Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa Reopens

Marks the Return of Two Hundred Local Staff

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. October 14, 2008

TORONTO, Canada September 15, 2006. Four Seasons is unveiling three exceptional experiences in the Maldives comprising two very different resorts and one luxury catamaran.

Set amidst a vibrant garden island, the brand new Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa reopens today with a traditional Maldivian village setting and legendary Four Seasons service. The company's second and highly anticipated new resort, Landaa Giraavaru, will open on November 1, 2006. Situated in the Baa Atoll, the Resort is a paradise hideaway where seclusion meets wild natural beauty. Guests can further explore the far flung and seldom-visited atolls in the Maldives in the comfort of the company's luxury catamaran, the Four Seasons Explorer.

The opening of the Resorts marks the return of two hundred local staff who have been deployed to work at other Four Seasons properties around the world after Kuda Huraa was forced to close following the tsunami. Each returns to the Maldives with new personal and professional experience gained from working in hotels and resorts in locations ranging from Dallas, Palm Beach, Washington D.C., Provence, Hampshire, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo and Singapore.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa

The original Four Seasons resort on the island of Kuda Huraa in the North Male Atoll reopens following an extensive period of reconstruction. Only a 25-minute speedboat ride from Male, the Resort's Maldivian village-like feel makes it perfect for families and couples who enjoy a social environment in a vibrant setting. The Resort's 96 beach and water bungalows combine a generous use of timber and thatch with modern tropical furnishings and comforts.

Maldivian Village - The architectural design centres on giving the entire island the feeling of a Maldivian village. Inspired by Maldivian architecture and culture, elements such as traditional decorative lattice panels, curved roof forms and stone walls add character throughout the Resort. The new Beach Bungalows have raised floor levels to increase the ocean views and feature individual plunge pools. Extra-spacious Beach Pavilions with increased living space of 10m(2) and interconnecting gates offer the perfect accommodation for families.

Baraabaru restaurant is designed thematically around the menu which focuses on Indian cuisine. Large timber columns stand on a raised outdoor deck that extends 25 metres out into the lagoon creating an enchanting over-water dining experience.

Diving -There are 35 exciting dive sites within 10 to 45 minutes boat ride from the Resort.

Island Spa - Integral to the Resort is the Spa which is located on its own private island. Specialising in innovative spa treatments from Thailand, Bali and the Maldives, its seven over-water treatment pavilions are set against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean.

Dedicated Surf School - The school runs certified courses for beginners, as well as surf clinics and escorted surf excursions for experienced surfers. It is the only one of its kind offered in the Maldives.

Environmental Initiatives - Fully committed to help preserve the magnificence of the marine gardens of the Maldives, the Resort has embarked on a Reef Ball Project. Guests are invited to be a part of the reef regeneration initiative through the adoption of a Reef Ball.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru

Set to open on November 1, 2006, the much-anticipated new Resort on Landaa Giraavaru is situated in the undeveloped Baa Atoll, 120km north of Male. The 102-villa Resort occupies the extensive 18-hectare (44 acres) island, which is itself a natural wonder, its western tip sloping into a stunning two kilometre lagoon.

Here, Four Seasons has created a resort that is refreshingly different with its key goal being to embrace the island's raw wilderness and secluded privacy, rather than develop it.

Paradise Hideaway - Set against a backdrop of delightful isolation, seclusion meets natural wild beauty at the Resort. Complete privacy is achieved with the concept of 'individual domains'; each villa is entered via its own turquoise gate, has generous indoor and outdoor living space and is surrounded by lush vegetation.

Traditional Maldivian Architecture - The architectural and interior design direction for the Resort is heavily influenced by the works of Sri Lankan architect and interior designer, Geoffrey Bawa. Until his death in 2003, Bawa was heralded as Sri Lanka's most prolific and influential architect. His legacy is evident in all aspects of the design, including interiors and landscaping, brought to fruition by Ismail Murad who worked directly with him for many years. The entire Resort is built following traditional Maldivian architectural principles, using indigenous materials and details that reflect a sense of place.

The Landaa Spa and Ayurvedic Retreat have been carefully developed in association with experts from Kerala, India, offering a comprehensive approach to physical, spiritual and mental wellbeing. A first for Four Seasons, the Ayurvedic Retreat is designed for guests to experience the holistic approach of Ayurveda, the ancient Indian "science of life" with the assistance of a resident Ayurvedic Physician. Guests are invited to visit the Herbal Centre where they can learn about medicinal herbs, trees and flowers that provide the base of oils and treatments used in the Ayurvedic process.

Koimala Land and Ocean Villas - Presenting a Maldivian first in terms of villa concept, it combines the attraction of land-based living areas with the appeal of sleeping over water. Each villa consists of a land-based pavilion with private beach access and living and dining area. It is linked to the sea-based sleeping pavilion with bedroom, bathroom and outdoor shower by a wooden walkway that leads past a plunge pool.

Exquisite Dining in Inspired Settings - Dramatically perched on the western tip of the island overlooking the 2 kilometre lagoon, no restaurant in the archipelago epitomises the Maldives more than Blu - with its all-white furnishings looking out into the endless blue skies and waters. For authentic Lebanese and Moroccan cuisine, dine under a canopy of stars at the rooftop restaurant of Al Barakat.

Environmental projects - The Maldives' first 'Ornamental Fish Breeding Programme' will take place at the Resort. The goal is to create guest and employee awareness, while developing ornamental fish breeding into a sustainable livelihood for upcountry islanders.

Four Seasons Explorer

The most intimate Four Seasons Maldivian experience can be had on a 39-metre (129 foot) three-deck catamaran known as the Four Seasons Explorer. It offers divers and non-divers an insight into some of the Maldives' finest and most remote isles and atolls, and its historical and cultural attractions. The Explorer is a light boat that cruises fast at 16 knots and has a draft of just 1.9m, making it possible to access locations that larger vessels cannot reach, enhancing the sense of discovery and adventure. Ten spacious staterooms and one Explorer suite accommodate no more than 22 passengers (including children over 10 years old).

Exciting diving - The boat cruises between exceptional dive sites offering a variety of educational, specialist, sunrise, wreck and night dives.

Resident Spa Therapist - A variety of treatments can be enjoyed on board or on one of the secluded beaches visited during the cruise.

Spacious decks - The boat includes an upper sun terrace with massage corner, lower sundeck with whirlpool and bar, a restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining and a lounge and library.

Private charter - Guests can charter the boat for three or more nights for customised dive, surf, leisure or cultural cruises.