MALDIVES: Luxury Holidays
adult-only pool with night time swimming, glass-walled pools leading off the 10 water bungalows and a tennis court set on its own small separate island.” NIYAMA is a great option for people who aren’t happy just lying on a beach: it offers loads of activities, from learn-to-DJ sessions to yoga to snorkelling to craft classes and grown-up treasure hunts and private movies on the beach. Many resorts specialise in food and wine. The Beach House Iruveli’s signature restaurant, Medium Rare, was recently awarded the 2013 Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator USA. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has an outstanding wine collection and this December welcomes Italian wine producer Antinori Estates. Guests will be able to meet the winemakers and enjoy wine tasting sessions in the Wine Cellar as well as the Ithaa undersea restaurant. Shangri-La Villingili Resort & Spa Maldives was the fi rst Maldivian resort to launch its own cultural tours, from farming excursions to cycling tours and nature walks. A broader range of all-inclusive options is steadily creeping into the luxury end of the Maldives market. The new Residence Maldives, which opened in September, is one of a range of fi ve-star properties offering an upmarket all-inclusive option. Guests can enjoy dinner at Falhumaa restaurant at the end of a spectacular 230m jetty or a romantic meal in-villa or under the stars, at no extra cost. At Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives, guests can leave both their shoes and their cash behind with the resort’s ‘Ultimate’ all-inclusive programme with champagne breakfasts, three lunch and dinner venues, sundowner cocktail parties, spa credits, windsurfi ng lessons and a number of off-island excursions. Newest resort to offer luxury all- inclusive stays (from next month)is Atmosphere’s fi rst-ever property, the Kanifushi Maldives. Its Director of
Facing page, clockwise from top left: Hadahaa Island, Park Hyatt Maldives and @Baros Maldives. This page, clockwise from main picture: the Taj Exotica, surfi ng at Six Senses Lammu, Universal Kandolhu and the Velaa Private Island Tower
Sales & Marketing, Dinesh Bhaskar, contends that some Maldivian resorts have lost the crucial ‘local feel’. “We want our guests to enjoy something tangible, a real Indian Ocean experience. Atmosphere places guests’ emotions fi rmly at its core; we intuitively respond to their individual needs and desires while offering genuine value. It’s the small touches which make a difference.” Taj Hotels’ Exotica Resort & Spa - 15 minutes by speedboat from Malé International Airport – is currently offering a 40% discount on suites and rooms for bookings made between Thursdays and Sundays for a minimum stay of three nights. Guests benefi t from the resort’s ‘customised dining options’, personal butlers and the Jiva Grande Spa. Taj also operates the Vivanta by Taj
Coral Reef in the Maldives. Carolina Svensson, Product &
Purchasing Manager – Indian Ocean & Middle East for Travel 2 says the operator is seeing strong demand
for the whole Indian Ocean region with the Maldives leading the way for luxury holidays. “Most of the new resorts that have opened up are in the luxury segment as more and more international brands look to get a presence in the destination,” she said.
What’s new If your clients simply have to be right in with the in-crowd, book them a holiday at the Cheval Blanc Randheli, the second Cheval Blanc Maison by LVMH Hotel Management (which also owns brands such as Louis Vuitton), which is due to open on November 15, 2013. Cheval Blanc Randheli aims to be an intimate and contemporary haven on the unspoiled Noonu Atoll, with just 45 villas. Velaa Private Island follows next month (December), also in the northern atoll of Noonu. It will offer 43 villas with contemporary design using local materials, cuisine by French Michelin star chef Adeline
www.sellinglonghaul.com
“The perception is that
the Maldives is all about over-water or beach villas. Whilst the accommodation may
appear similar, they are very different in style” MAXINE ROBERTS
HEAD OF MARKETING, CARRIER
November 2013 57
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