Ludlow Lifestyle Nov - Dec 2021

More documents

Recommendations

Info

INTO THE blue Emily Baker takes in ultimate luxury in the inimitable Maldives 40 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk
ARRIVAL BY SEAPLANE t’s difficult to write about the Maldives without descending into cliches - it is Ievery bit as beautiful as you imagined, the ocean suites with their glass floor hatches are equal parts luxurious and mesmerising, and of course the combination of sand, sea and all-inclusivity really are a winner - so, I’ll try and limit myself to only using the word crystalline a handful of times, but what can I tell you that you don’t already know? I think I could start with the journey - though travelling is my bread and butter, long haul can test even the most excited of voyagers. There are a few different routes to the mainland of Male, with BA offering direct flights. For those looking to fly in the lap of luxury (and if you’re heading to the Maldives, who isn’t) then Qatar is the best choice - with a short layover in the ultra-plush Doha airport, it’s enough to make the journey an event, rather than a task. Whilst I was prepared for the drama of the seaplane arrival, there is something otherworldly about seeing this string of atolls from the air for the first time. The inky-blue sea stretches out like a vast blanket, punctuated by bursts of green, framed by the turquoise necklace of each island’s reef. Even whilst feeling weary from the long flight, I pressed myself to the window like a child, completely mesmerised by the views below along the 40 minute hop. If you’re looking for that international-traveller ‘I’ve made it’ feeling, then arriving by seaplane has to tick all the boxes. The welcome on arrival at the spectacular Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Resort was the first taste of the group’s trademark hospitality - a gleaming small army in white uniforms and glowing smiles awaited, festooning us with flower garlands and introducing each guest to their own dedicated villa butler - they are your go-to whilst on the resort, for everything from booking restaurant tables to helping you hitch a ride on one of the golf buggies that transport guests around the 52 acre resort. There are a handful of different accommodation options for guests - either stays on those quintessential oceanic villas, decked with their steps straight into the water, or a series of beach villas, either with direct access to the beach or with oceanic views and their own private infinity pools. Whilst some of the fixtures and fittings are looking a little tired in places, the sheer delight of the location more than makes up for any shortcomings inside, as does the wealth of activities, both in the water and out, available from your doorstep. This brings me on to my other assumption - one I think many travellers make - that the Maldives is a destination for loved-up couples to fly and flop in luxury. And whilst there’s definitely scope for that, I wasn’t overcome by a raft of couples acting amorously by the pool, but instead greeted by a huge breadth of guest profiles - there were, of course, couples, but also groups of friends on a girly getaway and families - taking advantage of the total safety of the island to let little ones run around freely. Though, unlike other family-friendly resorts, the children are seen but not heard - there’s space for everyone, so adults can still find their escape. Kids and adults alike can partake in aquatic adventures, with guided reef swimming, paragliding, and options to learn to dive in the resorts PADI and DDI Diamond certified diving school. If the term barefoot luxury is banded about too much, it’s very much found its true definition here - this is a place of relaxation, aided by that extra oomph that www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 41
Page 2 and 3: How you feel tomorrow starts with c
Page 4 and 5: Contents A Note from the EDITOR 32
Page 6: COMPETITION To enter any (or all!)
Page 9 and 10: In a wonderful rural setting, the b
Page 12 and 13: Hieda addresses workplace healthcar
Page 14 and 15: CHOOSING A NEW SIXTH FORM The Good
Page 18 and 19: ADVERTISING FEATURE Christ College
Page 20 and 21: Kaloo Lapinoo Rabbit, £17.99, jojo
Page 22 and 23: TEA ADVENT CALENDAR, £39, BIRDANDB
Page 24 and 25: putting our pets first We may feel
Page 26 and 27: Amanda Owen The yorkshire Shepherde
Page 28 and 29: Dinner is served Tasty recipes from
Page 30 and 31: And time for pudding... More tasty
Page 32 and 33: www.anboise.com www.norsu.com.au GU
Page 34 and 35: D A Campbell CURTAINS • BLINDS
Page 36 and 37: Bromley Chest, £399, Made.com Blac
Page 38 and 39: Pembridge Pendant Size 3, £1319, w
Page 42 and 43: “There’s not much I can say tha
Page 44 and 45: HOUSING-WITH-CARE Allowing older pe
Page 46 and 47: ADVERTISING FEATURE ask the doctor

Ludlow Lifestyle Nov - Dec 2021

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?