How to plan a VIP holiday to the Maldives
Maldives is one of the most luxurious holiday destinations in the world. Among the travellers are celebrities, owners and executives of multinational companies who need VIP treatment in all arrangements. The secretary who is responsible for planning and organising the trip often don’t have clue about Maldives and have to search online for information. So many agents and resorts selling packages of villas and islands make it confusing and complicated. So, on this article I am going to talk about the arrangements and considerations involved in arranging a top VIP trip to the Maldives. Alternatively you may call it VVIP or even CIP, these terms are often used interchangeably but the meaning is pretty much the same, it refers to the fact the guests are super important and arrangements have to be made to best conditions without focusing too much on budget. It is the quality that is needed, not the cheapest deal on holiday auction.
The guest may have his or her own private jet to fly to the Maldives. If not, you can get a jet from charter companies such as Fly Victor, Vista Jet, Priority Maldives. Instead of finding the cheapest model you may want to rent the favourite model of jet used by the boss. Gulf Stream jets are becoming more popular these days due to its impressive design of the aircraft and quality of interior featuring luxurious and elegant getting to accommodate few important passengers instead of groups. Billionaires and millionaires do fly to the Maldives in groups as well but it is rare, family trips usually involve a couple and few children. Almost all small aircrafts offered as private jet can accommodate small or medium size families.
The jet operator usually selects an agent from host country. In Maldives there are many travel agencies acting as FBO agents who offer jet handling service. They can obtain landing permit, reserve parking if needed, arrange and so on. According regulations of Maldives Civil Aviation Authority you need a local agent to handle every foreign aircraft flying to the Maldives, including private jets and commercial airliners.
Priority Maldives is a local agent, operating from the capital Male’. They offer both services; charter of jet and its handling with extra-special care in all arrangements for VIP tourists. But, that’s not all.
On a top VIP trip the holiday does not start at the private island. It starts the moment aircraft takes off from origin airport. Landing at destination airport is important part of a luxury Maldives holiday. A good jet support agent would not let VVIP guests proceed through regular arrival terminal, just like ordinary tourists. The service offered by Priority Maldives includes a host receiving top VIP guests at flight stairs, escorting them on limousine that drives direct to one of the available lounges where seatings are pre-reserved. Once in the lounge there buffet with light meals and snack, drinks to enjoy. While guests sip drinks in comfort the Immigration Officials visit to stamp passports. This process usually takes about 10 minutes. Once baggage gets unloaded and delivered to the lounge it is time to exit and proceed to the transfer. But, guests need not exit the lounge by themselves and wander in the airport to located Airport Representative or seaplane terminal. Priority Maldives keeps all well organized. A representative visits the lounge, receives and escorts to the transfer.
Depending on your package requested at the travel agency you may have shared transfer. It could be a speedboat, luxury yacht, seaplane or exclusive VIP seaplane offered by Maldives Finest. For VIP holiday the first recommendation is always to go private.
Maldives offers extensive range of resorts and private islands at varying prices from 4 star to 5 star and beyond. Most luxurious and exclusive holidays involve top international brands such as Waldorf Astoria or Ritz Carlton. Velaa Private Island and Soneva Jani are also well known resorts featured on CNN and Forbes. If a quick getaway to the paradise is what you desire you may opt to an island that is close to the airport.
Velana International Airport (Code names as VRMM) is close to Waldorf Astoria and Ritz Carlton Maldives in Male’ Atoll. This is the main airport of the country that welcomes over 90% of tourists. Compared its capacity and size this is one of the world’s busiest airports. In winter it gets overcrowded with tourists who flock to the island nation to escape freezing winter in Europe. Getting these 2 luxury resorts can be arranged by private yacht. Velaa Private Island and Soneva Jani are accessible by seaplane. Otherwise you can fly your private jet direct to VRDA Airport in Maafaru Island. From there it takes either speedboat or yacht transfer which is about 30 minutes. So, all these luxury islands are easily accessible and multiple transfer options are available to select one that works best for you. Please note that the VIP service with the lounge is available only at Velana.
Accommodation is the most important element of a VIP holiday. But, before select the ideal villa you have to choose an island that fits to the profile, including availability of services and facilities preferred by the guest. For example, some of the luxury resorts are not capable to offer good choices for vegetarian food. You can go gluten-free or address other dietary requirements in a moderate fashion in most hotels. But, when you are reserving an island for a top VIP you have to consider service quality, food taste and variety of those dishes. Some islands like the Nautilus Maldives are well known for personalised cooking for varying guest preferences. Dining is one of the most complex but critical aspect of extravagant class holidays. You may also want to hire a private chef to cook in our villa, instead of going to the common restaurants in the resort in order to stay private. In such a case, cooking facility has be available in the villa. If you want the butler to stay in villa 24 hours you have to ensure Butler Quarter is there within the villa compound or just outside. Conrad Maldives has multiple categories of villa with Butler Quarter included. Some islands are very tiny in size, so accommodation for butler may not be required as the staff quickly come from the Staff Quarters.
If the guest is the type of person who lives to eat, instead of eating to live, the dining options must be carefully checked before confirming a resort. Waldorf Astoria Maldives is one of the top luxury resorts known for its outstanding culinary performance. They offer 10 dining outlets including a fully dedicated Arabic restaurant by the beach with date palms and ancient ruin architecture. Other options include international cuisine, Asian dishes and seafood. There is also a restaurant that is elevated to the treetops for perfect viewing of the surroundings including green vegetation of the island.
High profile tourists and celebrities often have concerns about privacy as guests would be seen to others when they visit restaurants and leisurely explore the island. Usually this is not a major problem in luxury resorts and others staying are also high class people who don’t react much. If you want 100% privacy the ultimate choice is the exclusive private island rental. There are 2 well known islands that developed for exclusive rental only.
The most expensive and luxurious is Ithaafushi Private Island, located near Waldorf Astoria. There is a pontoon boat operated between Waldorf and Ithaafushi. If guests prefer to have all means in Ithaafushi the butler can arrange in the villa or by the beach. The island can accommodate upto 23 guests in 3 different villas of which 1 is an overwater bungalow with private pool. There is a fully staffed spa that you can visit every day, especially after snorkeling. There are few staff including security. It is your own dreamy world with high class services on site and more facilities located just 3 minutes away when you need them. The price starts at $65000 per night, subject taxes and service charge on breakfast basis. During peak season the rate is $95000 per night. So, a week would roughly cost a million dollar. At this price tag, it is not for everyone. It is only for the super rich tourists who want just that.
Four Seasons Voavah Private Island is located in Baa Atoll, near Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru resort. This is also 100% exclusive island available for rental. The main accommodation is located overwater for a couple. Additional villa and facilities are located on the island, facing beach. Getting there requires seaplane transfer. Travel agents who are specialized in luxury holidays can arrange private charter of VIP seaplane. There is yacht included with the island. You can enjoy the yacht as much as you want when you want it. The price starts at $48000 per night, subject to taxes and service charge. There is an extra charge for meals. There is a stunning sandbank, about 15 minutes by yacht. Landaa Giraavaru is also known for its sandbank.