Motaz Othman

ATM Dubai

Islamic Tourism Media

The Maldives is well known around the world as a wonderful destination for tourists and honeymooners and close to all Gulf Countries. For that The Shangri-La's Villingili Resort & Spa have exhibited at the Arabian Travel Market 2012 to present for Arabs tourists what the resort has to offer. 

I was always interested to know more about Maldives and its Resorts as an Islamic Country in the Indian Ocean. Also, I received some questions from Islamic Tourism Media readers, asking where families can have private swimming pools and private Spa's inside a Hotel or a Resort. 

The answer came from Mr. Rene Egle, the G.M of Shangri-La's Villingili Resort & Spa in Maldives, where I met him during the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai at his stand, I asked Mr. Rene, about Maldives in general and his resort in particular. 

Obviously the Maldives is well known for its blue water, blue sky, white coral beaches, sunshine, coconut and palm trees, also water sports such as Surfing, diving and fishing in the sea, said Mr. Rene and he added, that  in addition to all its attractions, The Shangri-La's Villingili Resort & Spa has added a great value for Maldives Tourism, the difference for us in Shangri-La that we are in the most southern part of the Maldives, we are below the Equator, we are about One and Half hour flight from Male the capital. Our Island is about three kilometers long and Eight Hundred meters wide and that already makes us different because most of the other Islands are smaller than our Island, also we are much vegetation than other islands, we have an entire Banyan tree forest where guests can do natural walks, plus our Island are the second largest populations outside of Male the capital, so basically we are one of the very few places where clients can discover the Maldives culture and to meet with Maldives people, Mr. Rene added. 

Q: What about supporting the Maldives people, I mean the locals in your Island and the neighboring Islands.

A: This is a good question, actually we have been working with other island for three years, there is about 40 farms in this Island, we in Shangri-La are helping them to develop their farms and agriculture, we buy the entire production from them, we tell them we need many kilos of different kinds and they prepare it for us, they were planting melons only, now they are planting 39 different kinds of fruits and vegetables, and this gave them better income. Also, we are organizing daily tours to the houses of the locals, through visiting them and have food in their houses in return for small money goes to the locals. 

Q: Returning to the Middle East travelers whom they are seeking Privacy and Luxury at the same time, what Shangri-La Villingili has to offer?

A: In fact we are offering Villas, not rooms, we have 132 Villas, 64 of them in the water the rest are inland in different categories, we have 3 house Villas with separate swimming pool, and because of the vegetation in the island, all sides of the Villas are covered with green trees, it's very nice view and healthy. We also have an entire Arab Kitchen, Hommos, Falafel and all Arab food can be ordered. I want to add that I spent 5 years in Dubai and really know the Arabic kitchen and I assure you that it's available in our Shangri-La Villingili in Maldives. 

Q: What about the Spa's?

A: The Spa Villas is also different here in Shangri-La, instead of treatment rooms, we have treatment Villas, totally privacy surrounded by green trees and walls, we have 11 SPA villas, we also have Ayurveda doctor and that is very attractive for Arabs, also an Indian chef, we receive a German couple they came to loose weight, they booked with The Ayurveda doctor and they followed his instructions and also the meals that recommended by the India Chef, after 9 days each of them lost 7 kg. 

I want to add also that we launch the first nine-hole Golf Course in Maldives in our Shangri-La Villingili Resrort & Spa. 

Thanks you so much Mr. Rene, wishing you all the best.