Featured
Experience Maldivian traditions at Heritance Aarah
Offering the perfect combination of exclusivity and comfort, Heritance Aarah offers luxury with a touch of Maldivian tradition.
Guests are greeted with a traditional Maldivian dance and one of the leading restaurants on the property offers a fusion of Maldivian and Sri Lankan cuisine.
The villas are designed and built using local Maldivian and modern architectural techniques and the resort even has a replica of a Maldivian village on the property to provide guests an overview of life in the Maldives.
The resort offers a premium all-inclusive holiday plan which is currently being offered at a 45 per cent discount and includes seaplane transfers from Male (that cost approximately $500 per person).
Opened in December 2018, Heritance Aarah is the first resort in Maldives from the Sri Lankan luxury brand Heritance by Aitken Spence Hotels and Resorts.
It offers an excellent choice of dining with six restaurants and four bars and top-notch facilities including the Maldives’ first medi-spa, making it ideal for honeymooners, families and group of friends.
Its range of accommodation consists of 150 villas including 26 intimate luxury duplex ocean suites, 56 sunset ocean villas and 68 land villas.
In 2019, Heritance Aarah became the first property in the Maldives to receive the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification.
It is committed to sustainability and works diligently to reduce the environmental impact of the hotel. For instance, it is a plastic-free zone and even the toothbrushes in the bathroom are made of bamboo.
What makes the Heritance Aarah stand out is its service.
Each villa comes with its own personal butler who is responsible for your comfort during your stay. From driving you around the resort in a battery-powered buggy to making reservations at various restaurants to booking your excursions, your butler is your genie, with your every wish being his command.
The restaurant staff right from the maître de to the waiting staff to the team of chefs and bartenders is exceptional, making each visit to any of the six restaurants memorable.
Accommodation
The resort’s 150 villas are luxurious and super comfortable with beautiful ocean views, private sundecks and great facilities such as large bathrooms with deep tubs and L’Occitane toiletries, rainfall showers, well-stocked mini bars (replenished daily with two bottles of wine), king-size beds, Marshall speakers and flat screen TVs.
The décor is simple but striking, with timber and thatched roofs and a neutral palate.
The water villas have a small glass-covered section on the floor where you can sit for hours looking at the marine life below your villa. They also come with a sun terrace with direct access to the lagoon for house reef snorkelling.
The Grand Ocean Suite is the most luxurious. A 3400 sq feet two-bedroom duplex apartment with its own swimming pool.
Facilities
There is so much to do at Heritance Aarah – both above and below sea level. You can go diving, catamaran sailing, canoeing, snorkelling, kite surfing, jet skiing – the list runs long.
If you are not into adventure, go for an excursion that allows you to explore the archipelago, such as dolphin cruises or a sunset cruise.
The resort’s water sports centre is called Kaito and comprises of a team of highly skilled and experienced international and local diving instructors all of whom speak perfect English. They are PADI certified in case you wish to do a scuba diving course.
The resort has two swimming pools, a fully-equipped gymnasium with nutritionists and trainers, a dedicated playground for kids, futsal fields, tennis courts, beach volleyball and football.
Heritance Aarah has the only medi-spa in the Maldives that provides medical non-invasive procedures such as non-surgical facelifts, micro-and nano-needling and skin peels. The overwater spa with six treatment rooms also offers traditional spa and beauty therapies such as massages and manicures. The spa also has a hangover clinic with intravenous fluid, vitamin and mineral treatments.
Motorised sports and spa treatments are not included in the all-inclusive package. They have to be paid for separately.
Food and drink
This is where the Heritance Aarah really stands out. Each and every meal at any of its restaurants is exceptional. Whether it is the bubble iced tea offered as a welcome drink or the freshly baked bread basket, the 18-spiced butter served as an accompaniment to fresh grilled fish or the sinful seafood burger – each dish is made with utmost care and precision.
This is not surprising as the team in the kitchens is exceptional. It has won several awards including clinching the overall championship at the Culinary Art Expo in Sri Lanka in 2019 and 2020.
Of its six excellent restaurants, five are included in your all-inclusive package. The highlight is the nine-course Sri Lankan-Maldivian meal at Ambula.
Baani that serves authentic Middle Eastern and international cuisine is exclusively for Ocean Suite guests. Others can dine there by paying $100.
Starting from 7am in the morning, there are two family-friendly buffets at Ranba and Ranlu, which stretch to lunch and dinner with everything you can think of, from spicy curries to fresh sushi, pizzas, burgers and pastas.
For dinner, there’s the relaxed open-air and beach grill Ginifati where it’s all about fresh seafood and the catch of the day served with a range of salads and sides.
Do book a table in advance at Hathaa, which seats only 10 guests and rotates between Thai and Japanese set menus, and has a chef’s table vibe.
There are also four bars dotted around the island. There’s a sky bar with double-height views across the ocean, a poolside bar, and a rum bar. An array of exotic cocktails and a wide selection of wines are served at the bars, including the main pool bar, and the infinity pool bar. The bartenders are exceptional and you can trust them to surprise you with the most innovative cocktails.
An experience not to be missed is the floating breakfast that is served in the infinity pool. A floating breakfast is exactly that – a breakfast that floats. A large tray of food is made to float in the infinity pool and you have it while ensuring that you do not splash water and wet your food. At Heritance Aarah it’s priced at $90 for a couple.
In the given circumstances the resort is taking all precautions to ensure the safety of its guests.
Featured
Worldwide Kids accreditation highlights Dhigali Maldives’ commitment to exceptional childcare
Dhigali Maldives has announced that its “Play” Kids Club has been accredited by Worldwide Kids, becoming one of only nine such facilities in the Maldives. This recognition underscores Dhigali’s commitment to providing high-quality and inclusive childcare services.
Christian Szabo, the General Manager of Dhigali Maldives, described the accreditation as a significant milestone, emphasising that it affirms the resort’s dedication to offering exceptional and inclusive childcare programs. He expressed pride in joining a network that shares the vision of nurturing young minds.
The “Play” Kids Club caters to children aged 4-12, providing a vibrant array of activities facilitated by certified childcare professionals. This accreditation further solidifies Dhigali’s focus on delivering exceptional family experiences in a safe and stimulating environment.
With this accomplishment, Dhigali Maldives continues to set a high standard for family-friendly luxury, ensuring parents can relax with the confidence that their children are engaged in fun and enriching activities during their stay.
Celebration
VARU by Atmosphere marks five years of unmatched hospitality
VARU by Atmosphere, an iconic private island resort in the Maldives, celebrated its five-year anniversary this week, marking five years of hospitality, culture, and luxury inspired by the core philosophy of the Joy of Giving. The Naturally Maldivian resort hosted key stakeholders, including the island’s owners, corporate leadership, and colleagues, for an evening of grand celebrations featuring cultural performances, awards, and diverse culinary experiences.
Since its opening in 2019, VARU by Atmosphere has established itself as a sanctuary for travellers seeking to explore the Maldives’ rich cultural heritage while enjoying heartfelt hospitality. Guests at the resort experience the beauty of the turquoise lagoon and immerse themselves in the relaxed island lifestyle of this picturesque Indian Ocean destination. A standout feature of the resort is the award-winning Kaagé restaurant, which highlights authentic Maldivian cuisine, celebrating local ingredients, flavors, and culinary traditions.
Reflecting on the milestone, Mei P. Pun, General Manager of VARU by Atmosphere, noted the significance of the resort’s name, saying, “In Dhivehi, the Maldivian dialect, VARU translates to living life in abundance, strength, resilience, and above all, authenticity. For us, hospitality is about sharing the soul of the Maldives with every visitor, a mission made possible by the dedicated team. Their passion, warm smiles, and unwavering energy resonate with guests, many of whom return time and again.”
Part of the Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts brand, VARU by Atmosphere is a contemporary 5-star resort offering a luxurious island experience with 108 villas situated along white sandy beaches, crystal-clear turquoise lagoons, and three jetties featuring spacious over-water accommodations. Guests benefit from the exclusive VARU Plan™, a comprehensive holiday package that includes diverse dining options, spa experiences, daily activities, and excursions designed to enrich their stay.
Situated on the North-West edge of Malé Atoll, the resort is easily accessible via a 40-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport. It boasts four restaurants and two bars, ensuring a wide range of culinary options, alongside premium facilities such as a dive school, water sports centre, overwater ELE|NA spa complex, gym, kids’ club, ocean excursions, and daily complimentary snorkelling trips to explore the vibrant underwater world.
Celebration
JOALI Maldives celebrates six years of art and luxury with Maison Ruinart
JOALI Maldives, the first and only art-immersive resort in the Maldives, will commemorate its sixth anniversary on November 15, 2024, with a special event that highlights its dedication to art, sustainability, and nature. For this milestone celebration, the resort is collaborating with Ruinart, the world’s oldest Champagne house. Founded in 1729 in Reims, France, and currently owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy, Ruinart has a long-standing connection to art, dating back to 1895 when Andre Ruinart commissioned Czech artist Alphonse Mucha to design a poster for the brand. Similarly, since its launch in 2018, JOALI has redefined the role of art in luxury hospitality by showcasing works from international artists. Renowned for its vibrant joie de vivre lifestyle, JOALI aligns with Maison Ruinart’s savoir-vivre philosophy, sharing values rooted in art and luxury.
As part of the celebration, British-French artist Sophie Kitching will present an ethereal art display during a cocktail event at Mura Bar, the heart of the resort. A graduate of the École nationale supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and the School of Visual Arts in New York, Kitching is acclaimed for her installations, paintings, sculptures, and works on paper. She frequently employs oils, watercolours, and gold leaves on natural materials. Having collaborated with Maison Ruinart for events such as Frieze NY 2022 and the “Maison 1729” exhibition, Kitching will create bespoke eco-designed second skins and coasters for JOALI’s sixth anniversary. Drawing inspiration from the island’s native flora and fauna, including grey herons, sea birds, vibrant corals, and marine life, her creations incorporate vivid colours and copper-zinc leaves to adorn Ruinart bottles. These pieces reflect both JOALI’s and Ruinart’s shared commitment to art and sustainability.
During the event, guests will savour Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Cuvées while admiring Kitching’s ‘Invisible Green Art XXX, 2024’, an abstract masterpiece featuring a distinctive green tone originally developed during England’s Georgian and Regency eras. Transported from Ruinart’s archives in Reims, this artwork will remain on display at JOALI Maldives for over six months. Art and wine enthusiasts will also have the opportunity to purchase limited-edition hand-painted second skins by Kitching during the cocktail event or until the pieces are sold out.
On November 16, 2024, guests can further indulge in an exclusive champagne-pairing dinner hosted by Fabien Vallérian, International Director of Arts & Culture at Ruinart. This gastronomic experience will pair Maison Ruinart’s champagnes with a meticulously curated menu, with each plate and glass weaving a narrative of art and flavour.
Fabien Vallérian praised the partnership, stating: “At Maison Ruinart, the protection of nature is central to our values. We are dedicated to supporting artists who foster a dialogue between humanity and nature through their creativity and craftsmanship. Since 2022, we have collaborated with Sophie Kitching on various artistic commissions, and this project with JOALI provides an incredible opportunity for her to explore and celebrate the ecosystems of the Maldives.”
These celebratory events mark the beginning of a promising partnership, with future activations planned both in the Maldives and globally.
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