Offering a potent combination of luxury, stunning natural beauty, and adventurous spirit, this exclusive, contemporary retreat provides a serene getaway for discerning travellers. Lijo John, Director, Sales and Marketing, The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives, provides insights into crafting the ultimate Maldivian experience – The Standard style.
– Prativa Vaidya Bhalla
Nestled in the Raa Atoll on Huruvalhi island, a seaplane ride from Male, lies The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives. The hotel enjoys an idyllic location surrounded by a vast lagoon and is close to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which provides a glimpse into Maldives’ stunning underwater marine life.
The Island Experience
Explaining the lay of the land, Lijo says, “Our Island oasis is a perfect, romantic escape for friends and families alike. Each of our 115 pool villas, overwater or settled on the beachfront, has its own private lounge deck and plunge pool. Villas have large bathrooms equipped with oversized bathtubs overlooking disco balls.” They have direct access to the lagoon, ocean, or beach, depending upon their category and location on the island. Hints of bright colours and shiny disco balls add a touch of whimsy to the indulgence of the resort decor. The luxuriously appointed Standard Spa provides peaceful relaxation with amenities such as a communal hammam, aroma steam rooms, and aerial yoga sessions. Culinary delights abound with diverse dining options, including all-day dining at Kula, authentic Maldivian cuisine at Guduguda, sunset views at the overwater Izakaya Beru Bar, and fiery beachfront BBQ at BBQ Shak.
Among the popular activities, the sunset cruise is a crowd favourite, promising an unforgettable experience of a Maldivian sunset along with the added excitement of dolphins leaping into view at any given moment. Guests can choose from a wide range of water activities, such as snorkelling in the protected house reef, boating, and deep diving, among others. The inflatable water park is available all year round and is located in the shallow waters of the turquoise lagoon with enough slides, obstacles, walls, and rafts for a perfect day of water play. The overwater Beru Bar beckons visitors with its Japanese Izakaya menu and a massive glass dance floor under the biggest glittering disco ball. The in-house Lil’ Shark Kids Club takes care of little guests and keeps them entertained.
Lijo highlights the guest demographic, “It is one of the few resorts to attract a highly diverse mix of guests. In 2023 alone, the resort welcomed visitors from over 90 different nationalities. On any single day of the year, over 40 different nationalities are on the island. It is a perfect place to make new friends.”
Unique Luxury Offering
Guests can experience the thrill of owning their own island through the resort’s Island Buyout option, where they can immerse completely in customised luxury for a couple of days for special occasions or exotic weddings, as the resort aims to transform their dreams into reality. They can also reserve the intimate ‘Baby Island’ for exclusive starlit occasions, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience of having a secluded island all to themselves.
Indian Guest Preferences
Addressing the importance of India, Lijo emphasises, “India ranks among the top 10 feeder markets for The Standard Maldives. Indian visitation to the hotel is all year round, and demand peaks coinciding with long weekends, wedding festivities, and honeymoon seasons. The resort welcomes leisure, group, business, and MICE travel.”
The popular choice of accommodation for Indian guests is the expansive overwater villa with private pools perched over the endless Indian Ocean accompanied by the floating breakfast experience. Guests treasure the hotel-organised photoshoots, creating lasting memories of their stay. Most importantly, under the guidance of an Executive Chef from India, the culinary team consistently surpasses the culinary expectations of Indian travellers. They cater to vegetarian and Jain dietary preferences with ease, readily preparing staple and favourite Indian dishes upon request.
“The resort offers tailored packages designed specifically for the Indian market, featuring options for three nights and four days. These packages include various meal options, ranging from breakfast and dinner inclusive to a premium all-inclusive option. Exclusive complimentary offers for Indian travellers include one floating breakfast per stay, one boat excursion from the choice of a sunset cruise, dolphin cruise, or sunset fishing, and 30 minutes of complimentary photoshoots,” explains Lijo.
India Dynamics
Talking about the demands of the Indian market, Lijo says, “India is a complex market with varied needs due to its market size, regional diversity, and customer requirements. We understand and accommodate requests to ensure an unforgettable experience. For special occasions, such as honeymoons and wedding anniversaries, extra care is provided with our compliments – we offer a three-course romantic dinner on the beach, bubble baths set up in the villa on oversized bathtubs, and a Love Platter – a special dessert arrangement to celebrate the special occasion.”
Stringent Eco-Friendly Values
The Standard Maldives has been distinguished as a level three sustainable resort by leading travel agents worldwide, embodying sustainability as its core ethos from inception to current daily operations. The key priority is to maintain and protect the island’s natural integrity. The resort primarily operates on solar energy, utilising it to power 80 per cent of its consumption. The resort implements regular waste management and recycling procedures and cultivates local vegetables and sources produced locally to reduce its environmental impact. With a firm commitment to environmental conservation, the resort adopts a strict ‘No to Plastic’ approach, favouring glass bottles, paper straws, and eco-friendly packaging. The Standard Maldives actively engages in socially responsible collaborations with neighbouring local islands, fostering mutually beneficial relationships to ensure positive contributions to the local island community.
