Every Villa at InterContinental’s New Maldives Resort Comes With Butler Service

Every Villa at InterContinental’s New Maldives Resort Comes With Butler Service“We’re not just in the business of selling rooms, we sell experiences,” says Stefan O. Huemer, general manager of the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau.

 After three years of development and construction, the sparkling new resort—officially opened on September 1 in the southern tip of the Raa Atoll, not far from the country’s only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve—is poised to prove him right. In addition to being the brand’s first hub in the Maldives, the 81-villa property is also the first anywhere to offer Club InterContinental benefits to all guests, elevating the experience for all who check in.
The upgraded journey starts upon arrival at Male International Airport, where staffers organize a seamless transfer to the dedicated InterContinental lounge (also opened on September 1), where you can wait in air-conditioned, WiFi-equipped comfort for the seaplane to the resort. (If cloudy skies prohibit seaplane take-offs, guests will be booked on a short domestic flight to Dharavandhoo island, followed by a 30-minute luxury speedboat ride to the hotel.) However you arrive, you’ll get a hero’s welcome, with a band of traditionally clad drummers, smiling staff members, and your “curator” (a.k.a. butler) awaiting you on the dock. Check-in is then performed in your villa, which might be on the beach, over the water, or around a swimmable lagoon.
The curator service is one of the signatures of the resort, with the dedicated host taking care of everything from personalizing your mini-bar and making spa appointments to organizing activities like secluded island dinners, stargazing sessions, outdoor movie nights, campfire storytelling, wine tastings, and all manner of water sports and snorkeling/diving/sailing excursions. Along with the butler service, complimentary Club benefits enjoyed by all guests include daily buffet and a la carte breakfast (served at the all-day dining Café Umi and the adults-only The Retreat), multi-tiered afternoon tea service, and evening cocktails and canapes. Other meals and drinks can be taken at one of the six restaurants and bars, which range from the seafood-focused, Southeast Asian-flavored Fish Market (also home to a boat-shaped Sunset Bar and an impressive wine cellar) to The Lighthouse, a romantic spot for 360-degree views and Mediterranean-influenced fare from an El Bulli-trained Spanish chef.
An engaging, well-equipped Planet Trekkers kids club, marine biologist-led marine center (which also oversees the resort’s manta ray conservation project), and the overwater AVI Spa—offering treatments like Balinese massages and full traditional Chinese medicine wellness programs—are some of the other on-island attractions, as are its long stretches of powdery soft sand and snorkeling-friendly waters. At the end of the sun-filled days, retreat to one of the villas or multi-bedroom residences, each featuring a private pool and a vibrant, comfortable décor inspired by the eclectic collections of a “wandering nomad.” With room types catering to different needs—overwater for the couples, beachside for families, and duplex lagoon villas tucked between both the ocean and sand—the resort rarely feels crowded, ensuring that tranquility remains the biggest perk of all. Rates start at $995 per night for a beach villa, $1,145 per night for an overwater villa, and $1,295 for a lagoon villa.

Source: yahoo

Why You Need To Visit The Baa Atoll Now

Make the journey to the Baa Atoll, Maldives, this season for mesmerizing marine life encounters and a stay at one of the atoll’s newest island resorts.

The Marine Life
First off, the Baa Atoll is a Unesco-designated Biosphere Reserve, making it a year-round draw for snorkeling and diving over thriving coral reef, as well as for sightings of bigger marine species such as dolphins. June to November, however, is the optimum time to go for encounters with the exceptionally abundant marine life.
Hundreds of manta rays and whale sharks gather here during this season to feed on the plankton that’s in abundance in some of the atoll’s bays. Hanifaru Bay is the best-known site to head to, as it’s here between a collection of small islands that you’re most likely to encounter these mesmerising sea creatures.
Boats zip across the atoll’s deep blue water to reach the shallow lagoon of this secluded bay. And it’s here that you’ll have the unique opportunity to get into the water and snorkel alongside these huge mantas. Whale sharks aren’t quite as frequently seen but chances are still high here at this time of year.

Source: forbes

Shah Rukh Khan takes off to Maldives to holiday with his cuties AbRam, Suhana and Aryan

It's vacation time for the Khan-daan as Shah Rukh Khan escapes to Maldives with his kids - Aryan Khan, Suhana Khan and AbRam! Well, we don't remember when was the last time he took off with all three kids. Perhaps, it was a year back when the family had headed to Barcelona for a holiday. Remember the amazing family photos? That was in July last year and almost a year later, the family is back for their this year's vacation with Maldives being their pick to unwind and chill.
A certain onlooker happened to spot Shah Rukh arriving with Suhana, AbRam and Aryan at the airport in Maldives this afternoon. While AbRam was seen walking hand in hand with his daddy cool, Aryan and Suhana made their way twinning in black. In fact, now that we notice, even Shah Rukh and AbRam are twinning in white looking like the cutest father-son duo. Here, check out all the photos below and tell us how much do you admire this fam. Interestingly, Gauri Khan isn't to be seen in any of the pictures that have hit the web so far which makes us wonder if it's just a father time with the kids or will she be joining in later.

Source: timesnownews

The best hotels in the Maldives – to suit every budget

Ask anyone what’s on their bucket list and it’s likely the Maldives will be near the top.
Pristine white sand beaches, dazzling azure waters and the promise of complete relaxation have been drawing Brits to the country for decades – according to 2018 statistics around 103,000 Brits now travel there annually.Ask anyone what’s on their bucket list and it’s likely the Maldives will be near the top.Located in the the middle of the Indian Ocean, with Sri Lanka and India its closest neighbours, the Maldives is made up of 22 atolls and 1,200 islands. With 120 resorts spread across these islands, deciding where to stay in the Maldives can be tricky – with each resort even lovelier than the last.
1. Milaidhoo Island

Hidden in the heart of a UNESCO biosphere reserve, Milaidhoo Island Maldives has reinvented luxury since it opened in November 2016. The Water Pool villas are the ‘entry-level’ rooms and you can expect to be greeted by a private infinity pool, sun loungers and a swinging day bed along with a egg-shaped, free-standing bath inside. The boutique resort is located on an island so small you can walk around it in five minutes – but that only adds to its charm as the small-scale luxury encourages you to switch off and enjoy the quiet.Rooms from £850 per night, milaidhoo.com
2. Coco Privé Hotel on Kuda Hithi

If money is no object, then why not reserve an entire Maldivian island for yourself? Located in the middle of the Laccadive Sea in the northern part of the Malé Atoll, privacy is of the utmost importance here, which is why it’s a favourite among A-Listers and billionaires. The 1.4 hectare island boasts all the usual decadent trappings of a Maldivian resort: a lush pool, endless white sand but sans any over-water villas. Instead, the island has five guest villas and a 30-strong team of staff including butlers, a private chef and spa therapists.Island from $45,000 (£34,430) per night,
3. Soneva Jani

Unveiled in October 2016, Soneva Jani is the sister resort to Maldives favourite Soneva Fushi – and both reign supreme as two of the best resorts in the Maldives . The stunning architecture at Soneva Jani is what makes it stand out from the Maldivian crowd and some of the rooms include a retractable roof above the bed for night time star gazing. The overwater, open-air cinema at the far end of the island is a treat and all food served is sourced locally, offering everything from pizzas to roast lamb and even a chilled cheese and chocolate room.Rooms from £1,470 per night, soneva.com
4. Joali Maldives

Located on Muravandhoo Island in the Raa Atoll, Joali Maldives is fringed by white sand beaches and surrounded by the brilliant azure waters the Maldives is known for. Choose from beach villas, water villas or residences – with the largest residence boasting four bedrooms across 500 square metres and accommodating eight people. The Espa Spa offers tailor-made treatments in its garden and seaside vista and honeymooners can choose to set out for a romantic picnic aboard the resort’s custom-designed sailboats.Rooms from £1,806, joali.com
5. Six Senses Laamu

Despite the slew of recent openings over the past few years, Six Senses Laamu in the remote Laamu Atoll, continues to offer one of the best experiences in the Maldives. The only resort in this atoll, there are 97 rooms, a mix of over-water and beach villas, all carved from local wood and featuring rainfall showers. On arrival, you’re given bikes for getting around the island and allotted a ‘gem’ (personal butler) for the duration of the stay. If you’re staying in an over-water villa be sure to nab one with its own infinity pool, for that extra touch of luxury.Rooms from £771 per night, sixsenses.com
6. Gili Lankanfushi

Currently closed until December 2019, Gili Lankanfushi – often said to be the number one resort in the Maldives – is undergoing renovation following a fire in January of this year. Eco-friendly, all the buildings on the resort are constructed using sustainably-sourced plantation teak, palm wood, bamboo and palm fronds. The hotel also holds the coveted title of the World’s Largest Overwater Villa as its Private Reserve covers an astounding 1,700 square metres complete with a 63-metre pool, a Jacuzzi and a library – all yours for £7,385 per night.Rooms from £964 per night
7. Conrad Maldives, Rangali Island

For once-in-a-lifetime experiences are what you’re after during your trip to the Maldives, it’s hard to beat Conrad Maldives, Rangali Island. Not only does the hotel boast the world’s largest all-glass undersea restaurant, it also opened the world's first underwater hotel suite in November last year. The latter is called Muraka, a hotel room that lies 16.4 feet under the Indian Ocean and costs $50,000 (£39,000) per night – a price that includes daily 90-minute massages, on-call fitness instructors and a private speed boat. If you’re on more of a budget, the underwater restaurant costs around £382 per head for dinner so you can still experience life under the sea. Room-wise, there are relatively more affordable villas above sea level with beach and water villas to choose from.Rooms from £731 per night, conradhotels3.hilton.com
8. Soneva Fushi

Soneva Fushi was ahead of the game when it first built its resort in 1995. The philosophy ‘no shoes, no news’ still rings true today at Fushi and its sister property, Soneva Jani which was built two decades later in 2016. All buildings are built, where possible, to fit in with the existing nature – so you won’t find any overwater bungalows here. With all villas on land, you can choose between the sunrise or sunset side – sunrise being best for privacy and sunset being ideal for snorkelers – dolphins and other sea life are regularly spotted here. Each villa is sprawling and unique – so whether you choose Villa 37 for its 11-metre tall viewing tower or the Crusoe Villa for its outdoor bathrooms and nature-immersion feel, you’re sure to be delighted.Rooms from £1,582 per night, soneva.com
9. Anantara Kihavah

One of the most popular resorts in the Maldives, Anantara Kihavah is hidden in the Baa Atoll on the island of Kihavah. The white sands lead into a turquoise lagoon filled with blooming corals and a wealth of tropical fish. Manta rays and Hawksbill sea turtles are a common sight and you can arrange to dine on a deserted sea bank, for a truly unique experience. Over-water villas boast private infinity pools while the beach villas are spacious and sumptuous – and not a single tree has been moved in building the villas. Be sure to visit the SKY bar to star gaze with the most powerful telescope in the Maldives and learn more about the stars.Rooms from £720 per night, anatara.com
10. LUX* North Male Atoll

LUX* North Male Atoll opened in February this year, yet has already made a splash on a scene crowded by five-star resorts. This is mainly due to its distinct architecture, with its whitewashed penthouses peeking out of the island's greenery and perched over the astoundingly azure ocean. The new resort is home to 67 double storey residences, each featuring a private pool and a rooftop to relax on. There’s also the option to make your stay all-inclusive to enjoy sundowners and unlimited food to your hearts (and stomach’s) content.Rooms from £826 per night, luxresorts.com
11. Cheval Blanc Randheli Maldives

Billed as a resort to enjoy ‘exclusive privacy’, Cheval Blanc Randheli Maldives was designed by famed designer Jean-Michel Gathy – the man behind the iconic Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. One for wellness junkies, you can choose your wellbeing journey on arrival with bespoke detox and fitness packages along with spa treatments devised by Guerlain. The 45 villas – some over water – are sumptuous and oozing with elegance and each featuring a swimming pool, hammock and day bed. Visit the Dive centre to explore the Noonu Atoll where the hotel sits, to discover the host of fish, rays and turtles that lie beneath the sparkling waters.Rooms from £1,100 per night, chevalblanc.com
12. Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa

Located on the northern Haa Alifu Atoll, this all-suite resort boasts some of the largest beachfront villas in the Maldives. The over-water villas are sprawling – many with private pools – and all 107 suites comes with a pair of bicycles to help explore the island which, at 1.5 kilometres long, is one of the biggest in the Maldives. The villas are designed to emulate traditional coral-walled Maldivian homes and, if working out is something you like to do on holiday, gym and yoga sessions are offered, along with tennis, football and basketball. Take advantage of Hideaway’s learn to dive course to see the abundant wildlife – including dolphins, turtles, rays and sharks - that surrounds the resort. When you’ve worked up an appetite, four restaurants are waiting to serve you – or you can choose private dining on the beach as the sky turns pink at sunset.Rooms from £397 per night, hideawaybeachmaldives.com
13. Coco Bodu Hithi

Bodu Hithi Island, in the North Malé Atoll is home to Coco Bodu Hithi – part of the Coco Collection and sister property of Coco Privé Hotel. Thatched roofs and outdoor showers are a staple of the four types of villas found at the resort: island, water, escape water and coco residence. The escape water villas are particularly enticing with its dreamy infinity pools and bath tub for two. With two bars and five restaurants – where Michelin star chef visits are common – there’s something to satiate every craving. A trip to the spa is a must to indulge in treatments inspired by ancient Indonesian, Thai and Indian techniques.Rooms from £423 per night, cococollection.com
14. Mirihi Island Resort

Located in the South Ari Atoll, you’ll find Mirihi – one of the smallest islands in the Maldives. But what it lacks in size it makes up in luxury with heavenly villas offset by powder-soft white sand and a spectacular house reef. Choose from one of the 39 beach or water villas, some with two bedrooms and all with complete privacy. The Ocean Pro Divecenter is a must for guests to discover the 40 diving sites nearby and the chance to swim with whale sharks.Rooms from £485 per night, mirihi.com


15. Niyama Private Islands

With twin islands, Play and Chill, Niyama offers a different kind of Maldivian experience. Located on the Dhaalu Atoll, Play is tailored to adventurous honeymooners and families (children aged up to 11 can stay and eat for free) while Chill is for foodies and spa lovers. The beach villas hide among the 4,200 coconut palms that line the island while the water villas offer classic Maldives luxury. In the rooms you’ll find full-sized fridges with complimentary homemade ice cream and popcorn makers on the bench and, when you can tear yourself away from your abode, a visit to Subsix - the underwater restaurant – is a must. One on one surfing lessons are available as are tennis sessions, badminton, football and morning yoga.Rooms from £473 per night, niyama.com
116. Kanuhura Maldives

Located on the quiet Lhaviyani Atoll, Kanuhura Maldives is the ideal family-friendly resort – but don’t let that put you off if you don’t have kids, the island is large enough to find your own slice of solitude. Known for its large marine life – dolphins, whale sharks, puffer fish and four-metre wide manta rays can be spotted here – it’s a snorkeler’s haven. The comprehensive Kokaa Spa menu is also not to be missed and includes everything from crystal massages to traditional Theyo Dhemun oil treatments. The rooms – both water and beach villas - offer barefoot luxury while the eight restaurants and bars will serve up something for everyone.Rooms from £436 per night, kanuhura.com
17. Fihalhohi Island Resort

A comfortable 40-minute speedboat transfer from Male International Airport, Fihalhohi Island Resort is located on the last island of South Male and offers 138 beachfront rooms alongside 12 over-water villas. The over-water villas are fringed by the stunning house reef, teeming with wildlife and the resort offers a free dive every day at 4:30pm. Whether you choose a half-board stay or go all-out with an all-inclusive package, there are two bars and one delicious all-day restaurant to dine in. The Huvandhumaa Spa offers everything from cupping to Balinese massages – the perfect place to unwind before returning to your heavenly villa.Rooms from £111 per night, fihalhohi.com.mv
18. Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon

With over 100 dive sites nearby, this is the ultimate resort for the diving enthusiast. Caves, coral and rich marine life make up the surrounding reef – one of the best in the Maldives – and there is also a small shipwreck to explore as well. Even if diving isn’t your thing, the two-storey villas and water bungalows will be enough to entice you. The buffet dining is ideal as most guests here opt for the full-board or all-inclusive packages and the Azmaara Spa provides the perfect pampering experience.Rooms from £128 per night, cinnamonhotels.com
19. Gangehi Island Resort

Located on the outskirts of the North Ari Atoll, Gangehi Island boasts one of the most gorgeous reefs in the country. The barrier reef protects the island and there you can snorkel to see a myriad of colourful, tropical fish, marine turtles, manta rays and dolphins. The white sand is shaded by towering coconut palms and the resort offers a mix of 45 beach, garden and over-water villas. The tranquil Ginger Spa offers traditional ayurvedic treatments and a couples massage is a must.Rooms from £78 per night, gangehi.com


20. Kihaa Maldives

Settled in the Baa Atoll, Kihaa Maldives opened in 2012 and has been welcoming guests to its 118 spacious beach and over-water villas ever since. Close to Hanifaru Bay, a UNESCO Marine Protected Area biosphere, be sure to visit during the manta ray and whale shark season to swim with these glorious animals. Flat-screen TVs can be found in the bedrooms, but you’ll be too busy lapping up the views of the white sand beaches and Tiffany-blue hues of the surrounding ocean to notice. A highlight of the resort is the opportunity to go night fishing the traditional.
Rooms from £133 per night, kihaamaldives.com

Source:- standard.co.uk

Sweet suites! Hotels get fancy with exotic rooms (up to $100K a night!)

(3TV/CBS5) -- Around the world, some very sweet suites have just opened.

 Hotels are unveiling more and more lavish and unique rooms as they try to attract wealthy guests and more importantly, attention on social media.

The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is giving a whole new meaning to sleeping with the fishes. The Muraka suite is the world's first underwater hotel room in the open ocean. There's a bedroom, viewing room and bathroom 16 feet below sea level. An elevator ride up, your butler awaits in the above water section of the villa. The Muraka suite costs $50,000 a night.

The Maldives is becoming well known for its super suites. At the Joali Maldives there are three bedroom ocean residences with two pools and living rooms. This location also has the longest jetty in the country.

In French Polynesia there are two-story presidential villas at Conrad Bora Bora Nui resort. Monte Carlo also has a new extra-special view of the sea from the Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III suites at Hotel de Paris. The hotel was a favorite of the royal couple. "They loved coming here on special occasions. Either with friends or with families," according to Ivan Artolli, general manager of Hotel de Paris.

In Las Vegas, high-rollers at the Palms can stay at the two story Empathy Suite designed by artist Damien Hirst. It's the most expensive suite in the world at $100,000 a night. There's a two night minimum. Melanie Lieberman, travel editor with The Points Guy, says "At the end of the day hotels know they're going to get a ton of free press from these suites, as well as Instagram influencers and the occasional person who can pay $100,000 a night." Lieberman says in the age of Instagram, expect the penthouse to get ever loftier.

Source: azfamily.com

Guesthouses to control half of Maldives traveler bed limit by 2028

Guesthouses to control half of Maldives traveler bed limit by 2028

Guesthouses in the Maldives have 8,000 beds between them.

The guesthouse market will control half of the Maldives tourist accommodation capacity by 2028, the Maldives Association of Travel Agencies and Tour Operators (MATATO) said.

MATATO president Abdulla Giyas Riyaz said that the guesthouse sector was the fastest developing sector of tourism in the country.

According to the Tourism Ministry the tourist accommodation capacity or bed capacity for the Maldives is 42,929 per night. This figure is divided among 792 establishments including high-end tourist resorts on private islands, guesthouses and hotels on inhabited local islands and cruise vessels.

Resorts controlled the majority of the accommodation capacity with over 30,000 beds, while 459 guesthouses had 8,000 beds between them as of July this year.

“19 percent of the bed capacity in the Maldives is controlled by the guesthouse sector. Hulhumalé alone has 1,750 beds in 83 guest houses,” Riyaz said.

While Malé’s suburb Hulhumalé has the majority of guesthouse beds, Maafushi has over 1,000 beds too. The rest are distributed among guesthouses scattered around other islands near the capital.

“These numbers are very interesting,” Riyaz said, “The guesthouse sector is just 10 years old. But this is the fastest growing sector in Maldivian tourism.”

“I estimate that within the next 10 years, 50 percent of the tourist bed capacity in Maldives will be controlled by guesthouses.”

Riyaz was speaking at the MATATO’s Maldives Travel Awards Guesthouse Edition, held in Hulhumalé.

Ukulhas in Alifu Alifu atoll took the top accolades, as the leading guesthouse island of the Maldives and leading beach island. Reveries Diving Village in Laamu atoll was named the leading guesthouse.

Mingozzi takes up culinary administration of Kanuhura, Maldives

Chef Michele Mingozzi has joined Kanuhura, Maldives, with strong international experience and reputation, having worked in numerous remarkable fine-dining establishments around the world.

His experience includes time at two- and three-Michelin star restaurants in Italy, Germany and London.

His passion for food and flavour took him to the Philippines, the Middle East, Singapore and Fiji, where he headed the kitchen for the celebrated Laucala Island Resort, owned by Dietrich Mateschitz, the owner and founder of Red Bull.

Taking over the culinary reign at Kanuhura, Maldives, chef Mingozzi will be responsible for the resort’s eight dining outlets as well as numerous destination and special dining locations and experiences. Chef Michele will focus on high-quality, fresh food blended with Maldivian food culture with worldwide food traditions.

Comprising three main restaurants, the culinary concept at Kanuhura Maldives aims to add value to the guests’ dining experiences by implementing diverse, smaller dining outlets in different locations set across the island, including the Chef’s Herb Garden where guests can pick fresh ingredients and cook alongside the culinary team while dining under the stars at a ‘secret’ table surrounded by flickering candles at the heart of a gorgeously lush and aromatic herb garden.

Key sushi dishes from the innovative Sushi Swing Bar menu include the sumptuous Champagne Yuzu Lobster roll, Truffle Creamy Lobster Tempura roll and the Waygu Beef roll.

Locally sourced tuna is used in the menu, as well as reef fish whenever possible.

Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort to open in December

Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort About to open in December

Marriott International has announced the forthcoming debut of Westin Hotels & Resorts in the Maldives with the opening of the Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort in October.

The resort is set to herald the Westin brand’s wellness positioning in the Maldivian oasis.

Nestled on a beautiful coral island in the Baa Atoll, a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve site, the Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort will feature 70 villas and suites, 41 on island and 29 overwaters.

Poised over the sea on stilts and with an area of almost 200 square meters each, the overwater suites are amongst the largest a resort has to offer in the Baa Atoll region.

Assembled by award-winning Milan-based architects Peia Associates, the resort’s design takes inspiration from the ocean with a visionary approach towards environmental sustainability.

The dining options include three resort restaurants and a rooftop bar.

The all-day dining experience at Island Kitchen stays true to the Westin brand’s ‘eat well’ pillar through a thoughtful menu combining Chinese, Indian and Maldivian fare.

The Pearl is the resort’s specialty restaurant and is the ideal venue to indulge in exquisite Japanese cuisine in an elegant setting with exceptional ocean views.

At Hawker, guests can sample authentic Asian food in a casual and buzzing restaurant and bar with a live kitchen.

The Sunset Bar is a relaxed lounge serving tapas and imaginative cocktails created by talented mixologists.

3D printing innovation to help coral development in Maldives

3D printing innovation to help coral development in Maldives

Moulds were slotted together underwater, like a giant aquatic LEGO set, to create the new reef.

The world’s largest and the Maldives first 3D-printed reef was installed by a resort at the weekend, with the technology being used to help protect coral reefs.

The artificial reef, assembled with hundreds of ceramic and concrete modules, was submerged in seven metres of water in a part of the lagoon where Summer Island Maldives  is building a new coral reef ecosystem.

Coral reefs are under threat from climate change. In 2016 a particularly strong El Nino weather event, which caused sea temperatures to spike, devastated coral reefs across large parts of the Maldives. Climate change makes these coral ‘bleaching’ events increasingly likely and severe.

The project started in Australia, where industrial designer Alex Goad of Reef Design Lab used computing modelling to design reef structures similar to those found naturally in the Maldives.

A 3D printer took 24 hours to print moulds which were then cast in ceramic, an inert substance similar to limestone rock, and shipped to the Maldives. They were filled with marine concrete on the resort’s beach before being taken into the lagoon and assembled.

Like a giant aquatic LEGO set the 220 ceramic, concrete-filled moulds were slotted together underwater to create the new reef.

Coral fragments, grown on the resort’s existing and extensive coral nursery, were transplanted onto the 3D reef. In a few years, when the corals have colonised the reef, the resort wants a new reef teeming with fish and other marine life.

If the 3D printing technology proves successful, it could be a new way of helping coral reefs adapt to a warming climate.

“This is a science project, it’s a research project,” said Alex Goad. “3D printing technology helps us to mimic the complexity of natural reef structures, so we can design artificial reefs that closely resemble those found in nature.”

Goad will make his modular 3D designs open source, so other researchers in the Maldives can benefit from them without having to pay a licence fee.

The resort aims to study the reef with the help of marine biologists over the next few years, to see if the 3D version is better at encouraging coral growth than existing methods of artificially growing corals, such as with steel frames.

It has also introduced other environmental initiatives including the adoption of solar energy, a ban plastic straw usage and phasing out imported drinking water.

Resort manager Mari Shareef said these policies were popular among guests and staff.

“We want to help promote a culture of environmental stewardship, not just at Summer Island, but across the Maldives,” she said.

UK explorers support tourism figures in Maldives

UK explorers support tourism figures in Maldives

Latest figures from the Maldives show that the destination saw an 11.2 per cent increase in the number of UK travellers who visited in the first six months of 2018, when compared with the same period in 2017.

In total, 57,535 UK tourists arrived in the Maldives from January – June 2018, compared with 51,737 in 2017.

June itself also welcomed a 6.2 per cent growth in the number of UK tourist arrivals, when compared with the same month in 2017.

Overall, 6,459 travellers from the UK visited the Maldives in June 2018, compared with 6,081 in June 2017, accounting for 6.9 per cent of all tourist arrivals to the Maldives and therefore representing the third largest inbound market for arrivals globally, after China (17.5 per cent) and Germany (eight per cent), respectively.

With regards to total worldwide arrivals, 93,786 travellers visited the Maldives in June 2018 and this represents an increase of ten per cent when compared with June 2017, which welcomed 85,222.

The first six months of 2018 have seen 726,515 global tourists visit the Maldives, an increase of 10.5 per cent when compared with the same period of last year.

This year the Maldives will further confirm its status as one of the most attractive holiday destinations for UK tourists, with the opening of at least 23 new resorts.

The island nation was also recently crowned as the Indian Ocean’s Best Spa Destination at the World Spa Awards.

Commenting on the increase of tourist arrivals, the Maldives minister of tourism, Moosa Zameer, said: “We are once again very pleased to see a notable increase in the number of UK and worldwide arrivals to the Maldives.

“The increase is testament to the country’s world-class tourism industry and with several exciting developments planned for the remaining months of 2018 and into 2019, including the opening of a number of resorts, we look forward to welcoming even more UK tourists to our shores.”

Voters asked to make voices heard in front of World Spa Awards

Voters asked to make voices heard in front of World Spa Awards

Voting for World Spa Awards – the global initiative to recognise, reward and celebrate excellence in the spa and wellness sector – closes on August 17th, 2018.

Spa industry professionals – senior executives, travel buyers, tour operators and media – along with spa consumers, are invited to cast their votes to decide which spa organisations are the leaders in their field.

Voting takes place across the whole spectrum of the global spa industry with categories including Best Hotel Spa, Best Spa Design and Best Spa Destination.

The winners will be invited to attend the 2018 World Spa Awards Gala Ceremony, which will take place at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort on October 26th.

Hundreds of industry leaders from around the world are scheduled to attend the spa tourism event of the year.

Unrivalled luxury, stunning beaches, an amazing underwater world, as well as spectacular spa and wellness offerings, make the Maldives the destination of choice for World Spa Awards.

A spectacular 40-minute seaplane flight from Malé International Airport, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort promises an unrivalled private island escape in the southern Dhaalu Atoll.

An eco-conscious design draws on island-inspired style and contemporary architectural elements, villas come with private plunge pools.

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is home to the unique lobster-shaped Iridium Spa, which is the largest overwater spa in the Maldives, making it the perfect venue to celebrate the brilliance of the global spa industry.

Launched in 2015, World Spa Awards is a dynamic awards programme designed to drive up standards within spa and wellness tourism, by rewarding the organisations that are the leaders in the field.

Event partners for the fourth annual World Spa Awards include The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, Visit Maldives, Trans Maldivian Airways and Bastien Gonzalez.

World Spa Awards is the sister event to World Travel Awards, currently celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Football Celebrity Spent A Holiday In Maldives

Mo Salah's Maldives visit jumped on by tourism managers

Footballer Mo Salah’s trip to the Maldives has been seized on by tourism bosses in the troubled holiday destination, days after the European Union pressed ahead with sanctions over the worsening political and rights situation in the country.

The popular Liverpool player posted photos of himself in the Maldives following his World Cup stint, the Egypt Independent reported.

He can be seen on the beach and enjoying watersport activities.

Salah had chosen the Maldives for a post-tournament family vacation, said Visit Maldives. “Have you made up your mind to visit us yet?” asked a tweet.

He has more than six million followers on Twitter, with each of his Maldives holiday snaps garnering thousands of retweets, likes and comments.

The Visit Maldives tweet about Salah’s vacation is the account’s best-performing one by a long way.

Maldives populace to almost a million by 2054

Maldives populace to almost a million by 2054

The population projection means there will be twice as many people living in the Maldives.

The Maldives population is expected to reach almost one million by 2054, with more than half of the country’s nationals living in the Greater Malé area, a United Nations report published Wednesday said.

The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) also said the 2054 population figure would consist of 57 percent Maldivians and 43 percent foreigners.

Its overall population projection of 974,359 means there will be twice as many people living in the Maldives, according to the report.

Another key finding says that many of the bigger atolls will lose close to one-third of their population due to internal migration and a declining fertility rate, whereas the 2014 census showed that the majority of the population was living in the atolls.

The Maldives will also have 75 elderly people to every 100 children compared to 17 per 100 in 2014 and, while the child population currently accounts for 28 percent, it drops to 18 percent by the end of the projection period.

“The time has come for the Maldives to highlight population and development issues within the overall socio-economic development strategy of the country,” said the report.

“To do so, it will be necessary to reinforce the institutions dealing with population and development issues, especially those located in the President’s Office including the Economic and Youth Council and the Social Council.”

There was a continued need for affordable housing schemes in order to help people relocate to Greater Malé, better mechanisms to deal with the ageing population and greater emphasis on female education, said the report.

Outing islands to be worked close Malé

Outing islands to be worked close Malé

The capital lacks a natural beach and its residents flock to suburb islands at weekends.

Two picnic islands are to be built near the capital, a state-owned company said Tuesday, more than a year after the project was first launched.

The Maldives Integrated Tourism Development Corporation (MITDC) said they will be in Galufalhu lagoon, which is 15 minutes from Malé.

Uninhabited islands that are open to the public for recreational use are known as ‘picnic islands’ in the Maldives.

Kuda Bandos and Feydhoo Finolhu, previously used as picnic islands by residents of the congested capital city, were controversially leased for resort development. Malé lacks a natural beach and its inhabitants flock to the suburb islands of Hulhumalé and Vilimalé on weekends.

The government has so far failed to deliver on a promise to allocate a new picnic island near Malé and the restart of the project comes as the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party, in its manifesto for the September presidential elections, pledged to develop a picnic island for Malé residents..

Around MVR50 million (US$3.24 million) has been estimated as the total cost to reclaim the seven hectares needed for the two islands, MITDC managing director Mohamed Shahid said.

“We are hoping to finish the reclamation work within two months and complete the whole project in six months,” he was quoted as saying by Mihaaru.

The company said that affordable services – such as day rooms, a barbecue area, a restaurant and water sports facilities – would be available on the two islands.

Shahid added that the reclamation work would be handed over to a company this month.

The project was first announced more than a year ago, when MITDC said it was evaluating bids for developing a picnic island  near Malé.

The company sought expressions of interest in March 2017 and offered, as an incentive, a 50-year lease to develop a tourist resort on a portion of the reclaimed island.

An MITDC official told the Maldives Independent at the time that the company was evaluating proposals but declined to provide further information.

Oman Air to come back to the Maldives

Oman Air to come back to the Maldives

Oman Air will resume its service between Muscat and Malé in the Maldives.

Flights will recommence for the winter season from October 28th and will be operated by the new Boeing 737 aircraft.

Oman Air flights from Muscat to Maldives will operate on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and the flight from Maldives to Muscat will operate on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

The Maldives is a beautiful chain of 26 ring atolls, made up of more than 1,000 coral islands, located only three and a half hours away from Oman.

Well known for its beaches, blue lagoons and extensive reefs, the Maldives is an incredibly popular tourist destination with an increasing number of international visitors arriving year on year.

Abdulaziz Al Raisi, chief executive of Oman Air, said: “We are delighted to be resuming our Maldives route and look forward to welcoming our valued Oman Air guests on board our latest Boeing 737 aircraft.

“We thoroughly encourage our friends from Europe and the rest of our network, flying to the Maldives to stop over and explore Oman en route.

“Our new Maldives service offers holidaymakers the perfect opportunity to explore Muscat, the metropolitan capital of Oman before escaping to the beautiful shores of the Maldives.”

The relaunch of the Maldives service comes at an exciting time, as Oman Air recently started their flights to Istanbul in June with operations scheduled to Casablanca in July and Moscow in October.

TALL TALE WEDDING PAVILION OFFERS OVERWATER WEDDING CEREMONIES

TALL TALE WEDDING PAVILION OFFERS OVER-WATER WEDDING CEREMONIES

"Walk down the glass floor aisle to say yes to your love, surrounded by the stunning vistas of the Indian Ocean at Jumeirah Vittaveli

Jumeirah Vittaveli has launched an enchanting overwater wedding pavilion, offering wedding ceremonies and vow renewals.

The Wedding Pavilion sits serenely tucked away in the resort’s overwater fine dining complex, adjacent to French fine dining venue Fenesse, the newly opened wine library Cuvée, and the tranquil overwater lounge Cyan. Panoramic glass doors provide 360 degree views, and decorations can be adjusted to suit the wedding couple’s personal wishes.

“The Maldives provide a wonderful, romantic location for weddings, and we have arranged a number of stunning ceremonies, on a secluded beach, a remote and deserted sandbank, and even an underwater exchange of vows. We can now offer this spectacular new venue to guests who wish to celebrate in style at Jumeirah Vittaveli. Imagine watching your partner appear to walk on water and down the glass floored aisle that stretches over the shimmering turquoise lagoon,” said Amit Majumder, General Manager, Jumeirah Vittaveli.

The wedding pavilion can be booked for ceremonies in advance or once guests are on location. Additional romantic packages include the Wedding Ceremony in Paradise or the Romance in Maldives offer which includes a romantic dinner by the beach and couple’s spa massage. Marriages at the resort are purely ceremonial and not legally binding.

Enhance your romantic escape and stay at the picturesque Private Ocean Retreats. Cocoon yourselves into this indulgent hideaway with a loft-style bedroom upstairs, overwater hammocks, private infinity pool and full outdoor daybed. The Villas are freestanding in the lagoon ensuring maximum privacy while only a two minute ride on board the complimentary boat service from the main island. The Private Ocean Retreats are designed to offer all the resort services at your fingertips, from in-villa dining, to yoga on your own open air deck, to an indulgent couple’s massage.

Jumeirah Vittaveli offers romantic escapes as well as a variety of land- and water-based activities, including the destination’s first ice rink, a PADI Dive base, water sports centre, six restaurants and bars, and two lounges; an underground tasting room and a wine library will open soon. 

5 reasons why celebs still love the Maldives

5 Reasons Why Celebs Still Love To Visit Maldives

Luxury holiday destination the Maldives is a firm favourite for celebrities. We found out why.

According to the 2018 Worldwide Travel Trends report from Kuoni, the Maldives has topped the luxury holiday booking list for the 15th year in a row and the islands are as popular as ever, especially with the celebs. 

Recently spotted celebrities include former Made In Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh, This Morning’s Philip Schofield, Mummy Diaries star Billie Faiers and former Strictly Come Dancing pro Ola Jordan.

But just what makes the Maldives so popular year after year as a luxury holiday destination? From treetop cocktail bars to a new floating island spa, here are a just a few of the things that attract the rich and famous to the islands.

1. The Wellness Revolution – Gili Lankanfushi

World-leading international wellness practitioners are visiting the luxury eco-resort, Gili Lankanfushi this year, offering revolutionary treatments and workshops throughout 2018.

Inspirational speaker, writer and mentor Jody Shield who will be taking over the island from 22-29 August and from the 10-17 November Chloe Brotheridge, hypnotherapist and anxiety expert will be leading workshops that help with issues including anxiety, confidence and sleep problems.

Best of all group sessions are free to guests staying on the island.

2. Watch the sun set with cocktails high up in the trees – Dhigali

An Instagrammers paradise, the two storey Haali bar on Dhigali is shaped like a giant birds nest and sits at the western tip of the island overlooking the island’s sandbank.

Head there around 6 p.m and enjoy a delicious cocktail on the top level viewing spot, or relax in a comfy beanbag out on the beach - the perfect place to capture the breath-taking views of the sky while it changes colour.

3. A foodie’s paradise - Kuramathi

One of the most popular resort in the Maldives, Kuramathi offers a choice of nine a la carte restaurants, three buffet restaurants and seven bars on this large island.


From Thai, Indian, fresh seafood, Mediterranean and teppanyaki dining to a choice of over 100 cocktails, it would be a shame not to sample as much as possible.

4. Stay in a floating spa resort - ScubaSpa

Five per cent of the world’s reef area can be found in the Maldives and with it comes a great diversity of marine life, a reason many choose to holiday here.

The floating Resort By Scubaspa, a 50-metre purpose-built ‘safari yacht’ with PADI 5 Star Dive Resort Status visits many different dive sites but does it in style and comfort combining premium spa treatments, four spa therapists, a yoga master and four chefs.

Whether a dive enthusiast looking for a bit of self-indulgence or a couple with different interests – this floating island has appeal and can offer inclusive spa treatments, dives, or a combination of the two.

5. Let your children become little VIPS – Niyama Private Islands

Resorts in the Maldives might be known for luxury but they’re evolving to include children and help them have the little VIP exeperience.

Kids at Niyama are able to embark on safaris, explore wildlife, go gourmet with Master Chef classes, scout for dolphins with luxuries re-invented to thrill guests 12 months to 12 years old.

The Maldives Islands

About The Maldives Island

Maldives Island

Specks of emerald green enveloped by dazzling turquoise waters like scattered beads in the ocean; white powdery beaches, tall palms lean on towards the sea, crystalline white sands giving way to crystal clear waters, shades of turquoise blend flawlessly with deeper hues of blue; pristine coral reefs and some of the most incredible underwater life on our planet.

Rising from the deep blue of the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean are more than a thousand islands and thousands more reefs that form the Maldives.

What better place to relax and enjoy yourself than the romantic dunes that adorn these islands. Imagine a place that is nothing but surf and sun; where paradise meets reality. You can choose any of the ninety resorts islands across the Maldives for your honeymoon or holiday stay; allowing yourself the freedom to explore everything is amazing tropical wonderland has to offer. Everything has been designed with the luxury and comfort of travellers in mind, which is why per capita it is the busiest tourist area in the world. Half a million people every year rediscover this paradise.


Sunny, unique and unspoiled, the Maldives is an archipelago comprising 1,190 low-lying coral islands scattered across the equator, in groups of 26 naturally occurring atolls which are divided into 20 for administrative purposes. Maldives islands are characterized by a unique coral nature and thus they posses unique tourism resources though in a one-sided way, namely in the submarine and littoral environment of the islands, lagoons and reefs, associated with the year-round tropical climate.

These small, picturesque islands with dense tropical vegetation including shrubs, flowering plants and tall coconut palms surrounded by blindingly white beaches, crystalline lagoons that exhibit all shades of blue is the combination that has acclaimed Maldives as paradise on Earth.

Tourism in Maldives

Tourism which was introduced in 1972 has successfully developed in the past years. The tourism in Maldives has been rapidly growing the number of tourist arrivals and resorts islands over the last ten year period.

On the European market, Maldives today rank among the most attractive travel destinations in the tropics. Maldives offers large natural resources for tourism and encourages eco-tourism to protect the sensitive environment and underwater life.
It is not only divers and snorkelers who enjoy the profuse underwater resources, but also beach tourists are attracted by the nature of the beaches and the climatic conditions as well. This environment really guarantees relaxation and recreation.

The Maldives Honeymoon

Celebrate your special honeymoon in Maldives at the most beautiful and romantic islands of Maldives.

You could enjoy the privacy and intimacy of a secluded, natural setting and a warm inviting atmosphere, where the sunsets are spectacular!

The resorts offer you not only the crystal clear waters and azure blue lagoons, food is tasty and services are excellent.

As a welcome token, almost all resorts offers honeymooners fruit plates and flower decorated rooms on the arrival night – a romantic promise of what lays ahead. On request, resorts also arrange romantic candle-lit dinners on the beach and also champagne breakfast served in the privacy of your own room, to make your romantic holiday memories that will last a lifetime!