The paradise islands of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean may be synonymous with high-end luxury travel, but as elsewhere, the global economic downturn combined with a growing number of resorts has forced local hoteliers to play the added-value card to fill rooms.
The UK supplies the most visitors to the region and anecdotal evidence suggests numbers were down in 2009. Those who continue to travel have been quick to realise it’s a buyer’s market and demand more bang for their buck.
One consequence of this has been the growth in all-inclusive packages which, in turn, is helping to create a more affordable mid-market in a region that has traditionally tied its colours firmly to the five-star flag.
Vilu Reef Beach and Spa Resort
A good example of this phenomenon is the Vilu Reef Beach and Spa Resort on South Nilandhe Atoll. Having felt the pinch in 2009 following a drop off in visitor numbers from key markets such as Italy and the UK, the management have embraced the all-inclusive model with gusto.
Billed as a four-star resort, Vilu Reef is not in the ultra-luxury mould and clients looking for that should head elsewhere. For example, the spa comprises little more than a few treatment rooms, the gym is very basic and the over-water villas lack some of the features found elsewhere such as glass floors.
That said, all of this is reflected in the prices, and you still get the classic mix of over-water villas, crystal-clear ocean and palm tree-fringed white-sand beaches the Maldives are famous for.
And personally, I preferred the basics to some of the more ‘gimmicky’ frills found in some of the region’s higher end resorts.
What makes the resort special is its intimacy – it is small and home to just 122 rooms and villas, 41 of which are over water (one Presidential, five Honeymoon and 35 Jacuzzi Water Villas) and its friendly and attentive staff manage to offer great service without the simpering.
The most basic rooms, the Deluxe Garden Villas, are particularly good value for the region, perfectly comfortable and cosy, and make a good bet for couples looking to get out and about rather than laze about on their terraces. At the other end of the scale, the very roomy Honeymoon Water Villas, served
by private butlers, go for up to $2,000 a night.
The resort, whose remote location necessitates a seaplane transfer from the capital Malé, gets a lot of repeat visitors and when I was there, the guests I spoke to seemed very content and happy with their choice.
Plans are afoot to increase and improve the spa facilities and build up to 10 new stand-alone Water Villas to offer a more secluded option to guests.
Perfect for: Families and couples who want value for money in an informal laid-back resort, and those who don’t need ultra-flash facilities.
Olhuveli Beach and Spa Resort
Bigger and flashier than its sister property, the four-star-plus Olhuveli Beach and Spa Resort (opened 2002 and renovated in 2005) is located on South Malé Atoll about 45 minutes from Malé by speedboat.
By merit of being a bit newer and slightly more upmarket than Vilu Reef, in addition to sharing column inches in Thomson, Thomas Cook and If Only brochures, Olhuveli is also carried by the likes of Kuoni, Hayes and Jarvis, Sovereign and First Choice Premier.
The resort is much more built up than Vilu Reef. The buildings are on a larger scale, and there’s a slightly wider choice of accommodation.
Whereas guests patter around the diminutive Vilu Reef in their flip-flops, here the king of the road is that resort favourite the golf buggy.
The 133 rooms and villas range from beachfront Deluxe Rooms (63 rooms with interconnecting options available for families) to Beach Villas (eight) that have open-air enclosed courtyards and private verandahs to a range of over-water villas, some with Jacuzzis.
The five Honeymoon Water Villas are slightly larger and boast separate living room areas and steam showers on their sundecks. Completing the picture are a couple of massive two-bedroom Presidential Water Suites with butler service and two king-size bedrooms.
Although personally I preferred Vilu Reef, due to the more laid back and friendly atmosphere, clients who like a bigger resort where they can find a quiet spot for some quality couples’ alone time will no doubt prefer it.
Moreover, the spa facilities are much more advanced, with more staff and eight treatment rooms, and the water sports options are also better.
I tried out the windsurfing and went on my first dive and on both occasions the instructors were great. One of our group saw loads of dolphins and two kinds of whales on her dolphin safari cruise not far out of the resort.
The resort is also one of the only certified centres for kite-surfing in the Maldives. Other activities include pedaloes, waterskiing, sailing and sea kayaking.
Perfect for: Couples looking for value for money in a property with more of a ‘resort feel’ than Vilu Reef, with better facilities and a more formal service.
Getting there
British Airways launched its new direct flight service from Gatwick to the Maldives last October, flying three times a week (Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays).
Features include lie-flat beds in Club World.
Another new route is Oman Air’s daily service from Heathrow via Muscat.
On the charter front, Thomson Airways flies to the Maldives once a week from Gatwick and Manchester, and Monarch Airlines operates flights to the Maldives from Gatwick, available as a part of a package.
Sample product
Thomas Cook Holidays with Style is offering seven nights’ all-inclusive in a garden room at Vilu Reef Beach and Spa Resort from £1,537 per person (or £1,117 per person half board) departing on June 13. The price includes return flights from Gatwick and seaplane transfers and is based on two adults sharing. Optional supplements apply if booking a Beach or Water Villa. thomascookworld.com0871 230 2399
Kuoni is offering seven nights’ all-inclusive at Olhuveli Beach and Spa Resort from £1,686 per person departing in June. The price, based on two people sharing, includes return flights with British Airways from Gatwick with accommodation in a Deluxe Room, transfers and surcharges. agents.kuoni.co.uk01306 747008
