Maldives Travel Blog

Maldives is world’s number 04 dive spot

precious — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:39:48 +0000

4) Swimming Sublime in the Maldives
Fourth place in our fishy adventure delves into the sublime calm of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives. This idyllic setting of luminously crystal clear waters is home to ten different dive sites ranging from the flat reef experience of Kuda Haa Girifushi Thila to the deep exploits of Rasfari. Those seeking more thrill than calm can try a wall drift among the strong currents at Banana Reef. And once again, if your adventure warrants a mix of wet and dry activity, the

Maldives offer a wealth of spas, miles of white sandy beach, mouth-watering food, and lots of islands to explore. Bottom line, relaxation is the name of the game on this fantasy island.

Iru Fushi Beach & Spa Resort announce the first sleep spa concept in the Maldives

precious — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 16:44:29 +0000

Iru Fushi Beach & Spa Resort, which opens late summer 2008, recognises how important sleep is to its guests and is to launch the first Sleep Spa concept in the

Maldives. In collaboration with Sun Spa, the programme, entitled Sweet Dreams, has one main goal – to help adults and children relax and to catch up on that much needed sleep that many of them can only dream of doing whilst on holiday.A holiday is something to look forward to, however, the stresses of modern day life can often take their toll and the sheer effort of getting away from work, let alone packing a suitcase and coping with any airport dilemmas, can often be quite traumatic. So much so, that even whilst away in the most tranquil of surroundings, it can take some the entire holiday to begin to relax and catch up on their sleep.

For Adults, the Sweet Dreams programme includes:

Special afternoon and evening spa treatments to encourage a siesta or good night’s sleep
A yoga specialist who will offer private classes teaching special breathing techniques and stretching exercises designed to encourage relaxation
Special teas designed to aid sleep
Massages and baths with essential sleep-inducing oils
A sleep concierge who is on-call so if guests can’t sleep they can ring for encouragement
CD’s of poetry, music or a talking book which can be delivered to the room so Sweet Dreams guests can listen to their very own bedtime story
A Sleep-All-Night-Cap, a special cocktail created using ingredients to aid sleep

Parents can rest assured that the younger member’s won’t lose sleep on holiday either, as Sweet Dreams also extends to children and is currently offered on a complimentary basis. It includes:

A selection of children’s books that can be borrowed from the library for a bedtime story
Early evening dinner buffet, bedtime story groups and slumber parties, hosted in conjunction with the kid’s club
Audio-book or music-related CD’s for children to listen to as they fall asleep
Sleep inducing drinks such as warm milk or hot chocolate

There will also be a full programme of kid’s club activities which children can participate in. Some activities will be subject to a charge. Commenting on the new Sweet Dreams concept, Tina Dotzauer, PR & marketing manager for Iru Fushi’s Sun Spa says, “We have customised Iru Fushi’s spa pavilions to include low and mood lighting and have special beds designed to align the body in such a way to encourage relaxation and sleep after the massage treatments. It’s customary spa practice to leave a guest to relax for a few minutes after a treatment, but so many times we hear how they would prefer just to stay where they are and take a nap after their massages. Guests on the Sweet Dreams programme will be able to do just that, leaving the spa not just thoroughly relaxed but also refreshed and energised after enjoying a wholesome siesta.“In addition the yoga specialist will show guests how to fill in a sleep diary, which will be discussed each day and aims to give a useful insight into each individual’s sleep patterns and will ultimately help with techniques for sleeping more soundly.”

To aid a restful night’s sleep Iru Fushi will also offer a Pillow Menu with a choice of fillings ranging from natural carded cotton and down to blends of hollow, dry and siliconized fibers as well as rejuvenation pillows with buckwheat hull, millet hull and wool fillings. Guests will also be advised which pillow best suits their sleeping position, so whether a front, side or on-the-back sleeper, they can be assured of a comfortable pillow to lay their head onto.

Maldives named “World’s Most Romantic Destination”

precious — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:17:24 +0000

Maldives a longtime favorite destination for honeymooners around the world is named ‘World’s Most Romantic Destination’ at the 2007 World Travel Awards 14th Annual Gala Ceremony held on the islands of Turks & Caicos, Caribbean, on December 12, 2007.

First international flight in Addu

precious — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 15:26:44 +0000

It was ‘a dream come true’ for the people of Addu when the first international flight arrived in Gan airport early this afternoon. Seventy one tourists travelling from Milan to Addu’s newly opened resort island of Herathere received a heart-warming welcome from the locals at Gan International Airport. The landing of the Blue Panorama flight in Addu marked the inauguration of Gan airport as the country’s second international airport.

Report Haveeru Daily 23rd Dec 2007.

One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives named Number One Resort in the World

precious — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 14:22:00 +0000

MALDIVES–The Conde Nast Traveller UK Readers’ Travel Awards, the One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives was named number one resort in the world.

In addition, luxury resort was announced the winner in two other categories: Favourite Overseas Leisure Hotel, Middle East, Africa and the Indian Ocean; and Favourite Overseas Hotel Spa, Worldwide. The winners, in categories including hotels, destinations, tour operators, airlines and cruise lines, were chosen by readers of Condé Nast Traveller.

Desert Islands Designed for Two

precious — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 15:56:30 +0000

Forget the private infinity-edge pool, the tanning butler and the Ayurvedic spa. The latest luxury hotel amenity is far more exclusive: a desert island. The Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa, which has the world’s only all-glass undersea restaurant, offers its guests a private picnic lunch on Huruelhi, a 1,300-foot-long by 160-feet-wide island. Access to the island is $100 a person, and the lunch is additional.

At the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, guests can enjoy the 40-acre Renaissance Island, which is private and which has two beaches. For a fee ($4,000 to be exact), the island can be rented for exclusive use from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. After that, the surcharge is $400 an hour until 3 a.m. A water taxi will whisk guests to the island, where they will have a five-course dinner for two with Champagne and island ambience (tiki torches and twinkling lights). Flowers, music and fireworks can be arranged for an additional charge.

At Cambridge Beaches in Bermuda, couples can sign up for a private dinner between May 15 and Oct. 31 on the island of TT with a butler the only other person there. For $632.50, the couple is transported to the island on a boat and given a bottle of Perrier-Jouët Champagne. A cold seafood dinner awaits them, followed by a cruise on the waters of the property. Reservations are mandatory.

Maldives becoming popular tourism destination for Oceania, US travelers

precious — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:11:35 +0000

MALE, July 25, 2007 (Haveeru News Service) — Maldives is becoming a popular tourism destination among Oceania’s travelers, according to figures released by the tourism ministry.

According to statistics, tourist arrivals from Australia and New Zealand marked a 59.7 percent increase during the first half of this year in comparison to the year-ago period.

While 5,618 tourist arrivals were recorded in the first half of this year from Oceania countries, 4,983 arrivals were from Australia, itself one of the world’s most visited countries despite the tough anti-immigration laws and increasing anti-immigration sentiment among Australians since conservative Prime Minister John Howard came into office.

The latest figures released by the tourism ministry also showed that the highest increase in tourist arrivals so far this year were from the United States, a key supporter of the Maldives’ democratic reform process. While American tourists make up only two percent of total arrivals, in the first half of this year, there was an increase of 36.7 percent of American tourists compared to the year-ago period.

Asian tourists also made a strong contribution to Maldives’ tourism this year; arrivals surged 32.2 percent in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year. Asian travelers comprise 19.4 percent of total tourist arrivals to Maldives.

The tourism ministry’s figures showed that the next highest arrivals were recorded from the Middle East. Recently, there has been renewed interest in the Maldives among Middle Eastern travelers which resulted in a 26.8 percent increase in arrivals in the first half of the year compared to 2006 though Middle Eastern travelers still account for only 0.7 percent of Maldives’ tourist market.

Trans Maldivian Airways on the go for its ATR42 operation in July 2007.

precious — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 09:43:10 +0000

Trans Maldivian airways, is planning to start its first land base aircraft operation, ATR42 during next month. All the preparation is underway all the crews including flight crews have been recruited and ground staffs are also undergoing training for the new operation. TMA is planning to start its first schedule flight to GAN International Airport and then substantially start other destination in the region as well. Mean while TMA has bought another addition aircraft for this fleet. TMA is premier seaplane operator in the Maldives having 16 Twin Otter Aircrafts and Maldives has biggest seaplane operation in the world.

Naladhu, Maldives named ‘Hottest’ in Conde Nast Traveler ‘Hot List’

precious — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 16:54:59 +0000

Naladhu, Maldives, has been named one of the world’s hottest new resorts by Conde Nast Traveler in the 2007 “Hot List”. The list, featured in the May edition, comprises 138 hotels, and Naladhu, Maldives is the one of the “Hottest” new properties worldwide.

The Conde Nast Traveler Hot List recognizes hotels and resorts for design, service and ambiance, making it one of the most coveted designations. Each year, an anonymous group of writers evaluates new hotels and resorts around the world for the publication. Naladhu was chosen as one of only 138 properties whose offering surpass expectations. Of the chosen properties, each is awarded a “Hot”, “Hotter” or “Hottest” title, Naladhu, Maldives claimed the position as “Hottest” in the magazine’s listing.

In describing Naladhu, Conde Nast Traveler says “this intimate resort provides a level of privacy and personal attention impressive even in the Maldives”. In addition “Dedicated butlers, or VGCs (Very Good Chaps), exceed expectations with quiet, smiling service”.

The magazine concluded “Naladhu represents the Maldives’ most convenient exclusive destination yet”.

Located in the aquatic setting of the Maldives, one of the world’s most celebrated tropical havens, Naladhu Maldives offers a unique lifestyle to those who appreciate the sophistication and charm of times past.

Naladhu has captured the elegant aesthetics of a slightly colonial era, with hints of Sri Lankan regality in its design. However, the resort also proffers every modern convenience imaginable to the luxury traveller. Naladhu means “pretty little island”, and each of the exclusive 19 Houses - each named after a Maldivian plant - has been designed to make every guest’s wish become reality.

With a commitment to perfecting every detail, Naladhu fuses modern facilities with a sense of the nostalgia. White-washed timber wall panels juxtapose the zesty Indian motifs and colours of the house upholstery. Antique furnishings, such as an early 20th century writer’s desk and the decorous bar cabinet conjure up images of a romantic, bygone age.

Naladhu provides the canvass and colour palette to those who wish to make their holiday picture perfect.

Maldives’ surfers paddle out in tribute to missing Japanese surfer

precious — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 16:37:02 +0000

MALE, June 17, 2007 (Haveeru News Service) — Maldives surfers on Friday paddled out in tribute to a Japanese surfer who went missing during the strong winds of last Tuesday.

The event was held off Male’s east coast where a group of surfers paddled out and sat on their boards in a circle, joining their hands and observing a minute of silence in true Hawaiian (where surfing is said to have originated) tradition to 25-year-old Yuta Suzuki who went missing while surfing off Thulusdhoo island in North Male atoll.

The paddle out was the first of its kind in Maldives because there has been no cases in Maldives’ recorded history of a missing surfer, local or foreign.

The Maldives National Defense Force last week appealed to anyone who might have any information on the missing persons to contact the numbers (960) 3338898 and (960) 3325981, extension number 191