September 2011 - Posts

Basic, Smart, Elegant, Luxurious

Published 29 September 11 5:0 PM | Maldives Complete

So what are the differences between the ratings? What makes a 5 Star … and beyond? The following is my attempt to characterise some of the basic and more subtle distinctions between different tiers of quality from my years of experience in the Maldives...

Filed under: industry

The 5-Star Problem

Published 27 September 11 1:33 AM | Maldives Complete

  So what the heck does ‘5 Star’ mean? With limited supply and the desire to earn as much as possible from the sustainable natural resource of the idyllic islands of the Maldives, the country and industry is rapidly moving to premium at nearly every...

Filed under: industry

Best of the Maldives: Biggest Glass Floor – Velassaru

Published 24 September 11 2:40 PM | Maldives Complete

  For those with weaker sea legs, you don’t have to go on the high seas or undersea to have a window to Maldivian marine life. In fact, just this week the topic of glass floors came up on the Trip Advisor Forum . A couple of posters dismissed them...

Filed under: best of, lodging, Velassaru

Best of the Maldives: Biggest Submarine – Traders Hotel

Published 23 September 11 3:11 AM | Maldives Complete

  If you fancy an under-the-sea exploration or just a fun adventure to fill out a Male excursion, consider booking a trip on the Whale Submarine . Okay, it’s not a particular feature of Traders Hotel per se, but Traders is both the closest (one block...

Filed under: best of, Traders Hotel, activity, boating

Best of the Maldives: Submarine – Conrad Maldives Rangali

Published 20 September 11 2:8 AM | Maldives Complete

  If windows over the ocean is not good enough for you, how about windows under the ocean? You can go diving in the crystal clear colourful waters of the Maldives without a scuba course or even holding your breath. Conrad Maldives Rangali features...

Filed under: best of, activity, Conrad Maldives Rangali, boating

Best of the Maldives: Biggest Glass Bottomed Boat - Kurumba

Published 18 September 11 4:22 PM | Maldives Complete

  If you really have a crowd, then consider Kurumba’s own glass bottom boat for a undersea glimpse of the Maldives aquatic delights. The bigger boat with more glass area does provide a bit more opportunity to see a broader range. The excursion is...

Filed under: best of, Kurumba, activity, boating

Best of the Maldives: Glass Bottom Boat – Paradise Island / Conrad Maldives Rangali

Published 17 September 11 2:15 AM | Maldives Complete

Unparalleled snorkelling and work class diving aren’t the only way to explore all of these QI curiosities in the Maldives. If you don't want to spoil your finely coiffed ‘do, then consider a glass bottomed boat excursion. A number of resorts...

Filed under: best of, activity, Paradise Island, Conrad Maldives Rangali, boating

Maldives QI, Part 3

Published 13 September 11 2:32 AM | Maldives Complete

  Question: What is this a picture of? Answer: A Yellow Box Fish. [Soundeffect]: Ding! Correct. You get no points because that was so easy (it is yellow and it looks like a box). Now, what is the fish below?...     Answer: A grey/green...

Filed under: fun, QI, marine biology

Best of Maldives – Fish Breeding – Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru

Published 12 September 11 1:2 AM | Maldives Complete

Question: For those who have been paying attention this past week, what is this a picture of? Answer: Now that is a Nemo fish! I know because it has the three white stripes ! [Soundeffect]: Buzzzz! Wrong. Actually, the Maldive species ‘ Amphiprion...

Filed under: best of, Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, ocean, eco-sustainability

Maldives QI, Part 2

Published 11 September 11 9:1 AM | Maldives Complete

Question: What is this a picture of? Answer: A Jelly Fish. [Soundeffect]: Buzzzz! Wrong. This is a ‘ Portugese Man of War’ which is not actually a ‘jelly fish’ but a “ siphonophore . Siphonophores “differ from jellyfish...

Filed under: Kurumba, fun, QI, marine biology

Maldives QI, Part 1

Published 10 September 11 9:21 AM | Maldives Complete

In honour of Stephen Fry’s brilliant QI (short for ‘Quite Interesting’) TV comedy quiz show returning to BBC this weekend, we feature a couple of Maldives QI questions of our own... Question: What common, colourful fish in the Maldives...

Filed under: fun, QI, marine biology

Best of Maldives: Green Cooking– Six Senses Laamu

Published 9 September 11 2:38 AM | Maldives Complete

If BBQ isn’t quite environmentally friendly enough for you, then maybe ‘Green Cooking’ would be more interesting. No not ‘greens’ cooking. ‘Green Cooking’. Eco-friendly cooking. ‘Carbon-free Cooking’...

Filed under: best of, dining, Six Senses Laamu

Best of Maldives – BBQ – W Retreat

Published 8 September 11 7:52 PM | Maldives Complete

  The recently passed Summer Bank Holiday (UK) and Labor Day Weekend (USA) are traditionally celebrated with a grand finale BBQ (or ‘barbeque’ or even ‘Bar-B-Q’ for you southerners) of the season. And if BBQ is your thing, one the W Retreat’s signature...

Filed under: best of, dining, W Retreat

World’s Worst Snorkelling

Published 3 September 11 1:59 AM | Maldives Complete

  If the Maldives is the ‘ Best Snorkelling in the World’ , then where would be the worst? Hint – Think about the opposite of sunny, tropical weather. Also, think desperate nut cases. The opening line to this MSNBC Today report says it all - “ Wet...

Filed under: snorkelling, fun