Six Senses "Laamu" Surfers Paradise in Maldives

Dolphins swim and spin all along the seashell dappled shores of Six Senses Laamu, the only resort in Laamu Atoll, just five degrees north of the Equator. Snorkel in Laamu’s coral rich house reef among Oriental Sweetlips, parrotfish and even green turtles. Surf Yin Yang, one of the Maldives’ most famous waves, that breaks just offshore.

 At six waterside and overwater lounges and restaurants, their resident mixologist whips up bespoke concoctions while chefs from East and West prepare wholesome recipes made with herbs, vegetables and fruits grown in the island’s organic garden.

 Take relaxing refuge in your unvarnished chic beachfront or overwater villa built of sustainable materials and spread generously around its palm fringed paradise found 45 minutes south by scheduled flight from Male International Airport.

Built of weathered woods and nestled among shoreline mangroves or perched above the Indian Ocean, Six Senses Laamu’s 97 expansive one and two bedroom villas make minimal impact on the pristine environment while maximizing every possible pleasure. Design details that evoke the golden age of exploration conceal modern technologies like flat screen swivel televisions and Bose entertainment systems with fully loaded iPods plus docking stations while all guestrooms inside and out can access Laamu’s complimentary high speed wireless internet.

 Five treatment rooms and four stunning nests line the beach front at Six Senses Spa, each one a dramatic tangle of sustainable branches. Set among Laamu’s abundant vegetation overlooking the Indian Ocean, these airy, private cocoons provide naturally restorative environments where fresh products, many grown on Laamu, enrich every therapeutic treatment delivered by our talented, highly trained Indonesian and Thai therapists.

Stand outs on the spa menu include the coconut oil, ginger, clove and nutmeg of Laamu Bliss and Kurumbaa Kaashi Coconut Rub with its organic honey and papaya wrap.

Visiting experts in healing traditions from acupuncture to shiatsu round out the comprehensive wellness menu while rejuvenating facilities include herbal steam rooms, outdoor experience showers, a sea facing fitness centre with upstairs yoga and meditation pavilion, fresh juice bar and our spa shop stocked with Six Senses Spa products good to go.

An al fresco ice cream parlour with forty plus ever-changing flavours on a tropical isle might encourage some to stick with sorbet. For them they make enticing licks like mango jasmine and pink guava.

Everyone else can indulge daily and nightly too in more decadent homemade ice creams including banana dark chocolate, green apple and salty caramel.

Top that freshly made waffle cone with gooey chocolate sauce, sliced nuts or colourful candies. Crave more sweet treats? Enter the chilled Chocolate Studio where the pastry chef infuses chocolate truffles with cinnamon, green tea, lavender and mint mojito.

Rising 6.4 metres above the Indian Ocean, this one-of-a-kind sunlit, spun glass wine tower holds 400 Old and New world vintages, half of which are organic. Many are otherwise unavailable in the Maldives. Tastings take place at the intimate, elevated table.

Down below, the Deli stocks imported European charcuterie and cheeses, plus inventive chutneys and sushi fresh from the surrounding sea.

Along Hithadhoo Kandu, a natural waterway for bottlenose dolphins to the open sea, this open air, two story dining space begins each day with Parisians’ approved croissants and fresh from the oven breads, best topped with their own passion fruit, banana or fig jam. Add pancakes, waffles or eggs made to order.

Sea breezes drift among the rustic woods under high palm roofs at Laamu’s six bars and restaurants, most set over water. Edible memories at each are enhanced by exquisite tropical vistas, from pulsating equatorial sunrises above translucent turquoise waters to romantic rose coloured sunsets into the inky evening sea.

A Six Senses host greets every Laamu bound guest on arrival at Male International Airport (MLE), the gateway to the Maldives’ 1,192 palm covered islands off the southwest coast of India in the fabled Indian Ocean. Several onward flights depart daily for Kadhdhoo Airport, 45 minutes south in unspoiled Laamu Atoll where their speed boat awaits for the 25-minute jaunt over calm indigo waters to Olhuveli Island, home of Six Senses Laamu.

Travelscore Magazine: article by Luca Centoni - photos by Luca Centoni

click for BROCHURE SIX SENSES "LAAMU"

Per i lettori Italiani / For Italian language readers

“New Concept of Resort in Maldives”

Aperto nel Maggio 2011 abbiamo inaugurato questa innovativa struttura maldiviana concepita interamente sull' acqua. E' destinato ad una clientela giovane e trend chic che ricerca un lusso casual e ama sport come il surf. Il resort ha un bassissimo impatto ambientale ed e' costruito con questo concetto in ogni suo dettaglio. Molto ricercate le finiture delle water villa costruite su palafitte circondate da una discreta privacy. Si ha la sensazione di essere soli su una barca in mezzo all' oceano indiano con illimitata visuale all' orizzonte. Molto bella l'unica cantina al mondo costruita sull' acqua, la gelateria artigianale, la salumeria sospesa sul mare e la il liquor bar realizzato in cristallo tra i due piani della palafitta ricca di ogni distillato raro e invecchiato reperibile sul pianeta. Per gli amanti degli infusi e dei the un'area interamente dedicata che continua poi con angolo degustazione di sigari e una fornitissima biblioteca sul mare. I pavimenti del resort,tutto in legno, sono costruiti anche con cristallo per valorizzare i fondali marini. Curiosita' particolari sono la vasca da bagno trasparente sopra il mare e il W.C. con pavimento di vetro per vedere i pesci, ma senza essere visti da nessuno. Completa il resort una SPA costruita in nidi vegetali sospesi sopra la spiaggia e immersi nel verde. Anche questa struttura Six Senses e' S.L.O.W. L.I.F.E. (Sustainable-Local-Organic-Wholesome Learning-Inspiring-Fun-Experiences) concetto ideato dai suoi creatori Sonu Shivdasani e sua moglie Eva. 

Sales offices and representatives:

Australia and new Zealand  
T: +61 (0) 414 257 749
F: +61 (0) 2 9340 8066
E: kristen@sixsenses.com  

Europe, Middle east and africa
T: +44 (0) 208 780 3519
F: +44 (0) 208 780 3479
E: salesm-emea@sixsenses.com

gcc region
T: +971 5055 37253
E: tricia@triciawarwick.com

Germany
T: +49 6894 5 82 25 76 
E: daniela.bromfield@sixsenses.com

Hong Kong and greater china   
T: +852 2543 6123
F: +852 2543 6236
E: dos-hk@sixsenses.com

India   
T: +91 124 422 1288/89
F: +91 124 422 1290
E: sales-delhi@sixsenses.com  

Italy   
T: +39 031 263 047
F: +39 031 262 085
E: sixsenses@clubsnc.com

Japan   
T: +81 (0) 3 6228 4177 
F: +81 (0) 3 6226 4556
E: japan@sixsenses.com

Nordic region  
T: +46 (0) 8 500 265 77
F: +46 (0) 8 612 53 77
E: dosm-nordic@sixsenses.com

Russia   
T: +7 499 519 6619
F: +7 495 956 8262 ext. 201152
E: sales-russia@sixsenses.com

Thailand   
T: +66 (0) 2631 9777
F: +66 (0) 2653 1933
E: mail@sixsenses.com 

USA  
T: +1 949 487 0522
F: +1 949 606 8981
E: joann@kurtzahlers.com
Six Senses toll-free reservations
USA : 1800 591 7480

2nd Floor, 4/3 Faamudheyri Magu, Male, Maldives
T: +960 680 0800   
F: +960 680 0801
E: reservations-laamu@sixsenses.com
    dos-maldives@sixsenses.com

"Soneva Gili Best Gourmet Resort in Maldives"

Soneva Gili Resort is located in one of the largest lagoons in the Maldives, with jetties threading across the crystal clear water out to spacious over-sized villas that provide spectacular water views of the ocean from every room. Apart from the sparkling waters, the tiny island provides a very intimate atmosphere fused with luxuries of the highest international standard to create a wonderfully serene and natural experience - continuing the Soneva philosophy of Intelligent Luxury.

Soneva Gili offers just 45 sumptuous over-water villas, including 7 Crusoe Residences and The Private Reserve reached only by boat. Each villa has not only been designed and built with the utmost attention to detail, but are also environmentally-friendly and reflect the harmony of life by the water's edge. Each has its own private water garden and sun decks, and the bathrooms have a separate shower accessed along an open-air walkway. 

 The interior decoration has been devised to recreate a natural habitat, using sustainable woods, natural materials and traditional fabrics, whilst still offering all the modern day amenities and creature comforts of true luxury.

 At Soneva Gili by Six Senses they are very sensitive to the environment. The utmost care has been taken in developing the island with respect to its ecological balance.

The forty-four stilted villas plus the vast Private Reserve uphold the Soneva philosophy of Intelligent Luxury. They are crafted in a traditional style from natural materials and offer roof-top and over water sundecks, featuring open air bathrooms, sumptuous daybeds and a personal entertainment centre.

For ultimate privacy, we have seven Crusoe Residences that are only accessible by personal boat. Come ashore for some great dining and equally great wines or perhaps a romantic moonlit dinner delivered right to the villa. The possibilities are endless.

Dining experiences include a romantic, moonlit dinner on the deck of your villa, a sunset champagne cruise on a traditional dhoni, or dinners in the underground Gourmet Cellar.

The settings are as memorable as the cuisine. From the fine wines to the excellent malts, at Soneva Gili they achieved a reputation of providing their guests unique dining experiences.

The restaurant "By The Sea" presents a fusion Peruvian and Japanese culinary adventure combining breathtaking views to the ocean with intimate dining for just 26 guests. Located on the elevated top level of a double story facility on the island, the restaurant includes a Sushi Bar featuring daybeds plus five tables, each seating up to four guests, and an open kitchen station which can be used for live cooking classes.

The expansive tasting menu includes a quintessential fusion of food; from traditional Japanese to indigenous European, Asian and Peruvian flavours. Local ingredients are used and include the daily catch and fresh organic produce picked from the resort’s own gardens. Guests have the ability to select from an array of signature dishes accompanied by a fine selection of Japanese sakes and an extensive list of wines. Travelscore Magazine assigned to this restaurant the title of "Best Japanese Sushi" restaurant in the world, for its freshness, making, and quality.

The Wine cellar and Underground chocolate cave is the ultimate gourmet cellar. Entering through a doorway sculptured from copper sheeting and deco-like carved wood embellishment, a softly lit glass staircase descends beneath ground level to the cavernous cellar. Lined with a softly dappled satiny-smooth stucco plaster finish, recessed free-form wine racks display more than 300 labels.

Running almost the entire length of the cellar is a six-metre (twenty-foot) driftwood tree trunk, slotted with eight individual glass table tops and personal wine glass shelves. Wine tasting and wine dinners are hosted by the wine sommelier as to the requirement of each guest.

 Guests may either order at the cellar or from our wine list and have the wine of their choice delivered to the restaurant or their villa in time to enjoy it with their meal. This unique underground wine cellar, showcasing more than six hundred varieties of wine from more than thirty regions around the world, has recently had a truly unique experience added. In addition to its artisanal cheese and deli room, you may now also experience their handmade, gourmet chocolate room that is full of hand-made, quality chocolate with traditional and innovative flavours to choose from.

 Guests children instead to pair wines with chocolates may order perfectly paired gourmet fruit juices

In the cellar you can buy products related to the local chocolate production that we assure to be unique in all Maldives archipelago.

Soneva Gili is relaxed and casual. The all-year-round, comfortable, tropical temperature requires only light and natural fabrics so Polo-style shirts, summer dresses and sarongs are ideal. You may want a jacket or wrap in the winter when temperatures can be as low as 23 degrees Celsius, or 73 Fahrenheit, or just if you go in the cellar wher blankets are provided.

Shoes are not practical on the soft sand, so bring sandals or simply enjoy barefoot freedom, because here you will experience the concept No News - No Shoes!

Travelscore Magazine: article by Luca Centoni - photos by Luca Centoni



Per i lettori Italiani / For Italian language readers

“Best Gourmet and Resort in Maldives!!!”

Cercate il miglior chef di tutte le Maldive? I migliori ristoranti? Il resort piu' esclusivo ma a due passi da Male? Beh l' avete trovato! Ci vengo dal 2003 e migliora ogni volta! La Crusoe 1, villa solitaria condivisa da molti VIP, non delude mai, con la sua acqua turchese, privacy e servizio ineccepibili. Non c'e' niente che qui possa mancarvi, ogni vostro desiderio sara' esaudito all' istante! Vi ci portano in barca o con la bassa marea potrete facilmente raggiungere la riva a piedi (nell' acqua). Vanta l' unica cantina sotterranea delle Maldive con cioccolateria e salumeria annessa. Degustazioni di cioccolato prodotto localmente da un grande maitre chocolatier che abbina vini pregiati o succhi ed estratti di frutta se a degustare sono i bambini. Abbiamo provato il nuovo "By the Sea", operato dallo chef Jalill,per me il migliore ristorante giapponese del mondo (ne ho provati a decine in tutto il pianeta). Qui il pescato fresco arriva alle 17.00 e alle 19.00 e' gia' diventato sushi o sushimi ed e' imbattibile per freschezza e creazioni. L' intera ristorazione al Soneva Gili e' diretta dall' eccezionale Chef cingalese Sanjeeva Ranasinghe un grande maestro della cucina etnica ed internazionale. Il suo buffet mediterraneo e' un connubio di freschezza e sapori tra il mediterraneo e il medio oriente. La pasticceria e i dolci sono curatissimi. Il resort e' consigliatissimo per la luna di miele, una fuga romantica, un ritiro nel relax piu' completo e una particolare attenzione per i palati raffinati ed esigenti. La SPA sull' acqua completa il quadro gia' perfetto di un isola da sogno in mezzo all' oceano indiano. Il Soneva Gili e' S.L.O.W. L.I.F.E. (Sustainable-Local-Organic-Wholesome Learning-Inspiring-Fun-Experiences) concetto ideato dai suoi creatori Sonu Shivdasani e sua moglie Eva. A far si che tutto questo si mantenga perfetto ci pensa Alexander R Blair, resort manager a cui non sfugge il minimo desiderio degli ospiti.

Chef cingalese Sanjeeva Ranasinghe un grande maestro della cucina etnica ed internazionale

Posizione:
Soneva Gili by Six Senses è facilmente raggiungibile in 20 minuti di motoscafo
da Malè, la capitale delle Maldive. E’ un’isola corallina, molto piccola, con pontili
che si protendono dall’isola alla laguna dai quali si ergono le ville spaziose.

Concetto:
Le quarantaquattro ville e la vasta Private Reserve rappresentano appieno la
filosofia Soneva dell’Intelligent Luxury. Sono realizzate in stile tradizionale e
con materiali naturali, completate da una terrazza privata sul tetto ed una ada-
giata appena sopra il livello dell>acqua. Offrono una stanza da bagno all’aperto,
sontuosi day bed e accessori d’intrattenimento. Per il massimo della privacy,
alcune delle ville sono accessibili solo dal mare a mezzo di barche private. Ce-
nare sull’isola, degustare vino pregiato o godersi una cena a lume di candela nel
privato della propria villa sono alcune delle infinite possibilità.
Le decorazioni d’interni sono state realizzate nell’intento di ricreare un habi-
tat armonioso, usando legno sostenibile, materiali naturali e tessuti tradizio-
nali, offrendo al contempo tutte le comodità ed il lusso propri dell’abitare del
nostro tempo. Al Soneva Gili by Six Senses persiste una grande sensibilità per
l’ambiente. L’attenzione maggiore è stata dedicata allo sviluppo dell’isola per
rispettarne al massimo l’equilibrio ecologico.

Le Maldive sono un paradiso per lo snorkeling e le immersioni ed il resort vanta
il proprio centro immersioni PADI, completamente attrezzato, oltre ad una
serie di sport acquatici.

Gestione:
Soneva Gili By Six Senses è gestito da Six Senses Resorts & Spas, che ha pro-
prietà alle Maldive, in Oman, in Tailandia, in Vietnam, in Spagna e in Giordania
con i marchi Soneva by Six Senses, Six Senses Hideaway, Six Senses Latitude
ed Evason oltre a Six Senses Spas e Six Senses Destination Spas. Soneva
Gili by Six Senses è stato realizzato ispirandosi ai dettami di Six Senses che
garantiscono eccellenza nel servizio e il cui motto ed obiettivo è:  Creare re-
altà inedite e stimolanti per accrescere l’entusiasmo dei nostri ospiti verso la
filosofia  “SLOW LIFE”*.
*SUSTAINABLE – LOCAL – ORGANIC – WHOLESOME   LEARNING – INSPIRING –
FUN – EXPERIENCES

Sistemazioni:

Soneva Gili offre 45 sontuose ville collocate sull’acqua, incluse le Crusoe Residence  e la Private Reserve accessibili solo dal mare in barca. Ogni villa, completa-
mente eco compatibile, è stata concepita e costruita attribuendo la massima attenzione ai dettagli riflettendo l’armonia che l’elemento acqua riesce a trasmet-
tere. Tutte le ville dispongono di un giardino d’acqua privato e di una terrazza per prendere il sole, ed il bagno è completo di doccia separata accessibile per
mezzo di una passerella.

Caratteristiche delle Ville:
- Ventilatore a soffitto, aria condizionata, rifornito minibar, cassaforte, macchina per il caffè, binocolo e molte altre comodità
- Tavolo per scacchi e backgammon
- Lettore CD e DVD, sistema stereo a diffusione in camera ed in bagno
- Libreria DVD e CD
- Bagno in stile open air con doccia separata a pareti di vetro 
- Connessione via cavo e Wi-Fi su Internet
- Mr Friday ovvero servizio di maggiordomo privato per le categorie Crusoe Residence e Private Reserve
- Telefono IDD

Sales Offices
Australia
T: +61 (0) 414 257 749
F: +61 (0) 2 9340 8066
E: kristen@sixsenses.com
Germany
T: +49 176 2063 1691
F: +49 69 1750 8073
E: alexa@sixsenses.com
Europe, Middle East & Africa
T: +44 (0) 208 780 3571
F: +44 (0) 208 780 3479
E: sales-emea@sixsenses.com
Hong Kong & Greater China
T: +852 2543 6123
F: +852 2543 6236
E: dos-hk@sixsenses.com
India
T: +91 11 2623 6525
F: +91 11 4155 3034
E: sales-delhi@sixsenses.com
Italy
T: +39 031 263 047
F: +39 031 262 085
E: sixsenses@clubsnc.com
Japan
T: +81 (0) 3 3662 3500
F: +81 (0) 3 3662 3331
E: japan@sixsenses.com
Nordic Region
T: +46 (0) 732 521 871
F: +46 (0) 8 612 53 77
E: sixsenses-nordic@adsum.ws
Russia
T: +7 926 844 2839
F: +7 495 694 0609
E: sales-russia@sixsenses.com
Thailand
T: +66 (0) 2631 9777
F: +66 (0) 2653 1933
E: mail@sixsenses.com
USA
T: +1 949 487 0522
F: +1 949 606 8981
E: joann@kurtzahlers.com
Six Senses Toll-free Reservations;
USA : 1800 591 7480
Mailing address:
Lankanfushi Island,
North Male’ Atoll,
Republic of Maldives
T: +960 664 0304
F: +960 664 0305
E: reservations-gili@sixsenses.com