Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa Opens M-Lounge on the beach

Maldives, January 2014 – One of the most luxurious resorts, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives unveils a picture-perfect beach lounge that sophisticates unwinding in style to a new level.

The new lounge,  an extension of the resort’s Manzaru Bar and located on the adjoining beach, has recently opened.  Decorated in nuances of white and cream, the lounge offers resort guests the ideal venue for daytime refreshments, spectacular sun downers and nightlife underneath the stars.

M-Lounge opens in the morning until late and remains the hottest resort attraction.  Throughout the day, guests position themselves on stylish loungers and bean bags, enjoying their favoured tea, coffee or other desire.  The soothing sound of waves at their feet and the whispers of palm trees behind them mixes with the lounge music, creating a perfect holiday soundtrack.

The arrival pier and the hotel’s unique luxury sailing yacht Horizon, docked metres away from M-Lounge, provide the backdrop and make the new venue a hub of island activity.

M-Lounge is a meeting point where friendly conversations begin and revolve around the most pleasant moments of resort life.

Once the evening comes and the low Maldivian sky starts changing from a pale lilac to purple through splashes of orange and pink, M-Lounge becomes the front row for sunset-watching romantics.  Sipping on a sun downer, while enjoying an exotic-flavoured shisha – sophisticated chilling out has quickly become a habit for Villingili visitors.

Guests feel the ocean breeze on their skin and watch the stars slowly coming out to amaze.  One can choose a pre-dinner cocktail or drop by after dinner to see how the mood of M-Lounge has evolved with dozens of soft lights reflecting the magic of the skies.  Light snacks created from local ingredients, creative cocktails, some of which in different shades of blue to match the surroundings, and non-alcoholic drinks are available throughout the day with impeccable service and attention to every detail from the professional M-Lounge and Mazaru Bar team.

M-Lounge evolves again into one of the few upscale live DJ spots in the Maldives.  Resident DJ Kate spins tunes six nights a week and brings her exquisite musical taste and international DJ experience that have been refined in the trendiest lounges of Singapore and Bali.  Her engaging beats and sunny personality have guests dancing nights away on the sand and under the stars.  Wednesday at M-Lounge is an island cocktail party where guests are offered drinks and delightful canapés, with compliments, and local Maldivian Bodu Beru dancers bring their drums and perform.

Future entertainment boasts international DJ guests and live VJ performances, as well as creative themed nights with a range of music from different eras accompanied by matching cocktails and décor elements. 

M-Lounge’s design is classic, simplistic and contemporary.  Shades of white dominate the venue, reflecting the white sandy beaches of Shangri-la’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives.  The décor perfectly matches the lush green of the island and the mesmerising turquoise of the lagoon.

Resort General Manager Rene D. Egle is the mastermind behind this new Villingili hotspot. “I wanted to praise local nature and, at the same time, create something very internationally recognised,” Mr Egle said.  “The design is inspired by the beauty of the surrounding island and modelled after the latest chill-out lounges in Monaco, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.”

M-Lounge is the latest addition to the resort’s fascination restaurant collection comprising three restaurants and two bars catering to all tastes and occasions.

For More information please visit https://www.alphamaldives.com/resort/shangri-la-s-villingili-resort_23_home_0.html

Coco Collection appoints new Cluster Manager for Marketing & PR

Coco Collection, the management group that operates the Coco Resorts : Retreats properties, has announced today that Tina Dotzauer has been appointed as the new Cluster Manager for Marketing & PR for the Groups’ stunning resorts in the Maldives.
Tina is an insider when it comes to luxury in the Maldives – she has held several positions in the hospitality industry of this idyllic Indian Ocean country over the last seven years.

She joins Coco Collection at a significant point in time of their development – a new COO, Mr. Nicholas Simmonds, was appointed only last November, and he has been tasked with the almost impossible: to make each and every Coco Collection resort even more outstandingly fabulous than they already are. In this endeavor, Mr. Simmonds will count on the assistance of his Marketing & PR team in further improving the image of the group and of each resort in turn. Tina will liaise with the teams on location, as well as with Coco Collection’s PR agencies abroad to ensure maximum exposure for each property. Her main focus will be on increasing brand awareness throughout various markets, maintaining and improving each resort’s website and the joint social media presence of the group, and to evaluate and implement new and exciting ways to experience the Coco Collection resorts.

“I am more than happy to be able to contribute to the further strengthening of our brand portfolio – with three outstanding resorts in the Maldives Coco Collection ensures that the diverse segments of the upper luxury market are well served. Any guest can experience their own personal dream holidays with us, should they desire the ultimate tropical hideaway and choose the private island of Coco Privé Kuda Hithi Island, or the boutique luxury experience of Coco Bodu Hithi, or the environmentally sustainable back-to-nature life they can enjoy at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu”, states newly appointed Cluster Manager, Marketing & PR, Tina Dotzauer.

Tina’s appointment comes at a time of re-structuring for Coco Collection – after the departure of Ms Lisa Brightwell, the former VP of Sales & Marketing, in December 2013, and the recent departure of Mr Wai-Kei Wong, former Director of Sales & Marketing, Tina will be overtaking all Marketing inquiries previously handled by Ms Brightwell. At the same time, Ms Aishath Suhaila, Sales Manager of Coco Collection and Sunland Hotels, who has been with the company for more than 10 years, will respond to any Sales-related queries that were previously taken care of by Mr Wong.

In the true spirit of Coco Collection, Tina, Suhaila, and their teams will strive to inspire, while staying true to the company’s Maldivian roots, providing timeless experiences for their guests. More appointments will follow soon.

Gili Lankanfushi Maldives named as one of the Top 10 hotels in the world

 

The best hotels in the world have been named by TripAdvisor, with Switzerland's historic five-star Grand Hotel Kronenhof taking the coveted No. 1 position in the annual Travellers' Choice Awards ahead of Hong Kong's small luxury boutique property The Upper House, and the over-water bungalows of Gili Lankanfushi in the Maldives.

The 12th annual awards also named the best Australian hotels with the Emirates-owned Wolgan Valley Resort in NSW's Blue Mountains taking the top place.

Wolgan Valley is a conservation-conscious spa resort with 40 luxury suites. They have their own decks and pools and are in a bush setting.

Top 10 hotels in the world

1. Grand Hotel Kronenhof, Pontresina, Switzerland

2. The Upper House, Hong Kong, China

3. Gili Lankanfushi Maldives, Lankanfushi, Maldives

4. Nayara Hotel, Spa & Gardens, La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica

5. The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India

6. Casa Gangotena, Quito, Ecuador

7. Lindos Blu, Lindos, Greece

8. The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, Punta de Mita, Mexico

9. The Oberoi, Mumbai, Mumbai, India

10. Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto, Toronto, Canada

Runner-up in Australia was the Gold Coast's beachfront Xanadu Holiday Resort, ahead of the Coconut Holiday Resort in Cairns.

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Queensland resorts, including Hamilton Island's Qualia, dominated the rest of Australia's top 10, as they have in previous years.

The high-end Southern Ocean Lodge at South Australia's Kangaroo Island did not figure in Australia's overall top 10, but it was prominent in a number of other categories including top luxury hotel in Australia, best hotel for romance in Australia and top small hotel in Australia.

Even the humble Morwell Motel in Victoria's working-class Latrobe Valley came out a winner. It was named the best bargain hotel in Australia and came second to Southern Ocean Lodge in the small hotel category.

"We're stoked," said co-owner/operator Grant Maddern who runs the 22-room property with Anthony Mayer.

"We bought the hotel 18 months ago. We closed it for four months and did a half-a-million dollar renovation and now we've taken it from the hotel with the worst reputation in the region to the best reputation."

Rooms at the hotel, with just two full-time staff, start from $120 and are mainly taken up by corporate travellers who enjoy the funky interiors, $9 continental breakfasts delivered to the room, free wi-fi, a Nespresso coffee machine with unlimited coffee, and a small gym.

"It's all about the service and going above and beyond," Mr Maddern said. "Last week when it was hot we went into the rooms before guests arrived and put on the air con for them. We do the same in winter, to make sure it's warm when they arrive. We provide real milk, not that s----y long-life stuff, and free bottled water."

TripAdvisor is the world's largest travel website. According to TripAdvisor, the winners of the Travellers' Choice Awards are based on millions of reviews and opinions site users gathered over a 12-month period.

A spokesperson said TripAdvisor uses an algorithm that measures the quality and quantity of the ratings from traveller reviews and opinions on the site to determine the winners.

In recent years the site has come under fire over fake reviews and its ability to make or break hotels due to its huge popularity.

Top 10 hotels in the world

1. Grand Hotel Kronenhof, Pontresina, Switzerland

2. The Upper House, Hong Kong, China

3. Gili Lankanfushi Maldives, Lankanfushi, Maldives

4. Nayara Hotel, Spa & Gardens, La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica

5. The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India

6. Casa Gangotena, Quito, Ecuador

7. Lindos Blu, Lindos, Greece

8. The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, Punta de Mita, Mexico

9. The Oberoi, Mumbai, Mumbai, India

10. Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto, Toronto, Canada

Sam Worthington and Lara Bingle escape to Maldives 'honeymoon' destination

IT'S the ultimate honeymoon destination - and Lara Bingle and Sam Worthington are there.

The hot couple, rumoured to be engaged, are in the midst of a romantic holiday, in the Maldives and are said to be staying at the luxury Sixth Senses resort.

Bingle has been uploading images of herself swimming in crystal clear water with bright blue skies as a backdrop, alongside the caption, "somewhere in the Indian Ocean".

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/sam-worthington-and-lara-bingle-escape-to-maldives-honeymoon-destination/story-fnilxh2p-1226803281030

Around the world in 20 days - Ronan and Storm chill in the Maldives two weeks after luxury Alps break

Wondering how to make your social media followers jealous? Ronan Keating and Storm Uechtritz have it down to a tee.

The former Boyzone star and his TV producer girlfriend are enjoying a luxury break in popular Indian Ocean honeymoon resort, the Maldives.

The couple arrived at the resort on Friday, just a week after they spent New Year’s in the Swiss Alps.

They have been posting photos to social media accounts Twitter and Instagram from their respective accounts and also their newly-created profile ‘Ro and Stormy’.

Ronan (36) is using the holiday to complete the PADI diving course as the couple posted photos of his latest endeavour with delight.

“Day 2 of my PADI diver practical done,” Ronan wrote online.

“Amazing day but seriously daunting. Turning off my air underwater was frightening but I did it.”

Later he posted; “Just passed my PADI, incredible feeling. Seriously daunting day. Second last dive was into a huge drop.

“First thing I see at the bottom is a 3-metre shark. Totally freaked me out,” he continued.

“But persevered and had Storm by my side.”

Thirty-two-year-old Storm is using her holiday to sunbathe as the tall blonde posted snapshots of herself relaxing in the sun, the results of her tanning evident in a bikini photo of herself and Ronan.

The pair confirmed they were dating in September 2012 after they met on the set of The X Factor Australia where Ronan sits as the reality show’s judge.

http://www.independent.ie/woman/celeb-news/around-the-world-in-20-days-ronan-and-storm-chill-in-the-maldives-two-weeks-after-luxury-alps-break-29919429.html

Paradise on earth: Dive into the magic of the Maldives

The Maldives has long been synonymous with romance, laid-back glamour and luxury. Victoria and David Beckham visited the idyllic islands for their Christmas holidays, Marvin Humes and Rochelle Wiseman got engaged there in 2011 – and recently returned with their baby daughter Alaia-Mai to ring in the New Year – and the pristine coral reefs, world-class spas and promises of hazy days of relaxation in an Indian Ocean paradise have enticed everyone from Tom Cruise, Kate Moss, Jennifer Aniston and George Clooney to Mick Jagger.

For a destination with so many A-list guests and a reputation as a honeymooners' paradise, you'd naturally expect something pretty special from a resort dubbed 'the most romantic in the Maldives'. And that's exactly what you get when you visit the Jumeirah Dhevanafushi - which, appropriately enough, finds its home on an exclusive, secluded heart-shaped island in the southern Gaafu Alifu Atoll.

If you've got engaged this festive season and you're on the hunt for a dream-like honeymoon destination – or even somewhere to hold the wedding – then look no further. Dhevanafushi means 'unique island', and that's exactly what it is.

In fact, as the wind whips through your hair as you're sat in a speedboat being whisked off to a neighbouring desert island for a champagne picnic with your personal butler, it's hard to imagine a more perfect setting for romance.

Candlelit beach-side dinners under the stars, the award-winning Talise Spa – set in a water villa so that, as you receive a massage, you're staring down at tropical fish as they swim through the beautiful coral – sunset champagne cruises aboard a traditional Maldivian Dhoni and private in-villa yoga classes – this resort has it all, and then some.

"Luxury is attention to detail," explains marketing communications manager Ramesha Samarasinghe, who reveals that footballers and Bollywood stars have all paid a visit in the two years since it opened its doors to holidaymakers. "Our visitors have come so far to be with us, and there's just miles and miles of blue skies and sea. We want to deliver a real 'wow' experience."

There are just 38 suites on the island, which is a 55 minute-long domestic flight and a speedboat ride away from the capital Malé. Each one comes with personal 24-hour butler service, Apple Media Centre, complimentary wifi, a private swimming pool and a marble bath.

The suites are so luxurious and so secluded that we can almost guarantee you'll feel like the only guests on the island – and nothing is too much trouble for the staff, who almost encourage you to order meals that don't appear on the menus. By the way - make sure you try mashuni for breakfast. It's a traditional Maldivian dish made of smoked tuna and coconut.

Don't fancy an extra flight once you've made the long-haul trip to the Maldives? Jumeirah have another property, the Vittaveli, a serene island resort located in the South Malé Atoll, a mere 20 minute speedboat ride away from the airport. It's a little bigger than the Dhevanafushi, with 91 spaciously-appointed suites and villas which come with bikes, so you can explore the stunning white-sand beaches, three restaurants and spa facilities at your own pace.

It's romantic and caters for couples. In fact, the over-water Lagoon Suites offer some of the most luxurious couples' accommodation in the Maldives. But this is also the place to come if you're jetting in for a family break. There's daily manta ray feeding, a kids club, a dedicated family pool – there's a separate couples' pool nearby – and babysitting facilities, and plenty to keep the little ones entertained. Like the Dhevanafushi, there's also a 5 star PADI certified dive centre, and use of snorkelling equipment is complimentary. There are even two ship-wrecks to explore beneath the ocean...

The food at the Vittaveli is wonderful, with top chefs employed from across the world to whip up anything from Indian, Arabic, Vietnamese, Chinese or British food to traditional Maldivian cuisine.

Catch a spectacular sunset from the BAR-EE bar while sipping on one of the resort's trademark martini cocktails, enjoy a sumptuous in-villa champagne breakfast, or, for couples, make the most of dining in the pool. (Yes, they'll even set up a table in a shallow section of the pool for you to eat your dinner amongst the underwater twinkling lights.) Luxury doesn't get much better than this. It's no wonder the A list keep coming back for more.

For more information or to book a dream holiday to the Jumeirah Dhevanafushi or the Jumeirah Vittaveli click here.

Source: http://www.hellomagazine.com/travel/2014010216337/paradise-on-earth-maldives/

Peace Boat arrives in Maldives

Peace Boat, on its 81st Global Voyage for Peace arrived to Maldives on 7th December 2013. With approximately 1000 passengers, Peace Boat embarked its journey from Yokohama Japan, on November 22nd, 2013 and will visit various regions of the world before returning to Japan on March 6th, 2014. This voyage marks Peace Boat’s first visit to Maldives.

Peace Boat is a Japan-based international non-governmental and non-profit organization that works to promote peace, human rights, equal and sustainable development and respect for the environment. Peace Boat conducts on board educational program or workshops to help educate the people onboard in advance about the regions the Boat is visiting. 

During the two day call in Maldives the passengers will explore Male’, learn about the history and culture of Maldives. Passengers also will be taking excursion trips to nearby Maldives Resorts and picnic islands to experience the true Maldivian break.

Peace Boat will depart Maldives today evening. (2013-12-08)

http://www.visitmaldives.com/en/news_posts/462

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Maldives wins award as best island destination in world

The Maldives has been awarded the title of "World's Leading Island Destination" at the 2013 World Travel Awards (WTA) in Qatar, local media reported on Friday.

This is the third time the Maldives has won the prestigious travel award. The WTA is hailed as the "Oscars of the Travel Industry," Minivan News reported.

The Maldives competed against Bali in Indonesia, Barbados, Cook Islands, Crete in Greece, Jamaica, the Madeira Islands, Mauritius, the Seychelles, Sicily in Italy, St. Lucia, and Zanzibar in Tanzania this year.

Maldivian resorts also scooped a number of awards in various categories with Hulhule Island Hotel winning the World's Leading Airport Resort 2013, and Conrad Maldives Rangali Island winning the World's Leading Water Villa Resort 2013.

Baros Maldives won recognition as the World's Most Romantic Resort 2013 and World's Leading Island Villas 2013.

The Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation (MMPRC) said the awards highlight the "uniqueness" of Maldives and recognizes the Maldives as a world-class luxury destination.

Last month the Maldives reached one million tourist arrivals for the first time in a calendar year.

More than a quarter of tourists to Maldives are from China with the country being the largest source of travelers to the Indian Ocean islands.

Tourism Minister Ahmed Adheeb said the "victory had been made possible amidst boycott campaigns and other such obstacles."

The political turmoil since February 2012 had caused growth in the tourism industry to stall, but growth is expected to pick up next year.

Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/travel/2013-12/06/c_132947663.htm

Jumeirah Dhevanafushi Maldives sold to CDL Hospitality Trusts

JONES Lang LaSalle's Hotels & Hospitality Group (JLL) has exchanged contracts for the sale of luxury resort, Jumeirah Dhevanafushi, in the Maldives to Singapore-based CDL Hospitality Trusts for US$59.6 million.

The sale of the prpoerty, which comprises 19 beach villas and 16 over-water villas, includes the benefit of a long-term management agreement with Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts.

It also marks CDL Hospitality Trusts’ second acquisition in the Maldives in 2013, following its purchase of the Angsana Velavaru earlier this year.

JLL senior vice president for investment sales Asia, Nihat Ercan, said: “We are delighted to announce this landmark sale, the first arm’s length third-party managed resort sale in the Maldives and the second acquisition in the country by a major regional institutional investor during 2013.

“With sound trading fundamentals and enduring strength of visitor demand, the Maldives has certainly captured the attention of the investment community across Asia and the Middle East. We are seeing significant interest and weight of capital from private investors, owner-operators, listed companies and institutional investors, and we expect this trend to continue into 2014 as further opportunities in this unique market unfold.”

Since 2012, JLL has brokered five resort transactions in the Maldives, representing over 350 rooms and more than US$330 million in transaction volume, underscoring the island destination as one of the most liquid investment markets in Asia.