Resorts have a tradition of bestowing welcome gifts to their arriving guests. While many are branded tat pulled from the hospitality bumph catalogue, some properties have made an effort to present more distinctive mementos. As a fan of the art of palm folding, so I was particularly enchanted by the origami palm fish that LUX North Male Atoll presents to kids on arrival.
For the aspiring young footballers, One & Only Reethi Rah offers a special beach football pitch at its kids club. If there is one thing that rivals hours of snorkelling to tire out active youngsters (for that relaxing evening), it’s then running around (on the sand!) kicking their favourite ball.
Some people like a pool for a refreshing dip while others just enjoy sitting around the soothing water feature. Dhigali’s two-tier pool has something for both. Especially, if you are a part of a family where you like a bit of relaxing lounging while your young one wants to splash in some shallow water. Double pleasure, double fun.
Sometimes resorts are distinguished not by what they have, but by what they don’t have. Especially, in the “get away from it all” remoteness of the Maldives, people are often on an escape from civilization. While so many properties have striven to provide all the creature comforts of home and then some, some times a few well chosen omissions are lauded by guests. One particular area is refuge from technology that has engulfed our modern lives. One of the most popular “back to basics” design features are those villas with no televisions in their rooms.
Dhigali has gone whole hog at least for the younger generation (arguably most at risk from digital drowning). Their kids club offers an “Electronic Detox”. It has no TV, but also no electronics of any kind no are any allowed in (and if you try to smuggle in that iPhone, the wifi is disabled there). Just analogue, real-world games and activities to thrill and distract.
Instead of a gentle step into a soothing indoor soak, at OBLU Select Sangeli you can have a wild plunge into an outdoor ocean soaking…
Kandima’s “Kandiland” kids club features “Mini Picasso” sessions every Sunday and Wednesday from 2:00 – 3:00 pm at its Kula Art Studio led by none other than young Maldivian artist Aima Musko.
Maldives National Day today. And youngsters visiting Cocoon can regale themselves in indigenous vibe as their Pupa kids club is built entirely to look like a traditional Maldivian village.
More “fullback” than “full bodied”, Amilla Fushi introduced its own training programme for guests (who are a bit too young to sample the wine cellar) of a football training camp:
For this year’s Easter treats, One & Only Reethi Rah went beyond eggs an bunnies with a complete Harry Potter themed celebration. The “Hogwarts Open Day”
I hope the Easter bunny left lots Chocoballs, Pepper Imps, Jelly Slugs, Peppermint Toads, Exploding Bonbons, and Ice Mice in your Easter basket (though, you might want to skip the “Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans” as they come in every flavour including spinach, liver, tripe, sprout, curry, grass, and even vomit). And it would be great for exploring the reefs if they actually had some Gillyweed on hand!
