CRÈME DE LE CRÈME
Private island,
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
Price: $75,000 (opening September)The Muraka Suite,
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Price: $50,Grand Sunset Residence,
One&Only Reethi Rah
Price: $32,John Jacob Astor overwater villa,
St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
Price: $20,The Crescent,
Niyama Private Islands
Price: $17,Velaa Private Island
Residences
Price: $16,000 in July, $19,000 in August“Luxury travel is changing rapidly
across Asia Paci c and travellers are
seeking experiences more than ‘things’.
Digital enhances the hospitality
experience but it doesn’t take it over- ultimately we’re in the business of
people serving people.”
As the saxophonist plays Your Latest
Trick in the quiet but airey Peacock
Alley, General Manager Etienne
Dalancon said it marks the rst luxury
resort close to Malé for many years.
“We have 24-hour transfers, so there’s
no headache,” he said. “When we talk
about luxury, it’s about time, space and
choice. You can stay in your villa pool
or meet in the main pools, and dine
di erently every night.”
He is con dent the private island
will be occupied “at least 15 days a
month,” driven by interest from the
Middle East, Russia and China.
In time, it will look to o er twin
stays with the Conrad Rangali.RECONCILING TOURISM
AND CONSERVATION
If ever a destination sums up the
challenges of global tourism growth,
it must be the Maldives.
More travellers bring more
dollars but also more strains to an
environment on the front line of
global warming. No island is taller
than 2.4 metres – and it’s not just
rising sea levels which are a concern,
but all the associate marine challenges,
from over shing to pollution.
In our three-resort stay, the state
of the coral looked patchy; good
in parts, bleached in others. e
recovery remains slow, 15 years a erthe tsunami. Having watched recent
TV reports from the Seychelles,
I boarded the ight with some
trepidation – but over the course of a
week, I shed out one yellow rubber
glove and small blue plastic bag. e
clarity of the turquoise waters, even in
low season, is remarkable.
We saw innumerable crabs larger
than outstretched hands, dozens of
dolphins, swam with nurse sharks,
stumbled upon a turtle and snorkeled
among hundreds of sh. ere is
much to celebrate and protect.
e Maldives government, working
with hotels, has levied a $6 green tax
against every visitor per night stay
which is chanelled into conservation.
Scientists increasingly stark forecasts
leave little room for complacency but
there is hope for the Maldives.Prices quoted are subject to
change and before taxesBELOW: JA Resorts
& Hotels takes
sustainability
seriously at
Manafuru by
operating its own
glass bottling
plant, organising
‘House Reef’
cleaning trips
and ensuring its
beaches are kept
pristine.
DESTINATIONS