Featured
Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort celebrates one-year anniversary
The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, which opened in October 2018, is thrilled to reflect on a memorable first year whilst looking ahead to exciting, new initiatives for 2020 and beyond.
The much-anticipated Westin debut in the Maldives didn’t disappoint. A sensational ‘Ocean Escape’ themed launch event in November 2018 saw the Natural History Museum in London converted in a spectacular Maldivian island for 200 guests.
This launch event set the tone for a remarkable first year in which the hotel has garnered not just one, but three prestigious awards: Indian Ocean’s Leading New Resort 2019 – World Travel Award; 20 Best Spas in Global Spa List – Travel & Leisure (India and South Asia); and Luxury Lifestyle Magazine Readers’ Travel Award Runners up – Best Hotel in Asia.
The Westin Maldives has also been recognised as being a leading guest satisfaction performer with Marriott Bonvoy.
With sustainability at the heart of its design and ethos, the award-wining hotel was created on 14 acres of previously undeveloped land which have been transformed into an understated yet luxurious resort comprising 70 villas and suites. Every step of the process has had sustainability and protection of the habitat as a key pillar.
“The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort is a resort of incomparable beauty, as well as outstanding wellness, accommodation and gourmet offerings. We are delighted to be celebrating our one-year anniversary having made such an impression on our guests and the industry as a whole. It is a great honour to have been acknowledged so highly with three recent awards and we are relishing the challenge of going above and beyond expectations. Our focus now is how we can elevate our experiences for our guests and make their stay even more memorable. We look forward to another successful year ahead,” Brendan Corcoran, General Manager at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
Looking Ahead
The Westin Maldives will continue to provide its guests and visitors with an unmatched luxury experience by investing its time and efforts in exceptional cuisine, spa initiatives, kids’ offerings and unique guest experiences.
The Westin Maldives has recently launched a host of exciting workshops as part of its kids programme encouraging its younger guests to ‘Sea Clearly’. An exciting new range of activities, it will aim to educate and empower children about the environment and demonstrate how we can all do our bit to help save the planet and the ocean.
The resort’s wellness focus is changing each month in 2019 and 2020 with specialist practitioners visiting the resort, resonating the Westin brand’s Six Pillars of Well-Being: Feel Well, Work Well, Move Well, Eat Well, Sleep Well and Play Well.
During the months of October and December, wellness practitioners Barton McGuckin and then Elizabeth Cocoann will be visiting The Westin Maldives. From an abundance of deep individual healing practices to nutrition consultations and life coaching, the practitioners have been individually hand picked and tie in with the other incredible wellness offerings at the resort. These include the luxurious Heavenly Spa by Westin, fresh and healthy cuisine and a state-of-the-art gym.
The hotel will also continue to deliver exquisite culinary experiences to match the needs of all customers. The resort perfectly embodies the Westin brand’s wellness philosophy “Empowering a Better You”, and the four sensational dining outlets are no exception.
A range of cooking classes are on offer including pastry-making, sushi and Maldivian cooking classes. The resort offers an array of curated dining experiences including floating breakfasts, destination dining on the beach, seafood wet markets.
In addition, exclusively over the dates October21-31, Hawker restaurant will be hosting ‘Streets of Silom’ festival, celebrating the very best of Bangkok’s cuisine.
Surrounding the anniversary, the resort will be running various anniversary special offers including; the Ultimate Romance package, Ultimate Wellness package, Dinner on Us package and the Holistic Wellness package with visiting practitioner Elizabeth Cocoann to help guests find their inner balance.
UNESCO Location
Situated on a beautiful coral island in the Baa atoll, a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve site, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort offers a tranquil escape with uninterrupted ocean and pristine turquoise lagoon views.
Each villa is shaped with an eco-friendly double roofing to create the perfect natural ventilation. Outdoor rainforest showers are a distinctive feature. Poised over the sea on stilts and with an area of almost 200 square metres each, the overwater suites are among the largest a resort has to offer in the Baa atoll region.
Action
Family fun meets Premier League coaching: Kuramathi and Campioni experience
Families seeking the ultimate summer escape in 2025 will find the perfect destination with Kuramathi and Campioni. These two exceptional partners offer a holiday experience where children can combine their love for football with the thrill of training alongside former Premier League players and UEFA coaches at breathtaking resorts. The exclusive Campioni football training camps cater to children aged 4-15 years, running across two weeks with three football legends. Liverpool and England star John Barnes MBE, accompanied by a UEFA coach, will lead sessions from July 28th to August 1st. Meanwhile, England icons Harry Redknapp and Stuart Pearce MBE will join from August 4th to August 8th, presenting an unparalleled opportunity for budding young footballers.
Campioni’s ethos, “Train Like A Pro,” offers a unique chance for children to be coached for two hours daily by some of English football’s most celebrated figures. These interactive and engaging sessions focus on fundamental skills while emphasising teamwork, strategy, and sportsmanship. With personalised guidance provided throughout, participants gain invaluable insights from the experts and create unforgettable memories.
While children hone their skills on the pitch, parents are free to unwind in a variety of ways. They can relax on the beach, explore the island, work out in the gym, visit the spa, or simply enjoy the vibrant energy of the training sessions from the sidelines.
The Campioni experience extends beyond football. Families are invited to participate in additional activities, such as welcome drinks at the start of the week, a mid-week parents’ game featuring the football legends, and an end-of-week medal and certificate presentation. These events ensure everyone in the family enjoys a dynamic and engaging holiday.
Kuramathi, a renowned Maldivian resort, serves as the ideal backdrop for this unique experience. Famous for its winding white sandbank and tropical jungle spanning the 1.8km island, the resort features 12 room categories, 12 restaurants, 6 bars, evening entertainment, and an array of facilities. Options range from one-bedroom Beach Villas and Two-Bedroom Beach Houses to overwater villas perched above the island’s turquoise lagoon, making it a perfect choice for families.
Off the field, Kuramathi’s complimentary Bageecha Kids’ Club caters to children aged 3-12 years with indoor and outdoor play areas, arts and crafts, splash pads, and a large swimming pool. Activities for older children include badminton, football, ping pong, baseball, and basketball. For couples seeking a romantic evening, extended kids’ club hours are available at an additional charge, alongside 24-hour babysitting for younger children.
The resort also offers unique environmental activities, such as eco-centre presentations, hermit crab trails, tree planting, and visits to hydroponics gardens, encouraging younger guests to learn about sustainable practices.
For adventurous families, Kuramathi provides a fully equipped dive school with multilingual instructors who guide participants through PADI and SSI courses, including options for children as young as eight. Guests can also explore the ocean through snorkelling safaris, turtle discovery trips, dolphin excursions, and semi-submarine tours. Water sports such as windsurfing, dinghy sailing, and catamaran lessons are available for children aged 12 and above.
While children are occupied, parents can relax at the spa or enjoy evening cocktails at the Champagne Loft or pool bars. Dining options include international cuisine at the buffet restaurant and specialty venues like The Reef, La Belle Vie, and Siam Garden. Nightlife on the island is vibrant, with live music, beachside movie nights, DJ performances, and more.
Kuramathi and Campioni promise a summer holiday filled with excitement, learning, and relaxation, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Awards
Sun Siyam Resorts honoured at Target Taste Awards 2024
Sun Siyam Resorts has announced its receipt of the prestigious 2024 Target Taste Award for ‘Overseas Island Hotel Group.’ The accolade was presented during the ‘Target Taste’ awards ceremony in December 2024, held in Beijing. This event celebrated innovation and excellence within the luxury lifestyle industry.
The 2024 awards, themed ‘Revolutionise and Innovate,’ gathered leading brands and visionaries to highlight advancements in high-end hospitality, design, travel, and culinary arts. Sun Siyam Resorts was honoured for its commitment to redefining island luxury through exceptional guest experiences, sustainable practices, and innovative offerings.
Ashley Zhang, Regional Marketing & Communications Manager for China, accepted the award on behalf of the company, marking a significant milestone for the group.
Target Taste, a prominent Chinese luxury lifestyle magazine established in 2013, has consistently recognised industry pioneers. Its awards serve as a hallmark of innovation, elegance, and excellence in the luxury sector.
Claudia Klingbeil, Group Director of PR & Communications at Sun Siyam Resorts, stated: “This recognition is deeply meaningful to all of us at Sun Siyam Resorts. It reflects the passion, dedication, and heart that our team pours into creating memorable experiences for our guests, and this recognition fuels our commitment to constantly evolve and innovate.”
Celebration
Tropical elegance meets cultural heritage: SO/ Maldives’ festive celebration
Step into a realm of unparalleled luxury and avant-garde elegance as SO/ Maldives prepares to celebrate Chinese New Year in high style from 28 January to 31 January 2025. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Maldives, this iconic celebration promises a curated experience of haute cuisine, holistic indulgence, and captivating festivities, transforming the holiday into a statement of sophistication.
Renowned for vibrant celebrations and rich heritage, this year’s Chinese New Year program offers an unforgettable lineup. Highlights include a spectacular light-up ceremony, spellbinding cultural performances, a chic DJ party, and elegant festive fairs, all steeped in glamour and refinement.
The theme for 2025, “Ushering Fortune and Unity for a Prosperous New Year,” emphasises joy, harmony, and good fortune. Anchored in multiculturalism and diversity, the festivities aim to bring families and couples together for a stylish celebration of new beginnings. Through vibrant events and a glamorous ambiance, SO/ Maldives sets the stage for a bright and prosperous year.
Guests can immerse themselves in a fusion of cultural traditions and tropical luxury. Highlights include the energetic Lion Dance, which winds through the resort, and thrilling adventures such as snorkelling in crystal-clear waters. Culinary experiences like the Asian Street Market and Beach BBQ showcase Chinese-inspired gourmet delights, while creative workshops such as Handmade Pottery and Canvas Bag Painting ensure magical moments for younger guests.
SO/ Maldives elevates the festive allure with dazzling red lantern installations and breathtaking dragon dance performances on pristine beaches. Villas adorned with bespoke Chinese New Year decor blend cultural heritage with contemporary chic, creating an atmosphere of bold sophistication.
“At SO/ Maldives, we reinvent luxury celebrations, merging vibrant traditions with a cutting-edge, fashion-forward perspective. This Chinese New Year, the experience will be as bold and dazzling as the Year of the Wood Snake itself,” says Olivier MOIESDELVAL, General Manager of SO/ Maldives.
SO/ Maldives invites guests to embrace the finer things in life, where every taste, touch, and moment sparkles with creativity and glamour.
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