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Fantasy Islands Your guide to the finest resorts, from private hideaways to family favourites The Maldives

Maldives Supplement 2009

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Travel guide to the Maldives

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Page 1: Maldives Supplement 2009

Fantasy Islands

Your guide to the finest resorts, from private hideaways

to family favourites

The Maldives

Page 2: Maldives Supplement 2009
Page 3: Maldives Supplement 2009
Page 4: Maldives Supplement 2009

Sou t h - Ea s t A r i Ato l l , T he Ma ld i v e s

t e l : 0 0960 668 0 0 13 | fax : 0 0960 668 06 46

e -ma i l : i n fo@ l i l y b ea chma ld i v e s . com

...Value Redefined!The Fir s t Premium All-Inclusive Resor t in The Maldives!

w w w . l i l y b e a c h m a l d i v e s . c o m

Untitled-1 2 11/1/2009 10:20:44 AM

Page 5: Maldives Supplement 2009

Sou t h - Ea s t A r i Ato l l , T he Ma ld i v e s

t e l : 0 0960 668 0 0 13 | fax : 0 0960 668 06 46

e -ma i l : i n fo@ l i l y b ea chma ld i v e s . com

...Value Redefined!The Fir s t Premium All-Inclusive Resor t in The Maldives!

w w w . l i l y b e a c h m a l d i v e s . c o m

Untitled-1 3 11/1/2009 10:20:57 AM

Page 6: Maldives Supplement 2009

the 30 second history class

IT’S A FACT… that the aquamarine halo around each island is this colour because it’s such

shallow water. Around each island is a fringing reef, which protects the island from rough

seas and creates a calm lagoon at its centre. The aquamarine is the water within this reef.

hello Assalaamu Alaikum

yes Aan

no Noon

What is your name? Kon nameh kiyanee?

how are you? Kihineh?

Good Rangalhu

thank you Shukuriyaa

Though it’s not officially recorded when the Maldives was

first settled, it’s widely accepted to have been inhabited

for at least 2,500 years, with the first people arriving from

eastern Africa, Arabia and the Indian subcontinent. In

fact, Arabia’s own Ibn Battuta’s arrival to these turquoise

shores is marked on the country’s official emblem, where

the words Ad-Dawlat Al-Mahaldheebiyya are inscribed.

This is the name Battuta gave to the islands. But for a very

brief period of Portuguese occupation, the Maldives has

been at peace throughout its existence and this is imbued

in the spirit of its warm, friendly people. They speak a

language called Dhivehi, which is unique to the Maldives

and the only official language spoken, although you’ll find

that the local staff at your resort are also nearly always

fluent in English. If you want to try out a bit of Dhivehi

during your stay, here’s a few key phrases to use...

...it’s closer than you think. In fact, the

proximity of the Maldives to the GCC -

it can be reached in as short a time as

four hours depending on where in the

GCC you live - makes it a viable option

for a weekend escape. Not that you’ll

want to leave after just a few days in

this most breathtakingly beautiful of

countries, especially if you stay at one

of the twenty superb resorts we’ve

brought together in this guide.

And if you fear you’ll be bored or grow

claustrophobic the longer you spend

on a desert island, think again. These

resorts offer myriad on and off-shore

activities and experiences to suit all

tastes and desires, so all you need do

is choose the resort for you...

Welcome to Paradise...

Page 7: Maldives Supplement 2009

1The maximum number

of resorts per single island, meaning that

wherever you stay you’ll have the run of a private

slice of paradise.

7.5The number of feet

above sea level of the natural ground level

of the Maldives, which officially makes it the lowest country in the

world.

25The number of

protected reefs in the Maldives, which makes for superb diving. A fact that led to the country

achieving a world record for the number of simultaneous scuba

dives.

30 The Celsius average

year-round temperature in the Maldives. It never

drops below 23C.

1192 The number of coral islands that make up the Maldives, 200 of

which are inhabited by its population of three

hundred thousand people.

enjoy a romantic dinner

Nowhere else in

the world lays on

opportunities for

romantic dinners quite

like the Maldives.

Here you can dine on a

deserted island, adrift

on the ocean aboard a

luxury yacht and even

beneath the sea.

take a sunset cruise

The vast majority of

resorts will offer you

the chance to hop

aboard a twilight cruise

and you’d be wise to

take them up on it.

You’ll drink in the most

incredible sunsets

while dolphins leap at

your side.

sWim With the fishes

So crystal clear is the

water in the Maldives

and so teeming with

fish are its reefs, that

even by snorkeling

on the surface you’ll

see the most amazing

sights. You’ll be

particularly enamoured

by the turtles.

Number crunching

Maldives Must-DosWherever you choose to stay in the Maldives, there are certain things you simply have to experience…

it’s a fact…that within 10 years the Maldives hopes to have achieved

its aim of being the world’s first carbon neutral country. It will do so

by using only renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, as

it looks to lead from the front in the fight against climate change.

All aboardThe Maldives is famous for its wonderful waters and magnificent dive

spots abound. To explore them, you can holiday aboard one of various

vessels that sail around the Maldives on a daily basis, stopping off at reefs

and virgin islands along the way so you can dive, fish or simply soak up the

sun from the deck. The vessels range from the most glamorous of super-

sized yachts to the more traditional fishing boats, so there’s one to suit

every budget with the standard of accommodation varying accordingly. Our

advice? Splash out for a stay aboard a yacht and experience

the Maldives in the most uniquely brilliant of ways. Visit

www.visitmaldives.com for more information.

Page 8: Maldives Supplement 2009

Diva Maldives

A splendid resort – among the biggest in the country –

that’s surrounded by a beautiful fish-filled lagoon and

blessed with some suitably fine restaurants.

If you want the resort’s best room… you could splash out

on a Presidential Water Villa, but the far-from-simple

Water Villa is no less beautiful. We’re particularly fond

of the so-called picture windows in the bedroom and

bathroom, which light up the fish-filled lagoon below.

If you have kids in tow… then they can spend their days in

the kids’ club and enjoy a huge range of activities.

There’s also a club dedicated to teens that’s chockfull of

games consoles.

If you’re looking for a little romance… head to a water spa

villa for a couple’s treatment. The floor’s fashioned from

glass so you can watch the fish float by while you relax.

Diva Maldives

The Rania Experience

The spa’s floor is fashioned from glass so

you can watch the fish float by

Page 9: Maldives Supplement 2009

Kandooma

A large, modern-style resort – think white-

washed timber – that offers much in the

way of activities and amusements for all the

family. Just don’t forget to visit the rather

excellent spa.

If you want the resort’s best room… stay

in a Water Villa where at high tide you can

kick back in a hammock that’s partially

submerged in the azure waters.

If you have kids in tow… they’ll be far from

bored thanks to a kids’ club which lays on

activities like cooking, role play and marine

biology lessons.

If you’re looking for a little romance… head

to the rooftop terrace after dark for a drink

beneath the stars before heading to the

beach to curl up in front of a black and white

movie classic - these are screened nightly.

How’s this for a great escape? Your own private island, which comes with an outsized yacht for you to use at your leisure

The Rania Experience

This is a private island in every sense,

which you can rent in its entirety for an

utterly unique and reassuringly expensive

experience.

If you want the resort’s best room… you’ve

got it. The island has one exceptional

dwelling, the Rania Suite. Although if you

fancy a change of scenery you could always

move between the three Beach Villas on the

east wing of the island.

If you have kids in tow… they’ll have the

run of their own desert island. How many

brownie points will that get you?

If you’re looking for a little

romance… take out the island’s

86ft yacht for a cruise. It’s yours

with a full crew for three hours of

every day of your stay. We advise

setting off just before sunrise

with a breakfast hamper created

by your team of personal chefs.

Kandooma

The Rania Experience

Page 10: Maldives Supplement 2009

The first resort anywhere in the world to offer

accommodation completely detached from land –

villas stand in the ocean, a 1km boat ride from the

island – Angsana Velavaru is a stunningly attractive

resort surrounded by superb dive spots.

If you want the resort’s best room…you’ll have to

decide whether you prefer powder-soft sand or

warm waters beneath your feet. On the island

you’ll have a choice of five villa types, while

unconnected and literally atop the sea you’ll find the

strikingly unique InOcean villas. We suggest

you plump for the latter and hole yourself up in

one of the two-storey premier InOcean villas.

They’re utterly stunning.

If you have kids in tow… then regardless of whether

you’re staying on the island or in the ocean, your

children can access a kids’ club where they can enjoy

marine-themed educational activities and myriad

other entertainments.

If you’re looking for a little romance… then it has to

be the couple’s treatment offered at the spa, simply

because you can have it al fresco and close enough to

the sea to hear the waves lapping at the shore as you

drift off to sleep. Marvellous.

Angsana Velavaru

The first resort anywhere in the

world to offer accommodation

completely detached from land

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Four Seasons Maldives at Kuda Huraa

A fantastic, family-friendly resort that’s also hot for

honeymooners. Its terrific spa is housed on its own island.

If you want the resort’s best room… we suggest you

ignore the pull of the on-stilt villas and opt instead for one

of the wonderful Sunset Beach Bungalows with a pool.

You still have direct access to the sea via your own stretch

of white sand, but you also get the added bonus of an

infinity plunge pool and a shaded garden area to relax in.

If you have kids in tow… then you needn’t worry about

them being bored. There’s a great kids’ club and a centre

for teens, while you’ll even find child-sized bathrobes and

kids’ only toiletries in your room.

If you’re looking for a little romance… then spend the last

three nights of your trip aboard the luxury Four Seasons

Explorer, so you can island hop, explore stunning reefs

and drink in the most magical sunsets.

Constance Halaveli

One of the Maldives’ newest resorts is also one of

its most attractive, with lush greenery as much of a

feature as sparkling waters.

If you want the resort’s best room… go for the

double-storey villa, which is large enough to house

an entire family and decked out from top to bottom

in the finest furnishings. It also boasts a plunge pool

housed in a beautiful garden.

If you have kids in tow… you can send them to the

kids’ club, which runs until 10pm and entertains

children with activities galore from as young as four

years of age.

If you’re looking for a little romance… kick off your

sandals and dine beneath a blanket of stars at the

resort’s fantastic beach restaurant. Go for the grilled

lobster plucked fresh form the sea.

Four Seasons Maldives At Kuda Huraa

Constance Halaveli

Reef Club Restaurant

Page 13: Maldives Supplement 2009

Soneva Gili

The Maldives’ first all on-stilt accommodation resort remains one of its finest. It’s small,

intimate and operates a ‘no shoes’ policy to aid that desert island vibe.

If you want the resort’s best room… we suggest you opt for one of seven Crusoe

Residences, which feature a marvellous floating sundeck so can you can dangle your

feet in the ocean while working on your tan. You’ll reach it via your own rowboat.

If you have kids in tow… you’ll soon discover that this is a resort aimed at those in

search of peace, quiet and privacy. As such, there are no child-focused amenities to

speak of. Though for older kids the list of on-and-off site sports is impressive.

If you’re looking for a little romance… then you’re in the right resort. We recommend

you take a gourmet hamper – made up by a team of super chefs – over to a secluded

island for an intimate, ocean-side picnic.

The Maldives is famed for its over-water rooms and the superb Constance Halaveli has some of the country’s finest

Soneva Gili

Page 14: Maldives Supplement 2009

A magnet for the rich and famous when it first opened in

2005, the resort remains the destination of choice for the

style set.

If you want the resort’s best room…you’ll be booking into a

Grand Villa with pool, which means that not only is the ocean

at your doorstep but an exceptional infinity pool, too.

If you have kids in tow…then whatever their age they’ll

find plenty to occupy their time. The kids’ club runs from

9am-9pm, takes children from upwards of four years of

age and offers fun, educational activities like cooking and

dancing. But there’s also a club for teenagers which lays on

a plethora of activities, including off-island excursions.

If you’re looking for a little romance… then you don’t even

have to leave your villa. Just have your butler draw you a

rose-petal strewn bath while your private chef rustles up a

candlelit, ocean-side dinner for two.

One&Only Reethi Rah

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Page 16: Maldives Supplement 2009

An absolute paradise for kids and grown ups alike

thanks in part to a profusion of leisure activities, this

is the archetypical desert island topped off with five

star finery.

If you want the resort’s best room…then book a Grand

Water Villa. Set on stilts, it stands in a fish-filled

lagoon and has a fantastic deck where you can shower

al-fresco or simply step down into the turquoise water.

Magnificent.

If you have kids in tow…then there’s a club where

they’ll be entertained from as early as 9am and until

as late as 10pm. Here they’ll enjoy organised games

and exploration of the island’s natural charms.

What’s more, you’ll find that to a man the staff at

Kanuhura are outstanding with children.

If you’re looking for a little romance…skip dinner at

the main restaurants in favour of the most romantic

of meals on the resort’s adjacent private island,

Jehunuhura, which can be booked for just the two of

you. Bliss.

Kanuhura

An absolute paradise for kids and grown ups alike...this is the archetypical desert island...

The Kids’ Club

Page 17: Maldives Supplement 2009

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A luxury hideaway.

Untitled-1 1 11/1/2009 9:19:30 AM

Page 18: Maldives Supplement 2009

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Page 19: Maldives Supplement 2009

It’s all about affordable luxury at five-star Lily Beach

with guests paying a flat fee for an all-inclusive platinum

package, which not only covers all meals and drinks but

excursions and sunset fishing to boot.

If you want the resort’s best room…you’ll book a Sunset

Water Suite, where you’ll enjoy uncompromising views of the

ocean, a magnificent Jacuzzi pool and the round-the-clock

services of a butler.

If you have kids in tow…they can spend fun-filled days in the

kids’ club, where they can play, paint, draw, watch cartoons

and take part in organised activities like treasure hunts.

If you’re looking for a little romance…book a treatment

for two at sunset in the marvellous over-water spa, before

taking a moonlit stroll back to your villa.

Lily Beach Resort & SpaTamara Spa

Page 20: Maldives Supplement 2009

W Retreat & Spa Maldives

A strikingly elegant, ultra-glam resort

that employs a whatever/whenever policy,

granting its guests impeccable levels of

service and just the right amount of the

attention to boot.

If you want the resort’s best room… book

an Ocean Haven Suite and soak up the

incredible style. We’re talking a two-

bedroom, thatched-roofed, over-water suite

that has glass flooring so you can see the

marine life swim by beneath your feet, and

a wraparound terrace with steps that lead

directly into the water. And did we mention

the Jacuzzi seats in the private infinity pool?

If you have kids in tow… they can indulge in

all manner of watersports if old enough to

do so, but this is a resort for grown-ups only.

As such, it does not accept children under

the age of thirteen.

If you’re looking for a little romance… take

to the water in a transparent kayak and

share in the stunning sights afforded by a

similarly transparent ocean.

Island Hideaway at Dhonakulhi, Maldives Spa Resort & Marina

Home to the Maldives’ first ever marina, this

resort’s luxurious lodgings take up only five per

cent of this gorgeous island, leaving you to roam

amid untouched natural beauty.

If you want the resort’s best room…then you’re

spoilt for choice with six types of super-stylish

villas. But if you twisted our arm we’d suggest

you opt for one of only two Hideaway Water

Suites. They stand atop stilts in a crystal-

clear lagoon and boast their own ocean-view

treatment room, steam room, sauna and, best of

all, an al-fresco bathtub so you can enjoy a soak

beneath the stars.

If you have kids in tow…they’ll be delighted

if they’re of an age to enjoy the on-land

(tennis, football, volleyball) or water-based

(wakeboarding, windsurfing, canoeing) activities

but if they’re not there’s also a kids’ club, where

there are numerous daily activities offered, a

playground and bicycles to ride.

If you’re looking for a little romance...charter

the resort’s aircraft for a private flight over the

atolls that make up the Maldives: truly one of

the most magical sights on earth.

W Retreat & Spa

Island Hideaway at Dhonakulhi

Page 21: Maldives Supplement 2009

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Spanning two islands and boasting two spas and

seven top-notch restaurants, this is a multi-award

winning resort that caters for all tastes and ages.

If you want the resort’s best room… you’ll need

to book a thatched-roof water villa. You’ll love its

glass floor which shows off the strikingly-coloured

marine life below.

If you have kids in tow… they’re in for a fun-filled time at the brilliant kids’ club. On top of

offering a whole host of activities, the club also features a bizarrely brilliant ice cream-themed

spa for 4-12 year olds.

If you’re looking for a little romance… simply book a table at the resort’s underwater restaurant,

Ithaa. It’s a world first and the views are just incredible.

Book a table at the resort’s

underwater restaurant. It’s a world first and

the views are incredible

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Page 22: Maldives Supplement 2009

Kurumba Maldives

This is the Maldives’ original island resort. It opened in

1972 and was rebuilt to a fantastic standard in

2004, fusing modern splendour with traditional

Maldivian architecture.

If you want the resort’s best room… and a butler

on hand to service your every whim, go for a

sumptuous Presidential Suite. It spans two

floors, has a marvellous flower-filled courtyard

and an outsized private pool.

If you have kids in tow… there’s a designated

children’s play area, junior-sized snorkel

equipment and kids’ menus in each of the

resort’s seven restaurants.

If you’re looking for a little romance… take a

boat to the resort’s deserted island where your

candlelit dinner for two will be accompanied by

the sound of a band playing just for you.

Huavfen FushiA super-chic romantic hideaway characterised by the world’s first underwater spa, which brings a

whole new meaning to the term ‘sleep with the fishes’.

If you want the resort’s best room… check on the availability of CUBE, a two-floor entirely private

residence that stands in a secluded oceanfront garden. Here you’ll find outdoor spa beds, a yoga

pavilion and a daybed-lined pool. The master bedroom also connects to a fully-equipped gym.

If you have kids in tow… you may have to put up with prolonged cries of boredom, for this resort is

more a honeymooners’ paradise than a children’s playground. Though there’s the usual endless list

of watersports for teenagers to enjoy.

If you’re looking for a little romance… then it’s all about choosing your dinner table. Do you fancy the

privacy of a candle-strewn cellar, or the space of a rock island complete with a private table for two?

You’ll find that the Taj Exotica offers someincredible settings for a romantic meal

Huavfen Fushi

Kurumba Maldives

Page 23: Maldives Supplement 2009

Taj Exotica Resort

& Spa Maldives

It’s all about winding down at this romantic hideaway,

where the magnificent, spacious spa is among the

country’s finest.

If you want the resort’s best room…then you had

better hope the magnificent Presidential Suite

isn’t already in use. It’s built over water, has two

bedrooms, a balcony that looks out across an endless

ocean – not to mention a glassed bathroom that does

the same – and a suspended deck providing a private

stretch of sand.

If you have kids in tow…then providing they’re old

enough they can enjoy a wealth of water-based

activities, including banana boating, as well as

football, volleyball and snooker.

If you’re looking for a little romance…take a private

cruise just before sundown and have your driver kill

the engine so you can watch the sun slip into the

ocean in absolute silence.

Huavfen Fushi

Taj Eotica Resort & Spa

Page 24: Maldives Supplement 2009

Coco Beach Bodu Hithi Resort

One for the honeymooners, this. An intimate

little hideaway defined by its great-sized villas.

If you want the resort’s best room… you’ll

be after an Escape Water Residence. You’ll

find them housed on their own island a short

distance from the main resort, offering total

privacy and abundant luxury.

If you have kids in tow… then aside from

swimming there’s little in the way of

entertainment for tiny tots, but older kids can

enjoy indoor and outdoor sports.

If you’re looking for a little romance… you’ll

be surrounded by perhaps the best beaches

in the Maldives. Perfect for a saunter beneath

the stars.

Coco Beach Bodu Hithi Resort

Anantara Dhigu

Page 25: Maldives Supplement 2009

Anantara Dhigu

Two islands make up this resort, one dotted with beautiful villas

and the other offering activities galore. There’s even a cooking

school where you can sharpen your culinary skills by whipping

up a Maldivian feast.

If you want the resort’s best room… you’ll be wanting the keys

to an over-water Pool Suite. Not only is the pool infinity-edged

but the bathtub is, too.

If you have kids in tow… then a team of staff will happily

entertain them in the kids’ club – they lay on a glut of great

activities – while you enjoy the resort’s other recreational

offerings. We recommend the super-fun underwater rocket,

which propels you dolphin-like through the water.

If you’re looking for a little romance… take a sunset cruise for

two aboard the traditional Maldivian sailing vessel, the dhoni.

It’s guaranteed to tug the heartstrings.

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru

This petite eco-resort – just 48 villas in

all – is the epitome of barefoot luxury.

And it’s perfect for those seeking

peace and quiet amid quite stunning

surroundings.

If you want the resort’s best room…

check yourself into a Deluxe

Beachfront Villa. Its huge glass doors

open onto blindingly-white sand which

lies mere feet from a beautiful lagoon.

If you have kids in tow… you’ll find

that this is a resort squarely aimed at

adults. As such, it offers nothing in the

way of child-related services.

If you’re looking for a little romance…

take a speedboat out to a small

sandbank that’s slap bang in the

ocean. Here, staff will lay on a private

gourmet treat for two once the sky

above has filled with stars.

If you’re looking for a resort where the list of activities reads as long as your arm, this is it

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru

Page 26: Maldives Supplement 2009

VelassaruA small but immaculately formed resort geared

towards honeymooners. It lies a hair-sweeping

speedboat ride from Male.

If you want the resort’s best room… opt for a super

chic, teak-floored water bungalow, which stands

with the ocean just a single step below and offers

panoramic vistas to boot.

If you have kids in tow… you’ll have your hands full

trying to keep them amused. This idyllic retreat is

where couples come to get away from it all.

If you’re looking for a little romance… there’s a full

programme of quixotic experiences guaranteed to

melt your heart. This includes an evening which

begins with a bonfire-side dinner on the beach and

ends with a moonlit cruise.

A Water Bungalow

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The Spa of course is fabulous but sometimes nothing beats retail therapy Live the moment.

One&Only Reethi Rah is part of a portfolio of distinctive and memorable resorts in The Bahamas, Cape Town, Dubai, Maldives, Mauritius and Mexico. Call +960 664 8800, email [email protected] or visit oneandonlyresorts.com.

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