Surf’s Up at Sultans!

Photo via Four Seasons Explorer: Surf's Up at Sultans

As the surfing season kicked in end of last month, surfers from around the world continues to flock to the Maldives. In addition to “Cokes”, “Sultans” is a popular surf spot preferred by the locals as well as visitors for its consistent waves which never close out, even on the biggest swells. The rides are 91-137 metres. Sultans is for professional surfers, best surfed with shortboards with North or North East-North West wind conditions.

Sultans surf point is located near the uninhabited island called Thamburudhoo on the eastern reef of North Malé Atoll. Resorts like Sheraton Maldives Fullmoon Resort & Spa, Meeru Island Resort and Chaaya Dhonveli Beach Resort are located nearby. However, if you are with a group of friends and looking for an exciting challenge, it’s best to hire an all-inclusive safari boat such as the Cobia for less than $8400 a week* (for 12 passengers), and cruise to different surf points within the Maldives. If you fancy something luxurious, Four Seasons Explorer offers private charter cruises with “Surfer Improvement Clinic” accompanied with a Tropicsurf Instructor and high-tech video instructions for beginners to professionals to ace the waves in the Maldives.

Why not make the most this season!

* Rates are subject to change without any prior notice. The rate is quoted for charter of Cobia inclusive of fullboard meals, government bedtax and service charge for a maximum of 12 passengers.

unwind® eco tip | Environmental Education for Kids

Photo: Four Seasons staff teaching coconut leaf based arts and crafts at the Kuda Velaa Club

In order to create an eco-conscious generation for a greener future, we need to educate and create environmental awareness among children from a young age.

There are plenty of eco-educational activities and games for children to have fun while learning such as making art & crafts using recycled materials, beach games or even snorkeling. Drop a few Eco tips along the way as you go on with your daily lives. Shopping can be turned into an interesting search for eco friendly labels and products, also the best time to provide awareness about animal products such as turtle shells, leather and fur.

If you are setting out for a vacation, look for eco-friendly resorts offering such activities for children. The Four Seasons Resorts Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru lets the children snorkel and explore nemo’s home with a marine biologist, making it fun to learn about marine life while the Shangri-La Vilingili Resort & Spa offers nature trails to discover the island's indigenous flora and fauna. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island also offers the opportunity of spotting colorful fish on a snorkeling trip or going exploring for dolphins. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island also offers the opportunity to spot colorful fish during snorkeling trips or exploring the life of dolphins.

Why not Woo Your Mom This Mothers’ Day?

Photo: Water Ritual at the Ayurvedic Retreat & Spa at Four Seasons Resorts Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru

Having trouble coming up with a Mothers’ day gift that would top last years’? Let us give you a nudge to get your creative juices flowing. As you know, what most grandmothers, mothers and mothers-to-be need is the gift of time; whether it is with the family, friends or simply by herself.

This year, why not treat her to an escape in the Maldives, whether it is with the family or by herself; and we’ll ensure she is treated like a queen, from breakfast in bed with flowers to pampering her at the spa, an afternoon of daydreaming and siestas under the cooling coconut palms with the cerulean blue waves serenading .

If you plan on a Mothers’ day family getaway, we recommend to you the Royal Beach Villa at the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru or the Grand Beach Villa at Kanuhura which accommodate the whole family. Both these resorts offer babysitting services as well as kids clubs with entertaining educational children’s programs allowing moms to slip away for a day of pampering at the Spa or master her favorite dish from the islands’ expert chefs.

Hoping to treat your grandmother or mother for some alone time? Book her in a Pool Villa with all the comforts at Shangri-La Villingili Resort and Spa and delight her to an “indulgence of time”, a signature CHI spa treatment that is guaranteed to soothe her. The islands of Addu is only a few minutes away; where she can explore, share and connect experiences with Maldivian mothers while sipping afternoon tea.

If she prefers simplistic pleasures of life, Sheraton Maldives Fullmoon Resort & Spa or Waldorf=Astoria - Beach House offers a quiet sanctuary sculptured to her personal preferences and unique epicurean delights to experiment.

Are you looking to woo your mother-to-be and celebrate the diva she is? Check-in to the Seascape Escape at the ultra-chic W Retreat & Spa – Maldives and make her feel absolutely sexy. Book her a “drift away” treatment or let her paint her dreams on a canvas at the Away Spa Pavilion. Then, surprise her to a W-style baby-shower with all her girlfriends, a BBQ and virgin coladas on your private deck.

Can you picture her bliss, now? However you may decide to say you love her, she will love you for your thoughtfulness.

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.