There’s no shortage of stunning resorts in the Maldives. Breathtaking views, luxurious villas, superior service and a sense of seclusion come as standard in the Indian Ocean archipelago — so how does a new resort set itself apart?
Hilton became one of the latest international brands to establish a presence in the Maldives this summer with the launch of the 109-villa Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa.
The property cleverly epitomises how the Maldives itself has evolved as a destination in recent years. Where it used to be a secluded spot for honeymooners, the destination now also attracts families and groups of friends.
So while there is still demand for privacy and seclusion, guests do not necessarily want to spend their whole stay locked up in their private villas, as stunning as they may be.
There is also a need for more social spaces, a wealth of activities and opportunities to interact with others. From mixology classes to marine biology lessons, Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa offers all this and more.
The welcome
We are met directly off our flight by a Hilton representative, who ushers us straight across the road and on to the jetty. The resort’s private boat arrives a few minutes later and we are smoothly helped onboard.
It’s the tail end of the rainy season, so the weather is not great and the seas are rough. Hilton’s transfer boat is both sturdy and luxurious, so the 20-minute ride to the hotel passes quickly.
We pull into the hotel’s secondary, more sheltered dock, where a waving, smiling group of staff, including the hotel’s general manager, are on hand to greet us.
We are introduced to our personal “guest experience maker”, Abo, who bundles us into a buggy and gives us a quick tour of the island before taking us to our overwater villa.
Check-in procedures are over in a matter of minutes and we are introduced to the various features of our villa.
The neighbourhood
The new hotel is set on a man-made island in the North Male Atoll. It is small enough to feel intimate, but not so small that it feels claustrophobic.
It features a mix of beach and overwater villas, as well as two-bedroom residences and a six-bedroom villa that is not yet open to guests.
One of its strongest selling points is its proximity to Male International Airport. For those looking to spend only a few days or a long weekend in the Maldives, cutting out the need for a sea plane journey is a real plus.
Safety measures
Staff members wore face masks throughout our stay. Guests are not required to do so.
The room
The design of the villas is another of the property’s unique selling points. Hilton has moved away from the traditional thatched roof, wood-heavy interiors that characterise so many of the area’s older resorts, and has instead created stunning contemporary spaces that are open, inviting and have you wishing you could redesign your own home.
Our overwater villa has double-height ceilings, light wood accents, a muted but warm colour palette, indoor plants, a sumptuous sofa and sculptural statement chairs. The overall feel is very modern, with a touch of rustic charm coming through in the rattan-fronted wardrobes and fans that swoop down from the ceilings.
The bathroom is particularly slick, with a free-standing tub, rain shower and smart mirrors that light up when you touch a certain spot. Lighting across the villa is masterfully done — everything can be centrally controlled, including the air conditioning, but there is none of the confusion of trying to work out what’s what as you turn in for the night.
The villa is spacious and well designed, so that the separate living, sleeping and bathing areas can exist as one open space, or can each be sectioned off by double-height sliding wooden doors, if privacy is required.
There are two glass panes embedded into the wooden floors, so you can stop to do some marine watching as you traverse your room.
Outdoor spaces are equally enticing. A large deck is home to a plunge pool, sunloungers, a table and chairs, and netted hammocks that make you feel like you are suspended directly over the sea.
The scene
There’s something for everyone at the Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa. A spacious children's club is complemented by a cool teen's club, making sure younger guests are kept entertained. Treatment rooms at Amingiri Spa, which look out over the ocean, are perfect for adults looking for a hideout, while a fully equipped gym and daily yoga classes are on offer for those looking for more active endeavours.
With its large swimming pool, daily DJ, all-day-dining menu, board games, and pool and foosball tables, Aura Pool Bar & Cocktail Lab is the resort’s hub, particularly on rainy days. It is lively, sociable and the perfect place to ride out any tropical storms.
When the sun does come out, the resort’s expanded watersports offering summons. The glass-bottomed kayaks, which combine a touch of exercise with marine-spotting opportunities, are a highlight, as are the conservation-led experiences on offer at the dive centre.
We sign up for the Turtle Quest, led by in-house marine biologist Sam, who offers fascinating insight into turtle populations in the Maldives and the efforts being made to protect them.
We set out on a snorkelling trip hoping to spot some ourselves and although none materialise, remain thoroughly entertained by Sam’s in-depth knowledge of other marine species, from fish and corals to sea cucumbers and clams.
The conservation-focused, educational element of the resort’s activities, which go well beyond your standard dolphin cruise — although these are still available for purists — encourage guests to engage with their surroundings and the marine environment that makes the Maldives so special.
The food
Breakfast consists of a truly impressive spread. There is a juice bar where customised concoctions can be ordered, along with live cooking stations and dedicated areas offering cuisines from all over the world. Unusually, there’s a good selection of gluten-free alternatives.
The food is consistently good, whether it's sushi, salads and other bar snacks at Aura or the fine-dining tasting menu at Origin, which has a focus on sustainable cooking and minimal waste.
Beach Shack offers laid-back dining and barbecues under the stars directly on the beach, and Habitat serves breakfast and then Asian and Italian flavours for the rest of the day.
The service
The service is flawless, particularly given that the hotel hasn’t been up and running for long.
Maldivians seem to have a knack for warm service without subservience, and this really comes through at the Hilton. Everyone is quick to smile and joke while remaining utterly efficient.
Highs and lows
In a stay peppered with highs, the design of the villa emerges as the pinnacle of our stay. It eschews any tropical cliches, but still manages to be warm and inviting.
Even though we are stuck inside for extended periods while it rains, we never feel cooped up because of the amount of space, the expansive sea views, the distinct separate-able areas, and the light and airy vibe.
The island isn’t very big, but we still manage to lose our way a couple of times while trying to walk back to our villa. This is almost certainly more a comment on our own navigational skills, but clearer signage may have aided in our aimless wanderings.
Insider tip
Go soon before it gets too popular.
The verdict
From its proximity to the airport to its modern villas, good mix of guests and exemplary service, this is a truly exceptional way to enjoy all the Maldives has to offer.
The bottom line
A stay in a one-bedroom overwater pool villa starts from $940, plus a 10 per cent service charge per stay and taxes. One-bedroom beach pool villas start from $1,281; www.hilton.com
This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel during the global coronavirus pandemic. It reflects hotel standards during this time. Services may change in the future
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Power: 190bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Price: Dh169,900
On sale: now
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
OTHER IPL BOWLING RECORDS
Best bowling figures: 6-14 – Sohail Tanvir (for Rajasthan Royals against Chennai Super Kings in 2008)
Best average: 16.36 – Andrew Tye
Best economy rate: 6.53 – Sunil Narine
Best strike-rate: 12.83 – Andrew Tye
Best strike-rate in an innings: 1.50 – Suresh Raina (for Chennai Super Kings against Rajasthan Royals in 2011)
Most runs conceded in an innings: 70 – Basil Thampi (for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2018)
Most hat-tricks: 3 – Amit Mishra
Most dot-balls: 1,128 – Harbhajan Singh
Most maiden overs bowled: 14 – Praveen Kumar
Most four-wicket hauls: 6 – Sunil Narine
TECH%20SPECS%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2014%20PLUS
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
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PSL FINAL
Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi
8pm, Thursday
Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Courses%20at%20Istituto%20Marangoni%2C%20Dubai
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End of free parking
- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18
- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued
- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket
- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200.
- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200
- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFixtures%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3ESaturday%2C%20May%2028%2C%20United%20States%20v%20Scotland%3Cbr%3ESunday%2C%20May%2029%2C%20United%20States%20v%20Scotland%3Cbr%3ETuesday%2C%20May%2031%2C%20UAE%20v%20Scotland%3Cbr%3EWednesday%2C%20June%201%2C%20UAE%20v%20United%20States%3Cbr%3EFriday%2C%20June%203%2C%20UAE%20v%20Scotland%3Cbr%3ESaturday%2C%20June%204%2C%20UAE%20v%20United%20States%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20squad%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAhmed%20Raza%20(captain)%2C%20Chirag%20Suri%2C%20Muhammad%20Waseem%2C%20Vriitya%20Aravind%2C%20CP%20Rizwan%2C%20Basil%20Hameed%2C%20Rohan%20Mustafa%2C%20Kashif%20Daud%2C%20Karthik%20Meiyappan%2C%20Zahoor%20Khan%2C%20Junaid%20Siddique%2C%20Alishan%20Sharafu%2C%20Akif%20Raja%2C%20Rahul%20Bhatia%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETable%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E1.%20Oman%2032%2019%2011%2040%20%2B0.156%3Cbr%3E2.%20Scotland%2016%2011%203%2024%20%2B0.574%3Cbr%3E3.%20UAE%2018%2010%206%2022%20%2B0.22%3Cbr%3E4.%20Namibia%2014%207%207%2014%20%2B0.096%3Cbr%3E5.%20United%20States%2016%207%209%2014%20-0.229%3Cbr%3E6.%20Nepal%2012%206%206%2012%20%2B0.113%3Cbr%3E7.%20Papua%20New%20Guinea%2020%201%2019%202%20-0.856%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Packages which the US Secret Service said contained possible explosive devices were sent to:
- Former first lady Hillary Clinton
- Former US president Barack Obama
- Philanthropist and businessman George Soros
- Former CIA director John Brennan at CNN's New York bureau
- Former Attorney General Eric Holder (delivered to former DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz)
- California Congresswoman Maxine Waters (two devices)
Results:
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 (PA) | Group 1 US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres
Winner: Goshawke, Fernando Jara (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer)
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) | Listed $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
Winner: Silva, Oisin Murphy, Pia Brendt
7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) | Conditions $100,000 (Turf) | 1,400m
Winner: Golden Jaguar, Connor Beasley, Ahmad bin Harmash
8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) | Group 3 $200,000 (D) | 1,200m
Winner: Drafted, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (D) | 1,600m
Winner: Capezzano, Mickael Barzalona, Sandeep Jadhav
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,000m
Winner: Oasis Charm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
Winner: Escalator, Christopher Hayes, Charlie Fellowes
MATCH INFO
Arsenal 1 (Aubameyang 12’) Liverpool 1 (Minamino 73’)
Arsenal win 5-4 on penalties
Man of the Match: Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal)
Jebel Ali Dragons 26 Bahrain 23
Dragons
Tries: Hayes, Richards, Cooper
Cons: Love
Pens: Love 3
Bahrain
Tries: Kenny, Crombie, Tantoh
Cons: Phillips
Pens: Phillips 2
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Match info
Athletic Bilbao 0
Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 73' pen)
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry
Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Scoreline
Syria 1-1 Australia
Syria Al Somah 85'
Australia Kruse 40'
'The Sky is Everywhere'
Director:Josephine Decker
Stars:Grace Kaufman, Pico Alexander, Jacques Colimon
Rating:2/5
ASHES SCHEDULE
First Test
November 23-27 (The Gabba, Brisbane)
Second Test
December 2-6 (Adelaide Oval, Adelaide)
Third Test
December 14-18 (Waca Ground, Perth)
Fourth Test
December 26-30 (Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne)
Fifth Test
January 4-8, 2018 (Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney)
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
THE SPECS
Engine: 3-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 424hp
Torque: 580 Nm
Price: From Dh399,000
On sale: Now
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
Match info
Premier League
Manchester United 2 (Martial 30', Lingard 69')
Arsenal 2 (Mustafi 26', Rojo 68' OG)
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.