Featured
Ultimate privacy, luxury with new jet-to-yacht service for Velaa Private Island
Camper & Nicholsons and VistaJet have launched a new Jet-to-Yacht service, as part of the global business aviation company’s Private World programme.
A global service for private travel, Private World is hospitality in its truest sense, providing an integrated team ready to support at any step — whether traveling for work, exploring or relaxing.
As privacy and safety become increasingly important for global travellers and with a growing number of families and business leaders more inclined than before to travel by private jet, this is an ideal time for launch.
VistaJet has partnered up with the best in hospitality the world has to offer, from hotels including The Peninsula Hotels, Dorchester Collection and Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, to private islands including Velaa Private Island Maldives and Necker Island.
As VistaJet’s EVP of Marketing and Innovation, Matteo Atti puts it: “Our selection of partners is inspired by the desire to protect, preserve and promote the highest know-how of the best hospitality services. We work every day to ensure customers can access the best the world has to offer. Our Members know that when they enter the VistaJet Private World they step into a place of tranquillity, safety and excellence.”
VistaJet Members and Camper & Nicholsons’ clients will be supported by a dedicated team and have access to the most incredible locations across the world, starting with the most popular business hubs such as London, New York, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Dubai, Milan, Nice, Beijing, Shanghai and Moscow, extending to popular in-demand sea and yachting destinations, including the Maldives, Fiji, The Bahamas and Croatia.
Considering the launch of the Jet-to-Yacht service, Camper & Nicholsons grants access to its portfolio of leading motor and sailing yachts around the world. Key highlights include charters in The Bahamas, Croatia, Fiji, Maldives and Seychelles. The dedicated team is on hand to help identify the best location and yacht for each individual customer.
Paolo Casani, CEO of Camper & Nicholsons adds: “The pandemic has put us through difficult times, but it has also been a wakeup call with regards to what is most precious in life – our health. Our mission is to give our clients the safest travel experience while enjoying life aboard some of the world’s most stunning yachts. We are delighted to have a partner, VistaJet, that supports our mission in creating the most exclusive and safest way of traveling, hassle free.”
Velaa Private Island has been designed and curated with privacy and comfort as its guiding principles, while allowing the Indian Ocean to take centre stage.
Within 35 minutes of landing, VistaJet members can sink their toes into the island sand with their personal butler on hand to take care of check in and any individual requirements.
All 47 private villas — 18 suspended over water — feature private pools. For those wanting ultimate seclusion, the Romantic Pool Residence can only be reached by boat, allowing for even more privacy.
Private island buyouts can also be arranged.
Guests can contribute to the Velaa Private Island Coral Project — one of the largest coral reef restoration projects in the Maldives — by adopting a coral plantation and following its development with the marine biology team.
Private moments, from deserted island picnics to wine tastings, are tailored to the occasion and guest preferences.
There are also unlimited activities for all to enjoy in privacy, from golf at the Velaa Golf Academy designed by Ryder Cup Captain José María Olazábal, to the Maldives’ only snow room in the Velaa Spa. No activity is ever shared.
For more information and bookings, please visit www.vistajet.com
Awards
Coco Bodu Hithi wins ‘Best Service’ at 2025 Condé Nast Johansens Awards
Coco Bodu Hithi, a renowned boutique resort in the Maldives celebrated for its Maldivian-inspired elegance, has received recognition at the 2025 Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence.
This prestigious accolade honours outstanding quality across recommended properties worldwide and serves as a trusted benchmark for travellers and industry professionals alike. Coco Bodu Hithi was awarded the title of ‘Best Service’ by Condé Nast Johansens for its exceptional hospitality, which seamlessly blends serene surroundings with meticulous, personalised service.
Additionally, the resort was recently recognised in the 2024 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards as one of the top resorts in the Indian Ocean, cementing its position as a leader in luxury travel. Offering a thoughtfully curated guest experience, Coco Bodu Hithi continues to set itself apart within the industry.
The resort also excels in culinary innovation, boasting four exceptional restaurants. Renowned Michelin-starred chefs frequently collaborate with Group Culinary Director and Michelin-starred chef Martin Cahill to craft exquisite dining experiences, reflecting Coco Bodu Hithi’s unwavering commitment to service excellence and world-class gastronomy.
Drink
Cocktail art meets tropical bliss: Tao Zrafi transforms Oaga Art Resort’s Sobi Bar
Oaga Art Resort has transformed its Sobi Bar into a Mixology Garden, showcasing a collaboration with internationally acclaimed Beverage Artist and Netflix’s ‘Drink Masters’ finalist, Tao Zrafi.
Far from the typical poolside bar, the revamped Sobi Bar offers a unique experience where artistic cocktails take centre stage. Standard drinks are replaced with Tao Zrafi’s creations, which expertly blend local Maldivian flavours with surprising twists, providing a sensory journey for visitors.
Each cocktail at Sobi Bar is a testament to Tao Zrafi’s creativity. His exclusive menu combines stunning visual presentation with complex, delightful flavours, elevating the drink experience into an art form.
The Mixology Garden caters to diverse tastes. In addition to Tao Zrafi’s signature creations, Sobi Bar offers a curated selection of international gins and artisanal beers, ensuring every guest finds the perfect beverage to suit their preferences.
To commemorate the launch of the Mixology Garden, Oaga Art Resort is hosting several special events:
- Cocktail Masterclasses (November 29 and December 6): Guests can learn from Tao Zrafi himself, discovering the secrets behind his innovative cocktails.
- The Grand Unveiling (December 5): This evening celebration features Tao’s signature cocktails, a buffet, live music, interactive mural painting, and spectacular fire shows. Guests can enjoy a sunset soiree combining art, music, and unforgettable flavours.
Sneak peeks of Tao Zrafi’s creations are available on Oaga Art Resort’s social media platforms, offering a teaser of the enchanting cocktails awaiting guests at Sobi Bar.
Whether seeking relaxation, artistic inspiration, or an elevated cocktail experience, the Mixology Garden at Sobi Bar promises something extraordinary. With its blend of stunning flavors, unique atmosphere, and unforgettable events, Oaga Art Resort ensures every visitor leaves with cherished memories of paradise.
Featured
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa announces exclusive collaboration with Maldivian
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa, a luxury destination located in the pristine Haa Alifu Atoll of the Maldives, has announced its exclusive partnership with Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, for all seaplane and domestic flight transfers. Starting from November 1st, 2024, this collaboration aims to provide guests with unparalleled convenience and seamless travel to the resort, ensuring daily service, with additional transfers available depending on the season.
The resort is known for its spacious villas, exceptional privacy, a wide array of experiences, world-class amenities, and personalised service, all set in a lush, natural island paradise. With Maldivian as its exclusive seaplane transfer partner, guests can enjoy a direct, swift, and scenic journey from Velana International Airport to the resort’s doorstep.
Ahmed Hafeez, Managing Director of Lily Hotels, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to partner with Maldivian to elevate our guests’ arrival and departure experience. This collaboration ensures a smooth and luxurious transition, allowing guests to begin their unforgettable holiday the moment they step off the plane.”
Upon arrival at Velana International Airport, guests are welcomed by the resort’s dedicated airport representatives, who escort them to the exclusive Lily Hotels Lounge at the Noovilu Seaplane Terminal. Here, they can relax and enjoy panoramic views, complimentary refreshments, and Wi-Fi while awaiting their transfer.
In addition to seaplane transfers, Maldivian will also manage domestic flight transfers for guests who prefer this alternative. This comprehensive approach highlights Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa’s commitment to providing flexible and convenient travel solutions.
The partnership with Maldivian also positions the resort for future growth, particularly with the upcoming upgrade of Hanimaadhoo International Airport. This development is expected to enhance accessibility and offer more travel options for the resort’s clientele. The collaboration is anticipated to generate increased interest in the less-explored northern Maldives, an area known for its untouched natural beauty and more tranquil, underwater experiences.
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