Four Seasons Maldives – the ultimate in luxury
The Four Seasons brand has always been a brand synonymous with luxury, but in the case of the properties in the Maldives Islands, luxury takes on a whole new meaning.
As if one luxurious paradise was not enough, the Four Seasons offers up two 5-star choices for your dream vacation in the cozy island nation in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa and the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru.
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa is a colourful garden island resort in the North Malé atoll with all the charm and beauty you’d expect in the Maldives. The resort is located just 25 minutes by speedboat from the Malé airport.
From their thatched roofs and timber latticework to the beautiful white-stone walls, all the architectural details at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa are constructed by local craftsmen using indigenous materials and techniques that date back centuries to reflect a true sense of the Maldives.
The resort property contains 96 bungalows and suites, some built on the white-sand beach and some on stilts over the water. Accessible by sailboat, the spa is set on its own separate island with over-water treatment rooms.
The resort also has a PADI licensed Dive Centre and is located near to 30 excellent dive sites. Back on land, guests can choose from speciality Indian, Italian and Asian dining and 96 traditional beach and over-water accommodations, each with high thatched roofs and private verandahs and many with private pools
Room rates are not currently available online, however, serious inquirers can contact the resort for immediate booking assistance at the Four Seasons Worldwide Reservations Office 1 (800) 819-5053.
Currently, there are some packaged offers on the resort offer page ranging from the Bed and Breakfast package starting at $1,000/night to the Surf’s Up Package which starts at $1,162/night.
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru is an unspoilt natural wilderness in the remote Baa Atoll – a proposed UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. With vast accommodation compounds and four isolated restaurants hidden down dense jungle paths, the island invites a real sense of discovery. The Resort’s 102 thatched bungalows and villas are located on the beach, over the lagoon or within the lush interior; features include spacious gardens, private pools, outdoor living rooms and sea-viewing lofts. (Source: visitmaldives.com)
Sleep in air-conditioned comfort in teak-furnished sleeping pavilions, or enjoy the fresh sea breezes in your open-air bale (traditional thatched hut). The thatched beach and water villas at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, including two unsurpassed land and ocean villas, features private plunge pools and generous outdoor living spaces with views across the tranquil lagoon.
Savour the tastes of Asia, sample Lebanese and Moroccan fare in a rooftop setting, dine on Italian as lagoon and ocean views stretch into the distance or enjoy the day’s catch or organic meats poolside at one of the hotel’s 4 on-site restaurants.
Accommodations at the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru begin at $1,400/night for a Beach Bungalow with private pool to $2,500/night for a Beach Villa with private pool. Reservations can be made directly from the website.
About the Maldives
Maldives, officially the Republic of the Maldives and also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean consisting of a double chain of twenty-six atolls that lie between Minicoy Island (the southernmost part of Lakshadweep, India) and the Chagos Archipelago. The chains stand in the Laccadive Sea, about 430 miles Southwest of Sri Lanka and 250 miles Southwest of India.
The Maldives is the smallest Asian country in both population and land area. With an average ground level of 4 ft 11 in above sea level, it is the planet’s lowest country. It is also the country with the lowest natural highest point in the world at 7 ft 10 in.
Tourism is Maldives’ largest industry and accounts for 20% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives’ foreign exchange receipts. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. Over 600,000 tourists visited the islands in 2006.
Want to Go?
All visitors to the Maldives arrive at Malé International Airport (IATA: MLE, ICAO: VRMM), located on Hulhulé Island right next to the capital Malé. The airport is served by a wide array of flights to China, India, Sri Lanka, Dubai and major airports in South-East Asia, as well as an increasing number of charters from Europe.
For a potential Valentine’s Day trip in 2014 (priced from February 12th through the 19th), a round-trip ticket from New York City will cost approximately $1350 on Emirates Airlines with a stop in Dubai. Qatar Airways also offers a connecting flight through Doha. Though there are no direct flights from the Americas into the Maldives, the total trip could be as short as about 18 hours each way (depending on how long of a layover you have).
Entry Requirements
A valid passport, along with an onward/return ticket and sufficient funds, is required for entry for citizens of almost every country in the world. A no-cost visitor visa valid for 30 days is issued upon arrival.
The Department of Immigration and Emigration routinely approves requests for extension of stays up to 90 days for travelers who present evidence of sufficient funds and who stay in a resort or hotel or present a letter from a local sponsor. Anyone staying more than 60 days without proper authorization faces heavy fines and deportation.
Happy Travels!