PARADISE ISLANDS MALDIVES
Paradise Islands Maldives - Luxury Travel Magazine
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Paradise Found | |||||
| By: Michelle Kearney, Issue 44 – Spring 2010 | |||||
| (Maldives) | |||||
| IN THE 13TH CENTURY, MARCO POLO DESCRIBED THE ISLANDS OF THE MALDIVES AS “THE FLOWERS OF THE INDIES” AND, WITH STILL ONLY ONE FIFTH OF ALL OF THE ISLANDS THAT MAKE UP THE MALDIVES INHABITED TODAY, IT HAS MANAGED TO REMAIN AN UNTOUCHED PARADISE. MICHELLE KEARNEY VISITED CLUB MED’S LATEST UP-SCALE RESORT ON THE MALDIVES ISLAND OF KANI. | |||||
| Flying over the Maldives, the view could easily have been mistaken for a digital island landscape that you might find on a screensaver. It was hard to miss my destination. From a bird’s eye view the island of Kani, approximately 20km from Male, the capital of the Maldives, resembles a massive palm tree, its branches are the Club Med Maldives Kani lagoon suites that spiral out into crystal lagoon waters. Paradise found. Whatever else you might know about Club Med, the brand is famous for being all about the all-inclusive holiday package, and having stayed at numerous Club Med resorts around the world, I have come to expect the friendly well-rounded experience for which Club Med is also known. The newly renovated Club Med Kani Resort, which in the language of Club Med is a 4-Trident resort, is now taking both of these virtues to an entirely new level. Coinciding with the 60th anniversary of its all-inclusive resorts in over 80 locations worldwide, Club Med has recently launched a new 5-Trident Luxury Space concept at its resort on the Maldives island of Kani, with a five-star level of service for a complete premium experience. The 5-Trident Luxury Space option is for those in search of privacy, customised services and luxury comfort. It comprises a total of 75 lagoon suites on stilts with terraces, a view of the lagoon from your bath and private access to the sea. The suites occupy an exclusive space on the garden-island and its guests enjoy an open bar and snacks and unlimited access to the services and activities at the 4-Trident resort. The 5-Trident Luxury Space lagoon suites are a web of spacious luxury bungalows built on stilts over the Indian Ocean, reaching out over the water like the branches of a palm tree. Each bungalow has its own swim-out deck and private sun beds for guests to relax in their own space away from the main resort. There’s a self-service bar, free Wi-Fi access and an array of newspapers and magazines in both English and French to peruse in the exclusive Manta Lounge which sits at the nucleus of the lagoon suites. The Manta Lounge building features circular glass walls for a 360-degree view and daybeds and catamaran netting to lounge above the marine wildlife. Other 5-Trident guests privileges include priority bookings at the resort’s spa and restaurant, tailored excursion bookings and champagne from 6pm-8pm daily at the Mantra Lounge. Architect Philippe Villeroux designed the villas to blend with the natural surrounds and to age as they would in nature. The magnificent natural beauty of the Maldives is overwhelming. Comprised of over a thousand islands, only two hundred of which are inhabited, they stretch across 300 square kilometres of the Indian Ocean just south of Sri Lanka. I took the Blue Lagoon Discovery tour to the North Male Atoll and visited the local Muslim village on Thulusdhoo Island. The community is small and welcoming, with a school that houses both primary and secondary school students and there is no jail on the island. The devastation of the 2004 tsunami saw the destruction of traditional Maldivian coral houses and natural landscape, but some of these houses still stand and can be seen around the island. The optional Discovery tours are a must to make the most of the Maldives. Including Deep Sea Fishing, Scenic Flight by Seaplane and the Male City Tour, they offer guests a chance to experience the vibrant Maldivian culture outside of the resort and see the people and surrounds in their natural element. At about A$800 per night to stay at The 5-Trident Luxury Space, the package represents great value and includes food (meals and all-day snacking), all drinks (alcohol and even cocktails), activities and accommodation. This is full rack rate but there are often specials and the rate can work out even less depending on your length of stay. There isn’t an extra dollar spent from your arrival to departure, unless you book extra tour excursions or spa treatments, so you know before you go how much your holiday will cost. Once you get there, all the hard work of organisation is taken care of by the friendly G.O. (gentil organisateur) staff so that you can get busy relaxing and taking in the beauty of the island. The resort cuisine is international and fresh local seafood, with an authentic French and Maldivian flavour, and is served at two fantastic restaurants; the buffet-style Le Vehli and the full-service Le Kandu. My evenings were spent winding down at the Sunset Bar with cocktails and a view of the Maldivian sunset before dinner. Bliss. Many people hold the misconception that Club Med is all about group activities and getting up close and personal with other guests, but this is not the only holiday scenario on offer. Guests are free to take advantage of the resort’s facilities as they wish, including the resort spa, pools, gym, restaurants and secluded beaches and they can even snorkel off their own bungalow into the lagoon. Club Med takes care to tailor holidays to each guest, organising itineraries when needed, or simply leaving guests to enjoy the resort at their leisure. Club Med’s 5-Trident Luxury Space takes this service to a new level and is designed to cater to the special requirements of guests who are looking for exclusive service, premium amenities and privacy while still enjoying the spirit and atmosphere for which Club Med is renowned – you will not be forced to enjoy anything that you don’t want to. Since 2004, Club Med has concentrated on up-scaling the accommodation and services of its resorts in general. There are currently only four 5-Trident Club Med destinations in the world: Ixtapa Pacific and Cancun Yucata in Mexico, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and the ski resort Val d’Isere in France. I can certainly recommend 5-Trident Luxury Space Club Med, Maldives. | |||||
| DETAILS GETTING THERE | |||||
| Singapore Airlines has almost 100 weekly flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth to Singapore with a connection to Male operating daily. Call Singapore Airlines on 13 10 11 or visit www.singaporeair.com to find out more. Club Med handles all transfers to and from the Club Med Kani Resort and the airport. Visit www.clubmed.com.au for booking information. | |||||
| RATES | |||||
| Around A$800 per night for the premium all-inclusive holiday package. Rate includes accommodation, all meals, bar and snacking, a large range of sports and activities and nightly entertainment. Contact Club Med for details. | |||||
| RECOMMENDED ROOM NUMBERS | |||||
| The lagoon suites are positioned so that every suite gets views. Guests can request to stay either closer to the island or further out to sea, but this is subject to availability on the day of booking. | |||||
| WHEN TO GO | |||||
| November to April is the best time to visit the Maldives. The wet season is May to October, but this is an excellent time for surfing. | |||||
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