90-Villa Hurawalhi Island Resort Opens in Maldives

The five-star resort, nestled amongst the spectacular coral reefs of the Lhaviyani Atoll, welcomes guests above the age of 15.

During an exhilarating 40-minute scenic seaplane flight from Male, a distinctive collection of villas, comprising 60 over water Ocean Villas and 30 Beach Villas, can be seen on the glittering lagoon.

Measuring between 105 and 132 sqm, the villas are equipped with the latest technology including broadband internet connection, bluetooth sound bar and 48-inch flat screen TV.

Maldives: Hurawalhi Island Resort's under sea restaurant
Dining options at the resort include the scene stealing ‘5.8’ undersea restaurant which is submerged 5.8 meters under the sea. The minimalist-designed restaurant keeps the focus on the outside and rates high on romance, with every table being set for two. The menu concept is a multi-course tasting extravaganza and is available with wine-pairing options recommended by the sommelier.

Coming up for air above the water, the Aquarium Restaurant offers stunning sea views by day and romantic candlelit ambiance by night. Serving a contemporary menu with carefully sourced organic and artisanal ingredients and a Teppanyaki grill, there is a strong emphasis on the freshest local seafood and the finest quality prime beef with delectable sushi, sashimi and tempura.

Overlooking the Indian Ocean, Canneli is where guests can enjoy breakfast. It is also the third option for evening dining, serving international cuisines.

At the end of the Ocean Villa jetty, the Champagne Pavilion is a romantic spot to enjoy Champagne and canapés while the Coco Bar on the beach has an alfresco deck overlooking the lagoon and is perfect for enjoying sunset or after dinner cocktails. The over-water Aquarium Bar adds a third option.

Pool and in-villa dining and private beach dining al fresco under the stars are also available options.

The resort also features a spa, tennis, badminton and beach volleyball, and a sports fishing boat for deep-sea fishing excursions. A diver’s paradise awaits, with guided diving and snorkeling boat trips available and a complete PADI 5-star training center. A plethora of water sports activities include jet skis, para-gliding, water skiing wakeboarding, paddle boarding, windsurfing, kayaks and catamarans.

Airport Lounge

After clearing immigration and customs, guests are greeted by the resort’s airport staff and are escorted to check-in at the TMA seaplane ticket counter, after which they are transported to the TMA Terminal in a private hotel vehicle. A refreshing cold face towel, warm hospitality, beverage and snacks are offering with free Wi-fi while waiting until the sea plane departs.

 The lounge remains open in the late afternoon and evening so guests can relax in comfort until their check-in time for their flight home at the international departure terminal.

 The arrival service is provided free of charge and a nominal fee of US$25 per person is applicable for the departure service.

Environmental Responsibility and Commitment

With a strong environmental focus, Hurawalhi Island Resort is committed to giving  back and protecting its pristine environment.

Using solar panels to generate 60% of its power from sustainable solar energy, its own water bottling plant (hence no plastic bottles are used), energy saving solutions, hot water recovery and its own Marine Biology Centre with an in-house Marine Biologist, Hurawalhi Island Resort’s eco-credentials are impressive to say the least.

In addition, Hurawalhi Island Resort is collaborating with Manta Trust, the marine and conservation specialists. Manta Trust are teaming up with the island’s in-house PADI instructors to provide educational guided dives and snorkeling in the spectacular reefs and shipwrecks nearby. The Island is a nesting site for green turtles and a breeding ground for Manta Rays. Manta Trust is tasked with preserving this natural habitat as well as education visitors on these beautiful and endangered creatures.

Experience ‘intelligent’ luxury at Soneva Jani, Maldives

Sonu and Eva Shivdasani, the creators of Soneva, made the modern Maldives and now they’re doing it again, making intelligent luxury even sharper, writes John Arlidge.

New. It’s what we want and what all manner of purveyors of snazzy, shiny things want to sell us. Sadly, it rarely lives up to its billing. How many times have you been promised a fresh experience, only to find it’s a half-hearted re-bake of something same-old, same-old? But occasionally just occasionally something genuinely refreshing does come along.

Before most people had heard of intelligent luxury, Sonu Shivdasani and his wife, Eva, who grew up variously in India, England and Sweden, combined their names and talents to create it. Soneva resorts are not flashy. The dress code is ‘No shoes’ (they kidnap your footwear). They are green. Rooms and villas are made from sustainable wood, including local coconut trees. Motor vehicles are banned in favour of bicycles and electric buggies. Boats run on electric motors where possible. Even the fire engines are electric.

Sonevas serve largely organic food, grown locally, sustainably caught fish. Standout dishes include savoury mango gazpacho, tandoori feta cheese salad, yoghurt and basil sorbet with fresh passion fruit. Thursdays are meat-free. (No exceptions, burger addicts.) The resorts make their own drinking water, instead of importing expensive bottled stuff.

Activities and experiences offer simplicity, quality and ‘wellness’ nature walks, dolphin cruises, diving, including freediving, fishing and picnics on deserted islands, plus more kinds of massage than you ever knew existed. Service is personal and hop-to-it, with a twist. Each guest has their own ‘Mr Friday’ or ‘Ms Friday’ butler-cum-concierge.

Soneva started in the Maldives at a time when tourism there was three star at best. Thanks to the success of the first Soneva (Soneva Fushi, in the Baa atoll), it is now mainly five star. LVMH (under the Cheval Blanc brand), St Regis and Four Seasons have all opened recently. It’s time for Soneva to respond and update the barefoot chic it pioneered. And that’s what Sonu and Eva are doing.

About twenty minutes by seaplane from Soneva Fushi and 40 minutes from Malé, the Maldives’ capital, is Soneva Jani, in the Noonu atoll. Jani means wisdom in Sanskrit, and this place is smarter than the average resort. It comprises one island, 150 acres (or half as big again as Soneva Fushi), plus four other, smaller, deserted islands, all set in a lagoon 3.5 miles by one mile. Thirty-odd villas, a more modern take on those at Soneva Fushi, are rising on the island. Meandering off one end are 24 of those villas on stilts over water that are obligatory on all advertisements for the Maldives.

Look closely at those promo shots and you’ll notice that the villas are tiny and, to save money, cheek by jowl. Not at Soneva Jani. One of the water villas has four bedrooms and a 20-metre swimming pool. Many have water slides that run from the upper floors straight into the lagoon. They are all at least 20 metres apart.

The interiors are modern rustic, with sandblasted pine from sustainable forests in New Zealand, offset with plenty of glass. The bathrooms are inside and outdoors. You can swim under a screen straight into the bathroom for a shower after a dip.


There’s simple fun. The mini kitchens have popcorn makers. There’s natural fun. Glass panels cut in the decks allow you to peer down at the rays and the odd reef (i.e. safe) shark swimming underneath. There’s hi-tech fun. Press a button on the bedside table and the roof above the master bed opens, Bond villain lair-style, so you can stargaze as you fall asleep. (Rain sensors close the roof automatically if the heavens open during the night.)

The most powerful telescope in the Maldives in the new observatory offers pin-sharp stargazing. Images are broadcast on to screens that form bar and restaurant table tops, so you can dine on the stars, under the stars. After dinner, you can watch a private screening of your favourite film at the overwater cinema.

Halfway along the string of water villas is the biggest building ever built over water in the Maldives. The Gathering is three storeys high and has restaurants, bars, a wine cellar, library, gym and spa and den, plus Soneva’s signature ‘rooms’ for cheese and cold cuts, chocolate and ice cream, where you can help yourself any time. ‘There will be a real buzz here but you will still be able to come barefoot,’ Shivdasani told me when I visited in October.

Like Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani will have its own time zone to make the days as long and sunny as possible, without having to get up at 6am. Sun-up is always at about 7am and sundown at 7pm. The vibe will still be ‘it’s OK to do nothing at all’. One of the ‘activities’ listed is ‘lying on the beach’.

Maybe it’s these touches. Maybe it’s the warmth and sense of mischief of general manager Olivia Richli, who was tempted away from running the Aman in Venice. Maybe it’s simply the blissful absence of golf. Whatever the reason, the de-stress is instant and complete. You want proof? Look at the gym. If Soneva Fushi is anything to go by, the gym at Soneva Jani will be deserted. You’ll be hard-pressed to see mobile phones, either. Most people stop using theirs a day or so after arriving.

Soneva is now not only over the water, it is on the water. Soneva in Aqua is a new Maldives-based 65-foot yacht, which is half Asian-inspired sail-powered junk and half hi-tech motor yacht. There are two large bedrooms and kids’ rooms so that the whole family can set sail. The bath has a glass bottom for au naturel fish fancying. The crew comprise the captain, a Mr or Ms Friday, an engineer, a divemaster and a spa-therapist-cum-housekeeper, so you can dive and have a massage on deck, all before breakfast.

Expanding so heavily in the Maldives is risky, thanks to the island nation’s fraying democracy, short leases for property ownership, and rising sea levels. But Shivdasani reckons the super-rich will continue to prize the area above its rivals, notably the Caribbean, thanks to its superior location and far better service and food. Current performance certainly supports him. Sonevans are even more dependent on their fix than Aman junkies. More than half of visitors to Soneva Fushi are repeat customers. The top 100 clients spend between $80,000 and $1 million a year.


Even if you’re not super-rich, I’d go anyway. I’d recommend a few days in a water villa at Soneva Jani, a few days on Soneva in Aqua, and a few days back on the mother ship in a beach villa on Soneva Fushi. If you’re not relaxed after that, seek medical advice.

Lizzie Cundy shows off her eye

She's known for her model figure and celebrity-loving lifestyle.

And Lizzie Cundy, 46, celebrated her Christmas with A-list style after jetting off to the Maldives for some sunshine.
The former WAG who used to be married to footballer Jason Cundy, looked incredible in a very skimpy bikini which had a shiny finish.

As she walked along the sands, she made sure not to get too much sun by wearing a kimono style cover-up. 

She then whipped it off to reveal a hint of sideboob as she made her way down to the water. 

Her long hair cascaded down past her shoulders and she completed her look with a pair of sunglasses which had blue lenses.

She had a big smile on her face as she rinsed her hands in the water, before returning to her lounger to soak up some sun. 

Throwing her cover-up over the back of her lounger, she sat playing on her phone for a little bit before topping up her tan. 

The day before, she uploaded a holiday snap of herself wearing a bright pink bikini to Instagram.

She captioned it with the words: 'Happy Christmas everyone from the Maldives!!” before teasing: “Off for a dip, you care to join me?'

Then on Christmas day, the excitable lady shared a picture of herself with the hotel staff as well as Santa Claus himself. 

She wrote: 'Merry Christmas everyone ! Let the party begin .. Santa has arrived !
@thesunsiyam #maldives.'  

The Ultimate Guide to the Maldives

Few places conjure up images of fab tans, luxury and romantic baecations like the Maldives.  You’ve seen the images in magazines and on Instagram filled with turquoise blue waters, decadent over water villas and pearlescent beaches. The Maldives is the daydream worthy spot on every travelers bucket list.  But how do you even begin to plan a trip to the Maldives?  Have no fear!  We’re here to give you all the information you need to plan the trip of a lifetime to the destination of your dreams.

About the Maldives

The Maldives is a South Asian island located in the Indian Ocean. It comprises of 26 natural atolls consisting of dual island chains, and is located on top of a vast underwater mountain range with around 1190 islands and sandbanks. The Maldives has no counterpart in terms of its unique geography and is home to the most diverse marine treasures in the world.  The heart of the Maldives, the capital city of Malé (pronounced Mar-lay) is a stark contrast to what you see in the magazines.  Malé offers visitors to see the real Maldives and explore its bustling streets, markets, mosques and more.  The local currency is Rufiyaa (MVR) and while credit cards are accepted in many shops, having a few local dollars on hand never hurts.

The best time to visit the Maldives would be December through February, unfortunately it is also high season which means rates at hotels can get sky high.  Shoulder season is generally March and April when the temperatures are at their highest.  Low season, May through November, is rainy season in the Maldives, but it is possible to still go and enjoy great weather if you go in mid to late November when rainy season is ending and lodging prices are still fairly low.  For the most part, visitors to the Maldives do not require visas for stays of 30 days or less. Check visa requirements for your specific passport before your travel.

Before You Go

One of the main things you need to do before you plan a trip to the Maldives is get real about your life and your finances.  There’s a reason why the Maldives is a dream destination, and that’s because it can get pricey! Sure there are ways to go to the Maldives on the low low – like staying in cheap hotels on Maafushi island that can be as low as $80/night and then spending $100 to take an all-inclusive day trip to a nice resort. But if you’re trying to do it the way you’ve day dreamed about, be ready to come up off some coins because that daydream is not for the broke.  Rates at the nicer resorts can cost into the thousands per night, and even the low end can be at least $500.  None of this includes taxes, fees or food and beverage.  Getting to these resorts is another cost.  Since each resort is on its own island, the only way to get to them is by speedboat or seaplane, which can cost around $300 and up per person.  There are no glitches or deals to be found in this area. Trans Maldivian Airways provides seaplane service to all resorts, so unless you own your own plane, they are who you fly with.  The resorts should have their own speedboats, so that’s pretty non-negotiable as well.  Basically, if you’re trying to be about that resort life, be prepared to pay.  Don’t worry about arranging the transportation, the hotel typically takes care of this for you.

Also, the Maldives is a Muslim country, and adheres to a strict no alcohol policy.  It is illegal to bring alcohol into the country, even in your checked luggage, and there is no duty free at the airport.  Your only options are to partake in a booze cruise that floats off shore near Maafushi or to cough up money on pricey drinks at the resorts.  Since island hopping is difficult between resorts due to the need for seaplanes and speedboats, chances are if you’re trying to drink you will need to purchase some kind of drink package at your resort or pay per drink.  The day trips from the cheap hotels I mentioned earlier are a good way to get your unlimited drink on.  But again, if you’re trying to live out your dreams, pricey resort drinks it is for you.

The Maldives isn’t going anywhere any time soon, so take all the time you need to save and plan for the trip you desire.  Travel is not a race, it’s a journey, and even if it takes you a little longer than most to save up, it will be worth it when you get there.

Getting There

The main airport in the Maldives is Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (MLE). Though there are no direct flights to the Maldives from the U.S., most, if not all, major airlines fly to the Maldives with at least one stop.  For my own trip I found flights leaving from JFK in November for just over $800 roundtrip.  Deal sites like The Flight Deal, Secret Flying and Airfarewatchdog sometimes have flight deals for less, you just have to keep an eye out.  If you have time and money, and want to make the most out of your trip, consider extending your layover.  My flight had a stop in Dubai for a few hours on the straight roundtrip ticket.  Instead, I booked a multi-city ticket which allowed me to stay in Dubai for three nights before heading to the Maldives, and it cost me the same as a regular roundtrip, so I got a flight to two countries for the price of one.  Extending a layover can also be a great way to ease out of jet lag.  The time difference between Dubai and Male is only one hour, which means a few nights in Dubai can help get your body acclimated to the time change so when you arrive in the Maldives, you don’t spend your first few days extremely tired.

Where to Stay

Since this is the ultimate guide to the Maldives, we’ll skip discussion about cheap hotels and get straight to the good stuff.  The resorts in the Maldives are to die for and choosing just one can seem nearly impossible.  If you have the disposable income, you can certainly spend a few nights at one resort before hopping over to another, but if you’re looking for one resort that will give you the experience you’ve longed for, then the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is it.

Reached by a scenic 30 minute seaplane flight, the Conrad Maldives offers three different experiences on two islands. Discover a Maldivian hideaway on tiny Rangali Island or cross the bridge to enjoy the livelier main island. The third experience – the Spa Retreat – is an over-water destination set off the main island. The Conrad Maldives is exactly what you’ve lusted over in all those pictures and offers luxurious villas, including romantic water villas on Rangali Island, contemporary beach villas amidst tropical greenery on the main island, or stunning over-water villas at the Spa Retreat. There are also 12 restaurants and bars that cater to every palette, two spas, two pools and unique experiences such as manta-watching, dolphin-spotting and snorkeling with whale sharks.

I chose the Conrad for my own trip to the Maldives recently and I can tell you that you will not be disappointed. The staff is extremely attentive and goes above and beyond to make sure you enjoy your stay, the food was amazing, the activities were endless (they even have karaoke!) and even with all the other guests, the Conrad somehow still manages to make you feel like you have the resort all to yourself.

One of my favorite experiences at the Conrad was enjoying a champagne breakfast at their world famous Ithaa Undersea Restaurant.  Pictures of Ithaa are probably #1 when you search for images of the Maldives and it is definitely an item on most travelers’ bucket list.

What to Do

The Maldives isn’t exactly somewhere you go to do a lot of stuff.  If you’re into diving, crossing off bucket list items like swimming with whale sharks and manta rays, snorkeling, jet skiing, taking cooking classes and tanning, then the Maldives is for you.  The only other activities would be exploring the cultural side of the country back on Malé, so definitely add a night or two on the main island to the front or backend of your trip.

To Bae or Not to Bae

The Maldives is known as a destination for lovers. From romantic getaways to honeymoons, it is definitely somewhere you want to be with a special someone.  However, if you don’t currently have a baecation boo, don’t let that stop you from going.  You can totally visit the Maldives solo or with friends and still have the time of your life.  Go solo to enjoy some relaxation and the freedom to move at your own pace.  Go with friends to try new things and create some fun memories.  Then, when you find the bae, go again and live out your wildest romantic fantasies.  That’s the great part about the Maldives, there’s no one way to experience it, and there’s something for everyone.  Besides, who said you can only experience paradise once?

Are you ready for Christmas 2015?