This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Tuesday | May 06 2025 | MFAR Hotels & Resorts Private Limited launches Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives The resort is located amidst a sprawling 40-acre island in North Malé Atoll; a 30-minute speedboat ride away from Velana International Airport (MLE) making it one of the most accessible resorts in Maldives The total investment for the Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives is 1000 crore Indian Rupees MFAR has also acquired an island of 20 acres in Maldives for development in the immediate future The resort features 59 exquisite beach villas including luxurious penthouses and 36 water villas with an option of private swimming pools inspired by the sprawling nature of the Maldives perfectly balances a sense of togetherness and inclusivity with privacy and independence It is a slice of paradise that embraces and celebrates diversity of cultural expressions perfect for solo travellers “From island excursions to stellar surfing Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives will never be in shortage of exciting activities for our guests,” said Dr P Mohamed Ali (Galfar) Chairman and Founder of MFAR group of companies Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives also offers the choice of three diverse dining venues to its guests: The Beach Club a South American take on the classic beach menu the resort’s signature dining establishment The Restaurant that serves fresh an upscale dining venue with three distinct restaurants Thai-Japanese and Italian-Mediterranean fusion street food respectively through each restaurant’s open kitchens Director of MFAR group of companies commented, “This much awaited property was delivered within the promised time to our beloved guests Experience the best Maldives can offer with our most convenient Other hospitality projects by MFAR Hotels & Resorts include Le Méridien Kochi & The International Convention Centre in Kochi and The Radisson Collection by Hormuz Grand MFAR has also acquired land in Sri Lanka for the development of a beach resort The resort promises its guests state-of-the-art food & accommodation facilities and is already being dubbed as one of the best resorts to stay in Maldives.  vivek.mittal@businessworld.in, amit.bhasin@businessworld.in Subscribe to our newsletter to get updates on our latest news Kuda Villingili Resort has announced the enhancements to its offerings these new features include pools to the sunset water villas part of the resort’s vision to enhance the guest experience on the private island As Kuda Villingili celebrates three years of luxury hospitality a 10 metre infinity-edge pool has been added to the existing 16 sunset water villas offering guests a spot to relax and view the sunset across the Indian Ocean This year's enhancements also bring more flavour and sizzle with the addition of a new teppanyaki table accommodating up to eight guests with the menu featuring sustainably and locally sourced ingredients The newly added padel tennis court along with the two floodlit tennis courts gym and an Olympic size pool also add to the extensive collection of recreational and wellness options Commercial Director of Kuda Villingili Resort we are committed to enhancing the guest experience by continually responding to ever-changing industry trends and consumer demands with the goal of exceeding expectations of our discerning guests By adding spacious outdoor pools to our Sunset Water Villas we aim to offer guests the ultimate in luxury and privacy the new Teppanyaki experience provides a uniquely interactive and delectable dining option making our gastronomic offerings even more exciting than it already is We look forward to welcoming guests to our island paradise to experience these new redefined facilities creating once-in-a-lifetime memories with their loved ones.”  A Belgium company has been contracted to built the Villingili International Airport The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony took place during Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s meeting with the residential community of GA The development of Villingili International Airport was contracted to NV Besix SA a tourism development program would be initiated alongside the development of the airport project It includes the development of an integrated tourism zone As for the Villingili International Airport the President said that new land will be reclaimed to implement this project the Minister of Construction and Infrastructure signed the MoU on behalf of the Government of Maldives the Business Development Manager of NV Besix SA signed the document on behalf of the contractor Daily news and in-depth stories in your inbox a luxury island retreat in the Maldivian archipelago A five-star property located in the North Male Atoll home to an impressive line-up of gourmet dining options Conceived by the Maldivian architectural firm GX Associates in collaboration with the Singapore-based interior design company URBNarc with nature in mind the resort boasts 95 luxury villas – 36 overwater and 59 beachside All are inspired by the sprawling nature of the Maldives and offer panoramic views of the ocean allowing for the natural sounds of the sea to awaken the senses The resort’s interiors reflect the natural beauty that surrounds the island Traditional Maldivian art pieces and textiles are dotted throughout and the use of natural materials enhance the harmony between water including carpets manufactured from recycled plastic bottles This mixed-use resort development also offers a variety of accommodation types to meet the needs of all travellers The diversity of cultural expression is celebrated throughout the resort’s gourmet offerings the resort’s signature dining establishment – The Restaurant – serves the freshest handcrafted food for breakfast and offers three menus at dinner: Fire Inspired by the traditional American Steak House experience Fire explores the art of grilling meats to perfection Earth is an Asian-inspired concept that celebrates organic ingredients to enhance classic dishes like noodles and dim sum creations Ocean is a fine-dining experience championing seafood specialties The Hawkers is an upscale three-stall street food market that sits poolside and serves up soulful The open kitchen dishes up Indian-Arabic inspired flame-grilled kebabs along with Thai-Japanese delicacies such as robatayaki grill and sushi and Italian-Mediterranean favourites like savoury wood-fired pizza A South American take on the classic lunch beach menu is available at The Beach Club together with daily live DJ sets and an extended list of frozen cocktails and rosé wines the resort’s cosy Cigar Lounge offers international whiskies and cognacs and a wide selection of premium cigars in a warm the spa at Kuda Villingili comprises eight self-contained oceanfront spa villas Restorative leisure pursuits include an elevated yoga pavilion Technogym and a recreation centre with table tennis Registered in England and Wales with Company Number 06637145 We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again More information about our Cookie Policy Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives the much-anticipated luxury retreat opening this month in the Maldives is pleased to announce the appointment of André Kretschmann as its General Manager to oversee daily operations and manage all aspects of the guest experience Kretschmann has been involved in this ambitious project since 2019 managing the team ahead of the official opening Prior to joining Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives Kretschmann served as Director for LVMH's Hotel Management division as well as General Manager at The Legian Bali and Director at Temple Tree International He brings a wealth of experience in launching luxury hotels - like The Chedi Muscat (Oman) and the Shangri-La Boracay Resort & Spa (Philippines) - having played a pivotal role in the portfolio expansion of GHM where he worked as General Manager across different iconic properties in the Middle East and Southeast Asia for a decade Kretschmann received his diploma in hotel management in Heidelberg in 1981 and spent his first years in the hospitality industry at hotels in Germany and the UK as well as a two-year term at the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong he was elected to membership in London's Institute of Hospitality as a fellow The moment we arrived at Shangri-La Villingili we felt like James Cook or another explorer of his time Located in the Addu Atoll in the Southern part of the Maldives it is the type of island you associate with a ‘bounty island’ – surrounded by beautiful white beaches lined with hundreds of palm trees Over five days we explored every side of the island in a slightly different more luxurious way than James Cook might have done One of the highlights of the resort is its very own 9-hole golf course and spectacular vistas across the Indian Ocean Shangri-La Villingili Resort is located in Addu Atoll the most Southerly located atoll of the Maldives – a mere 400 kilometers away from capital Male It is also a fairly small atoll with only a handful of inhabited islands and a few resorts The capital island of Gan is home to a small domestic and international airport and located only 5 minutes by speedboat away from the Shangri-La Despite its vicinity to the airport you rarely hear any airplanes on the island as the runway lies in a different direction The island is one of only a few resorts of the Maldives located South of the Equator therefore don’t be surprised if the sun appears in the North during Summer months Shangri-La opened its Villingili Resort in 2009 on an island that was previously occupied by the British army during the first and second world war The RAF had a base at nearby Gan island until the 1970s and plays a key role why so many of the locals speak excellent English Today only a few ruins of bunkers remain in the jungle on Villingili The island stretches almost 2 kilometers from East to West with the Indian Ocean directly bordering the beaches on the South side of the island Due to the strong current on that side of the island guest cannot access the beach on that side On the North side of the island you find a large lagoon with a picture perfect beach ideal for swimming Here you also find three separate walkways with over water villas and the main arrival jetty and supply jetty The remote location far from Male International airport has pros and cons The naturally beauty and quiet location really give the island a lot of charm and desirability But you definitely have to go the extra mile to get there From Male it is a 1 hour 20 minute domestic flight to Gan Airport and the stopover in Male is not that nice even with the lounge Shangri-La provides there In the near future they hope to add direct flights from international destinations to Gan Private planes can land easily at Gan and Shangri-La guests regular use this opportunity The Shangri-La Villingili Resort features 132 villas spread over seven different types including two very unique villas Most popular are the over water villas that are set in the lagoon on three different walkways They all feature indoor- and outdoor showers a large terrace overlooking the lagoon and direct access to the water beach pool villas with direct beach access ocean view villas and tree house villas (basically an ocean view villa with an additional yoga deck with stunning views over the Indian Ocean) The two special villas are called Villa Muthee and Villa Laalu Villa Laalu is the presidential villa of the resort and measures 570 square meters in size and has a spa room and large private pool The Villa Muthee is an overwater paradise with a large infinity pool overlooking the lagoon large bathroom with a huge bathtub and also a dedicated spa room for treatments in the room Most guests that stay here hardly leave there villa during their stay and we can see why Upon arrival on the island our villa host drove us to our Ocean View Villa (#316) with a buggy The first thing we saw on arrival are two bicycles parked in front of a wall with double doors Behind the doors a wooden stairs leads up to the deck On the left side of the deck is a separate living room with large flatscreen tv On the other side of the deck is the master bedroom with large double bed Directly adjacent to the bedroom is the toilet and indoor shower followed by the large bathroom with bath tub with enough space for two and his and hers sinks Two sliding doors provide access to the outdoor rain shower and to the pool deck Curtains and lights can be controlled from the touch of a button We only missed the option to switch the bathroom lights on/off next to the bed There is free wifi in the room and in most public areas of the resort Tech wise the only thing we missed was bluetooth connectivity to play music from our iPhone – hopefully that will be added in the next room update Upon arrival our villa host gave us a good old Nokia where with which we could reach him 24/7 in case we needed anything He also offered to arrange a buggy for us in case we needed it but we actually preferred to ride our bikes our entire stay Een foto die is geplaatst door GTspirit.com Cars & Luxury (@gtspirit) op 7 Mrt 2016 om 11:27 PST The rooms are very well equipped and comfortable although we would have liked to have a few more places to relax on the deck and enjoy the views of the ocean Also the minibar is only in the living room – it would be nice to have one in the bedroom too The ocean view and pool villas are set in lush tropical forest and thanks to the size of the island are not so close together to offer maximum privacy This along with the natural beauty of the island are two things we really enjoyed The design blends in with the island really nicely The villas have a traditional and tropical exterior mixed with a warm interior design The wooden floors and curtains in the villa add to this warm feeling In the public areas of the resort Shangri-La has tried to utilize the natural beauty of the island as much as possible and leave palm trees that have been on the island untouched There is a lot to say about the facilities on an island this size We won’t discuss all facilities in depth but here is a quick overview of what you can expect To begin there are a few kilometers of bicycle and walking trails on the island mostly surrounded by tropical plants and trees We enjoyed just cycling around the island a lot already There are several freshwater lakes as well where you can watch fishes and birds do their thing On the Southern tip of the island is the hotel’s 9 hole golf course a unique feature you won’t find anywhere else on the Maldives Most of the holes are par 3 but there are a few tricky par 4 holes too 6 and 9 are worth a trip to this end of the island At the golf course you also find the highest mountain in the Maldives – measured at 510cm above sea level that’s correct – 5,10 meters is the highest point in the Maldives Near the reception you can find a kids club The main pool has sun loungers on the beach side along the pool and a few cabanas in the garden directly behind the pool A great place to spend the day although the poolside service could be a bit better The watersport center offers activties like sailing The dive center offers snorkelling and diving excursions and has a deep training pool for people who want to get their PADI and want to learn the basics of diving We opted for a snorkelling expedition to check out the outer reef of the resort and weren’t disappointed The staff are very professional and gave us both assurance as guidance to enjoy the underwater world to the maximum Additionally you can find a chef’s garden with herbs fruit and vegetables on the island and several sport facilities including a gym tennis courts and badminton court on the island Summing it up like this it really sounds like an island paradise There are several private and group activities too from cooking classes to yoga and pool aerobics to fishing The activities roster changes regularly so the hotel will tell you what is scheduled on arrival You can book fishing trips and private cruises at the dive center We did a dolphin cruise and watched as over 100 dolphins set out to hunt in the deep ocean On the Southeast side of the island is the Chi Spa which has several treatment villas set in a tropical garden We had the signature massage straight after arrival from our long haul flight which is something I can recommend to everybody The massage with hot oil and use of ocean shells was really good and after our massage we were invited outside in the garden of the spa villa where we received jasmine tea and a cold towel Sitting there soaking in the waves as they hit the beach on the ocean side in the light of dawn was one of the most memorable moments of our stay The spa menu offers a selection of Asian massages and Indian Ayurvedic treatments alongside locally inspired treatments and specific well-being programmes Some of the spa villas include steam rooms for guests to enjoy before or after their treatments There are three restaurants and two bars on the island The pool bar is only open during the day and offers drinks and an extensive food menu M Lounge is the main bar with live DJ on some evenings once a week there is also a management cocktail here The service and drinks menu is great but the outdoor seating arrangement is quite far apart which is good if you like a drink for two but lacks a bit of the typical bar feeling The number of choices and breakfast was great but the lunch and dinner food could be better Fashala is the seafood restaurant located on the edge of the island with a panoramic view over the lagoon and ocean The setting and food is really good here and worth a visit Finally there is Dr Ali’s restaurant it combines cuisine from three different regions: India Each region has a dedicated chef and also in the inside there are three different rooms to chose finished in the style of the region We chose to sit outside however and enjoy the ocean breeze The food was amazing and so was the setting – definitely our favourite restaurant at the Shangri-La Villingili Resort Besides the restaurants there is a range of in villa dining options including a chef prepared bbq and several private dining options around the island We ordered in for lunch twice and both times it was there exactly in the time they told us on the phone (35 min) and especially the pizza tasted great The Shangri-La Villingili Resort has 600 employees that are there to keep the island in perfect condition and provide you with the necessary service and assistance Our villa host was there when we needed him and checked-in on us on a regular basis The staff is very friendly and greeted us with cold towels and small refreshments everywhere It is hard not to get a true holiday feeling at this resort However at a few moments there could be a bit more service – at the pool per example there was nobody to help find the best spot and sometimes used towels empty glasses and dishes where laying around for a long time Before we wrap up this review a few words on our travel and general experience We arrived at Male International Airport at 9am and we were outside in 20 minutes A Shangri-La representative escorted us to the Domestic terminal only a few minutes away from the International arrivals She took us straight to Moonima lounge at +1 in Male Domestic terminal- suffering a bit from heavy usage but better than the terminal You can take luggage directly to the lounge and a hotel representative will handle the airline check-in from there The lounge offers refreshments and several sorts of cold and hot food There is also one shower to refresh after a long inbound flight The lounge can get busy at times but it is still way better than the domestic departures area which lacks any kind of facilities whatsoever So if you plan on going to the Shangri-La try to plan your transfer window to be as short as possible Boarding closes 10 min before departure and someone from the lounge will escort you to the gate downstairs Our Maldivian flight and those departing at the same time were all at least 10-20 minutes behind schedule so don’t be surprised when boarding and departure doesn’t go exactly according to schedule Another tip for flying Maldivian airlines: Ask for seat of your liking We had two seats in the first row with two empty seats facing us just because we asked if its possible to sit in the front of the plane I would avoid an overnight stay in Male as the experience is far from luxurious so when you plan your international flights timing is everything Evening international arrivals or early morning international departures might mean you are forced to stay overnight in Male as most of the connecting transfers don’t run during night hours The flight from Male to Gan is about 1 hour 20 minutes although some (return) flights include a short stopover on one of the other islands The flight itself is quite scenic as the propeller planes (in our case a Dash-8 300) fly at a relatively low altitude so you have a great view of the various atolls and islands Gan Airport is officially an international airport which soon hopes to receive direct flights from Sri Lanka and India But regardless of the ongoing runway extension it is still a very small airport We were greeted by a hotel representative on arrival and directly taken to the boat jetty just a minute away from the terminal From there it is a 5 minute speed boat transfer to Vilingili island where we were greeted by a team of the hotel In the beautiful arrival building we received a cold towel and fresh coconut The entire stay was very relaxing and we particularly enjoyed cycling around snorkelling at the house reef and all the activities including golf The day before departure we received our departure information with ideal luggage collection time, check-out time and transfer time to the airport. Checkout was done at the reception and we were waved off by part of the hotel staff. A Shangri-La employee escorted us all the way to the security check at the airport and checked our luggage in. The entire transfer from the moment we got off the plane to the villa and back was flawless. Now you might wonder for what kind of people this island is suitable. Thanks to the size and range of facilities and activities it appeals to a lot of people – from honeymooners seeking privacy to divers and active couples. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. the one that had the lowest high point in the world Every known inch of the Maldives was just a few feet above the waves More than 99 percent of Maldive territory is open ocean; its dry land formed from 26 small coral atolls our English word "atoll" comes from atholhu the Maldivian word for a grouping of islands Villingili is a small island in the southwest corner of the Addu Atoll A sand dune there was long listed as the nation's highest point—even though this "mountain" was lower than a basketball rim Golfers in the Maldives are also mountain climbers But in recent years, a 132-villa resort and spa opened up on Villingili, and jungles were cleared for the island's only golf course. In 2013, the Shangri-la Villingili Resort & Spa announced that a small mound on the golf course had been measured at a towering 16 feet above sea level twice the elevation of the previous highpoint but they've actually scaled the highest point in the country Tuvalu is the new flattest nation on Earth If the resort's GPS devices are correct then the Maldives is no longer the country with the lowest high point The South Pacific island nation of Tuvalu tops out at a 15-foot rise on the island of Niulakita so the newly measured hill on Villingili makes the Maldives higher than Tuvalu Tuvalu and the Maldives have the most skin in the climate change game Global warming is no hypothetical in the world's flattest nations The Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 erased 20 Maldive islands and the whole nation could vanish beneath the waves by 2100 if projections of rising sea levels bear out Tuvalu is already seeing seawater bubble up through volcanic rock in low-lying areas The nation has announced a goal to switch to 100 percent renewable sources for electricity in this decade which would make it the first country to do so Tuvalu and the Maldives may not be around for long up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world To continue reading this article you must log in If you've never set a password you may need to register for free here and get unlimited access It is uploaded directly by travel industry suppliers Apply to post to Noticeboard TTG Media Limited.Place of registration: England and Wales.Company number 08723341.Registered address: 2-6 Boundary Row I am delighted to join the Kuda Villingili team and work on building its PR and brand identity in India." Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy About Us Contact Us Copyright © 2016 - Adgully.com   | Contactus Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa Maldives: Tree House Villa deck and infinity pool Eating mostly what grows locally can be challenging when home is a tiny atoll, ocean surrounds you, and the nearest southern landfall is Antarctica. All challenges faced, and met, by Brian Porteus, executive chef at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa in the Maldives Luxe villas hide in thickets of banyan trees and vines Others stand—literally—in turquoise waters The sand really is as white and fine as baby powder This is not the Maldives’ largest five-star resort in guest numbers The garden’s flourishing beds and borders are completely organic their crops nourished by composted coconut husks all with the über intensity found in the tropics Green bean and passionfruit vines twine around archways most notably at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in the United Kingdom have given Irish-born Porteus a global perspective “The Maldives is truly a remarkable natural environment,” he says The islands were positioned on early trading routes and made a handy stopover for a patchwork of peoples and cultures Factor abundant seafood and distinctive local flavours into the mix and you have a unique cuisine Arriving at the tiny Gan International Airport today’s travellers are whisked across the waters by speedboat travel fatigue rapidly fading as they chill out with fresh coconut juice a drink that’s their first of many Maldivian tastes Bearing in mind how far guests fly to reach the atoll Porteus emphasizes he’s building memories as much as plates He likes to tap the knowledge of his Maldivian chefs to recreate forgotten recipes “and introduce menus that pay tribute to the food culture.” Kandukukulhu (meaning sea-chicken) wraps fresh tuna in a local leaf to “disguise” it as chicken young Maldivian coconut sponge with fresh local mango and papaya “We have a strong link with the local food culture,” he adds A 15-minute boat ride away is the island of Meedhoo and have formed a co-op of over 50 locals to produce 35 varieties of local fresh fruits and vegetables to name just a few.” The introduction of greenhouses and polytunnels has led to greater yield “We have also introduced new veggies,” says Porteus citing the asparagus new to Meedhoo farmers so we’re very protective of the local culture,” says Porteus including the tuna that Maldivians consume in great quantities Most guests taste it for the first time at the breakfast buffet Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives the epitome of curated understated chic and luxury in the Maldives has appointed Shikha Mishra as the resort’s Marketing and Public Relations Consultant for the India market Shikha’s appointment ties in with the vision of the resorts’ management to expand its footprint in India Located on a private island in close proximity to the Male Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives redefines the concept of time and space Boasting the biggest swimming pool in the Maldives the resort offers the gold standard in accommodation and service “We are delighted to have Shikha on board as our new Marketing and Public Relations Consultant for the India market With her extensive experience and knowledge of the Indian travel market we are confident she will play a pivotal role in building the Kuda Villingili brand name in India.” With over two decades of experience in journalism and public relations and implementing the resort’s Marketing She brings with her a broad spectrum of experience in digital and traditional marketing Shikha’s PR and Marketing experience spans iconic tourism brands such as Disneyworld Paris Yas Island; and international tourism boards such as Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation Shikha has written and edited for major publications in India She has been associated with media titles in the USA such as IndiaWest Journal and UAE’s leading national daily I am delighted to join the Kuda Villingili team and work on building its PR and brand identity in India.” and website in this browser for the next time I comment © copyright 2016 thevoiceofchandigarh.com . All Rights Reserved. Developed bydAppStudio Hotelier India Home » Operations » Superstar Rajinikanth spotted vacationing at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives known for his charismatic on-screen presence and unparalleled acting prowess had chosen the exquisite Kuda Villingili Resort as his ultimate destination to relax and rejuvenate Situated amidst the turquoise waters of the Maldives the resort offers an idyllic sanctuary that perfectly complements Rajinikanth’s penchant for simplicity and tranquility.During his stay the esteemed legend indulged in the finest amenities the resort has to offer including lavish overwater villas with breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean and delectable cuisine prepared by talented chefs from around the world The resort also ensures utmost privacy and security for its high-profile guests and Thalaiva Sir Rajinikanth’s visit was no exception “It was a superb experience to stay at the Kuda Villingili Resort – it is paradise Now it has become my home.” While at the resort Thalaiva Sir Rajinikanth enjoyed the resort’s relaxing HotelierIndia.com is the new digital destination for India hospitality and the home of ITP’s industry-leading hospitality publications on the web analysis and comment from our team of expert journalists; accurate and up-to-date industry data and contacts; and coming soon a whole host of exciting new business opportunities in the form of relevant tenders will open Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa the first luxury resort south of the equator in the Maldives The resort will offer guests a stylish experience in a spacious the resort will encompass over six kilometres of coastline and nearly two kilometres of breathtaking white sandy beach First-time visitors and Maldives aficionados will be rewarded with a distinctive new experience of the archipelago The natural dense vegetation sets it apart from many other resorts in the Maldives The three-kilometre-long island features 12 hectares of lush vegetation 17,000 coconut trees and 45 species of plants The island has over six kilometres of coastline and three natural freshwater lagoons Guests will be able to enjoy walking trails The unique Shangri-La hospitality envelops guests as they disembark from their international flight at Male airport Guests are then escorted by the Shangri-La host into the relaxing domestic airport lounge before taking the connecting flight to Addu Atoll As air-conditioned domestic flights from Male to Gan International Airport operate round the clock guests no longer need to waste their vacation time due to the limited operation of seaplanes which are required to access other resorts The resort is just an eight-minute boat ride away from Gan and is also accessible by private jet which can land at the newest Gan International Airport The resort will comprise 142 spacious stand-alone villas from private ocean retreats to tropical luxury tree house villas with panoramic views All villas will feature both an indoor and outdoor shower a private terrace leading to the beach and either a waterfront or lush garden Each villa will be equipped with two iPods and docking stations The villas will be a minimum of 133 square metres in size while the two presidential villas will measure up to 957 square metres each The resort will feature 16 luxury tree house villas perched on stilts offering a special three-metre high perspective of the island through tropical foliage Other distinct villa options available to guests will be the water villas with terraces and outdoor showers extending over the clear ocean water; beach villas with separate bedroom and living room connected by a wooden deck to a private infinity pool; twin beach villas comprising two bedrooms and an infinity pool; and water pool villas Two presidential villas will also be available for guests who prefer to indulge in ultimate luxury and exclusivity one of which is constructed over water and featuring a 96 square metre private pool The Spa at Shangri-La – Shangri-La’s signature spa brand inspired by the legend of Shangri-La in the Lost Horizon novel - will offer treatments therapies and well-being programmes based on Chinese Himalayan and Asian healing rituals and traditions from across the region as well as “Kandu Boli” experience unique indigenous treatments inspired by the cowrie shell and other natural treasures found in the Maldives CHI will be located in its own spa village in the resort offering “spa within a spa” privacy and luxury Ocean views and enchanting gardens will make this secluded sanctuary a haven of healing power and deep calm for guests In addition to long stretches of fine white sand beach the natural lush vegetation of the island features a nature trail for guests who are keen to explore To discover the fascinating lifestyle and culture of untouched Maldivian villages guests can simply take a short boat ride to neighbouring islands International diving enthusiasts are already familiar with the island’s colourful coral reef and the dramatic 140-metre shipwreck of the British ship Loyalty which is located within a half-hour boat ride from Villingili Island Maldives has been constructed around large trees Underwater work and detailed marine surveys have been carried out to ensure the preservation of coral Maldives will provide a selection of bars and restaurants will serve cuisine from the regions he travelled to Dishes with enchanting flavours will be created using spices and herbs from the chef’s organic garden International culinary experiences at the Javvu Restaurant will provide guests with further variety In the heart of the natural island is a 30,000-square-metre Village Centre The centre will encompass an eco-centre and a water sports centre featuring surfing snorkelling and a variety of non-motorised water activities The Village Centre will also include a free-form pool a dedicated indoor and outdoor area for children A medical clinic with international doctors and decompression chamber fully-equipped to deal with diving-related disorders will provide medical services for guests The resort’s salon will also offer wedding gowns and wedding ceremonies for couples who are swept off their feet by the natural beauty and mesmerizing experience at the Shangri-La Villingili Resort and Spa About Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts | Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and/or manages 62 hotels under the deluxe Shangri-La and mid-market Traders brands The group has over 40 projects under development in Austria please contact a travel professional or access the website at Carlo NiederbergerGolinHarris International(03) 5484 6008Shangri-La