Tourism & Hospitality | Sunday 9 August, 2015 12:30 am |

You and your young charges follow the winding curves of a sandy trail into the lush green island jungle on the isle of Play. The outside world slips away and you enter a world where imagination reigns and encounters with the surreal await at every corner.

 

A giant caterpillar greets you on white sands. A dinosaur and blue whale bob hello. Tweens prepare to embark on a snorkelling safari or to tread the boards at the club’s own amphitheatre, and infants drift to sleep listening to traditional Maldivian stories in the secure haven of their very own den. 

 

With the launch of its wildly imaginative children’s club, Explorers, PER AQUUM Niyama takes the island excitement to dizzying new levels. At Explorers, run by an international operator and a team of highly qualified carers, children discover activities tailored to their age group and inspired by the out-of-this-world natural beauty of the Maldives. Throughout the resort, family-spirited accommodation, dining and experiences abound. Sophistication meets exploration, with extra special attention lavished on VIPs both large and small.

 

Four Tribes, One Ultimate Destination

Children at Explorers join one of four tribes, segmented by age. With dedicated care for infants as young as 12 months, the children’s club is unique in the Maldives. Children aged from 1 to 2 are known as Globetrotters and enjoy quiet areas, the highest ratio of caregivers to children, and age-appropriate activities introducing them to arts, music and nature. Adventurers – the tribe of 3 to 4 year olds – race hermit crabs, bodu beru drum and splash under a watchful eye. 

 

Voyagers aged 5 to 7 and Pioneers from 8 to 12 years enjoy their own purpose built facilities and challenging fun with activities such as kayaking, dolphin spotting, local island trips, pizza making, mini Olympics and immersions in the underwater playground Subsix with the resident marine biologist as well as the Great PER AQUUM Niyama Treasure Hunt.

 

At Explorers’ heart, an outdoor fun area welcomes children with a playground, trampoline, splash park and stage. Munch, the mini gourmet kitchen, offers cooking classes, dining and refreshments catered to the tribes’ different tastes with child-friendly foods. 

 

Spa, Nibble, Scuba, Stay: Luxury Experiences for Families Daring to Be Different

 

Beyond the children’s club, family-themed options at PER AQUUM Niyama run a spectacular gamut from the chilled out to the adrenaline surged in spa, dining, accommodation and activities.

 

For mini fashionistas, the Bali-based New York fashion designer, Paul Ropp, has created an exclusive children’s range which is only available at the boutique at PER AQUUM Niyama.  Explorers take to the catwalk once a week to showcase the vibrant designs to fashion forward families.     

 

Rightfully located on the isle of Chill, LIME Spa reigns supreme as one of PER AQUUM’s signature concepts, and its relaxation journeys at PER AQUUM Niyama cater to the needs of a modern family. Sometimes Mama needs a spa day. And sometimes the experience is even more memorable with Daddy and the kids. LIME Spa family packages include Family SPArty, Mother & Princess, Daddy & Prince, Family Yoga and the Family Massage Workshop. A dedicated children’s menu spans a range of kid-friendly treatments from Daphne the Dolphin Massage to Cool Camel After Sun Treatments to Captain Red Claw Mani.

 

The resort’s cutting-edge restaurants bring passionate creativity to the table in luxuriant flavours for adults while still offering the utmost attention to young palates. As parents explore new territories of cuisine, smaller diners tuck into child-pleasing items like the rainforest fruit salad at Edge, chicken tempura in the tree tops of Nest, mini tacos at Tribe and traditional kids’ favourites at the casual-but-chic beachfront restaurant, BLU. At the children’s pool, an ice cream parlour satiates sweet holiday cravings with cool homemade ice creams, sorbet and a variety of confections.

 

Families are free to book any studio, suite or pavilion they please, but PER AQUUM Niyama has put children top of mind in its new One-Bedroom Beach Pool Suites and Two-Bedroom Family Beach Pavilion. Guests enjoy a private space for family relaxation with the convenience of direct beach access, the beauty of ocean views and signature touches like a popcorn machine and complimentary ice cream chilled in a lusciously well-stocked fridge, known as Deli-In. The resort offers a full spectrum of baby needs pre-stocked in guests’ rooms or on request. Items include top-of-the-line strollers, bottle warmers, baby monitors, high chairs, baby baths, infant care supplies and toys. Children and teenagers receive special welcome gifts and turndown service.

 

Tempting excursions invite families to venture out on a Turtle Quest, Dolphin Cruise or Nemo & Friends snorkelling tour followed by the opportunity to adopt-a-coral and leave a positive mark on the reef. FLOAT, the resort’s water sports centre, offers a variety of beginner scuba courses for young and aspiring divers as well as an overflowing line up of ocean activities. For families who want to sail off on new adventures, FLOAT will happily provide captain, crew and a sea chariot of their choosing – from dhonis to parasailers to speedboats. Along the way, families may choose to snorkel the reefs, fun tube, picnic on a deserted island, fish for dinner or make new friends at a local village.