Ayada Maldives a remote private island paradise 30% off 2017 holiday bookings.
The Maldives are the most beautiful small islands on Earth. The 26 utopian islands, elegantly scattered upon the Indian Ocean, are not only the proud hosts of crystal clear waters with vibrant marine life beneath, pristine white sands and exotic coral reefs, they also boast the finest in luxury resorts, all featuring with world-class cuisine at every turn.
The 26 coral atolls that make up The Maldives are positioned in a chain reaching down to cross the equator, comprising 1192 islands. Ever since ancient times, the Maldives were ruled by kings (Radhun) and occasionally queens (Ranin) and has historically always had a strategic importance due to its location on the major marine routes of the Indian Ocean. The Maldives’ nearest neighbours are Sri Lanka and India, both of whose cultural and economic ties with Maldives have had a huge influence on the Maldives you see today. The ancient Hindi culture, brought to the islands by Kalingas of ancient India (the earliest sea traders to Sri Lanka and Maldives from India) continues to have an indelible impact on modern Maldives, attracting culture hungry tourists from far and wide.
Following the 16th century, when colonial powers took over much of the trade in the Indian Ocean, the Portuguese, Dutch and the French all occasionally played a part in local politics. However, his meddling eventually ended when the Maldives became a British Protectorate in the 19th century, eventually gaining total independence in 1965.
Ever since the early 1990s, The Maldives have been faced with a great challenge, ensuring rapid economic development, tourism and modernisation, given the country’s limited resource base in fishing and agriculture. The people of the Maldives have certainly embraced their challenge and today 200 of the islands are inhabited, with 100 of them being world-class resorts attracting luxury holiday seekers.
Whether you are a keen diver ready to plunge in to the depths of those iconic turquoise waters, you’re desperately seeking solace as you sip upon a sundowner at the waters edge, or perhaps you are looking for that that ultimate family trip of a lifetime, brimming with adventures, activities and memory-making, the Seychelles has all the answers. It could be that dolphin watching is on your bucket list or perhaps a spa retreat is on the cards; each island is unique in its own magical way, collectively offering something for everyone.
Gaafu Dhaalu is a relatively unexplored district of the Maldives in the south of the country, formed by the southwestern section of Huvadhu Atoll. Created in 1962 when Huvadhu Atoll was divided into two districts. Gaafu Dhaalu, situated 340 kilometres south of the Maldives capital Malé and just a few kilometres above the equator, extends between the channels of Footukandu and Vaarulu Kandu. The district comprises of 153 islands, ten of which are inhabited and one of which is the Ayada Maldives, a private island resort offering a truly luxurious retreat with a genuine Maldivian style.
Voted the‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Resort’ and the ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Villa Resort & Spa’ at the 2014 World Travel Awards, this uber-luxury resort is noted for its gardens and tropical greenery and is ringed by a pristine coral reef where dolphins are frequent visitors.
Scattered throughout the resort are 122 spacious villas and suites, with private pools, butler service and impeccable five-star detailing. Showcasing the majesty of the natural surroundings, Ayada Maldives offers nine different luxury accommodation types, all of which bring together contemporary with traditional Maldivian and Turkish design elements. The stilted water villas have each been carefully placed on the uniquely shaped jetty to capture magnificent views of the endless horizon whilst the beach villas offer an enclave of absolute privacy and serenity less than 30 steps from the Indian Ocean. No matter which villa you choose, all have been designed, planned and constructed exclusively keeping in mind the need to provide a luxurious yet simple, modern yet authentic experience for guests. All exterior and interior elements have been especially commissioned to use the most durable natural elements and as such there is an abundance of teak, marble and terrazzo finishing’s on display. The resort pays special tribute to its Turkish influence by introducing subtle Ottoman style decorative elements in both the guest villas and the many dining venues.
It is perhaps the dining and unparalleled culinary experiences at Ayada Maldives that adds the jewel to the resort’s crown. Each of the eight outlets strive to offer authenticity and variety, with its own unique influence, ranging from exotic Asian flavours to tantalising Mediterranean specialities, as well as a vibrant Ottoman Lounge complete with specialty coffees, teas, and shisha. Your dining experience is complete with impeccable service and breathtaking views of the ocean and the horizon.
A particular highlight has to be the over water restaurant and bar, ‘Ocean Breeze’. Named after its beautiful over-water location where the warmth of the sun is tempered by a refreshing breeze, this stylish restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and offers gourmets a tempting menu of modern European dishes. With regular seasonal changes to the menu, items such as grilled seafood, home-made pasta and fine steaks are perennial favourites.
‘Magu’, set on the beach, is the main restaurant, offering a diverse buffet noted for its emphasis on choice and quality: heaps of vegetables, salads and tropical fruits are set alongside steaming dishes, hot and fresh from the kitchen while a team of chefs are ready to conjure up a choice of dishes a la minute in the central show kitchen.
Set on the beach, this elegant restaurant has a peaceful central reflecting pool and is surrounded by lush tropical greenery. Diners have the options of sitting outside under the palm trees and wonderful Maldivian sky, or in an air-conditioned pavilion.
Leisure time comes easy at the Ayada Maldives. The active can explore the area on a host of excursions (especially recommended are the sunset cruise and fishing trips), while at the resort they can play tennis or badminton, take up water sports, learn yoga, Pilates or Zumba or simply hit the modern gym. Outstanding diving and snorkelling opportunities surround the island on reefs that have barely been visited by humans while some of the Maldives’ best surfing breaks are just a quick speedboat journey away.
When it comes to relaxing, enjoy a bit of ‘me time’ at AySpa, a 3500 sqm centrally-located exclusive spa haven that forms an enclave within the island vegetation and the other resort facilities. Using the natural surroundings as inspiration, the spa is comprised of 8 spacious and tranquil treatment villas (some with their own hydrotheraphy baths), a segregated steam and sauna area, a cold plunge pool, a warm vitality pool, hair dresser, manicure, and pedicure salons. There you can find the Maldives’ first vichy room and private Turkish Hammam including an elaborate marble plinth. Add to that an elegant boutique providing a wide variety of ESPA products and you have the perfect spa escape, exclusively designed to rejuvenate the body, mind and spirit, whilst reinforcing an indigenous feeling.
Ayada Maldives is the ultimate location for romance, offering a stunning setting for an unforgettable wedding ceremony or a vow renewal, with choices of venues either at the exclusive “White Room” pavillion, on the white sandy beach, or on top of the turquoise lagoon at Ocean Breeze. Bronze, silver and gold wedding packages are available, all including special personal touches including a dedicated wedding planner to coordinate your unforgettable day with you, wedding decoration, traditional Bodu Beru drum and wedding music, a flower petal shower through the aisle that will lead your way and Maldivian touch master ceremony that will lead your wedding vows. Keeping with the Maldivian traditions, lover coconut sharing is included plus a symbolic wedding certificate, a beautiful white wedding cake and a photographer. Your coordinator can even arrange exquisite catering on the day, spa treatments for the romantic couple, as well as sunset cruises, intimate dinners, bridal buggies and in-villa decoration.
Whether you are lovers on a romantic break, a family making memories, friends looking for adventures or a solo traveller looking for relaxation, Ayada Maldives ticks all the boxes, delivering every guest their very own slice of Maldivian paradise and an escape away from the chaos of every day life.
For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.ayadamaldives.com
Claim your 30% discount using offer code MLDVT available of all holiday booked and taken before the end of Sept 2017