The Maldives’ luxury resorts, celebrated for their stunning turquoise waters and vibrant marine life, have adopted unique practices to enhance the guest experience.
One such practice is the concept of “island time,” where clocks are set at least one hour ahead of the official time zone (GMT+5).
This adjustment is not just a whimsical idea; it serves a practical purpose by providing more daylight hours for various activities, contributing to a more relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere for visitors.
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Mohit Dembla, general manager of the JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, elaborates, “This deliberate time adjustment is more than a mere quirk of travel; it is a thoughtful enhancement to the guest experience, catering to the diverse needs of our international visitors.”
Resorts such as the JW Marriott, the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, the Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, and the Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, all implement this “island time” strategy. By setting clocks forward, resorts ensure that the sun rises at 7 a.m. instead of 6 a.m., thus maximizing daylight hours for guests. Zhilah Vego, director of sales and marketing at the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, notes, “Since most resorts in the Maldives are located on their own private islands, and often miles away from mainland Malé, they frequently operate according to their own rules, namely the ‘island time.’”
This time adjustment allows guests to enjoy more daylight activities and scenic sunset dinners. For example, Soneva Jani, another luxury resort, sets its clocks an hour ahead, a shift known as “Soneva Jani Time.” Charles Morris, GM of Soneva Jani, highlights, “With the sun rising at 7 a.m. and setting at 7:15 p.m., our guests enjoy perfectly timed daylight for early morning jogs or cool evening sports, escaping the peak heat of the day.”
![Maldives resorts enhance guest experiences by adopting "island time," setting clocks an hour ahead to maximize daylight for activities and relaxation, creating a unique and memorable stay.](https://needtoknow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Maldives-Resorts-Adopt-‘Island-Time-for-Unforgettable-Guest-Experience-2.jpg)
The extended daylight is utilized for various activities. The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort offers sunrise yoga and running sessions, while the Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, hosts sunset dinners featuring traditional Maldivian boduberu drum performances. The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort even holds a Champagne sabering event at 6:45 p.m.
For first-time visitors, island time can be initially confusing, especially when coordinating airport transfers. Resorts like the St. Regis ensure that guests are well-informed about the time adjustment and assist with travel arrangements to mitigate any confusion.
However, not all Maldivian resorts follow this practice. Kurumba, the country’s first resort, adheres to the official time zone. Ali Farooq, resort manager at Kurumba, explains, “Many of our team members commute from Malé, so we respect their work-life balance, and our experience is that guests find it more convenient and less confusing to be on one time zone.”
For those resorts that do embrace island time, the primary aim is to enhance the guest experience. Dembla of JW Marriott states, “It reflects the unhurried pace and relaxed attitude characteristic of island communities, enriching the overall travel experience.”
The Maldives, an archipelago of 1,190 low-lying islands spread over 90,000 square kilometers, has more than 160 resorts, many accessible by float plane from Velana International Airport in Malé. Since these planes cannot fly after dark, daylight hours are especially valuable.
Ultimately, island time in the Maldives is about more than just adjusting clocks. It’s about creating a unique and memorable experience that aligns with the serene, leisurely lifestyle of these luxurious island retreats.
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Source: Maldives Resorts Embrace ‘Island Time’ for Enhanced Guest Experience