Review

Introduction To The Maldives
By Paul Thusius

Heavenly turquoise blue waters, lush tropical islands and
Robinson Crusoe type isolation - these are just some of the
images that come to mind when we think about travelling to the
Maldives. Picture yourself lounging on the white sand beaches of
the Maldives. In this article you will discover a new world
altogether - a beautiful world beyond the imagination of most
people. A world where you can be one of a small handful of
people that have an island all to themselves. This world is
called The Maldives.

Location Of The Maldives

The Maldives are a group of tiny islands that are set in the
Indian Ocean - the closest countries to the Maldives are India
and Sri Lanka. There are approximately 1200 separate islands in
the Maldives and only about one sixth of these are populated.
The capital of the Maldives is Male - the most densely inhabited
island. But while Male, it seems, is simply bursting from the
seams, there certainly are no space problems on the other
islands. Male holds about a third of the Maldivian population
while the remaining are scattered around various other islands.

Flora & Fauna That Inhabit The Islands & Surrounding Waters

Contrary to the first impressions of many, the Maldives islands
are not especially hospitable to plants, mainly because the soil
does not have the nutrients to support a large and varied
diversity of plant life. The main type of vegetation include
coconut trees, vines, banyan trees as well as mangroves. Also
found are Breadfruit trees and Bamboos. Flowering plants include
Bougainvillaea and Frangipani.

The islands have an incredible number of colourful, tropical
fish and when you visit you're bound to see many of them. A few
of these include Butterfly fish, Dolphins, Anglefish, Parrotfish
and Flutemouth. The colours and shapes of some of these fish are
as varied and intriguing as their names would suggest. Divers
are sure to have an experience of a lifetime in the Maldives.

While there are a healthy variety of birds inhabiting the
islands, there are fewer varieties of land based animals. Common
to the islands are flying foxes, geckos and garden lizards.

There are over 100 species of birds - expect to see crows,
parakeets, and waterhens as well as koel birds. Also present are
herons, seagulls and noddys.

Activities In The Maldives

The Maldives offers it’s guests a huge range of activities &
recreation and depending on the resort that you choose you may
get to sample a few or all of them.

Some activities are diving - canoeing - night fishing - island
hopping - water and land sports.

According to Word Net, The noun Maldive Islands has one
meaning: a group of about 1,200 small coral islands (about 220
inhabited) in the Indian ocean.

Make Maldives your luxury vacation and you can be relaxing on
one of these islands!

About the Author: To discover more about the Maldives, you can
subscribe to Travel Maldives Network Newsletter and receive
every week more details, pictures and videos.
http://travelmaldivesnetwork.com

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Quick Guide To The Maldives
By Chic Retreats

The Maldives is a haven for snorkellers and scuba divers, with
its abundance of coral and sea life. Its beaches and hotels
don’t disappoint either.

Where is it?

The Maldives is a group of over 1000 coral islands, set in the
Indian Ocean, off the south west coast of India. The tiny
islands are dotted in a string heading south and they provide a
peaceful, if expensive getaway for the traveller in search of
quiet relaxation.

Where can I stay?

It’s hard to beat the perfect combination of wide, white sandy
beaches, perfect blue seas and tropical sun, and most hotels in
the Maldives make the most of their surroundings by offering
guests access to the beach direct from their rooms, or creating
romantic areas for dinner and drinking. Boutique hotels go a
step further than this by creating a cool, contemporary feel
that makes guests feel right at home, whilst anticipating their
every need, so that a simple holiday really does become a
paradise for its duration. On the Ari Atoll lies the most
exclusive hotel in the island group, the Dhoni Mighili. This
stunning hotel sleeps just twelve people and guests arrive
either by luxury speedboat, private plane or romantic Dhoni. A
butler sees to your every need. Eat, drink and sleep to your own
schedule and make the most of every minute. Or, if the North
Male Atoll is more to your taste, the Hufaven Fushi is a
decadent boutique hotel just 25 minutes by speedboat from the
Male’ International Airport. Relax by your private pool, because
there’s only your villa and one other on the whole complex. If
you want a candlelit dinner on the beach, just say so. Truly
indulgent, but worth every penny.

What can I see?

The islands that make up the Maldives are all small and you can
island hop between some of them. Many people come for the diving
and snorkelling, but it may be worthwhile taking a trip to Male,
the capital city, where markets, mosques and small shops may
bring you back to reality. Otherwise, just take in the beauty of
the coastlines and the ocean from your boutique retreat and soak
up the sun.

How do I get around?

Only some of the islands fall within the heavily regulated
tourist zone, which the Government has imposed to prevent
destruction of natural landscapes and villages. If you want to
move between permitted islands, then you can fly or use a dhoni
or speedboat. Most islands, however, are small enough to walk or
bike round easily.

The Maldives might be exclusive, but if you have the time and
you’re prepared to indulge yourself, then there's nowhere better
to go.

About the Author: Chic Retreats is a collection of small,
sophisticated hotels around the world that offer the traveller a
true taste of luxury and service. Visit their website now by
clicking on http://www.chicretreats.com

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Must Do Things On A Maldives Holiday
By Eleanor Ramsay

When you arrive for a Maldives holiday in the Indian Ocean, the
rest of the world seems very far away. Tiny islands and atolls
are home to stunning hideaway hotels, often with accommodation
built out over the water on stilts. This is the perfect
destination for a romantic honeymoon, a luxury scuba diving
experience, or simply as an escape from the stresses of everyday
life.

The Maldives are a group of atolls in the Indian Ocean. There
are a total of 26 atolls stretching out into the Ocean, made up
from a total of 1192 tiny islands. Only about 200 of these are
inhabited. The name ‘Maldives’ is said to be derived from the
Sanskrit phrase ‘Maale Dhivehi Raajje’. This translates as ‘The
island kingdom of Male’.

The islands are surrounded by beautiful coral reefs that are
ideal for diving in. Scuba diving and snorkelling rank amongst
the finest in the world here and each resort has its own dive
school offering courses for first timers as well as experienced
divers. The waters around the Maldives are home to over 1000
different types of marine life and they provide a truly
spectacular sight! Watersports abound with windsurfing, sailing
and water skiing all on hand, while the surrounding seas boast
some of the world’s best big game fishing year round.

This is a Muslin country, and Ramadan is observed here.
Throughout the year alcohol is readily available at all the
hotels, but you are not permitted to bring duty free liquor into
the country. Any bottles you do bring will be confiscated upon
arrival and returned on your departure. No restrictions are
placed on what you are allowed to wear on any of the tourist
islands, however when visiting inhabited islands such as Male’,
visitors are asked to dress in a modest manner.

For a truly luxurious holiday, a holiday to the Maldives is
simply perfect!

About the Author: For more information about holidays to the
Maldives please see the Elegant Resorts site at
http://www.elegantresorts.co.uk/location/Indian_Ocean.html

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Scuba Diving Cruise In Maldives
By Chris Chew

If you love the sea and scuba diving, then why not charter a
live aboard scuba diving cruise with your diving buddies.
Collectively, you can save much more money and time if you live
a board a diving cruise ship and go island hopping, scuba diving
and fishing for the next ten days of your vacation. That is
because you can do away with your hotel accommodation, save
traveling time and can go to a lot more dive spots. Where to go
for a cruise diving vacation? Try going to the Island nation of
Maldives.

Although there are many world class spas, hotels and resorts in
Maldives such as the Banyan Tree Spa resort, you have no need to
stay in them unless you wanted to. Well, if you want to stay in
a luxurious resort, it can be an excuse for you to travel to the
Maldives again to enjoy these spa resorts. This is because, once
you have scuba dived in Maldives, you will want to go back there
again. Maldives is a scuba diver's paradise.

The atolls of Maldives were formed when millions of years ago,
a great range of volcanoes rose from the floor of the Indian
Ocean. As time passes, the volcanoes sunk back into the Indian
Ocean leaving behind the coral reefs on the Maldivian atolls and
islands we see today. That is why Maldives is best known for its
white sandy beaches and crystal blue lagoons teeming with marine
life.

The country have no big land mass, but instead is made up of
about 1200 coral islands with a total area of 104,00.00 sq kilo
99% of which is the sea. Of these islands, only slightly more
than 200 of them are inhabited. Most of the islands are not
higher than six feet(about 2 meters) above sea level and
scientists have warned that they are very susceptible to global
warming and may one day, disappear into the ocean. There are
already signs that this is happening.

Needless to say, the mainstay of the Maldivian economy is
powered by the fishing and tourism industries. About 500,000
tourists arrive on these islands annually. The capital of
Maldives is Male (pronounced as Ma-leh). Upon touching down at
the airport, you will be whisked away by a fishing boat because
the capital is no larger than a few football fields and have one
of the most dense population in the world.

Maldives has been an independent sovereign country except for a
brief occupation by the Portuguese. It then became a British
Protectorate in the mid-fifties and gained full independence in
965. It has been an Islamic country for more than 800 years.

During the Ming Dynasty, Chinese sailors called Maldives the
"submerged mountain chain" wrote commentaries about these
islands.

If you enjoy vacations in tranquil tropical islands or simply
love fishing and diving, then Maldives will be a great holiday
destination for you. Oh, I forgot to mention, if you are a
seafood lover, I think there are no other places on Earth where
you can get such a wide smorgasbord delicious mouth watering
seafood, except in Maldives.

About the Author: Chris Chew runs a travel information website
at http://www.asiatravelbest.com

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Dream Holidays In The Maldives - How To Choose The Right Resort
For You
By Tuks Engineer

The Maldives are a truly spectacular destination – while it’s a
holiday location not exactly ideal for the highly budget
conscious, a variety of different star resorts do offer most
travellers a chance to taste its delights.

Here are a few things to consider when deciding on a Maldives
resort:

· Determine what your budget is – this will immediately narrow
your list of potential resorts.

· Decide what you’re likely to be interested in. For instance,
the Maldives is a great place for diving – if you’re going to be
spending a lot of time diving then you must be aware that
different resorts have different standards in their diving
facilities. Some resorts are also naturally better for divers
than others. You’ll want to choose a package that’s best for
diving (it’s possible to get diving packages so you don’t have
to spend a fortune on additional diving expenses on a daily
basis). Further, some resorts offer a wealth of activities and
entertainment – others are very chilled and offer fewer
activities (perfect if you just wish to laze by the sand gazing
at the crystal blue waters).

· Decide what type of package would be the best for you – most
resorts are quite pricey when it comes to food and drink so
while a bed & breakfast package (room & breakfast only) may at
first appear cheaper, after paying for all food and drink it may
in fact be more expensive than an all inclusive package.

· Full board may be a good choice in many cases as all meals
are provided, although the guest still has to pay for drinks (a
good choice for those who do not drink too much alcohol). If on
the other hand you enjoy a tipple or five then the All Inclusive
option may well be the optimum package for you as drinks can be
sinfully expensive at most resorts.

· Some resorts may cater to specific nationalities – for
example predominantly Italian, German or Japanese clientele.
This may be a problem if you like to mingle but are unable to
speak the dominant language.

· Most resorts offer a wide range of accommodation types –
decide which of these is best for you. For example, a standard
beach villa would be typically a few metres from the sea while a
water villa is located in the waters itself. Water villas can be
beautiful and offer the chance to see the marine life swim by
while looking from the window – but they are considerably more
pricey.

· Travellers with children should try and choose a resort with
a kids club if possible – there is a world of difference between
resorts when it comes to providing facilities that keep the kids
entertained.

· If you do wish to spend a day exploring the capital Male as
an excursion then you may not want to choose a resort that’s not
too far away – some resorts do not offer this as a day trip so
you may want to check this prior to booking.

· You may also want to consider when during the year you wish
to go – the optimum time with regards to weather are between
December and April when there is the most sunshine and least
rain. At these months, there’s no surprise to learn that the
prices tend to be far higher.

· Some resorts (even the pricey ones at times) may not offer a
personal TV in the rooms – this is usually intentional to
promote the “no news, no shoes” feel of the island. Few people
come to the Maldives to watch TV but if this is a comfort that
you simply cannot live without then check with your travel agent
before booking to see if your chosen resort offers one.

· If the look, feel and architecture of your lodging is
important to you then you will want to research and find the
best resort for you – some can be more modern, almost like a
standard hotel room while others are traditionally built with
thatched roofs and even a partially open-air bathroom.

· Romantics and honeymooners may find that some of the smaller
islands are more cosy, intimate & quiet while the larger ones
may have more of a party feel to it and be more crowded.

You'll really love your holiday in the Maldives - but a little
research on choosing the right resort can go a long way to
ensure that you really enjoy the trip of a lifetime.

About the Author: Planning A Holiday To The Maldives? See
Resort Reviews & Descriptions, Find Out What To Do & When To Go.
Book An Unbelievable Five Star Maldives Holiday At Three Star
Prices. http://www.travelthemaldives.com

Source: http://www.isnare.com

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A Maldives Holiday On Lhaviyani Atoll
By Peter R Stewart

Lhaviyani Atoll could be the ideal destination for your Island
Hideaway Maldives Holiday. If you are also looking at the luxury
type Maldives Holiday then this atoll contains the One & Only
Kanuhura resort, and is far enough away to be a hideaway.

The Lhaviyani atoll is 140 Kms North from Male airport east of
the Raa Atoll and North east of the Baa Atoll and it is best
known for its many exotic dive sites. It is as far north as you
can go in the Maldives for your Maldives Holiday.

This atoll is different from others in that all the islands of
the Lhaviyani Atoll are located on the outer rim of the shell,
and the islands are large compared to other islands with dense
vegetation. There are only five inhabited islands in the atoll

The One & Only Kanuhura is a 5 star deluxe hotel with 100 rooms
which is 150 Kms from the airport on Male, and will take 40
minutes to transfer by sea plane. It is on the eastern rim of
the Lhaviyani Atoll and is a member of the Leading Small Hotels
of the world Komandoo Island Resort is a 4 star hotel with 45
rooms, and is situated 128 Kms from the airport, and there is a
45 minute transfer by sea plane. It was opened in 1998 and is on
an island 100 metres wide and 500 metres long The Kuredu Island
Resort is a 4 star hotel with 300 rooms situated 128 Kms from
the airport at Male, and the transfer time by seaplane is 40
minutes. The island has more than 3Kms of white sand beaches.

There are two resorts on the island , the Kuredu is on the east
side.

The Sangu Resort is a 4 star hotel on the western side of the
island and it also has water villas.

You can certainly find a Maldives Holiday to suit your purse on
the Lhaviyani Atoll, whether it is a luxury holiday in the
Maldives staying at Kanuhura or at one of the 4 star resorts.
Remember the distances involved, which does give you a Maldives
island hideaway, but you do have quite a long seaplane transfer.

For more information about the Maldives, its atolls and hotels
go to
http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com/categories/Indian-Ocean-Hideways/The-Maldives/

About the Author: Peter Stewart writes exclusively for
http://www.in-kenyasafari.com as well as
http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com and he has in depth
knowledge of the places he writes about.

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Maldives Holiday On The Raa Atoll
By Peter R Stewart

Raa Atoll is perhaps not the first place you would choose to
find a Maldives Holiday Island Resort, because it is not as well
known as many other atolls.

Raa Atoll is North West of Male Atoll and west of Noonu Atoll,
on the outer margins of the Maldives. It is an enormous atoll
65kms long and 28kms wide with more than 90 islands. Only 16 of
the islands are inhabited, mostly on the eastern side of the
atoll, and only one contains a tourist resort..

The atoll is famous for boat building the traditional ‘dhonis’
and also for its fishing fleet. As a tourist there are a lot of
uninhabited islands to visit, fishing villages, and the diving
is particularly spectacular due to the unusual formation of the
atoll with complex reef formations at the centre of it.

Raa Atoll is located in the Northern part of Maldives and to
the west of the Noonu atoll. The Raa Atoll comprises of a
collection of over 90 islands of which only 16 are inhabited.
With a population around 19,003, the majority of these inhabited
islands lie on the eastern side of the atoll. Out of the
remaining uninhabited islands, only one island has been
developed as a tourist resort.

Meedhupparu Island Resort is a 4 star hotel with 225 rooms
and it is situated 130 Km from the airport, and is reached by
sea plane transfer in 40 minutes. It is a very large resort
being spread over 43 acres and is a very new and bright star.
There are 215 beach bungalows and then the Water Villas part of
the Water Village, an exclusive complex with its own restaurant,
and bar. There are 20 spacious villas on stilts.

Raa Atoll may not be top of your list, in fact you may never
have heard of this area in the Maldives, but if you like
unspoilt islands and you want a truly great honeymoon vacation,
and you don’t mind a short seaplane flight, you need to do some
research on Meedhupparu Island Resort and Raa Atoll.

For more information about Maldives Holidays go to
http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com/categories/Indian-Ocean-Hideways/The-Maldives/

About the Author: Peter Stewart writes exclusively for
http://www.in-kenyasafari.com as well as
http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com and he has in depth
knowledge of the places he writes about

Source: http://www.isnare.com

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Faafu Atoll For Your Holiday In The Maldives
By Peter R Stewart

The Faafu Atoll could be where you will choose to go on your
Maldives Holiday, it has one of the best hotels in the Maldives,
and possibly the most private and exclusive Maldives Luxury
Hotel.

So where exactly is the Faafu Atoll in relation to the airport.
The answer is that it is a considerable distance away, certainly
a sea plane flight, onwards from Male, so if you are unhappy on
a small plane, then perhaps an atoll closer to the airport would
be better for you. Faafu is situated south of the Ari Atoll and
South West of the South Male Atoll, it is some 30 kms long and
27 kms wide, and consists of 23 islands, mostly on the eastern
side, of which only 5 are inhabited. The north-eastern side of
the Atoll has some superb diving.

The islands of the Faafu Atoll are relatively untouched, with
beautiful beaches, and any Maldives holiday you choose to take
here will be a wonderful experience. There are only two places
tourists can stay, one is a five star hotel the other a quite
unique experience.

Filitheyo Island Resort is a relatively recently opened 5 star
hotel with 125 rooms, and it is 120km from the airport, and is a
45 minute flight by sea plane. It is quite a large island with
measurements of 900 metres by 500 metres, with beautiful beaches
and the island is still unspoiled.

The Rania Experience is a 5 star deluxe, totally exclusive
luxury yacht and private island. It is 122 Km from the airport,
and 35 minutes by sea plane.

The Rania is something else altogether, as the yacht and the
island will take a party of up to 12 people maximum. It takes
the expression all-inclusive to a different level altogether.
Not only can you almost dine on what you want, or drink what you
want, there is everything from a dive master to a personal
butler at your disposal. Rania is the only experience of its
kind in the Maldives.

For more information on the Maldives go to
http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com/categories/Indian-Ocean-Hideways/The-Maldives/

About the Author: Peter Stewart writes exclusively for
http://www.in-kenyasafari.com as well as
http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com and he has in depth
knowledge of the places he writes about

Source: http://www.isnare.com

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Why The Maldives Appeals To Every Type Of Holiday-Maker
By Tuks Engineer

The Maldives is a wonderful destination for a wide variety of
travelers – from those seeking complete bliss and Robinson
Crusoe type peace & quiet (in an absolutely idyllic
surrounding), to beach lovers and diving enthusiasts to
honeymooners and romantic couples looking for some enchanting
memories in one of the most beautiful places in the world. With
a wide variety of resorts to choose from it’s important to
research the facilities in a wide range of resorts to make sure
that you get whatever it is you’re looking for. For example,
some resorts may suit more active travelers while others would
be more suited to those looking for a quiet and peaceful stay.

How To Get To The Maldives

Almost all visitors get to the Maldives via plane – typically,
they arrive in Male, the capital from their port of departure
and from there will be transferred to their resort. Transfers
are usually via seaplane or speedboat. Given the stunning
scenery it’s always advisable to arrive by seaplane where
possible – the views of the islands from the air are nothing
short of spectacular. When researching resorts and prices it’s
worth remembering that some packages will be quoted with
transfers built into the price while others will not. Transfers
can be quite pricey.

Some resorts are located quite close to the airport in Male –
transfer times can be under 20 minutes while other resorts
further away may take an hour or even two to reach depending on
the type of transfer. Keep in mind that after traveling a long
distance on a flight, the last thing that you’ll want to do is
spend a further couple of hours on a speedboat.

If your transfer is not via seaplane it is possible to ride in
a seaplane during your stay – and get some stunning photos of
the islands and atolls from high above.

Health & Safety In The Maldives

Given the huge number of resorts (many of them four and five
stars) in the Maldives, it’s a relatively safe place to visit,
health-wise. Visitors are advised to get immunizations for
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A & Hepatitis B and those
that intend to dive should get a medical check prior to going.

In addition to this, ensure that your general health is good
prior to travel and consider taking a basic medical kit
(although most resorts have adequate facilities to treat minor
problems that may occur).

Dining in the resorts is usually very safe – The well known
resorts have very high standards with regards to the quality of
food offered and most employ highly skilled professional chefs
to prepare meals for guests. The only time you may be at
slightly higher risk is when eating in individual places such as
Cafes in Male (though even these places are generally fine).
Make sure that you drink only bottled water during your stay.

Some of the common health problems that may occur to travelers
include heatstroke/exhaustion, motion sickness and sunburn. Some
infectious diseases may include fungal infections, diarrhea &
hepatitis. Some diseases may also be spread through insects,
such as Malaria & Dengue fever. Also, be careful when spending
time in the water – it’s possible to pick up cuts, bites &
stings.

The Climate In The Maldives

The Maldives enjoys a tropical climate which means its
temperature tends to stay between 25 & 32 degrees c. The optimum
time to go tends to be between December band April (this is
supported by the higher prices during these times) because this
is when the weather is most calm and has the least rainfall.

About the Author: Planning A Holiday To The Maldives? See
Resort Reviews & Descriptions, Find Out What To Do & When To Go.
Book An Unbelievable Five Star Maldives Holiday At Three Star
Prices. http://www.travelthemaldives.com

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A Review Of The Best Value Maldives Holiday Resorts (Part 2)
By Tuks Engineer

Holiday Island Maldives

Located in the South Ari Atoll, Holiday Island is a four star
resort containing 142 super deluxe beach bungalows. It’s a two
hour speedboat ride from Male.

There are a range of restaurants to choose from offering both
western and oriental delicacies as well as a bar and coffee
shop.

Holiday island offers the standard range of activities
including diving, snorkelling, water skiing, floodlit tennis, a
gym and more.

Huvafen Fushi Maldives

Huvafen Fushi is a five star resort on the South Ari Atoll and
it takes approximately 30 minutes to reach from Male
(speedboat). The resort is actually set within its own lagoon
and is quite a spectacle. Like most five star resorts it’s not
for those on a budget.

The facilities and recreation options are highly impressive
with 3 restaurants and a bar for residents as well as a yoga
pavilion, outdoor salt water pool as well as a fibre-optic lit
indoor pool. A gym is also available. Activities include
canoeing, windsurfing, sunset sailing, diving and the fun tube.

There are several different types of rooms at Huvafen Fushi
including lagoon bungalows, ocean bungalows as well as beach &
deluxe bungalows.

Komandoo Island Resort Maldives

The four star resort of Komandoo is set in Lhaviyani Atoll and
is 40minutes away from Male (via seaplane). There are 45 rooms
and the resort offers several activities including scuba diving,
windsurfing, canoeing, sailing and excursion trips available.

Komandoo also has a main restaurant and two bars.

Kudahithi Island Resort Maldives

This is a tiny three star island resort that contains only
seven rooms. The Kudahithi island can be walked in circumference
in under ten minutes.

There are very few facilities – this is a place for those who
want to come for the peace, quiet and beauty of the Maldives
alone. Diving is possible through another resort.

The restaurant at Kudahithi Island Resort serves predominantly
Italian cuisine.

Kuramathi Blue Lagoon Maldives

Set in the North Ari Atoll, Kuramathi Blue Lagoon is a four
star resort is a four star resort offering 56 rooms (20 beach
bungalows and 36 beach bungalows). It’s a 25 minute transfer by
seaplane (105 minutes by speedboat).

Kuramathi Blue Lagoon has a good range of the standard
facilities found in many of the resorts including a sauna, spa &
Jacuzzi, pool, disco, water sports & diving.
Also try Kuramathi Village and Kuramathi Cottage & Spa.

Kuredu Island Resort Maldives

On Lhaviyani Atoll lies the four star Kuredu Island Resort. The
resort is approximately 80 miles from Male and is a 40 minute
journey by seaplane (4 hours via speedboat).

There are a total of 330 rooms in Kuredu Island Resort and
these are split into the following – beach bungalows, beach
villas, Jacuzzi beach villas, sunset water villas and water
villa suites.

Kuredu has an excellent reputation as one of the best islands
in the Maldives for Diving. It also has a wealth of additional
activities and facilities for all visitors.

Dining is also a pleasant experience with several choices of
restaurant & bars offering a wide range of cuisine.

Kurumba Maldives

A five star resort located in the North Male Atoll and is a 15
minute speedboat ride from the capital. This popular Maldives
resort has a total of 180 rooms (various bungalows and villas).

Dining facilities are excellent in Kurumba Island Resort
Maldives – six restaurants are offered as well as two bars to
keep guests highly satisfied in terms of choice of food as well
as ambience.

Further facilities & activities include gym, sauna, spa,
water-sports/diving, various excursions, kids clubs and more.

Laguna Maldives

Laguna is a small island that’s well known for its snorkelling.
Located in South Male Atoll, Laguna is a four star Maldives
resort offering a choice of deluxe villas, deluxe bungalows or
water suites. There are 115 room in total.

It’s a 20 minute speedboat ride to Laguna Maldives via
speedboat.

Laguna is a five star Maldives resort that offers guests a
choice of five restaurants/grills as well as four bars. The
resort also offers excellent facilities as you would expect from
a five star Maldives resort – these include superb facilities
for snorkelling & water-sports and a first class spa. Multiple
excursions are also on offer.

Lily Beach Resort Maldives

Lily Beach is located on the South Ari Atoll and is a half hour
speedboat ride from Male. It’s a four star resort that offers a
good choice of activities and excursions. As you might expect,
the water-sports are good and there are also opportunities to
engage in beach volleyball, surf biking, carom and much more.

There are three main choices of rooms available in Lily Beach –
deluxe suite, water villas and superior rooms.

The resort offers a restaurant, coffee shop and bar. Guests can
also enjoy the disco/live band, cultural shows (Bodu beru) and
beach games.

Lohifushi Island Resort Maldives

Lohifushi Island is in the North Male Atoll and is a half hour
speedboat transfer from Male. It’s a four star resort and is
well respected for good diving & snorkelling – excursions to
nearby islands are available and the resort offers a good choice
of water sports as well.

The resort contains 130 rooms that are split into standard,
superior, deluxe and suites to suit a variety of tastes and
budgets.

Facilities are good – along with the usual high quality
Maldives resort offerings there is also a squash court and
sports centre.

The main eatery is the Banyan restaurant but Lohifushi also has
no less than four bars available to guests.

Makunudu Island Maldives

This four star resort offers 26 beach bungalows and is located
in North Male Atoll (55 minutes speedboat ride from Male).

Decent activities and facilities are available to guests –
along with diving and surfing, residents can also partake in
dolphin watching and picnicking on a private island.

The main restaurant is Ara Iru and there is also a bar at
Makunudu Island.

Medhufushi Island Resort Maldives

This is a five star resort with very good facilities that is a
40 minute seaplane transfer from Male. Medhufushi is located on
Meemu Atoll and contains 120 rooms.

The resort offers a good range of facilities including diving,
windsurfing & many other water-based sports as well as a disco,
fishing trips and excursions.

Meedhupparu Island Resort Maldives

In Raa Atoll lies the four star Meedhupparu Island Resort. The
transfer from Male is 40 minutes by seaplane and the resort
offers 215 beach bungalows and an impressive list of activities.

Meeru Island Resort Maldives

Meeru is situated in North Male Atoll and is a 20 minute
seaplane ride from Male (or about 55 minutes by speedboat). This
is a four star resort that has 276 rooms of various types
(prices at the lower end are for standard rooms while the most
expensive is the dolphin suite – about eight times as pricey).

Meeru offers one restaurant, three bars and a couple of coffee
shops to guests – so good food is available at practically any
time.

The facilities are also good offering the type of activities
that you would expect from a good quality Maldives resort. A few
of these include scuba diving, spa facilities, internet
connections, windsurfing and several excursions and day-trips.

Mirihi Island Resort Maldives

Mirihi Island Resort is located in South Ari Atoll – this is a
five star resort with just 36 rooms. It’s a 20 minute sea-plane
ride from the capital of Male.

The resort offers two main types of rooms – beach and water
bungalows.

A good number of activities and facilities are available and
Mirihi offers a good selection of food and drink for visitors.
Recreation facilities include watersports, excursions, diving,
spa and a fitness centre.

Moofushi Tourist Resort Maldives

Moofushi is a four star resort offering 60 rooms – it’s set in
South Ari Atoll. There are 45 beach bungalows and 17 water
bungalows available to guests.

There are two main restaurants and two bars. Facilities include
a scuba centre, a massage centre and several excursions such as
a trip to fisher-mans island & desert island.

Nika Island Resort Maldives

Nika Islands is a four star resort in North Ario Atoll. The
resort is a half hour transfer by seaplane and has 36 rooms of
various types.

The resort offers a restaurant and coffee shop for guests and
facilities include an Ayurvedic centre, sports/diving centre, .

Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort

Olhuveli is set in South Male Atoll and is a 50 minute
speedboat ride away from Male. This is a four star resort with
125 rooms – the room types are deluxe room, beach villa, deluxe
water villa, Jacuzzi water villa, and honeymoon water villa.

There are three different restaurants, a poolside barbeque and
two bars open for guests.

Some of the facilities include scuba diving, snorkelling,
catamaran sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and glass bottom boat
riding. There is also a sun spa. Excursion opportunities are
good and include island hopping, night fishing and big game
fishing. Guests can also enjoy the disco, a live band and
cultural shows.

One&Only Kanuhura Maldives

Kanuhura is set in Lhaviyani Atoll and is a 35 minute seaplane
ride from the capital of Male. It’s a five star resort offering
100 rooms of various types.

The diving facilities and setting in Kanuhura are excellent –
the outer reef is incredibly deep and this means that divers are
able to experience a highly diverse range of marine life.

The Kanuhura spa is also highly reputed – it offers a health &
beauty centre with a wide range of available treatments.

One & Only Reethi Rah Maldives

Reethi Rah is a five star resort set in the North Male Atoll.
It has 130 rooms of various types (choose from eight types of
rooms from beach villa to grand beach suite). Reethi is a 55
minute transfer from Male.

Reethi offers a wide variety of restaurants and bars for guests
and resort facilities are also excellent offering a large
selection of diving/water sports as well as general activities
such as excursions and land based sports.

About the Author: Planning A Holiday To The Maldives? See
Resort Reviews & Descriptions, Find Out What To Do & When To Go.
Book An Unbelievable Five Star Maldives Holiday At Three Star
Prices. http://www.travelthemaldives.com

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=115192&ca=Travel

Maldives Luxury Hotels On The Baa Atoll
By Peter R Stewart

The Baa Atoll is made up of 50 islands and is south of the Raa
Atoll, and north of the Male Atoll. It is around 130 Km
northwest of the airport, and is home to around 5 resorts, which
were uninhabited but have now been converted to quality hotels.

The Baa atoll is normally reached from the airport by seaplanes
and speedboats. It’s a long way on a speedboat so a seaplane
flight is the recommended way.

The resort islands are still completely unspoiled and here you
will find some of the best snorkelling, diving and surfing spots
in the Maldives

There is no doubt the principal attractions are the unspoilt
natural beauty of the Baa Atoll, the untouched beaches, and the
pristine condition reefs.

The hotels which appear below are also a reason for visiting
the Baa Atoll.

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is a 5 star hotel with 99 rooms which is
124 Km from the airport, and will take 30 minutes by sea plane.

Four Seasons Landaa Giravaru is a 5 star deluxe hotel with 102
rooms, and it is 120 Km from the airport, with a 30 minute
transfer by sea plane.

Reethi Beach Resort is a 4 star hotel with 100 rooms and it is
104Km from the airport, which will take about 30 minutes by sea
plane.

Royal Island Resort and Spa is a 5 star hotel with 150 rooms,
and it is 110 Km from the airport, and the transfer by speed
boat will take 2 Hours and 40 Minutes, or 35 minutes by sea
plane.

Soneva Fushi Resort & Six Senses Spa is a 6 star deluxe hotel
with 65 rooms, which is 96 Km from the airport and a 30 minute
transfer by sea plane.

There are only 13 inhabited islands from the total of 50
islands.

It was as recently as 1998 that the first tourist resort on Baa
Atoll opened, followed by four more Maldives luxury hotels, and
these resorts have increased employment on the Baa Atoll. The
other islands remain as they were, totally unexploited with
white sandy beaches, whose only real visitors are tourists on
hotel excursions.

Baa Atoll does have possibly the top Maldives Luxury Hotel in
the Soneva Fushi Resort Maldives, but the Four Seasons Resort
Maldives, the Coco Palm Maldives, the Four Seasons Resort
Maldives, and the Royal Resort Maldives number amongst the
resorts that should be on your list.

For more information about the Maldives go to
http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com/categories/Indian-Ocean-Hideways/The-Maldives/

About the Author: Peter Stewart writes exclusively for
http://www.in-kenyasafari.com as well as
http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com and he has in depth
knowledge of the places he writes about

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=170671&ca=Travel

Honeymoon In The Maldives, On The North Ari Atoll
By Peter R Stewart

If you want to Honeymoon in the Maldives, or go diving in the
Maldives, then the North Ari Atoll could be the perfect spot for
you.. Some of the best Maldives Holiday Packages are to be found
here, and some of the best hotels in the Maldives are to be
found here. You ought to be able to find a really good Maldives
holiday package here if you are prepared to do some research.

The North Ari Atoll is about 45 km west of Male atoll, and it
has around 18 inhabited islands, and it was the second area of
the Maldives to develop for tourists, and it is now the most
developed tourist area in the Maldives.

The North Ari Atoll is famed for its diving, and is one of the
largest atolls in that the whole Ari Atoll is 80Kms long and 30
Kms wide. It is best reached by seaplane if for no better reason
than the views of the islands from the air, but if you can’t
stand flying then speedboat is the other real option..

Some of the hotels worth researching for your honeymoon in the
Maldives in the North Ari Atoll are as follows.

Bathala Island Resort is a 3 star hotel with 45 rooms, some 34
Kms from the airport, with a sea-plane transfer of 20 minutes.

Dhoni Migili is a 5 star deluxe hotel with only six rooms, and
is 63 Kms from the airport. Transfer by speed boat takes 2
hours, by seaplane only 30 minutes.

Ellaidhoo Tourist Resort is a 3 star hotel with 78 rooms, and
is situated 42 Kms from the airport. Access by speedboat is 1
hour and thirty minutes, and by sea plane 20 minutes halaveli

Halaveli Holiday Village is a 4 star hotel with 50 rooms, and
it is situated 62 Kms from the airport, and sea plane transfer
takes 20 minutes

Kuramathi Blue Lagoon is a 4 star hotel with 56 rooms, situated
70 Kms from the airport, and a speedboat transfer takes 90
minutes, and 20 minutes by seaplane.

Kuramathi Cottage & Spa is a 4 star hotel with 81 rooms,
situated 70 Kms from the airport, and a speedboat transfer takes
90 minutes, and 20 minutes by seaplane.

Kuramathi Village is a 4 star hotel with 151 rooms, situated 70
Kms from the airport, and a speedboat transfer takes 90 minutes,
and 20 minutes by seaplane.

The three Kuramathi Hotels are the only hotels which share an
island, as it is more than a kilometre in length.

Nika Island Resort is a 4 star exclusive hotel with 36 rooms,
and is 74 Kms from the airport. Transfer by seaplane takes 30
minutes.

Velidhu Island Resort is a 4 star hotel with 100 rooms, and is
100 Kms from the airport. Transfers by speedboat takes 2 hours,
and by seaplane 20 minutes.

Veligandu Island Resort is a 4 star hotel with 73 rooms , and
is 50 Km from the airport. Transfers by seaplane take around 15
minutes.

W Retreat & Spa - Maldives is a 5 star de luxe hotel, with 78
rooms, and is 72 Km from the airport, and a 25 minute transfer
by sea plane.

There’s sure to one of these hotels or islands that are just
right for your honeymoon in the Maldives on the North Ari Atoll,
where the diving reigns supreme. Some of the best hotels in the
Maldives are here, and you ought to be able to put together a
perfect Maldives holiday package.

If you want to know mor about holidays in the Maldives go to
http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com/categories/Indian-Ocean-Hideways/The-Maldives/

About the Author: Peter Stewart writes exclusively for
http://www.in-kenyasafari.com as well as
http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com and he has in depth
knowledge of the places he writes about

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=170129&ca=Travel

South Ari Atoll Has Some Of The Best Maldives Accommodation
By Peter R Stewart

When it comes to deciding the best atoll to have a luxury
holiday in the Maldives, then South Ari Atoll takes a lot of
beating, with some of the top Maldives Luxury Hotels and
Maldives Accommodation to be found, as well as some of the best
diving and watersports.

The South Ari Atoll lies immediately south of the North Ari
Atoll and west to south west of the airport.

Bearing in mind that this area was the second Atoll in the
Maldives to venture into tourism, the island resorts here seem
as unspoilt as the day they were built. A wonderful place to
dive, snorkel or swim in the crystal clear turquoise water. To
enjoy the wonderful multicoloured marine life, perhaps just lie
on a powder white sand beach, or be energetic and windsurf, or
play tennis, or volleyball.

Whatever you choose to do in the South Ari Atoll, you will feel
a thousand miles from anywhere, and the top Maldives Luxury
Hotels includes the following selection.

Angaga Island Resort and Spa is a 4 star hotel with 70 rooms,
which is 85 Km from the airport, and reached by a 25 transfer in
a sea plane.

Hilton Maldives Resort and Spa is a 5 star deluxe hotel with
150 villas, and is 90 Km from the airport, and reached by a 30
minute flight by seaplane.

Holiday Island Resort is a 4 star hotel with 142 rooms, and is
97 Km from the airport, and you can transfer by speedboat in
2hours 30 minutes, or by sea plane in 35 minutes.

Lily Beach Resort is a 4 star hotel with 95 rooms, and is 80 Km
from the airport, and a sea plane transfer will take 25 minutes.

Mirihi Island Resort is a 5 star hotel with 36 rooms, and is 85
Km from the airport, and a sea plane transfer will take 30
minutes.

Ranveli Village is a 3 star hotel with 56 rooms, and is 77 Km
from the airport, and a sea plane transfer will take 30 minutes.

Sun Island Resort and Spa is a 5 star hotel with 350 rooms, and
is 99 Km from the airport, and a sea plane transfer will take 35
minutes, or 160 minutes by speedboat.

Vakarufalhi Island Resort is a 4 star hotel with 50 rooms, and
is 90 Km from the airport, and a sea plane transfer will take 25
minutes.

Vilamendhoo Island Resort is a 4 star hotel with 141rooms, and
is 82 Km from the airport, and a sea plane transfer will take 25
minutes.

White Sands Resort & Spa is a 5 star hotel with 141 rooms, and
is 104 Km from the airport, and a sea plane transfer will take
30 minutes.

When you come to choose your luxury holiday in the Maldives,
then the South Ari Atoll Maldives accommodation takes a lot of
beating, however many hotels require a sea plane flight, or a
long transfer by speed boat after a long flight. If you are
prepared for this, then you will be able to enjoy some of the
best beaches, lagoons and Maldives luxury hotels here.

For more information about a vacation in the Maldives go to
http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com/categories/Indian-Ocean-Hideways/The-Maldives/

About the Author: Peter Stewart writes exclusively for
http://www.in-kenyasafari.com as well as
http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com and he has in depth
knowledge of the places he writes about

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=170328&ca=Travel

Things To Do During Your Maldives Holiday - Take A Day Trip To
Male
By Tuks Engineer

While Male may be the capital of the Maldives – a place where
visitors almost exclusively arrive into and leave from the
country, it’s interesting that many visitors do not spend a
single night in Male. This is because most visitors go directly
to their resort island and spend most of their time there.

Many visitors still get to see Male via day trips organised by
several of the resort islands.

Male isn’t particularly large – in fact it’s possible to walk
around the island in slightly over an hour (it’s dimensions
being approximately 2km long and 1km wide).

For its land mass, Male is pretty densely populated with around
a 70,000 strong population. There are ongoing land reclamation
projects in progress to increase the amount of space on the
island.

Despite being a small city, Male offers the kind of services
you would come to expect from any capital including books, post
office, internet access, bookshops, travel agents, a myriad of
eateries and so on.

There are a few points of interest for those who venture into
Male to get a glimpse of life in the capital.

The Islamic centre & mosque is one of the grander structures in
the city. Hukuru Miskiiy is the most ancient mosque in Male and
dates back to the 1650’s.

There is a National Museum displaying various artefacts once
owned by the Sultans (from clothing to weapons).

You may also enjoy visiting the Muleeaage (a structure
initially built as a palace and also used as presidential
residence in the past).

Shoppers will find quite a few places of interest in Male – for
instance Chandanee Magu and Orchid Magu have a cluster of
souvenir shops & cafes.

Male isn’t a place to go to for bars or clubs but other forms
of entertainment do exist – there are a couple of cinemas (the
Star & Olympus on Majeedi Magu). There are also opportunities to
catch an outdoor concert at New Harbour.

For sports enthusiasts there is the National Stadium where
football & cricket games are regularly contested.

Male has several hotels, guest-houses & inns to suit a wide
range of budgets should you have the opportunity to spend a
couple of nights.

Those who do get to visit Male for any length of time can enjoy
a wide range of eateries serving many different types of
international cuisine. Male has several small tea shops offering
(non-alcoholic) drinks and small snacks or “short eats”
(hedhikaa). Tea shops also offer “long eats”, which tend to be
larger more filling dishes.

Tea shops in Male are on the whole cheap and chirpy affairs,
serving simple foods at low prices. There are also several
higher priced restaurants to choose from. These include cuisines
such as Italian, Thai, Indian, American & Chinese. Most
restaurants also have their own in-house restaurant.

About the Author: Planning A Holiday To The Maldives? See
Resort Reviews & Descriptions, Find Out What To Do & When To Go.
Book An Unbelievable Five Star Maldives Holiday At Three Star
Prices. http://www.travelthemaldives.com

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=115187&ca=Travel

Brief Review Of The Top Maldives Holiday Resorts (Part 1)
By Tuks Engineer

There are a huge number of resorts in the Maldives to suit a
wide range of tastes and budgets. Here, we’ll take you through
many of the popular destinations.

Angsana Resort & Spa Maldives

Angsana is located in the Ihuru islands (North Male Atoll) and
is a short 14 km distance from the capital of Male.

The resort contains 45 villas – some of the nice features of
these include thatched roofs, individual private gardens and
pleasant verandas. Guests can choose between deluxe beachfront
villas and standard beachfront villas.

Ihuru has a great reputation for having some of the finest
house reefs in the Maldives and so is a good destination for
those wanting to do a bit of diving and snorkelling.

The spa at Angsana offers a wide range of treatments including
facials, massages and various others.

Asdu Sun Island Maldives

Asdu Sun Island is a three star resort with 30 rooms located in
the Kaafu (Male) Atoll.

While it may not be one of the more luxurious choices, Asdu Sun
Island does offer the usual range of activities including
diving, canoeing, snorkelling, fishing and more.

Additional facilities include a reading library where guests
can take out books to read by the beach plus a video hall and
internet surfing.

Bandos Island Resort Maldives

The Bandos resort has 225 guestrooms of varying types – guests
can choose from standard, deluxe, garden villas, Jacuzzi beach
villas, and water villas. The resort is located in the North
Male atoll.

Bandos first opened in 1972 although it has grown considerably
since then to become one of the largest Maldives resorts with
facilities to match. For example, just some of the facilities
include tennis courts, a coffee shop (and five restaurants), a
disco & bar, gym & sauna, pool room, a couple of swimming pools,
beauty salon as well as a spa offering massages.

The diving facilities are good with a diving school offering
diving courses.

Banyan Tree Maldives

The Banyan Tree is another luxurious resort set in the North
Male atoll. The resort offers five different types of rooms from
standard to ocean view villas. There’s a choice of four
restaurant and bars, a very good spa, and excellent recreation
facilities including diving, snorkelling & deep sea fishing to
name but a few.

Baros Island Resort Maldives

Located in North Male Atoll, Baros is just a 20 minute
speedboat ride from Male airport. The resort offers three types
of accommodation - water villas, baros villas and deluxe villas.

There are several bars & restaurants offering a wide selection
of continental & oriental cuisines.

The recreational facilities at Baros are huge, and aside from
the standard diving & snorkelling options offered at practically
all resorts, Baros offers several additional services –
badminton, aerobics and cycling are just a few of these.

Bathala Island Resort Maldives

Certainly one of the smaller resorts located in the Ari Atoll,
Bathala is well regarded by divers.

The 4 star resort contains 37 cottages and is better suited to
those who do not plan to do much other than laze away.

Biyadhoo Island Resort Maldives

Biyadhoo is located on the Kaafu Atoll (South Male Atoll) is a
four star resort containing a total of 96 rooms. The resort is
highly regarded as a good place for diving and snorkeling.
Certainly an island for those looking for water sports and
activity in addition to the spectacular scenery that the
Maldives offers.

Boduhithi Island Resort Maldives

This club style resort with over 80 rooms is a particular
favourite with Italian clientele. As you would expect, this
means a high number of available activities and all the fine
Italian dining you can handle. The staff are also predominantly
Italian.

Boduhithi is located in the North Atoll (Kaafu) and has an
official rating of four stars.

Bolifushi Island Resort Maldives

Located in the South Male Atoll, about 12km Southwest of Male
this 4 star rated resort has three types of rooms – Boli, Beach
Villa and Water Villa.

The facilities are good and offer diving, snorkelling, scuba
diving and plenty of other activities. There is also good Spa.

Club Med Farukolhufushi Maldives

Set in the North Atoll, this island resort is very good for
scuba diving and watersports. The 4-star resort offers a wide
range of facilities and 150 rooms. There are two room types –
superior, and superior with balcony.

Tuition is available for water-sports including windsurfing and
sailing while other activities on offer including kayaking,
beach volley, soccer, water-polo and more. The resort also
offers a swimming pool, spa, arts/crafts workshop, a TV/pool
room and more.

Coco Palm Resort & Spa Maldives

This five star resort is located on the private island of
Duikolu (Baa Atoll) and is approximately half an hour via
sea-plane from the Capital of Male.

The accommodation is highly luxurious and there are four types
of rooms from beach villas to the incredible lagoon palace
suite.

The resort offers several restaurants and bars, all set in
highly tranquil locations and also has a highly recommended spa.

Activities and diving are also available with a diving school
and plenty of sports such as water-skiing, canoeing,
surf-biking, sailing & more. Tennis, badminton, volley ball are
also on offer and the resort has a gym too for the health
conscious.

Cocoa Island Maldives

Cocoa Island is a five star resort in South Male Atoll and is
approximately 30 minutes from Male via speedboat.

The rooms are of a high standard and come in varying types
including one and two bed villas, dhoni loft suites and dhoni
standard suites.

The main activities on offer are diving, water-sports and
island hopping.

Dhonveli Beach & Spa Resort Maldives

Not surprisingly, “Dhonveli” in Maldian stands for “crystal
white sand”. This is a five star resort with five different
types of rooms that is located on the North Male Atoll.

The resort has one main restaurant, the Banana Garden
Restaurant but also offers a sunset bar & coffee shop.

There are several of the usual indoor and outdoor recreational
facilities available, including “big game fishing” and
“adventure cruising”. Floodlit tennis/badminton, carom, table
tennis are a few of the more traditional activities on offer and
the resort has a gym and spa too.

Ellaidhoo Tourist Resort Maldives

Located on the North Ari Atoll is the four star Ellaidhoo
resort. It’s quite a distance from Male (over an hour by
speedboat although only 20 minutes via seaplane). Ellaidhoo is
one of the smaller resorts and the whole island is around 300
metres long and 280 metres wide.

There are 156 rooms split up into standard, superior and
deluxe. The dining facilities include the restaurant, coffee
shop and bar.

Diving & recreation activities are available and these include
island hopping, snorkelling safaris, morning fishing, an
excursion to Male and more. There is also a Spa.

Embudu Village Maldives

This four star resort is set in Kaafu Atoll and the island is
just 300 metres long. There is a very easy-going feel to the
island. There are 118 rooms divided between standard, superior
and water bungalow rooms.

As you would expect, the main activities in Embudu are diving,
water sports and a feast of additional activities normally found
in Maldives reorts.

There is a restaurant, bar and coffee shop serving a variety of
food and beverage.

Eriyadu Island Resort Maldives

Set in the North Male Atoll, Eriyadu is a four star resort that
contains 57 superior rooms only. It’s a 45 minute transfer via
speedboat from the capital Male. It’s a 4-star resort.

There is a restaurant, bar and coffee shop available for guests
and there are good diving facilities available as you would
expect.

Filitheyo Island Resort Maldives

Situated on the Faafu Atoll, Filitheyo is a five star resort
with 125 villas of different types.
Filitheyo offers a main restaurant, a couple of bars and a
coffee shop and several of the standard diving & recreational
facilities are available including cultural shows and live music
too.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives

Set in the North Male Atoll, Four Seasons is a spectacular five
star resort with 106 rooms of various types (from standard beach
villas and beach bungalows with outdoor showers to water
villas).

The resort offers three restaurants and two bars and some of
the features include a healthy offering of vegetarian food as
well as themed nights.

The facilities & recreational amenities are very good – as well
as the standard Maldives offerings guests can try their hand at
aerial excursions, catamaran sailing, big game fishing and
island hopping.

The resort is a half hour transfer via speedboat from Male.

Full Moon Resort Maldives

The five star Full Moon resort is located in the North Male
Atoll and is a 20 minute speedboat ride from Male.

There are 156 rooms – from deluxe and cottage rooms to water
bungalows and water villas. The architecture has a very
traditional, wooden feel and the accommodation is very
comfortable.

No less than five different restaurants offer a huge selection
of international cuisine and keep the guests pallets delighted
at all times. There are also three bars and a coffee shop.

While most Maldives resorts have their own spas, the Full Moon
spa is actually located on a separate island – a delightful
touch.

A good range of activities and recreation are also on offer.

Hakuraa Club Maldives

On the Meemu Atoll lies the four star Hakuura Club offering
either beach or water bungalows. The resort is 130km from Male.
A good range of activities and recreation are offered.

Halaveli Holiday Village Maldives

This is a three star resort in the Ari Atoll offering a range
of beach bungalows. The transfer from the airport is half an
hour by sea plane or 1.5 hours via speedboat. Dhon transfers are
available but take 360 minutes.

There is a main restaurant and bar offering a wide range of
cuisine. A fair standard or recreation and diving facilities are
also available.

This is a fair option for those with a tight budget that are
looking for a Maldives experience. While the rooms are not
exactly cheap, they are more affordable than the four and five
star options available.

Helengeli Tourist Village Maldives

Helengeli is a four star resort that’s based in the Kaafu
Atoll. There are 50 beach villas available and offers the usual
choice of recreation and activities. To name a few, they include
Spa, restaurant/bar, internet facilities, freshwater pool as
well as dhoni/speedboat/seaplane hire. There is also a dive
school.

Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa Rangali Island Maldives

The luxurious five star Hilton is not for those with a fragile
budget! Located in the South Ari Atoll, the resort is 90km from
Male airport.

There are 150 rooms divided into standard/deluxe beach villas,
water bungalows, and sunset water villas.

The main restaurant is the Atoll restaurant containing two open
kitchens. The sunset bar & grill is a lovely addition built over
the water with stunning views of the lagoon. You can even have a
private barbeque specially made by a resort chef.

Some great recreational & diving activities are offered
including swimming pool, tennis courts, fitness rooms & spa and
a huge range of water & other sports.

These are just a handful of the premier holiday resorts
available in the Maldives. While all tend to be mid to high end,
your choice may be determined by the type of holiday you're
interested in so some further research is always recommemded.

About the Author: Planning A Holiday To The Maldives? See
Resort Reviews & Descriptions, Find Out What To Do & When To Go.
Book An Unbelievable Five Star Maldives Holiday At Three Star
Prices. http://www.travelthemaldives.com

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=115191&ca=Travel

Dhaalu Atoll For Your Holiday Island Resort In The Maldives
By Peter R Stewart

When you choose a holiday island resort in the Maldives, an
island hideaway, where you can forget the worries and stresses
of 21st Century life, do you take a low risk Maldives Vacation
Package using a well known tour operator to one of the better
known resorts within a speedboat ride of the airport?

Or

Do you allow yourself the chance to totally escape and fly by
sea plane to one of the more distant Atolls such as Dhaalu
Atoll.

There is so much to recommend an Atoll like Dhaalu which is 150
Km away from Male. It is 5kms south of Faafu Atoll, and is a
small atoll measuring 38 kms in length and 23 kms in width. In
fact the only Atoll more distant is Seenu Atoll to the south
east of Dhaalu.

The Dhaalu Atoll consists of 46 islands, only 8 are inhabited
and 2 islands have resorts, but of interest should be the island
of Ribudhoo where the most skilled gold and silversmiths make
jewellery. Very few people live in this Atoll, and a visit now
may well be the best time.

The two Holiday Island resorts in this part of the Maldives
are:

Angsana at Velaavaru which has been renovated is a 5 star hotel
has 84 rooms and is 150 Kms from the airport, taking 45 minutes
by sea plane. As the Dhaalu Atoll is virtually unexplored and
undiscovered the hotel arranges a lot of excursions to discover
the huge number of experiences the Atoll has to offer.

Vilu Reef Beach & Spa is a 4 star hotel with 101 rooms which is
156 Kms from the airport, taking 35 minutes by sea plane.

At the end of the day the decision is yours. There is no risk,
so you can take a Maldives vacation Package and play safe, stick
close to Male, enjoying a resort that may be brilliant, but
everyone has been to before, or you travel to Dhaalu Atoll, and
escape, truly escape to what is a real Maldives Island Hideaway,
that your friends have never heard of, and stay at the perfect
Holiday island resort on the Maldives.

It’s your choice, but if you wish more information about the
Maldives then go to
http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com/categories/Indian-Ocean-Hideways/The-Maldives/

About the Author: Peter Stewart writes exclusively for
http://www.in-kenyasafari.com as well as
http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com and he has in depth
knowledge of the places he writes about

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=171680&ca=Travel

Why Not Choose The South Male Atoll For Your Maldives Island
Hideaway
By Peter R Stewart

Before booking a holiday in the Maldives, you need to find out
a lot about your hotel in the Maldives, especially if it is to
be your honeymoon Hotel in the Maldives, the island hideaway of
your dreams. You can do a lot worse than to concentrate your
search on the South Male Atoll

The South Kaafu or Male Atoll is just below North Kaafu Atoll
and this is the place in Maldives where tourism first started.

The whole Male atoll, both North and South is really the
tourist centre of the Maldives and has the largest number of
resorts. There are a lot of diving and surfing sites on this
atoll.

This is quite a large list of Hotels in the Maldives on the
South Male Atoll. They are about as close to the airport as you
can get. This information can be used as a basis of further
investigation before you choose your Hotel in the Maldives.

It’s a big decision to make when you book a vacation to the
Maldives, because you might feel that one beautiful palm fringed
island surrounded by turquoise sea, a multicoloured and faceted
reef, and thousands of brightly coloured marine life to view is
much like another.

This just isn’t true. Each island, each hotel is different.

You need to think about the size of the island, the number of
rooms, where the rooms are situated. You need to work out how
small and intimate you want it to be, bearing in mind that an
island you can walk around in ten minutes may appear to be
paradise at first but become claustrophobic very quickly. You
might view the boat trip to the island with horror, so you need
to know how long the transfer is.

The list of South Male hotels isn’t complete, but should form a
basis for investigation before you make a decision on your
holiday in the Maldives

Anantara Resort Maldives is a 5 star deluxe hotel which opened
in 2006, with 110 rooms, it is 35 kms from the airport, and
takes 35 minutes in a speedboat.

Biyadhoo Island Resort is a 3 star hotel with 96 rooms, and it
is 29 Kms from the airport with a speedboat transfer time of 60
minutes.

Bolifushi Island Resort is a 4 star resort, some 12 Kms. From
the airport with 55 rooms, and a 30 minute transfer by
speedboat.

Club Rannalhi is a 4 star hotel with 116 rooms, situated 35 Kms
from the airport with a 45 minute transfer by speedboat.

Cocoa Island Resort is a 5 star deluxe hotel with 36 rooms,
situated 30 Km from the airport, and is a 30 minute transfer by
speedboat.

Embudu Village is a 3 star Hotel with 124 rooms, and is 8Kms
from the airport, with a 45 minute transfer by speedboat.

Fihalhohi Island Resort is a 3 star resort with 150 rooms, and
it is 28Km from the airport with a 60 minute transfer by
speedboat.

Fun Island Resort is a 4 star resort with 100 rooms, and it is
38 Kms from the airport with a 45 minute transfer by speedboat.

Kandooma Tourist Resort is a 3 star hotel which has 124 rooms,
and is under renovation.

Laguna Maldives is a 5 star resort with 132 rooms, is 12 Km
from the airport, and a twenty minute transfer by speedboat.

Olhuveli Beach & Spa is a 4 star hotel with 129 rooms, situated
36 Kms from the airport and is a 45 minute transfer by
speedboat.

Rihiveli Maldives is a 4 star hotel with 48 rooms, and is 49
Kms from the airport which is a 45 minute transfer by speedboat.

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa is a 5 star deluxe hotel with 62
villas, and is 5 Kms from the airport and is a 20 minute
transfer by speedboat.

Vadoo Island Resort is a 4 star hotel with 31 rooms, situated 5
Km from the airport and is a 15 minute transfer by speedboat.

Vilivaru Island Resort is closed for renovation

You now have some basis on which to investigate your Holiday
Hotel in the Maldives and make a decision whether or not the
South Male Atoll is the place for you. There are some real
Maldives Luxury Hotels here, perfect for a honeymoon in the
Maldives, or your Maldives Island Hideaway.

To discover more Maldives Island Hideaways visit
http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com/categories/Indian-Ocean-Hideways/The-Maldives/

About the Author: Peter Stewart writes exclusively for
http://www.in-kenyasafari.com as well as
http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com and he has in depth
knowledge of the places he writes about

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=170095&ca=Travel