LUXE TRAVEL
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CONTENTS MALDIVESFUSHIFARU, 03. INTERVIEWFEATURED 07. 11. NOVOTEL PHU QUOC RESORT DENIS ISLANDPRIVATE 15. RESORTOKINAWA 19. VANA BELLE, KOH SAMUI 23. DANANGINTERCONTINENTALSUNRESORT 31. ANNUAL AWARDS GALA 41. INTERVIEWFEATURED 27. VANA THAILANDSPA, 37. 01
03 FUSHIFARU LHAVIYANI ATOLL, MALDIVES
Manila Bay and its famed sunsets while being just minutes away from the domestic and international airports, business and leisure districts. intimate resort with an endless promise of adventure, excitement, discovery, and serenity all in one diverse landscape.
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EXTRAODINARY EXPERIENCE
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Above the Waterline - to up the adventure, a fully equipped gym overlooks the Indian Ocean, a multi-sports court hosts regular matches between Residents and guests, a kid’s club, to the water with jet skis, kayaks and catamarans. Off-island visits include the largest tuna canning factory in the Maldives and partake in numerous social and sustainable activities.
On top of all these incredible features, a range of private dining experiences such as Handhu platform dining, floating breakfast and pool dining are also available on request.
Below the Waterline - Fushifaru Kan’du, a national Marine Protected Area home to three iconic dive sites including the renowned Fushifaru Thila is teeming with marine life, unique cave formations and a marine cleaning station, sits right beside the resort. A true haven for diving enthusiasts and snorkelers alike.
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Provided By Dynamyst
There is something to be said for a story of successful team work and great management. The kind of success that is purely a reward for innovation, determination and incredible work ethic. Located in the breathtaking Maldives, we speak with Ahmed Siaar, General Manager of Fushifaru to hear more about this one of a kind island resort.
Fushifaru is one of a kind. We set the benchmark of being the best authentic Maldivian resort. It is important for us to give recognition of our heritage and share it with our guests through our daily activities that they can enjoy and participate in.
Working at an incredible establishment such as this, could you give us some insight into your day-to-day?
What are your favourite aspects of Fushifaru?
Fushifaru used to be a small picnic island like a sandbank, surrounded by crystalline turquoise water, fine white sand and minimal vegetation. It is named after Fushifaru Thila wherein it’s well known for cleaner wrasse stations for manta rays and is protected by the government of Maldives. With its natural features and characteristics of a small and beautiful island, the owners decided to develop it into a perfect haven boutique resort.. The development started in 2014 by MUNI enterprises, the mother company of Fushifaru. It took 3 great years to successfully complete the project and start the resort operation on the 24th of October 2017.
Could you tell us more about the history of Fushifaru Maldives?
Working in Maldives is like you’re on a holiday. We feel as good as our guests. I’m an early bird, a morning person. I have my usual daily routine, watch the news and start the day by doing my daily rounds in the resort and meeting with the fantastic team for updates. In the afternoon, I plan my meetings for the following days, and in the evening, I meet with our guests, bond and check on them.
It is known to the world that Fushifaru is quite a popular wedding destination, could you tell us more about this unique offering?
What do you believe goes into the creation of a successful experience for a guest at Fushifaru?
The expertise of the team helps us position ourselves as one of the best 5-star boutique resorts in the world.
We have one of the largest sandbanks where we can host a wedding for 100 to 150 people. It is perfect for a destination wedding.
With the dedication and hard work of the team, we aim to become the best well-known 5 star boutique resort in Maldives while keeping and giving the guests the best authentic Maldivian experience. We have plans of expansion, building more properties not only in Maldives but in different areas in the world so we can show and spread the rich Maldivian culture and give them a taste of our fantastic paradise.
What does the future hold for Fushifaru Maldives?
The resort is in Lhaviyani Atoll wherein it’s famous for sharks, mantas, and turtles which is an asset for a memorable diving experience. It is reachable by a seaplane just 25-min from the international airport.
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Our team is very diverse. We have 16 nationals on the island with different backgrounds and experiences but only one goal, to make our guest stays memorable and to give them a once in a lifetime experience that they will treasure and remember for the rest of their lives.
As an island resort, how do you and the team keep such impeccable luxury standards while keeping the island feeling?
I’ve been in the industry for 23 years, working locally and internationally. Throughout the years, I’ve learnt and developed a lot in terms of skills and management. I’ve worked with many people with different talents who became my friends and made my journey more meaningful and fun. We always create good relationships with our guests and because of that we have a lot of repeater guests who became our friends and treat us like a family.
Could you tell us more about your journey to being at Fushifaru?
At Fushifaru, we treat everyone like family. Fushifaru is a space where our guests can feel at home and create their own story with us. We ensure that excellent service begins within ourselves and makes our guests feel fantastic throughout their stay with our thoughtful service that will always be remembered with joy.
NOVOTEL PHU QUOC RESORT PHU QUOC, VIETNAM SCAN ME TO SEE MORE 11
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Chooseentertainments.tostay
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Lounge Bar your palate is sure to be enter tained with delicious local seafood and inter national cuisine.
in suites, ocean view rooms in the building, private pool bungalows, a step away from the beach or nestled in the lush green tropical garden. Enlightened by gor geous sunshine or soft lightings with comfort able seating’s available at Food Exchange Restaurant, Phu Quoc Seafood Restaurant and
Renowned for its stunning sunsets and beautiful sands, Novotel Phu Quoc Resort offers premium 5 star accommodations and facilities, delectable cuisine and various
ONE OF THE MOST PRISTINE BEACHES ON THE ISLAND
Indulge yourself in the brilliant sunset gradient from vibrant orange to gentle purple pink. Soak in the blue water of the infinity pool and sip a cocktail by the Ocean Bar. A moment guests must experience at Novotel Phu Quoc Resort.
DENIS ISLAND, SEYCHELLES
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This remote island resort features all the comforts and facilities expected of a hotel of this caliber: an award-winning restaurant, outdoor spa, infinity pool, guided nature walks, complimentary snorkel and kayak equipment.
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Provided By Denis Private Island
Denis Private Island is the ultimate destination for travelers in search of an exclusive getaway that offers the best of island living. Unpretentious, yet subtly luxurious, this sustainable resort delights guests with a plethora of outdoor activities: snorkeling, scuba diving, cycling jungle paths, scouting the forests for endangered bird species, seeking out turtle tracks on the beach. The relatively un-fished waters surrounding Denis Island make this resort an anglers dream.
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OKINAWA KARIYUSHI RESORT EXES ONNA OKINAWA, JAPAN
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CORAL BLUE SEA
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The most luxurious room, Royal Exes Suite creates a calming atmosphere, where guests may experience the serenity of swimming under the sky in a private pool on the 10th floor. Wind down both mind and body and indulge in luxurious surroundings.
The team at Okinawa Spa Resort EXES Onna strive to give the best experience to each guest by offering a variety of amenities and facilities. The team go above and beyond to make sure each guests needs are met.
SURROUNDED BY
Nestled on top of a hill surrounded by the Coral Blue Sea and the wild forest of Onna Son. This ten story hotel offers plenty of space in each room to relax with a sense of comfort, superb hospitality, original Okinawan-fusion cuisine and much more.
VANA BELLE KOH SAMUI, THAILAND SCAN ME TO SEE MORE A LUXURY COLLECTION RESORT 23
At Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui discover and immerse in the mythical theme of Himavanta forest where the woodland blends with the crystal clear ocean. Explore exceptional world-class service from hotel associates, butlers, and Golden Key concierge from Les Clefs d'Or.
The beachfront resort offers a secluded spot with 180 meters of the pristine white sands of Chaweng Noi Beach where you can relax, retreat, rejuvenate, and recharge body, mind and soul in one of the 72 spacious pool suites or seven pool villas, with a terrace to enjoy the splendid ocean view or the rainforest backdrop.
LUXURIOUS, ISLAND LIVING “
As one of the most prolific destinantions in the Luxury Collection portfolio, Vana Belle Koh Samui in Thailand boasts 72 luxury pool suites and 7 pool villas. We sit down with Francois Polleti to hear more about the in-depth details behind managing such a pristine luxury destination.
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We always ensure to maintain our service standards at the highest level. In order to avoid overburdening, we do our best to encourage our staff to work as a team.
As the General Manager of the resort, I need to manage both sides of communication to be perfectly connected in order to avoid any mistakes that could occur.
What are your favourite aspects of Vana Belle Resort?
As such a remote location, what challenges could one in your position face daily?
I admire the way our staff members work as a team and have the guest’s best interest in mind. Additionally, Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh samui is located on one of the island’s most tranquil beach to ensure that guests can spend their getaway and fully unwind after long days from work.
As such a secluded yet sizable resort, how do you keep such incredible service stanVanadards?Belle
Koh Samui has an incredible offering, could you tell us more about the planning for guest arrival?
The resort’s concept is inspired from the combination of words in two languages. Vana means forest in Thai and Belle means beautiful in French. Two words combined to represent the surroundings of the resort that is full of grown trees and we also use the theme of Himavantra forest in Thai mythical story to reflect our resort decoration.
With the mythical theme that this prestigious island resort offers, could you tell us a bit more about how Vana Belle Koh Samui came to be?
Upon the arrival of every guest to the resort, we welcome them by our water pouring ritual which will bring good luck to guests. Later, during the check in, we serve them our signature welcome drink that is made from butterfly pea and coconut juice, served on “Krathong”, then we will escort guests to our pawn to make wishes and float Krathong.
I’ve always had a passion for luxury hospitality and have worked in several luxury hotels before. I started my hospitality career in St. Barth’s, French Polynesia and Phuket. Then joined the wonderful Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui since February 2022 as General Manager.
Any future plans for the resort?
Our resort is running at its best at the moment, so we still do not have any plans for the resort but only to keep our performance at its best.
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Elaborating on that, what do you believe makes a successful experience for a guest at Vana Belle?
Could you tell us more about your journey to being at Vana Belle?
In my opinion, service is what makes us stand out and satisfying guest experience at Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui.
EXCEPTIONAL WORLD CLASS SERVICE
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PENINSULADANANGINTERCONTINENTALSUNRESORT
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FIVE STAR RESORT
ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING
InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is a five-star resort nestled between the pristine nature reserve and private bay of Son Tra Peninsula. Created by Bill Bensley, the acclaimed architect and interior designer, this breath-taking Vietnamese resort blends personalised service and unparalleled amenities across four levels – Heaven, Sky, Earth and Sea – all linked by a funicular railway that rises up the forested hillside.
Guests can stay in a selection of spacious rooms, suites and pool villas with interrupted ocean views, enjoy culinary artistry at four restaurants and bars, including La Maison 1888, which is helmed by three Michelin-starred chef Pierre Gagnaire, soothe their senses at The Spa, or simply unwind on the 700-metre-long beach. The Summit sets the stage for the world’s grandest gatherings and one-of-a kind weddings, with a purpose-built auditorium, ballroom and multiple meeting spaces.
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Now entering its second decade, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort will continue to set the standard for five-star hospitality in Vietnam
KOH SAMUI, THAILAND 37
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MYSTICAL ETHOS OF THE EAST
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In the hands of skillful therapists and realized through premium blends and ingredients, each treatment and spa journey is soothing and rejuvenating. With a total of four double treatment rooms, Vana Spa is designed for privacy and tranquility, and will harmonize body and spirit with a menu of locally inspired experiences and signature treatments.
Uniting the resort's stunning setting with traditional Thai therapies, Vana Spa offers a rare wellness experience that includes effective, nourishing beauty and body treatments performed with premium products, by experienced therapists.
As we prepare for the Annual LUXE Global Awards Gala, we implore you to keep an eye on our socials to ensure that you do not miss a beat.
@luxeglobalawards
We would also like to extend a whole hearted thank you to all those that voted for their favourite destinations, this would not be possible without you.
The Official 2022 LUXE Global Voting season has come to a close and we cannot wait for our beloved industry to see which of their favourite destinations are the best of the best in Luxury Travel.
a Maison 1888 is the signature fine - dining experience in Danang. Nestled in a lush forested hillside on Vietnam’s Son Tra Peninsula, overlooking the ocean, this elegant restaurant was designed by Bill Bensley to resemble an antique French colonial Overseenmansion.byculinary icon
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Situated at the most privileged location of Fira, on the cliffs of the caldera with unlimited views of the famous volcano, the sunset and the whole island, only a few steps away from the centre of Fira, but still with a quiet and relaxing atmosphere, Athina Luxury Suites is the place to stay in Santorini.
EDITION...
IN THE NEXT EDITION...EDITION... IN THE NEXT
Pierre Gagnaire, La Maison 1888 was the first restaurant in Vietnam to be helmed by a three- Michelin-starred chef.
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A MASSIVE THANK YOU TO OUR COLLABORATORS
