I Sheraton Maldives Full Moon

By Fouzia Azzab

• HOTEL REVIEW •

Pamper your senses and rejuvenate your mind and body in the Maldives, a haven of sunny beaches, tranquility, and meditation.

I’ve always dreamt of spending a honeymoon in a romantic and magical place like the Maldives, but I would never have thought that I would go there with one of my friends instead. We set off on a journey to discover the enchanting beauty of these islands located in the southwest of India, with their natural sceneries and marine gateways. Excited for an adventure to escape the stress of work and the ongoing fears of COVID-19, we chose the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, the third largest resort in the Maldives.

Journey

Our flight took about three and a half hours before we arrived at Velana International Airport in Malé, the capital of the Maldives. It was crowded with travelers from all over the world, but we got through easily and found one of the resort staff waiting for us to accompany us the rest of the way.

The weather was beautiful at around 28 degrees, and

the sky was like a painting decorated with scattered clouds, unlike anything we had seen before. We also found that booking a resort near the airport was a good idea, as we avoided the seaplane and instead had a comfortable 20-minute boat trip, which we spent taking selfies.

Accommodation

The joy of breathing in the ocean air surrounded by the blue waters was only the beginning of our unforgettable trip to the luxury resort, which sits on a private island in an atoll north of Malé, surrounded by a turquoise lagoon, sandy beaches, and swaying palm trees. As soon as we arrived, we received a warm welcome. The resort staff served us a delicious tropical drink and explained the various activities that the Sheraton Maldives has to offer.

The resort is the third eldest in the Maldives, dating back to 1973, although it has undergone major renovations since then. The staff took us on tour around the resort, which offers 176 guest rooms, including beach cottages and water villas, most of which are equipped with private plunge pools. We chose two water villas overlooking the ocean, each with a king-size bed, wooden rooftops, outdoor deck, private pool, and a large bathroom.

This is all you need to relax, far away from the hustle and bustle of the nearest city. Waking up to the sound of the waves crashing into the lower pillars of the villa was an indescribable feeling. It’s as if you are on a ship cruising the Indian Ocean. Every morning I would sit for a while, admiring the sea view in front of me as I lay on the bed. Although we each had our own villa, my friend and I were neighbors throughout our stay at the resort, sharing music and relaxing together.

Activities

As soon as we arrived, we took a dip in the turquoise water of the ocean under the warm sunlight. The weather was so nice, we later took a walk around the island to see more of its wonderful charm, but I spotted one of the island’s large lizards strutting by the side of the road, and I was so terrified we finished our little tour. However, the resort offers a lot more activities than just gentle walking. It underwent a $20 million renovation in 2018, with facilities upgraded to include seven restaurants and bars, two swimming pools, and a tennis court. During our stay, we exercised in the fitness club and enjoyed a personal yoga session, as well as a swim in the resort’s tropical pool. The weather was beautiful throughout our stay, which made it possible for us to try all the offered activities within our program. And when we didn’t have any scheduled activities, my friend and I would spend our time meditating, reading, and listening to music.

The ocean and its marine life are vital to the Maldivian ecosystem and the islands. The North Male Atoll is home to over 40 world-class diving points, all of which are easily accessible from the Sheraton Maldives resort. One afternoon we had an educational session at the resort on how it’s regrowing parts of its coral reef with Emily, a member of the marine biologists’ team, Reefscapers. The resort’s coral plans are a milestone in the island’s coral propagation initiative, which started in February 2020. It has succeeded in transplanting over 5,619 coral fragments from 15 different species of corals to date. When we were done, we took a snorkeling tour and explored the vibrant coral reefs, seeing different types of marine life, including blacktip reef sharks, spotted eagle rays, and batfish. Later that day, we set out on a sunset cruise, seeing dolphins and baby sharks swimming around the neighboring islands.

When we needed to relax and rejuvenate, we headed to Shine Spa. The spa room was open to the sea, giving you the feeling of being on the beach. We chose a back and neck massage, but the sounds of the crashing waves

The Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa has succeeded in transplanting over 5,619 coral fragments from 15 different species of corals to date.

nearly lulled us to sleep.

One night the resort decided to throw a local beachside party with a performance by a Maldivian group dressed in traditional Indian attire. We all enjoyed the fast rhythms of the music, and some of the audience danced along in groups or with their children.

Dining

The resort offers a range of cuisines across its seven restaurants and bars. We had breakfast at the Feast restaurant, which had a modern tropical design and a Cajun thatch coconut roof, in a lively setting with livecooking stations.

The Anchorage Bar on the edge of Anchorage Beach was perfect for a snack as we watched the mesmerizing sunsets and enjoyed the fascinating magical colors while lying on comfortable day beds. We drank juices and enjoyed delicacies such as traditional pizzas and pasta from its Mediterranean menu. We also had the opportunity to dine with some Latin music rhythms by one of the local bands while we tried the signature cocktails and delicious juices.

For dinner, the Sea Salt restaurant offers a romantic candlelit setting, where we had the Seafood Furanafushi—a classic seafood dish. One night we dined at the Masala Hut, which serves a traditional blend of North and South Indian cuisine, in the open air by the beautiful lake. Besides a number of vegetarian options, it also serves classic dishes like chicken tikka with a delicious array of flavors. Another evening we decided to try the Baan Thai restaurant, which serves local seafood and vegetables from the island, mixed with Thai ingredients, such as coconut, pandan, and lemongrass.

One afternoon, the resort prepared us a special lagoon lunch experience in the water, a few steps from the beach, with a variety of dishes, including fish tacos and chocolate jalapeno ice cream. Then, on our last day, we tried the ChopstiX restaurant, which was the perfect place for a late lunch or early dinner as our flight back was in the evening. We tried dumplings, noodles, and other delicious Asian dishes near the pool.

Final thoughts

At last, we left the Sheraton Maldives Resort, and the smiles of the staff did not leave their faces as we said our goodbyes. But we took with us unforgettable memories of this dream holiday, giving us the energy needed to face the challenges of the coming days with hope and optimism.

Group Chief Executive EFS Facilities Services

Head, Design Management Masdar City

Vice-Chairman and Group CEO United Real Estate Company K.S.C.P (URC)

Chief Executive Officer

Senior Producer and Presenter

ALEC Engineering & Contracting Forbes Middle East

The real estate and construction sector in the Middle East was going through a transformation phase before the outbreak of the pandemic two years ago. However, the pandemic presented an opportunity for the sector to accelerate digitalization for healthier and safer buildings.

Sustainability and digitalization are at the core of a major shift currently underway in the real estate and construction sector as the focus on renewable energy, net-zero economies, and infrastructure gains momentum.

Forbes Middle East held its second annual Building the Future Summit in January, bringing together industry leaders from across the region to discuss the opportunities and the way forward for the Middle East’s real estate sector.

The first panel, moderated by Ramia Farrage, Senior Producer and Presenter, Forbes Middle East, centered on the unprecedented impact of the pandemic on the real estate sector and the emerging need for sustainability. Speakers were: Mazen Issam Hawwa, Vice-Chairman and Group CEO at the United Real Estate Company; Kez Taylor, CEO of ALEC Engineering & Contracting; Tariq Chauhan, Group CEO of EFS Facilities Services; and Chris Wan, Head of Design Management for Masdar City.

Hawwa started by noting that real estate is a continuously learning industry. “There is no doubt that 2021 was one of the most challenging years for the real estate and construction sector,” he said while adding that the impact of the pandemic on the real estate sector in the

region presented challenges that were multifaceted, from financial to operations as well as supply chain disruptions. Hawwa also explained how operational costs in the construction sector had increased by as much as 6% in 2021 alone, a situation that has prompted property developers and other industry players to find ways to address these challenges.

Taylor spoke broadly on how sustainable buildings, which used to be a novelty 10 years ago, are becoming the norm. “Going into the future, I think property developers need to fully align with the objectives of the sustainable development goals (SDGs),” he said. Collectively, real estate and construction players in the Middle East are trying to reduce their carbon emissions footprint by 50% over the next five years. Property developers in the region are seeking ways to measure carbon emissions as the first step to achieve their net-zero carbon emissions target, but “I don’t think it is a standardized method at the moment,” said Taylor.

Asked about the outlook in light of emerging trends such as sustainability, Taylor said that people have come to realize that the U.A.E. is a desirable place to live, thanks to the country’s forward-thinking, innovative leadership, and great infrastructure. In line with global trends, Taylor projected an increase in urbanization and continued population growth while noting that for property developers, the major challenge will be how to deliver projects that meet the requirements of future generations.

From a designer perspective, Wan said that a simple approach in dealing with sustainability is often the best approach. “You instinctively know when you walk into a building from the lighting, the air circulation, and experience that this is a sustainable project, and that is what I see shaping the future of sustainable properties going forward,” he explained. Wan also highlighted that with a better understanding of the relationship between space and people, especially with a lot of people working from home due to the ongoing pandemic, a healthy mind is important.

Chauhan noted that as facilities management services providers, companies like EFS are at the receiving end, given that they take control of a property after construction has been finished. He noted that sometimes the properties that are being built do not “meet the standards in context to the new specifications that were established at the COP26 last October.” To ensure that the new standards are not compromised, Chauhan said that facilities management follows either regional or global standards while noting that the sector is still facing challenges in ensuring compliance with sustainable development goals when it comes to the use of certain types of chemicals and machines. When it comes to issues like energy sustainability, facilities management firms have limited control.

The second panel discussed how the tourism industry has been impacted by COVID-19 and the future outlook for the industry. Moderated by Daniyal Baig, Forbes Middle East’s COO, the panel featured: Basmah Al-Mayman, Regional Director of the Middle East at UNWTO; Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA); Sherif Beshara, Group CEO of Mohamed & Obaid Almulla Group of Companies; and Filip Boyen, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide.

Al-Mayman began by highlighting initiatives created by the UNWTO to support postpandemic recovery, such as the UNWTO Global Tourism Crisis Committee. “With each wave of the pandemic, the restrictions change, but in the region, we still try to harmonize our procedures,” she said.

Adding to the discussion on the regional tourism sector recovery, Beshara brought in the perspective of hotel owners, crediting the support of the local government in Dubai and the U.A.E. as instrumental to the hospitality sector during the pandemic. He stressed the dual importance of vision and planning.

Inzerillo agreed with Beshara on the importance of leadership in handling the pandemic, highlighting the “phenomenal” and “steady” leadership across the Gulf region. In Saudi Arabia, under King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, “We were lucky to have that continuity of dynamic leadership,” said Inzerillo.

Boyen noted travelers wanted a human connection and to feel safe and truly cared for. “Maintaining service standards is going to be the key going forward because let’s not forget, after the frustration and the isolation that all the travelers have experienced over the last few years, they want to feel again,” he added.

The panelists spoke about how they were adopting new trends and implementing digital

Chief Executive Officer Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA)

Regional Director of the Middle East UNWTO

Chief Executive Officer Forbes Travel Guide

Group Chief Executive Officer Mohamed & Obaid Almulla Group of Companies

Chief Operating Officer Forbes Middle East

innovation to enhance the visitor experience. Inzerillo said DGDA updated its technology during the pandemic. “We’ve spent a lot of time analyzing roads, electric vehicles…the UNESCO site and Diriyah are planning 40,000 parking spots, all underground, all carbon-neutral. So we’re ready to open up guest experience in a very beautiful and diversified country,” he revealed.

However, Boyen added that while technology can be leveraged to offer a more seamless guest experience: “Luxury hospitality will always be about high-touch rather than high-tech.”

Al-Mayman offered her thoughts from the guest’s perspective. “When you are a tourist now, you are more demanding for better services, health protocols…and that didn’t exist before.”

Beshara pointed out the connection between staff and guests to ensure customer service. “The important element of personal service is a personal touch. Your staff should be happy before passing the happiness to your guest,” he said. “Employees should be knowledgeable, and their language should reflect their community, their behavior, their uniforms…all of this helps.”

The event’s third panel, moderated by Forbes Middle East Managing Editor, Claudine Coletti, focused on the shift towards more sustainable financing and adopting the principles of environmental, social, and governance criteria (ESG). Speakers were: Richard Attias, CEO of the Future Investment Initiative Institute (FII Institute); Paschalis Bouchoris, Managing Director and Country Manager for BlackRock in the Middle East; Rola Abu Manneh, CEO of Standar d Chartered Bank U.A.E.; and Rishi Kapoor, co-CEO of Investcorp.

Talking about how adopting ESG is evolving across a key principle for many investors across the world, Attias said, “more and more institutions, corporations, and governments are taking very seriously this notion of sustainability, and even world leaders are becoming very serious.”

Bouchoris estimated investments in sustainable finance solutions and strategies at $4 trillion, noting that “Europe has been leading the way.” In the Middle East, Bouchoris highlighted important initiatives from the public and private sectors that are being launched in various fields, from energy transition to renewables to green hydrogen and sustainable urban development.

Chief Executive Officer FII Institute (Future Investment Initiative Institute)

Chief Executive Officer Standard Chartered Bank UAE

Co-Chief Executive Officer INVESTCORP

Managing Director, Country Manager BlackRock

Managing Editor Forbes Middle East

Abu Manneh shared the same sentiment, noting that the drive to establish a green economy has accelerated globally, and the MENA region is really no different. “The markets around the Middle East, Asia, and Africa are where sustainable finance matters most,” she noted.

Assessing and measuring green or sustainable projects is necessary when considering new investments or the provision of finance. Kapoor highlighted three universal principles: commitment towards diversity, equity, and inclusion; a real focus on managing and mitigating climate risks by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and waste; and a commitment towards best-in-class business ethics, governance, and transparency.

Attias described how the FII Institute is developing an ESG scoring methodology for emerging markets that is fair and inclusive. He noted that current rating agencies are unfair and called for a more inclusive ESG approach. “We are thinking of the very western approach, but not all countries can be at the [same] level of ESG, where the U.S. or Europe stand, so Africa and Asia will be behind,” he explained. “It’s not just about making a good investment but an investment for good.”

Real estate is one of the top five contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, said Kapoor. He explained that Investcorp seeks to embed core principles of sustainability into real estate, especially when it comes to multifamily residential, where it’s an active investor by providing cost-effective housing solutions at affordable price points.

Abu Manneh noted that there is an increased interest in sustainability from businesses, investors, and lenders across the region, expecting more demand for sustainable finance in MENA over the coming years, with the bank planning to mobilize on a global basis $300 billion in green and transition finance by 2030.

Attias highlighted that education is “very important” because a lot of companies have no real understanding about what they should do to be ESG compatible. “We should not forget the small to mediumsized companies because the transformation of how we mentally think of ESG will come from the very early stage.”

Bouchoris concluded that “no company, no industry can do this alone. This is why industry coalition, governments, and regulators have a significant role to play here, with taxonomies, standards, and more aligned approaches in general on data challenges that we undoubtedly face.”