CLOCKWISE FROM
ABOVE: Naladhu
Private Island
o ers Middle
East travellers
high levels of
exclusivity;
Malé’s second
runway has
been built and
can handle
A380s; pool and
sea views at
Naladhu; Niyama
features luxury
overwater and
beach villas;
dine with the
fishes at Subsix
restaurant.I met him in the 50th oor Royal
Suite at Waldorf Astoria Dubai
International Financial Centre –
another newcomer this summer – to
talk through the brand’s accelerating
growth, and four hours south, here he
is checking on this new resort which
spans 3.5 kms (see Tried & Tested
review, page 61). Globally Waldorf
is up to 31 hotels and 20 more are
coming.
“For every Waldorf, location is
paramount and we’re blessed with this
location,” he says. “We’re elevating the
whole experience – particularly with
the private island, which will be a
resort within a resort.”
With entry level villa pools
spanning 235sqm, Welk believes the
space and privacy that the resort o ers
consistently throughout is unmatched
in the Maldives. Deep-pocketed
guests will be able to rent the island
for events. “You could have an event
for 100 to 150 people and it wouldn’t
detriment the exclusivity that guests
receive at the resort.”
For a brand with an 88-year
legacy, Waldorf is now riding the
development wave. Welk maintains
Waldorf Astoria can be a “pioneer for
tomorrow’s travellers” – though he’s
keen to stress it remains faithful to its
core service principles.
“You can’t look in the rearview
mirror all your life,” he added.Champions League nal in the middle
of the Indian Ocean (you can).
“ e biggest question for the
Maldives is energ y,” he says. “It’s still
a little too expensive for resorts to
retro t but we’re looking at solar power
and seeing how viable it is. We try and
recycle everything and convert food
waste into fertilizer for the gardens.”
NALADHU EXCLUSIVITY
One sedate seaplane back to Malé
and rapid boat ride out later, we
disembark at Naladhu – the most
exclusive island of three, connected to
Anantara Veli (adults only) and across
the water from Anantara Dhigu.
Under candlelit dinner on the
beach, General Manager Giles Selves
says while the Maldives sells itself and
remains “massively aspirational”,
he predicts next year will be
tough. “Back in 2014-15, there
was under supply and rates
were generally higher but now
there’s so much opening and
the challenge for established
hotels will be competition with
the new resorts.”
On the second night, there isn’t a
spare seat at the signature ai Baan
Huraa (‘House of Coral’) which
stands imperiously between Naladhu
and Veli. Sta seem oblivious to the
torrential tropical downpour and for
a second I think I’m out at sea. e
menu is extensive – as are the names.
You could try your luck with ‘Gaeng
Poo Bai Cha Ploo gab Sen Mee’ or
alternatively opt for ‘crab meat with
southern curry paste’.WALDORF ASTORIA JOINS
PREMIUM RESORTS CHARGE
e Maldives has seen a ra of new
hotels, stoking the competitive res
in an elongated archipelago already
studded with premium hotels.
Newcomers include LUX North
Malé Atoll, Ra es Maldives
Meradhoo, Riu Atoll (four star),
Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas ( ve star
all inclusive), Nautilus Maldives,
e Residence Maldives, Joali, Hard
Rock Hotel Maldives, Faarufushi,
Baglioni Resort Maldives, Emerald
Maldives Resort & Spa, Waldorf
Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi and JW
Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa.
Westin Maldives Miriandhoo opened
towards the end of last year along with
Movenpick Resort & Spa Kuredhivaru.
Daniel Welk, Vice President
Luxury and Lifestyle, Asia Paci c,
for Hilton, is de nitely in the pre-
opening hot seat. A few weeks prior,INSET PHOTO: CHINADAILY.COM.CN DESTINATIONS