Tag Archives: Elysian Maldives

Sandbank lounge setup

 

Resort Overview

Ultra-chic designer facilities blend seamlessly with barefoot luxury, and traditional Maldivian exteriors house deliciously elegant interiors. Starwood’s premier resort in the Maldives is a gorgeous and very exclusive little island. Superb snorkeling is found just few steps from the beach.

Rooms

78

Airport transfer time

35 minutes by seaplane from Malé airport.

Location

Occupying a tiny island in the North Ari atoll.

Facilities

Understated elegance encompasses contemporary facilities, which include a seafood restaurant over the water, the trendy 15 Below Bar, a swimming pool and sun-deck, Away Spa with steam baths and pampering treatments, a fitness centre, water sports, dive centre and snorkeling on the island’s house reef.

Scuba diving

Dive Centre DOWN UNDER.

Accommodation

Each of the 78 retreats has a private pool, air-conditioning, television, DVD player, minibar, telephone, bath and shower, daybed and barbecue for private dining. Beach oasis villas are situated directly on the beach, boasting unique bi-level accommodation with separate open-air relaxing area upstairs. Ocean oasis villas are built on stilts over the water with pool on the private oceanfront terrace, Ocean Haven villas overlooking the lagoon at a supplement on request. Over water retreats let indoor and outdoor mingle; roofs with peek-a-boo views of the sky and glass-paneled floors that reveal lagoon fauna below.

Restaurants

Head to FIRE for the jungle-meets beach BBQ feast. FISH – Signature seafood restaurant. Kitchen – All day dining bistro. SIP – lounge and indoor/outdoor dinning, enjoy the best views of the Maldivian sunset while sipping some bubbly or enjoying caviar and oyster. 15BELOW -  is the place to see and be seen. International DJs, cool beast, and over 95 varieties of vodka and a menu to indulge yourself.

Swimming Pools

WET – outdoor freshwater swimming pool with bar and dinning up.

Spa and beauty

Away Spa – De-stress at the innovative spa. ( see more pics )

Resort Overview

Simplicity, serenity and elegance are the hallmarks of this brand new luxurious reserve for the discerning few. White sands encircle the 35 acre island of Manafaru, framing a jungle interior and hemming lagoon shallows. Idyllic.

Number of Rooms

68

Transfer time from Male’ airport to the resort.

55 minutes by domestic flight plus 45 minute speed boat ride from Hanimaadhoo airport to the resort.

Location of the resort

The most northern resort island in north Maldives in reclusive Haa Alif atoll.

Facilities

Facilities include three bars, three gourmet restaurants, two pools, spa, gym, tennis, badminton, table tennis, billiards, beach volleyball, PADI dive centre, and complimentary windsurfing, canoeing, snorkelling and catamaran sailing.

Accommodation

68 villas and suites, each with privacy, butler service, private pool, airconditioning, television, internet access, iPod hook-up, minibar, tea/coffee facilities, open-air bathroom with oversized tub and rain shower, outdoor dining area.

Water villas have glass-panelled floor, jacuzzi bath, steps into the lagoon.
Beach villas have private cabana. Beach suites have separate living area, jacuzzi bath. On request are Grand water pavilions with two bedrooms, sauna, steamroom, jacuzzi, and sitting/dining areas, Grand beach pavilions with two pools and two bathrooms, and Ocean villas, as Water villas plus a sauna and steam.

WOW fact.

Enjoy a unique dining experience at 30 degrees, a private pavilion over water with glass panelled floors to marvel at the abundant marine life swimming below. (see more pics)

Bodu Beru is the most popular form of music and dance in the country, enjoyed by the young and the old, men and women. There is a Bodu Beru troupe in almost every inhabited island and is regularly played at special functions and festivals.

The musical instruments used in Bodu Beru consist of three or four drums and a variety of percussion instruments. The drums are made from hollowed coconut wood and covered on both ends with manta ray skin or goat hide. A lead singer chants the lyrics and a chorus of 10 to 15 follows as they clap to the beat of the drums. The rhythm build as the song continues until it reaches a frenzied crescendo. As the rhythm picks up, dancers come out from amongst the troupe swaying to the rhythm. As the beat becomes faster the dancers leap and jerk to the beat as if in a trance. Onlookers join in the clapping and dancing. Old men, suddenly catch a stray rhythm and throw themselves into the arena. To wild applause from the crowd they gyrate and grimace in their dance, passing on to the young what they have learnt from their forefathers.

According to some historians Bodu Beru was introduced to the country in the early 19th century by African slaves. During the reign of Mueenuddeen I, these slaves were liberated and sent to Feridhoo in Ari Atoll. It is believed that bodu beru spread out from there to become one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the country.

Resorts such as Hilton Maldives/ Iru Fushi Resort & Spa offers three times more Bodu Beru than anywhere else in the Maldives. Trance to the rhythm of night at a Maldivian Night, in a beach BBQ or simply have a wedding ceremony at Hilton Maldives to experience Bodu Beru.

The atolls of the maldives are formed from structures, separated by lagoons. The atolls are in fact part of a greater structure known as the Laccadives – Chagos Ridge, which stretches over 2000 kilometers. The islands are low lying with the highest point at approximately 8 feet above sea level. “Faru” or ring-shaped reef structures form the atolls and these reefs provide natural defense against wind wave action, on these delicate islands.

Atoll Cruiser is modern, spacious and affordable luxury live-aboard located in the Maldives. Perfect for a  small group of 10 to 16 divers, surfers or simply if you wish to chill in comfort while you cruise somewhere across 1190 islands of  the Maldives.

Accommodation
7 cabins in accommodation deck (7 doubles)
2 cabins in upper-deck (1 double & 1 bunk bed)
All cabins with en-suits, running hot and cold water, fully air-conditioned.

Onboard facilities
TV, DVD player, Library and different board games. Features a bar, dinning hall buffet style and a – la – carte, also there is a jacuzzi in the sun-deck.

Check availability and get a quotation to charter this boat please contact us: info@elysianmaldives.com

Although the tools used in building of Dhonis have changed, little has changed of its basic design. As in the past, the boats are still being built without a documented plan. The design and symmetry of the boat emerges as the boat is being built.

Imported hardwoods are used in the place of coconut wood, which was used in place of coconut wood, which was used in the past to make the hull. Copper rivets are used to hold the planks together instead of coir, which was used for the purpose even half a century ago. The square sail made of coconut fronds gave way to a triangular lateen sail. Even though this is still considered essential and is carried on board, it is used only during emergencies or to ease the strain of the engines. Almost all Dhonis are driven by diesel power.

Dhonis are mainly used for fishing and provide the livelihood for a large proportion of the population. Others are modified to be used for transportation of passengers.

A dhoni may be as small as 10ft. (3 m) used mostly to travel across short distances or to traverse the shallow waters of the lagoon. Islanders often use these ferry across to nearby islands for firewood. The average fishing dhoni used to be around 10 metres (33 feet), however the new generation fishing vessels can be twice the size or even larger. The basic design of dhonis has proven to be seaworthy as it has been tested and tuned for centuries. Even the luxury cruise vessels that are built in the country uses the same basic hull design and can be as long as 30 meters (100 feet) or more.

South Male’ atoll is geographically a separate atoll. However, considered as part of Male’ atoll. Being close to Male’ and Male’ International airport, this atoll provides great opportunities for divers and holiday makers alike. Velassaru, Naladhoo and Olhuveli Beach & Spa are among the few resorts privileged of being located in South Male’ Atoll. The following are the top dive sites in south Male’ atoll, many people of the Maldives believe that there will be more dive sites yet to be discovered in this atoll.

Emboodoo Express

Kandoomaa Thila

Kuda Giri

Miyaru Faru

Guraidhoo Kandu

Villivaru Giri

Guraidhoo Corner

Cocoa Corner

Dhigu Thila

Emboodhoo Canyon

Laguna Caves

Vadhoo Caves

Bolifushi House Reef

Vaagali Caves

via DISCOVER MALDIVES/photo: Musa Shan

Some call it Football while others say it Soccer. Regardless what we call it, FIFA WORLD CUP is the biggest event watched and enjoyed in the Maldives when it comes to sports. Today the whole Maldives will be watching this colorful event live from TV. This year the opening match will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa at Soccer City. First FIFA WORLD CUP was held in 1930.

Guest in Soneva Fushi will be watching the opening celebration of FIFA World Cup 2010 at the CINEMA PARADISO on turtle beach - The first open-air cinema in Maldives! , lie down under the stars and enjoy popcorn, selected dry snacks, Soneva ice cream and a wide selection of beverages..

A holiday in the Maldives is not only about relaxation but also fun and adventure. There are many things to do to enhance your holiday experience in the Maldives. Here are some of the popular things to do in the Maldives.

1. Scuba-diving: Perhaps the best place to dive in the World is the Maldives. Scuba – diving is the number one activity in the maldives. Each resort island is fully equipped with a professional dive center, offering PADI certification courses from beginner open water dive to advance levels of diving. All the equipments can be rented from a dive center of a resort. Emboodhoo Express, Kuda Giri, Guraidhoo Corner, Laguna Caves, Vaagali Caves, Victory Reck are some of the best dive sites in Male’ Atoll.

2. Snorkeling: Grab a pair of flippers, a mask and a snorkel and swim away in the  most stunning reefs of the Maldives has to offer and watch the colorful fish pass by beneath you. Most resort islands offer the snorkeling equipments on free of charge. Just burrow it either from the dive center or the water sports center where you are staying.

3. Spa – Maldives is all about luxury accommodations and indulging yourself in spas and beauty treatments. Every year there is a new world renown spa brands launched in the Maldives. LIME spa, E’spa, Angsana Spa, Six Senses Spa, Shine Spa, Chi Spa are the most popular spa brands in the Maldives. Get yourself spoilt.

4. Water sports activities: All the resort islands are independently quipped with a water sports center and most of the resort islands offer non-motorized water sports activities on complimentary basis. Be thrilled with water sports such as windsurfing, canoeing, wake boarding, parasailing, catamaran sailing, water skiing or rush your adrenalin with a banana boat ride.

5. Big Game Fishing: Selective resort islands now offer fully equipped state of art big game fishing boats to charter with experienced skippers, if you are into some serious fishing.  Sail fish, Merlins, Vahoos, Giant trivially or a barracuda are commonly caught on Big Game Fishing trips.

6. Cruising: Best way to explore the islands is to cruise by a safari boat. Sail away, appreciate the beauty of the atolls has to offer, get close to natives, learn culture, enjoy couple of dives a day in the best dive sites or snorkel the most vibrant reefs and stop by to a cast away island. Enjoy your cruising adventure holiday.

7. Surfing: The Maldives is fast becoming a popular spot for surfing, having been a host of international competitions such as the O’Neill Deep Blue. Some good waves found on the edges of the South Male’ Atoll. The best surfing conditions can be found further down south, with the biggest swells occurring during low-season between June and August. The most convenient way to access the surf points is by boats.

8. Excursions: Island Hopping, with half or full-day trips being offered to uninhabited islands or fishing villages to experience the contest of living in the local islands. Sunset cruise to spot dolphins. Daily snorkeling trips are some of the excursions organized by most of the resorts. Trip to Male’ is another popular trip to explore the capital and to do some souvenir shopping.

9. Whale Submarine: is a great way to explore the underwater realm without getting your feet wet. The whale submarine is based near Male’ You may be wondering how you can take part in this activity in case if you are staying in another atoll. This is still possible if you have ample time before your flight departure on your departure day.

10. Sports: beach volley, billiard, football, tennis, fitness with personnel trainer to stay in shape, card games and board games are among some of the activities offered by resorts, sports enthusiasts can enjoy.

Australia has Kangaroos, New Zealand has Kiwis, South Africa has Wild Life Reserves. What about the Maldives? What does the Maldives have?

1. Tropical Sun all year around.

2. Beautiful white Sandy Beaches.

3. Private Islands.

4. Peace and Tranquility.

5. Legendary Local Hospitality.

6. The Whale Sharks.

7. Dolphins and Whales

8. Manta Rays and Sharks.

9. Turtles, Groupers and Moray Eels.

10. Wave Surfing.