The FinesT Travel worldwide

The FinesT emiraTes 02/2014 33

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Paradiese im Indischen OzeanDie Universal Resorts

Maafushivaru und Kandolhu

Island versprechen Malediven -

feeling pur.

Paradises in the Indian OceanThe two Universal Resorts

Maafushivaru and Kandolhu

Island deliver the true feel

of the Maldives.

Hideaway am HimalayaTropische Wälder, weitläufige

Reis terrassen. Die Lage des

Uma by COMO, Punakha in

Bhutan ist einzigartig.

Hideaway in the HimalayasTropical forests, extensive

rice terraces. The location of the

Uma by COMO, Punakha in

Bhutan, is unique.

60 Jahre Relais & ChâteauxRelais & Châteaux verkörpert

seit 1954 exklusiven Genuss

für Seele und Gaumen.

Weltweit.

60 years of Relais & ChâteauxSince 1954 Relais & Châteaux

has embodied exclusive

enjoyment for soul and palate.

Worldwide.

Travel worldwide

THE FINEST

in paradiseTaking a break

THE fINEST EMIRaTES 02/2014 43THE fINEST EMIRaTES 02/201442

Maafushivaru und Kandolhu Island, Maldives

here. A far greater challenge is the choice

of restaurant. four à-la-carte restaurants,

a bar, beach dining and in- villa dining are

a multitude of options for such a small

island. We begin with the Olive, which

tempts us in with Medi terranean cuisine.

An excellent choice. We pass on our

compliments to the chef, Marco, when he

comes to our table. We reserve a table

for the Banzai the following evening.

We have heard that the chef of the

teppanyaki restaurant is not only a superb

cook, but also boasts entertainment

qualities. We take a digestif in the bar,

with our feet in the sand. The firmament

sparkles above our heads, we count

shooting stars – and make a wish that

we do not have to wait too long for

our next break in paradise.

Text: Petra dietz

UNIVERSAL RESORTS

reservations@universalresorts.com

www.universalresorts.com

Maafushivaru

info@maafushivaru.com.mv

www.maafushivaru.com

Kandolhu Island

info@kandolhu.com

www.kandolhu.com

on Kandolhu. Resort Manager Marc

LeBlanc and front Office Manager Laura

Robinson run the resort professionally,

but with warmth, which also rubs off on

the team and, of course, the guests at the

resort. Maximum privacy is guaranteed on

Kandolhu. 200 times 150 metres in size,

the island in the North Ari Atoll is a perfect

paradise. There are only 30 villas, all with

ocean views, skilfully arranged in a way

that makes guests feel they are alone on

the island. There are five categories to

choose from. Whether it is Jacuzzi Beach

or Ocean villa, with or without pool, single

storey or two storey – each resi dence is an

eye opener. There is no doubt about it,

Kandolhu is luxurious, but in such a plea-

santly leisurely way. Everything is relaxed

here. There is no need for shoes, maybe

just a pair of flip-flops for the wooden

jetty, which can get very hot in the midday

sun. The underwater world of Kandolhu is

equally paradisiacal. We don snorkelling

gear and plunge into the radiant water.

from our villa we can snorkel directly on

the reef and after a few metres we dis -

cover two large turtles, nibbling un -

hurriedly at the coral. They appear to be

unimpressed by our pre sence. I have no

real desire to leave the water, there is

simply so much to see. But snorkelling

makes you hungry. We are ready for

dinner in a trice, styling takes a back seat

day being pampered and cared for – and

end it in the same manner. A feeling that

can only be topped in one place: The spa.

In the beauty and wellness oasis I expe-

rience one of my best ever massages,

courtesy of my therapist, sidhu. After-

wards I feel reborn. Chill in the jacuzzi

with a glass of tea, gaze at the ocean

and relax. Again. You can get used to this,

this heavenly feeling of perfect relaxation.

Leaving Maafushivaru is no easy task for

us, but our journey continues. The next

morning we head to the newly-opened

sister resort of Kandolhu which, like

Maafushivaru, is part of the Maldives

hotel group Universal Resorts.

KANdOLhU: stylish relaxation in paradise

Kandolhu is only one hour from Maafushi -

varu by speedboat. from Malé, you can

reach the island in about 25 minutes by

seaplane. At the sight of the five-star

resort, which opened in february 2014,

we can do little else but beam joyfully.

And how. The beam transforms into a

permanent smile as we enter our Ocean

Pool villa. 90 stylish square metres, with

glazed luxury bathroom, private infinity

pool and direct access to the sea – every

wish fulfilled. A dream setting, attentive

service − blissful happiness comes easily

fushivaru. My husband and I have half a

day completely to ourselves in this Garden

of Eden in south Ari Atoll. Apart from

lunchtime, when chef Gomez arrives by

boat to delight us with a delicious seafood

platter. Time flies by with swimming, snor-

kelling and sunbathing. Now the dhoni

arrives to take us back to Maafushivaru.

Lonubo is exclusively available to guests of

the resort, for a few hours or a night, for

a couple or a group. A few minutes later

we are lying back on the sundeck of our

pretty Beach Bungalow. No longer alone,

although it feels as if we are. Our accommo -

dation is so skilfully embedded into the

natural surroundings that we do not

notice our neighbours at all. The sea is just

a few feet away, with the fish-filled resort

reef only metres further. snorkelling or

diving is an absolute must here.

Maafushivaru was opened anew at the

end of 2010, following a complete reno-

vation. There is no resting on laurels at this

charming Maldives domicile, with efforts

made continuously to ensure that the high

standards of the barefoot island are main-

tained. This is thanks to Resort Manager

Ronald schweighardt and his wife, Marie,

who always have an open ear for the

requirements of the guests and the team.

Wellbeing comes easily on Maafushivaru.

As soon as you set foot on the island you

have the feeling of having arrived. In every

respect. The atmosphere here is plea santly

tranquil. No wonder, with just 48 villas in

three different categories. There is no

partying or loud action – and we don’t

miss this for a minute. Instead we enjoy

the beautiful location, the superb food

and the incredible service. We begin the

In reality they are far more beautiful

than any postcard motif. The two

Universal Resorts Maafushivaru and Kan-

dolhu Island embody the true feel of the

Maldives. All those in search of perfect

relaxation will find themselves at the

destination of their travelling dreams in

these luxurious island hideaways.

MAAfUshIvARU: a Garden of Eden in south Ari Atoll

A tiny island in the Indian Ocean. My toes

are buried deep in the snow-white sand.

hypnotised, I stare at the ocean, drinking

in the shades of blue, almost unreal in

their intensity. It is not possible to be more

relaxed than I am in this moment. The

magi cal island of Lonubo shares a pictu-

resque lagoon with the resort of Maa -

Kandolhu Island hat nur 30 Villen. Eine schöner als die andere. Hier will man nie mehr weg.

Kandolhu Iceland has only 30 villas with one more beautifulthan the next. You’ll just never want to leave here.

Genießen auf Kandolhu Island: Exzellente Restaurants mit Traumausblick.

Enjoy Kandolhu Iceland: excellent restaurants with dream views.