Sheraton Maldives Revamps Family Offering

Situated on the large private island of Furanafushi, Sheraton Maldives is the ideal family retreat uniquely located just 1km and a 15-minute speedboat ride away from Malé International Airport.

At the heart of the island resort’s wide-scale renovations has been newly designed family services that offer entertainment for young children through newly fitted top-of-the-range amenities.
The resort boasts 10 different luxury room categories dotted around the island, comprising three types of cottages, all of which feature interconnecting rooms for parents and children. As part of the renovation, the resort has just introduced a new category, ‘Cottage with Pool’, specifically designed with families in mind and including a private plunge pool for young children to safely splash around and with direct access to the white sandy beaches.
The upgraded Sheraton Adventure Club, meanwhile, has been designed for children aged 4 to 12 and provides an abundance of activities all around the resort, ranging from water-sports, cooking classes to interactive beach activities.
Furthermore, the resort has also curated a selection of tailored themed evenings for families to enjoy, including several seasonal experiences, such as Father Christmas gate crashing the full-resort festive sandbank picnic on a fly board.Emilio Fortini, General Manager at Sheraton Maldives, said: “What sets Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa apart from other Maldivian resorts is, undeniably our family appeal. Since completing our renovation programme we have seen a significant increase in parents with young children or teens choosing our resort for their annual family holiday.
“Our offering is so varied from the new range of room categories, the easy access location, our tailored childcare services and our bespoke waters-sports and wellness experiences. As a result of this, families can spend quality time together without feeling on top of each other – this is also largely due to the strategic layout of the island.
“We are now starting to see an increase in multi-generational visits too, as our tropical paradise suits the whole team – from toddlers to grandparents.”

Source: theworldnews

‘Alice in Wonderland’ themed Easter at Jumeirah Vittaveli in the Maldives

Jumeirah Vittaveli brings a new twist to Easter this year with an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ themed Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Guests can expect captivating family entertainment, a lavish Easter dinner and a mesmerizing tea party under the enchanting ‘Alice in Wonderland’ theme where the Mad Hatter, Cheshire cat, White Queen and Alice come to life.

The resort has issued a Family Fun package for the occasion which starts from USD 2,968 and includes accommodation in a Two Bedroom Beach Suite, daily breakfast and dinner, a family Beach BBQ, a Maldivian Cooking Class and a babysitting service. Quote the promotional code “FAMILYJV” to avail the offer.

“The famous tea party from Alice in Wonderland is a dream canvas for Chefs. We have created a quirky menu for our young guests, ranging from strawberry tiramisu, cotton candy, lollies, popsicles to chocolate mousse topped by a crispy hat decoration. We are excited to surprise our guests with our Easter culinary delights – traditional and novel at the same time!” said Francis Cornelius, Executive Sous Chef, Jumeirah Vittaveli.

Easter isn’t complete without the Easter Bunny and chocolate eggs – in keeping with the tropical mood, the Easter egg hunt will be transformed into a snorkelling adventure where kids will go hunting for eggs underwater. As guests cross the turquoise waters they’ll swim by an underwater party, where Alice and the Mad Hatter will be sipping on tea and waving to passers-by.

The Kuda Koli Kids Club will host Alice in Wonderland themed games including flamingo croquet, a jabberwocky piñata, an obstacle race and an egg hunt. After a packed morning, the afternoon brings cakes, chocolates and potions. Tea will be served to guests as the boardwalk around Samsara restaurant is turned into a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Poised against the rich blue ocean, gazebos will be set up as a degustation menu of chocolates, treats, snacks and drinks is served.

The resident musician will set the mood with violin and piano performances. On Easter Sunday, a host of entertainers will perform such as the Art of Poi fire dance, a magic show, LED light show and the Melody Duo live band as guests sit down by the Samsara beach and enjoy a traditional Easter dinner.

Families can enjoy the resort’s land- and water-based activities, including a PADI Dive base, water sports centre, Kuda Koli Kids Club and babysitting services, four restaurants, two bars and a Talise Spa with overwater and garden treatment rooms.

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.

Outrigger Konotta Maldives Welcomes Valetine’s Day With Love

Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort has generated special Valentine’s Day offers for guests, to inspire some romance. The romantics who visit can choose from special Valentines candlelit dinners on the beach to relaxing couple’s spa massages, and vow renewal ceremonies.

If you and your better half enjoy the clichéd version of romance, where the setting for love involves a sandy beach, candle light and to dine under the open sky, the Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort can prepare a candlelit sunset barbecue for two on the beach.

Culinary delights, carefully picked to inspire romance start on arrival with a class of sparkling wine, and gradually proceeding on to the highlights, which include lemon marinated grilled shrimp, tuna steak, calamari, reef fish in banana leaf, beef sirloin, lamb skewers, and a cold salad buffet. To finish off the romance on the beach before retiring to the luxurious rooms, a selection of mini desserts and surprise sweet treats from the pastry chef will be served.

To set the mood, the scene will be harmonized by the rhythmic drum music of Boduberu, a traditional type of Maldivian music. The special dinner takes place on Valentine’s Day, 14th of February for US$159 net per couple. Furthermore, the resort has on offer, one special private beach table BBQ with a private chef and waiter, featuring Champagne, canapés, local lobster, beef fillet, desserts and chocolates at US$366 net per guest.

Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort consists of 29 Beach Pool Villas, 21 Ocean Pool Villas, two Lagoon Pool Villas and the masterful three-bedroom Grand Konotta Villa. The Resort offers absolute seclusion and a sense of privacy for guests who seek intimate luxury. The Outrigger has the largest average villa sizes in the Maldives.

The private island of Konotta is located 211 miles to the south of Malé and is accessible via a 55-minute flight from Malé to Kaadedhdhoo Airport followed by a scenic journey that is only 30 minutes long on a luxurious private speedboat.

One&Only Reethi Rah review, Maldives: The resort that will ruin you

THE PLACE

One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives

THE LOCATION

One&Only Reethi Rah ("beautiful island" in Dhivehi, the Maldivian language) is an all-villa resort on one of the largest private islands in the Maldives. One of nine One&Only properties worldwide (including Hayman Island and Wolgan Valley in the Blue Mountains), it even has its own time zone: one hour ahead of Male, for longer evenings.

THE SPACE

The 128 beachfront and over-water villas, some of the largest in the Maldives, fringe this lush 12-beach island and are linked by sandy roads canopied by palm trees; guests get around on bikes or in chauffeur-driven golf carts. There are all the facilities you'd expect at a big resort: pools, tennis courts, a fitness centre, a kids' club.

What makes One&Only special is its "one world" vibe – the 800 staff members hail from 35 nations and guests come from all over Asia, Europe and the Middle East. It almost feels like an island utopia, particularly when a waiter or massage therapist greets you with One&Only's Namaste-like gesture, right hand over the heart (which is oddly contagious).

THE ROOM

My beach villa with pool is a high-ceilinged sanctuary of regal reds and purples and natural materials such as wood and coconut shell. Sliding glass doors open onto a large plunge pool, a hammock built for two, sun lounges and my own stretch of beach.

The bathroom has his and hers vanities, indoor and outdoor rainwater showers and an enormous sunken stone bath under a window, with bath salts, loofah and essential oil burner; there's an aromatherapy menu as well as a pillow menu. There's a yoga mat to use, a beach bag to keep and a mobile phone for making restaurant and spa bookings or for calling my villa concierge. The minibar includes an Illy espresso machine and gourmet teas.

THE FOOD

There are six restaurants: Reethi Restaurant where the breakfast buffet has to be seen to be believed; the organic Chef's Garden, surrounded by its own living produce; Tapasake over-water Japanese restaurant with outdoor teppanyaki bar; Beach Club, where you can dine on fresh seafood and salads with your toes in the sand; Rah Bar, which stays open late; and the Arabic Fanditha, where you can lounge on giant cushions or in curtained cabanas beside the sea, flanked by hurricane lanterns and shisha pipes. There's also 24-hour room service.

STEPPING OUT

Marine outings are a must in the Maldives and there are plenty of offerings, from whale shark swims and dive trips to day-cruises on dhoni (traditional fishing boats) and sunset sandbank experiences.

Terrestrial offerings include climbing (on the Maldives' first climbing wall) and tai chi and yoga classes – including aerial yoga where you can swing like a low-flying acrobat in an over-water pavilion. You could spend an entire day in the temple-like spa complex, which has an idyllic garden with wicker swings, fountains and hammocks under the coconut palms.

THE VERDICT

With its dreamy location, private apartment-sized villas and first-class service, One&Only Reethi Rah is the kind of resort that spoils you for all others.

ESSENTIALS

Singapore Airlines flies to Male via Singapore with same-day connections daily; see singaporeair.com. One&Only Reethi Rah is 45 minutes by speed boat from Male airport. Villa rates start at US$1190 a night plus taxes.

Dusit Thani Wins Favourite ‘Hotel Or Resort For Families’ Award

Dusit Thani Maldives on Mudhdhoo Island in Baa Atoll - the Maldives’ first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve - was recently awarded ‘Favourite Hotel or Resort for Families’ in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards 2016.

Operated by luxury travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler, which prints regional editions in Europe, USA, Asia and the Middle East. The annual Readers’ Choice Awards was established in 1987 and today, it is one of the most esteemed programmes recognized in hospitality excellence. More than 300,000 international readers cast their votes online this year, resulting in a list of the world’s finest travel experiences.

Dedicated to readers in the Middle East, the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards featured 21 categories this year. Voting opened earlier in the year and winners were officially announced at a gala dinner held on 14th November 2016 at the Park Hyatt Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Dusit Thani Maldives comprises 94 villas and residences, along with three restaurants, two bars, and Dusit’s signature Devarana Spa. The resort is ocated just 35 minutes by seaplane from the capital city, Malé, followed by a 10-minute speedboat ride from Dharavandhoo Domestic Airport in Baa Atoll. The resort is surrounded by a vibrant house reef, soft sandy beaches and a turquoise lagoon. A well-equipped Kids’ Club is an appealing factor to the resort’s guests who travel with children.

“We are extremely proud to win this prestigious award which recognizes the quality of the resort’s luxury accommodation and distinctive services,” said Mr Lim Boon Kwee, Chief Operating Officer of Dusit International, the Bangkok-based, global hospitality company which owns and operates Dusit Thani Maldives. “From our gracious, Thai-inspired hospitality, to our well-appointed rooms and esteemed dining experiences, we do everything we can to create memorable guest experiences. And we are delighted to know we are getting it right.”

The Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Award caps a successful year for the resort. Along with other accolades received such as; Gold Magellan Award, Luxury Resort Category – 2016 Travel Weekly Magellan Awards, Luxury Modern Resort of the Year 2016 – Luxury Travel Guide Global Awards 2016 and Asia’s Top Leisure Hotel – Now Travel Asia Awards 2016.

AMILLA FUSHI, THE MALDIVES

The Maldives was once a haven for honeymooners, but “there’s been a significant shift from loved-up couples to the high-end family market”, says Michael Flynn, chair and founder of The Small Maldives Island, which owns Amilla Fushi, a resort on Baa Atoll, 30 minutes by seaplane from Male’s Ibrahim Nasir airport.

Amilla Fushi features large villas as well as more mainstream resort-style accommodation, including overwater configurations with lagoon access and deck pools. “But families want to stay under one roof ... and have a high-end holiday villa experience,” Flynn says.

Amilla Fushi touts itself as “a home away from home”, but with its resident marine biologist, design magazine-worthy interiors and high ratio of staff to guests, this isn’t like any home we’ve experienced.

Baa Atoll is a World Biosphere Reserve, meaning it’s a protected marine haven rich in soft and hard coral, reef fish, manta rays, turtles and other underwater life.

And so to bed: There are six four-bedroom Villa Residences, including garden-level and upper-storey guest suites, beach courtyard, dining deck and staff quarters. The Amilla Villa Estate boasts six bedrooms, while the Great Beach Villa is the largest, with eight bedrooms.

Vibe: All villas are sleek, cool and contemporary and, given the location, each has a beachy, relaxed ambience. There are neutral colours, polished teakwood floors and glass walls that open to sand and sea. Attention to detail and family-friendly facilities such as a kids’ club are an attractive drawcard for the growing market of (mostly Australian) holiday-makers.

Dining: Each villa has a kitchen and katheeb (butler) on hand to prepare meals in-house but there are plenty of resort dining options along sandy paths, including Baazaar overlooking the infinity pool, which encompasses relaxed eateries such as Joe’s Pizza, Fresh, Fish & Chips, Grill and Wok. A recently opened Japanese restaurant, Feeling Koi, sits on stilts high above the lagoon. The Wine Shop and Cellar Door houses a deli and more than 250 labels from across the world.

Highlights: If turtles and dolphins swimming by the house reef aren’t enough, there’s world-class diving on Amilla’s doorstep, run by Dive Butler International, and Hanifaru Bay, a manta ray and whale shark hot spot, is a 10-minute speedboat ride away.

Tip: International music lounge franchise 1 OAK will open at Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives, the nearby sister island “party” resort to Amilla Fushi, this year.

Maldives, a kiddy paradise

Long regarded as a honeymooners’ paradise, Club Med Kani’s newly launched child-friendly facilities is set to position the Maldives as a playground for the family as well

Yes, it is true — with its perfect, white sandy beaches, intimate desert-island configuration and some of the clearest turquoise waters in the world, the Maldives has long topped the list of dream romantic destinations. Indeed, most of the resorts in the archipelago are pitched specifically at honeymooners and couples looking for a romantic getaway, with probably the biggest number of private-pool villas and over-water villas per resort at any tourist destination worldwide.

However, with the burgeoning trend towards family travel and a fast-growing middle class — particularly in Asia — the Maldives is gradually reinventing its exclusive, couples-only image to embrace families. Spearheading this transition is Club Med Kani. The French hospitality brand is well-known for its family-oriented proposition — all-inclusive stays at resorts that offer a wide variety of sporty activities, from skiing and paddle-boarding to Zumba classes.

Club Med Kani, which is located in the northern atolls and a 35-minute speedboat ride away from Male International Airport, opened its doors in 2000 and was initially pitched as a romantic resort destination sans the brand’s famed Children’s Club, which caters to kids as young as four-months-old to teens.

But this year, the refreshed Club Med Kani is unveiling new child-friendly facilities and accommodation for families, for little ones to have fun in the sun, sand and sea of the Maldives. The newly renovated adjoining Club Rooms and the just-built Happy Children’s Corner cater to couples wishing to enjoy the Maldives with kids in tow.

DREAM-LIKE PERFECTION

We zoomed off into the pitch black darkness in a speedboat to Club Med Kani from the airport pier in the dead of night, but the excitement that emanated from my six-year-old daughter Izzy was palpable, even though she was exhausted from her nighttime travels. Stepping off the boat onto the Cub Med Kani jetty to the catchy riffs of Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk and the sight of large reef fishes in the spot-lit waters, her eyes lit up in amazement.

After a very warm welcome from the team of G.O.s (which stands for Gentil Organisateur, a French term for “Gracious Organiser” coined by Club Med and one of the key pillars of the brand) and the charismatic chief du village Barq, we were ushered into our home for the next few days — a standalone Beach Deluxe Room that leads out to a quiet beach overlooking the Indian Ocean. But it was only when we sprung out of bed that the true magnificence of the island showed itself in all its vivid glory.

The beach was pristine — powdery-soft, white sand with shimmery turquoise waters that lapped gently at the shoreline, and generously peppered with tiny hermit crabs that were, surprisingly, not very shy in the presence of humans.

“This is better than being in a dream!” exclaimed Izzy, who could have easily spent the whole morning exploring the beach, but our rumbly tummies had a date with the extensive spread at Velhi, the main buffet restaurant at the resort.

Even though the chefs have the mammoth task of feeding hundreds of guests, each station (the restaurant offers Italian, Japanese, Indian, Chinese, Continental and Maldivian cuisine) offers a sprawling selection of freshly cooked dishes at a level of quality that exceeded that of any buffet I have had. The seafood was mostly locally sourced and delightfully fresh, and carb-loving Izzy had trouble choosing between eight types of bread and three types of pizzas at every meal. For late risers and all-day snackers, the resort offers full-day dining in its all-inclusive rates at Kandu and Kaana — the former a speciality restaurant with late breakfast and lunch menus, and the latter a deli serving tapas and snacks.

FUN IN THE SUN

While most other Club Med properties boast the brand’s full children’s club facilities, which include Baby Club and sporting facilities such as archery, paddle pools and trapeze, the newly launched Happy Children’s Corner at Club Med Kani operates like a pared-down version — it accepts kids from four-years-old onwards, and with lunch and shower breaks which parents will have to pick them up for.

“(The introduction of the Happy Children’s Corner here) is a strong demonstration of the growing number of families going on holidays, especially with the lowering cost of transport to the Maldives,” said Henri Giscard d’Estaing, chairman and CEO of Club Med over coffee at Kaana.

“When you have the scale of facilities that we have here, it would be a shame to not have the whole family experience the amazing Maldives. Although we don’t have the space for a very big Children’s Club, the fact is that people don’t come to the Maldives to stay indoors. You’ll find that most of the children’s activities here at Kani are conducted outdoors.”

Indeed, I had dropped Izzy off at the Happy Children’s Corner for the duration of our chat, and returned to find that she had gone off on a mini island exploration expedition with the dedicated Happy Children’s Corner G.O. On the schedule for the day are outdoorsy activities such as snorkelling, sandcastle-making, beach games and kayaking, so that parents can rest assured that their kids are not missing out on the wondrous natural seascape of the Maldives while they are sunbathing or indulging in cocktails at the open bar on the beach.

Kids also have the opportunity to participate in the resort’s coral propagation programme — an activity unique to Club Med Kani. The resort has plans to introduce more of such eco-awareness kids’ programmes that will add to their experience of the Maldives’ natural landscape; although close encounters with Maldivian marine life are a daily occurrence — we had spotted reef sharks and stingrays, and swam with a huge school of tiny fishes in the shallow waters by our villa.

The most surprising aspect of this trip — our first Club Med stay — was how much we both enjoyed the buzzing nightlife on the resort. There is an informal dress code every night (which gives parents an excuse to slip out of shorts and t-shirts into something a little more chic), a performance by the G.O. team and a themed party that goes on till late into the night for those up for some beach partying.

Our last night there was the All-White-themed night, which consisted of an opulent barbecue buffet and dance party on the beach with guests decked out in white resort wear. Izzy’s face lit up in wonder, for the umpteenth time that day, as we sat on a soft sandbank watching the fireworks go off against an inky-black, starry sky.

The Maldives is a wondrous experience for beach-loving grown-ups and kids, and Club Med Kani is the perfect base to maximise fun in the golden Maldivian sunshine for the whole family.

A picturesque bonanza

Hanker after an adventurous yet serene break from your hectic urban life? Consider no further than the fascinating islands of The Maldives to have your fill of powdery beaches, water sport activities, seafood and privacy in the various resorts dotting the islands. Tropical climate with an abundance of greenery and cool, blue water all around ensures tourists throughout the year – Westerners come for sun bathing and adventure activities in summer while others visit the island in the months of festivities like Eid, Diwali and New Year.

Positioned smugly in the clear, turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, the atolls (a cluster of islands) of The Maldives – about 20 in all scattered over North and South of its capital city of Male, happens to be an independent island country. In most cases, each small island is owned privately in which beautiful 5-star resorts are constructed as tourism is its only revenue. A popular holiday destination with glittering ocean, white sandy beaches, the resorts are sheltered with dense plantations and provide all the amenities for city dwellers. Male is the only one-point entry to the Maldives and the islands are accessible from Male by speed boats or seaplanes.

With a total population of just around 4 lakhs, this South-Asian island country to the south-west of Sri Lanka and India, is a major tourist attraction. It is the lowest country in the world since even its highest point above sea level is less than 8ft with average elevation being 5ft. which allows you to wade in the ocean and that explains why Maldives is a preferred holiday destination.

Bang in the middle of the ocean, each sandy landmass of the island country rests on the shelf of coral reefs and out of the innumerable coral islands, only around 200 are inhabited since some of them got submerged with rising water and in some places new islands are formed but are not inhabitable. Furanafushi island in North Male’s Kaafu Atoll is one of the nearest to the capital city and it can be reached within 20 minutes by speedboat. Like most other, this island too is privately owned but all islands come under The Maldivian governance. Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa owns Furanafushi, Kurumba in Vihamanaafushi and W Resort & Spa in Fesdu islands or any other resort, all offer a variety of facilities and activities to tourists for a memorable stay.

 Earlier Maldives was a kingdom and the kings promoted Buddhism but since 12 century AD, Islam was adopted as the only religion (they follow the Sunni sect) so much so that it is mandatory for those who wish to acquire Maldivian citizenship to convert to Islam. The official language is Divehi which is a mix of Sanskrit and Arabic. Natives here are simple folk whose main profession involves jobs in resorts/hotels, driving speedboats/cruises/seaplanes or guides and water sports managers. The rest are into local agro industry too.

Adventure activities:

Maldives is famous for its water sports activities by virtue of its low-lying and various other water-friendly features.

If you happen to stay in one of the Ocean or Pool Villas of the resort, your dream to walk around or swim in the shallow ocean bed can be realized. Else, access to the beach allows you to snorkel or swim; for those who like a little more speed and adventure, try water skiing, wake boarding, jet skiing, in the pristine ocean. If exploring the reefs is up your sleeve then Seabob is the technically advanced powerful toy and the coolest way to indulge in your aqua fantasy. Thrill seekers can go with wind-surfing, scuba-diving and catch sight of sting rays and sharks or soar like a bird to get an aerial view of the Indian Ocean peppered with greenery (islands) as you parasail with expert guidance.

For the less adventurous yet exploring minds – Sunset Dolphin Cruise offers an insight into dolphin behaviour, handline fishing on a Dhoni (a special boat) allows you to experience traditional method of fishing with bait and fishing lines as the Maldivian waters are rich in Tuna, Mahi mahi, Sail fish and Wahoo.

Food and Recreation:

Seafood specialties and live catch are cooked in Sea Salt with global cuisines for breakfast and dinner to suit every guests’ palate being served at Feast while Baan Thai and Asian Tea House take care of oriental food lovers’ choices. Almost every resort offers spa treatments with Maldivian herbal aromatic massages, facials, mudpacks and wraps to soothe exhausted nerves and Shine. The plunge pools in the Pool and Ocean Villas are a great draw since you can swim and enjoy in the seclusion of your private abode.

If you still want to get the city feel, a visit to Male takes care of your retail therapy and you can shop for souvenirs like lacquered artifacts, high quality coral jewelry – even black coral is found here and some pearls. You can visit the Grand Friday Mosque, Victory Square, National Museum, king’s family tomb and catch a glimpse of the President’s Palace.

The Maldives could be a tad expensive destination because practically everything and majorly food related items are brought in from Sri Lanka, India or Australia and a few other countries. Almost everything is imported here yet with their dependency on international resorts/retreat and tourists, it has a clannish and happy population. Poised on live coral reefs and sand bars, Maldivian islands are a picture-postcard paradise for honeymooners and avid leisure travelers for fun, frolic, food and of course great photo ops!

Brand New Kandoo Kids Club at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives

A Perfect Paradise for your little ones…

On the 15th December 2014, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma was celebrating the launch of its new magical nautical and nature theme Kids Club “Kandoo”, derived from the abundant Kandoo tree’s found at the Resort.

Kandoo Kids will boast over 500sqm of kids fun space, making it one of the biggest fun filled children entertainment zone’s in the Maldives comprising of an indoor air-conditioned fun zone and an outdoor splash pool (opening late January 2015). The combination of these activities will keep the kids artfully and actively entertained and engaged.

The air-conditioned indoor fun zone comprises of 2 fun filled activity levels. Ground level kid zone caters for 4 – 7 year olds and upstairs for 8 – 12 years old. Both levels are colorfully decorated and furnished to capture the children’s imagination and include a library, art & crafts specialty area and interactive gaming room on the upper level and ball pit and craft making on the lower level.

Complimented by our Kandoo Hosts, they will keep the kids stimulated and entertained with a host of various activities such as henna hand artwork, face painting, cake decorating and kids will be able to design their very own designer Kandoo Kids T-shirt. Kandoo Kids Club also features a crawl and napping area, for those needing that break from all the fun.

To cool off, kids can enjoy our very own designer “Splash Pool”, first of its type in the Maldives features low wading pool, waterslides, water cannons, spray wall and it wouldn’t be the same without the water tipping buckets to keep the kids actively entertained and cool.

Open from 8am – 8pm daily, Kandoo Kids Club will be free for children between the ages of 4 – 12. Baby-sitting service will be available on request.

For info contact : 00960 798 5454 or
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