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“Rediscover Life´s Beauty” in the North Male Atoll
The Maldives consists of 1190 islands and on one of these small islands in the North Malé or Kaafu Atoll you will find the luxurious Coco Bodu Hithi. Romance is very important at this local family run Coco Collection resort. Furthermore, the ingenious design concept embraces a respectful interaction with nature.
All 100 villas have their own swimming pool. There are 7 restaurants, numerous water activities and a great spa over the water. It is one of the most exclusive resorts in the Maldives.
The Maldivian hotel group Coco Collection was created in 2007 as a subsidiary of Sunland Hotels & Resorts by the Maldivian founder Mr. Shabeer. Since then the Coco Collection has become synonymous with stylish, sophisticated and sustainable holidays. The trip by speedboat from the Malé airport takes just 35 min.
Pool
The huge infinity pool is located directly on the sea and next to the main restaurant Air and the Latitude bar.
Villen
Coco Residences
The 24 Coco Residences are close to the island, yet secluded through the long footbridge. There is a private beach, a reception area with a lounge and a restaurant, Stars, with a bar.
The island is small, but if you want to walk from the Coco Residences to the other restaurants, it takes about 10 – 15 minutes. It’s much faster with one of the golf carts!
The Coco Residences are the largest villas on the island with 184 square metres. They all have a living room, a bedroom, a large bathroom with shower and bath, a dressing area, a minibar with a wine cabinet and a huge terrace with daybed, dining area and pool.
The view of the sea, even from your bed, is just beautiful! If you love beautiful ocean views, these villas are just perfect for you. If you prefer to stay directly on the beach, there are also villas on the island situated directly on the beach.
This grey heron also liked our pool!
(Escape) Water Villas
On the other side of the island, above the lagoon, are another 16 Water Villas, 188 square metres in size each with their own pool, designer bath and great views. There are also another 16 Escape Water Villas, each a 144 square metres with double bath, pool and separate living room.
Island Villas
The villas on the island, 109 square metres in size each has a huge round bathtub, a pool and direct beach access. If you prefer to stay directly on the beach, this is the right choice for you.
Coco Privé
If you would like to be all alone, you can directly book yourself a whole island! It is located almost directly opposite the Coco Residences and has every imaginable luxury. It is available from $ 45,000 per night. www.cocoprive.com
Restaurants
With such a variety of restaurants there is something for everyone. From buffet meals to á la carte, or from sushi to fresh fish and delicious pizza, no wish is left unfulfilled. The food really is so delicious!
Air
This is the main restaurant and it is situated right next to the infinity pool. It offers typical local dishes and international specialties for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You also have the choice of à la carte or buffet meals.
Latitude
The cocktail bar right next to the infinity pool offers a wide selection of wines, snacks, soft drinks and exciting cocktails.
Aqua
This wonderful restaurant is located right over the water and is perfect for romantic dinners! Aqua serves innovative Asian cuisine by combining the finest local ingredients including freshly caught seafood. The individual tables are evenly spread out, so that it is even more exclusive and private.
Usually, I do not eat tuna – as too many fishing nets are lost at sea and too many other animals, such as dolphins and turtles are killed. 640,000 tons of fishing nets have already been lost at sea – imagine that! But, fortunately, it is different in the Maldives – here tuna is still caught using the one-by-one method: 1 man, 1 pole, 1 fish!
The tuna tartare in Air is the Balinese chef, I Wayan Sundira’s and the Greek General Manager, Georgios Papazoglou’s absolute favorite – so I simply had to try it! And it was a dream!
Fresh local Tuna Tartar, Truffle Chipotle Chilli Sauce,
Salmon Roe and crispy Tortilla
Ingredients for a single serving
100g fresh tuna (make sure that it was caught in the Maldives), 10g white of a boiled egg, 5g onion, 15ml lemon juice, 10g red pepper, 5g miso paste, 10ml truffle oil, 10ml Kikkoman soy sauce, 5g chipotle chilli powder, finely chopped lettuce , 30g crispy tortilla, 5g salmon
Preparation
- Cut the tuna into cubes and place in a bowl. Add all the other ingredients except the lettuce and the tortilla
- Mix carefully and then gently press into a ring shaped mold.
- Remove the ring and garnish on a plate with lettuce and salmon roe
- Serve with the crispy tortillas
Breeze
Another romantic option where you dine under the stars directly on the beach. The Breeze Beach BBQ is available at $ 135 per person.
The Stars
The bar and restaurant, The Stars, are located right next to the Coco Residences and offers an à la carte breakfast, delicious cocktails and Asian fusion cuisine with fresh seasonal ingredients.
Tsuki
Tsuki is located on the first floor of Latitude and serves traditional Japanese specialties such as sushi, sashimi and maki.
Beach
Life is better in flip flops.
(Water) Activities
Every day something different is offered. We were lucky enough to be there on a Tuesday when the manager’s cocktail is served on the beach.
General Manager´s Cocktail
Cocktails and canapés on the beach at sunset with live music from a band – life can hardly get any better! This way you also can get to know the managers and maybe even meet other guests.
On other days you can for example, also join a sunset cruise, snorkel or dive with turtles or manta rays or try your luck at Morning Fishing, have a picnic on a sandbank, watch the traditional drummers and dancers in the Boduberu show or enjoy watching a movie under the stars on the beach.
The excursions take place under guidance of the hotel’s own marine biologist and of course you can also go diving and there is plenty of other water sports equipment.
Coco Spa
A visit to this award winning spa should not be missed! Of all the spas that we have visited on our travels so far, the Coco Spa definitely is on our Top 5 Spas of the world list.
You can choose between traditional treatments from Indonesia, Thailand and India. Facials, massage rituals, beautifying body therapies and yoga are also offered.
We can highly recommend the Balinese massage! Just awesome! It is only $ 199 for 50 minutes for 2 people.
Honeymoon & Wedding
Honeymooners on the Maldives get spoiled. Some special extras are included for example a candle light dinner, a bottle of champagne and so on. Just like in Mauritius and the Seychelles honeymooners also qualify for a special Honeymoon discount at Coco Resorts.
Honeymoon Special
25 % discount on the accommodation price
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- Cocktail reception, sparkling champagne, fruit platter, romantic bed decoration, romantic 3-course candlelight dinner, 10% discount on all spa treatments, Coco Gift
- Champagne breakfast in your villa when staying at Coco Residence
- (Mit Frühbucherrabatt kombinierbar.)
The honeymoon special, can also be combined with early booking discounts.
Valentine’s Day Special
Couple Treatments at Coco Spa for $ 300 per couple for 90 minutes, romantic 5-course candle light dinner on the beach for only $ 145 per person, private movie night on the beach at $ 180 per couple and so much more. (more info)
“Wedding” oder “Renewal of vows” Package from USD 2500
Spa treatments for the bride and groom, traditional Bodu Beru drummers performance, photographer, bouquet for the bride, wedding cake, sunset cruise with champagne and canapés, breakfast in the villa and more (more info)
For the sake of the environment
Unfortunately, due to heavy storms and excessively high temperatures in recent years, up to 90% of the corals on the Maldives have been damaged. And every day, a lot of plastic waste is washed up on the beach. The Coco Collection does a lot to protect the animals and preserve the environment! (Sustainability Report 2016)
“Eco friendly” measures and initiatives by the hotel
- The hotel emphasises to guests in various different ways just how important it is to protect the marine life and the environment
- In the villas you will find Green Bags, that guests can use to take their plastic waste home with them where there are better opportunities to recycle these.
- Reuse of treated waste water to save energy
- Use of LED bulbs to save energy
- Rainwater is collected and used for the generator
- Regular island and reef clean-up operations by the entire Coco Bodu Hithi Team
- Paper napkins are not used, only self-made cloth napkins
- and many other initiatives
Marine Biology Centre
- Supporting the Olive Ridley Projects in the fight against ghost nets in the Indian Ocean
- Active collection of the so-called ghost nets as well as providing training for the team
- Education programmes for guests and staff about turtles, manta rays, sharks and plastic waste pollution
- Building of a Turtle Rescue Station
- Building a coral nursery by using recycled iron bars
- Environmental Education Events such as Earth Hour, Earth Day, World Ocean Day, World Sea Turtle Day and so on
- Coral transplants
- and many other initiatives
How can you help?
When you buy tuna, you should pay attention to how and where it was caught. About 22% of tuna is caught in the Indian Ocean and in the Maldives specifically, only with pole and line. Make sure that the tuna you buy was caught in the Maldives. If you are uncertain, you can visit the International Pole & Line Foundation website to find out which fishing technique is used.
If you need a new T-shirt or jacket Fourth Element makes clothing from ghost net material.
You can find out more by visiting the Coco Collection blog COCO CARES!
Conclusion
Island life is just wonderful and romantic! We loved our water villa and were sad to leave this piece of paradise! And although it is very luxurious and exclusive, the atmosphere in the hotel is really relaxed and casual! The service is very personal, friendly and simply perfect. Here you can just sit back, relax and enjoy.
Rooms: 100 villas: 44 Island Villas, 16 Water Villas, 16 Escape Water Villas and 24 Coco Residences)
Duration: Nonstop from Frankfurt to Male with Condor in 10.5 hours
Transfer: 40 minutes by speedboat from Male
Check-in / Check-out Times: 14:00 / 11:00
Air Temperature: 24 – 33° Celsius
Water Temperature: 27 – 29° Celsius
Malaria: Malaria free
Vaccinations: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and B vaccinations are recommended. Mosquito repellent to prevent Dengue fever.
Best season: (November) December to March
Time Difference: 5 hours
Price: From 585 EUR per night
Honeymoon Special: 25% discount on the accommodation price
Features: Privacy, pure luxury, great villas, excellent food, very personal service
Perfect for: Couples, families, nature lovers, water sports enthusiasts, romantics, honeymooners and weddings
Coco Bodu Hithi
North Male Atoll, Republic of Maldives
Tel: +960 664 1122 | +960 664 6600
Fax: +960 664 1133
Skpye : reservations-cococollection
Email: reservations@cocoboduhithi.com
www.cocoboduhithi.com
Coco Collection
Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Green Pearls – Unique Places
Booking.com – Outstanding Hotel Partner Award – 2014
Trip Advisor – Certificate of Excellence – 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
World Luxury Spa Awards 2014, 2015
World Travel Awards – Indian Ocean Best Luxury Villa Resort – 2013
Trip Advisor – Travellers’ Choice Award – 2013
Green Globe EarthCheck – Bronze Certificate, recognizes the operation’s commitment to operating at the world’s highest environmental standards – 2012
TUI Holly Award – One of the 100 most satisfying Hotels Worldwide – 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
TUI Awards – Umwelt Champion – 2012
World Luxury Hotel Awards – Best Luxury Hotel – 2009, 2011
World Luxury Hotels Awards – Best Luxury Island Resort in the World – 2010
Spa Magazine – Silver Sage Readers’ Choice Award – 2010
World Luxury Hotel Awards 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013
IP International Reader’s Travel Awards – 1st Place for the most beautiful Spa-Resort Worldwide – 2008
Go Green Programme, eco certified hotel
World Land Trust Donator
You can find many more informations about the Maldives in the interesting article
A Guide To Maldives by Michelle from Traveljunkiediary.com!
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Please note: Our stay was sponsored by the Coco Collection. Thank you so much! The opinions expressed in the article are nonetheless 100% our own!