as well as manicure and pedicure, the wellness facility offers a wide range of soothing massages and refreshing body treatments to promote relaxation and renew energy.
Furaveri is blessed with an incredible house reef with turtles, sharks, rays, barracuda, napoleons, tuna and trevally as well as colourful corals. The resort’s PADI five-star certified dive centre offers a full range of PADI programmes, from Discover Suba Diving to PADI Divemaster along with daily dives and guided snorkelling trips.
JA Manafaru, a multi-award-winning resort in the Maldives, is set to offer Chinese families everything required for an unforgettable kick off to 2020, the year of the rat.
Spending time with family and friends, guests will experience the beautiful tropical surrounds, an abundance of serene space, unique dining and a myriad of experiences including spa treatments, water and island excursions and unmatched personalised service.
For Chinese New Year, guests can connect with their proud heritage as JA Manafaru offers a variety of celebrations from Chinese afternoon tea with Char Siu chicken buns, Chinese egg rolls, raspberry snowflake cake and eight treasure rice pudding.
New Year’s Eve will feature a gala style buffet with all the nations favourite’s, including Peking duck, slow roasted whole pig with Char Siu sauce, Chinese chicken winglets, a noodle station, chicken and taro dumplings, seafood gyoza and rainbow style salmon, tuna and white fish yu sheng platters.
The evenings’ celebration will culminate in live music by the resident band and a traditional Lion Dance performance.
Guests will then wake up to a Chinese New Year’s Day breakfast to begin the new year in style, or couples can upgrade to a uniquely romantic island experience with a floating breakfast in their own private pool.
Recently awarded as the title of World’s Leading Honeymoon Resort at the global World Travel Awards, JA Manafaru is one of only two resorts in the entire Haa Alifu Atoll which remains unspoiled and unpolluted.
The resort features 84 beautifully appointed beachfront and over-water villas built with sustainability in mind and using artisanal techniques from both the Indian Ocean as well as south-east Asia.
Each villa has its own private plunge pool and both spacious indoor and outdoor living areas.
There are also three bespoke private residences, each with oversized family pools and a dedicated experience host to guide guests throughout their stay.
Fringed with exquisite powder beaches, the resort offers a range of recreational experiences including the award-winning Calm Spa, PADI scuba diving, jet skiing, tennis, beach volleyball, cooking classes and deep-sea or traditional Maldivian hand-line fishing.
Teens love the billiards, movie area, table tennis, pétanque, darts and games consoles while kids have endless fun in the dedicated CoolZone Kids Club.
Seven scenic dining destinations serve traditional Maldivian cuisine, Asian-fusion international fare and seafood barbeque feasts.
@baglioniresortmaldives
MΛĿDĪ√ƐS 
some very expensive lessons but she would not trade them for anything for what we risk reveals what we value………..And I am so very blessed and grateful for all the beautiful experiences and souls I have encountered and created with and fallen in love with this past year! 
Here’s to another decade of dreams and Evolution #newyear #newbeginnings #health #happiness #love