MALDIVIAN MAGIC

No matter how many times you see a picture of the Maldives, its breath-taking beauty entices every time. Hadag stayed at the stunning Nova Maldives for a touch of winter war mth and world-class hospitality.

There are few locations on the planet that measure up to the natural splendour of the Maldives. The island nation is renowned for its sapphire blue waters, powdery, white beaches, green tropical forests and golden sunshine.

Resort Wonders

Positioned Southwest of Sri Lanka and India, about 750 kilometres from mainland Asia, the Maldives is an archipelagic country, formed by 26 natural atolls, consisting of 1,192 islands. Nova is located on South Ari Atoll, a mere 25-minute seaplane ride from Malé International Airport. This scenic flight, although very comfortable, was too short to take in the full splendour of the surrounding views. By the time we touched down on the clear waters alongside the wooden jetty, we were relaxed and ready for our refreshing island adventure.

Awe-inspiring Accommodation

Nova offers an assortment of accommodation types. From cosy Beach Villas to a two-bedroom Beach Residence complete with private pool, the island resort has something for every requirement. We were happy to be housed in a Beach Villa complete with Jacuzzi. Overlooking the open ocean, it was a pleasure to simply sit and absorb the view from our private decks or from the temperature controlled Jacuzzi. Complete with king-sized beds, plush bedding, in-room high speed internet, flatscreen HD televisions, along with Apple TV, we wanted for nothing more over the four days in our lavish villa.

Cuisine Perfected

During our time on the island, we were thoroughly spoilt by our hosts, not least through the abundance of delicious dishes we were served throughout our stay.

SOUL KITCHEN

Soul Kitchen’s wide-ranging, mouth-watering menu is rivalled only by the incredible views on offer. Open from morning to night, this superb eatery offers generous buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

FLAMES

This fine-dining location offers some of the freshest and most succulent ingredients you could hope to find on your plate. Featuring everything from local fish, seafood and meat to delectable vegetarian options, the talented chefs ensure every dish is prepared to absolute perfection.

MIZU

Mizu is a picturesque overwater teppanyaki restaurant that offers a first-class menu of ocean delights. Pair this exceptional food with enchanting Indian Ocean views and you have an unrivalled dining location. We were taken by the delightful tropical flavours, created from fresh local ingredients, and served by the most attentive and hospitable of staff members.

Wink

A little later in the evenings, the nights truly came alive. The vibrant Wink provided all guests the opportunity to meet their fellow visitors, to hold lively conversations while enjoying cold beverages or a late meal. As music lovers, we were truly impressed by the talent and energy exhibited by The Kabans and their local rhythms. This local cabana band rocked the crowd with their lively music and spirited performances, often causing us to get to bed far later than intended.

Sunset Solace

There are moments in your life when you must stop and appreciate the adventure of it all. This was certainly the case as we headed off on our Indian Ocean sunset trip. We were privileged to spot dolphins playing in the water less than 50 metres from our boat. Witnessing a flawlessly beautiful sunset whilst appreciating these magnificent creatures in their natural environment is a moment we won’t soon forget.

Nova is a natural island and the sea’s gentle giants, such as whale sharks and manta rays, reside in the surrounding waters all year round.

Ocean Calling

Aquaholics is the name of Nova’s watersport centre. If you’re looking for excitement, relaxation, outstanding ocean views or the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local marine life, this is the place for you. Aquaholics offers snorkelling options, along with an extensive range of scuba diving experiences. An array of beginner and advanced courses, as well as private diving experiences of various lengths, are available. A broad range of equipment can also be rented. We got to experience two hours of snorkelling in the almost unbelievable underwater world around Nova. The vibrant colours combined with the warm waters and abundance of sea life, including whale sharks and manta rays, made the entire experience surreal and it was tough to leave this submerged Shangri-la at the end of the adventure.

Private Pampering

One of our favourite moments at Nova was the Eskape Spa experience. On offer at this idyllic venue is an assortment of massages and treatments, specially designed to relax and rejuvenate the body and the senses. The Maldivian Ocean Dream Massage is the signature massage and it’s easy to understand why. As we indulged in this stress-stripping activity, on a tropical island, with the promise of more luxury and adventure to come, we couldn’t help but wonder if travelling experiences could get any better than this. www.nova-maldives.com

As difficult as it was to leave Nova Maldives at the end of our stay, we took with us a wealth of unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.

نع بسانملا ناكملا وه اذهف ،ةيلحملا ةيرحبلا ةايحلا يف سامغنلاا ةعومجم ىلإ ةفاضلإاب سطغلا تارايخ كيلوهاوكأ مدقي .كل نيئدتبملل تارودلا نم ةعومجم رفوتت .صوغلا براجت نم ةعساو لاوطأب ةصاخلا صوغلا براجت ىلإ ةفاضلإاب ةمدقتملا تارودلاو stanbul is a metropolis like no other. Marking the point where East meets West, this historic location is the only city simultaneously situated in Asia and Europe. Hadag travelled to this enchanting part of the world, compliments of Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul, to experience all the luxury this fivestar venue has on offer.

Meet and Greet Service

Luxury begins at the airport. Istanbul International’s meet and greet service is unmatched. Arranged by the hotel, you’ll be whisked away in a luxury golf cart straight to the car. It took eight minutes from disembarking the plane to finding ourselves seated in a MercedesBenz on our way to the hotel. No walking, no queues, no waiting for luggage or going through customs. It’s all taken care of for you by the incredible team.

First impressions

As we pulled up to Mandarin Oriental, we were still buzzing from the glimpses of the vibrant city we experienced en route. Even from the car, all the sights, sounds and smells beckoned us to explore this proverbial melting pot of the old and the new.

Nestled in the Naile Sultan pine grove in the sophisticated Kuruçeşme district, Mandarin Oriental sits alongside the shimmering shoreline on the European side of Istanbul. Its perfect location provides panoramic views across the Bosphorus Strait and a central location to explore the famous city.

The composition of the hotel itself is a marvel, with its low-rise design, elegant marble-clad façade and Ottoman-style slate roof. Lush gardens and private wooden pavilions along the waterfront add to the luxurious and welcoming nature of the premises. Once inside, the marble, bronze and glass elements of the interior design create a contemporary setting that is both alluring and comforting. The hotel’s five-star status is always on full display, and we felt that we could have been the only guests there, thanks to the staff’s attentive service.

Rooms fit for royalty

As we made our way along the pristine hallways of the hotel, we were fortunate enough to inspect various accommodations on offer to guests. Each guestroom and suite is spacious, fully equipped and offers picturesque views of the Bosphorus. Most options include balconies or terraces and feature striking design elements comprising ornate bronze and onyx marble. Organic textures and patterns with bespoke metal and other details are also included in the impressive interior designs. Many of these rooms are adaptable for family needs, and the hotel provides 24-hour room service to all guests.

Our suite was as beautiful and spacious as you’d expect from the high calibre of Mandarin Oriental. The highlight was, simply, one of the most comfortable beds we have ever had the pleasure of sleeping in.

Culinary splendour

Olea Bosphorus & The Bar

On the first night of our stay, we were invited to the celebrated Olea Bosphorus & The Bar, an exceptional venue serving up authentic Italian flavours.

Once seated, we ordered an array of options from the impressive menu, and thoroughly enjoyed every dish laid on the table. The octopus carpaccio was perfection and the oxtail fettuccine was worth every bite.

Novikov Istanbul

On our second night, we indulged at the worldrenowned, all-day restaurant, Novikov. This spectacular ground-floor location offers a fusion of Asian, Mediterranean and Italian dishes, along with magnificent views of the Bosphorus.

We found the pan-fried Asian delicacies particularly appetising, and we were hugely impressed by the quality of the ingredients and the warm service.

Additional Dining Venues

There are four additional dining venues, including: the contemporary Novikov Lounge Bar, the alfresco Novikov Pool Bar, the soothing Bosphorus Lounge and the enticing Mandarin Cake Shop.

Relax and recharge The Spa

Perhaps our favourite individual experience of the hotel was our time at the luxurious spa, where we indulged in a relaxing 60-minute massage. The aroma of the signature ginger oil and the soothing pressure eased tired muscles and left us feeling deeply pampered and relaxed.

The spa’s 3,500sq/m facilities include 11 treatment rooms, a VIP treatment room, a sauna, a steam room and three gender-separate hammams, amongst other options.

Sports and Leisure

For guests who enjoy staying fit and active, the hotel has a state-of-the-art fitness centre, a Pilates and yoga studio, a heated indoor pool and a lush spa garden featuring a swim current pool, a Jacuzzi, a kids’ pool and more.

For those seeking a slower pace, there are exclusive in-hotel luxury boutiques and access to a 200m shoreline, complete with lush gardens.

Perfectly placed www.mandarinoriental.com/en/istanbul/bosphorus

The hotel is centrally located, providing easy access to many of Istanbul’s most famous landmarks and neighbourhoods. Throughout our stay, we experienced the beautiful sights that included the assortment of grand mosques and historic attractions.

Within walking distance or a short taxi ride from the hotel, is the CBD, the city centre Taksim district, numerous Kuruçeşme nightclubs and two parks with jogging routes.

At the end of our stay, we were transported back to the airport in a stylish BMW, feeling both tranquil and invigorated, thanks to having Mandarin Oriental as our home in Istanbul.