The trademark of this blog has been identifying distinctive features at Maldives resorts. Things I have never seen in my 20+ years of visiting over 120 properties there. In my online research and other world travels, I sometimes I also come across distinctive things I also haven’t seen in the Maldives. This particular item at The Standard, I have not seen in the Maldives, not come across elsewhere in the world, and in fact, didn’t even know such a thing existed. In fact, if you told me that it did exist, I still would have trouble conceiving it. But not as much trouble as I had playing it! In fact, as the video above demonstrates, it seems near impossible to play. And I’ve played a fair amount of table tennis in my time having a table in our basement growing up and in our adult home. Playing it for a little while, I think the objective of the game is not really competitive and getting the ball past your “opponent”, but rather collaborative in terms of striving to see how long a rally can continue before the crazy, three-dimensional randomness prevails.
Best of the Maldives: Repeater Welcome – Sun Siyam Vilu Reef
The Maldives resorts are renowned for their abundant hospitality which starts the moment you step off the boat onto the island jetty. These welcomes are often amped up a bit more for repeaters with some extra treats or gestures. I’ve seen dozens of these greetings and goodies, but none nearly as extravagant at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef ‘s.
Now this repeater welcome was a bit exceptional in its own right as it was honouring a guest, nicknamed “Mama”, who was arriving for her 41st visit! The extravaganza included:
- Decorated dhoni
- Decorated buggy
- Flowers
- Boduberu parade
- Staff tshirts with her name on them
- Villa number changed to “Home Sweet Home”
- Villa name changed
- Welcome parade
- Welcome sign
- Welcome bodberu performance
Now this might seem perhaps an anomaly for this exceptional visitor, but Lori and I also received much of this treatment ourselves and we saw many other guests receive various samplings of the above.
Best of the Maldives: Compote – Sun Siyam Iru Veli
Fresh fruit abounds on the Maldives breakfast buffets, but sometimes you want something a little sweeter and spreadable. There are jams and marmalades a plenty as well, but a compote is that happy medium between fruit and conserves. You can add it to your toast, pancakes, waffles, cereal, etc. My favourite is adding compote to my morning yogurt (“breakfast dessert”). And the widest selection of compotes I have come across is Sun Siyam Iru Veli whose buffet selection included:
- Dragon Berry
- Sweet Melon
- Orange
- Prunes
- Plum
- Passion Fruit
- Pineapple
- Mango
- Kiwi
Best of the Maldives: Summer Art Camp – Joali
Joali is the artistic epicentre of the Maldives with its art-themed resort, and now it is training the next generation of artists who might someday grace the property with their own works:
- “The first and only art-immersive resort in the Maldives announces its 2024 Kids Summer Camp, taking place during 1 July through 31 August 2024. Surrounded by pristine white-sand beaches, brilliant blue waters and an island-wide art collection of one-of-a-kind installations and experiential pieces, JOALI Maldives Kids Summer Camp will spark creativity and allow kids’ imaginations to soar. Bringing families and young explorers on an unforgettable journey of artistic expression and learning in a breathtaking setting, the island will be joined by world-renowned artists who will further guide, inspire and educate throughout the summer.”
A world beyond the plastic gimp bracelets and Flintstone-like clay ashtrays I made at camp!
Best of the Maldives: Accessibility Extra – Amilla Maldives
- “Our team have undergone diversity and inclusion training to ensure we treat guests with respect, fostering an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for all. We are progressively learning how to genuinely cater to a diverse range of needs and disabilities.”
Amilla Maldives is a veritable catalogue of the ideal accessibility for a tropical resort. I’ve already highlighted a number of prominent accessibility initiatives and features at Amilla, but I’ve decided to add this post to cover all of the smaller (but just as helpful) touches that they just keep adding:
- Transfer Boards – For assisting mobility impaired individuals from transferring from chairs to beds, treatment tables, etc.
- Hidden Disability -Training for managing disabilities that are not readily apparent.
- Autism – Can accommodate sensitivities to light and sound, as well as manage the visit to hep with unforeseen triggers.
- Hearing Impairment – Portable hearing loop. Flashing lights on fire and emergency alarms and can organise a member of staff to fetch you from your villa during an emergency if requested in advance.
- Dysphagia – Expertise in tailoring menus for those with swallowing difficulties.
- Visual Impairment – Digital menus with clear and bright displays with enlargeable text.
- Evac Chair – To facilitate evacuation from villa or island.
Best of the Maldives: Outdoor Badminton – Meeru
In the Maldives, some hard surface badminton courts are indoor, and there a many outdoor courts in the sand, but Meeru offers the professional court outdoors for those who want a bit of al fresco competition.
Best of the Maldives: Poppadom Shots – Sun Siyam Vilu Reef
The healthiest “shots” I have ever done were at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef ‘s “The Spice” restaurant. Instead of mind-tingling liquor, the shots we tongue-tingling Indian delicacies. Instead of shot a gin, a shot of cumin…
Best of the Maldives: Rope Climbing Slide – Joali
Why climb steps when you could climb a rope obstacle course and be rewarded with a thrilling pool dunk at Joali’s Muramas kids club?
Best of the Maldives: Largest Kids Club – Soneva Jani
Some Best of the Maldives extend beyond just the Maldives like Soneva Jani’s “The Den” kids club which is not only the largest in the country, but one of the largest in Asia. It is also the only 2-story kids club in the Maldives. And the grounds are equally large (nearly as big as some Maldives islands themselves). And the whimsical design features a large domed roof which gives the interior a cathedral like feel of spaciousness:
- “Inspired by childhood wonder, The Den at Soneva Jani is a two-storey awe-inspiring playground for the imagination – and now one of the largest children’s clubs in Asia. Featuring dedicated toddler and teenage areas, no Young Sonevians have been forgotten in the creation of this all-new technology-free family zone. Glide along the zipline through the cascading waterfalls, make a splash in the pool, explore the pirate ship or catch some air on the skateboard ramp. As night falls, teens can hang out in the Cave Bar, where music and mocktails set the scene. From bioluminescent flooring and hidden infographics on the walls, The Den is ripe for discovery. Hop along the musical piano steps to create your own music, explore global oceanic themes in a 4D perspective, identify the fish that matches your height with the fish ruler, or talk like a fish with Tale of the Whale. A bowling alley, Lego and craft area, dressing-up room and library provide space for books, fantasies and more.
But it’s not just the expanse of the square footage, but also the extent of the lavishly fittings out fanciful design.
Best of the Maldives: Tall Doors – Jumeirah Maldives
While the Maldives is not known for its elevation, Jumeirah Maldives certainly feature world-leading elevation in its villa entries. Their 10-foot portals are more the height of a basketball hoop than a doorway.