One&Only Kanuhura Re-Opens October 15 A Fresh Look for One&Only Kanuhura, Maldives

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. October 14, 2008

THE MALDIVES, October 6, 2005. On October 15 the secluded and tranquil island resort of One&Only Kanuhura, located in the northeastern part of Lhaviyani Atoll, Maldives, will re-open with a fresh look following a four-month refurbishment.

The 100-villa resort, famed for its laid-back luxury, will retain its authentic, natural Maldivian charm. Enhancements include the rejuvenation of the 18 Water Villas and two Grand Water Villas, and the refreshing of the Beach Villas, bars and restaurants, public areas and the award-winning One&Only Spa (formerly Veyoge Spa).

Mauro Governato, General Manager of One&Only Kanuhura, feels strongly that the inherent key attractions of the island remain the same. He commented: "The philosophy of the resort remains untouched. Private dinners on the sandy beach, magical evenings under the stars, incredible sunsets, unique marine life, and genuine and impeccable service combine with the feeling of being somewhere so remote and naturally beautiful. These are the primary ingredients of our resort."

A romantic stage will be set in the refurbished villas with back-lit gauzy cream and copper colored linen draped behind the headboard and suspended over driftwood poles above the bed. The cream colored bed cover becomes a backdrop for brightly hued cushions embellished with organza flowers fashioned after those found on the island. The pattern of the cotton and linen bed throw is inspired from Maldivian woven grass rugs. Furniture pieces are hand crafted with chiseled wood and bamboo textures. The wardrobe and dressing areas have natural light filtering through the laminated glass and raffia double doors leading into the open-air bathroom. Sandstone stepping stones lead guests to the open-air shower, or they can enjoy an aromatherapy bath in the kidney shaped freestanding tub.

"One&Only Kanuhura has a special aura that embraces guests as soon as they step on to the arrival jetty from the seaplane. The casual elegance of the island is preserved with the choice of natural materials and a color palette pulled from the sea. The newly renovated villas have floor-to-ceiling glass and wood doors that slide back to reveal either the beach or a private deck before you fall off into the amazing turquoise sea," comments Jan Clausen of Atlanta-based CCID, who designed the resort's interior.

What's happening at One&Only Kanuhura?

Full rejuvenation of the 18 Water Villas and two Grand Water Villas includes:

• Extended over-water verandas with steps down to the crystal clear waters. The private area of the deck will be expanded to 430 square feet for the Water Villas and 485 square feet for the Grand Water Villas

• All new villa entrance jetties and main water villas walkway jetties

• New teak wood floors and deck throughout

• All new furniture, fabrics, and dressings

• Floor-to-ceiling glass doors with teak plantation shutters overlooking the lagoon, reef and Indian Ocean beyond - increasing privacy for sunbathing and in-villa dining

• Hand-crafted king-size beds with Egyptian cotton bed linen - new throws, covers and cushions

• The dressing room areas will be refurbished and overhauled, to include wardrobes with longer hanging space, multiple deep drawers, luggage rack area and honed Indian slate slab tops

• Renovation of bathrooms and semi open-air bathrooms - retaining the much-loved open-air showers, with their carved terracotta fish showerheads, steps leading down to the lagoon, polished stone bathtubs, double vanity areas with new pebble-shaped sand-washed effect basins and honed Indian slate slab vanity area tops. More natural elements such as bamboo blinds, stone, slate and wood will be added to enhance the sense of relaxation in the bathrooms

Beach Villas

• Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors with teak plantation shutters

• New solid wood bed base with luxurious Sealy posturepedic mattresses and new furnishings

• New dressing room area with new wardrobes, extra hanging space, luggage rack area and multiple deep drawers

Bars and restaurants

• All four of the resort's restaurants - Thin Rah, Olive Tree, Veli Caf'e and Coves - will also benefit from new furniture, fabrics and lighting, a new permanent barbeque station and freestanding wine cellar in Thin Rah. A fresh menu concept has also been introduced based on the existing one

• Handhuvaru Bar will become a charming gathering point surrounded by shady coconut palm trees and fine, coral sand - a great place to take in the jaw-dropping Maldivian sunsets