A trip to Faarufushi Maldives will especially appeal to connoisseurs of sophisticated modern design and those who want to get to know more about the real art of the Maldives.
Source: myseldon
Showing posts with label Restaurants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Restaurants. Show all posts
Unique design and local artists in Faarufushi Maldives
Source: myseldon
Top 8 Fine Dining Experiences in the Maldives
The Maldives doesn’t only offer spectacular natural landscapes of shimmering white sandy beaches, lush green palm trees, and warm, gin-clear waters – it also boasts some world-class restaurants and unforgettable dining experiences. From extravagant underwater bars and restaurants to unique chef-prepared gourmet dining experiences on private islands in the middle of the ocean, here are some of the top spots in the Maldives to go for unforgettable fine dining experiences.
1. Deep-End Restaurant – Taj Exotica Maldives
1. Deep-End Restaurant – Taj Exotica Maldives
Located at the private island resort of Taj Exotica Maldives in Emboodhu Finolhu in the South Malé Atoll, Deep End Restaurant floats above the gin-clear waters of the ocean on wooden stilts and features partial al-fresco seating, candlelit tables, and a spellbindingly romantic ambiance. The dining establishment offers an unparalleled Mediterranean dining experience with a mélange of enticing flavors from the countries touched by Mediterranean basin and put together by the resort’s culinary experts. The delectable menu features traditional vegetarian and meat-based Arabic mezze, Moroccan Tajines, and meaty kebabs, along with the famous signature dessert, Opera that will transcend any dining experience.
2.Ithaa Undersea Restaurant
The Ithaa Undersea Restaurant at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island in the South Ari Atoll has to be one of the world’s most spectacular dining experiences. The intimate restaurant is situated 16 feet below the surface of the sea in a glass enclosure that allows diners to admire the colorful reefs, schools of vibrant fish, and cruising sharks of the undersea world while dining on award-winning cuisine. The Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, whose name means ‘mother of pearl’ in the native Maldivian language Dhivehi, offers a luxury six-course set dinner of contemporary European and Maldivian cuisine. Diners will savor exquisite delicacies such as Malossol imperial caviar with sour cream potato blinis, calamarata pasta stuffed with reef lobster, yellowtail kingfish with a saffron champagne risotto and beurre blanc foam, and a mouthwatering vanilla chocolate vantage with mango sorbet. While the cuisine is definitely to die for, it has to be the awe-inspiring surrounding views of the passing reef sharks, flying manta rays and gliding turtles that take the cake.
3.Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
For sheer romance and unforgettable memories, nobody does it better than the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru. Four Seasons dining always promises exceptional menus of world-class cuisine, but for special occasions, the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru boasts unique settings that make an award-winning dining experience even better. Guests can choose from a dreamy dinner on a private sandbank kissed by warm, gentle sea breezes beneath a blanket of stars, a dramatic mid-ocean meal on a floating platform surrounded by the azure waters of the lagoon, or a sumptuous beach barbecue with toes-in-the-sand dining and spectacular sunset views. For those who prefer a romantic restaurant experience, Blu Beach Restaurant at the western end of the island features a stunning pavilion that overlooks the lagoon and serves delectable Italian cuisine.
4.Sip Sip at Six Senses Laamu
Located at the luxurious Six Senses Laamu in the Laamu Atoll, Sip Sip at Six Senses Laamu is one of six elegant restaurants at the luxe resort. The enchanting poolside restaurant boasts a sunken bar and poolside seating that seems to emerge from the gin-clear infinity swimming pool and serves a seasonal, ever-changing menu of mouthwatering dishes that blend East and West flavors with homegrown produce from the island’s organic gardens. Sea breezes drift among the rustic woods under high palm-thatched roofs of the restaurant as diners relish fresh ‘farm-to-pool’ fare such as pan-fried goat-cheese salad with mango compote and cherry tomatoes, crispy Thai fish cakes on a peanut-and-green-mango salad, and a delicious Maldivian Chicken Curry with young coconut, Pandan rice leaves, and island spices.
5. Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
Surrounded by the awe-inspiring azure waters, soft white sandy beaches and swaying coconut trees of the Kaafu Atoll in North Malé Atoll, the luxurious Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru Resort offers more than just romantic seaside dining. The resort is home to the excellent Ilaafthi Restaurant, which serves an array of fresh locally caught seafood, Maldivian curries, prime steaks and local salads, but the resort’s Sharkpoint Dining Option is what draws discerning patrons. Guests dine at private tables on the beach with their toes in the sand and gentle sea breezes in their hair and savor a specially prepared menu that includes Maldivian lobster, fresh scallops, and sweet desserts. Another impressive dining experience at the resort consists of the famous Tuesday evening Beach Barbecue Dinner, which features a sumptuous four-course dinner prepared over the coals and accompanied by a traditional Bodu Beru performance on the beach.
6.Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa
Located in North Huvadhoo, one of the largest natural atolls in the world, the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is home to the Island Grill, which features tables and white chairs set on a blanket of powder-white sand, and an open-plan kitchen beneath a vast Crusoe-esque thatched roof where guests can watch expert chefs at work. After a sumptuous meal of freshly grilled seafood, prime cut steaks, and fresh local salads guests can enjoy a nightcap at the Dhoni, an award-winning lounge that gives the nod to the arching lines of the archetypal Maldivian fishing boat. An architectural masterpiece, the traditional yet contemporary Dhoni lounge welcomes guests with an impressive wooden structure crafted by actual fishing-boat builders that reflects that of an upturned dhoni (fishing boat), which is framed by a pool so still its surface looks like glass.
7.Subsix at Niyama Resort
Aptly named, Subsix at Per Aquum’s Niyama Resort is another extraordinary dining establishment which rests 20 feet below the surface of the sea. The restaurant is accessed by speedboat and a three-tier staircase that descends into the sea and boasts stunning ocean-inspired décor that complements the breathtaking underwater surroundings. Contemporary design elements include a sweeping curvy clam-inspired bar, soft anemone chairs, wavy capiz shells draped from the ceilings, and Italian abstract chandeliers that illuminate the interiors like glimmering coral. Subsix serves sumptuous Champagne breakfasts, sub-aquatic lunches, and gourmet dinners with sublime menus of chef-inspired creations like swimmer crab with couscous pomelo and ocean foam and lobster medallions with heirloom tomatoes and blackberry essence. The restaurant also hosts twice-weekly “glow party” club nights where guests can dance the night away against an illuminated backdrop of the surrounding reef and its striking inhabitants.
8.Mandhoo Restaurant
Boasting a heavenly setting on stilts 100 meters out from the beach and surrounded by the dazzling turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, Mandhoo Restaurant at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is a culinary gem. The stunning open-air restaurant rests on stilts and serves award-winning gourmet cuisine made from the finest organic ingredients, such as freshly-caught seafood, tiger prawns, prime meats, and local salads, herbs and vegetables. Diners might glimpse a baby shark or sting-ray gliding beneath the stilts as they tuck into baked local Tiger Prawns cooked gravlax-style on the plancha and served with organic salmon with green leaves and fresh tomato tea with diced tofu, and Nori-crusted beef tenderloin with teriyaki shitake mushrooms, and sour cream wasabi.
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.
Maldives Resorts Battles for The Best
Resorts are discovering that a way to a traveller’s heart is through his or her palate, and they are even bringing in star chefs from abroad to thrill their guests.
The days when tourists were simply satisfied with some fried fish at the beach are over. And a resort can no longer make do with just a single restaurant. “There must be at least two or three,” says French cook Jerome Voltat. “Otherwise the guests get bored.”
Voltat cooks at the One & Only resort on the island of Reethi Rah, and it has established itself as one of the top culinary spots in the Indian Oceaan. The resort has six restaurants spread across the island, each with its own cuisine and ambience.
The main restaurant has an elegantly-designed area serving international and Asian dishes as well as an outside terrace that combines with Mediterranean cuisines.
A further spot is the Japanese restaurant Tapasake built atop stilts out in a lagoon. While in such a paradise-like location even junk food would taste great, Tapasake serves up the best-quality sushi and wagyu beef dishes.
But the battle of Maldives eateries is not just on land and sea. They are also going up in the air: the Niyama restaurant is the first one up in a tree. Guests sit on platforms built into the majestic crown of the tree while waiters carefully make their way across narrow bridges, balancing trays of Asian avant-garde dishes.
So restaurants on the Maldives are becoming increasingly unusual and the meals they serve of a much greater variety. And with better-trained cooks. The top resorts have been forced into a battle of the kitchens to keep up – not just because visitors have more sophisticated wishes, but are also more international. If originally the Maldives was the spot for Europeans, in the meantime visitors from other regions have become guests. From Asia, they include Koreans, Japanese, and increasingly, Chinese. Arab guests are also found more frequently in the luxury resorts.
Slowly, however, even local cuisine is making its way onto the menus of the top restaurants. This is no easy trick, given that on the tiny islands not much other than papayas, bananas and coconut palms are found. The sea offers a sheer infinite variety of fish, of course, but until now this had not been put to good use.
Maldives cuisine actually shows a mixture of Indian, Sri Lankan and Arabic influences. Fish is mostly grilled until very dry, while tuna fish is often drowned in curry sauce. Side dishes are usually rice or the traditional roshi, a thin pita bread. For Western palates, the local cuisine can sometimes be either too spicy or too bland.
In many resorts the cooks try to adapt local cuisine to the tastes of guests, something which does not always work as well as it does at the Park Hyatte Hadahaa in the southern Maldives. The resort offers genuine “family meals” in which a Maldive employee sits with the guests and explains to them how the dishes are prepared and how best to eat them.
Now, the Milaidhoo, a new resort in the north, has raised Maldivian cuisine to a higher level. On the luxury island of Baa-Atoll the TV cook Ahmed Sivath is in the kitchen. The star cook is out to re-interpret traditional dishes and present them in a gourmet style.
Velaa Private Island Wins Seven Gold Medals at Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge
Chefs from Velaa Private Island has won seven gold medals at the recently concluded Hotel Asia International Culinary Challenge.At the culinary challenge held from September 17-20 at the main convention centre of Dharubaaruge in capital Male, the talented culinary team at Velaa won trophies for the Best Maldivian Dish, Best Young Chef, Best Plated Hot Dish, Dress the Cake, Best Tapas and Finger Food, Best Hot Pasta, and Best Appetiser.
“…. [this win proves that] Maldives is not only a place to relax, you can enjoy the best gastronomy as well,” an announced by the resort said.
“What are you waiting for? Come and let our Executive Chef Gaushan de Silva and his winning team pamper your palates while in paradise!”
Tucked away within the collection of islands that form the northern Noonu atoll, Velaa Private Island is elegantly positioned to overlook enchanting vistas of a cerulean ocean. Its name derived from generations of sea turtles that flock there to nest and hatch; it is comprised of 47 private villas, houses and exclusive residences. The resort also includes a Romantic Pool Residence which can only be reached by boat.
The Tavaru restaurant at Velaa Private Island. PHOTO/ VELAA
At Velaa Private Island, all details have been considered: each villa comes with a personal butler, all services offered can be tailored to personal specifications. Attention to detail everywhere is also impeccable: stone pavements from the desert in Jordan, Indonesian flowerpots, luxury wood panelling from Borneo, and glimmering Italian marble.
Named one of the world’s Top Five Best Hotels and more recently the ‘Best Wedding Hotel in the Maldives’, Velaa Private Island offers endless exclusive opportunities. These unique offerings include the Maldives’ first and only snow room, the largest and most extensive wine collection in the region, one of the few Maldivian resorts with a private submarine, an extraordinary kids’ club conceptualised as the world’s ideal kids’ club by the owner’s seven-year-old daughter, and the only resort in Asia with a My Blend by Clarins spa.
Personalising and tailoring the entirety of the island depending on specific requirements, there is no limit to ensure the ultimate experience. Guests can sit back in the knowledge that the island’s highly trained and dedicated butlers will cater to each and every whim. Whether it is watching a spectacular fireworks display within the Maldivian night sky, dancing into the early hours with an Al fresco live music event, stepping aboard the island’s private yacht for a glamorous sunset cruise or enjoying a private, open air cinema night, anything is possible. Other interactive activities perfect for private groups include gourmet cooking classes with one of the resort’s chefs or wine tasting within the Maldives’ largest wine cellar.
For those looking to get involved in some Indian Ocean adventure, Velaa’s new high-tech water toys including the hover board, jetpack and fly board serve as the definitive adrenaline rush. While discovering the wonders beneath the island’s welcoming waters, guests can learn to dive or simply snorkel the coral rainbow.
The Hotel Asia International Culinary Challenge has established itself as the premier culinary event in the Maldives, attracting chefs from local and international resorts whose work and creativity are evaluated by experts, including celebrated chefs from the world over.
This year’s edition saw the participation of 630 chefs in 20 categories. Their dishes were judged by world-renowned chefs from the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WorldChefs).
Special Dining Experience With Award-Winning Chef Eyck Zimmer By Outrigger Konotta Maldives
Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort has announced a special culinary week with celebrated chef Eyck Zimmer.In an announcement, Outrigger Konotta said Zimmer will be guest chef at the resort from October 21 to November 2.
While at the resort, Zimmer will create a special five-course menu on October 24 and 25 at the intimate 16-seat Driftwood Restaurant by the beach, followed by a special Halloween dish on October 31. During these events, wine pairing will be presented by guest sommelier LuAndre Volschenk.
Zimmer will also conduct a cooking class on the beach, with paired wines. Participants of the private cooking class, which will cost USD 150 per person, will receive an Outrigger chef’s apron, a signed menu and a photograph with Zimmer.
“Eyck’s visit is a wonderful opportunity for guests to make the ultimate pairing of world class beach setting and sumptuous cuisine,” John Allanson, General Manager of Outrigger Konotta, was quoted in the announcement, as saying.
“It will be a marvellous occasion for our guests. Eyck looks forward to meeting everyone before, during and after the dinners.”
Zimmer was born in Erfurt, Germany in 1969.
“In those days of the Cold War, Erfurt was part of East Germany. But I was lucky to grow up in a family where good food was always appreciated. Both my grandmother and my father were keen amateur chefs. Their passion for cooking encouraged me at quite an early age to take it up and experiment with their recipes,” he said.
When the Berlin Wall came down, Zimmer was liberated and quickly moved to learn and then perfect his trade in some of the best restaurants in Europe. On arrival in Madeira in 2003, after earning many accolades at the best restaurants in London, Zimmer found inspiration in the Portuguese sun.
“I discovered fusion cuisine. A marriage of Portuguese, Asian, French and North African influences allowed me to experiment with all manner of innovative and intriguing dishes,” he said.
Zimmer is pictured with some dishes he prepared. PHOTO/ OUTRIGGER
Zimmer has wowed diners and culinary judges across his native Germany, Switzerland, UK, Hong Kong and Portugal in a 30-year career that has seen him cook in some of the best restaurants in the world: Claridges, The Dorchester and The Ritz in London; The Palasthotel, Berlin; The Grand Hotel Regina, Grindelwald, Switzerland; and The Choupana Hills in Madeira, Portugal.
He has won accolades such as Portuguese Chef of the Year 2008, British Chef of the Year 2006, Meilleur Ouvrier de Grande Bretagne 2000, and Ordre Du Merite Agricole, to name a few.
An accolade received by Zimmer from former US President Barack Obama. PHOTO/ OUTRIGGER
Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort is accessible via a 55-minute flight from the main Velana International Airport to Kaadedhdhoo Airport followed by a scenic 30-minute journey on a luxurious private speedboat. The resort comprises 29 Beach Pool Villas, 21 Ocean Pool Villas, two Lagoon Pool Villas and a masterful three-bedroom Grand Konotta Villa, offering guests a complete sense of privacy and intimate luxury.
Simon Joublanc As Executive Chef Of Sheraton Maldives
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort and Spa has appointed Simon Joublanc as its new Executive Chef.Chef Simon’s 20-year long career includes working alongside world-famous chefs at Michelin star restaurants across the world, in cities such as Lyon, Madrid, Monaco, London and New York. Prior to joining Sheraton Maldives, he served as the Executive Chef at Amilla Fushi in the Maldives and at The St. Regis Singapore.
Conveniently located just 15-20 minutes away from the main Velana International Airport and a kilometre away from the nearest inhabited island, Sheraton Maldives is a tropical paradise located on its very own private island and a heaven for those seeking stunning white sandy beaches and warm turquoise lagoons. The resort offers a total of 176 guest rooms in different categories and located both overwater and land.
Part of Sheraton Maldives appeal is the varied dining options available to its guests. From casual al fresco snacks to its international array of restaurants, visitors will find the perfect dining experience to suit their mood.
Located on its very own island, Shine Spa for Sheraton features six treatment rooms, hydrotherapy pool, steam rooms and relaxation lounge. The spa offers various treatments to rejuvenate your skin and calm your mind, including signature massages such as traditional Thai, aromatic body, deep ocean and many more. With ingredients derived from the natural Maldivian environment, spa therapists at the resort harnesses the healing power of nature to relax and renew you.
Amila Fushi Teams Up with Gordon Ramsay To Host a Series of Restaurant Pop Ups
In the coming 12 months, Barolo Grill at Baazaar will showcase a select series of pop-ups by culinary greats, kicking off on 1 – 10 May 2017 with the first of four stages this year by the team from Gordon Ramsay’s celebrated London restaurant, Bread Street Kitchen. A further three Bread Street Kitchen pop-ups are scheduled for 16 – 27 October, 19 December 2017 to 10 January 2018 (Festive Season) and 23 March to 7 April 2018 (Easter).
Reflecting a similarly relaxed approach, London’s Bread Street Kitchen is a lively hangout that uses fresh, seasonal ingredients and delivers globally inspired menus to the high standards expected from a Gordon Ramsay Restaurant. The pop up’s menu at Amilla Fushi will feature signature dishes from Bread Street Kitchen London, many of which have been given unique Maldivian twists. Grass-fed meats cooked on an open flame grill, will sit alongside classics recreated using local ingredients, such as Red Snapper carpaccio, ginger dressing, horseradish, avocado and wakame; spicy tuna tartare with chilli garlic, sesame oil, spring onions and wonton crisps; Chermoula spiced prawns with pickled veg, shallots, celery and chilli dressing, and a compressed Bombay Gin watermelon salad. The Bread Street Kitchen Amilla Fushi will also offer a daily fish special. Gordon Ramsay chefs will choose a fish that has come in on the boats and create a bespoke fish dish each day.
The Bread Street Kitchen London cocktail list has also been given a Maldivian makeover, bringing tropical flavours into classic cocktails. Mouthwatering cocktails created especially for the event include It’s About Thyme, a refreshing vodka-based cocktail with Limoncello, thyme syrup, Champagne and lemon foam, the fruity Grey Goose Royal, with Grey Goose vodka, Aperol, lime, passion fruit and Testulat Brut cart d’Or and many more.
The upcoming calendar of pop up events further underlines Amilla’s deserved reputation for culinary excellence and creativity, complementing the sophisticated, gourmet Emperor General Store café-deli, the carefully curated fine wines and artisanal cheeses at the island’s The Wine Shop & Cellar Door. Amilla’s fabulous 60-cover, signature over-water restaurant Feeling Koi – brainchild of the resort’s curator and CEO of the Small Maldives Island Co., Mark Hehir – showcases a selection of artfully crafted sushi, nigiri and sashimi in Japanese-inspired minimalist surroundings, with a private open-air dining room and open deck seating by the water’s edge and an open kitchen.
‘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.
Centara Grand Island Resort And Spa's New Menu Inspires Euphoria With Every Meal
The Club at Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives launches colourful feasts, presenting an exciting new menu created by Executive Chef Yvan Marclay and Executive Sous Chef Ashish Domme. The resort strives to enchant all club guests with an extraordinary dining experience with these new creations that have bold and eccentric flavors, made with the freshest high-quality produce.
Chef Yvan Marclay, with more than 15 years of experience being in charge of professional kitchens in luxury hotels and resorts in the Middle East and North Africa, brings with him expertise and competence that shows in the exciting revamped menu.
These impressive dishes that distinctly portrays the essence of sophisticated dining were officially introduced on the 21st of November 2016. Dishes that were featured include; Quinoa Couscous with Goat Cheese, Filled Zucchini Flowers, Baby Fennel Tempura, Pomegranate Reduction and Coriander Oil, White Onion Soup Served with Pan Seared Scallops, Salmon Roe and Baby Spinach, Olive Oil Poached Barramundi with Chlorophyll, Dry Fig Risotto, White Balsamic Beurre Blanc and Herbs, along with desserts that were delicious even to the eyes such as Walk On Saturn, Nutella -Hazelnut, White Chocolate-Pistachio Croquet Ice Parfait Served with Trio Sauces.
Their first serving received remarkable reviews from guests who had the privilege of visiting the resort at that time. Executive Chef Marclay said “These comments on the new dishes are the best feedback we’ve ever received. Some English guests told us our new dishes were the best they ever experienced”.
The Executive Sous Chef Domme also added that “An Australian couple told me that they had never had anything this amazing before and this was like spending 500 Australian dollars to dine at one of Sydney’s top restaurants”.
The two notable chefs have explained that their focus is on trying to take a modern and healthy approach on creating the dishes. They aim to create dishes full of flavour that are also aesthetically pleasing - and they really are! The dishes are available all day at The Club, Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives, it is really worth trying.
Jennifer Hawkins Enjoys A Luxurious Vacation In The Maldives
Former Miss Universe and TV Persona Jennifer Hawkins is spending her holidays vacationing in the Maldives with her husband Jake Wall.
Jennifer Hawkins is known for her title as Miss Universe in 2014 and also as the host of Australia’s next top model. The 33-year-old Australian model has her own line of swimwear that is recognizable around the world. She is also a model, entrepreneur and brand ambassador that has over 821k followers on Instagram. Her fans adore her and follow the trends she set, including the most recent vacation she is on in the Maldives.
Jennifer is reported to be staying in Amillafushi Resort and spa, a well-known property to host distinguished celebrity guests. Amillafushi Resort and Spa is among one of the most exclusive and expensive resorts in the Maldives, sources stated that she was occupying a room that cost 5000 dollars per night.
These rooms cost as much with reason. Resorts such as Amillafushi provides their most VIP guests with as much privacy and seclusion as they would require. Often times, celebrities find that it is a hassle to find a spot to vacation in without the paparazzi popping in.
Other celebrities that have visited the resort within this year include the Beckhams and Gordon Ramsey during New Year’s.
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.
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.
Idyllic Indian Ocean Retreats
Rumour has is that when Jean Michel Gathy was commissioned to shape the architecture of One&Only Reethi Rah, he said he wanted each guest to “feel like a king”. I’m happy to say that he failed... spectacularly... because from the moment we set foot on the island we felt like a god and goddess. In other words we were in Heaven. A cynic might dismiss this as hollow hyperbole, but I would challenge anyone to visit One & Only Reethi Rah and not feel as though they had transcended to a higher plain.
Even from the moment we touched down, I was aware that something very special was about to happen, not least because we were greeted by a band of merry men who promptly swooped in and ushered us on to a luxury private yacht with seasoned precision. Feeling like Jay Z and Beyoncé, we kicked back and pressed the start button on our Honeymoon. If first impressions were anything to go by, our marriage was off to a perfect start!
If you are brave enough to give yourself the title ‘One and Only’, it’s safe to say that you had better know your stuff, because customer expectations are bound to be pretty gargantuan. In a country where Island resorts are its primary income, there is going be a lot of competition to be the best. And by heck do One&Only Reethi Rah put up a darn good fistfight.
We arrived to warm and welcoming faces before meandering down the tiny, sandy “roads” towards our beach villa in a golf buggy - cars have no business in island life. Along the way, our personal concierge, Gizem, told us that staff outnumber guests by a ratio of more than 3 to 1, although you would never know, as the level of privacy made us feel like we were on a deserted paradise. When they were visible, staff pirouetted around us with balletic precision noting our requests and making them happen without ever breaking a sweat in the 30+ degree heat.
So what is it about One&Only Reethi Rah that makes it an experience that stands out even for those who have been fortunate enough to enjoy luxury travel in the past? Well, I suppose it is the result of an overall vision to create paradise and then sheer determination to never lose it.
Side by Side - A 90 minute aromatherapy body massage will be performed and followed by a tea ceremony. Finally, back to your villa where you will enjoy a signature bath, a glass of champagne and a plate of exotic fruits. True Romance!
One&Only in Harmony (120 minutes)
Ultimate Lifting, Firming & Toning Facial feat. NuFACE® (90 minutes)
Hoona Herbal Massage (90 minutes)
Our digs for the next few days were a thatched cottage villa complete with high ceilings and a beautiful Balinese-style decor. We were spoiled with an unpacking service, a pillow and essential oils menu, a bathroom with two massive sinks complete with his and hers soaps and wooden shutters everywhere (which stayed open during our stay, as I didn’t want to miss one ounce of that view). Plus a second shower outdoors should you want to recreate a shampoo advert for fun (you know I did).
Another favourite for dinner is Tapasake that serves exquisite modern Japanese dishes with oodles of fish from the ocean that you are staring at from your dinner table. Fandita - which means magical in the Maldivian language Dhivehi - is aptly named, with its Arabian Nights-inspired restaurant and bar with beautiful sunset views.
And the Chef’s Garden also hosts a restaurant, which is a candlelit patch of the vegetable garden, designed with romance in mind.
For the sporty guests there is state of the art gym, with knowledgeable gym instructors who put me through my paces in an outdoor circuit Jessica Ennis would be proud of. There is a yoga pavilion where you can partake in aerial yoga - not for those afraid of heights, a full size football pitch, a badminton court and tennis courts. There is also an art gallery, a Taylor Taylor hair salon, a mani-pedi salon, barber shop and a KIDS ONLY club - exclusive to the mini-me’s. The beach club is alive all day with tunes pumping from the DJ’s box.
A favourite pass time for us was to grab an afternoon ice cream straight from the club’s ice cream bar, before swimming off the sugar rush out on the hotels massive water trampoline. Big Kids Only Need Apply.
They take their sea excursions seriously at the Marine Concierge Centre where trips such as luxury yacht big game fishing, turtle adventures, sunrise handling fishing, reef snorkelling, sunset and dolphin cruises, and shark safaris can be arranged on a whim.
Splash - The water sports centre offering fun and shenanigans in the Indian Ocean on banana boats, canoes, paddle board, water-skiing and windsurfing.
The Maldives’ only PADI National Geographic dive centre is also here at Reethi, and if you believe the local sharks are vegetarian, visit the country’s best shark site close by. There is also an opportunity to plant coral with updates after you leave, making you wish you could live there and watch it grow.
Even from the moment we touched down, I was aware that something very special was about to happen, not least because we were greeted by a band of merry men who promptly swooped in and ushered us on to a luxury private yacht with seasoned precision. Feeling like Jay Z and Beyoncé, we kicked back and pressed the start button on our Honeymoon. If first impressions were anything to go by, our marriage was off to a perfect start!
If you are brave enough to give yourself the title ‘One and Only’, it’s safe to say that you had better know your stuff, because customer expectations are bound to be pretty gargantuan. In a country where Island resorts are its primary income, there is going be a lot of competition to be the best. And by heck do One&Only Reethi Rah put up a darn good fistfight.
We arrived to warm and welcoming faces before meandering down the tiny, sandy “roads” towards our beach villa in a golf buggy - cars have no business in island life. Along the way, our personal concierge, Gizem, told us that staff outnumber guests by a ratio of more than 3 to 1, although you would never know, as the level of privacy made us feel like we were on a deserted paradise. When they were visible, staff pirouetted around us with balletic precision noting our requests and making them happen without ever breaking a sweat in the 30+ degree heat.
The Spa
Intricate carvings in wood and exquisite decor adorn the reception of the One & Only SPA. It is a haven of serenity and set amongst a beautiful expanse of manicured trees and grass leading to the ocean. You can practically feel your shoulders un-hunch and your mind letting go. There are chill out huts, a chi room, overwater treatment rooms, massive his and hers steam and sauna rooms with floor to ceiling windows overlooking a courtyard. It’s hard not to relax in a place where treatment rooms go by the names Devotion, Romance, Wisdom, Healing and Vitality....So what is it about One&Only Reethi Rah that makes it an experience that stands out even for those who have been fortunate enough to enjoy luxury travel in the past? Well, I suppose it is the result of an overall vision to create paradise and then sheer determination to never lose it.
The Treatment
Once in a Blue Moon - A two hour experience for couples, starts by being guided to the romantic, private and secluded treatment area specially set up on the beach. Once there a hand ritual with sea salt and rose petals begins.Side by Side - A 90 minute aromatherapy body massage will be performed and followed by a tea ceremony. Finally, back to your villa where you will enjoy a signature bath, a glass of champagne and a plate of exotic fruits. True Romance!
Other Treatments
One&Only Essence of Reethi Rah (180 minutes)One&Only in Harmony (120 minutes)
Ultimate Lifting, Firming & Toning Facial feat. NuFACE® (90 minutes)
Hoona Herbal Massage (90 minutes)
To Stay
Of the 10 villa types on offer, we were assigned a beach villa with a pool. Let me get one thing straight, no matter where you end up laying your head, rest assured, it will be a den of luxury. Behind our large, wooden front gate, there was a distinct and blissful feeling of isolation. A secluded patch of beach to call our own, with two palm trees harbouring a hammock. This was more than a destination, it was a picture-perfect postcard.Our digs for the next few days were a thatched cottage villa complete with high ceilings and a beautiful Balinese-style decor. We were spoiled with an unpacking service, a pillow and essential oils menu, a bathroom with two massive sinks complete with his and hers soaps and wooden shutters everywhere (which stayed open during our stay, as I didn’t want to miss one ounce of that view). Plus a second shower outdoors should you want to recreate a shampoo advert for fun (you know I did).
To Eat
There are four main restaurants to tickle your taste buds. The main Reethi restaurant is beautifully constructed of high ceilings and carved wooden pillars and doors, serving contemporary Asian and Mediterranean fusion food. This is also where breakfast is served. Warning: come hungry. We are big breakfast buffet connoisseurs, and by golly this is one to behold.Another favourite for dinner is Tapasake that serves exquisite modern Japanese dishes with oodles of fish from the ocean that you are staring at from your dinner table. Fandita - which means magical in the Maldivian language Dhivehi - is aptly named, with its Arabian Nights-inspired restaurant and bar with beautiful sunset views.
And the Chef’s Garden also hosts a restaurant, which is a candlelit patch of the vegetable garden, designed with romance in mind.
Activities
You’d be forgiven for never leaving your villa, but it would be a foolish tactic. The 24-hour golf buggy service will happily whisk you to any one of the fantastic amenities of which there are many.For the sporty guests there is state of the art gym, with knowledgeable gym instructors who put me through my paces in an outdoor circuit Jessica Ennis would be proud of. There is a yoga pavilion where you can partake in aerial yoga - not for those afraid of heights, a full size football pitch, a badminton court and tennis courts. There is also an art gallery, a Taylor Taylor hair salon, a mani-pedi salon, barber shop and a KIDS ONLY club - exclusive to the mini-me’s. The beach club is alive all day with tunes pumping from the DJ’s box.
A favourite pass time for us was to grab an afternoon ice cream straight from the club’s ice cream bar, before swimming off the sugar rush out on the hotels massive water trampoline. Big Kids Only Need Apply.
They take their sea excursions seriously at the Marine Concierge Centre where trips such as luxury yacht big game fishing, turtle adventures, sunrise handling fishing, reef snorkelling, sunset and dolphin cruises, and shark safaris can be arranged on a whim.
Don’t Miss
The buffet complete with a cold room in the centre. Enter at your peril, the food is exquisite.Splash - The water sports centre offering fun and shenanigans in the Indian Ocean on banana boats, canoes, paddle board, water-skiing and windsurfing.
The Maldives’ only PADI National Geographic dive centre is also here at Reethi, and if you believe the local sharks are vegetarian, visit the country’s best shark site close by. There is also an opportunity to plant coral with updates after you leave, making you wish you could live there and watch it grow.
Dusit Thani Maldives wins Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Award
Dusit Thani Maldives on Mudhdhoo Island in Baa Atoll, the Maldives’ first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, was recently named ‘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 is one of the most respected programmes recognising hospitality excellence. This year, more than 300,000 votes were cast online by international readers, 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 14 November 2016 at the Park Hyatt Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Located just 35 minutes by seaplane from the capital city, Malé, and 10 minutes by speedboat from Dharavandhoo Domestic Airport in Baa Atoll, Dusit Thani Maldives comprises 94 villas and residences, along with three restaurants, two bars, and Dusit’s signature Devarana Spa. The resort is surrounded by a rich house reef, white sandy beaches and a turquoise lagoon. A well-equipped Kids’ Club adds to the resort’s family friendly appeal.
“We are extremely proud to win this prestigious award which recognises 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, which, amongst other accolades, also received the following:
• Gold Magellan Award, Luxury Resort Category – 2016 Travel Weekly Magellan Awards.
• Luxury Modern Resort of the Year 2016 – Luxury Travel Guide Global Awards 2016.
• Asia’s Top Leisure Hotel – Now Travel Asia Awards 2016.
5 Things Newlyweds Shouldn't Miss Out When In Maldives
Maldives is probably one of the most popular honeymoon destinations out there. But there are just a lot of things to do in Maldives that sometimes you can't decide what to do first. For those couples planning for their honeymoons, here are 5 things newlyweds shouldn't miss out when in Maldives.
Underwater Adventures
According to Travel Triangle, there's nothing more enjoyable than to swim with whale sharks and manta rays with your loved one. There's also a lot of stunning coral reefs and beautiful marine life in Maldives so it's something that should be on your list.Island Hopping
Maldives has about 1192 coral islands so why not go island hopping during your stay. Each island is unique on its own with so many attractions to offer so try to stay at different resorts in each island. According to Overwater Bungalows, there are lots of island resorts like the Cocoa Island resort, Baros Resort, Mirihi Island Resort and Veligandu Resort.Spending The Night At The Glowing Beach
If you want a magical experience with your loved one, the glowing beach of Vaadhoo Island is a must see. You could just spend the whole night staring at the glowing tides of the sea. The island is just next to the airport so it should be on your itinerary.Country Cruisin
There are different kinds of accommodations when you're in Maldives and one good option is to try a cruise with your partner. The ship will take you to destinations that are also worth seeing while you enjoy your stay in a classy cruise on the sea.Try The Dhoni Cruise
If you prefer a more traditional kind of cruise, then the Dhoni Cruise is a must try. It's a boat made out of coconut palm wood and it will take you to places where you can taste delicious seafood and enjoy bird watching with your partner.These 5 things newlyweds shouldn't miss when in Maldives should be on your itinerary if you're already booked for a stay in this beautiful country. It's definitely an unforgettable experience that you will enjoy with your partner.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cocoon Maldives Is Officially Open!
Designed by famous Italian design firm LAGO, Cocoon Maldives resort has been inaugurated on Monday.
The 5-star resort is located 30 minutes away from Ibrahim Nasir International Airport at Lhaviyani Atoll on the island of Ookolhufinolhu. The property has been developed by Cocoon Investment in association with LAGO.
Cocoon Maldives aims to let the guests be enlightened as they complete a metamorphosis and rediscover their true self. Cocoon Maldives strives to create a unique designer resort that mixes luxury, design aesthetics, and hospitality in one exceptionally beautiful tropical island fashioned from the ground up to provide guests with the ultimate holiday experience aimed to refresh, revitalize and reawaken the soul.
There are 150 villas on the beach and suspended on stilts in the lagoon. LAGO has made it so that the designs incorporate the natural beauty of the island and surrounding. They have assembled the best elements of hospitality into an elegant yet modern resort. Cocoon's understated interiors defer to the extraordinary beauty of the surrounding marine environment: large windows frame scenes of breathtaking beaches, lagoon and ocean, complemented by furniture hewn from 200-year-old Wildwood. This theme is continued across all areas of the resort. In addition to the beautifully designed rooms, there are also three especially designed restaurants and bar contributed by LAGO.
Cocoon Maldives is well located around one of the best diving areas in the archipelago. There are over 50 diving spots around the resort. This gives room for the dive center and water sports facilities of this property to be top notch. In addition to these services, Cocoon Maldives also offers a Spa, Gym and Kid’s Club with experts to facilitate.
The General Manager for the resort, Raam stated that the aim of the resort is to give their guests a chance to have unforgettable experience during their visit.
The 5-star resort is located 30 minutes away from Ibrahim Nasir International Airport at Lhaviyani Atoll on the island of Ookolhufinolhu. The property has been developed by Cocoon Investment in association with LAGO.Cocoon Maldives aims to let the guests be enlightened as they complete a metamorphosis and rediscover their true self. Cocoon Maldives strives to create a unique designer resort that mixes luxury, design aesthetics, and hospitality in one exceptionally beautiful tropical island fashioned from the ground up to provide guests with the ultimate holiday experience aimed to refresh, revitalize and reawaken the soul.
Cocoon Maldives is well located around one of the best diving areas in the archipelago. There are over 50 diving spots around the resort. This gives room for the dive center and water sports facilities of this property to be top notch. In addition to these services, Cocoon Maldives also offers a Spa, Gym and Kid’s Club with experts to facilitate.The General Manager for the resort, Raam stated that the aim of the resort is to give their guests a chance to have unforgettable experience during their visit.
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