Situated five metres below sea level, Ithaa is an underwater restaurant in the Maldives, surrounded by a coral reef at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island in Rangalifinolhu. It has a 270-degree tranlucent acrylic roof, giving diners an incredible view of their submarine surroundings. The menu offers a Maldavian-Western fusion with the cost of a meal there typically being in the $150-$250 price range.
For more information, see their YouTube video:
globrati has published The Dreamlist, debuting with a colleciton of their “favourite destinations to chill out this summer”. Making the grade are:
A video of the Maldives for those of you looking for a little inspiration, featuring overwater bungalows, beautiful beaches, watersports and more.
Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu in the Maldives occupies a private island where white beaches encircle a lush tropical paradise. The villas are luxurious and intimate, blending western comforts with local culture and offering a wide choice of features from open air garden bathrooms, splash pools with private terraces and sunken or spa baths either in the garden or over the lagoon. Rates start from 364 USD per night for a Beach Villa, or from 1,095 USD per night for a Sunset Lagoon Villa.
Come back tomorrow for the best in the South Pacific!
Thanks to Maldives360 for this beautiful video. Makes you just want to be there, doesn’t it?
The 14th World Travel Awards, held at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa on the island of Providenciales, has finally concluded. It’s the second year running that the ceremony has been held at the Turks & Caicos islands. Notable winners this year included Marriott Hotels Resorts & Suites (World’s Leading Hotel Brand), Burj Al Arab (World’s Leading Hotel), Jumeirah (World’s Leading Luxury Hotel Brand) and the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board was honoured with an award for World’s Most Romantic Destination. A full list of winners will no doubt soon be published at http://www.worldtravelawards.com
UK-based Flight Centre has launched a new website devoted to their Exclusive Collection. It showcases some of the world’s most luxurious holiday destinations, with exclusive offers sorted by category (family, spa and wellness, sport and lesure, etc.) or by destination. As an example, 7 nights bed and breakfast in a Deluxe Room at the Olhuveli Beach and Spa Resort in the Maldives starts from £857 per person, including return flights with Emirates. Options to upgrade to a Water Villa or business class flights are available at extra cost.
The Lighthouse is a landmark of dining and architecture in the Maldives. This unique restaurant boasts sumptuous Mediterranean Asian fusion cuisine to excite the senses of all discerning gourmets. Guests can start their experience in The Lighthouse Lounge, sipping on one of the signature fruit martinis or perfectly chilled pink champagne, whilst watching a kaleidoscope of colours illuminate the sky and surface of the Indian Ocean as the sun sets. Executive Chef Damian Barrett has created an a la carte menu featuring delicacies such as Grilled Black Label Wagyu Beef Sirloin and Jumbo Prawns, Shiraz Jus, Beluga Caviar Beurre Blanc with Saffron Dauphinoise Potatoes and Vegetable Panache.
Learn about the island of Reethi Rah from One & Only Resorts, one of the largest island in the North Male’ Atoll. Beautiful suites, stunning views and great restaurants…
A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal…
Regent Hotels & Resorts will open a new luxury resort in the Maldives in 2008. The Regent Maldives will be a 50-villa luxury resort (23 beach villas and 27 over-water villas, including two Presidential villas) on the unspoiled Maalefushi Island, just 50 minutes by seaplane from the capital city of Male. All the villas will be designed with private plunge pools and expansive timber decks offering breathtaking views across the turquoise lagoon. This secluded coral island is at the heart of the Thaa Atoll, a natural wonderland of crystal clear waters, coral reefs, brilliant white beaches and spectacular sunsets. The resort will also have an 850 square-metre spa with the eight private treatment pavilions open to the ocean breezes.
It’s hard to escape the constant media reminders regarding climate change and it appears that some of the leading resorts of the world are taking note. The Soneva Fushi & Spa resort in the Maldives is the latest to announce that it is going green. it aims to be carbon neutral by 2008 and carbon free by 2010. No doubt Six Senses Resorts & Spas will be looking to follow this with similar moves from their other resorts.
Forbes has run an interesting feature on the world’s most expensive hotel suites, featuring geographically widespread hotels and resorts, from Mexico to the Maldives. To make their top 10, you’ve got to be charging at least $10,000 a night. Here is an abbreviated summary of the incredible suites that they list:
A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal…