Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi: Fairmont opens its first property in the Maldives

Accor continues to expand the footprint of its recently acquired, ultra-luxurious Fairmont brand with the opening of Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi on the Shaviyani Atoll in North Maldives.

One of the country's largest lagoons, the first Fairmont property in the region offers 120 luxury villas, each with a private pool as well as infinity pools and safari-style tented villas on the island proper.

Importantly for the fragile environment, Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi is home to Maldives' first coral regeneration project. An underwater art installation by artist Jason deCaires Taylor is at its centre and will make for spectacular snorkelling and diving. The atoll and 600-hectare lagoon, previously untouched by resort life, is home to manta rays, turtles, large pods of bottlenose and spinner dolphins. The property has a commitment to sustainable tourism and improving the wellbeing of the local community and ecosystem, including using desalinated water served in reusable bottles.

Villas are decorated in "a bohemian rustic chic vibe" with lots of natural woods, stones and metals and macrame art. That strong connection to nature extends to the resort's dining outlets, including all-day dining spot Raha Market, the over-water Japanese restaurant, Kata, and another over-water restaurant, the fine dining seafood-focused Azure.

Onu Onu bar has loungers and fire pits and the Kata Roof Top Bar and lounge overlooks the entire western side of the island, an ideal spot for sundowners.

The 2000-square-metre Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Maldives continues the nature theme and features an Olympic-sized jacuzzi pool, hand-carved wooden doors and passages designed to draw fresh sea air into the treatment rooms.

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MODERN MAGIC IN SHANGRI-LA’S VILLINGILI RESORT & SPA

Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa is excited to announce that they will host the spellbinding Villingili International Festival of Modern Magic on their enchanted island. The first of its kind in the Maldives, the festival will take place in July 2018 and will see five world renowned magicians take residency at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa. For adults and young guests alike, the month will see the magicians perform two shows per week on Villingili’s sparkling sands as well as daily close up magic at guests’ dining tables where sleight of hand will take centre stage.

Located in the Maldives’ southernmost atoll, with only the Indian Ocean separating the island from Antarctica, there is certainly something magical about a private island resort situated quite literally on the edge of the world. During the 1– 31 July 2018, five magicians are set to enhance the resort’s beautifully ethereal atmosphere through a range of traditional showstopper tricks and more unusual modern illusions and mentalism that will blow guests’ mind away. Throughout Villingili’s magic month, guests will be able to enjoy daily close up magic performances at all restaurants across the resort as well as a magic show twice a week, with all magicians coming together for a mesmerizing performance. A special “Magic Box” dinner will be available as part of the resort’s exclusive Dine By Design programme, which sees expert chefs curate meals served in special locations around the island. The “Magic Box” dinner will centre on innovative food illusions and delicious gastronomic surprises served in unusual and creative forms. Moreover, guests will be treated to a transforming spa treatment working magic on their skin and wellbeing, at CHI, the Spa, a secluded sanctuary with its own spa village within the resort. The treatment is using warm Dosha pacifying Ayurvedic herbal oils, known for their super healing powers that have a soothing effect on the body and mind, and release all toxins and stress.

As the first hotel in the Maldives to host a magic festival, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa is set to bring a whole new meaning to magical Maldivian service this summer. The resort has positioned itself as the perfect destination for families on the lookout for once-in-a-lifetime experiences with an extra magical touch this July. Against the sparkling backdrop of the turquoise Indian Ocean waters, younger guests will be able to learn the basics of magic within the hotel’s award-winning Kid’s Club and later dazzle their parents with their new found skill as the sun sets.

Each of the five magicians are specialists in their own particular field of magic, thereby ensuring that the festival has a wide range of different types of trickeries, illusions and sorcery:

‘The Conjurer’ Duc Nhien

Nhien has been passionate about the art of magic and puzzles since he was 13 years old. In 1981 he became the Belgian champion of the Rubik’s cube, which later gave him inspiration for his unique creation ‘Pixism’. Since then the internationally renowned trickster has published a plethora of French educational videos on ‘Virtual Magic’ and various articles in America’s top selling magician magazines “Magic” and “Genii”. Originally from Belgium, Nhien is the number one magician in his home country and boasts the prestigious title “Master Magician”. Another one of his talents are portraits which sees Nhien use only scissors to create sough-after silhouettes leading him to be nicknamed “The Magician Profiler”.

‘The Trickster’ Antoine Leroux

Leroux specialises in the vastly popular magic of proximity, otherwise known as close up magic. He honed his skills in France working at private parties and events where he impressed guests with his mind-blowing tricks right before their very eyes. Leroux’s experience and professionalism make him one of the most requested magicians in France and will be an enchanting addition to the island of Villingili.

‘The Mindreader’ Frank Truong

Known for co-starring in the popular French television show “La grande illusion”, Truong is regularly employed by prestigious brands and is highly-regarded within the magic circle. Truong specialises in reading people’s minds often leaving audiences speechless with his predications. In 2016, Truong participated in “France’s Got Talent” where he seduced the country and the judges with his humour and charisma reaching the live semi-finals. Since then, Truong has been travelling through France demonstrating the art of mentalism through his show “You Think So I Know” which is met with continuous success.

‘The Digitalist’ Sebastian Camersini Camersini is also a magician on the French television show “La Grande Illusion”. He has perfected the art of digital magic and is without a doubt one of the most skilful digital magicians on the planet. Camersini works exclusively with the most prestigious members of the magic circle and it known for his elegance and charm when performing.

‘The Magician’ Vincent Bruneau dit Senzo Vincent’s passion for magic and new technologies led him to found Magency, the first company to offer a collaborative digital solution to engage participants in seminars, conventions, training and meetings. Vincent cites magic and the art of stage as the inspiration behind Magency in which he emphasises the importance of companies engaging their employees from an emotional and human angle. Vincent is also a pioneer of digital magic in France. He creates all of the effects for “La Grande Illusion” show and manages a range of magicians, specialising in the customization of effects.

The resort will also provide a magic wand to all its guests as a form of memorabilia from the festival.

Dine Around the World at The Grand at Moon Palace Cancun

The Grand at Moon Palace Cancun's premium dining offerings are quickly turning guests into passionate foodies.

The family-friendly luxury resort from Palace Resorts takes all-inclusive dining to the next level with 10 restaurants and as many as a dozen bars.

In addition to convenient 24-hour room service, quality ingredients such as Certified Angus Beef® and local fresh seafood, The Grand at Moon Palace Cancun offers unrivaled variety, including Asian, Caribbean, French, Italian, Lebanese, Mexican and Peruvian inspired cuisine.

Guests will also discover top-shelf liquors that are enhanced by venues like the relaxing swim-up bar.

Authentic Mexican tacos await at Los Tacos while La Cantina allows guests to dive even deeper in local fare. For a contemporary Mexican fine dining experience, head to Cielito Lindo for delectable dishes like Field Lamb sealed within soft, smoky ashes.

Meanwhile, the central lobby's Jade restaurant fuses Japanese, Chinese and Thai flavors to create a one-of-a-kind Asian menu. Nearby, guests can send their taste buds on a trip to Italy for lunch or dinner at Tavola. Diners also can't go wrong with the Lebanese-inspired Habibi for breakfast, lunch or dinner or Peruvian dishes at Cusco.

What's more, the Grand Buffet is serving up international options from morning to night.

For a romantic atmosphere, guests will want to check out the adults-only Le Chateau restaurant. Families can send the kids to the Teens Arcade for pizza and other snacks in the meantime.

Outdoor cocktails and snacks are available at the Bar & Snacks Adults Pool and the Beach Club. Guests can also indulge in Caribbean specialties poolside while under the sun or stars at Caribeno.

The Ninth Pin bowling alley and bar is also open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. so guests will have plenty of time to chase the perfect game while sipping a refreshing cocktail and sharing crave-able dishes like potato skins and whiskey cake.

Through May 9, guests can take advantage of The Grand at Moon Palace Cancun's Cinco de Mayo Summer Getaway promotion to save up to 50 percent and receive other perks, including $1,500 in resort credit and free stays for kids and teens.