Hilton Maldives Continues its Wining Streak

The Maldives, 26 February 2007 – Hot on the heels of winning the "Best Hotel in the World" award by http://www.tripadvisor.com/ this January, the Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa has just been voted the "Best Honeymoon Hideaway in the World" by Brides Magazine in the UK in their March 2007 issue. Similarly, the UK's most influential travel magazine, Condé Nast Traveller, has also included the six-star resort in their annual Gold List: "Best Hotels in the World – Best for location" (January 2007 issue) and in the "Best Spa in Africa, Middle East and Indian Ocean" (March 2007) summary of best spas in the world.
"Since our re-opening after refurbishment in June 2005, we have won 17 different awards – including winning 'Best Hotel in the World' twice. That's an average of one award every six weeks," says the resort's General Manager, Carsten Schieck. "These awards reflect guest confidence in our product and are an essential part in establishing the Maldives as a destination of choice."
It seems as though the whole world is talking about the Hilton Maldives. In just the last two months alone the resort has received positive press coverage in Condé Nast Traveller, Harper's Bazaar, Tatler, the Luxury Travel Magazine, The Daily Telegraph newspaper, Die Welt newspaper, Paris Match and the New York Times amongst others
Carsten Schieck explains his resort's popularity, saying, "Hilton Maldives" main concept is of three resorts within one, which gives guests the opportunity to experience three distinctly different luxury experiences without ever checking out of the hotel. Guests can enjoy beach life in a 300 square metre villa set right on the beach, with a private plunge pool in their own garden and a wonderful open-air garden-bathroom. Alternatively they can opt for a romantic, exclusive villa set on stilts over the lagoon with sun deck that has steps leading straight into the ocean. And finally, they can stay at the Spa Retreat, an over-water 'resort-within-a-resort', which includes daily spa treatments and a full programme that includes spa cuisine, massages and exercise classes."
"Innovation also plays a key role in our success," continues Schieck, "the resort is home to the only all-glass undersea restaurant in the world and is the only resort that has two entirely separate spas, each with its own philosophy and treatment menu."
The six-star Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa is a stunning, romantic resort offering sophisticated barefoot luxury on two tropical islands. Awards include "Best Hotel in the World 2005" by the Sunday Times, "Leading Resort in the Indian Ocean 2006" by the World Travel Awards and "Most Exclusive Hotel in the World 2006" by VIP Traveller Magazine. Sited in a picturesque corner of the Maldives, it offers a sybaritic combination of three distinct resort experiences, surrounded by a vibrant coral reef and lagoon. The resort is home to the world's only all-glass undersea restaurant and the Maldives only destination spa.

Source:"visitmaldives.com"

MALDIVES INTRODUCTION

The Maldives is a nation of coral islands scattered across the Indian Ocean. Geographically, it is located between 72o 32’ 30” E 73o 45’ 54” E and 7o 06’ 30” N to 0o 41’ 48” S, which puts her just north of the Equator and southwest of the Indian peninsular. The Maldivian archipelago consists of about 1192 small low-lying coral islands of which few of them are, just a meter above sea level. These islands stretch more than 800 km from north to south covering a total area of about 90,000 square km of which about 99% is water. 199 islands are inhabited while 87 islands are developed as resort islands. The fragile house reefs of these islands act as a barrier of protection from tides and waves. These reefs also contribute to the formation of sand and continuation of the life cycle of the marine species. It also acts as a habitat to thousands of tiny and large organisms. The former British protectorate that gained independence in 1965 is famous for its splendid white beaches, crystal clear lagoons and peaceful tranquillity of nature’s blessing. This unique creation of nature naturally forms 26 atolls, which for administrative purposes are made into 20 by the government. This small republic was a kingdom before it was declared a republic. The population is estimated 289,480 in 2005. The ethnic origin of the natives is still in debate among scholars and researchers, but it is evident that there is a close resemblance with the South Asian, Southeast Asian, Arabic and African cultures and influence. Maldivians speak in a unique language called Dhivehi and have their own transcript “Thaana” for writing. Maldivian economy was traditionally based on fisheries till the emergence of tourism as its foreign currency generator in the late 20th century. The introduction of tourism to the small island nation transformed the economy from a primary to a tertiary industry-driven economy, making tourism the most dependable industry of the country. Tourism being a service industry has direct and indirect links to all other major and minor industries of the economy. During the last two and half decades the Maldivian way of life has been changing in all aspects keeping pace with economic development. But still the lifeline depends on the sea, which supplies fish as food, sand and coral for housing and land for limited needs and the warm tropical underwater garden as a tourist attraction, which generates the much needed foreign currency. The tropical climate, white beaches and rich marine environment have made the country a tourist magnet for the past 33 years. The Maldives as the 14th century Moroccan traveller described as “one of the wonders of the world” today is said to be second to none for sun lovers, beach wanderers, scuba divers and those who seek peace in its simplest form.