Anantara wins more Wine Spectator Awards than any individual hotel brand for 2016

Anantara Hotels and Resorts worldwide is celebrating a magnanimous 26 Wine Spectator 2016 Awards, making it the largest recipient of any individual hotel brand to be awarded with these sought-after accolades for 2016

The coveted Wine Spectator Award of Excellence is granted to wine lists which satisfy discerning wine lovers with at least 90 selections, comprising a well-chosen assortment of quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in price and style.

The even more prestigious Wine Spectator Best Award of Excellence recognizes destinations for serious wine lovers. Showing a deep commitment in terms of cellar selection, service offering and superior presentation, these wine lists feature 350 or more labels that display excellent breadth across multiple wine growing regions from top producers.

Anantara’s expertise in the world of fine wines is held in high esteem by guests, and also by the industry, with 26 Wine Spectator 2016 Awards a testament to the diversity and sophistication. An industry benchmark of excellence, Wine Spectator's Restaurant Awards recognize restaurants whose wine lists offer interesting selections, are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers. 

“The Wine Spectator awards are known worldwide as a guide to the world’s best wines and we are honored to be part of the Wine Spectator awards which recognizes restaurants that show passion and commitment when it comes to wine,” said Jirachai Sethisa

In Thailand, an impressive 11 restaurants at Anantara resorts have been presented with a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence including: Baan Dhalia at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort; The Service 1921 and The Restaurant akko Chief Wine Guru for Anantara. 

Anantara Chiang Mai Resort; Madison Restaurant at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel; Sea.Fire.Salt. at Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas and Tree Tops Sky Dining at Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort. 

In Vietnam, Riverside Cafe at Anantara Hoi An Resort provides a charming terrace to sample distinguished wines with gourmet western and Vietnamese favourites. In Bali, MoonLite Kitchen & Bar at Anantara Seminyak Bali Resort showcases contemporary Asian cuisine with a premium wine list of over 100 labels. At the newly opened Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort along Sri Lanka’s southern coast, Il Mare serves delectable Italian cuisine with exquisite wine pairings on a cliff edge with astonishing Indian Ocean views.

In the UAE, six Anantara restaurants have been honoured with a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort scooped three of these for its Australian grill restaurant Bushman’s, Mediterranean restaurant The Beach House, and specialty Asian dining venue Mekong. In the vast Liwa Desert, guests of Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara’s Suhail steakhouse and rooftop lounge. While at the Sir Bani Yas Island Resorts, seafood specialties at Amwaj are enjoyed with an Arabian Sea view, and sumptuous grill dishes at Savannah are served in the heart of the Arabian wildlife park, each with a generous global wine selection.

Fine wines elevate dining in paradise, with six restaurants at Anantara resorts in the Maldives given Wine Spectator Awards, including two boasting the Best Award of Excellence. Descending to the exclusive underwater restaurant and wine cellar Sea at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, wine aficionados are regaled with 360 labels, allowing diners to indulge in extraordinary gastronomy with a surreal panorama of tropical marine life.

Dmitry Richie, with IFlyFirstClass, travel expert picked top 3 luxury resorts in Maldives Islands

Dmitry has been to dozens of incredible, upscale beach resorts over the years, and Maldivian resorts are perennial favorites. The incredible white sand beaches and the azure Indian Ocean is irresistible. It's eminently easy to travel to the "Necklace Islands" too. There's a convenient airport on Male, and there's no need to apply for a visa before travel. Add in spectacular amenities and a wide range of luxury resorts, and it is great recipe of a remarkable holiday. Three luxury resorts, in particular, stand out as especially appealing and commodious. Here are the top three resorts that Dmitry Richie believes offer the most magnificent accommodations, amenities and activities.

No. 3: Como Maalifushi Resort

It's nearly impossible to beat the gorgeous southwest Maldives location of Como Maalifushi. Located in the secluded Thaas Atoll, the resort is surrounded by pristine beaches. In the distance, visitors can see uninhabited private islands that call to mind picture postcards and fictional deserted islands.

The resort is known for its luxurious villas perched over the water and its splendid beach suites. This posh lodging isn't just reserved for adults though. It's just as welcoming to families with kids as it is to young couples and retired gadabouts. This mix of guests gives the resort a comfortable, joyous atmosphere that makes guests want to enjoy the resort to its fullest.

Picturesque wooden walkways guide guests to their secluded overwater villas. You can lounge on private deck, dipping toes into the water every so often to cool down. Beds are draped elegantly in white, flowing netting, and a wide doorway opens to the sea. If guests really want to feel part of the landscape, they can also choose the resort's garden rooms and beach suites. They're set in the island's lush tropical gardens and along the beach, and they're perfect for families. Beach activities are just steps away, and guests even have the option of a private pool.

Like all excellent resorts, Como Maalifushi also houses a fabulous spa to really get guests into relaxation mode. The Shambhala Retreat is known for its holistic approach to life. Guest will luxuriate in the free yoga classes and private guided meditation and pranayama sessions. Amp up a little in the fitness room, then enjoy a bone-melting massage. From Dead Sea Mud treatments to soothing manicures, Shambhala Retreat pampers whole body.

Dining at the resort is equally sumptuous. Local fishermen deliver fresh fish to the on-site restaurants every day. Chances are good that dinner was swimming in the ocean outside the villa just hours before meal. Aside from the fresh seafood, Dmitry appreciated the resort's attempt to appeal to all palates and diets. Fresh, healthy meals are always available at Madi. Sushi and sashimi are delightful at Tai. Relaxed meals of salads and pizza are enjoyed in Thila. Kids can also enjoy beach picnics, and couples can spark a little romance with private in-villa dining.

Well-planned provisions, extremely accommodating staff and pristinely kept grounds make this resort a treasure. It's not a surprise, then, that it earns so many nods from luxury travel reviews. In 2016, the resort was named the top luxury hotel spa in the Indian Ocean region by the World Luxury Spa Awards in 2015, it earned Tattler Spa Award's Dream Spa Cuisine designation. That's not bad for a resort that opened in the summer of 2014.

No. 2: One and Only Resort Reethi Rah

Beautifully situated on the north side of the Male Atoll, One and Only Reethi Rah is a study in opulent pampering. This pampering begins even before guests set foots on the resort grounds. Once plane lands at Male Airport, guests will travel to the resort via luxury yacht, seaplane or private speedboat. Its service is so legendary that Conde Nast Traveller recently named the resort the Best Overseas Hotel Spa and Traveller's World Awards ranked it the second Most Beautiful Hotel Spas.

The all-villa resort's accommodations are plush and elegant, in keeping with the local aesthetics. Beach villas boast quaint thatched roofs and spacious, relaxing verandas. Laze the day away on a hammock outside your door, or play on the adjoining beach. Two-villa residences give extra privacy and convenience if you're traveling with another couple or family. Other options include grand beach villas and exquisite water villas.

Dmitry Richie especially enjoy the resort's multi-cultural dining. The blend of French, Italian and Asian flavors in Reethi Restaurant are bold, contemporary and delightful. For a truly stunning experience, guests must dine at least once in Tapasake at sunset. The waterfront Japanese restaurant offers modern fare and breathtaking views. Perhaps the resort's most unique treat, though, is its beachside dining at Fanditha. Here, guests will relax on sofas in your private cabana to enjoy the Middle Eastern fare. Several other restaurants offer salads, seafood and grilled foods in picturesque, accommodating settings. Savor a nightcap and mingle with other guests in the resort's many bars, or allow the resort to arrange a romantic beachfront dinner.

Guests won't need to worry about gaining weight from all the resort's lush food though. Activities are plentiful here. Snorkeling and diving are, of course, one of the first activities guests enjoy. The sea life is incredible, the water is refreshing and the setting could not be more dazzling. There are countless other ways to stay active and entertained on the resort property too. There's tennis, an art studio, a towering climbing wall and shopping on site. Guests can also waterski, paraglide, wakeboard or rent a speedboat in the Water Sports Centre.

The One and Only Reethi Rah resort's spa is the perfect counterpoint to all that activity. The spa incorporates indigenous Ayurvedic principles into its treatments and sessions for an enriching, harmonious experience. Guests can opt for a variety of massage treatments and revel in a wide range of body therapies. The spa also offers facial treatments and signature therapies. Men aren't left out of this pampering, either, since the spa offers treatments for men and couples. There are even family spa treatments available.

If travelers prefer a friendly, welcoming experience that brings in some of the local traditions, One and Only Reethi Rah is perfect resort for that.

No. 1: Cheval Blanc Randheli

Cheval Blanc Randheli is truly the ultimate in luxury resorts. In fact, Dmitry Richie would say "that it's a super-luxury, heavenly resort". It's located on the exotic and exclusive Noonu Atoll in the Maldives' northwest region. An expansive coral reef protects many of the islands in this atoll, so guests will enjoy quiet, unblemished nature in its purest form. This island is evidence that vivid colors are a part of nature. Guests will find lush tropical greenery, exotic flowers, azure water and a fabulous array of colorful fish and sea life.

The resort itself is sensational too. Guests will arrive at the island aboard the resort's specially outfitted seaplane. It's door-to-door service on steroids, with plush leather seats, tropical flavored water and "cooling kits" made specifically to help guests to refresh between flights. There is no better way to approach the resort's secluded island than aboard a private plane.

The lodging options are varied, but all selections enjoy the same level of service and luxury. Designed by the legendary Jean-Michel Gathy, the resort offers fantastic spaces throughout. Chic, contemporary villa furnishings echo the resort's elegance and comfort. Private terraces with cushy outdoor furniture add extra relaxation and entertainment space. Enjoy taking a private swim throughout the day or night, be sure to book a villa with a private infinity pool. The convenience is unbeatable, and the views are fabulous.

Although it seems impossible, the resort ups the ante on elegance in its restaurants and bars. Grilled lobster and salad nicoise are just two of the favorite dishes served at The White. The White is the perfect spot to enjoy a casual meal, whether you want to dine indoors or out. French cuisine is gorgeously executed in Le 1947, the resort's fine dining experience. The nine-course meals served in the restaurant are sublime, and that complement to the resort's signature Le 1947 vintage. A variety of other superb restaurants and bars complete the resort's dining options, satisfying the tastes of the most sophisticated palates.

If guests are bringing family, rest assured that on-site kids' and teen clubs keep children of all ages happy and active. Adults can enjoy their own outings, from diving the colorful reef to taking an excursion to a nearby island. The resort's "alchemists" can customize an activity or excursion for guests and their group so they can sit back and enjoy the region hassle-free. A fully equipped fitness center allows them to keep up with exercise regimen, and they can hone swing with the resort's golf simulator. Even the tennis courts are special here, built to Australian Open standards and set amid the lush tropical greenery.

As if the eye-catching setting, attentive service, chic villas and numerous amenities aren't enough, Cheval Blanc Spa puts the resort over the top. Guests will board a traditional dhoni to get to Spa Island, crossing the crystal-clear blue water in mere minutes. The resort's Well-Being Experience menu is extensive. Stretch muscles and spine in tranquil yoga sessions. Soothe body in a traditional hammam bath. Settle back while professional stylists apply make-up and style hair. Guests can also book a one-, three- or five-day Well-Being Journey for a fully restorative experience.

Without a doubt, Cheval Blanc is the most luxurious resort Dmitry Richie have found on Maldives. From the personalized service to the breadth of amenities, Cheval Blanc is unparalleled.

The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Claims Prestigious Awards at World Luxury Hotel Awards 2016

The Sun SIyam Iru Fushi has established themselves as one of the best in the industry not only in the Maldives but on a global scale as well by taking home two of the most prestigious awards at the World Luxury Hotel Awards Gala Ceremony, held at St Regis Hotel, Qatar on 29th October 2016.

The resort claimed the Global Winner Leading Luxury Beach Resort and Regional Winner Leading Luxury Spa Hotel at the World Luxury Hotel Awards Gala Event.

Recognized as amongst the world’s most prestigious and exclusive awards for the hospitality industry, the World Luxury Hotel Awards is a global organization that provides recognition to luxury hotels for their world class facilities and service excellence provided to guests. The organization aims to encourage and raise service standards within the luxury hotel industry. Among over 1,000 hotels nominated in 145 countries, The Sun SIyam Iru Fushi won the votes of international tour operators, travel agents and hotel guests.

Upon receiving the coveted trophy for the two categories, an elated Evgenia Boyankova, Group Director Business Development of Sun Siyam Resorts, said "If it weren't for the sheer passion of my colleagues to delight each and every one of our guests, we wouldn't have gone this far". She added: "Together, we've made the Maldives proud".

“I dedicate these awards to our staff members who work tirelessly to ensure the well-being of our guests and provide unique home-away-from-home experiences. These awards inspire us to do more and work even harder in delivering award-winning hospitality and world-class experiences for our guests", commented Abdulla Thamheed, General Manager at The Sun SIyam Iru Fushi.

Other recent awards for The Sun SIyam Iru Fushi include Indian Ocean’s Best Resort Spa and Maldives’s Best Resort Spa by the World Spa Awards 2016. Indian Ocean's Leading Family Resort and Maldives Leading Family Resort by the World Travel Awards 2016. Flavours Restaurant was also awarded the Global Winner for Best French Cuisine & Best Wine Selection at the World Luxury Restaurant Awards 2016. The resort’s Spa was also awarded as the Best Luxury Resort Spa in the Indian Ocean from World Luxury Spa Awards 2016. 

Located among the unspoiled islands of Noonu Atoll in the Maldives, a scenic 45-minute sea plane journey from Male, The Sun SIyam Iru Fushi is where nature’s simplicity and beauty is in abundance – it’s a world away from the everyday.

The Sun SIyam Iru Fushi features 221 luxury oceanfront villas, including 70 over-water bungalows, inspired by traditional Maldivian architecture. Guests at The Sun Sun SIyam Iru Fushi will enjoy luxurious relaxation, while immersing themselves in the rich culture and heritage of the Maldives. We, the MVHOTELS team congratulate The Sun SIyam Iru Fushi resort for its amazing achievements.

Certainly a paradise, and one with an eye on its environment

It's about 11.30am Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu time (which is an hour ahead of the mainland Maldivian capital Malé; the private island having taken the brilliantly hedonistic decision to literally alter time to allow for more sunset cocktails) and I'm sat cross-legged on a cream chaise longue in robe under a thatched hut roof surrounded by old books and sipping green tea.

I've been barefoot for four days now, and in that time I think I've seen every colour of blue on the spectrum, including, yes, that otherworldly cerulean of the sea that it turns out doesn't only exist in brochures (on day one, I spent a solid 15 minutes splashing it with my hands like a toddler just to check it's real).

I couldn't tell you what day of the week it is and frankly I don't care.

Nearly 99% of the Maldives is underwater, and flying over it via seaplane to the resort, having been on the infinitely more prosaic method of transport that is the London Underground a few hours before, it looks like a completely different planet. Ringed atolls pucker the ocean's surface like diagrams of eyes, and you're immediately aware of just how incredibly remote each island is.

The Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is isolated then, but not isolating. It offers all the modern conveniences we require these days, but crucially not to the point where you lose that 'desert island' feeling. the Wi-Fi for instance, is understandably patchy, but after an initial millennial crisis I actually warmed to this as I recalibrated to island life and now my phone is mostly discarded.

Today, I have chosen to blissfully do nothing, but the island actually has plenty to keep you entertained, which came to the relief of someone who can stand approximately 2.5 minutes of sunbathing.

A typical day at the Coco Palm has unfolded like this:

- Wake up at sunrise in my villa (a beach one, but they also have those classic ones you think of on stilts in the water) and wander to one of the resort's restaurants (all floating lotus leaves and zen music) for some passionfruit plucked from vines grown on the island

- Head out on snorkeling trip to hang with some turtles and manta rays

- Return for lunch, then just sort of get repeatedly stroked against the white shore by the sea out the back of my villa, surrounded by a staggery variety of luminous fish

- Maybe a little pool in the main reception. Maybe some badminton if time

- Shower/bathe for the evening (in an outdoor shower/bath no less) before sticking on a smart shirt and trousers (which is fun when you're still barefoot - making you look like a shipwreck victim)

- Drinks at the beach bar, which was formally a lagoon bar but the tides change from year-to-year, and watch the sun set slowly and then all of a sudden

- Dinner, which on some days involves barbecued fresh fish on the beach, and then cocktails at the Conch Bar

- General nighttime beach wandering, being unable to hear anything except the lapping of waves

I could rave for ages about the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff, but this is best typified by one Ananth, a waiter who noticed I was enjoying my first taste of Maldivian dish mas huni (a mix of tuna, coconut, chilli and lime) and ordered some to arrive for me for dinner at the resort restaurant while we were still on a different island.

All this luxury and pampering is why people head out to the Maldives, but the resort is doing a lot to assuage concerns about its effects on the environment. The Coco Palm has an on-site marine biologist, actively fights the use of ghost nets, bottles its own water (in glass bottles), makes a staggering amount of its supplies there on the island, and is currently building the Olive Ridley Project Turtle Rescue Centre (above), which will help nurture the many sea turtles that walk up onto the island to lay eggs.

Hanging up my robe and putting my shoes back on, which now feel like medieval instruments of torture, I decide I could definitely have beared to stay a few days/weeks longer.

Anantara Kihavah Villas Maldives Ranked The Second Best In The World

 

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas was ranked as the second best resort in the whole world by the Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards 2016. This is not a small feat achieved by the luxury Maldivian resort, Condé Nast Traveler is one of the biggest luxury and travel lifestyle magazines in the world and this years’ Reader’s Choice Awards were participated by over 300,000 people who voted in different categories such as the Indian Ocean’s Best Resort category, which was dominated by Maldivian resorts while Anantara KihavahVillas Maldives took the top spot. Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards have been taking place since 1987 and this year’s awards included 20,000 listing of different exotic resorts, hotels and countries from all over the world.

Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards described Anantara Kihavah Villas as Seventy-eight freestanding beach and overwater villas, each with its own infinity pool, on a private island of soft white sand. It was also recently named as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and is 35 minutes by seaplane from Male’ the capital city of Maldives. It delivered high end thatched-roof luxury, with the lagoon at center stage.




Other resorts from the Maldives also took some of the spotlight with Chevel Blanc Randheli placed at 17th.  The resort was described by Condé Nast Traveler as a recent resort from the luxury conglomerate LVMH, the owners of Louis Vuitton, Céline, Dior etc, that would set the bar high. The white sands and turquoise waters of the Noonu Atoll, in the northwest Maldives, are the backdrop for 45 one and two bedroom villas. And that as far as looks go, it doesn’t get chicer than this, but the whimsical touches such as the turtles drawn in the sand along the path to the villa, thoughtful little notes from butlers left alongside the pitchers of fresh juice was what truly gave this place its character.

One & Only Reethi Rah from the Maldives was also on the list and was portrayed as an instant favorite among honeymooners and celebrity couples, the 130 thatch-roofed villas, all with terrazzo bathtubs for two, are scattered along the 12 beaches of this 109-acre island in the North Male Atoll with the Daybeds outside the Moroccan restaurant, Fanditha, as the best place to take your meals.

HOTEL OF THE MONTH: THE RESIDENCE MALDIVES

The new Residence Maldivesat Dhigurah is the latest luxury hotel to grace this stunning chain of islands

This year sees the opening of The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah. It will be linked by a footbridge to The Residence Maldivesat Falhumaafushi, which opened in 2012.

Both lying in the Gaafu Alifu atoll, they will form one of the largest resort offerings in the Maldives. Along with properties in Mauritius, Tunis and Zanzibar, it brings the total number of The Residence by Singapore-based group Cenizaro to five hotels and resorts, with further expansion plans in the pipeline.

What immediately strikes me immediately is the warm welcome that I receive at The Residence Maldives at Falhumaafushi. In fact, this is the case throughout my stay: the hospitality and personal service is impeccable and no request is too much. For the duration of my stay I reside in a Water Villa, just one of 94 beach and over-water villas that has been designed with inspiration from the island; think thatched roofs, lush fabrics and natural materials.

Intended to be a home-from-home, it’s easy to relax and unwind here – it’s the ideal ‘fly and flop’ resort and perfect for honeymooners who want to remain in their own bubble. The wow-factor is without doubt the ocean views; waves lap on the villa’s doorstep while a school of fish flits between the bright coral reefs; it’s as though I’m in an aquarium. The veranda is the perfect spot to indulge in some Maldivian sunshine and kick back and relax. In fact, it’s quite easy to spend your whole time in somewhat of a lazy daze.

If you can be stirred from your slumber, however, start or end your day with sun salutations on the open-air deck, which is dedicated to yoga and meditation classes. It’s also the spot to watch the sun rise or set. For further relaxation, Clarins’ spa (the only one in the Maldives) can give you that added push.

For those who are more active, guests can not only enjoy a number of excursions such as swimming with dolphins, but can also make the most of the hotel’s PADI 5* Dive Centre. Offering all types of water sports, from snorkeling to scuba-diving, it’s the perfect opportunity to discover the coral reefs and rich marine life.

After burning off some energy, it’s important to refuel. The Residence Maldives offers a number of settings in which to dine, whether you’re after a light bite or a sumptuous à la carte meal. A highlight is the private dining experience, where a personal chef creates a bespoke menu. I enjoy a candlelit meal on the beach as the sun sets and a canopy of stars is revealed. It’s the ultimate finale to a magnificent Maldives experience.

A Multitude Of Awards For Dusit Thani Maldives

The Gold Medal in the Luxury Hotel and Resort category of the prestigious Travel Weekly Magellan Awards has been won by Dusit Thani Maldives for the second year running and it is not the only award in the bag for the resort as the Most Prestigious Wedding Venue in the Prestigious Star Awards 2016 was also recently seized by the resort.

The highly sought after Magellan Awards are organized by the US based business to business news publication Travel Weekly and is judged by a panel of professionals who are at the top of the industry. Other categories apart from the Luxury Hotel and Resort category, for the Magellan Awards included the Airlines and Airports category as well as the Destinations category. The awards pride itself in judging from its nominees from design to marketing to services and honouring the best in travel and giving credit to the outstanding travel professionals behind it all.

Dusit Thani Resort shortly translated as Heavenly Town, is located in Baa Atoll and is a Thai inspired 5-star luxury resort winning countless awards for its excellence, with the Most Prestigious Wedding Venue in the Prestigious Star Awards 2016, being the latest addition to its trophy cabinet.

The Prestigious Star Awards which Dusit Thani won by competing with over 2000 other challengers. The awards are held to celebrate the quality, performance and reputation of some of the world’s best venues that are qualified to host the most memorable events. Dusit Thani Resort was described as a magical venue, gracefully blending Thai hospitality with the unparalleled luxury of the Maldives by the ambassadors of the Prestigious Star Awards.

Joachim Schuette, General Manager at Dusit Thani Maldives, expressed his joy on the Magellan Awards “We are delighted to receive this prestigious award for the second year running, as it truly highlights our continuous commitment to enhancing our resort and creating even more memorable experiences for our guests.”

The resort is comprised of 94 villas and offers its guests opportunities to dive and swim in the serene waters of the Maldives to experience natural beauty and marine life that the Maldives is acclaimed for. Dusit Thani Resort also contains five award winning top class restaurants offering different cuisines and gastronomical miracles.


It is truly a magical place to be.

TV presenter Amanda Byram samples aerial yoga and water trampolining in the tropics

Rumor has it that when the architect was commissioned to shape the One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives, he said he wanted each guest to ‘feel like a king’.
He failed spectacularly. Because from the moment we set foot on the island, we felt like a god and goddess instead – we were in heaven.
After leaving Male’s international airport, we were greeted by a band of merry men who promptly ushered us on to a luxury private yacht to take us to the resort.

Feeling like Jay Z and Beyoncé, my husband Julian and I kicked back and pressed the start button on our honeymoon. If first impressions were anything to go by, our marriage had just got off to the perfect start.

At the resort there were more warm and welcoming faces, before we meandered down the tiny, sandy ‘roads’ towards our beach villa in a golf buggy – cars have no business on this island.

Along the way, our personal concierge Gizem told us that staff at Reethi Rah outnumber guests by a ratio of more than three to one – although you would never know it, as the level of privacy made us feel as if we were on a deserted paradise.

When they were visible, staff pirouetted around us with balletic precision, noting our various requests and making them happen without breaking sweat despite the 30C heat.

Of the ten room types available, we chose the thatched beach villa with high ceilings, beautiful Balinese-style decor, and a pool.
But let me get one thing straight: no matter where you end up laying your head, rest assured you will be in a den of luxury.
Behind our large wooden front gate, there was a distinct and blissful feeling of isolation.
There was a secluded patch of beach to call our own, with two palm trees harboring a hammock.
We were spoiled with an unpacking service, a choice of pillows, an 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 a single second of that spectacular view).

There was also a second shower outside should guests want to recreate that Timotei advert for fun (yes, of course I did).

You could be forgiven for never leaving your villa, but that would be a foolish tactic. The 24-hour golf buggy service will happily whisk you to any one of the amenities, of which there are countless.

For sporty guests there is a state-of-the-art gym with knowledgeable instructors – they put me through my paces on an outdoor circuit of which Olympic gold medalist Jessica Ennis would be proud.

There is a yoga pavilion where you can do aerial yoga (you are suspended in a low-hanging sling, so it’s not for those who don’t like being upside-down), 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 nail salon, a barber shop and a kids-only club. Meanwhile, the beach club was alive all day thanks to a DJ playing the latest tunes.

Most afternoons, Julian and I loved grabbing an ice cream before working off the inevitable sugar rush out on the hotel’s massive water trampoline. Big kids only need apply. 

Bouncing up and down on the giant inflatable, I felt like one of the contestants on Total Wipeout, the BBC series I used to co-present with Richard Hammond.

The resort takes seriously its sea excursions – trips such as luxury yacht big-game fishing, turtle adventures, sunrise fishing, reef snorkeling, sunset cruises and shark safaris can be arranged by Marine Concierge Center staff.

There are four main restaurants to tickle your taste buds. 

The main Reethi is beautifully constructed, with high ceilings and carved wooden pillars and doors, and serves contemporary Asian and Mediterranean fusion food. This is also where breakfast is served. 

Warning: make sure you arrive hungry. We are big breakfast buffet connoisseurs, and this one must be seen to be believed.

Another favorite for dinner was Tapasake, serving exquisite modern Japanese dishes with noodles and oodles of fish straight from the ocean outside your villa.

Fandita – which means ‘magical’ in the Maldivian language Dhivehi – is aptly named, thanks to its Arabian Nights-inspired restaurant and bar with beautiful sunset views. 

And the Chef’s Garden also hosts a restaurant – the candlelit area of the vegetable garden is designed with romance in mind.

In keeping with the romantic setting, the spa has massive his-and-hers steam and sauna rooms, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a courtyard. 

It is a haven of serenity, set among a beautiful expanse of manicured trees and grass leading to the ocean. 

During your time here, you can practically feel the stress in your shoulders dissipate and your mind let go. 

So what is it about the 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? 

I suppose it is the result of an overall vision to create paradise and then the sheer determination to never lose it.

On one of the websites about the Maldives that I browsed before our trip, I came across this quote: ‘We travel not to escape life but so that life doesn’t escape us.’

‘Inspirational’ quotes are not usually my cup of herbal tea, but here I found something that rang a bell.

Holidays which invite you to ‘get away from it all’ tend to be connected with the idea of taking a long flight somewhere and just plonking yourself on a beach for the rest of your stay. 

This doesn’t sound like an escape to me – it would be more like some sort of detention center for the soul.

What we discovered on the Maldives was an escape that took you away not just from your nine-to-five routine but offered an entree into another world – a life-affirming boost that lasted much, much longer than a suntan.

We can’t wait to return.

Zeldiva Luxury

A picturesque bonanza

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

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

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

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

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

Adventure activities:

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

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

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

Food and Recreation:

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

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

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

Seven nights in your own Maldivian resort for $6 mln

Want to own a resort island with 78 rooms for seven nights at US$6.25 million? This is what W Maldives, a luxury resort in the Maldives, is offering to its guests under a buyout package called “Extreme Island Takeover”, transforming an island into your own private playground.  The package starts from $4 million for four nights; $4.7 million for five nights and $5.5 million for six nights. Customers get the entire 78 rooms, all dining venues, free flow of food and house beverages, unlimited spa (inside operation hours), unlimited water sports and shared seaplane transfers to and from the resort.

The hotel said that guests who purchase the buyout package ‘Extreme Island Takeover’ will have access to the 78 private escapes located both on the beach and over water – each with its own plunge pool and sundeck; six creative gourmet eateries and lounge bars, including 15 BELOW, the Maldives underground nightclub, literally located 15 steps below the island surface and the over water AWAY® Spa for an ultimate escape.