Shangri-La Maldives Resort & Spa scheduled to open December 2004

The Shangri-La Maldives Resort & Spa, Villingili Island, a fully integrated spa resort, is scheduled to open on the Addu Atoll in the south of the Maldives in December 2004.

The neighbouring Gan Airport, the Maldives largest domestic airport on Gan Island, is also scheduled to be upgraded to international status at the same time, enabling direct international flights by the end of the year. Shangri-La Maldives Resort & Spa, Villingili Island, is a five-minute boat ride away from the airport.

Designed by internationally acclaimed architect, Dan Bube, the Shangri-La Maldives Resort & Spa, Villingili Island, is an eco-orientated resort boasting lagoon beaches on one side of the island and a surf beach on the other. When completed, the resort will comprise a total of 250 villas. The Shangri-La's Chi Spa will also offer a full range of innovative treatments along with creative well-being and lifestyle programmes.

Joachim Schutte, newly-appointed general manager of Shangri-La Maldives Resort & Spa, Villingili Island, commented: "Our aim at Shangri-La Maldives is to provide all our guests - whether they are honeymooners, couples, families or adventurists - with a broad selection of guest rooms and suites, dining experiences, spa treatments and recreation activities in the most spacious, stylish and luxurious environment. Nature lovers will be able to enjoy over five kilometres of picturesque coastline, of which nearly two kilometres comprise fine white sandy beach. And international diving enthusiasts are already familiar with the island's colourful coral reef, and  the dramatic shipwreck of the British ship 'Loyality'(sic) located within a half hour boat ride from Villingili Island."

Comprising four independent and unique villages, the construction and final operation of Shangri-La Maldives Resort & Spa will conform to the highest environmental standards. Mr Schutte continues: "We are careful to orient our construction around all large trees, including some impressive old banyan trees, in order to preserve them. We have also made a point of using the local 'Dhoni' boats and smaller, non-mechanised barges to unload all equipment and building material in order to minimise any impact on our reef and marine life. Caring for our employees is a particular Shangri-La trait, and we are committed to employing a large number of residents from Addu Atoll which will substantially improve their personal lives by enabling them to live with their families and commute to work from home."

The Lost Horizon village with 65 water bungalows on stilts is ideal for couples and honeymooners seeking a romantic Indian Ocean hideaway. It will feature a Horizon Club, Shangri-La's exclusive club concept, which offers special privileges as well as its own private pool and lounge facility. There will also be a private wedding pavilion built over the clear ocean waters for intimate and private ceremonies.

Set directly on the beach amidst the palms from which it gets its name, the family orientated Whispering Palm village will offer 73 villas, including eight that are split level. Each villa features a private terrace onto the beach with semi open-air shower, and some offer the privacy of an individual plunge pool. The Windance village will consist of 42 semi-detached luxury tree houses perched on stilts above the tree line to offer a unique perspective of the island. A key feature of each bungalow will be the open-air soaking tubs allowing house guests to wallow while overlooking the surf. With 70 villas extending out over the ocean, the Plantation village will open at a later stage of the development to ensure minimum stress on the environment and giving the project team time to establish a soil rebuilding programme and an organic garden.

Shangri-La Maldives Resort & Spa will also provide a selection of bars and restaurants serving a wide variety of local and international cuisines throughout the villages. There will be comprehensive banqueting and meeting room facilities, ewireless and broadband internet availability, as well as a marine research facility and a conservation centre. Sporting activities include surfing, a scuba diving and sea sports centre, snorkelling, windsurfing, game fishing, wind sailing and boating, a variety of water games and features in the free-form pool, as well as tennis. A dedicated 'Kids Club' will be available providing games and supervision of young children.