Cubicle Dreamin' is a feature in which we ask the hotel mavens to take some time out of their busy work day, surf the Internet, and tell us what hotel they wish they could beam themselves to right that very second--all on the slave driving companies dime, of course. Oh, like these people aren't surfing aimlessly anyway--at least now their purposeless clicking will be cobbled together into useful hotel stories--we hope. Have a destination hotel you are just dying to leave your cube for? Send the story our way.
In this episode, Hotel Maven Jennifer Merritt heads to the Maldives...in her head. Enjoy.
Ever since a PR person's pitch for the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island arrived in my inbox, I cannot stop thinking about this place--and that was a year and a half ago.
Set on two private islands accessible only by seaplane, the hotel is surrounded by coral reef and a lagoon. It features an all-glass, undersea restaurant, two spas and various levels of luxury water villas scattered throughout miles and miles of white sandy beaches.
A friend of ours was fortunate enough to be able to make the trip to the W Maldives a few months ago and of course the green-eyed monster came out when looking at her vacation pics.
The W seems to be everything it promises on the website, in the magazines, in the ads and more. We will go there someday. Oh yes, we will go there someday.
In the meantime, check out this sweet W boat that ferries guests around where they need to go--like the airport. Do you think they would sell that in the W online store?
A relatively recent opening in the Maldives, the Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru has quickly become a very popular destination over its first couple of years. In a UK Independent report last week it got an extremely positive write-up:
Food and cabins - there are some 50 "beach pavilions" and 38 "water bungalows" - are, needless to say, so faultless you'll want to cry when it's time to leave.
When we see this photo of the pool out the back of a water villa, we can understand never wanting to say goodbye. And each room and villa come with such a long list of life's daily needs that we could probably stay and work from there anyhow: they have CD and DVD players, multi-line telephones with voicemail and wired and wireless internet access. Plus the housekeeping service drops by not once, but twice a day.
However, our dream of living at the Landaa Giraavaru forever has already been quickly shattered because we checked the prices. The cheapest nightly rate (and that's not for a water villa with this pool, obviously) comes in at US$700 a night using a stay four, pay for three package; if you want a Bed and Breakfast deal it comes in at $960 per night. Might have to be satisfied with a short vacation there instead.
Cubicle Dreamin' is a feature in which we ask the hotel mavens to take some time out of their busy work day, surf the Internet, and tell us what hotel they wish they could beam themselves to right that very second--all on the slave driving companies dime, of course. Oh, like these people aren't surfing aimlessly anyway--at least now their purposeless clicking will be cobbled together into useful hotel stories--we hope. Have a destination hotel you are just dying to leave your cube for? Send the story our way.
In this episode, Hotel Maven Annabel escape the bitter chill of London. Enjoy.
As the London days get shorter and the winter chill begins to set in, I can't help but question why I left the shores of sunny Australia. Thankfully I'm headed home for Christmas for a month of beach (ok, bayside) bliss, but I can't help wishing that I could make a detour in the Maldives for a holiday of the more indulgent variety.
Encircled by the clear blue waters of one of the largest lagoons of the Maldives, the Taj Exotica Resort and Spa is just a 15 minute luxury speedboat ride from the Malè International Airport (no taxis here, folks), and each suite features its very own private plunge pool.
Open seven days a week, the adjoining spa offers authentic Indian treatments and includes a Yoga and Meditation Pavilion, a VIP Spa Suite and two over-water luxurious Couple spa suites should you be lucky enough to have an amorous partner in tow.
With rates starting from $330 US per person, per night, however my bed at home is unfortunately looking like the more realistic destination for the time being.
Luxury hotels are getting more and more creative/insane with the hotel amenities that they can offer for their high-paying guests and the Hilton Maldives is no exception.
The hotel has picked up a nearby desert island (Huruelhi) and keeps it reserved for guests who want a "Robinson Crusoe" type of adventure for a day.
Never mind that the resort is already set on two bridge-linked islands. Or that the place has enough to keep you entertained with 10 restaurants and bars, an undersea restaurant, two spas, the infamous cheese "closet" with 130 cheeses and all sorts of water activities from snorkeling to deep-sea fishing.
Still, if you want more the hotel will send you out to the desert island, Huruelhi for some exploring and set up a picnic lunch/dinner for you. Aside from the "desert island" cool factor, you might find yourselves more entertained back at the resort. Just wait 45 minutes after eating all the cheese before you go swimming.
NOTE: The Hilton Maldives will be rebranded as a Conrad Resort this December.
When we think of the Maldives, snorkelling, scuba diving and relaxing at the pool are the kinds of activities which spring to mind. But those heading to the Hilton Maldives Resort and Spa (to become the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island in December) should add another activity to the list: cheese-tasting.
Will the Maldives ever reach saturation point when it comes to accommodation? Maybe, but certainly it hasn't yet. Another new resort has just hit the list of idyllic island resorts with the opening of Naladhu. It's pretty small: just one small island containing nineteen "houses" (why use the term "house", when you can have bungalow, cottage or any number of exotic names)? Each house is named after a plant from the Maldives, so you'll be able to tell your place apart from your neighbor's.
Like far too many Maldivian island resorts, Naladhu employed a copywriter for their website who was just far too free with their use of adjectives. So the marketing tells us this about Naladhu:
Free-flowing spaces. A symphony of rolling waves and rustling palms. The feel of warm, turquoise-blue lagoon waters and exotic Indian spice rubs. The familiar cool of hardwood floors and goose-down pillows. White clapboard shutters and infinity-edge plunge pools. The comforts you know and love. The romantic island getaway you've imagined.
Why the "familiar cool of hardwood floors" is the reason for us to go on holiday there isn't quite clear, but of course the all-the-rage infinity-edge plunge pools are definitely on our desirable list.
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by jennm
