Insiders
W Hotels Hits the iPhones, and Collaborates with burn

Maldives Promotion House – From the fourth annual International Music Summit (IMS) in Ibiza, Spain, W Hotels Worldwide today unveiled their highly anticipated global iPhone application. The W app not only holds hotel booking capability for W Hotels around the world, but also features an integrated music platform with exclusive content, a first for the hotel industry, as well as W Insider tips, fashion finds, and other meaningful ideas about “what’s new and next”.
Beyond the extension of the W lifestyle, the mobile app will serve as a clear business driver for W Hotels, on trend with how guests are now booking guestrooms. The application can be downloaded free of charge at www.whotels.com/music or through the Apple App Store at www.whotels.com/mobileapp.
“The global iPhone application is a vital, new communication channel for W Hotels that allows us to further connect with our target audience, while bringing to life the passions of the W brand,” Global Brand Leader of W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien, Eva Ziegler said.
“Our savvy guests now have on the go information for all W Hotels, including access to W’s signature Whatever/Whenever service, as well as exclusive music content curated by our Global Music Director, Michaelangelo L’Aqua, from DJs all over the world. The W iPhone app is another way for W loyalists to stay connected 24/7,” Ziegler added.
W’s Global Music Director, Michaelangelo L’Acqua, acts as the brand’s ambassador for what is new and next in music. One of his ongoing projects is the Symmetry Live series that brings emerging artists to perform in W Hotels, including such acts as Ellie Goulding, Cee Lo Green, Janelle Monae, and Neon Trees. L’Acqua now lends his expertly trained ear to curate music for the iPhone app and will continue to infuse the application with the newest DJ mixes, updated on an ongoing basis.
“MIX.dj is thrilled to provide W Hotels Worldwide with technology and a leading DJ music platform to power their mobile iPhone application,” Xavier Galliot, CEO of MIX.dj, said. “It is exciting to see an elite hospitality brand like W Hotels embrace the global DJ community and new technologies in order to connect with their audience and extend their brand into lifestyles around the world.”
The other features of the W Hotels iPhone app include the following.
Explore W Hotels Worldwide: Find, explore and book W hotels and retreats around the world.
Get Local: Check out the local weather, get directions or take a first look at W photos.
Stay connected: Connect with friends and followers through Facebook, Twitter or FourSquare directly from the W Hotels app.
Get Insider Access: Find out about special events and exclusive W Happenings in each destination through the “Insider” tab on each hotel page.
Order In: View and order from the hotel’s in-room dining menus at all hours.
Have it Delivered: Tap the “I Need” tab for immediate service.
Treat Yourself or Someone Else: Guests and non-guests alike can order anything, from champagne to snacks, to a guest room at any W Hotel.
Anything Else? Just Ask: For any other special requests or question, the app enables users to send the hotel an email.
Get the Inside Scoop: Find out about special offers to redeem during your stay at W Hotels around the world by choosing the “Messages” tab on each hotel page.
Bring W Hotels Home: Get instant, on-the-go access to W Hotels The Store (W’s take on the traditional hotel gift shop).
And for those who want more: Check out what’s happening at W Hotels around the globe or find a special deal for your next stay using the ‘Special Offers’ page.
W Hotels will also be collaborating with burn, an industry-leading energy drink of The Coca-Cola Company, for the music platform of the W iPhone application. These two international brands will together form the W Hotels and burn DJ Lab, a program that will support up-and-coming DJs.
A brand of The Coca-Cola Company, burn is a category leader in the global energy drink explosion. The red formula is a symbol of active fire that provides drinkers the energy needed to leave their original vision on the world. Dismantling category norms, burn consumers embody a live-out-loud mentality, without fear of boundaries created by society.
Michaelangelo L’Acqua and music ambassadors affiliated with burn Studios, an online creative community of music enthusiasts, will select DJs for the platform. The selected DJs will polish their skills at the burn Hacienda in Ibiza in August 2011 as they prepare for a global DJ tour.
The W Hotels and burn DJ Lab global tour dates will be announced later on, while exclusive DJ mixes created at the burn Hacienda will be accessible through the W Hotels iPhone app as well as through MIX.dj.
MIX.dj is the world’s largest web and mobile based DJ community. The MIX.dj web and mobile music community consists of content producers, content consumers and advertisers. MIX.dj has 1.5 million mobile users (iOS and Droid) and over 120,000 registered users on the web. The community consists of over 55,000 DJ mixes from 12,000 DJs in 150 countries.
New DJ party mixes are added every hour of every day of year. MIX.dj offers DJ promotional tools, fan discovery and recommendation tools, advertising platforms, mobile development, and streaming radio services. MIX.dj also develops customized mobile applications for artists, record labels and lifestyle/hospitality brands.
MIX.dj has developed over 100 different mobile applications in the Apple Appstore and Android Market, and their global network also offers a powerful mobile advertising platform with a growing network that reaches over 1.5 million mobile users around the world.
Insiders
The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort appoints Santosh Singh as Yoga & Fitness Trainer and RunWestin Ambassador

The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort has announced the appointment of Santosh Singh, as the Yoga and Fitness Trainer. With over 7 years of experience, Santosh brings extensive exposure in ancient Yogic wisdom and advanced training techniques to realign and recharge the mind and body while you’re on vacation.
In his new role, Santosh will also serve as the RunWestin ambassador, guiding and assisting guests in maintaining their running routines with enthusiasm. Speaking on his appointment, Santosh expressed, “I’m beyond thrilled to commence this journey with the wellness-focused, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort. As a trainer and a dedicated fitness enthusiast, I can relate to guests who may encounter challenges in maintaining their inner balance while traveling, and aim to guide them through their fitness and wellness goals while on vacation with my expertise.”

In line with the resort’s unwavering commitment to holistic well-being, the resort has introduced a range of activities, including Aqua Aerobics, Pilates, Yoga Nidra, and more under Santosh’s guidance. These activities provide a unique opportunity to tailor personalized programs for each guest, incorporating ancient practices, enjoyable activities, complementary therapies, and ample movement to celebrate each guest’s individuality.
General Manager, Vijay Kumar said, “At The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, the brand’s pillars of wellness are not just a concept; it’s a way of life. We believe that well-being is a journey, and every step matters. We want to empower our guests to prioritize their physical and mental health, making their stay a true rejuvenation of body and soul.”
For further details or reservations, please visit westin-maldives.com or reach out via email at mlewi.reservation@westin.com.
Insiders
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi welcomes marine biologist Caitlin Rentell to lead sustainable marine conservation initiatives

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives has welcomed Caitlin Rentell, a talented and passionate marine biologist, to their team. Caitlin brings her expertise and dedication to the forefront of marine conservation efforts, focusing on critical initiatives to protect the pristine marine ecosystems of the Maldives. With her arrival, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is enhancing its commitment to preserving the enchanting waters of this tropical paradise.
Caitlin’s primary responsibilities at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi will include spearheading coral restoration efforts, engaging with guests and island team members in educational outreach programs, creating activities for the younger guest of the resort with the Koamas Kids Club team to raise awareness about marine life conservation, and fostering eco-tourism initiatives through collaborations with NGO and other local islands. Her work will make a significant contribution to strengthening the reef ecosystem, ultimately improving the region’s overall ecological health. These initiatives will also serve as an invaluable resource for educational purposes, allowing guests to learn and appreciate the Maldives’ unique marine environment.
UK National, Caitlin Rentell, holds a degree in Marine Biology from the prestigious University of Plymouth, United Kingdom, and has dedicated her academic career to understanding the anthropogenic impacts on our precious marine environment, particularly focusing on the menace of plastic pollution. Throughout her studies, Caitlin developed a profound understanding of the challenges facing our oceans and the urgent need for action.

After completing her degree, Caitlin ventured to the Maldives and joined a sea turtle rehabilitation NGO located on a local island in the Lhaviyani Atoll. During her time working with the NGO, she gained invaluable experience in coral restoration and community outreach. She actively engaged with the local community to address pressing issues such as waste disposal, all while educating future generations about the importance of preserving the ocean and its unique ecosystems.
Caitlin’s passion for marine conservation and her commitment to involving local communities align perfectly with Sun Siyam Iru Fushi’s sustainable values and dedication to preserving the Maldives’ remarkable marine heritage.
“Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is excited to welcome Caitlin Rentell to our team, and we are all looking forward to her leadership in the pursuit of sustainable marine conservation initiatives,” said Abdulla Atham, Resort Manager at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi. “With her dedication and expertise, the resort reaffirms its commitment to environmental stewardship and the preservation of the Maldives’ natural beauty.”
Insiders
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives welcomes new Executive Chef Nguyen Minh Phuc

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives has announced the arrival of its new Executive Chef, Nguyen Minh Phuc.
A native of Vietnam, Chef Phuc brings a wealth of experience since 2003 from hotels and resorts around the world, from the Kingdom of Bahrain to South East Asia including Accor Hotels in Vietnam and recently served as Executive Chef at Marriott Hotels in the Maldives and Bali, Indonesia. Chef Phuc holds a bachelor’s degree in Cuisine Art, Food Preparation and Cooking from Vietnam Tourism College as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
To mark his debut, Chef Phuc is launching the Boat to Table BBQ Night at the resort’s signature restaurant, Seasalt every Sunday. This unique dining experience allows guests to choose their own fresh seafood from a local fisherman’s boat, which is then cooked to their liking by Chef Phuc and his culinary team.
The Boat to Table BBQ Night is a celebration of the local community’s fresh ingredients, local products, and sustainable practices. Guided by Hyatt’s food philosophy “Thoughtfully Sourced. Carefully Served.”, Chef Phuc is committed to supporting the local community, especially the fishermen in the Raa Atoll Maldives, and reducing food waste. This new dining experience introduces guests to a different way to experience the Maldives.
Each week, a fisherman’s boat will park by Seasalt restaurant and the fishermen will carry a basket of fish directly from the boat to the grill area to display their catch. Customers are then invited to choose the fish they would like to eat, and the chef prepares the fish in front of them and grills it directly on charcoal according to the diners’ preference.
“I am so pleased to be joining the team at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives. I have long been an admirer of the resort and the way it incorporates sustainable practices and local customs into its programming for guests. While creating my debut menu for the resort, it was important to me to celebrate the local fishermen, giving them the chance to show guests that their food is truly authentic and local, and creating a space for guests to connect and engage directly with the fishermen,” comments Chef Phuc.
“The Boat to Table menu will give guests of the chance to taste a variety of freshly caught fish, all native to the Maldvies, and gives us the chance to help them minimise food waste by choosing the correct size of fish according to their appetite.”
Guests at the Boat to Table BBQ Night can enjoy a variety of fresh seafood dishes, including sashimi, ceviche, tartare, and grilled fish fillets. All of the food is prepared on the spot, ensuring that the seafood is as fresh as possible and minimising food waste.
Chef Phuc will also be bringing his signature cooking style to the rest of the resort’s restaurants, which include Umami, Pibati, Mirus Bar and the recently opened The Shack.
For more information email to kothaifaru@alilahotels.com
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