FEATURE THE MALDIVES
this month (on March 15) is the Jumeirah Dhevanafushi on the Gaafu Alifu Atoll, 250 miles south of the capital city of Malé, from where a 55-minute flight connects to Kaadedhdhoo Airport in the south atoll. From there, it's a 15-minute speedboat ride. Surrounded by coral reefs, Jumeirah
Dhevanafushi is on a 44,000 sq m uninhabited island – plus a ‘water village’ separated by 850m of coral reef – some six miles from the nearest neighbouring island. The resort is described as an exclusive ‘two-resort island’ with 21 Revive residences, one Island Sanctuary with private pool (due to open June 2011), 13 Beach Revives by the ocean, eight Island Revives and one Island Sanctuary. All have spacious open bathrooms and shower and have their own private beach, garden or day beds on open decks. A short boat ride away from the main
island, Jumeirah Dhevanafushi’s water village, ‘The Ocean Pearls’, is designed for ‘the most discerning luxury traveller’ offering 14 Ocean Revives and two Ocean Sanctuaries. The new resort features three
restaurants and one bar, a 1700 sq m Talise Spa, a 190 m2 swimming pool, over-water gym, a Yoga Pavilion and an extensive selection of land and watersports activities including a PADI 5 star dive centre. A second Jumeirah property is under
way in the Maldives. Jumeirah Vittaveli, a five-star deluxe family resort, is due to open in May 2011. Late 2011 will see the opening of Per
AQUUM’s 86-villas/suites NIYAMA (‘Peaceful Journey’ in the local Dhivehi language) on the southern atoll of Dhaalu, a 40-minute seaplane flight from Malé. The resort will be situated over two islands, Embudhufushi and Olhuveli, linked together by a walkway. Neil Palmer, ceo of Per AQUUM said;
“We want to create an edgy, vibrant resort, incorporating both traditional Maldivian ease and elegance with a fresh twist, adding life and style to NIYAMA." NIYAMA will be the first-ever resort to have an underwater nightclub and champagne bar." The resort’s Beach Villas will include
private fibre optic-lit pools while each Beach Suite has its own pool and comes with a private Thakuru (butler), available. Resort facilities will include three
restaurants including Aquum, NIYAMA’s
Top: Taj Exotica's top-end Rehendi Suite; Opposite: the Kurumba Spa
16 March 2011 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
Since then the islands have seen a steady expansion of the accommodation portfolio
signature restaurant, accessible only by boat, and situated directly above the underwater club and champagne bar. The resort will also have Per AQUUM’s new in-villa dining concept, Deli In. LIME Spa at NIYAMA will be open for 24-hour spa treatments while the resort’s ‘Diversions and Journeys’ concept will include wii, remote control boats and cars, live music, an art studio, weekly movie nights and water sports, all fantastic for keeping kids entertained whilst the grown-ups laze on the beach! There will also be a marine biology lab, for coral rehabilitation and education. Sun Hotels & Resorts’ Vilu Reef
Beach & Spa Resort has introduced six new water villas with pools offering a new category of accommodation to the 122-room resort. Situated on stilts over the water, each
villa has direct access to the lagoon via a private stairway where guests can get up close to a whole host of multi-coloured friendly fish. The villas also boast a large balcony with an extended sun deck, infinity plunge pool, chaise lounges for private sunbathing and a large hammock. The large bedrooms have a choice of
a four-poster or double bed, a day bed which can accommodate an additional third person, a dressing area and bathroom with a large roll-top bath, double sinks and separate shower. One side of the island is a protected
lagoon and the other is a reef, which is ideal for snorkelling and diving. As well as watersports, facilities at Vilu
Reef include an infinity pool, PADI five- star dive facility, Sun Spa, table tennis, volleyball court and a selection of restaurants and bars. Per Aquum’s Huvafen Fushi is
undergoing renovations, which will give all villas a complete facelift. The renovations will take place throughout the year, with two villas being renovated a month. The resort is also introducing Deli In, described as the ultimate in-room gourmet Deli experience. Universal Resorts has unveiled ‘The
Spa’ at its three five-star island resorts, Kurumba, Velassaru and Baros. The new range of options at The Spa
uses many fresh ingredients produced by Maldivian island communities supported by Universal Corporate Social Responsibility Programmes. In Kurumba and Velassaru new dining
packages have been introduced, Dine Around Premium at Kurumba and Velassaru Indulgence which allow guests to enjoy a wide choice of fine dining options all for a fixed daily price.
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