Maldives – Kuramathi Resort

We recommend this amazing resort for that romantic getaway or honeymoon. One of the Maldives’ most popular islands, Kuramathi is ideal for those seeking variety as well as relaxation. Footpaths are set amongst the lush foliage, leading to a host of facilities around the island. Snorkelling on the stunning house reef is possible directly from the beach, and water sports include windsurfing and excellent scuba diving. There’s also an ocean front infinity pool plus a lagoon-style pool shaded by palm trees.

For dining, you’ll be allocated a buffet restaurant determined by the location of your villa, with the option of eating at other restaurants offering a great choice of cuisine – including fresh seafood at the intimate The Reef, Palm with its Mediterranean classics, the Island Barbecue on the beach – included if you book the Select All Inclusive option. Of the bars, favourites include the Sand Bar for sipping cocktails while burying your toes in the sand, and the Laguna Bar for the best views at sunset.

Rooms on the island range from simply designed Garden Villas to Deluxe Beach Jacuzzi Villas that face the lagoon. For the iconic over water experience, opt for one of the popular Water Villas, sitting on stilts with direct access to the ocean.

The Maldives

This wonderful chain of almost 1200 islands is paradise for tens of thousands of visitors each year.  The beautiful sandy beaches and warm waters are an invitation on their own but there is so much more to offer.

Diving and snorkeling are main attractions as there are hundreds of reefs and the waters are crystal clear.  Everything from whale sharks to the tiniest tropical species can be found and the locals will set you in the right direction.  Sport fishing is another big draw and offers up almost every species imaginable.  Tuna, barracuda and sailfish are just a few of the big fighters but grouper or snapper may be more your speed.

Honeymooners make up a large portion of the travelers to the Maldives and the choice of accommodation can be head spinning.  On offer is everything from 3 star hotel rooms to private villas with your own spa treatment room.  The most popular are the water villas, your own little house on stilts where you can swim right from your room.

The Maldives has much more to offer and this is merely a taste of the things you can do and see.  All the hotels even the beach pool villas in the Maldives try to offer something unique but they all benefit from being exotic and unique.  The Maldives is one of a kind.

If you’d like more Maldivian information or a quote for your next trip then, please, give me a ring or send me an e-mail.  Speak soon.

Soneva Fushi Maldives

Soneva Fushi Maldives is the original desert island hideaway situated on Kunfunadhoo Island in Baa Atoll.  It is the ultimate castaway experience,with the motto of “No News No Shoes”, no pretensions either.

From the moment you arrive by seaplane you feel at home, particularly with the impeccable, intuitive service provided by Mr./Ms. Friday butlers who know what you want before you want it.

There are Fifty-five vast villas (with from 1 to 4 bedrooms) including a limited number of private residences, hidden among dense foliage within touching distance of a Biosphere UNESCO protected pristine coral reef.  Vast, sigh-inducing beds induce the sweetest of dreams with intoxicating tropical aromas pervading every bathroom.

Why not try out the Soneva Fushi Villa Suite and Pool with Tree House or the Jungle Reserve, accommodation with an initiative difference.

Many guests stay ‘home’ in their villa, enjoying unrivalled peace and privacy with the best ‘takeaway’ food in the Indian Ocean. Others head out to explore the nine different dining options. To breakfast at Mihiree Mitha, the social hub of the island, or dine in Fresh In The Garden, a restaurant cooled by breezes above the heady scents of the famous organic herb (delicious rocket) and vegetable garden. Try By The Beach, a Japanese Korean restaurant right on the beach or Nine a restaurant that serves dishes aimed at sharing.  The trick is to leave a little extra room to grow into your clothes, the food is so mouth watering it is impossible to resist.

Every visit makes you feel young again. Cycling round the island, never knowing when you might have to swerve to avoid bunny rabbits or lizards. Watching movies in Cinema Paradiso with only the starlit sky above. Counting Saturn’s rings in the Observatory. Deciding between sixty flavours of ice cream. Eleven types of pillow which could have coverings like those from silk pillowcase UK. Five hundred different wines. Or which chocolate to have from the 24/7 chocolate room. The Spa is also a great temptation and a definite must.

Opportunities to venture beyond the island include cruises, picnics on the island’s own private sandbank or three deserted islands, breathtaking diving such as watching the majestic rays feed at Manta Point, or fascinating cultural visits to nearby islands. Soneva Fushi is the ultimate pioneer of memory-making experiences.

Soneva Fushi is committed to the Soneva Group’s SLOW LIFE philosophy; Sustainable-Local-Organic-Wellness Learning-Inspiring-Fun-Experiences.  So why not join in the Slow Life.

For more information or to make a booking please call 07577362392 or email angeleenn@travel-pa.com

Kuramathi, Maldives

Some people want the desert island, traditional Maldivian experience and in that case they’re going to need a smaller island. At 1.8km from top to bottom, Kuramathi is one of the larger islands, and for a longer stay, or for eating in a different restaurant every night for a week, and not always bumping into the same people in the bar (because there are six of them) Kuramathi is a fabulous island.

Here’s what makes Kuramathi special.  Firstly, it’s stunningly beautiful with tall trees of different species, wide white sandy paths, and endless beaches and coves that are never, ever busy – some better for snorkelling, some with shade from trees, some overlooking rocky reefs, others the boats and if you’re lucky you’ll see a school of dolphins pass by. Then there’s the sandbank where it’s just you and the horizon.

The island is spotlessly clean and unbelievably well organised. There are no rooms as it’s an all villa resort and everything about the thatched, dome-roofed villas is of a very high standard. The service is faultless and it’s a well-documented foodie’s paradise with its selection of signature restaurants. There’s live entertainment if you want it with singers, jazz trios, disco, occasional movie nights and even karaoke. The snorkelling, as is usual in the Maldives, is fabulous and it’s one of the few remaining places to see a hammerhead shark.

I was there in December and although all my customers’ feedback had been excellent I was still transported into a parallel universe when I stepped onto the jetty. It happened to me time and again. I was relaxing on the beach under the shade of a tree and a tall bird that looked like a multi-coloured species of stork picked its way right past the foot of my sun bed. Swimming with a sea turtle, rays, the first sight of a shark. People I knew were staying in the beach villas in the northern end so I walked up there on my second night, underestimating the distance. In the dusk, and aware I was going to miss the sunset from the sandbank, I stopped in the Laguna bar and got chatting with a lady at the bar who suggested I have a cocktail and watch the manta rays being fed. She’d been there for three weeks and did this every year – which is what I find with Kuramathi. It has a devoted repeat clientele.

If you’re new to the Maldives and not sure how you’ll be on an island for any length of time why not do what I did and combine a stay with a tour of Sri Lanka? The flight between the two takes under an hour. Prices for 2014 start from £1198 per person for 7 nights on All Inclusive and my prices are as low as anybody’s.

Filitheyo Island Maldives 4*

A natural tropical Island, lush in vegetation and surrounded by a stunning house reef, which offers excellent snorkelling and diving opportunities. Filitheyo Island is the only resort island in the unspoilt Faafu Atoll, a short 35 minute seaplane journey from Male International Airport.

Choose from a range of villa’s which are dotted around the island or over the water on stilts, purposefully designed to blend in with the island atmosphere.  There are 125 villas in total over 3 different categories:

Superior Villa’s (94) are semi-detached and have a part open air bathroom with an outdoor shower.  A great experience in itself, it feels so liberating and not to worry no one can see you.

Deluxe Villa’s (15) are detached offering more privacy.

Water Villa’s (16) are built on stilts over the lagoon and have a sitting area and private wooden deck.

All rooms are equipped with Air Conditioning/Satellite TV/CD Player/IDD Telephone/Hair Dryer/Tea/ Coffee Making Facilities/Mini Bar/Wooden Sundeck with Seating/In-room Safe

There are 2 restaurants and 2 bars which are sure to tempt your taste buds.

The Main Restaurant is buffet style with international cuisines from all corners of the world. For breakfast, lunch & dinner with 14 days cycle menus with guaranteed satisfaction

The Sunset Restaurant & Bar offers freshly blended juice, cocktails, coffees & snacks. Not to forget wide range of fine wine from the vineyards of Europe.

Filitheyo Bar offers varieties of beverages to quench your thirst happy hours are not to be missed with buy one get one free from 16.00hrs to 18.00hrs

Gourmet Menus are also available for those celebrating special occasions including dinner on the beach, at the pool side, or BBQ.

Filitheyo Spa invites you to “embrace nature” and transform your holiday with a range of relaxing, healing and pampering treatments.

There is also a variety of water sports and activities available (charges may apply) windsurfing/catamarans/canoeing & sailing/volleyball/table tennis/internet access/library/gym/billiards/large swimming pool

Not forgetting the unspoilt Faafu atoll is a diver’s paradise with their beauty & splendour. Werner Lau Diving Centre offers you international standard equipment, instructors and a complete range of multi-lingual dive courses by SSI, CMAS & PADI and specialised diving such as NITROX.

So whether you want a relaxing flop on the beach or an active holiday Filitheyo Island is perfect as you can do as little or as much as you like.

Biyadhoo – Maldives

A very simple relaxed resort, with access to excellent diving and a fabulous house reef, Biyadhoo’s easy informality is a rare and refreshing treat in the Maldives today. With all meals included, it is great value too.

All Inclusive option
Exclusive to Kuoni UK
Holiday with friends
Sun & Socialising

Airport transfer time:45 minutesRooms:97
In the South Malé Atoll, approx. 45 minutes from Malé airport by speedboat.
An air-conditioned restaurant serves international cuisine, and there is an al fresco bar offering snacks and drinks with weekly themed evenings and live music. Activities include badminton and volleyball, a PADI dive school, watersports including canoeing, windsurfing and catamaran sailing (all payable locally) and board games. Excursions to nearby islands and Malé are also available.
Accommodation information

97 rooms in two-storey blocks, located just a few steps back from the water’s edge. The rooms are fairly basic and simply furnished and have air-conditioning, minibar, tea and coffee facilities, shower and a balcony or terrace.
Restaurants & bars

• Palm Restaurant – International cuisine • Coconut Bar – Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks and snack menu
All Inclusive

ALL INCLUSIVE OPTION
• All meals, snacks, water, soft drinks, beer, wine by the glass, selected spirits
• Snorkelling and windsurfing equipment (no tuition)
• 1 sunset fishing trip.

Call 0114 3273436 to Book

Popular 5* Kurumba Maldives

The original Maldivian resort, popular Kurumba offers quality at great value, with a convenient location, traditional style, fabulous dining and sublime hospitality, all in cosmopolitan surrounds fringed with delectable beaches

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu

Set on the private island of Dhuni Kolhu in the Baa Atoll Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is an intimate hideaway, which is abound with Maldivian charm.

I have visited the island on many occasions, yet everytime I step foot on the island, the calm and tranquility engulf’s me.

The island has lush tropical vegetation and is fringed with white sandy beaches and an idyllic crystal lagoon.

The island is comprised of 98 villa’s with the Beach Villa’s and Deluxe Villa’s being located around the island and the Lagoon Villa’s and Sunset Lagoon Villa’s being located on stilts over the lagoon.

There are 2 relaxed bars and dining options of inside the main restaurant or under Banyan Trees in the Cornus Restaurant.  In villa dining is also available as is private dining on the beach for those special moments alone.

Whilst the Sunset Lagoon Villa’s are the only villa’s to have TV’s do not worry there is plenty to see and do that you will not miss having a TV.

There is an incredible house reef to discover as well as some incredible diving spots in the BAA atoll, the PADI diving centre Dive Ocean will take care of all your diving needs.

There is also a tennis court, fitness centre, Jacuzzi, water sports centre, Coco Spa and a weekly cinema on the beach.

With Uniquely Coco Experiences whether shared or private you are sure to have a memorable experience, be it a night fishing trip or an overnight stay on a desert island.  My ultimate favourite has to be spending a day with a local family in their own home.

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is Green Globe certified Silver and is committed to maintaining the island according to Eco Tourism principles.

The resort is perfect for diver’s, honeymooners and couples.

Transfers to and from the hotel are operated by seaplane, which is an incredible way to transfer, do not worry if you see the seaplane pilots flying without shoes.

The resort has many offers including Early Booking Discounts, Free Nights, Room Upgrade Offer and Honeymoon discounts and honeymoon complimentary services.

For more information and prices please contact me on 01327 702717 or 07577362392.

Maldives My Second Home

I first visited the Maldives back in 1999 flying on Emirates with a stopover in Dubai, before the airport was renovated, on route to Male for a year’s work placement for my university course on Makunudu Island, a quaint Maldivian resort set on a small island of 6 acres.  I did not know what to expect, the Maldives was relatively unheard of in the UK at the time.

I was met at the airport and taken on a speedboat and whisked away speeding through the ocean with the sea whooshing past with the wind in my hair and the sun shining down with the warmth engulfing me.  An incredibly awe inspiring transfer where a smile was stuck on my face the whole way through, I was not thinking of what was awaiting me on the island I was too busy looking around at the islands that we kept passing and the incredible view.

Upon arrival to the island I was greeted with the warmth of the people, who cannot do enough for you, whether you are a member of staff or a guest, this was to be my home for a year after which I had to return to the UK to finish my studies.  Although studying in Newcastle where the temperature reached minus 13 one day, I sat looking at a Maldives poster which was on my wall and pledged that after I finished my course I would return.

And so I did and I never looked back, I returned to Makunudu Island where my then boyfriend was working, now my husband.  I spent a further 1 and half years on Makunudu Island until I moved on to Male working from the Head Office as a Reservations Manager and then a Sales Manager for Sunland Hotels – Makunudu Island and Biyadoo Island and Coco Collection – Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu and Coco Palm Bodu Hithi. Connecting me to a global network of tour operators and clients and giving me the opportunity to travel to destinations such as Cannes, Singapore and London.

Throughout my time in the Maldives I enjoyed some wonderful experiences of….

Desert island picnic’s / sunset cocktails / beach parties / night fishing / sand bank picnic’s and snorkeling / full moon picnic’s on the beach / parasailing / morning fishing / afternoon fishing / scenic photo flights via seaplane / snorkelling / sailing on a safari boat / luxury spa treatments / butler services and surfing in the maldives.

I had the opportunity to visit a number of other resort islands – Thulaghari, Kanahura, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Gili, Biyadoo Island, Makunudu Island, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, Coco Palm Bodu Hithi, Cocoa, Herathra, Kurumba, Banyan Tree, Taj Exotica, Baros, Anantara Dhigu, Summer Island, Fihalhoahi, Four Seasons Kuda Huraa to name but a few.

I also visited many local islands to experience and understand the Maldivian way of life.  The basic needs of the people and the way in which they live is very different from what you expect, but there is one thing that shines through their smile, their happiness and the lack of materialism.

I even managed to venture over the equator to visit Addhu Atoll where my in laws live, it was a great visit to see a different area of the Maldives and to see where my husband had been brought up.

I also arranged and took part in guests Wedding Ceremonies, an experience which I was honoured to be part of every time.  Whilst the Wedding Ceremony in the Maldives is not legally binding it is a truly romantic and beautiful way of vowing your Love for that someone special.  Not to mention being an amazing backdrop for wedding photos.

The scenery above the water is amazing, although the scenery under the water is another spectacular world to be discovered.  The highlight for me so far was swimming with the Dolphin’s, swimming with the Manta Ray’s and swimming with a Whale Shark, to say incredible is an understatement.  With some of the most amazing reefs, fauna and flora it is no wonder that it is a diver’s paradise.  I too took the plunge and passed my PADI diving course (beats doing it in a quarry in the UK).

The Maldives is a true paradise where many ‘magical’ moments and experiences await all guests.  The islands and the people embrace you with their incredible hospitality, service and genuine passion for sharing their country with you.

The Maldives prides itself on Personal Service Excellence and experiences, holidays are no longer about the room, board basis, transfers and facilities, it is now about the experiences that can be had whether staying in a 3 Star resort, a Luxury resort or to one of those Maldives family resorts.

So to discover the experiences that await you book your holiday now.

For EXPERT advise on the Maldives call 01327 702717 or 07577362392 or email angeleenn@travel-pa.com

It will be my pleasure to assist you in booking your holiday and to sharing the Sunny Side of Life with you.

Maldives Holidays

When you take a look at holidays to Maldives, you’ll soon discover why it is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world. Known specifically to be one of the most peaceful and beautiful parts of the world, the Maldives really will leave you feeling like you have stepped into another world.

This long haul destination boasts unmatchable luxury, cobalt blue waters and a sensational climate.

Things to Do

Maldives holidays tend to be better suited to those looking to get away from it all. The main reason why it is such a popular honeymoon destination is because it is quiet, hot and romantic.

It isn’t an island designed with nightlife and partying in mind. If you love beach holidays, diving and being undisturbed then holidays to Maldives are definitely for you.

The temperatures in the water are similar to those you would have in a bath. This makes it a fantastic place to swim and go snorkelling. The underwater life is fascinating and you’ll love snorkelling in the many lagoons around the island. The bright blue skies, white sands and blue sea really do look like something out of a postcard. It’s hard not to fall in love with the beauty of Maldives holidays.

One thing that you might not want to miss if you do plan on holidays to Maldives is to stay in a water villa. This provides you with the ultimate natural and peaceful experiences. Each villa is located over the water with plenty of space between villas. Imagine falling asleep to the sound of the sea.

If it’s romance you are looking for then you’ll struggle to find a more perfect destination. You and a loved one could enjoy a romantic lobster candlelit dinner on the beach or a relaxing picnic on the sandbank. Most Maldives holidays have been designed with romance in mind.

If you would like to explore the island then there are a number of excursions you could go on. Night fishing can be a relaxing experience. You’ll find that fishing is a natural way of life for locals. Therefore if you want to experience life as a Mauritian then this would be the perfect excursion to go on.

Another interesting way to discover life as a Mauritian is to travel to several local islands. Choose holidays to Maldives that feature several different locations. You’ll soon discover that some islands are more modern than others.

Dining Out in Maldives

Are you wondering what the cuisine will be like on your Maldives holidays? The good news is that most of the food is fresh and local. This means that the flavors will be absolutely delicious. You can expect plenty of seafood and fish.

However the restaurants here have so much more to offer than just seafood. There are excellent Italian and Thai restaurants on offer. The Seagull Café also boasts great American food. All tastes and preferences are catered for and many hotels such as the luxury family hotels Maldives provide an all-inclusive option.

Overall holidays to Maldives really do provide the ultimate luxury experience. The only thing to keep in mind is that they aren’t the cheapest holidays available. The price is definitely worthwhile if you can afford it though.