Spa by Mandara at Alila Villas Hadahaa was awarded the Eco Spa of the Year at the recent 2009 AsiaSpa Awards. AsiaSpa found that the spa demonstrated their full commitment towards creating an environmentally sustainable yet luxurious experience.

It is of little surprise that Spa by Mandara at Alila Villas Hadahaa received this award. Alila Villas Hadahaa, which opened this past August, is the first resort in the Maldives to achieve the international Green Globe “Building, Planning and Design Standard” certification.  From the planning stage to the operational stage today, the resort has achieved a fine balance between environmental responsibility and luxury.

AsiaSpa considered the environmental impact, economical and social development as well as energy efficiency, conservation, management, use of land and the staff, customers and community involvement, when deciding to whom to award the title.

Alila Villas Hadahaa won AsiaSpa over with its overall design, which reflected Alila’s vision of integrating commerce, conservation and community. The appointed architect, Yale-trained and Singapore-based Chan Soo Khian of SCDA Architects, took into consideration the environmental and cultural sensitivity of the site when designing the property. He sought to preserve as many trees as possible on Hadahaa Island, carefully planning his design around the existing vegetation—never otherwise—and this included the site on which Spa by Mandara resides. The existing foliage of the island was thus preserved and  the landscaping reinforced the beauty of the island by using only native flora. The great care taken to design and construct the resort also ensured that there is minimal disruption to the corals underwater. Rainwater harvesting and waste treatment plants were further implemented to safeguard the island from pollution when the resort became operational.

Murlidhar Rao, Director of Operations of Alila Hotels and Resorts says, “We are proud of Spa by Mandara and Alila Villas Hadahaa. They deserve the Eco-Spa of the Year 2009 award for incorporating environmental responsibility in the most luxurious and indulgent treatments.”

“We aim to bring a healing sensation of holistic wellness to all guests at Alila Villas Hadahaa. Every experience is centered on bringing mind, body and soul towards a new equilibrium, creating an oasis of indulgence and rejuvenation. Spa by Mandara epitomizes that with their newly created unique treatments and spa products especially made for Alila Villas Hadahaa,” he added.

Spa by Mandara’s products are made with natural ingredients and many were indeed exclusively created for Alila Villas Hadahaa including a one-of-a-kind tea blend, the White Hadahaa Tea. It is a white tea blend consisting of coriander, peppermint and ginger, and is served to guests before their treatments for a refreshing and calming effect.

The 80-minute Island Rhythm massage is the spa’s signature treatment and was exclusively created for Alila Villas Hadahaa. Providing a perfect feeling of cocooning and rejuvenation, it is inspired by the natural elements on such a pristine island as Hadahaa. Invigorating massage strokes of different depths and speeds are connected together in dance-like movements while the guest is being nurtured by a paraffin foot cocoon.

Alila Villas Hadahaa offers the ultimate Maldivian experience complemented by the tranquility of the unexplored southern Maldives. Guests will feel the very essence of the destination from the moment they step onto the island, whether it is in the culinary experiences at Relish and Battuta’s, the warmth of the staff, or the complete indulgence at Spa by Mandara.

Alila Villas Hadahaa’s spa facility is operated by Mandara Spa, one of the largest and fastest growing operators of spas in luxury hotels and resorts.

About Alila Villas Hadahaa

Alila Villas Hadahaa is set on the pristine tropical island of Hadahaa in the Gaafu Alifu Atoll, southern Maldives, surrounded by a vast expanse of sea, stunning coral reef, abundant marine life, and stands of the native Sea Trumpet and Sea Hearse. Alila Villas Hadahaa features 14 stilted over-the-water Aqua Villas and 36 Island Villas, 20 of which feature a private pool. In-resort facilities and services include a PADI dive and water sports centre, two large freshwater swimming pools, a Leisure Concierge, Spa by Mandara, a fully-equipped gym and yoga centre, a Maldivian specialty restaurant, a fine-dining restaurant, a poolside and cigar bar and a library with a star-gazing roof.

Alila Villas Hadahaa, which represents Alila Hotels and Resorts’ new generation of high end luxury resorts, captures the authentic Maldivian experience of tranquillity and space so passionately sought after by discerning travellers. Alila Villas Hadahaa is setting new standards for luxury living in natural environments with unique bespoke Maldivian experiences. Sustainably designed by the award-winning SCDA Architects and then carefully constructed from the ground up, Alila Villas Hadahaa is the first resort in the Maldives to have achieved the prestigious Green Globe certification for ‘Building, Planning and Design Standard’.

About Alila Hotels and Resorts

Alila Hotels and Resorts offers a stylish, relaxing environment with a new level of guest experience continuously redefined by the latest developments in design and living. Alila fashions uniquely different lifestyle concepts in creating luxurious destination experiences for its guests. The Alila Experiences are centered on building unique “emotional moments" between the guest, the hotel and destination. Alila Villas are luxurious yet sustainable developments in some of the most naturally spectacular locations, offering an unprecedented level of private space, contemporary design and architecture, personalized hospitality and lifestyle journeys inspired by respect for the local destination. Please visit www.alilahotels.com for more information about our current hotels and resorts.

Currently, Alila is continuing to develop exciting new hotels and resorts in China, India, Laos, Oman, Thailand and Vietnam.

For further information, please contact: