| December 1998 - Beach villas are being enhanced with the
addition of secluded private plunge pools with natural slatted wooden decks
and an additional block of beach villas will include an innovative indoor/outdoor
garden bathroom design. The concept artfully integrates the outdoor courtyard
garden shower area with the existing indoor bathroom and shower. The spacious
deck and outdoor shower enlargement will beautifully complement the 515
square foot beach villa.
Resort guests will also savour the tasteful enhancements made to restaurant
menus, outlet  concepts
and interiors. Charming Executive Chef Jamie Jones fresh from Four Seasons
Hotel London and his culinary team have revised menus incorporating the
freshest island seafood and produce at all three resort restaurants. And
fantastic interior design work will be completed by mid-year 1999.
The Reef Club, currently serving breakfast and evening cocktails, will
be transformed into a romantic, upbeat dinner venue. In addition to comfortable
table seating, an exciting new bar area will be the ideal venue to enjoy
a tropical aperitif while watching the golden sunsets or savour a relaxed
dinner. Appetising aromas from grilled fish and seafood, fresh pasta and
sizzling hot pizzas from the wood-burning pizza oven will infuse the casual,
open-air setting. Colourful ceramics and vibrant textiles as well as artwork
and plants will enliven this beachfront restaurant.
Baraabaru Restaurant which is open for dinner will incorporate a distinct
Indian design application. The eclectic setting will feature delicious
Indian cuisine from our fiery clay tandoor oven as well as exotic Thai
dishes and other Asian delicacies. The setting will be enhanced by a fresh
selection of soft goods including pillows, curtains, seat covers and napkins
plus unique artwork, plates, cutlery and tabletop decorations.
Cafe Huraa serving three meals a day will also undergo physical upgrades
including the integration of aesthetically pleasing buffet service stations
and soft goods. Known for its colourful theme night buffets, additional
props and decorative elements will further add to the fun and casual ambience
of this dining outlet.
A world-class spa, situated on its' own private island, will premiere
in late 1999 presenting traditional spa treatments indigenous to India,
Thailand and Indonesia. Director of Spas Belinda Shepherd from Four
Seasons Resorts Bali is developing the treatments and a product line which
focus on the ocean and its rich natural pharmacy of healing elements as
well as overseeing the staff training program. Bright, uplifting colour
palettes will boldly infuse The Spa's indoor and outdoor reception and
treatment areas while panoramic views of the Indian Ocean beautifully enhance
the overall layout and tropical atmosphere. A total of six treatment rooms
are planned which include deep soaking tubs for two and outdoor showers.
The existing gym facility will be expanded and additional cardiovascular
equipment added.
The resort's retail area has doubled in size and offers avid shoppers
the chance to browse the finest merchandise from the Republic's 1,192 coral
islands as well as such exotic locales as Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and
Indonesia. Located next to the lobby the 966 square foot boutique
presents high quality resort wear, rare textiles, Asian antiques, beautiful
jewellery, plus colourful arts and crafts from the region.
The resort will not close during this project. All villa, spa, restaurant
and retail projects will all be completed by mid-year 1999.
Ramesh Sadhwani,
General Manager
| This multi-national hotelier spent his formative years
in the Philippines and India and is fluent in English, Pilipino,
Hindhi and Sindhi. Following his graduation from Colegio
de San Juan de Letran in Manila in 1967, Sadhwani
entered into the fashion and textile industry in Hong Kong where
he remained for six years.
He discovered his true calling in Canada though where he
began his career in the hospitality business at Hyatt Regency
Hotel, Toronto in 1972. Over the next 18 years
he held various management positions in Toronto with Hyatt
Hotels, Plaza Hotels and Kanata Hotels. In 1990 Sadwani joined Four
Seasons Inn on the Park as the hotel's executive
assistant manager. Two years later Sadhwani moved
to the lush Valley Isle of Maui as executive assistant manager at Four
Seasons Resort Maui where he remained until 1994. This was followed by
his four-year posting at Four Seasons Hotel Chicago.
An avid sportsman, Sadhwani looks forward to enjoying the temperate
climate of the Maldives and exploring the exotic underwater world of the
Republic's beautiful atolls. "I am excited about returning
to this part of the world and immersing myself into the job and the
natural beauty of this region. I am a water lover
and plan to learn how to dive and to dedicate a good portion
of my time to preserving and protecting the natural habitat of this fragile
environment," said Sadhwani.
In addition to his managerial responsibilities Sadhwani
will oversee the US$3 million property renovation that is currently underway.
Plans include the addition of plunge pools and outdoor showers to many
of the beach villa units; soft goods and interior
renovations to restaurants and villas; expansion of the retail area;
and the premiere of a world-class spa in late 1999. The Resort will not
close during these projects. |
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda
Huraa
Fact Sheet
| Location: |
North Male Atoll, Republic of Maldives. The
Republic of Maldives is a cluster of atolls in the Indian Ocean, southwest
of Sri Lanka. The island of Kuda Huraa is in
the North Mal? Atoll of the Maldives. The Resort is 25 minutes
by speedboat or 12 miles/20 km from the Mal? International
Airport (on the island of Hulhule). |
| Opening Date: |
December 16, 1996 |
| Mangement: |
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Ltd., Toronto, Ontario,
Canada |
| Investors: |
Hotel Properties Limited, Singapore |
| Operation
Committee: |
-
General Manager: Ramesh Sadhwani
-
Rooms Division Manager: Christian Wurm
-
Marketing Coordinator: Hetty Simatupang
-
Food and Beverage Manager: Eric Pendaries
-
Chief Engineer: TBA
-
Controller: Todd Swaggerty
-
HR and Training Manager: Ade Saleh
-
Director of Dive &Recreation: Raymond Howe
-
Executive Housekeeper: Poosana Sunnanonta
-
Executive Chef: Jamie Jones
|
| Architects: |
Group X, Republic of Maldives |
| Interior Designer: |
Design Basis Pte. Ltd., Singapore |
| Landscape Designer: |
ACL Asia, Singapore |
| Currency: |
Maldivian Rufiyaa |
| Airport: |
Male International Airport, Male, Republic of the Maldives
International airlines currently offering routes
to Male:
Aeroflot, Air Europa, Air Holland, Air Lanka, Air
Tour International, AOM, Austrian Airways, Balair,
Balkan, Britannia, Condor, Emirates, Indian Airlines, Lauda
Air, LTU, Malaysian Airlines, Monarc, Nordic East, Pakistan
International Airways, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways,
Skycab,Tamair, Transair International, Ubekhistan
and Uzbekistan Airways. |
| Climate: |
The year is divided into two periods iruvai, the dry
season which runs from December to
March, and hulhangu, the wetter period which runs from
May to November. Transitional periods in mid-April and late
November are typically very calm with exceptionally
clear water. The average maximum temperature
is remarkably consistent throughout
the year at 86F/30C.
Tropical sea breezes make the warm temperature quite pleasant.
Heavy rains can come at any time during the dry season and
beautiful sunny days are frequent during the wet season. |
| Accommodation: |
All 106 villas have been constructed by dedicated
craftsmen who have drawn on the traditions
of generations to create a refined natural look, with a generous
use of timber and thatch to enhance the solid,
white stuccoed walls. Beautifully-appointed beach villas
are built on the fringe of the island fronting the sea while
the water villas are set on stilts above the serene
lagoon. All water villasfeature ocean entry access
from your own privat deck. |
Villa Features & Amenities:
|
All villas have a compact disc sound
system and television/VCR with satellite hook-up. The Library offers
an extensive selection of video tapes and CDs.
Communication links are provided via IDD
telephones and computer/facsimile connection capabilities.
Deluxe bathroom amenities include thick, absorbent
towels; make-up/shaving mirror, hair dryer, pure
cotton robes and slippers, and a collection of
superior quality Four Seasons amenities.
In-room safes provide secure storage for personal valuables.
Crisp 100% cotton bed sheets, air-conditioning, overhead
fans, and refreshments from the private bar
add to the feeling of cool comfort in every villa. |
| Restaurants: |
Cafe Huraa - Extensive
breakfast buffet serving Asian and Continental specialities,
exotic fruits, fresh breads and pastries as well as Japanese
and Asian favourites. An a la carte menu for lunch and dinner
is served as well as nightly themed dinner buffets.
Baraabaru Restaurant - Innovative
East-meets-West cuisine offering delicious fresh seafood and savoury grilled
items. This dinner restaurant melts the best of Asia with the zest of hot
California cuisine.
Poolside Terrace & Bar -
Serving tasty snacks and tempting refreshments.
Nautilus Lounge - Cocktails and
refreshments with live music and movie entertainment
are presented nightly.
Reef Club - Water Villa
guests can enjoy a daily breakfast buffet. The restaurant also serves evening
cocktails and dinner to all
guests in this incredible oceanfront vista.
Beach Dining - A luxurious picnic on the white
sands during the afternoon or evening.
Villa Service - Breakfast, lunch,
dinner or between-meal snacks are served at each villa's dining area facing
the serene lagoon panorama. The menu is available around
the clock. |
Dive and Recreation:
|
The Dive Centre boasts a team
of experienced, multilingual diving instructors who conduct courses
to improve diving knowledge and skill. International certification is issued
by arrangement with PADI and IANTD. The Dive Centre is also
fully equipped with both Nitrox and Air facilities.
In addition to the watersports and diving,
guests who need a partner for table tennis, darts or carom can
be paired with a suitable opponent
by the Recreation Centre staff. A variety of board games is available free
of charge at the Recreation Centre.
Staff will look after children while parents
swim, and are pleased to go snorkelling with guests who
prefer to have a companion.
The Resort's swimming pool is
the largest fresh water pool in the Maldives measuring
4188 square feet/1269 square meters. Its design
reflects the tropical island concept. Guests enter at the wading
pool which expands into a free-form pool lined with exotic
blue mosaic tiles. It extends right to the edge of
the lagoon. There is an open air Jacuzzi which is set
into the deck and overlooks the beach. Thatched mini pavilions provide
shade nearby. In the middle of the pool is a swim-up bar.
For the energetic, a work out room at the Activity Centre
has the latest cardiovascular equipment including
treadmills, exercise bicycles, a rowing machine and a step
machine. Guests can exercise with a view of the lagoon
while listening to favourite music. There are scheduled aerobic sessions. |
The Spa:
|
This herbal aromatic spa is set in the lushness of a
tropical garden. There is a steam room and, in the garden,
a specially chilled plunge pool for cooling off after the
steam heat. Spa treatments include traditional Indonesian
and Thai massage with aromatic oil for full
body, face, feet and relaxing yoga massages. |
Points of Inrterest:
|
The Maldives offer a variety
of interesting excursions. From the nearby
island of Bodu Huraa (big island) with its ancient tradition
of building dhonis (hand-crafted wooden boats) to the capital of Mal? where
100,000 inhabitants occupy a land mass of one kilometre by two kilometre
- there is plenty to keep the adventurous explorer
entertained. The Friday Mosque with its towering minarets
dominates the skyline, and the sheer number of smaller mosques is
amazing. The National Museum showcases some of the sultan's
riches, as well as archaeological finds.
There is a colourful market and many tea houses
serving Indian teas and sweet cakes.
The Resort also features day
trips to secluded neighbouring and distant islands for off-site dining
or water activities such as diving, snorkelling and sunning
in the private waters of your own desert island. |
Immigration:
|
Visitors to the Maldives must possess
a passport current for the duration of
their stay. Most visitors are given a
30-day visitors' permit on arrival. Citizens if India, Pakistan,
Bangladesh or Nepal get a 90-day permit. Visitors should consult
their local consulates for visa requirements. |
|