Just as the weather is cooling down, the Maldives is heating up with a bevy of new five-star openings, designed to provide quintessential barefoot luxury to your VIP clients.

Raffles Maldives

Slated to open in early 2012, Raffles Maldives will consist of 49 secluded villas, each with its own private sundeck, plunge pool and outdoor shower. We hear the room to book is the Raffles Villa, a 3,724-square-foot space spread over three pavilions. One overwater villa pavilion boasts two bedrooms, a lap pool and a sunbathing deck. One lounge pavilion has an alfresco terrace that hovers above the sea, with a separate entertainment AV lounge and billiard table. Our favorite is the private spa pavilion with its own relaxing lounge, a couple’s treatment room, a lap pool and pond. Nice Touch: Each pavilion has its own private garden lounge.

Raffles Villa occupied? We hear the seven Signature Villas are the next best, with 1,797 square feet and private beach access. Each Signature Villa has two bedrooms—the master bedroom on the ground level and a separate bedroom with en-suite bathroom on the upper floor.

There will be five dining options for your traveling gourmets to try. A bar, lounge and wine cellar will serve classic cocktails along with cognacs, whiskies and Italian coffee. Cool Touch: There is a cellar room available for private dining for up to 12 guests. A show kitchen is also in the design, which is perfect for your executive chefs-to-be.

The all-day dining restaurant will serve a medley of Indian, Asian, Middle Eastern and Western cuisines, while the Grill Restaurant is pure Maldivian at its best. We love the private cabana dining option. Kick off your shoes at the Pool Bar and Beach Oasis, which offers light dining by the infinity pool. If a cool cocktail is in the cards, the Pier Bar is an overwater oasis that will quench any thirst.

 

Advisor Insight:

Catherine Witworth, an independent associate of Sterling Brownell Travel, says, “The best diving in the Maldives is at Addu Atoll on the southernmost island. The coral is not as bleached as some of the other areas. On the northern Ari Atoll, there is an activity called Shark Thila, where one swims with grey reef sharks, giant snappers and tropical fish. There are many uninhabited islands, so it is fun to get to one for a picnic. Some sunset cruises go to them to do private dinners.

“Many resorts have marine biology labs, and it is interesting to see what research they are doing. Some allow guests to help with such things as laying coral reefs or looking after juvenile sharks. Another interesting activity is a photo flight on helicopter to see the spectacular islands from the air.”

 

Unwind after a day of deep-sea fishing, surfing or kayaking at the Raffles Spa. The onsite sanctuary will have five spa treatment villas, including two couple’s rooms; a hydro-pool and an aqua gym; mani/pedi rooms; a reflexology salon; and a hair and makeup room.

Luxury travel advisors can reach out to Amy Ang ([email protected]; 011-65-6496-1142), Raffles’ corporate sales director, for booking information.

Dusit Thani Maldives

Next month, the Maldives will get a taste of Thailand when the Dusit Thani Maldives debuts on December 15. Sitting on Mudhdhoo Island off the Baa Atoll, the resort is just 40 minutes via seaplane from Male and 10 minutes by speedboat from the new domestic airport.

The two grand Beach Houses highlight the all-villa property, each with 6,135 square feet of space and two bedrooms. Nice Touch: The Beach Houses are complete with a private pool, as well.

If you can’t get your clients into one of the Beach Houses, we hear that there are two slightly smaller Ocean Houses, both with two bedrooms and private pools.

Other facilities will include a 165-foot swimming pool, pool bar, overwater restaurant (with a bar on the upper floor), an all-day restaurant, grill restaurant, treetop spa with eight treatment pods, tennis courts, dive center and extensive water activities.

Luxury travel advisors can contact Director of Sales and Marketing Victoria Hilley ([email protected]; 011-66-2200-9999, ext. 3382) with questions.

Jumeirah Maldives

On the Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Jumeirah Dhevanafushi, Maldives, an all-suite property, opened its doors this summer as the first Jumeirah resort in the Maldives.

No doubt the supreme accommodation at this resort is the single Island Sanctuary. This massive hideaway, spanning 6,458 square feet, is set on its own private stretch of beach. Guests pull up to the arrival courtyard leading into the villa. (Talk about making an entrance.) The villa has separate living and dining areas, additional caretaker’s quarters, couple’s private treatment room in the master bathroom, private gym, one plunge pool and one full-size pool, private deck, personalized 24-hour butler service and more. The Island Sanctuary can accommodate up to five adults and two children under 12.

The resort also has Beach Revives and Island Revives, all of which have views of the pool and ocean, private swimming pools, private deck with daybeds, an Apple Media Center and 24-hour butler service.

Going for the overwater look? We hear that the resort has a cluster of water villas known as The Ocean Pearls, which sit on platforms over the sea about half a mile off the main island. This private enclave has 14 Ocean Revives and two overwater Sanctuaries. The facilities include an exclusive suspended treatment room, two-tier infinity-edge pool overlooking the ocean, elevated library, Johara restaurant, and circular arrival jetty with overwater hammock, daybeds and service bar.

 

Jumeirah Maldives
Jumeirah Maldives, an all-suite property, has oceanview suites with private pools and decks.

In addition to Johara, which is exclusive luxury dining at its apex, Jumeirah Dhevanafushi has three other epicurean playgrounds to choose from. Azara is the main island restaurant, open all day every day for international cuisine. Khibar is an island-chic cocktail bar where guests can sip and savor an extensive list of libations. For barefoot dining, we recommend Mumayaz, which serves casual grilled fare.

Like any proper Maldivian resort, we hear that Jumeirah has an awesome spa. Talise Spa sits over the ocean with four double treatment rooms, an overwater relaxation deck, overwater gym facilities, and a Rassul and Hammam treatment room.

As of press time, Jumeirah Vittaveli, Maldives was scheduled to open this fall. This property will be made up of uber-luxurious beach villas and suites.

We hear the property’s crown jewel is the Presidential Villa, with three bedrooms, two private swimming pools and a deck with outdoor seating, shower and spa. The palatial residence spans a massive 8,611 square feet and comes with five 42-inch flat-screen TVs, Bose sound system, complimentary Wi-Fi and personalized chef on request.

 

Beach Villas
Beach Villas are among Raffles’ 49 secluded accommodations.

Looking for culinary panache? We hear the three restaurants at the property are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Samsara offers gourmands Pan Asian cuisine with a backdrop of ocean views. Mu serves barbequed treats, including everything from fish to prime steaks, and Fenesse, the overwater restaurant, pays homage to the Mediterranean. If it’s a poolside cocktail that speaks to you, we hear Bar-ee is the place to be.

The Talise Spa has a wide menu of therapies and treatments, along with a yoga platform that is surrounded by the ocean.

Getting There: Jumeirah Vittaveli, Maldives is a 20-minute boat ride from Male International Airport.

Luxury travel advisors can address questions to Hannah Filer ([email protected]), marketing and communications manager for Jumeirah in the Maldives.

Four Seasons Maldives

While not exactly new to the scene, both Four Seasons properties in the Maldives will unveil new offerings to tempt your VIP clients.

 

Four Seasons Maldives
Four Seasons Maldives is expected to debut a brand-new floating bar by the end of the year.

Looking for a tipple? Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru is expected to debut a brand-new floating bar by the end of the year. The Bar in the Sea will be resort-chic during the day and a sultry starlit scene by the night. We hear that, during the evening hours, the bar will host dedicated DJs.

At both Landaa Giraavaru and Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, brand-new family accommodations are set to debut before Christmas. There will be six suites available at each property. These accommodations are already available for booking.

Reach out to Director of Sales and Marketing Lizah Bywater ([email protected]; 011-65-6514-8280) with questions.