Best of the Maldives: Organic Eggs – Six Senses Laamu

\ Leave a Comment \ by

Six Senses Laamu - organic eggs

If the Easter bunny is looking for the best eggs for tomorrow’s baskets, he might want hop on by Six Senses Laamu. Yes, April Fools is tomorrow, but this announcement, “Six Senses Laamu Crafts Out-of-the-Ordinary Experiences on Land and Underwater”, came out last week so it appears to be legic (thanks Paola):

  • “The latest crafted experiences from the resort comes in line with two other Six Senses values of sustainability and pioneering wellness. This time the newest arrivals to the island are a flock of 24 chickens from two neighbouring islands, and their reservation at the resort is made for a long stay. Before their arrival the flock was vetted by Raymond Rochester, a guest and visiting veterinarian. They were given a warm welcome by the resort hosts and upon arrival, in line with guests experience, they are assigned a Chicken Guest Experience Maker (Chicken GEM) available to help make their stay comfortable. Their accommodation is located at the newly built organic Kukulku Farm. Kukulku is the word for chicken in the local language of Dhivehi…Resident Manager Frans Westraadt along with Sustainability Manager Megan O’Beirne supervised the preparation of the Kukulhu Farm. It includes a state-of-the-art chicken gym facility, a multi-level installation with terracing steps for exercise sessions and handmade nests that follow the fundamental philosophies of the Sleep With Six Senses programme.”

One of my favourite egg-cellent press releases of all time.

Six Senses Laamu - chicken spa

Posted in: Best of the Maldives \ Tagged: , , ,

Best of the Maldives: Luxury Dolphin Cruise – Soneva Fushi

\ Leave a Comment \ by

Soneva Fushi luxury dolphin cruise

With a dolphin cruise this luxurious, you don’t mind if it takes forever to find them. Soneva Fushi provides guests with a private motor launch with long padded settees for a comfy journey while the captain sets out in search of these playful creatures. In the meantime, you are served champagne, ceviche and Maldivian roshi. Nonetheless, it wasn’t but a few minutes before we spotted the spinners cavorting at the edge of the reef.

Posted in: Best of the Maldives \ Tagged: ,

Best of the Maldives: Manta On Call – Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru

\ 1 Comment \ by

Four Seasons Landaa Giravaru - manta on call
Mantas at Hanifaru Bay, Baa atoll

Most visitors to the Maldives was to just switch off and that includes all the stress inducing electronic devices, but at Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru you just might look forward to that phone ringing in your room. If it is their signature “Manta on Call” service.

  • “Sign-up for this thrilling adventure, that sees you contacted wherever you are in the Resort and whisked away by speedboat to snorkel with these elusive gentle giants”

Creatures in the wild sort of follow their own whims and there are never any guarantees of seeing the critters you want to see when you want to see them. Even in a place like Baa atoll renowned for its population of Mantas (and even the occasional whale shark. That said, even Baa Atoll or the even more confined Hanifaru Bay part of the Baa, is a big place and the mantas could be anywhere. You can spend (and we have spent) an entire day just trawling around in the dhoni looking for signs of mantas. That is why Landaa keeps in regular contact with dive boats through the day to keep updated on the latest manta sightings. If a large group has decided to collect at some point, the resort calls your room and can have you on a speedboat in minutes to take you to the gathering so you can enjoy a view of these majestic animals and even join them for a swim.

Posted in: Best of the Maldives \ Tagged: , ,

Best of the Maldives: Concierge on Call – One & Only Reethi Rah

\ 1 Comment \ by

One and Only Reethi Rah concierge on call

If you think resorts in the Maldives are expensive, try using your mobile phone while there. Most of the top properties offer butler and other “guest experience” staff to cater to the clients’ every whim. But if you are lounging on the beach, how do you let your host know that you fancy a pin colada? Well, One & Only Reethi Rah gives your own mobile phone for the duration of your stay with a speed-dial setting for your very own concierge. If you’ve forgotten something back at the room, have a question about some plans or just want another cocktail in some obscure part of the island, they are just one button push away.

Posted in: Best of the Maldives \ Tagged: ,

Best of the Maldives: Maldives Watch – Cheval Blanc

\ 1 Comment \ by

Cheval Blanc - watch 1

Daylight savings time starts today. And you will have to save up for hours to afford the latest item in the Cheval Blanc gift shop (or if you are totally loaded, maybe you will just buy a new watch instead of all the kafuffle of adjusting your current one an hour. At $32,500 for its latest Classic Fusion Cheval Blanc Randheli Special Edition, that $9 per second.

Really, this post is more of an update to my previous Best of the Maldives piece for Cheval Blanc’s watch offering. I could have just made a note in the comments, but I love the concept so much of capturing the distinctive aesthetics of this corner of paradise that I thought that I would publish a full post.

  • “Designed to embody a trip to the resort, the Classic Fusion Cheval Blanc Randheli Special Edition watch features the same varying shades of blue that are waiting to be discovered in the surrounding ocean. Parisian artist Vincent Beaurin, designer of the signature works of art at the Cheval Blanc Maison in the Maldives was commissioned to help create the unique dial using sand. ‘Just like the blue waters surrounding Cheval Blanc Randheli, the captivating blue tones of the two new timepieces dedicated to the Maison create an appealing aura on the wrist, offering wearers a new experience with time,’ said Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot. The Classic Fusion Cheval Blanc Randheli Special Edition is available in 45mm and 38mm versions with brushed metal cases and blue crocodile straps. The smaller version also features a halo of crystalline stones on the bezel. Both watches can only be purchased at the Cheval Blanc Randheli Concept Store, situated within the resort’s dedicated Hublot area.”

That said, Chopard hasn’t rested on its design. In fact, it even has a Happy Fish Sport design with Anemone Fish for one-fifth the price.

Choppard fish watch

Posted in: Best of the Maldives \ Tagged: ,

Guide to Hammocks in the Maldives

\ Leave a Comment \ by

Chill out in a hammock on the beach and enjoy the pleasure of sharing this special moment together

Hammocks come in a variety of styles and settings with the tropical paradise of the Maldives showcasing them all. Here is a Maldives Complete catalogue so you can find the hammock that’s right for your midday snooze swaying in the ocean breezes (partly inspired by Sakis post “The Art of Doing Nothing” which features a more artistic collection including #5 below)

  1. Classic Hammock – Conrad Rangali Maldives [ABOVE]
  2. Padded / Free Standing – Coco Bodu Hithi
    Hammocks - padded
     
  3. Traditional Maldivian Hammock Seat – Bandos
    Hammock - traditional Maldivian
     
  4. Woven – Baros
    Hammock - woven
      
  5. Cloth – W Retreat
    Hammock - colourful
  6. Single – Cocoa Island (thanks Paola)
    Hammock - single
      
  7. Canopy Beach Hammock
    Hammock - canopy beach hammock
     
  8. Beach Stand – Six Senses Laamu
    Hammock - beach stand
      
  9. Over Water Hammock – Anantara Dhigu
    Hammock - over water
      
  10. Shaded Over Water Hammock – Taj Exotica
    Hammock - shaded over water (2)
      
  11. Floating Hammock – Constance Halaveli
    Hammock - floating
     
  12. Water Villa Deck Hammock – Velassaru
    Hammock - water villa deck
     
  13. Pool-Side Hammock – The Residence
    Hammock - pool side
     
  14. Trampoline Style Hammock – Angsana Velavaru
    Hammock - water villa trampoline
     
  15. Fish Net Hammock – One & Only Reethi Rah
    Hammock - water villa fish net
      
  16. Pool Canopy Hammock – NIYAMA
    Hammock - pool canopy
Posted in: Lists \ Tagged: ,

Best of the Maldives: Beach Rugby Pitch – Cinnamon Hakura Huraa

\ Leave a Comment \ by

Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa - beach rugby pitch

Six Nations might have concluded this weekend, but you can carry on your place kicks in paradise at Cinnamon Hakuraa Hura. They not only have one of the only rugby pitches, complete with regulation goal posts and boundary line, but it is also set on the beach beside Hakuraa Hura’s expansive lagoon. The Sri Lankan run resort has a number of Sri Lankan staff you play regularly if you are looking to join in a seaside scrum.

Posted in: Best of the Maldives \ Tagged: , ,