Strictly Come Dancing's Bruno Tonioli heads to the Maldives - and awards it a perfect 10

I was totally worn out when I touched down in the Maldives, as drained as if I'd completed a non-stop dance marathon. During many parts of the year, this is just how my working life seems.

For a long period in the autumn I'm appearing on Strictly Coming Dancing in London at the same time as I'm a judge on Dancing With The Stars - the US version of the programme - in Los Angeles.

When the two series overlap the workload gets very intense, meaning a weekly commute back and forth across the Atlantic. So by the time it got to Christmas, I was feeling fairly tired and bewildered.

The Maldives was the perfect escape - when you arrive it's as if you've been taken to another world.

I flew direct from London with Sri Lankan airline Air Lanka, which was very comfortable. When I first visited the Maldives 16 years ago, I had to stop in Dubai overnight; the fact that you can now fly direct really makes the trip much easier.

That other-world feeling starts with the seaplane transfer from Male airport to the resort, which takes about 25 minutes. I loved it - it made me feel like Indiana Jones. Let the adventure begin!

I was staying at the Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa, a new all-inclusive resort. When I heard the words 'all-inclusive', I have to say I was a little bit nervous. You sometimes hear bad things about the whole all-inclusive concept.

But I can say, right from the start, that the way it works here is hugely impressive.

Let's start with one of my passions - the food. In a word: wow! There are half a dozen different places to eat and drink and they're all very good.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk

Launch of Exclusive Maldives Travel Portal www.MaldivesHotels.com

Canopus Maldives, an inbound tour operator based in the Maldives has launched their exclusive Travel portal under the name Maldives Hotels. They offer you information about Maldives, wide range of holidays including family holidays, honeymoon holidays, spa holidays, diving holidays, surfing holidays, and even for Corporate Seminars and Incentives. Discover offers from budgeted to luxurious to all inclusive special holiday deals from Resorts, Hotels and Cruise Boats in Maldives.

Canopus Maldives is an inbound travel agency based in the Maldives working with a notable portfolio of travel partners from around the world in marketing and selling Resorts, Hotels and Cruise Boats in Maldives. They are the exclusive partner and Destination Management Company (DMC) for several international travel agencies and online travel portals.

Their new travel portal is offering holiday makers the most convenient way to book their holidays to the Maldives at very competitive online rates.

They offer rich information about Maldives and wide range of holidays including family holidays, honeymoon holidays, spa holidays, diving holidays, surfing holidays, and even for Corporate Seminars and Incentives.

They also offer budgeted to luxurious and all inclusive special holiday deals to Resorts, Hotels and Cruise Boats in Maldives.

They have launched the website with Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi, Adaaran Select Meedhupparu, Anantara Resort Maldives, Angsana Resort & Spa Maldives Ihuru, Angsana Resort & Spa Maldives Velavaru, Bandos Island Resort & Spa, Banyan Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru, Chaaya Island Dhonveli, Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo, Cinnamon Island Alidhoo, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Embudu Village, Eriyadu Island Resort, Filitheyo Island Resort, Fullmoon Maldives, Giraavaru Tourist Resort, Helengeli Island Resort, Hotel Relax Inn, Hulhule Island Hotel, Island Hideaway at Dhonakulhi Spa Resort & Marina, Meeru Island Resort, Naladhu Maldives, Paradise Island Resort & Spa, Soneva Fushi & Six Senses Spa, Soneva Gili & Six Senses Spa, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Vilamendhoo Island Resort, Vilu Reef Beach & Spa Resort, W Retreat & Spa Maldives, Zitahli Resorts & Spa Kuda-Funafaru.

Source: www.pr.com

Meritus Hotels & Resorts appoints Richard Dusome as General Manager of Marina Mandarin Singapore

Underlining its pursuit of excellence in its portfolio of deluxe hotels and resorts across Asia, Meritus Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Lawrence Dusome as General Manager of Marina Mandarin Singapore with effect from 1 April 2008.

A graduate in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Niagara College of Applied Arts and Technology in Ontario, Canada; Richard started his hotel career in Food & Beverage with the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto. He went on to work with other internationally-renowned hotels chains that include the Hilton International Hotels, which he worked with in both UK and Thailand; the Peninsular Group in Hong Kong as well as the Six Senses Resorts & Spas in the Maldives. He was most previously with Sunland Resorts, Maldives as its Group General Manager

Mr Yim Choong Hing, Senior Vice President – Regional Operations, welcomes Richard, “Marina Mandarin is a distinct landmark for our guests as the place to go for choice accommodation, excellent service and select food and beverage offerings. Richard has worked with numerous international hotel chains – with him helming the team at Marina Mandarin, we are confident that he will lead Marina Mandarin from strength to strength to further boost the Meritus brand and our trademark hospitality of Asian grace, warmth and care.”

Armed with almost three decades of international experience in city hotels as well as resorts, Richard brings with him a wealth of knowledge and will undoubtedly bring his team at Marina Mandarin to its next level of premium hospitality.

Source: etravelblackboardasia.com

Anantara Resorts Announces Appointment of Dominik Ruhl As General Manager of Anantara Maldives

Anantara Resorts, a leading hospitality and leisure organization in the Asia-Pacific region, has announced the appointment of Dominik Ruhl to the position of General Manager of Anantara Resort Maldives.

Dominik, a German native, commenced his career in Hawaii in a Guest Services role at the renowned Ritz Carlton Kapalua prior to joining the Four Seasons Resort, Punta Mita, Mexico in the position of Front Office Manager. Following a successful career in the Americas, he took on senior management roles in the Maldives including Director of Operations at the Hilton Maldives Resorts & Spa (now Conrad).

Prior to joining Anantara’s luxury resort in Maldives, he held the position of Area General Manager of Per Aquum Resorts overseeing operations in the Caribbean.

As General Manager of Anantara Resort Maldives, Dominik will be coordinating and managing the day-to-day running of the 110-room luxury property which opened in September 2006

“I am delighted to be at the helm of Anantara Resort Maldives and will ensure that the hotel continues to enhance the Maldives reputation as a premier luxury destination” commented Ruhl.

Michael Sagild, COO of Minor International added 'We are very pleased to welcome Dominik on board the management team at Anantara Resort Maldives. Dominik brings with him a seasoned perspective on luxury and service and his outstanding leadership qualities will be an asset to our dedicated and enthusiastic team.”

Anantara is taken from an ancient Sanskrit word that means 'borderless water', a name chosen for this element’s association in many Asian cultures with wealth and good fortune. Inspired by local architecture and sensitive to the indigenous culture, Anantara Resorts are currently located in the seaside town of Hua Hin (220kms south of Bangkok), on Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand and in the Golden Triangle in the country’s north. In the world-renowned destination of the Maldives, Anantara Resort Maldives is a 30 minute boat ride from the capital Male. The newest member of the Anantara family, Anantara Resort Seminyak, will open at the early of 2008 in this most fashionable district of Bali – the Island of the Gods.

Source: etravelblackboard.com

Anantara Resorts Announces Appointment of Dominik Ruhl As General Manager of Anantara Maldives

Anantara Resorts, a leading hospitality and leisure organization in the Asia-Pacific region, has announced the appointment of Dominik Ruhl to the position of General Manager of Anantara Resort Maldives.

Dominik, a German native, commenced his career in Hawaii in a Guest Services role at the renowned Ritz Carlton Kapalua prior to joining the Four Seasons Resort, Punta Mita, Mexico in the position of Front Office Manager. Following a successful career in the Americas, he took on senior management roles in the Maldives including Director of Operations at the Hilton Maldives Resorts & Spa (now Conrad).

Prior to joining Anantara’s luxury resort in Maldives, he held the position of Area General Manager of Per Aquum Resorts overseeing operations in the Caribbean.

As General Manager of Anantara Resort Maldives, Dominik will be coordinating and managing the day-to-day running of the 110-room luxury property which opened in September 2006

“I am delighted to be at the helm of Anantara Resort Maldives and will ensure that the hotel continues to enhance the Maldives reputation as a premier luxury destination” commented Ruhl.

Michael Sagild, COO of Minor International added 'We are very pleased to welcome Dominik on board the management team at Anantara Resort Maldives. Dominik brings with him a seasoned perspective on luxury and service and his outstanding leadership qualities will be an asset to our dedicated and enthusiastic team.”

Anantara is taken from an ancient Sanskrit word that means 'borderless water', a name chosen for this element’s association in many Asian cultures with wealth and good fortune. Inspired by local architecture and sensitive to the indigenous culture, Anantara Resorts are currently located in the seaside town of Hua Hin (220kms south of Bangkok), on Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand and in the Golden Triangle in the country’s north. In the world-renowned destination of the Maldives, Anantara Resort Maldives is a 30 minute boat ride from the capital Male. The newest member of the Anantara family, Anantara Resort Seminyak, will open at the early of 2008 in this most fashionable district of Bali – the Island of the Gods.

Source: etravelblackboard.com

Mansfield TV star Richard weds in Maldives

MANSFIELD TV and radio star Richard Bacon steps out with his blushing bride Rebecca McFarlane at the couple's wedding in Somerset on Thursday.

Around 180 family and friends filled the picturesque venue of Babington House on the big day to witness the happy couple say their vows and exchange rings.

Among the many guests at the white wedding were radio presenter Kirsty Young and Chris Evans accompanied by his with Natasha.

The newly-weds are currently enjoying a two-week honeymoon in the Maldives.

Source: chad.co.uk

Low on the Water

Two hundred inhabited islets spread over 56,000 square miles of ocean. Superb diving, coral swarming with fish. More and more luxury resorts. Is it starting to feel crowded? Welcome to the Maldives, as Mike Di Paola explores a test case in the limits of development.

The temptation is strong to reach out and touch the giant manta ray. Some of these marvelous beasts with ten- to twelve-foot wingspans appear to invite contact as they glide toward us, flapping in slow motion, then slip underneath us, just inches away. Some get so close I can see right down their gullets, where rows of gill arches fairly glow in the dark like a Halloween skeleton. We six casual snorkelers gambol with these creatures for more than two hours, enjoying both the mantas and our ironic luck: The larger group of our party, another twenty divers, had suited up more seriously for proper scuba at another site—in hopes of meeting giant rays.

We're in the southeast corner of South Malé Atoll, one of the 1,200 Maldives in the Indian Ocean, in a protected marine area called Guraidhoo Kandu. Our dinghy driver radios the main boat with news of the manta ray sighting, and the message is relayed to the dive boat, a traditional wooden dhoni pimped out with modern scuba accoutrements. The boat delivers the other divers, who quickly join us and the rays. Another tender from the main boat motors in with crew and more snorkelers. Oddly enough, the dozen or so mantas stay in the area to swim with us.

Soon a pair of sailboats from a nearby resort show up, and by now it's starting to look like a reenactment of Omaha Beach. I watch in horror as one of the sailboats slices into the school of mantas, clipping one as it plows through, and it's then that I realize the Maldives' conundrum: This watery world of unsurpassed beauty attracts more and more people to experience it; will the growing crowds eventually destroy the very thing that brings them here?

I'm aboard a luxury dive boat, the Four Seasons' 128-foot Explorer, cruising around the atolls with the Berkeley-based environmental group Seacology, an organization devoted to protecting island ecosystems and cultures. The group has a very simple and effective MO: identify an island's needs (a school, a community center, a water tank) and then help the inhabitants get what they want in exchange for an agreement to protect the local ecosystem. Seacology's members make periodic jaunts to scope out potential projects and check up on established ones—in Fiji, Sumatra, the Virgin Islands, or eighty-one other islands around the world—and they usually have the good sense to combine their work with pleasure, which is why there will be a week of underwater frolicking before they visit Kendhoo Island, in the north.

Before embarking on the Explorer, I'd spent two days at the older of the Four Seasons' two resorts, the Kuda Huraa, to sleep off the grueling twenty hours of flying time. Although the first day passed in a jet-lagged Dramamine-tainted haze, I do recall how each staff member, from the greeter at the airport to the activities director at reception, took personal responsibility for the rain, with everyone describing the weather as "uncooperative." [Read More]

Source: Concierge

Tom Mcloughlin named one of the 15 most powerful men in travel

Tom set up Per Aquum Resorts • Spas • Residences in 2003 as a joint venture with Universal Enterprises. Having established Per Aquum’s resort and spa credentials with the award-winning Dhoni Mighili and Huvafen Fushi in the Maldives, Tom is overseeing a meteoric expansion of the company, both into new geographical areas - as evidenced by the recent opening of The Fortress on the south coast of Sri Lanka, the imminent opening of Desert Palm in Dubai, and forthcoming new projects in Grenada and the Seychelles - and into new markets; Per Aquum’s residence management division is rapidly building up an iconic and innovative portfolio with confirmed projects in Morocco, Grenada and the Seychelles. [Read More]

Source: AL Bawaba