Featured
Ellaidhoo Maldives achieves Green Globe Gold status
Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon is a quaint six hectares island paradise at the edge of the largest of the 22 natural atolls in the Maldives.
Green Globe Gold status has been awarded to Ellaidhoo Maldives to commemorate five consecutive years of certification.
Island innovation is at the forefront of sustainable planning at this beautiful resort culminating in a number of notable green initiatives.
Plastic reduction initiatives
Maldivian resorts have been pushed to come up with their own creative solutions in achieving zero plastic targets by 2023.
As part of its Save Ocean From Plastics campaign, Ellaidhoo Maldives has replaced its plastic garbage bags for large bins with a washable and reusable garbage bag.
In addition, plastic guest laundry bags have been replaced with handmade paper bags made from old Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts’ magazines — a colourful solution for an urgent and serious problem.
Single use plastic (SUP) bottles were also in the resort’s sights. In March, 1.5 litre PET bottles were replaced with refillable water flagons, while 500 millilitre bottles were replaced with customised reusable drinking bottles that were gifted to guests upon check-in.
The results in reducing overall plastic waste were substantial. Within the 2019/20 period, the resort diverted a total amount of 915.86kg of plastic waste from landfill and marine environments.
A detailed breakdown provides more information on exact figures:
- Total reduction in large plastic garbage bags from November 2019 to March 2020 was 17,450 bags X 0.044 kg per bag = 767.80kg
- The total reduction in plastic laundry bags for the same period was 2300 bags X 0.010 kg per bag = 23 kg
- Total reduction in plastic 1.5 litre water bottles in March 2020 was 3573 bottles X 0.035 kg per bottle=125.06 kg
Reducing carbon footprint
Ellaidhoo Maldives has invested in infrastructure that can harness solar energy as an affordable and clean energy source.
A total of 428 solar panels have been installed on rooftops generating a total capacity of 150 kW.
In the last financial year 2019/20, 192 008 kWh of solar energy was generated at the solar plant. That is a saving of 59,280 litres of diesel fuel, a reduction in carbon emissions of 156, 499 kg of CO2 and a financial saving of $29,640.
Ellaidhoo is accessible via seaplane or speedboat from the main Velana International Airport. It is a 25-minute journey by seaplane or a one and a half hour ride on the speedboat.
Keeping you close to the ocean or quietly nestled in lush gardens, Ellaidhoo houses 112 rooms across four room categories, including Standard Rooms, Superior Rooms, Beach Bungalows and Water Bungalows, that feature ocean-inspired interiors and open-air bathrooms.
The resort has recently gone through a major upgrade, with a fresh look and feel being unveiled for its water bungalows and the accompanying restaurant and bar, as well as the Standard Rooms and Beach Bungalows.
Madi Restaurant and Malamathi Restaurant offer all-day dining with international buffet spreads. Sunset views and tropical cocktails can be enjoyed at Iruohsnee Bar or the bar at Malamathi Restaurant.
Chavana Spa at Ellaidhoo provides a pampering experience with its private treatment rooms and relaxing massage treatments. Additionally, there is an infinity pool, fitness centre, and a host of other recreation facilities, including tennis, badminton, billiards and beach volleyball.
Ellaidhoo, located in the North Ari Atoll, is renowned for its world-class diving. The resort’s fully-equipped PADI-certified dive centre comes with excellent dive instructors and guides who will lead you to the caves and colours that exist just off the resort decks. Jump in, dive down and discover the house reef, an altogether different kind of paradise. You will find that turtles, mantas, shark and whales are a constant sight, giving you a mad rush of adrenalin as they pass you by.
Featured
Janice Wong brings edible art to OZEN LIFE MAADHOO
For those with a refined sweet tooth and a love for the Maldives, THE OZEN COLLECTION has announced an exclusive collaboration with celebrated pastry virtuoso Janice Wong. The renowned chef will be present at OZEN LIFE MAADHOO from 24th to 26th April 2025, transforming the island into a hub of culinary innovation. Guests will have the opportunity to experience bespoke dessert creations, interactive workshops, and captivating chocolate installations.
During her residency, Chef Wong will unveil her signature edible chocolate wall art—an impressive three-metre-tall masterpiece crafted from sustainably sourced chocolate. Designed to reflect the Maldives’ vibrant marine ecosystem, the installation will feature intricate coral-inspired designs, with 100 ‘reef-like’ cavities containing hand-painted bonbons for guests to enjoy. In addition to this centrepiece, she will host live dessert stations at the resort’s overwater venues, offering delicacies such as Yuzu Meringue Clouds and Salted Caramel Lava Spheres, carefully paired with sommelier-selected dessert wines.
On 24th April, a four-hands gourmet dinner at the underwater restaurant M6m will showcase a collaboration between Chef Wong and OZEN LIFE MAADHOO’s Executive Chef Alok. This exclusive event, limited to just 40 guests, will present a dessert degustation menu that reimagines Maldivian flavours through modernist techniques and locally sourced ingredients.
Younger guests will also have the chance to explore their creativity through daily chocolate art workshops, where Chef Wong will guide families in crafting edible masterpieces using chocolate crayons, rice paper, and miniature canvases. Each child will leave with a personalised creation and a keepsake brochure detailing the week’s activities.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Chef Wong expressed her inspiration from the Maldives’ natural beauty. She noted that her goal at OZEN LIFE MAADHOO is to blur the lines between art, nature, and gastronomy, creating lasting impressions both on the palate and in memory.
All experiences will be seamlessly integrated into the resort’s INDULGENCE™ Plan, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the festivities. From sunset bonbon tastings to private consultations with Chef Wong, the programme exemplifies THE OZEN COLLECTION’s commitment to Refined Elegance, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all attendees.
Cooking
Celebrity Chef Jord Althuizen brings his BBQ mastery to Coco Bodu Hithi
Coco Bodu Hithi, an authentic Maldivian retreat located approximately a 35-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport, is set to offer guests a unique opportunity to experience the flavours of the grill with celebrity chef and best-selling culinary author from the Netherlands, Chef Jord Althuizen, from February 24 to 26 this year.
Renowned for its stunning barbecues under the stars, the resort, which was awarded the title of ‘Indian Ocean’s Most Romantic Resort’ at the 2024 World Travel Awards, welcomes Chef Jord during what is often considered the “most romantic month” of the year. Best known for earning the Whole Hog BBQ’er title in 2014, he has received multiple accolades for authoring four best-selling BBQ cookbooks in 2016 and 2017.
Recognised by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2024 as one of the top resorts in the Indian Ocean, Coco Bodu Hithi invites guests to indulge in an extraordinary dining experience featuring Chef Jord Althuizen’s expertise in grilling. With his dedication to perfection, diners can expect a remarkable culinary journey showcasing freshly caught seafood and the finest meats from around the world.
Frequently referred to as a “gourmet getaway” in the Maldives, the resort regularly hosts Michelin-starred chefs who create unforgettable dining experiences. These exclusive events are further enhanced by the expertise of Group Culinary Director and Michelin Star-awarded Chef Martin Cahill.
Guests can look forward to savouring Moroccan Fire Fish, Indian Asado Cooked Lamb Parathas, or Texas-Style Short Ribs, complemented by expertly paired wines for a truly immersive gastronomic experience.
Featured
Constance Maldives Resorts shine in Booking.com Traveller Review Awards
Constance Hotels, Resorts & Golf has once again been recognised in the prestigious Booking.com Traveller Review Awards, reflecting its unwavering commitment to excellence and outstanding hospitality. Among its properties, the resorts in the Maldives have achieved remarkable scores, highlighting their dedication to creating exceptional guest experiences.
The Maldives properties have received the following ratings out of 10:
- Constance Halaveli Maldives – 9.7
- Constance Moofushi Maldives – 9.6
These impressive scores underscore the high standards of service, luxurious accommodations, and unique experiences offered at these renowned Maldivian resorts.
Jean-Jacques Vallet, CEO of Constance Hotels, Resorts & Golf, expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, “These awards are a testament to the unwavering dedication of our team, who continually go above and beyond to provide guests with a vibrant atmosphere, high-quality experiences, and exceptional value.”
With these accolades, Constance Hotels, Resorts & Golf further cements its reputation as a leading luxury hospitality provider in the Maldives, ensuring guests an unforgettable stay in one of the world’s most breathtaking destinations.
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