The luxurious escapes you'll find in the Maldives (pronounced MAHL-deeves) are not merely an accident of geography, but a matter of deliberate design. Overwhelmed by an influx of tourists during the 1970s, government leaders created a master plan for the tourist industry, with the aim of emphasizing quality over quantity and minimizing the impact of tourism on the natural -- and human -- environment. The result was the development of a series of high-quality island resorts that have been cited as models for sustainable tourism development.
Maldives which is located in the Indian Ocean, about 500 km from the southern tips of Srilanka and India, is an exotic tropical island paradise for the sun lover, the surfer,, the diver, the honeymooners and those who desire peace in its deepest meaning.
Scatters across the equator in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the gem like islands of the Maldives depict the rare vision of a tropical paradise. Palm fringed islands with sparkling white beaches, turquoise lagoons, clear warm waters and coral reefs teeming with abundant varieties of marine flora and fauna, continue to fascinate visitors, as it has fascinated others in the past, for thousands of years. Marco Polo referred to the Maldives as the ".......flowers of the Indies", and Ibn Batuta called her in his chronicles "One of the wonders of the world"
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Truly a natural wonder, the height of the islands rarely reach above 2 meters. It is said that nobody could exactly say the number of islands in Maldives. When one counts the smaller islets and sandbanks; the commonly agreed figure is 1,190 coral islands, consisting of 26 Atoll formations which are spread over an area of 90,000 square kilometers. The Maldivian Atolls are a classic discovery in its own right: the word "Atoll" has been derived from "Dhivehi" (our own language) the word "Atholhu". |
Each of the islands itself started the life as a little sandbank on a coral reef. And by the action of wind, waves, currents, rain and tides they gradually expand and evolved into islands. At this same manner, as a result of storms, changing tides; it disappear once more beneath the sea. Together these islands which have evolved from circular coral reefs are known by the Maldivians as "Atholhu". So, this could be the largest reef formation in the world!
Thus, a low lying island is naturally formed. Coconuts are washed ashore, palm trees and hardy bushes grow and their roots stabilizes the sand on the coral. Sea birds and hermit crabs are the first known inhabitants. These islands are surrounded by shallow crystal clear lagoons enclosed by coral reefs. Further, these islands provide visitors with one of the most breathtaking views of underwater life in the world.
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Formed above peaks emerging from the depths of the ocean, upon layers of both living and dead coral, and remnants of other marine life, the islands are generally covered with dense tropical vegetation. Coconut palms towering above dense shrubs and hardy plants protecting the shores from erosion are natural features in most islands. The smaller islands and sand banks under formation are also wonders in themselves. |
These islands together embody living entities in various stages of formation, as interdependent elements in an ecology. In a food chain where birds, fish, and other marine life co-exist, with humans at its apex as caretakers for centuries.
With the number of resorts available in Maldives, choosing the right resort for your holiday is of paramount importance as all the islands are dedicated to only one resort. You will not be able to walk down the streets to the next resort if the resort that you have booked is not to your liking. We have a list of resorts that we would like to recommend:
Kurumba Maldives (previously known as Kurumba Village Hotel
The country's oldest and grandest resort has just emerged from a complete re-building as Kurumba Maldives. Every room is a suite with four-poster bed, wooden floors and ceilings, a dressing room and a bathroom that includes an open-air garden with, in some, a swimming pool. The resort is just 15 minutes by speedboat from the airport. All rooms are equipped with inroom safes, minibar, hair-driers and IDD phones. A pioneering resort with easy access, Kurumba is also within boating range of a number of other North Male Atoll islands.
With the largest over-water bar deck in the Maldives and eight top notch restaurants, including Indian, Arabian, Chinese, Italian, and a Japanese counter, and a water-themed spa, Kurumba Maldives is a classic resort that sets the standard for the rest.
Click here to make your reservation for Kurumba Maldives Resort.
A member of the ‘Small Luxury Hotels of the World’, Soneva Gili Resort & Spa is situated on the tropical Lankanfushi Island in the Male Atoll. A place to chill-out and relax, this entire over-water luxury resort brings a whole new meaning to escapism.
Three wooden jetties branch their way off the tiny coral island where you find the 29 Soneva Gili Suites and 8 Soneva Gili Residences. Spaced for privacy, each of the Suites and Residences feature king-size bed, CD player, television, minibar, an outdoor seating area, private open-air bathroom and a floating sun deck where one can relax with the movement of the water. The ultimate hideaway is found in the 7 Crusoe Residences, completely freestanding with endless views of the ocean, your only connection with terra firma via your private row boat.
Click here to make your reservation for Soneva Gili Resort and Spa.
Occupying the entire island of Vabbinfaru, the jewel of the North Malé Atoll, Banyan Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru lies in secluded luxury, yet merely 20 minutes by speedboat from the airport and Malé, the capital of the Maldives. Surrounded by dazzling white talc sand and the bluest of waters teeming with an astonishing abundance of soft corals and fish sparkling in brilliant colors, the exquisite beauty of this tropical haven is all the guest of Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru to savor. The beaches and surrounding waters remain accessible only to its guests. Some of the special highlights of the resort include the stingrays that come right up to the jetty to feed in the evenings, a sunset cruise to watch schools of spinner dolphins.
Click here to make your reservation for Banyan Tree at Vabbinfaru.
Part of the same group, the neighbouring Angsana Resort and Spa, Ihuru, is a slightly lower priced version with chic lime-green bedrooms and designer flourishes. This is a small, friendly, accessible island with good snorkelling right at its doorstep. The delightful Ihuru was one of the first devoutly eco-minded Maldives resorts and that philosophy remains a driving force. This small island (it takes less than five minutes to walk around it) boasts a sugar-white beach with one of the best house reefs in the Maldives. Snorkelling is right on your doorstep and visibility excellent. Spot parrot fish, groupers, surgeon fish and the occasional moray eel. Or grab a sea canoe and flex some muscle.
Click here to make your reservations for Angsana Resort and Spa, lhuru.