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The First ‘Destination Spa’ To Open In The Maldives

In mid-December 2004, the Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa will open the first stand-alone destination spa in the Maldives.  Set at the tip of Rangalifinolhu island, the Spa Village is entirely on stilts over the Indian Ocean and consists of a luxury spa, encircled by 20 Spa Water Villas, all connected by over-water wooden walkways.Designed as a private and secluded retreat from the outside world, this quiet location offers guests the perfect place to slow down and take time to listen to the body and respond to its needs.  Built as a response to the growing need for ‘me time’, the Spa Village promises to offer a complete spa experience that will attract spa devotees from around the world and complements the facilities already available in the existing Over-Water Spa on the hotel’s adjoining Rangali Island.  The Spa Village operates as an independent part of the hotel’s two-island resort, with its own check in, lounge and accommodation, however, guests are encouraged to use the hotel’s extensive facilities throughout the two islands. 

The Spa Village

The heart of the over-water Spa Village, the Spa’s design has a heavy emphasis on ambience with strong Asian influences and is built around a romantic theme, with dimmed passageways leading into light-filled treatment rooms.  At the centre of the complex is an Aroma Court, designed to revive the senses with the sound of water in the water feature and aromatherapy scents.  Of the 9 treatment rooms, five are designed for couples, with two beds and an adjoining ‘wet room’ with steam baths, sauna and outdoor whirlpool overlooking the ocean.

Guests begin their stay with a comprehensive lifestyle consultation with one of the multi-lingual specialists who will then recommend a course of therapies and treatments depending on the guest’s needs.  These consultations continue with regular reviews for the entire stay and are free of charge. The Village Spa’s approach will be to gently ease people into health with a choice of holistic treatments, complying with the Asian belief that a healthy body and mind are always in perfect balance.  The programmes are modern, encompassing the mind-body-spirit bond with the emphasis on caring for the individual with a holistic range of treatments that can include dietary advice, physical activities, as well as hands-on therapies.  Also part of the Spa Village is a beauty salon, hairdresser, relaxation area, sun deck, reception area, boutique and private consultation rooms.

Spa Water Villas

Clustered around the Spa, each of the 20 luxurious Spa Water Villas is a heavenly retreat from the outside world.  Available only to guests using the Spa Village, the villas’ spacious design blends contemporary Maldivian style in a natural harmony of wooden interiors with a breezy indoor-outdoor feel.  The Indian Ocean is always in view, allowing guests to feel at one with nature - in the bathrooms, glass-topped surfaces allow the guest to see down to the water below the villa.  The huge windows in the magnificent bathrooms offer wonderful views of the Indian Ocean and have their own treatment area where guests can indulge in a comprehensive range of Spa therapies without leaving the villa.  For relaxation to the maximum, Spa Water Villas have both a private terrace and an exterior sundeck reached by a short wooden walkway from the villa.

Spa Lounge

Freshly squeezed juices, smoothies, healthy snacks and spa cuisine will be offered from morning to night in the Spa Lounge.  Part of the over-water Spa Village complex, the Spa Lounge is open to the cool sea breezes under a traditional palm-frond thatched roof and forms the ideal place for guests to chill out after a treatment or to meet up with friends and just relax in the tranquil environment.

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The Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa will be offering special 4, 7 and 10 day packages for guests staying at the Spa Village, which can be booked on their own or in combination with a longer stay in either a beach or water villa at the resort.  All packages include healthy spa cuisine on full board basis, spa cuisine available in all restaurants, lifestyle, health & wellness consultations daily, choice of treatments including Thai, Swedish, aromatherapy, shiatsu, jetlag reviver, Ayurvedic & hot stone, freshly squeezed juices, fresh fruit in villa and use of gym.

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