Crown & Champa Resorts

Innahura Maldives Resort’s Sustainable Vegetable & Herb Garden

When one thinks of Innahura Maldives, the image of a laid-back resort surrounded by a beautiful lagoon and long stretches of the white, sandy beach comes to mind. 

This unpretentious gem of the pristine Lhaviyani Atoll, located just a 40-minute scenic seaplane journey from Velana International Airport, offers sun-seekers, the young, and the young-at-heart, a safe and relaxing Maldives getaway filled with ‘Here, Life is Easy’ moments. 

Sitting on a private, tropical island, Innahura Maldives has used the resort’s lush setting to its advantage to create its vegetable & herb garden, where a huge variety of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and spices are sustainably grown onsite.

Many of the kitchen’s ingredients – cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, Aubergine (eggplants), green peppers, radishes, alongside tropical fruits such as watermelons and bananas – commute less than 100 metres from the property’s thriving vegetable & herb garden.

Garden-fresh Goodness in Every Bite 

Grown using natural fertilisers, the organic produce harvested from the 12m wide and 30m long sustainable garden is utilised by the talented chefs who use it to incorporate into the resort’s food and beverage outlets’ menus and plate up healthy dishes for guests and team members. 

The vegetable & herb garden is constantly evolving, with new varieties of seeds planted regularly. During the first harvest, the kitchen team garnered 110kg of watermelons, 48kg of cucumbers, 5kg of cherry tomatoes, 12kg of eggplants, 2kg of green peppers, and 1kg of radishes. 

Soon, the Innahura team will introduce a new experience for guests, where they can visit the garden, understand how fruits and vegetables are cultivated on the island, and how this initiative helps sustain and respect the natural environment.

Innahura Maldives Cares for the Planet

Sustainability lies at the core of Innahura’s values. The resort is committed to continuously finding ways to positively impact the environment and inspire guests, partners, and local communities. 

This eco-conscious endeavour comes off the back of several sustainable initiatives already implemented by the property. This is inclusive of solar huts that generate hot water for all the villas, the in-house desalination and water bottling plant, the continual strive to minimise the use of plastics, provision of ocean-friendly bathroom amenities, and ethically considerate diving and snorkelling. 

Explore more: www.innahura.com 

Related:

Sustainability in the Maldives »
World Turtle Day: Sea Turtles Nesting on the Beaches of Our Island Resorts in the Maldives »

123 Baby Sea Turtles Released in the Maldives

The wellbeing-focused Kagi Maldives Spa Island has celebrated the first turtle hatching of the season with 123 newly-born sea turtles.

Guests and team members gathered on the beach as the resort’s ‘Green’ team took the lead to carefully guide 123 Hawksbill hatchlings to their first journey to the ocean on Tuesday, 15 June 2021, one day before the WWF’s World Sea Turtle Day. 

Speaking about nature’s wonderful event, Kagi Maldives Spa Island’s Director of Operations, Mohammed Nazeer, said:

“We are fully committed to the protection and conservation of sea turtles in the Maldives, and we are privileged that mother turtles which instinctively travel thousands of miles choose our island resort as their nesting ground to lay their eggs on our beach. The hatching and release of these graceful creatures is truly a unique moment, and we are happy to share it with our guests and associates. There are currently three more nests on the island, and we hope to see the arrival of the hatchlings by the end of July.”

The resort has three more documented sea turtle nests due to hatch in June, July, and August 2021. Hawksbill turtles can lay up to 200 eggs in each clutch, with an average of 60 days incubation period. The 15 June hatchlings were from the nesting event in April.

Related: Sea Turtle Nesting in the Maldives »

Environmental Mindfulness at Kagi Maldives Spa Island

Kagi Maldives not only cares about the wellbeing of its guests but also looks after the environment and the property’s magnificent natural surroundings. The resort raises environmental awareness, shares information with guests and team members, and engages in ‘Marine Conservation’, as part of its Sustainability Programme.  

Located at the tip of North Malé, in the heart of Malé Atoll, Kagi Maldives Spa Island is a luxury boutique resort offering a mindful wellness retreat in an inspiring island setting. Ideal for solo and couple travellers, the 50 all-pool villa resort is a true sanctuary for the senses that provides the perfect setting to slow down and immerse into self-discovery and self-care.

Explore more: www.kagimaldives.com

Celebrate World Environment Day 2021 with Crown & Champa Resorts Collection in the Maldives

Crown & Champa Resorts, the leading resort collection in the Maldives, will mark World Environment Day on 5 June 2021, with a range of awareness-raising activities and events to positively impact the environment and surrounding communities.

Celebrated in more than 100 countries globally, World Environment Day was first established in 1972 as the people’s day for doing something to take care of the planet. 

The theme for World Environment Day 2021 is ‘Ecosystem Restoration’ with a special focus on resetting our relationship with nature – an already ongoing and long-term sustainability effort of all the resorts under the collection. 

Crown & Champa Resorts Collection aims to raise awareness and educate associates, guests, and partners on ways to be more mindful of the natural surroundings by staging various planet-conscious activities supporting the UN initiative, which encourages worldwide consciousness and action for the protection of the environment.

Marine Life Protection

The Maldives’ first fully solar-powered Kudadoo Maldives Private Island and the naturally chic, adults-only Hurawalhi Island Resort continue to work closely with the Mantra Trust, the UK based, independent non-profit organisation whose mission is to advance the conservation of manta rays and their habitats. Guests are invited to take a private trip with the resident marine biologist and learn all about the conservation project, the manta ray ecology, and how to responsibly interact with these majestic creatures of the ocean. 

Gardening and Planting

Kagi Maldives Spa Island: The wellbeing-focused resort will carry out a tree planting event to be participated by both guests and team members. Planting more native trees around the island is an effective way to prevent erosion and help offset emissions of CO2 by storing carbon and other greenhouse gases that otherwise would be released.

Veligandu Island Resort & Spa: The secluded island of Veligandu is organising a coral planting initiative in partnership with the Ocean Group Maldives. The activity will start with harvesting broken pieces of corals from the island house reef, which will then be restored by carefully attaching them onto  ‘coral frames’. These frames allow the coral fragments to grow, providing new homes for the abundant marine life in Veligandu’s lagoon. 

Innahura Maldives Resort: The laid-back paradise of Innahura Maldives Resort will have a beach clean up activity, in addition to planting more crops in the property’s sustainable garden, which already produces a variety of spices, herbs, fruit, and vegetables. 

Beach and Island Clean-up 

The adults-only (18+) Komandoo Island Resort & Spa and the top-rated Kuredu Island Resort & Spa will invite team members and guests for a beach and island clean-up drive. Guests are also encouraged to visit Prodivers Maldives Dive Centre to learn more about the Olive Ridley Project, whose dedication is to protect sea turtles in the Indian Ocean through research, education, and rehabilitation. 

Environmental Awareness

Meeru Island Resort & Spa: The family-friendly paradise of Meeru is organising an environmental awareness session in collaboration with Euro-Divers Maldives to educate guests about green issues, the benefits of being sustainably conscious, and the importance of protecting the world’s natural resources. 

Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa: Alongside the island clean-up event, the adventurer’s paradise of Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa will show educational video materials in the reception area and on guest room TVs to provide guests with valuable information on dos and don’ts on the island and in the sea. Additionally, guests will have the opportunity to experience ecologically considerate marine life encounters by joining one of the resort’s eco-conscious excursions. 

Sustainability at Crown & Champa Resorts

The World Environment Day initiatives are part of Crown & Champa Resort’s sustainability programme, which underlines the group’s commitment towards inspiring change for a greener and more sustainable tomorrow, guided by its core values: Respect, Empathy, Sincerity, Openness, Reliability, Trust, and Sensitivity.

Catering to every purpose of travel, Crown & Champa Resorts connects travellers with a passion for a life fully lived to the very best of this idyllic destination, offering world-class hospitality, thoughtful and attentive service, and authentic Maldivian experiences.

The diverse collection of properties includes Kudadoo Maldives Private Island, Hurawalhi Island Resort, Kagi Maldives Spa Island, Veligandu Island Resort & Spa, Komandoo Island Resort & Spa, Meeru Island Resort & Spa, Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa, Kuredu Island Resort & Spa, Innahura Maldives Resort, and one city hotel, Champa Central Hotel.

Related:

Sustainability in the Maldives »
World Turtle Day: Sea Turtles Nesting on the Beaches of Our Island Resorts in the Maldives »

Featured Image: Coral Propagation Project at Hurawalhi Island Resort

Properties of Crown & Champa Resorts Recognised with a 2021 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award

Crown & Champa Resorts, the leading resort collection in the Maldives, is pleased to announce that its properties have been awarded the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice ® 2021.

Recipients of this year’s Travellers’ Choice Award are the secluded haven of Veligandu Island Resort & Spa, the truly adults-only (18+) Komandoo Island Resort & Spa, the famed dive resort of Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa, the top-rated Kuredu Island Resort & Spa, and the laid-back Innahura Maldives Resort, placing the properties in the top 10% of hospitality businesses worldwide.

Hurawalhi Island Resort, home to the iconic 5.8 All-glass, Undersea Restaurant, is awarded the Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best – the highest honour Tripadvisor bestows, and is ranked as #10 amongst the Top 25 Hotels for Romance in Asia. The five-star resort is accessible by a 40-minute scenic seaplane flight from the main airport, and features 90 luxuriously appointed villas, including 60 Ocean Villas and 30 Beach Villas, for grown-ups who are seeking a perfect balance of barefoot luxury and enchanting adventures.

Award winners are recognised based on the millions of reviews and opinions collected in a single year from Tripadvisor’s global community of travellers. 

Catering to every purpose of travel, Crown & Champa Resorts Collection connects travellers with a passion for a life fully lived to the very best of this idyllic destination, offering  world-class hospitality, thoughtful and attentive service, and authentic Maldivian experiences.

Each of the resorts in the collection promises a safe and beautiful holiday experience, whether it be for a rejuvenating solo holiday, a romantic getaway on an adults-only island, or a fun family vacation for multi-generational travellers. 

Sustainable Resorts in the Maldives

The Maldives is truly one of the world’s maritime treasures that prospers in a beautiful yet fragile environment. At Crown & Champa Resorts, we are committed to raise awareness and educate both our associates and guests on ways to be more mindful of the natural environment. We are not only aware of global environmental issues, but we also acknowledge our impact and responsibility towards our planet  for the present and future generations. 

We believe that taking care of the environment is a collective responsibility, and now more than ever,  each of us must take action to help protect and conserve our shared home. Here are various sustainable efforts our Maldives resorts are implementing  while providing exceptional holiday experiences to our guests.

Energy Management

Harnessing the sun

Opened in December 2018, the ultra-luxury Kudadoo Private Island was not only designed and built from all-natural materials, but its operations run entirely on solar power. The resort’s central hub, known as The Retreat,  houses an exclusive spa and wellness centre and features a photovoltaic roof covered with almost a thousand solar panels, which generate 300kW of electricity.

The five-star Hurawalhi Island Resort, the adults-only Komandoo Island Resort, the vibrant Kuredu Island Resort and the affordable Innahura Maldives Resort have also installed solar panels to harness energy from the sun, which translates to a massive reduction in carbon emissions.

The secluded island paradise of Veligandu Maldives has implemented efficient lighting in villas and public areas, with about 97% of its light bulbs replaced with energy-saving LED lamps. In addition, it has a desalinisation plant that allows the resort to produce its own potable water, about 164,980 litres daily, for guest and staff consumption.

The family-friendly Kuredu Island Resort proudly displays colourful, electric-powered scooters and shuttle club cars available for its staff and guests’ use to minimise the impact on air pollution.

Waste Management 

Greener measures have been put in place at our resorts to decrease single-use plastics that can end up in the ocean and harm delicate marine life. All our resorts have replaced plastic water bottles with reusable glass ones and use special linen bags instead of non-biodegradable plastic. Additionally, plastic straws have successfully been removed from our restaurants and bars, providing guests with eco-friendly alternatives.

Our properties are taking numerous ways to prevent plastic waste, including lesser-known and not on-trend endeavours such as:

• our buffet restaurants offer dispensers instead of individually-portioned butter in plastic containers
•  carbonated drink glass bottles are now used in minibars, allowing us to decrease plastic usage
• toiletries provided in our villas and spas are from Healing Earth, a world-renowned industry leader for luxury amenities that are organic and biodegradable. 

Marine Life Conservation

Kagi Maldives Spa Island, the Maldives’ only resort for relaxed luxury and lifestyle retreats, has established a coral nursery program where currently 15 coral fragments are growing in a well-monitored environment, which will be transported and secured back onto the reef in the future.

The famed dive resort of Vilamendhoo Maldives in the South Ari Atoll offers eco-conscious diving and snorkelling excursions that provide guests with a once-in-a-lifetime experience while educating them on the importance of protecting the marine ecosystem, including every creature living in it.

Many of our properties are also working closely with the Manta Trust, a UK based, independent non-profit organisation whose mission is to advance the conservation of manta rays and their habitats, and the Olive Ridley Project, whose dedication is to protect sea turtles in the Indian Ocean through research, education, and rehabilitation.

Sustainable Supplies 

Meeru Island Resort & Spa, one of the Maldives’ most expansive resort islands, features ‘Meeru Garden’. The sustainable garden was developed to meet the needs of its day-to-day kitchen operations and provide guests and associates with fresh ingredients and organic produce. Guests can also join the ‘Nature and Vegetation Exploration’ tour, providing them with information on how the resort manages to grow fruit and vegetables on the island and preserve the natural surroundings.

Komandoo Island Resort, the leading adults-only resort in the Maldives, sources fish directly from the neighbouring islands’ fishermen. As such, the resort is able to support the livelihood of these local fishers and contribute to the local economy.

Local Community Engagement 

Our commitment goes beyond just environmental sustainability. We aim to create value for local communities by empowering them through job creation, education and community impact initiatives. Throughout the year, we participate in various social activities within our communities, including blood donation drives, island reef and lagoon clean-ups, fundraising, and local sports events. Occasionally, we bring in local artisans to our resorts, where they can have the opportunity to showcase their craft and promote local culture and heritage.

Choose Crown & Champa Resorts for your Holiday in the Maldives 

We are the leading hospitality group in the Republic of Maldives that takes pride in being a good corporate citizen by being part of the local community and culture. We are committed to preserving the environment through sustainable operations, guided by our core values: Respect, Empathy, Sincerity, Openness, Reliability, Trust and Sensitivity.

Discover our Collection of Sustainably-conscious Resorts in the Maldives

Luxury

Kudadoo Maldives Private Island: an ultra-luxury, fully-inclusive resort located in the magnificent surrounds of Lhaviyani Atoll. 

Hurawalhi Island Resort: a naturally-chic adults’ escape where luxury treads lightly, balancing barefoot bliss with enchanting adventures. 

Boutique Retreat 

Kagi Maldives Spa Island: a luxury boutique resort offering a mindful wellness retreat in an inspiring island setting. 

Family-friendly

Meeru Island Resort & Spa: a tranquil paradise of swaying palm trees and white sandy beaches, with a myriad of experiences and activities for families and couples alike.  

Kuredu Island Resort: a top-rated resort with a wide selection of accommodations, sports, dining and entertainment. 

Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa: a popular dive resort located in the South Ari Atoll, renowned for whale shark and manta ray hotspots. 

Veligandu Island Resort & Spa: Asia and the Maldives’ top romantic resort offering the ultimate secluded island retreat. 

Adults only (18+) 

Komandoo Island Resort: the Maldives’ leading adults-only resort ideal for couples, solo travellers, and groups of friends. 

Affordable 

Innahura Maldives Resort: an affordable resort with a fun, laid-back atmosphere perfect for those who are always up for fun and new adventures.