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INCLUSIVE,
BUT NOT
EXCLUSIVE
Can the latest Maldivian resort really bring something new
to the five-star sector with its all-inclusive philosophy?
April Hutchinson finds it’s close but no cigar for Lily Beach
If you’re
Lily Beach Resort and Spa opened on
opening a the island of Huvahendhoo in April, and
hotel in the Maldives these days, you’d has already enjoyed some good business
better have a pretty good USP. Beautiful and feedback, according to resident
though the islands are, it is starting to manager Elena Alias Canete. Her former
feel like we’ve seen it all before – from career as a cruise director for Silversea
incredible underwater restaurants serves her well when catering to the
and spas to “sleep programmes” and whims and needs of guests when you’re
whisky bars. hundreds of miles from a major land mass.
What agents and operators need is She’s right to be enthusiastic about her
something they can really get their teeth new resort. Lily Beach was previously a
into selling, a resort which has a real lower-rated property but has now been
market niche and sets it apart from the ramped up to luxury level with the
other 80-and-counting island resorts. addition of a funky new reception area,
That USP could be the latest opening over-water villas, Tamara spa, new infinity
from a luxury brand new to the region, or pool, bar and speciality restaurant, plus a
signing the best architects to a project, or refurb of the old pool area and beach villas.
maybe enlisting a top chef to give kudos. But this is no Huvafen Fushi or Soneva
Or how about a bells-and-whistles Gili. The main restaurant – where pretty
all-inclusive for the luxury sector? much all of the meals under the Platinum
Plan will be taken – lacks soul and choice,
A gap in the market the decor in the villas is uninspired, the
Many luxury travellers would turn their island is small and the service not as
nose up at the term “all-inclusive” – often polished and friendly as some resorts
for the wrong reason, as many resorts I have seen in the Maldives.
around the world now offer a wide choice The new speciality restaurant is the
of dining and activities in a more refined waterside Tamarind, but on the Platinum
atmosphere, without a wristband in sight. Plan only one meal is included there
With cost-watching and deal-seeking during the stay – a shame, as the food and HOW TO BOOK IT
the new holy grail in the world of luxury setting were fantastic.
travel, Lily Beach Resort and Spa’s mantra The original Lily Beach resort was Kuoni offers seven nights at
of “affordable luxury in the Maldives” and known for its good house reef, just a few Lily Beach Resort and Spa (all
its new Platinum Plan could be just the metres offshore, and its lushly mature inclusive) in a beach villa from
tonic for recession-hit holidaymakers. plantlife, including a huge banyan tree £2,342pp (based on two
There were all-inclusive resorts in the with a resident family of bats – not sharing, depart August),
Maldives long before the arrival of Lily something you often see in the Maldives. including flights with Emirates
Beach, but at the three and four-star end Having two pools is also a bonus – at (via Dubai) from Gatwick with
of the market. Of course, being in the one end of the island is the original lap transfers in resort and access
Maldives, guests don’t have the option of pool with shady palms and a peaceful to the VIP lounge in Male
eating anywhere but their resort, so it’s atmosphere, but still the non-stop flow of airport. Tel: 01306 747008,
amazing no-one’s offered all-inclusive at Platinum Plan drinks from the bar. At the kuoni.co.uk
42
the top end of the market sooner. other end of the island is the cool new
feature maldives
summer 09 ttgluxury.com
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