Prince Harry recently launches his new eco-tourism project, Travalyst, which will bring industry players – like Booking/com and TripAdvisor – together to protect wildlife habits and combat climate change. “I believe we can – and we must – find new ways to minimise the dangers and maximize the opportunities of tourism”, he said at the launch of the initiative.
It’s a sentiment shared by InterContinental Hotels and Resort. Known for the stunning natural beauty of their properties’ location, like Hayman Island, Tahiti and Danang, their latest resort in the Maldives is to creating beautiful memories for guests.
When you see where the newest resort is located, a big environmental effort makes perfect sense. The Maldives are a collection of atolls in the Indian Ocean and the latest InterContential is adjacent to Baa Atoll – an untouched UNESCO biosphere reserve full of precious coral reefs, whale sharks and manta rays.
In partnership with Manta Trust, InterContinental Maldives has created a manta ray sanctuary within the resort’s expensive natural lagoon. Here, rays will be safe and guests will have the opportunity to swim these gentle giants.
InterContinental Maldives has also signed on to the IHG Green Engage system to compost bio waste, and they will be working with Parley Maldives to reduce the amount of plastic used in the resort’s operations. It’s all designed to protect the special environment the resort calls home.
But concern for the natural world has not detracted from the stunning built environment. From the moment guests step into the lobby, a soaring space full of bamboo art work, they are entranced by sweeping views of the emerald – blue oceans. Designed by Eco-ID architects, great care has been taken to create ideal vantage points to look out onto the atoll’s abundant natural treasures. The décor is inspiring, refined and made for stylish barefoot living. Villas are located at the beach or the lagoon, with classic Maldivian interiors by Avalon Collective Interior Design Studio.
When it comes to food and drink, there are six different restaurants and bars on offer: a Japanese eatery, a Maldivian sea-to-table kitchen, “The Lighthouse” with 360-degree views, and a more casual takeaway joint. There is also an adults-only enclave with a private bar and infinity pool, while the Sunset Bar is the best place to watch the world turn golden as the sun goes down over the Indian Ocean.
The AVI Spa champions Traditional Chinese Medicine, with a practitioner who specializes in acupuncture and herbs. Steam rooms, ice fountains, a yoga pavilion and a fitness centre are all housed in six beautiful over-water villas.
“The opening of the InterContinental Maldives signals a new era for the brand and further raise the bar in terms of luxury and immersive experiences”, says Stefan O’Huemer, general manager of InterContinental Maldives. “We are truly privileged to open this resort, which flanks a UNESCO biosphere and creates an offering that enriches guests” stay through educations, exploration and relaxation, whilst ensuring the preservation of this ocean idyll for generations to come”
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