Bangkok--4 Feb--Delivering Asia Communications
The most unique luxury resort in the Maldives has opened, drawing a line in the sand and stepping beyond luxury to offer escapes illuminated by art, culture and heritage on an undiscovered paradise at the island nation's final frontier.
Loama Resort Maldives at Maamigili is a teardrop-shaped private island once the playground of ancient kings, part of the northernmost and largely undiscovered Raa Atoll, beyond the cluster of resorts at popular Baa Atoll, and representing the final frontier of the Maldives, where absolute seclusion can be secured, uncharted reefs harbour treasures, and secret beaches await discovery.
Veteran hotelier and Loama Resort's General Manager, Andres Rubio, said it was a great pleasure to welcome the resort's first guests with a warm 'Marhabaa', 'welcome' in Maldivian. "We are creating a place of hospitality that goes deeper and offers horizons much broader than the traditional Maldivian blend of indulgence, pampering and sun worship. Of course you can do all those things and more, but to the mix we add art, culture and heritage.
"We have established the Maldives' first gallery of contemporary Maldivian art, Loama Art Gallery, in a stunning over-water pavilion near the resort's main arrival pier and with the blessing of the National Art Gallery of Maldives in Male.
"Loama Museum is located in the lobby and beyond. It is already an important collection of artefacts from key periods of Maldivian history, from an extensive collection of 15th Century Chinese porcelain to the discovery of a pair of 11th Century sunken baths on the island. These are part of an on-going process of excavation where other ancient artefacts have also been found and put into the museum's collection."
The resort's over-water villas perch elegantly on poles above the shimmering turquoise shallows of the Indian Ocean, while its beach villas offer contemporary style with charming and authentically Maldivian touches. Each room comes with its own Maldivian name that reflects its heritage, history and significance in the culture of the Maldives. Elaborate roofs of thatched coconut and traditional Maldivian ornamentation help immerse guests in a culturally rich environment, while modern conveniences such as an outdoor deck and rain showers add a touch of contemporary sophistication.
The resort features six gastronomic havens, each offering a distinct epicurean experience. They include Thundi, a Thai fine dining restaurant where authentic Thai recipes are transformed into culinary masterpieces and Meyzu, a Japanese restaurant with sushi bar and sizzling teppanyaki at the open-air lounge. Fazaa is an all-day dining restaurant offering Western, Asian and Mediterranean cuisine in a vibrant al-fresco setting. For barbecue lovers, Athiri Club's themed barbecues are the stuff of food fantasy.
Located by the pool, Iru Café offers Italian cuisine, from home-made pasta, gourmet pizza and some of Italy's favourite fare. Marha Bar serves up cool cocktails and absolute relaxation, perfect for sundowners or a daily twist on High Tea which complements fine teas with traditional Maldivian bites such as Bajiya (tuna samosas), Riha Folhi (curried tuna rolls) and Mas Roshi, the spicy staple of tuna and shredded coconut, served with flat bread.
The resort is also assembling an original Maldivian dwelling containing original doors and furniture dating back over a century to further tell the story of Maldivian heritage and culture.
Mr Rubio said Loama worked closely with neighbouring island villages to continue ancient customs and practices such as weaving, coconut shredding, drum making and more, and it was these villagers who would be the final piece in the puzzle of bringing the resort and its concept alive for guests.
Guests can be Indiana Jones for a day, witnessing an archeological excavation of great significance –namely the two Buddhist era communal baths found on our island, which could date back over a thousand years - or they can go and visit a traditional village on a neighbouring island with our expert guide to get a real first hand experience of how people life
"To set up, curate, and manage the collections of the museum and the art gallery, we have appointed a Culture and Heritage Manager – a job description you will never hear of in other luxury resorts."
Guests could also avail themselves of a diverse selection of experiences and activities, from castaway picnics on desert islands to dolphin-watching in a 'dhoni', the traditional Maldivian boat, to line-fishing for lunch to new, five-star diving, cultural immersions and cooking classes.
Mr Rubio said the Loama Resort spa experience would also be special, with the perfect blend of timeless traditional secrets and wisdom and the healing heritage of the Maldives with contemporary wellness best practice. "Choose to have your treatment in one of our Beach Villa surrounded by the beauty of Maldivian nature or one of our glass-bottomed Ocean Villa rooms."
www.loamahotelsandresorts.com
For further information or high-resolution photography, please contact:
Mr Agung Brahmana
Marketing Communications Manager
Loama Resort Maldives at Maamigili
Tel: +960 658 8100
Email:
[email protected]
Website: www.loamahotelsandresorts.com
David Johnson
Managing Director
Delivering Asia Communications
Tel: +662246 1159
Mobile: +6689170 9866
E-mail :
[email protected]
Website: www.deliveringcommunications.com