CNN
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It may be true that luxury resorts in the Maldives have it all: turquoise waters, rich marine life, and in some cases, their own time system.
The phrase “island time” is more than just a metaphor for inviting guests to relax and forget about time passing by.
Many resorts set their clocks at least an hour ahead of the country's official time zone. This is 5 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+5).
“This intentional timing adjustment is more than just a travel quirk. It thoughtfully enhances the guest experience and caters to the diverse needs of our international visitors,” said general manager Mohit Dembra. Masu. JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa told CNN Travel.
JW Marriott is one of four Maldives properties under the Marriott Group, along with The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, and Fari Islands.
All four resorts observe Island Time.
Addition of daytime activities and sunset dinner
Mateo Colombo/Moment RF/Getty Images
Maldives is famous for its beautiful beaches.
This one-hour shift may not seem like a big deal if you live in an area with long days, but it can make a big difference if you're on vacation and have limited daylight hours.
“Because most resorts in the Maldives are located on their own private islands, often several miles from mainland Male, they have their own set of rules to ensure travelers get an extra hour of sunshine each day, i.e. They often operate according to “island time.” “Enjoy your stay at our resort,'' explains Zhilah Vego, Director of Sales and Marketing. At the St. Regis Maldives Vomuri Resort.
With this time adjustment, sunrise will begin at the resort at 7am instead of 6am, which is the official time in the Maldives.
02:30 – Source: CNN
Inside one of the most luxurious resorts in the Maldives
Soneva, another luxury resort group with multiple properties around the Maldives, also sets its resort clocks an hour ahead of Male time. Instead of the word “island,” they named the clock shifts after their respective properties. (For example, Soneva Jani calls it “Soneva Jani Time.”)
“With sunrise at 7 a.m. and sunset at 7:15 p.m., our guests can enjoy the sun and escape the peak heat of the day at the perfect time for an early morning jog or cool evening sports.” said Soneva Jani GM Charles Morris.
“This also gives them the serene beauty of sunset until 7:45 p.m., perfect for witnessing spectacular sunsets on South Beach.”
Staff at other resorts have similar explanations, telling CNN that the unofficial time zone helps guests enjoy outdoor activities before sunset or watch the sunset with dinner. Special activities are often planned during prime time.
For example, The Westin Maldives Miriandu Resort hosts a sunrise yoga and running session called Westin Run.
marriott international
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands.
The Ritz-Carlton, Maldives, Fari Islands will serve dinner at sunset to Maldivian bodubel drumming at the poolside bar, and the St. Regis will offer guests a bottle of champagne at 6:45 p.m.
Although widespread, island time is still a problem for first-time visitors to the Maldives, especially those trying to balance relaxation and reality and worrying about getting to the airport in time for their flight home. It may be a shock.
St. Regis staff told CNN they understand guests may be confused by the switch. To solve this, a personal butler informs guests of the island time before their stay and assists them with conversations and coordinating travel times, especially from the airport to the resort.
Not all island resorts follow island time
02:31 – Source: CNN
Fly with a barefoot pilot in the Maldives
Not all resorts in the Maldives follow island time. This includes Kurumba, which boasts the distinction of being the country's first resort.
“We didn't use island time here at Kurumba Maldives, and we still don't, because as the first resort in the Maldives, the concept of island time didn't exist,” says the resort manager of Kurumba, which opened in 1972. Ali Farooq says.
“Many of our team members commute from Male, so we want to respect their work-life balance as well. And in our experience, it is more convenient for guests to be in the same time zone. Kurumba is just a short speedboat ride from the airport, so you won't waste your time staying here.
The Maldives is an archipelago of 1,190 low-lying islands spread over more than 90,000 square kilometers.
The majority of the country's more than 160 resorts are located on individual islands, many of which can be accessed by seaplane from Velana International Airport in the capital Male. These planes cannot fly after dark, so daylight hours are at a premium.
Over the years, resorts in other countries have established their own time zones for various reasons, but the Maldives arguably has the most. For JW Marriott's Dembla, it's all about the traveler experience.
“[The resort]is not just about providing luxurious accommodations and services; it's about creating an environment where time itself is in tune with the comfort and taste of our esteemed visitors,” he says. .
“It reflects the slow pace and relaxed attitude characteristic of the island community, enriching the overall travel experience.”
