Crown & Champa Resorts Travel Guide

Top Maldives Resorts To Visit In 2020

January 16, 2020

If you have decided upon the Maldives as your holiday destination for 2020 you are guaranteed the wow-factor – these beautiful tropical islands strung across the equator in the Indian Ocean are every bit the paradise you imagined. They all have the trademark sugar-soft white sand beaches, aquamarine lagoons and barefoot casual luxury so how can you pinpoint the one that’s right for your dream trip? Our collection of top Maldives resorts to visit in 2020 is a good place to start.

Kudadoo Maldives Private Island by Hurawalhi

Kudadoo Maldives Private Island by Hurawalhi is a sustainable, ultra-luxury retreat with the Anything.Anytime.Anywhere all-inclusive concept offering ‘everything under the moon’. Unlimited dining, unlimited spa treatments, unlimited water sports and scuba diving are all included in the package. Your personal butler will curate moments of magnificence at every turn – from days of effortless adventure to evenings of fine dining under the sea; from experiencing the healing qualities of Lonu Cave – the Maldives’ first Himalayan Salt Chamber, to joining the sommelier in the owner’s wine cellar. This award-winning luxury escape is 100% solar-powered, stunningly designed and guaranteed to take your breath away.

Hurawalhi Island Resort

Home to the world’s largest all-glass undersea restaurant, Hurawalhi Island Resort is a 5-star naturally chic adult’s escape that prides itself in treading lightly on the environment. The house reef surrounding the island is spectacular and teeming with life – you can join the resident marine biologists for snorkelling and learn more about the fragile eco-system. From the first meal at Hurawalhi, you will embark upon an exquisite culinary journey where the collection of choices and attention to detail, not to mention the otherworldly views are sure to sate your appetite.

Veligandu Island Resort & Spa 

Voted the most romantic resort in the Maldives, 4.5-star Veligandu Island Resort & Spa is a definite favourite among couples. The quality of food and beverage offerings at the resort is matched with the high standard of service delivered by the long-serving and dedicated team. With the picturesque sandbank to enjoy, excellent house reef for diving and snorkelling and close proximity to world-famous Hammerhead Shark Point, ‘Big Blue’, memories are just waiting to be made.

Komandoo Island Resort & Spa 

A true adults-only escape, Komandoo Island Resort & Spa is a 4.5-star boutique resort that is tailor-made for romance. On land, all is peaceful and serene with lush tropical paths meandering along the island, but venture along the house reef and you’ll find a very different story – it’s absolutely buzzing with life – huge shoals of fish darting around, turtles gliding by and moray eels watching from within the coral blocks. Experience the thrill of diving with an underwater scooter at Felivaru Kandu where the big fish like to hang out or opt for a more relaxed pastime with a treatment at the award-winning Duniye Spa.

Meeru Island Resort & Spa 

Meeru Island Resort & Spa is often cited as having one of the best beaches and lagoons in the Maldives and is a popular choice with both families and couples. As one of the larger Maldives resort islands, it offers a wide variety of activities – you can enjoy a bicycle ride around the island or even a game of golf on the pitch and putt course. If you’d like to find out more about local Maldivian culture you can visit Meeru’s museum, if relaxation is your top priority a visit to the spa will nourish the mind, body and soul. Romance is always on the menu in the Maldives and Meeru is a popular choice for couples wanting to renew their wedding vows, it’s the perfect location for the whole family to celebrate with you as it has not only a kid’s club but a teens club too!

Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa 

Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa is a 4.5-star resort and home to one of the best house reefs in the Maldives, made perfect for snorkellers by way of the easy access from many different points. The island occupies an enviable location close to popular whale shark and manta ray hotspots so if you’re a scuba diver or snorkeller, you will be guaranteed an amazing experience. Vilamendhoo has dedicated adult’s only and family areas with activities to suit all tastes. Kids will love the wading pool and playground while adults can indulge in the spa treatments at award-winning Duniye Spa and sunset cocktails on the luxury deck.

Kuredu Island Resort & Spa

Variety and choice are key features at Kuredu Island Resort & Spa; this large 4-star resort offers room categories and all-inclusive packages to suit all requirements with a vibrant dining and bar scene to match. Home to not only one of the largest dive centres in the Maldives, but also to the largest community of green sea turtles in the Maldives – meet them while snorkelling or diving and learn more from the resident marine biologist. At Kuredu you can be as active or laid-back as you wish, play golf at the 6-hole course, practise your swing at the Maldives’ longest driving range, go to the gym, enjoy water sports or take a yoga class. The kid’s club has an incredible selection of activities and offers babysitting too – Kuredu is a place for happy kids and happy parents too while the adult’s only area is a peaceful haven for couples.

Innahura Maldives Resort 

At Innahura Maldives Resort, life is easy. The atmosphere is unpretentious and laid back and the island offers all the essential components of a Maldives holiday at a more affordable price. Whether you’re travelling alone, with your partner, family or group of friends you will love the uncomplicated concept of Innahura. With unexplored dive and snorkel sites and one of the biggest coral reefs in the Maldives on the doorstep, adventure is never far away. Buffet dining, spa, gym, water sports and fishing complete the picture of an incredible holiday.

Champa Central Hotel The perfect base for travellers wanting to explore Malé city, capital of the Maldives, professionals on a business trip or tourists needing a stopover between connecting flights, Champa Central Hotel is a newly renovated 4-star hotel conveniently located in the centre of the city. Enjoy the best breakfast in Malé before exploring the famous fish market, visit the striking Grand Friday Mosque or buy souvenirs at the many shops. The lavish, well-appointed rooms, large roof-top restaurant, excellent conference facilities and direct airport transfers make this the best place to stay in Malé.

No matter which of the above Maldives resorts you choose, your 2020 holiday will be incredible and we’re sure you will fall in love with this amazing location.

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Crown & Champa Resorts Travel Guide

When to Visit Maldives in 2020

January 16, 2020

If you’re planning a trip to the Maldives in 2020 and want to know when to visit, we’ve got good news… Maldives is a year-round holiday destination! With temperatures sitting at around 30°C, the equatorial sun shining almost every day and just enough rain to keep the palm trees green and vegetation lush, this is the idyllic tropical destination.

Two main monsoons govern the weather patterns of the Maldives and split the year into the low and high seasons.  The North-east Monsoon brings the high season with it and runs from November to April. At this time of year, the weather is usually great with long hours of sunshine, flat, mirror-like seas and great underwater visibility. This is the busiest time but, unlike other destinations, the beaches aren’t crowded and you’ll always be able to find peace and solitude.

The South-west Monsoon is from May to October, the Maldives’ low season, and you can experience less settled weather with a higher scattering of clouds, some rain but still a lot of sunshine. The underwater visibility can be reduced by higher levels of plankton and, for marine life enthusiasts, this is a cause for great celebration as the plankton-rich waters bring the gentle giants of the ocean – whale sharks and manta rays as well as an even greater abundance of fish. Lower prices make this a great value time to enjoy this dream destination.

As you look forward to your holiday, don’t worry about checking the weather – due to the vast area over which the Maldives is spread, and micro-climates varying even from one island to the next weather forecasts are unreliable; instead, visit the resort’s website and start planning the adventures you will have. There is a holiday of a lifetime awaiting you at Crown and Champa Resorts, all year round.

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News

6 Facts about Maldivian Culture & Heritage

April 13, 2018
Maldian Heritage - Meeru Museum
The Maldives, a tropical paradise of pristine beaches, is one of the most favored tourist destinations in the world with over 1,192 coral Islands grouped into 26 coral atolls in the Indian Ocean. Here are 6 interesting facts that you should know about the colorful Maldivian Culture & Heritage for World Heritage Day, April 18, 2018:  

History of the Maldives

According to archaeological evidence, the Maldives Islands have been inhabited for more than 3,000 years, with a history of Hinduism and Buddhism before the country embraced Islam in 1153 AD. The first settlers are believed to be Tamil and Sinhalese peoples from southern India and Sri Lanka, as well as Traders from Arab and African Countries.   Tourism only began in 1972, after the opening of the first tourist Resort in the Maldives. Thanks to the Travel & Tourism pioneers, the Industry only continued to grow with Kuredu Island Resort & Spa being the first Resort built in the Lhaviyani Atoll in 1988, which paved the way for other Resorts such as Komandoo Island Resort & Spa,  Hurawalhi Island Resort and Innahura Maldives Resort within the same Atoll.  
Maldivian Heritage - History of Kuredu Island Resort

Kuredu Island Resort & Spa during development in 1988.

 

Maldivian Language (Dhivehi)

With influences from Sanskrit, Sinhalese and Arabic, Dhivehi has its own script called Thaana that displays both an Abugida and a true alphabet principle. There are three major dialects spoken by local Maldivians, including Malikhu or Mahl spoken by the islanders of neighboring Minicoy Island.   Common Dhivehi phrases:
  • Hello: “assalaamu alaikum” (formal) | “maruhabaa” (informal)
  • How are you?: “haalu kihineh?” (formal) | “kihineh?” (informal)
  • Fine, thank you: “ran’galhu, shukuriyyaa”
  • Thank you: “shukuriyyaa”
  • You’re welcome: “maruhabaa”
 

Maldivian Food

The natural abundance of coconut palms, Tuna and Reef Fish, and the unique mixture of curries and spices from initial settlers influence main Maldivian Traditional dishes enjoyed to this day. Combinations of these main ingredients are still found in various dishes, such as Tuna Bajiya (Fish-based), Garudhiya (fish soup) and Huni Roshi (Coconut-based Flatbread).   Coconut Juice or Kurumba is the most popular refreshing beverage of the Maldives, which is also served to tourists and guests at Resorts such as Veligandu Island Resort & Spa in traditional Maldivian style.  
Maldivian Heritage - Kurumba

Maldivian Heritage – Kurumba (Coconut Water)

Maldivian Clothing and Craft

Men traditionally wear sarongs wrapped around the waist with a long sleeved shirt, which is invariably white. Cotton is the preferred fabric due to the island’s tropical weather. Women traditionally wear what is called libaas, which resembles a dress typically worn during special occasions, festivals and during dance performances such as Weddings or Cultural Bodu Beru performances. They are usually adorned with gold or silver colored threads, and the best ones are hand stitched.   Museums, such as Meeru Museum exhibit several Maldivian artifacts, from traditional wooden boxes used as travel storage (lakudi foshi), to wooden Maldivian sandals worn until the early 1980s (ujjehi maravalhhi).  

Maldivian Heritage Sites

Because of the various influences, several religious monuments and temple ruins can be found throughout the local Islands, across the atolls. As small as copper plates and scrolls with details of historical livelihoods, to as large and noticeable as the mosques, temples and coral walls. The capital, Male’ City, features tourist attractions and heritage sites such as the Old Friday Mosque, conveniently located a short walk away from Champa Central Hotel.   Other sites include the shipwrecks and sunken boats along the popular trade routes, which are now home to colorful coral gardens and a thousand colorful fish. This makes for excellent diving, common in the South Ari Atoll, near Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa.   Maldivian Heritage - Old Friday Mosque in Male' City  

Music & Dance, the Maldivian Way

Music and Dance is an important part of the Maldivian heritage and culture, revered as a form of storytelling, celebrating occasions and pure entertainment. Bodu Beru, referring to both the traditional drum used and the cultural dance itself, involves a display of various performances, each unique to the occasion, such as the women’s Bandiya Dance, where they dance with traditional water collecting containers in rhythmic harmony and dance.   The Eid Celebration includes traditional parades on the streets of the islands, with giant mythical fish woven out of coconut palm leaves, called Bodumas and Maali.   Maldivian Heriage - Bodu Beru Culural Dance   Crown & Champa Resorts offers an authentic experience of the Maldives, with the Islands in their natural and unspoiled beauty, the culture and heritage proudly displayed and practiced by staff, as well as opportunities to learn more about the Maldivian way of life.   Visit any of our properties for a warm Bodu Beru welcome; Maldivian architecture-inspired accommodation; a taste of Maldivian Cuisine; and even traditional craft and clothing souvenirs to take home with you after your holiday.   View the Crown & Champa Resorts collection.  
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Profiles

People of CCR, Ahmed Shaheen – Director of Sales & Marketing

May 26, 2020

Ahmed Shaheen, is the director of Sales & Marketing of Crown & Champa Resorts, a true success story of local grown talent, who climbed up the corporate ladder. Shaheen had been with CCR for 25 years.

An eloquent speaker and marketer, Shaheen contributes to his ability to do sales and marketing to him believing and being confident about the CCR product he sell.

Shaheen enjoys mentoring, and advices the youth in the hospitality industry;

  • Work for your own self-satisfaction. Don’t work for the sake of something or work for the sake to get special recognition. Love your job.
  • Be motivated and willing to assist others outside of your routine tasks
  • Be in positive mind, have very clear career path of what you’d like to do, I believe we all have possibilities which are beyond any imagination in the industry we are in. The industry as such is phenomenal.
  • Be a role model, punctual, honest and work hard towards your goal. Everything is possible

And states the secret ingredient to capture the attention of senior management is to be a multi-skilled, flexible employee – who would definitely be more in demand than one who isn’t.

Read the full profile of Shaheen at Hotelier Maldives , September 30th, 2019 by Neefeen Ibrahim 

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Experiences Heart of CCR

Celebrating World Turtle Day

May 22, 2020

World Turtle Day is May 23rd each year and is celebrated throughout the world.  This annual observance is held to help people celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world. Though turtles have existed more than 100 million years, outliving dinosaurs, they are rapidly disappearing. Sea turtles, in particular face several threats from plastic pollution to the destruction of feeding and nesting sites.

Five of the world’s seven species of sea turtle call Maldives home, including the endangered Olive Ridley. Almost half of all the identified green sea turtles in the Maldives live in Lhaviyani Atoll, where Crown & Champa Resorts  has five of its properties and nearly all of them can be found around the Kuredu Island Resort   hose reef. In neighboring Komandoo Island Resort & Spa’s house reef, you are most likely see Green Sea Turtles as well as Hawksbill Sea Turtles.

At all of our properties, it is common for guests’ snorkeling or diving to come across these graceful creatures. Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa, well-known for whale shark spotting in the South Ari Atoll is also close to the world renowned Turtle Reef.  Hawkbills Sea Turtles and Green sea turtle can be seen all year round around Veligandu Island Resort & Spa.

All Crown & Champa Resorts are on the watch for ghost nets when out at sea and as seen in a recent video from Meeru Island Resort & Spa, this vigilance rescued a Maldivian sea turtle. Education is a must to ensure turtle conservation. At Hurawalhi Maldives, Kudadoo Maldives Private Island, Komandoo Island Resort and Kuredu, guests can participate in adopting a turtle with the Olive Ridley Project. We will continue to rescue, protect turtles and conserve their natural habitat for them.

How to Swim with Sea Turtles

For almost a hundred million years sea turtles and their ancestors have roamed the oceans. However these Though  tough survivors are classified as endangered and their future is uncertain. To pay respect to them, us and your descendants, please observe our code of conduct:

  • Do not disrupt the turtles’ natural behaviour!
  • Do not touch them! They can feel through their carapace and hate to be touched!
  • Do not prevent them from taking a breath of air on the surface, they can drown immediately!
  • Do not provoke them! If you do, you’re likely to experience one of world’s most powerful bites.
  • There is no best way to ride a turtle. Do not even think about it!

Source: Olive Ridley Project 

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Heart of CCR

UN’s International Day of Families and Hospitality

May 15, 2020

Families come in all shapes and sizes, and while in one of our Crown & Champa Resorts, all 3,100 team member will welcome you to be a part of our island family throughout your stay and beyond. Being hospitable is just in our nature.

We are ready to host our visiting families be they a solo traveler, adults or families traveling with children. Our resorts are able to cater to those looking for accommodation as double, single, twin share, triple, and suites. To each one, we open for you to stay as kith and kin.

Interesting to note that close to 95% of visitors to our island are adults of whom 20% are honeymooners. This, however, is just part of our story; we celebrate our multi-generational families with young and grown-up children of all ages who like to go on vacations together.

Follow our stories on Instagram, each and every one of our guests is a part of our family. At Crown & Champa Resorts, we thrive on making these families smile, create precious moments and memories in the Maldives. #StaySafe #DayOfFamilies

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Awards

Properties of Crown & Champa Resorts, yet again awarded HACCP Certification

May 6, 2020
Crown & Champa Resorts continuously achieve the accreditation in compliance with the HACCP Principles and Practice

Crown & Champa Resorts (CCR) is proud to congratulate Meeru Island Resort & Spa, Veligandu Island Resort & Spa, Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa Hurawalhi Island Resort, Kuredu Island Resort & Spa, and Innahura Maldives Resort, as they yet again receive the prestigious Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point System (HACCP) certification. HACCP certification is highly regarded in the hotel and food industry. It is the international standard of Food Safety and is based on companies complying with the WHO “Codex Alimentarius” and is also equivalent to ISO22000.

“It is one of the most sought-after accreditations in the foodservice industry and affirms our commitment to providing excellent service at world-class standards.” Martin Vossen, CEO, CCR

To achieve accreditation and be awarded HACCP certification, the properties in the collections must adhere to strict food safety standards throughout the supply, storage and production process and complete an annual audit review by an accredited body.
CCR has partnered with an organization from the UK, Ian Greaves International.UK (IGI.UK), and over the recent year has formed a strong working relationship thereby enabling the properties to achieve HACCP accreditation but also to provide the learning framework for the professionals within the organization to obtain their personal certification from HACCP Level 1 and to Level 4 for our executive chefs. Together HACCP Administrators, operations teams, supported by Zakariyya Easa, Director of Training & Development, they adhere to the strict practices and protocols with a passion for quality experiences delivered safely.

“It had been seven years since the Food Safety/Hygiene Policy for CCR was introduced to the company in June 2013. A HACCP preliminary audit took place In January” Zakariyya Easa, Director of Training & Development, CCR

With new properties opening and our collection growing each year, it is our understanding, continuous training, and refresher programs for the operational team in line with local and international requirements result in us being proud of our newest property, Innahura Maldives Island, for been certified well before completing its first year in operations.

Globally our guests and the partners look for the peace of mind the accreditation of HACCP provides. HACCP is recognized in countries such as UK, member countries of the European Union (EU), USA, Canada, Australia, UAE and many others.

Today, CCR has reached a level where HACCP and its principles are embedded in the business with policies and procedures firmly placed and from arrival to departure, especially in the Kitchens, Restaurants and Accommodation. We continue to extend our commitment to excellence and actively participate with Travelife and Local authorities.

With the re-new certification, guests can enjoy their stay at the CCR resorts with the confidence, in properties providing the very best-in-class services who are at the top of the hospitality industry in the Maldives and the world.

Coming soon; assurance that Crown & Champa Resorts addresses the concerns born out of the recent pandemic with our ‘caring for your wellbeing’ commitment.

End.

Our collection has been rewarded on many occasions with a variety of global awards and recognition through our partners as well as from the destination itself and is featured under our Awards.

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