I am developing a resort in Maldives and need your suggestions!?

Question

Before we start the development. I wanted to ask people what they wanted from the island and a holiday in Maldives. What facilities would you like to see on the resort? Any Ideas or suggestions would be welcome so that we can build a holiday resort that people actually want to go to.

The resort may be of different standards one resort will be ultra luxury but the other resort will be an elegant 4 star product with good value

Answer 1

I use to work in a five star resort and a member of the leading Small Hotels of the World for 3 1/2 years. When I was there, guest wants to do the following:

1. Spa for massage and beauty treatment.
2. Diving and water sports - catamaran, jets ski, canoe, wind surfing, para sailing, banana boat ride etc.
3. fishing in the indian ocean - so you need to have dhoni with boat captains who knows where to take their guest for fishing so that they will surely catch a fish.
4. Snorking - this was one of the most exciting thing I have ever done when I was there. Being as close as 1 meter from those huge manta rays. seeing different species of colorful fishes.
5. fine dining and eating something different. restaurant with different theme nights such as Japanese, Indonesian, Thai, Maldivian, Mediterranean and what ever the chef could think of.
6.a disco Bar with bar tenders who can do a show like juggling and flaring just like the ones you see in "Friday's" -TGIF.
7. Guest wants to see and hear some Maldivian songs and dance.
8. They might be on holiday but they need to be connected to their offices and business so they need internet/computer access, fax, telephone - a business center will be a good benefit for businessmen and corporate executives.
9. Swimming Pool - the island might be sorrounded by crystal clear water and fine white sand but relaxing in the pool with their bikini's to show off their tan and bodies is one of guest habbits specially Europeans and Russians.
10. Souvenier shop would be interesting for guest to have something to take with them as presents and souvenier during their holiday.
11. some guest does not want to break from their fitness routine so you need to have a fully equip gym.
12. A kids center will be of interest for those on holiday with kids!
13. The room is one of the most important of all. comfortable beds, with shower, toilet and bath tub, telephones, large flat screen tv with DVD/Video Players. well decorated right at the front of beach and if you have still budget for a pool/jacuzzi it will be a great treat for your guest. A kitchen and garden will be very good added facility in guest rooms/villas.

there are a lot more I could think of but I think that if I will give you all my ideas you will have the best resort in the Maldives so why don't you hire me? feel free to e-mail me if you are interested and I'll send my CV.

Answer 2

I haven't been to Maldives but would love to go. What I think I would want is somewhere serene looking and tropical but cozy. As a young married person I prefer not to see a lot of children. I think it important, even in a small resort to have some social activities and a fun bar where people can let lose a little and meet new people.

I think for a draw, the boutique thing usually gets me. Something unique and quirky while still elegant but not overly expensive.

Food is also really important. I think some resorts either have a large quanity or bad food or a small selection or good food. There should be choices. Sure have a breakfast buffet and maybe a grill and a buffet for lunch but there should be some good a la carte choices as well as a buffet for dinner. Make sure you have a good chef who can cook and if not just a manager telling a bunch or locals what to cook. I have been to places like that and the food looked nice but it wasn't very good. Also my husband is a chef so he has made me picky.

Good luck, and hopefully I will get there one day.

Answer 3

Both need to be the resort type hotels. The materials of construction and the amenities in the hotel rooms are depending on your budget (since you didn't mentioned about the exact investment). I would prefer to have the big bathroom and more romantic overlooking the water. One hotel could be the bungalow-type for family and the other hotel could be the building with the facilities of convention room for seminar, workshop, and private party etc.

As Maldives was suffered from December 26, 2005 Tsunami. It is important that you have the special connection with the Tsunami Alarm..which some of them already installed in the Countries at Andaman Ocean., Andaman Sea like Thailand for example.

Answer 4

I would suggest that you contact Bernard Bohnenberger at six-senses.com which used to be soneva pavilion resorts i believe. They have many first class resorts throughout Asia, and have a mangement package for people who wish to own their own resorts but need management expertise. They own the Soneva Fushi Resort on Baa Atoll, which is, without exception, the best resort in The Maldives. It's a friendly young company,albeit very established for 20 years, owned by a wonderful couple called Sonu and Eva, and they WILL help you. Bernard is the main man, check them out on the internet.

Answer 5

Have you done your marketing research? You probably heard the expression- LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! In addition you need to have a promotional strategy in internet /media. It is because Maldives is not as famous as Phuket, Langkawi or Bali. Who is your target group? Maldives is an exclusive location and I dont think average Joe from Europe can afford it. Maybe hooneymooners or families, middle- class,yuppies and above.

Facilities would be:-

1) Affordable rate/room type and facilities-tv, phone and nice decor
2) Cheap airfare /easy acess by airlines
3) Internet access/phone/business center
4) Airport transfer-taxi, limo or van. Car rental/motocycle.
5) Swimming Pool/watersports-scuba and snorkling.
6) Free breakfast inclusive
7) Free beverage/toilettrees/safety box, coffe/tea or mineral water in the room.
8) Restaurant- buffet/barbecues or sun- set dinner
9) Discount/promotion at in-house spa or boutique
10)Entertainment liveband, pool table or bars in or near the hotel!
12) Mini-market/grocery inside the hotel.
13) Autoteller machine,bank/ money changer.
14) Friendly, professional, honest, well-trained staffs/good chef.

Thats why location is important where additional facilities can be found. Otherwise you have to provide and invest more to enhance customers satisfaction.

Goodluck.

Answer 6

How about an Island with a water theme park as there's none in the Maldives or even an underground aquarium like sea world.

Answer 7

I would like to stay in a nice place which has cozy facilities and privacy and great nature. Maldives is very small beautiful great island as I know. you can make beautiful resort in front of beach. people will love it.

Good to know somebody developing a resort, cuz always it was out of my option for my vacation due to very few resorts in there.

Good luck! make ppl surprise with your great resort!!!
:D

OH! For a hint. There is one website of my favorite vacation resrort in Korea. chek this out. you can see what Korean ppl likes about. *wink*
www.november.co.kr

Answer 8

A solid foundation and stilts would be good. The resort will last only 20 odd years if you don't build it to withstand sinking. The islands are sinking, so they say.

I'd stay there if the resort complex was elevated high enough.

Answer 9

You'll possibly find it more usefull to consider what people who travel to places like the Maldives certainly do not want.
This will refine the 'do wants'.
The next stage is cnvassing those that are there o holiday over the next year. If their preference are catered for elsewhere; fine. but you could offer more efficient and friendly service.
When canvassing, one or two items will crop up that people feel is never catered for...Those are the nuggets.

Answer 10

a resort that also has a swimming pool so that it's clients have another option besides the beach

a resort that has an internet connection or better yet has a wifi so that clients that brought with them their laptops can access the internet using their own laptops

a spa that could give clients another option to relax

but above all, the resort should have a VERY HELPFUL and ACCOMMODATING staff so it would be a very STRESS-FREE vacation for the clients.

Good luck!! =)