Category: maldives

Where I’d Rather Be: St Regis Maldives

by Swati Jain, posted in maldives

One of the world’s most coveted destinations, St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort seems to be a tropical haven.

Like many resort properties in the Maldives, St. Regis, features island and outwater villa accommodations. Located on the 22-acre Vommuli Island, the report incorporates aspects of contemporary architecture and interior with Maldivian traditions, marine life and culture.

The overwater villas resemble a manta ray while the beach villas were designed as a modern interpretation of fishing huts. The interior design reflects the textures and patterns found on the island including a coral chandelier, headboards made of recycled glass beads and sofa fabric that replicates ripples of water.

The resort’s sunset bar reflects the shape of the whale shark. Inside, a mural etched into the wooden ceiling using a traditional Maldivian art form known as pyrography. It tells the story of the owner and his son who built a resort on Vommuli Island to celebrate its natural beauty.

The library lounge is sculpted in the spiral shape of a seashell shell and the carpets are inspired by the waves of the lagoon.

Iridium Spa and its Blue Hole Pool

The overwater Iridium spa is famous for its Blue Hole Pool that replicates the deep sink holes sometimes found in reefs. The most expansive hydrotherapy pool, which is located on the sheltered terrace and commands picturesque ocean vistas.

Swim with Mantra Rays and Dolphins. Create an unforgettable experience on one of the resort’s excursions where guests will get up close and personal to the underwater wildlife, photograph the colourful corals and admire the rich marine life of Vommuli Island.

Women’s Bp. Zandra Beaded V-Strap Sandal • BP • $59.95

Roberto Cavalli 55MM Round Mirrored Metal Sunglasses • Roberto Cavalli • $395

Quay After Hours Sunglasses • Quay • $38.50

Chloe Carlina Round Wire Metal Sunglasses • Chloé • $396

Melissa Odabash Classic Pareo • Melissa Odabash • $110

9seed Tulum Cover Up • 9seed • $136

Halter Tie One-Piece • Diane von Furstenberg • $137–228

Solid and Striped – The Anne-marie Striped Swimsuit – Light blue • $119

Kimchi Blue Riley High-Rise Brief • Kimchi & Blue • $19.99

BOWER Dream Baby One Piece • $135

 

Maldives’ Different Kind of Luxury

by Swati Jain, posted in maldives

Nestled on one of the Maldives’ most generously proportioned and picture-perfect islands, LUX* South Ari Atoll delivers a different kind of luxury. Inviting adventurous epicureans to effortlessly walk the line between beach relaxation and active adventure, the resort offers everything from cutting-edge spa treatments to the hottest trends in water sports in the ultimate beach chic setting.

Dotted at the water’s edge along two miles of powder-fine beach and perched on stilts above a crystal-clear lagoon teeming with colourful fish, reside LUX* South Ari Atoll’s 193 pavilions and villas. On land or water, sunset or sunrise facing, the top-to-bottom redesign of these super-spacious rooms and suites by renowned design studio P49 Design add a cool nautical vibe. Award-winning landscape architect Stephen Woodhams has also ensured that the tree and plant life abounds with fragrance everywhere.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXhwMS4AA2J/?taken-by=luxsouthari

Once settled, food and drink quickly becomes a way of island life at LUX* South Ari Atoll. The resort’s unparalleled offering of seven restaurants and five bars make every mealtime a thrilling experience.

As for wellness, the LUX* Me spa is a sanctuary within a sanctuary. Incorporating a traditional Chinese teahouse, a dedicated zone for brand new skin and body care experiences, a Zen wellness pavilion and lagoon-view relaxation area, the spa offers treatments for the mind, body and soul. There’s also a Zhengliao treatment specially designed for LUX* Me Spa and daily activities such as yoga, meditation, Pilates, Taichi and Qigong overseen by an expert wellness concierge.

Located at the core of one of Maldives’ largest marine protected areas, LUX* South Ari Atoll is a perfect place to dive into underwater delights. Climb aboard one of the daily boat trips guided by the resort’s Marine Biology Centre to search and swim with resident whale sharks, manta rays and sea turtles. Or take a traditional dhoni or luxury catamaran to be part of the unforgettable experience of getting close and personal with marine life while helping to protect it.

 

Why are Banyan Tree properties the most instagrammable?

by Swati Jain, posted in Inspirations and Stories, maldives, Wanderlust

I was looking up for the most instagrammable resorts around the world, and Banyan Tree Hotel and Resorts seemed to be a recurring recommendation. To do a little more research, I looked up pictures of influencers or even normal guests who’d visited the properties, and it’s true, they are really instagrammable.

They have beautiful properties scattered around the world, providing everything from the stunning sandy beaches of the Maldives to the Truong Son Mountain Range of Vietnam, there are so many striking aspects to capture and post.

With dramatic vistas spread across a rugged landscape, unspoiled nature and a plethora of historical attractions nearby, Banyan Tree Lang Co is an all-pool villa resort which has magnificent views of the Truong Son Mountain Range, pristine coastlines and tropical forests, the perfect combination for creating stunning snaps. Within touch of three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Imperial City of Hue, charming old town of Hoi An and My Son’s historical ruins – culture aficionados will be satisfied with the amount of historical influences at their fingertips.

Prices per night for Banyan Tree Lang Co start from AED 1,468 per villa.

The Seychelles and Instagram go hand in hand, and there is no shortage of inspiration on this cluster of islands. A place where tropical forests bloom, Banyan Tree Seychelles offers an exquisite slice of blissful island living, with panoramic views of the best beach in the Indian Ocean from every vantage point. Guests can sail into serenity with an afternoon on the resort’s lake, sample a range of cuisines at one of five restaurants or simply soak in the vibrant vistas from the comfort of their hillside villa complete with private plunge pool.

Prices per night for Banyan Tree Seychelles start from AED 3,427 per villa.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZLGbbMFTDv/?taken-by=banyan_tree_seychelles

Surrounded by nothing but clear skies, sandy beaches and blue seas, far from the glare of city lights, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru is home to some of the world’s most romantic dining destinations. After a day of waterborne activities including diving, snorkeling and sailing, followed by pampering in the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa, guests can head to the sandy shores to sail away on their very own ocean adventure.

Prices per night for Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru start from AED 1,585 per villa.

Needless to say, I’m booking my tickets to Maldives, Seychelles and Vietnam. Is there some kind of a round trip that I can do?

Postcard: Maldives

by Swati Jain, posted in maldives, Wanderlust

You always wonder if there’s a place that could look like it’s been lifted straight out of a painting right. A painting where the blue waters meet the blue sky and perfect white clouds are spread in the affinity, and from a far away distance you can’t tell which is sky, and which is the ocean. Well, Maldives was pretty much like that.

The sunsets and sunrises were pretty, but even the normal sky was a sight. Here’s a little postcard that doesn’t even come close to doing justice to the picture Maldives paints every day.

 

Have you been?

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Places Indians get Visa-on-Arrival

by Swati Jain, posted in Georgia, india, Inspirations and Stories, jordan, maldives, Wanderlust

If you’ve been reading my blog or have read my previous article about the whole debacle in just getting to Lebanon, you’d understand the necessity of this article.

I’ve worked with several British and French nationalities- most of whom get visas on arrivals – so they’ll never understand the actual pain that it can be to apply for a visa and then convince the visa officers of why you want to travel to their country.

In the spirit of that, I thought it will be a good idea to share the countries around the world that Indians don’t need visa for! Below are 23 out of 49 countries that offer visa on arrival or don’t require a visa for Indian citizens

  1. Thailand
    The first country I visited where I was given Visa on arrival. I have never been more happy to stand in the smaller queue for SAARC countries and get cleared within 2 minutes with a visa.
  2. Maldives
  3. Macau
  4. Indonesia
  5. Jordan (This is pretty recent and wasn’t the case when I went about 8 years ago!)
  6. Cambodia
  7. Laos
  8. Mauritius
  9. Seychelles
  10. Kenya
  11. Tanzania
  12. Madagascar
  13. Comoros Island
  14. Ecuador
  15. The British Virgin Islands
  16. Haiti
  17. Jamaica
  18. Fiji
  19. El Salvador
  20. Georgia
  21. Burundi
  22. South Korea
  23. Bolivia

 

References:
IB Times
Wikipedia

Postcards from Maldives

by Swati Jain, posted in maldives, Wanderlust

The perfect getaway, and not too far from the UAE, Maldives is beautiful. From the second the plane reaches close by, the never-ending waters will take your breath away. The landing strip is probably the most brilliant- a strip of land with the Indian ocean on both sides.

It doesn’t end there! There are no taxi drivers looming right outside the airport to take you to your hotel, Maldives plays it a little different. Several speed boats and captains await to take you to your destination.

I stayed at the Paradise Island. All most all resort islands have a similar theme- a coral to scuba dive near, parasailing and other water sport activities, live entertainment and feeding stingrays.

Unfortunately, when I traveled, I was struggling with the worst case of warts on both my feet- so much that I couldn’t walk a step without a padded bandage and socks. But, luckily, the salty waters actually helped soothe the pain and cure the warts.

And since I couldn’t feel any pain while I was in the ocean, I did first scuba dive in Maldives, and I’ve never felt more calm and peaceful, as I did in that hour under the water. It makes us think, everything around is so beautiful and soulful, why don’t we spend more time in quiet and wonder (I mean that is something coming from me, considering I’m never quiet, but still).

More words of adventure and advice to follow later! Enjoy the pictures!