Secret Paradise wins Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame

Secret Paradise Maldives qualified for TripAdvisor Hall of Fame after winning the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for a fifth year running. The locally based tour operator won the title on May 28.
The TripAdvisor awards celebrates excellence in hospitality and is given only to businesses that consistently achieve great reviews on TripAdvisor. Certificate of Excellence winners include accommodations, eateries and attractions located all over the world that have continually delivered a superior customer experience.
"Being awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for a fifth year running is a proud moment for the team at Secret Paradise and we’d like to thank all of our past guests who took the time to complete a review on TripAdvisor”, said Ruth Franklin, Co-Founder and Director at Secret Paradise.
“Having worked in the public sector for over 30 years there is no greater seal of approval than being recognized by your guests. With the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence based on guest reviews, it is a remarkable vote of confidence to our business and our continued commitment to our guests Maldives experience.’’

Source: edition.mv

Maldives wins three awards at World Travel Awards 2019

The award was handed out during the 26th Annual World Travel Awards (Africa and Indian Ocean) Gala held at Mauritius yesterday. Maldives was crowned the Leading Beach Destination (Indian Ocean), Leading Dive Destination (Indian Ocean) and Leading Honeymoon Destination (Indian Ocean) during the gala. 16 businesses and resorts in the hospitality industry of the Maldives received various awards during the gala.

Source: oneonline

Island-hopping Culinary Extravaganza this Summer in the Maldives

Soneva, the world-leading luxury resort operator, announces that Soneva Fushi will be joining this year's Baa Atoll Summer Festival. From July 7-22, 12 resorts in the Maldives will pool their culinary creativity for an island-hopping experience in which guests can embark on a unique dine-around voyage. Over a series of dedicated nights, the Summer Festival will showcase each resort's unique culinary offerings, reaffirming the
Baa Atoll's reputation as a must-visit summer destination.In addition to Soneva Fushi, participating resorts in the 2019 atoll-wide event include Amilla Fushi, Anantara Kihavah, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, Dreamland, Dusit Thani, Finolhu, Four Seasons Landaa, Reethi Beach, Royal Island, The Westin Maldives and Vakkaru Maldives.
The festival will officially commence on Sunday, July 7 with a series of exclusive sunset cocktail events. Over the next two weeks, each participating resort will welcome guests staying at neighboring resorts for a special dinner at the resort's featured restaurant on designated nights. Each resort will showcase its own culinary expertise with a three-course set menu, priced at US$120++ per person, including a glass of wine. A special children's menu will also be available. Complimentary inter-island transportation will be organized by the participating resorts on the designated nights. Special arrangements can also be made on request for those who wish to repeat an experience at a specific resort for US$25++ per person for shared boat transfers.
Each resort will be offering an action-packed calendar of activities and experiences for the whole family throughout the festival period. Guests can expect beach activities, conservation events, water experiences and more. This year will see the introduction of a round-robin inter-resort Beach Volleyball Tournament between staff and guests, as well as a Full Moon Island Clean-Up Day. Finally, on Monday July 22, the festival's closing ceremony will involve all 12 resorts, bringing everyone together for a day of fun in the sun on a sandbank in the heart of the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The day's events will include a beach party for guests, a round-robin final volleyball match and the show-stopping Catamaran Regatta competition.

Source: luxurytravelmagazine

Raffles opens luxury Maldives Meradhoo

New Raffles resort in the Maldives contains 21 villas on one of the world's largest and most remote islands.Raffles has announced the opening of the 21-villa island resort in Gaafu Alifu Atoll.
Raffles Maldives Meradhoo is set at the southern end of the Maldives archipelago, near the equator. The resort is accessible by domestic flight, 55 minutes from Male International Airport followed by 15-minute speedboat ride from Kaadedhdhoo Airport.
It includes one Raffles Royal Villa, 16 over-water villas and 21 beachfront villas. The main island is home to Beach Villas and Beach Residences, now open, with private pools, marble bathrooms with a sunken bathtub and outdoor shower.
Patrick Basset, Accor’s chief operating officer for upper Southeast and Northeast Asia and the Maldives said: "Boasting 1,200 islands, Maldives is home to the best beaches in the world and now, with the opening of Raffles Maldives Meradhoo, is also home to the best of luxury hospitality." The Raffles Royal Residence and a secluded collection of over-water villas and residences can be reached by a traditional Maldivian Dhoni boat, and is set to open in the last quarter of 2019.
Guests can enjoy the Thari all-day diner, Yuzu, Peruvian and Japanese fusion restaurant and The Fire pit, where various flame-grilled chef speciality dishes are served. Set over the water, the award-winning Raffles Spa offers a private escape with luxury facials, body treatment and manicures. It is Accor’s fourth property in the Maldives and is the first under the Raffles brand.

Source: citmagazine

Is this the best spa in the whole of Maldives?

I’d whisk away to the Maldives in a heartbeat; the concept of boutique resorts residing on idyllic palm-fringed islands is a palatial pleasure. While there is a bouquet of resorts to indulge in, the Cheval Blanc Randheli shines through it all. Not only does the five-star boutique property own its private spa island (it’s the only island of its kind in the world), the luxury resort is perhaps the most elegant with its 45 villas with private swimming pools, 5 restaurants and 4 bars (a luxury for Maldivian resorts), sprawling tennis courts and golf simulator.
The Spa by Cheval Blanc Randheli kicks it up a notch for the rich and tired. Immerse yourself in pure euphoria and relaxation as you experience specialized treatments from the house of Guerlain, at the hands of professional therapists. If spa treatments are not your cup of tea, spend mornings doused in yoga classes or meditation sessions; or simply unwind at the on-site freshwater swimming pool. From 4 single treatment villas and 2 Orchidee couple Villas for the spa enthusiasts to traditional hammams and steam rooms for the less experimental ones, this impeccably designed spa has a little something for everyone.
Guerlain takes the lead at the Spa by Cheval Randheli. The essence and spirit of the century-old French cosmetic and skincare brand have been integrated with the plethora of treatments at the resort. Each treatment is carried out using utmost precision, quality and finesse overlooking the pristine waters of the Maldives. What I admired most about their menu, was their ability to blend Maldivian rituals with the expertise of Guerlain; namely the Randheli Sun Ritual and After-Diving Experience. A Guerlain Makeup Studio and Barber Atelier have paved their way to the island, assuring guests an enchanting experience. The island’s specially curated Spa Boutique houses a collection of Guerlain products featuring skincare, fragrances and makeup.
As if 6 treatment rooms and a spa boutique were not enough, the Spa by Cheval Randheli also features a Spa Bar. It is one of the few properties that acknowledges the necessity of being healthy and hearty on vacation. The health diner is all you can imagine and more; truth to be told, I don’t see any reason to depart the island (except to sleep at night). A specific menu has been designed and curated to meet the needs of health-seekers on the island. As you munch on your nutritious snack of the day, absorb the views of the infinity pool before you and the azure waters around you.

Source:uk.sports

Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi unveils new tented villas

A unique alternative to over water accommodation, Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi has launched new safari-style lodgings in the resort’s interior jungle. Here guests can let their imagination run wild as they sleep, enjoy private cinema screenings and fresh seafood BBQs under the stars, as well as safari spa treatments in the luxury Tented Jungle Villas.
Set in their own private spot of wilderness, and designed by South African luxury tent specialists, Bushtec Safari, the villas are built to mirror the beauty and diversity of the island’s verdant flora and fauna and allow travellers to stargaze by night and release their inner adventurer by day.
Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi is also home to the largest, 200 meter infinity pool in the Maldives.
An island full of surprises and adventure, travellers can sail to an uninhabited island for an intimate castaway picnic, snorkel the thriving coral house reef where turtles and manta rays can be discovered, or head out on an authentic Maldivian dhoni for a sunset fishing experience and dolphin spotting. Travellers can also enjoy cultural tours and Maldivian cooking classes, before creating their own marine-inspired masterpiece in the resort’s own art studio.

Source: breakingtravelnews.com

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

Finolhu resort sold for US$ 90 mill. to European company

Finolhu Maldives Resort being operated in Baa atoll has been sold to Germany’s Seaside Hotels company for US$ 90 million.

The sale of the resort developed by Coastline Hotels and Resorts Pvt., the same company that developed Amillafushi Resort, was formalized during April. Renowned consultancy firm JLL Hotels and Hospitality, who acted as a broker in the sale said the transaction is the first instance where a European company bought a Maldivian resort through the firm. Seaside Hotels currently operates 10 resorts in different parts of the world.

It is common practice for companies to develop resorts in the Maldives and sell it off at high prices. The initial investment used to develop the resort is usually recovered within seven to ten years of operation. Recently, Randheli Resort in Noonu atoll was sold off in a similar fashion.

Source: https://avas.mv/en/64618

Golf Club in Maldives: Resorts with Golf Courses in Maldives

Golf, whenever this word comes in our mind what we think? a game of Elite class people. Do you know who the inventor of this game was? Actually, the fact is that nobody knows the actual origin of this game but the present-day golf was introduced in the 15th century in Scotland. In this game, a person uses a club to hit the ball. This game consists different type of Clubs to hit the ball. The Golf Course can consist minimum 9 and maximum 18 holes and the balls are hit to these holes in series in as minimum strokes as possible. However, the golf course is so designed to make to the game interesting and difficult. An unleveled land is also designed with teeing ground, a number of the water hazard and sand Bunker, out of bound areas, Flag stick, holes etc. Well, you seem very excited to play the Golf in one of the Island completely surrounded by the water, if so? Ok then. Here we come with a list of some Best Golf Course resorts of Maldives:

Velaa Private Island Maldives

The Resort is located in Noonu Atoll, which is in North side of Maldives. This Luxury Resort has a big Golf Course which is named as Velaa Golf Academy. The Golf Course is having 9 tees (all the tees are different from each other), 6 Greens, 7 Sand Bunkers and one Water hazard (or can say a lake which full of turquoise blue water). The Academy also provides a lesson for the beginners. Moreover, it is such a beautiful place surrounded by ocean, and certainly, a golfer enjoys a lovely swing middle of the beautiful island country Maldives.




Shangri-La Villingili Resort and Spa Maldives

An elite private hideaway is a perfect word for this resort. This island is known as Villingili Island and is located in Addu atoll of Maldives. The resorts have 9 hole golf course consisting of Par 3 and Par 4 holes. This golf course is named as Villingili Golf Course and it is designed by the resort itself. This Golf Course is escalated in the area of 1111 yards. You can see their updated price list on their website. Its beautiful Golf course in Maldives is almost a second paradise and located along the beach, sometimes you may hit it directly in the ocean, so play with skills.

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.