In the late afternoon sun, fifty baby turtles, barely the size of a seashell, scurried across Dusit Thani Maldives’ white sandy beach and made their way to the turquoise Indian Ocean.
Guests lined the beach, watching the tiny creatures scramble to the water. Leading the crowd in and cheering them on was Rebecca Bull, resident Marine Biodiversity Educator who closely monitored the Green Sea Turtle eggs since their nest discovery was made. While turtles tend to return to the very same beach that they themselves were hatched, it is hoped that the emerging hatchlings will imprint on Mudhdhoo Island and return in their in their maturity to lay their own eggs.
Dusit Thani Maldives
This year, these vulnerable sea turtles set a nesting record with only four weeks into nesting season. With a total of five nests on the island, this would set a record number of nests recorded on the resort. Two of the nests have already produced the first hatchlings of the year; over 100 juvenile Green Sea Turtles, whilst the resort is expecting approximately 200 hatchlings from the other three nests. Green Sea Turtles are listed as an endangered species globally, and listed in the Mediterranean as critically endangered. Therefore this rare and special sighting will make any guest’s vacation a memorable one.
This all came about when Sea Turtle tracks were discovered one bright morning making their way up the beach. The resort appointed employees to create “Turtle Camps” and guarded over the nest during incubation. Guests of all ages who were staying at the luxury resort during this time were invited to participate in the amazing phenomenon by witnessing the release of the newly-born turtles into the ocean.
Dusit Thani Maldives is fully committed to the care and protection of Sea Turtles in Maldives. The resort raises awareness, shares information to hotel guests and takes part in Turtle Conservation by helping to protect endangered sea turtle eggs and rehabilitating injured turtles back to full health for release.
Marble is located in Male’ City, the capital Island of the Maldives, the sunny side of life. We are just 10 minutes ferry ride from Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, perfect for business or transit travelers.
At convenient peaceful location, our Facilities and services include Rani Maalam Conference hall, Dining functions, Ladies Gym, Marble Café Restaurant & Sunset lounge Club house. In-house guest laundry service regularly takes one day and ironing boards are available on request. Hotel cab service up to the airport ferry jetty is available on request and WIFI internet is available hotel wide. Reception is open round the clock with concierge, call operator, cashiering and business services.
Marble Café caters for local weddings & party functions. We serve Ala carte menu, offering international cuisine, a wide variety of beverages and occasional live music.
Sunset Lounge is an exclusive clubhouse on the terrace floor ideal for sun bathing, viewing sunset & photography. The clubhouse facilitates an outdoor Jacuzzi, sauna and fun games like billiards, darts, board games, reading corner, TV lounge.
Our exciting outings include diving safari trips, snorkeling, fishing, sea sports, Male’ city tour, local island visits, tourist resort visits and visit to a Bar.
Singapore company completes purchase of Zitahli Kuda-Funafaru and plans for relaunch
Property and hospitality group Roxy-Pacific Holdings has revealed plans for its newly acquired Maldives resort, Zitahli Kuda-Funafaru. The company yesterday finalised the purchase of the Noonu Atoll property from AAA Group, a deal for which JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group was the exclusive advisor.
Roxy Pacific Managing Director Mr. Chris Teo confirmed that the resort will undergo extensive renovation of guest villas, public spaces and food & beverage (F&B) outlets before opening in the first quarter of 2017. Upon completion it will be the second property to be marketed under Roxy’s premium Noku brand. The first opened in Kyoto, Japan in November 2015.
“We are extremely excited to have completed the acquisition of this stunning property, our first in the Maldives. We look forward to turning it into an exceptional resort that will appeal to upmarket travelers looking for unique experiences in one of the most desirable destinations in the world,” says Mr. Teo. “This acquisition fits with our broader strategy of acquiring boutique properties in Asia Pacific’s up-and-coming locations.”
“As a Maldivian owned and independently managed resort, we are delighted to have found a buyer who would be committed to continuing to deliver the high standards of service and hospitality our team has strived for.” says Mr. Ahmed Hamza, Deputy Managing Director of AAA Group. “We welcome them to the Maldives and congratulate them on acquiring Zitahli Kuda-Funafaru.”
“This is a great outcome for both Roxy Pacific and the seller, AAA Group,” says Mr. Nihat Ercan, Executive Vice President, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group, Asia. “The Maldives is a global gateway resort destination. Coupled with its robust trading environment and investor-friendly policies, the country is a highly attractive destination for investors from Asia Pacific, Middle East and beyond. The sale of Zitahli Kuda-Funafaru is the eighth resort transaction exclusively marketed and sold by JLL and underpins the depth of investment activity in the market.
“On the back of this momentum, we are continuing to market resorts in the Maldives and Indian Ocean exclusively on behalf of owners,” adds Mr. Ercan.
Aerial, Zitahli Kuda-Funafaru
Zitahli Kuda-Funafaru Resort and Spa currently comprises 50 villas (30 over-water villas and 20 beach villas), four F&B outlets, a full-service spa, an ocean-front fresh water infinity pool, a state-of-the-art diving centre, a fitness centre with full-sized tennis court, and a luxury boutique.
There were a record 1.23 million tourist arrivals in the Maldives in 2015 and in the first quarter of 2016, there has been a 4.3 percent increase in visitors compared to the same period last year.
Visitors from China make up 29 percent of arrivals, making it the top tourism source market for the Maldives. The Indian Ocean archipelago continues to welcome a large number of visitors from Europe and between 2010 and 2015 the number of visitors from the Middle East more than tripled.
JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group
JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group has completed more transactions than any other hotels and hospitality real estate advisor over the last five years, totalling more than $68 billion worldwide.
Between negotiating the world’s most extraordinary, enticing, and profitable property deals, the group’s 350-strong global team also closed more than 4,400 advisory, valuation and asset management assignments.
Investors worldwide turn to JLL to shape their strategies, tailor their portfolios and maximize the value of their assets. We are recognized as the global leader in real estate services across hospitality properties of all shapes and sizes. Our expert advice is backed by industry-leading research.
We apply our broad spectrum of hotel valuation, brokerage, asset management and consultancy services through every phase of the hotel lifecycle. We have helped more hotel investors, owners and operators achieve high returns on their assets than any other real estate advisor in the world.
Whether you are looking for a hotel or you’re ready to sell, we’ll use our capital markets expertise, hospitality industry knowledge and global relationships to put the right parties together and execute a bespoke deal that exceeds your objectives.
The team at Kurumba Maldives is delighted to announce the reopening of the Euro-Divers dive centre on 12th May. This was completed as part of the resort’s continual improvement philosophy; to provide the best value in any 5-star resort within the Maldives. As the Maldives is listed as one of the top locations for diving in the world, Kurumba Maldives wishes to encourage more guests to experience this wonderful activity, in this very unique environment.
The aesthetic of the Dive Centre has been designed to provide a welcoming and open entrance which will be much easier for guests to find. Flowing spaces make up the tank room, storage and drying rooms as well as allowing for an inspiring dive school classroom; while in addition, the showers and bathrooms have been updated. The centre is also fully equipped with state-of-the-art gear and nitrox free of charge for license holders, and offers vast storage for in-house guest equipment.
Euro-Divers dive centre, Kurumba Maldives
The remodelling is complete with high ceilings under a traditional thatched roof, constructed from distinctive materials such as lava stone, ceramic and pebble-textured tile, with natural woods under silver, white, and turquoise furnishings. The Dive Centre now faces the sunset and ocean, and the open-plan style, brings an airy and relaxed atmosphere to the space.
Although conveniently located within 10 minutes of Malé airport, Kurumba also offers the chance for guests to explore over 30 different dive sites, the most famous sites being Banana Reef, HP, Nassimo, Okobe and top manta spot, Sunlight Thila. Most of these amazing dive sites are found within a 5-30 minute boat trip from the resort, including 2 manta points, and some of the most exciting drift dives in the Maldives.
Euro-Divers dive centre, Kurumba Maldives
Euro-Divers offers a selection of internationally recognized PADI dive courses ranging from the Bubblemaker for children, through to Assistant Instructor qualifications with many specialties in between.
Kurumba Maldives Dive School, operated by Euro-Divers is open 7 days a week, with 3 scheduled dives per day on offer, as well as night dives and fluo night dives on request. There are customized schedules for all ages from 8 to 80, and free trial dives 3 days per week for those keen to explore the underwater world.
Blessed with a year round water temperature between 28 to 30 degrees Celsius, with water visibility up to 40 meters, the Maldives is the perfect destination for recreational divers. Kurumba hopes that the newly upgraded dive centre will encourage more guests to start their dive journey or continue to explore the beautiful underwater world.
Euro-Divers dive centre, Kurumba Maldives
As the famous Jacques Cousteau once said: “When man sinks beneath the surface, he is free.” Kurumba Maldives invites their guests to discover the beautiful freedom of the marine world and experience life in full colour.
For more information and a special celebratory offer, please check:
The Maldives attracts travellers from around the world with a visual spectacle unlike anywhere else on the globe. Above the waterline and beneath the waves, unbelievable worlds await exploration. Anantara opens the door to new encounters with a pioneering aquatic experience in a nation where the total area is 99.99% water. Available to guests at Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort, Anantara Veli Maldives Resort and Naladhu Maldives, Aquafanatics is the first PADI-certified free diving centre in the island nation.
A multitude of watersports from scuba diving to surfing and deep-sea fishing to sailing connect guests from all three resorts to the glistening lure of the Indian Ocean. Launching a country first, the free diving centre offers another dimension to ocean-based adventures on the islands.
The less explored activity of free diving strips many restraints attached with traditional scuba diving. A truly liberating activity, it relies on the diver to hold their breath, leaving them free to move unhindered through the translucent Maldivian waters.
Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort
With no oxygen tank bubbles to distort vision, the vivid colouration of coral life glows brighter than ever. Devoid of heavy equipment, guests move at will alongside inquisitive fish, developing a sense of belonging. With every dive guests acquire the ability to stay below a little longer, discovering more on each descent.
Free diving is entwined with the cultural heritage of the islands in the Indian Ocean. Since ancient times locals have harvested sponges and clasped gleaming pearls from beneath the waves. Anantara’s professional freediving instructor, Mari Kagaya, reveals a peaceful, intrinsic underwater encounter. “The Maldives provide the pinnacle in free diving adventure,” she explains. “Escaping the trappings of scuba gear, our encounters with sea life are graceful, natural and deeply personal. Guests discover their own hidden depths, not only of their body, but also the mind.”
Naladhu Maldives
Every diver is made to feel at ease in the water with Mari, who is originally from Japan. Her warm and welcoming approach to teaching freediving has been mastered since 2002 when qualifying as a diving instructor in Honduras. Amidst the gentle lapping sounds of the ocean, the resorts’ guests are guided through the theory of free diving. With a new focus on breathing and reserving energy, all that’s left is to turn in the water and embark on a new journey of self-discovery in the Indian Ocean.
To reserve a stay and experience the pleasures of freediving first hand, travellers are invited to contact +960 664 4111 or [email protected]. For more information on Anantara’s Maldives resorts, visit anantara.com.
In conjunction with World Thalassemia Day Hotel Jen Malé Maldives and ADK Hospital Championed a blood donation campaign which was open to the Public.
World Thalassemia Day 2016, Hotel Jen Malé Maldives
The campaign was held in Hotel Jen Malé Maldives Ballroom which was equipped with all technical requirements to render the process with a success by both ADK and Hotel Jen Malé Maldives under the guidance of professional Doctors and medical team.
Both the Hotel Jen Malé Maldives and ADK management and staffs fully supported the cause by participating and donating blood which was open from 9.00 am till 4.30pm.
World Thalassemia Day 2016, Hotel Jen Malé MaldivesWorld Thalassemia Day 2016, Hotel Jen Malé Maldives
This is Hotel Jen’s second Blood donation campaign, the strong response of staffs from last year campaign resulted in the establishment of the blood donation campaign as a new corporate social responsibility initiative and the management has decided to conduct annual blood donation campaigns.
Despite the rain the turnout from the staffs and public was huge making it a success. The blood donated will be kept in ADK blood bank and this will be served to Thalassemia Majors and dozens of surgeries and serious incidents which require immediate blood transfer to treat those in need.
World Thalassemia Day 2016, Hotel Jen Malé Maldives
The Hotel Jen Malé Maldives General Manager Ms. Vathsala Subramaniam commented: “This initiative translates the humanitarian, social role and duty of the hotel and the public its contribution to local community by extending a helping hand to those in need and hospitals that need the support of the community to donate blood units.”
Blood donation has been become a meaningful activity all over the World. As a community focused Hotel, Hotel Jen Malé Maldives always looks for ways to contribute to the community, and there’s no better way than being able to make a difference to something as vital as blood donation said Ms. Vathsala Subramaniam, General Manager of Hotel Jen Malé Maldives.
World Thalassemia Day 2016, Hotel Jen Malé Maldives
Shangri-la and its properties are one of them who raise awareness and contribute in conducting initiative awareness programs every year in conjunction with such days marked Worldwide and Locally.
About Hotel Jen
Hotel Jen is a diverse collection of hotels in the best locations across Asia Pacific, with a unique brand of style and service delivery designed to appeal to a ‘New Jeneration’ of travellers.
The brand is the brainchild of virtual persona Jen, a professional hotelier and all-time lover of life, travel and discovery.
To guests, Hotel Jen delivers quality, comfort, convenience and value with a twist. Jen cares about what really matters to guests – the important things done well; comfortable rooms and honest authentic service; respect, privacy and efficiency served without fuss or intrusion; cultural insights; interesting experiences; and fast, free WiFi everywhere, always.
For more information and reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the Hotel Jen website at www.hoteljen.com
The opening of the boutique five star Milaidhoo IslandMaldives this November is one of most anticipated luxury resort openings of the year. Milaidhoo, due to open its doors in November 2016, promises its guests a new chapter of barefoot island living on its tiny 300m by 180m island set in the heart of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Baa Atoll region of the Maldives.
Shunning the current trend for high-gloss name-dropping look-at-me hotel glitz; at Milaidhoo barefoot informality is at the very heart of the island’s ethos where selfie-sticks and drones are not encouraged. Perfectly located to offer the absolute best of the Maldives to its discerning guests, Milaidhoo offers a return to a classic, relaxed Maldivian holiday style on a tiny island with deep soft white sand beaches and a vibrant coral reef where dolphins, whale sharks and manta rays are visitors – a benefit of being in a protected marine area.
Water Pool Villa, Milaidhoo Maldives
This private, luxury island is reached by a scenic 30-minute seaplane flight from the international airport. Standing on stilts over the lagoon are 30 spacious over-water villas (245 square metres) and hidden amongst the tropical greenery are 20 serene villas on the beach (290 square metres). All villas have large private freshwater swimming pools and an island host to attend to the guests’ every whim. Designed by local architect Mohamed Shafeeq, the resort’s 50 villas have been made using materials and fittings custom-made for Milaidhoo in a way that epitomises the true contemporary Maldives style. Spacious outdoor living is the key phrase: the villas open up 180-degrees to allow the natural beauty of the Maldives to become part of the room.
Beach Pool Villa, Milaidhoo Maldives
Milaidhoo is the only resort in the atoll that has been created specifically with couples in mind, although children aged nine and above are welcomed. It further differentiates itself from the herd with its ‘Milaidhoo Moments’; a collection of exclusive activities for the luxury traveler seeking meaningful and memorable experiences. Milaidhoo will offer its guests access to Hanifaru Bay, a marine protected area, which attracts the largest seasonal groupings of manta rays in the world.
Milaidhoo is serious about its food. Gourmets will feel at home in the three restaurants and two bars; the resort’s signature restaurant is overwater and shaped like three traditional Maldivian sailing boats. It – uniquely in the Maldives – will offer a modern interpretation of ‘island influenced’ cuisine. Cocktails will be fresh, creative and on point while the wine list has been designed to pique the interest of wine lovers with a choice of much loved classics alongside a selection of wines from lesser-known boutique winemakers. All villas have their own wine fridge where guests can keep their personal favourites.
Beach Pool Villa, Milaidhoo Maldives
The island’s spa consists of four treatment suites set on stilts over the lagoon where guests will also enjoy daily complimentary yoga and meditation classes on the custom-built pavilion. And of course perfect beaches, snorkelling on coral reefs, diving, water sports, fishing and cultural excursions to nearby islands and sandbanks will create stories that guests will want to tell forever.
Located in the lovely area of North Malé Atoll, Dhiffushi White Sand Beach Hotel enjoys a commanding position in the romance, sports, beaches hub of Maldives Islands. The hotel is not too far from the city center: just 37 km away, and it normally takes about 180 minutes to reach the airport. With its convenient location, the hotel offers easy access to the city’s must-see destinations.
At Dhiffushi White Sand Beach Hotel, the excellent service and superior facilities make for an unforgettable stay. This hotel offers numerous on-site facilities to satisfy even the most discerning guest.
In addition, all guestrooms feature a variety of comforts. Many rooms even provide additional toilet, children’s high chair, cleaning products, complimentary instant coffee, complimentary tea to please the most discerning guest. The hotel offers wonderful recreational facilities such as boats, canoe, snorkeling, watersports equipment rentals, wind surfing to make your stay truly unforgettable. Dhiffushi White Sand Beach Hotel is a smart choice for travelers to Maldives Islands, offering a relaxed and hassle-free stay every time.
This August, Coco Bodu Hithi will welcome Philipp Stein, the youngest Michelin-starred chef in Germany. He received his first ever Michelin star at only 24 years in 2014 and a year later, Gault & Millau awarded him with 16 points and 2 toques. Young and exceptionally talented, Philipp is the Chef de Cuisine at Favorite Restaurant in Mainz.
The delightful opportunity to indulge in Philipp’s creations awaits the guests of Coco Bodu Hithi. Bringing a fresh approach to fine dining, his cooking style is simple and straight to the basics without fuss or frills. His family has owned a popular restaurant for five generations and coming from such a gastronomic family, Philipp is dedicated to his roots. The result is the fusion of classical bases laced with aromatic sauces. The influence of world renowned chefs that he has worked with, including Dieter Müller and Helmut Thieltges, is reflected in his dishes. His approach to cooking, however, is very much his own individual style.
Aqua at Coco Bodu Hithi, the fine dining seafood specialty restaurant set over the lagoon, will be the backdrop for Philipp’s original creations. During his stay, guests can join in a master class where Philipp lends some of his tips and techniques and shares how to create a course or two from the dinner menu. A teaser to an exceptional dinner, this is a rare opportunity to interact with a personality that is leading a new generation of young and ambitious cooks in Germany. Afterward, guests can dive into a five-course menu designed to tantalize even the most curious of gourmets, in two dedicated dinners by Philipp Stein at Aqua.
“Coco Bodu Hithi is truly a gourmet’s paradise! Once again, we are pleased to offer an exceptional experience for our guests as we prepare to welcome Chef Philipp Stein. The team is looking forward to the energetic approach that Philipp will bring to our kitchen and most importantly, the original creations he has planned for our guests. August will be a very special period for us here on the island!” comments Georgios Papazoglou, General Manager at Coco Bodu Hithi.
With four eclectic restaurants, two welcoming bars, an intimate wine loft and a variety of private dining experiences, Coco Bodu Hithi is a culinary hotspot in Maldives. Adding to the on-island venues are the many world class chefs such as Philipp Stein that make guests appearances every year.
Gran Meliá Maldives will be a resort located in Kalhudhiyafushi in Thaa, an atoll located 40 minutes from Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, as well as a short ride by speedboat or seaplane from the domestic airport at Kaadedhdhoo. Scheduled to launch October 2017, Gran Meliá Maldives will be amongst the very best of the luxurious international resorts, operated by brands such as Shangri-La, Park Hyatt and Jumeirah, as guests can experience one of the best fishing destinations in the Maldives.
Set amongst virgin coral reef, the Gran Meliá hotel will offer 95 private villas, including 100 rooms, as well as three restaurants, a bar and café, spa, leisure centre and several retail shops. The hotel will also be able to arrange and host exclusive private events and romantic dinners on a smaller nearby island. 66 per cent of Maldivian visitors are honeymooners or guests who wish to enjoy an idyllic beach holiday with exceptional diving.
During the contract signing, Maria Zarraluqui, Director of Expansion for Meliá Hotels International, commented, “Opening a Gran Meliá hotel in the Maldives has been a dream for us for a long time, but we were always waiting for the right project to come along. This hotel meets all our expectations. We are confident that our unique Gran Meliá brand will enhance the magic of these privileged islands, giving a new meaning to the concept of luxury.”
The Maldives consists of more than 1,192 islands in the Indian Ocean, formed of two rows of 26 atolls running from north to south. Both chains of atolls (the largest with an area of only 8 km2) are located approximately 700 km from Sri Lanka and 400 km south-west of India. Due to its unique features and exceptional beauty, the Maldives has become one of the most exclusive havens for tourism, mainly from Europe and Asia, which now generates over 25 per cent of the country’s GDP, followed by fishing which generates 60 per cent of foreign exchange receipts.
Meliá Hotels International
The Director of Expansion for Meliá Hotels International, Maria Zarraluqui, together with the Company’s Hotel Development team in the Middle East, once again attended the most important Hotel Investment Conference in the region, taking the opportunity to meet with the owners of the new hotels: Huravee International from the Maldives, ASICO from Kazakhstan, and Albwardi Investments, with whom Meliá has already successfully partnered in Dubai, before announcing all of the new agreements.
Meliá Hotels International currently operates two hotels in Dubai and Qatar, and has 10 additional hotels in the pipeline in the region, all due to open between 2017 and 2020. The properties will be managed under the Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, INNSIDE by Meliá and Gran Meliá brands. The United Arab Emirates and Gulf Cooperation Council countries are becoming an increasingly strategic hub for eastern and western countries to do business, with Dubai International Airport ranked as the busiest airport in the world last year, underlining MHI’s efforts to link its strategy in Europe and Americas with the Asia-Pacific countries.
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