Condé Nast Publishes Hot and Gold Lists 2010

Photo: Crusoe Residence at Soneva Gili by Six Senses and Spa

The much awaited Condé Nast 16th Annual Gold List and 13th Annual Hot List 2010 were released last week. The luxury Gold List is one of the most comprehensive and ultimate guide to the world’s finest properties and cruise lines, compiled from a survey of 25,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers. The hot list is considered the bible of ‘cool hotels & resorts’ that is buzz-worthy.

Soneva Gili by Six Senses and One&Only Reethi Rah secured spots on the ‘Gold List 2010’ for their glamorous but natural design-consciousness. Both these prestigious resorts have frequently appeared on the Condé Nast Gold list in previous years. Shangri-La Vilingili Resort and Spa took a well deserved spot on the ‘Hot List 2010’ under Asia & Australasia. Located Southernmost tip of the Maldives amidst the lush tropical greens, Shangri-La Vilingili Resort and Spa will soon be celebrating its first year in operation by rolling out special offers the upcoming months. Halaveli by Constance Group also took a spot on the Hot List.

In ‘Readers’ Spa Awards’ category, three Maldivian resort Spas secured spots among World’s top 25 Spas. The COMO Shambhala Retreat at Cocoa Island received a third place, Four Seasons Resorts Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru took fourteenth place and The Spa by ESPA at One&Only Reethi Rah took nineteenth spot.

Condé Nast Traveler is a highly regarded American luxury travel Magazine published by Condé Nast publications. We invite you to explore the Gold and Hot lists 2010.

Fortieth Anniversary of Earth Day

Photo: Alila Villas Hadahaa - the first green globe certified resort in the Maldives

Earth day was established in 1970 to create awareness of the Earth’s delicate environment and develop a sustainable environment for the future generations. Today over 190 countries and 1 billion people participate in events on April 22. Many extend it to an entire week with dedicated activities focused on environmental issues.

Organizations such as the CNN International will premier two environmental programs, “The Special Debate for Earth’s Frontiers: The future of energy” and “Green Light for Business” focusing on the impact of businesses on the natural world. The Special debate: for Earth’s Frontiers will feature a panel of experts such as the President of Maldives, winner of 09 Anna Lindh Prize dubbed Time Magazines’ Hero of the Environment, Mohamed Nasheed; Academy Award winning director James Cameron; Chinese Director of Climate group Changhua Wu and Chairman & CEO of PUMA, Jochen Zeitz.

Maldives being a low-lying nation, it is threatened to become extinct under the rising seas due the effects of climate change. This beautiful island chain has now become a voice to other such nations and continues to bring a global light into this issue from hosting the ‘under water cabinet meeting’ last year to vowing to become the first carbon neutral nation by 2020. This year, activities such as Plankton Presentations and Reef Clean ups will be held in the local islands as well as resorts.

We invite you to peruse through earthday.org to view earth day events near you.

Areca Nuts | the Chew of Maldives

A slice of Areca nut

Areca nuts, often erroneously referred as the betel nuts are widely used as a mint after meals and holds a distinct history in Maldives.

According to historians and travelers like François Pyrard de Laval, areca nuts were deeply embedded into the Maldivian culture. The early Maldivians used a girdle on their waist in which they kept a good supply of areca nuts and it was customary that when they meet each other on the road, may it be a friend or stranger to offer his own betel nuts. It was also bestowed as a royal gift and offered to the person who proposes for marriage as a gift of approval.

Such traditions have changed over time but the areca nut continues to dominate the ‘chewing culture’ in the Maldives. It is now offered in almost all cafés, restaurants and shops in Maldives, in different forms with fixings like betel leaf, cloves and lime. Some modern innovations of the areca nut includes the ‘Kill’ a finely ground mixture of areca nuts, betel leaves, cardamon, sugar and cloves. Another form is ‘Supari’ a sweet flavored betel nut chunks in small sachets imported from India.

When consumed in small amounts, betel nuts can have health benefits such as prevention from tooth decay, digestive problems and healing of skin. It also helps remove strong food odors and prevent from bad breathes. Resorts like Alila Villas Hadahaa offers you to experience the areca nut after meals.

unwind® | travel tip

Photo: Scenic aerial view of Huvafen Fushi from a seaplane

The geographic distribution of the magnificent Maldivian islands offers you an exciting array of transfer options from the airport to your escape destination. Depending on the location of your resort, you may either need to take a speedboat, yacht, seaplane or a domestic flight from the airport, all conveniently arranged by the resort for you prior to your arrival.

If you are headed to the Soneva Gili or Chaaya Dhonveli Resort, you would be taking a quick speedboat ride from the airport. Resorts like Kanhuhura and Conrad Rangali Island Resort & Spa are accessed via seaplanes, which travels only during the daylight hours between 6 am and 5 pm. If your international flight arrives at night, accommodation would be arranged for you at a hotel or resort close by the airport for the night.

If you are traveling to the Waldorf=Astoria Beach House or theShangri-La Vilingili Resort & Spa - Maldives, you would be boarding a domestic flight en route to your island destination. Domestic flights and seaplane transfers allows a certain checked-in baggage and carry-on limit with any excess kilos being charged to you.

Therefore, we always do advice our fabulous unwind® travelers to check the mode of your transfer type at the time of your reservation to prepare yourself prior to your arrival. Happy travels!

Golfing in Paradise

Photo: Golf Club at Kuredu Island Resort

The Maldives is a destination of many persona's offering getaways uniquely Maldivian to sophisticated contemporary boutique resorts. The possibility of golf seemed unlikely to many and it came as a surprise when the Maldives made the headlines to develop a floating convention center and golf course recently. Though it is fairly new, golf is not a strange sport to the Maldives.

Kuredu Island Resort introduced the first golf club of its kind in the Maldives with a challenging 6-hole Par 3 course with an average length of a hole being 55 yards. This resort offers all golfing equipment free and if you need to improve your swing, a PGA qualified golf instructor is on hand for coaching individual or groups.

Recently premiered Beach House by Waldorf=Astoria Collection offers a sophisticated eighteen-hole virtual golf simulator letting you sample some of the world's best eighteen-hole golf courses with the comforts and ambiance in the Maldives at Waldorf=Astoria's Gentlemen's club.

Meeru Island Resort is also popular among many guests who prefer a budget resort that is closer to the airport. Meeru offers a golf driving range, putting green, 9 hole pitch and putt golf course among other land activities on the island.

Surely, there is nowhere more peaceful for the game of golf other than the Maldives!

Stay Five Nights FREE at Soneva's

Become a Soneva Environmental Advisor this summer and earn five complimentary nights stay at Sonevas

Six Senses & Spa, the pioneer in eco-tourism in the Maldives is now initiating philanthropic escapes, a gratifying travel experience which is becoming a world-wide trend. The Soneva properties in the Maldives – Soneva Fushi and Soneva Gili are renowned for their community involvement with projects like 'buy local ' which not only helps the environment but also generate local revenue streams; donating personal computers to schools; donating scanning equipment to the hospital in Baa Atoll; work with ECOCARE - a local environment NGO and more.

Soneva's are now inviting their guests to go ‘behind the scenes’ and discover how much more there is to the wonderful hospitality and rich culture within the Maldivian atolls. Book five nights and volunteer for five hours daily on the local community project of your choice, such as marine conservation, teaching children at a local school, planting trees (carbon-mitigation) and learning how to turn waste into wealth.

Of course, no good deeds go "unrewarded"! Your valuable contribution is awarded with five (additional) nights accommodation at the property of your choice - Soneva Gili or Soneva Fushi. This volunteer program is available to book between June 1 and October 12, 2010, so rush your inquiries to our design specialist to tailor your volunteer escape!

Diva Voted Most Romantic Vacation

Looking for a romantic getaway? Look no further. Diva, a luxury hotel and resort, was recently voted as the most romantic experience in the Maldives by TripAdvisor readers. Such raving reviews include, 'the trip of a lifetime' and 'a paradise'. Diva has spent its eight years in business committed to the greatest quality. The resort is composed of five different room types, unique room design, seven exclusive restaurants, and the extravagantly sensual Infinity Spa. For everything a couple needs to Unwind, think of Diva.

Joshua Dick - Contributing Writer

Award Winning Maldives Continues its Excellence

2009 was another great year for the luxury hotels of Maldives. At the Luxury Hotels of the World Convention, Maldives proud Taj Exotica Resort and Spa won the Highest Ranking Commitment to Quality Award. The One and Only Reethi Rah Resort received an honored spot on the exclusive Condé Nast Traveller Gold List. Readers of Travel + Leisure voted Anantara Dhigu the World's Best hotel. Also, Maldives itself has been nominated to be on the seven new wonders of nature. Panels have decided, exclusive magazine authors have spoken, and readers have voted. For a guaranteed luxury vacation, there is no better nation.

By Joshua Dick - Contributing Writer