Jumeirah Vittaveli awarded Green Globe Certification

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Jumeirah Vittaveli has been awarded the internationally renowned Green Globe Certification (GGC) following a recent sustainability audit.

The luxury resort has consistently developed its green policies in line with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme and is the first Jumeirah property in the Maldives to be accredited with Green Globe Certification. GGC is the premier worldwide sustainability stamp for the tourism industry and more than 800 businesses in 50 countries have so far met the 349 exacting standards.

General Manager, Graham Kiy, said: “We are delighted to be recognised for this prestigious award. Here at Jumeirah Vittaveli all our colleagues place high importance on working towards a more sustainable future. This is particularly important in the Maldives where it is essential to increase the awareness of sustainability and take steps to protect the environment we live and work in.”

Actions taken to improve the resort’s sustainability performance have already resulted in substantial cost savings for the hotel. Energy saving measures implemented include a heat recovery system which uses excess heat from generators to warm the water supply on the island and the inclusion of LED lights around the resort. Furthermore, in 2012 the resort implemented the Eco Pure system which treats sea-water on-site to create a fresh drinking-water supply. The use of an in-house bottling plant also reduces the carbon-footprint by re-using glass bottles instead of shipping in bottled water which saves approximately 50,000 plastic bottles per year.

In line with the Green Globe values, Jumeirah Vittaveli places a high priority on community engagement, culturally connected projects and experiences for both guests and colleagues. Activities include monthly reef cleaning exercises and excursions to visit local islands to learn more about the Maldives, the culture and the local community. Once a week, a ‘Maldivian Night’ is hosted at Samsara restaurant offering guests locally inspired cuisine, a chance to watch traditional entertainment and buy locally crafted souvenirs.

Jumeirah Vittaveli will be participating in Earth Hour 2015 on Saturday 28 March from 8.30pm – 9.30pm. All non-essential lights will be turned off around the island and diners will be served a candle-lit, low miles menu in the restaurant Fenesse.

The Residence by Cenizaro to open its second hotel in the Maldives in Summer 2016

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The Residence by Cenizaro will strengthen its portfolio of hotels with the opening of The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah in summer 2016.  The announcement follows the opening of The Residence Maldives at Falhumaafushi in 2012 and a new brand positioning for Cenizaro Hotels & Resorts – the leading international hospitality company.

The opening will bring The Residence by Cenizaro to five hotels and resorts.  Its current portfolio comprises four luxurious hotels in Mauritius, Tunis, Zanzibar and the Maldives.  Further expansion is planned over the next three years with; two hotels in Tunisia – Douz and The Medina of Tunis and one in Bintan, Indonesia.

Both Maldivian properties lie in the south of the archipelago, in Gaafu Alifu atoll.  Although on different islands they will be exclusively linked by a bridge and together the two resorts will form one of the largest resort offerings in the Maldives.

Like all Residence hotels, The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah will draw on the philosophy for which The Residence is renowned – heartfelt hospitality, a sense of place, acute attention to detail and an individual personality.  However, close to three times larger than the more intimate offering of The Residence at Falhumaafushi, Dhigurah is being created specifically with families in mind.  A playground for younger guests, there will be plenty of space to explore and learn.  There will be 173 expansive beach and water villas which will enjoy plenty of natural light and the use of warming rich and natural tones of stone and wood will create a luxurious but welcoming atmosphere.

There will be a Spa by Clarins with individual thatched roofed spa pavilions and the pièce de résistance Li Bai, a stunning Cantonese restaurant and sister to the renowned Li Bai at Sheraton Towers in Singapore.

The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah’s location will also attract snorkellers and divers.  The atoll escaped the effects of the 1988 El Nino when the warming of the seas damaged much of the coral elsewhere in the archipelago so the hotel is surrounded by dramatic reefs, more than 250 species of coral and 1,200 species of marine life.  Spinner and bottlenose dolphins, green turtles, manta and eagle rays as well as the more unusual ribbon eels, leaf, frog and ghost pipe fish have all been spotted in the area.

The service as always, will be exemplary and the generous proportions and space of the reception areas and rooms greet guests with an overwhelming sense of grandeur and a feeling of warmth.

Gary Xie, Director for Cenizaro Hotels & Resorts said:   “With The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah we are creating a new offering for our guests.  The hotel will – as always – be an authentic expression of The Residence philosophy; with its own story to tell and a combination of both Maldivian and global influences that will give it a unique sense of place.  But, with The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah, we want to create a hotel that is both the perfect place to relax but is also the ideal spot for families to let loose and have fun.   He adds, “It is a really exciting time for The Residence by Cenizaro as we look to expand the portfolio and we are truly excited with this new opening.”

Chavana opens new spa at Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo

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Chavana Spa has opened a new spa facility at Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo in the Maldives. Chavana Spa is situated at level 2 of the resort’s recreation complex, located strategically at the centre of the island. The spa features a welcoming reception and retail area, three double rooms and one single room.

Chavana Spa’s range of signature body treatments, facials and packages are inspired by the freshness of a Balinese garden and the healing nature of our therapists’ touch. A selection of face and body treatments by Elemis, the luxury British spa and skincare brand, is anticipated to be introduced later this year.

“We are very excited for the opportunity to continue our collaboration with the Cinnamon Hotels in the Maldives, with this new spa opening”, said Jeff Mathews, President and Chief Operating Officer of Mandara Spa Asia Limited.

“We also look forward to enhancing the existing spa facilities in order to provide exceptional spa services to our guests”, he added.

Chavana Spa offers a streamlined treatment menu that welcomes all to experience the freshness and energy of Balinese spa spirit. The Chavana concept is aimed at four and five star hotels and resorts and is intended to allow guests to enjoy a quality spa experience at a reasonable price.

Maldives selected as one of the most stunning airport approaches in the World

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Landing at an airport gives passengers a unique and sometimes breath-taking view you’re unable to see from the ground.

Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in Malé, Maldives has been shortlisted in the hunt for the world’s most iconic and scenic plane landings. The airport is competing for top spot in a poll by PrivateFly.com, the leading private jet booking service, against some of the world’s most iconic airports, including Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town, Venice, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Hong Kong.

A a panel of travel industry judges – which include Forbes’ Matthew Stibbe, Tiffany Dowd of Luxe Social Media, and Travel Weekly Chairman Clive Jacobs – have chosen 37 airports which they think offer the most stunning views on approach in the world.

Travel writer Ana Silva O’Reilly, on her vote for Male, Maldives, wrote: ‘It takes a while to get there, but there are places that deserve the word paradise next to their names. On the approach, you will see many of the private hotel islands, and you won’t be able to miss the contrast with the semi-organised chaos of Male island.’

Last year the winner was Nice Cote D’Azur, which was praised by voters for its ‘sublime beauty’, ‘full range of colours at a glance’, and ‘amazing views of the French Riviera’.

Adam Twidell, CEO of poll organiser PrivateFly, experienced pilot and member of the judging panel said: ‘The PrivateFly Airport Approaches Poll is an annual checklist for air travel fans.

‘We asked travel industry experts to put together the shortlist and it includes iconic city views such as Las Vegas and London City; to tiny remote airstrips such as Saba – the world’s shortest commercial runway; or the awe-inspiring mountain scenery at Aspen or Jackson Hole.

‘But it’s now up to the travelling public to decide which airport offers the world’s very best runway view.’

Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa re-opens

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Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa has officially reopened its doors and is welcoming guests to the crescent-shaped Dhonakulhi Island in the north of the Maldives.

Following a $50million investment by Maldivian owning company, Dhonakulhi Investments Pvt Ltd, the whole island has undergone a redevelopment including an extensive renovation of the property; previously known as Island Hideaway. The resort offers guests their own private cocoon of space across the island’s expansive 297,000 square metres. Home to the first fully-functional marina in the Maldives, due to its unique reef system, Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa enjoys one of the most desirable locations in the Indian Ocean for exploring the surrounding aquamarine waters.

Featuring 103 superbly generous villas which are amongst the largest in the Maldives, guests can choose from eight different categories of accommodation, ranging from beachfront to garden and family residences, as well as the new addition of 50 over-water villas that sit over the sparkling blue lagoon. Ensuring complete relaxation for guests, a personalized butler service is provided to anticipate and attend to all wishes and requests.

The island resort offers a wealth of wellness and sporting experiences, as well as a kid’s club to keep the little ones amused. Spa aficionados will adore the Hideaway Spa; one of the largest spas in the Maldives. The heavenly sanctuary is complete with a selection of lagoon spa villas to laze and lull in and offers a wide range of customised treatments to overwhelm senses.

Adventurous guests and nature-lovers who wish to explore the hidden wonders of the ocean can sail out on a traditional Maldivian Dhoni or on a high-speed jet ski to one of the nearby inhabited islands. Additional water-sports activities, including kite boarding, kayaking and wind surfing, are also available for all to enjoy. Located within the grounds of the resort are two full-sized tennis courts for guests who wish to enjoy their favorite sport on sunny days.

Characterized by its intimate ambiance and remote location, the expansive island resort offers guests ‘a true hideaway’ to relax, rejuvenate and restore their well-being in complete privacy. Set against a beautiful backdrop of coconut groves, pristine white sands and turquoise waters, the island resort provides a tranquil retreat for those in search of an exotic getaway.

World-class hoverboarding shows at LUX* Maldives

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Being the first resort to introduce the exhilarating “flyboarding” to the Maldives, LUX* Maldives is now going one step further for the greatest pleasure by being the first resort in the Maldives to train and provide professional hoverboarding certification.

During the week LUX* Maldives will welcome some of the world’s best riders of the world including Callon Burns and Paul Buka the co-founder of Aquatic Aviation LLC, the exclusive distributor of Zapata-Racing, the notorious show launched by the creator of the flyboard.

Two world-class shows will be performed by the Top 16 world’s best riders on the 12^th and 13^th of March.

Maldives wins 2nd place in the DIVER magazine destination of the year award

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Maldives have achieved 2nd place in the DIVER magazine destination of the year Award. The 17th Annual award ceremony was held during the London International Dive Show on Saturday, 14 February.

The Awards recognize the diving industry’s top brands; it is organized by DIVER magazine – an institution on the global diving scene for over fifty years and the most widely-read scuba magazine in the UK. Winners were voted by the readers of Diver Magazine and visitors to their website. Maldives won this award by beating the last year’s runner-up Malta, the first place was won by Egypt.

A large number of British tourists visit Maldives for diving inspired by the underwater beauty of Maldives. In 2014, 88,704 tourist arrivals were recorded from UK; it was the third largest market to Maldives in 2014.

Underwater Festival returns to LUX* Maldives

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 LUX* Maldives has announced its fourth annual Underwater Festival, which will take place this year between 22 and 27 March. The event celebrates the beauty and diversity of the world that lies beneath the surface of the ocean and gives guests a wonderful opportunity to explore that world in a variety of different ways – for there’s a lot going on around LUX* Maldives in terms of marine conservation projects and the protection of the eco-systems in the archipelago.

Once again, the Resort’s guest of honour will be the World Champion Freediver, Christian Redl. He will be running freediving courses, conferences and chat sessions, and offering the adventurous the chance to try out freediving techniques. In his opinion, “Freediving is the ultimate way to free yourself and develop a peaceful understanding of the ocean. Whatever you are interested in, you will find something exciting.” Indeed, freedivers are able to explore the beauty and depths of the ocean in the most natural and serene way possible – without breathing apparatus.

Throughout the Festival, Euro-Divers, LUX* Maldives’ top-level PADI diving centre, will organise morning sessions to teach the basics of freediving and how to exploit your ability to hold your breath that little bit longer. These activities will then be followed by deep diving in the ocean to explore the underwater world free from any equipment. It’s a great way to observe such fascinating creatures as whale sharks and manta rays in their natural habitat.

Building to the excitement, the experience will go a step further in the evenings, with the participation of the Maldives Whale Shark Research Project team also taking part in the Festival, presenting the volunteer conservation work they do and the ID processing of whale sharks, in an evening screening under the magic of the night sky. Feet in the sand, it will be a fascinating way to learn more about the importance of protecting marine life in the South Ari Atoll.

“The Underwater Festival is a great opportunity to make our guests aware of the importance of marine conservation projects and to encourage their involvement in our various programmes and activities” says Shaun Dunhofen, General Manager, LUX* Maldives.

The Festival also includes special workshops, an Underwater Art competition, GoPro photography and filming tutorial, and film shows displaying in full glory the magic of life underwater, beneath the surface of the seas.

Coco Bodu Hithi reveals the trendsetting Coco Residences

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Welcoming the latest trends in experience-led travel, the luxury boutique hotel brand Coco Collection has introduced Coco Residences at Coco Bodu Hithi, re-launching in May 2015 with signature privileges. Perched on stilts over the crystalline lagoon, previously known as Escape Water Residences, the Coco Residences will redefine luxury through tailored experiences, courtesy of dedicated Lifestyle Hosts trained to blend lavish comforts with boundless surprises.

The spaciously comfortable Coco Residences feature high ceilings and large windows that provide stunning natural light, highlighting the exquisite interior with amenities such as a luxurious pillow menu to choose from and a private wine cellar to explore. At the alfresco terrace area, split-level with steps leading into the lagoon with abundant marine life among the house reef for snorkelling enthusiasts, guests can indulge in the luxurious comforts of their private infinity plunge pool.

These Residences will be launched with dedicated events to discover the Bodu Hithi life among the company of other Residence guests. Sophisticated and stylish, STARS Bar will offers daily high tea, Apéritifs, Canapés and weekly Sundowner Cocktails overlooking the infinite Indian Ocean, to revel in classical moments. Over at the award-winning Coco Spa perched over-water, dedicated daily yoga and fitness sessions will be designed to explore wellbeing as a way of life. The Coco Residences are located over the pristine lagoon for seclusion, but close by is the white sandy beach lining the eastern shores of the island, where Lifestyle Hosts can arrange a special corner for guests to bask in the warm sun.

While Coco Residence is the perfect haven for the discerning travellers looking for ultimate seclusion, it is also for those seeking timeless experiences to blend with their way of life. Rekindle the romance and indulge in romantic date nights with a Cruise for two under the light of the full moon. Refresh the senses in the soothing environment of Bodu Hithi, detoxify and meditate on calming platforms, whether on a pristine sandbank or a deck overlooking the sun bidding farewell. Reconnect with nature and explore the underwater gardens of Bodu Hithi with the Marine Biologist, ready to take you on an unforgettable journey of colors and discover the story of the Resident Sea Turtles.

“The Coco Residences will bring a new element to timeless experiences; with our devoted Lifestyle Hosts crafting tailor-made Coco Experiences for guests. Combine that with the surprising touches during their stay at these Residences and our guests will have moments to treasure for a lifetime.” comments Georgios Papazoglou, General Manager at Coco Bodu Hithi.

A sanctuary within Coco Bodu Hithi, the Coco Residences are en route to delivering the epitome of luxury, exclusively for the privileged few.