Just about everyone is concerned about environmental sustainability these days and nowhere is the push toward eco-friendly hotel practices more apparent than in the Maldives. This chain of breathtakingly beautiful atolls in the Indian Ocean is dotted with world-class resorts like Taj Exotica Resort & Spa on Emboodhu Finolhu island.

In recent years, Taj Exotica has challenged itself to reduce its carbon footprint while maintaining the highest level of comfort for guests. The resort started the process by accessing its energy efficiency, water management, air quality, and handling of chemicals. Then, the hard work of improving infrastructure began.

New highlights include…

• a hot water system that reduces the use of both electricity and diesel fuel. In fact, Taj Exotica reports that it expects to save 109,500 litres of diesel every year
• a rain water harvesting system that collects 896,000 litres per year
• the planting of only endemic tree species like Jade Tree, Sea Hibiscus, and Malikuruva Rose so no additional watering is needed (this saves 10,000 litres of water per day)
• increased recycling of metal and other materials

Many travelers are drawn to Taj Exotica for its gorgeous beach and the fact that the resort sits on one of the largest lagoons in the Maldives. It’s a short 15-minute speedboat ride from Male International Airport and the resort, with just 62 luxury villas, never feels crowded. Its world-class Jiva Grande Spa is a private island sanctuary that specializes in Indian wellness treatments.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or visit Taj Exotica’s website.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

Photo courtesy of Taj Exotica

The Seychelles is one of those dream destinations in the Indian Ocean, just north of Madagascar. The Seychelles are actually 115 islands and offer lush rain forests, gorgeous beaches, and are surrounded by unrivaled marine life.

The Four Seasons Resort Seychelles will celebrate its one-year anniversary this February. Despite its secluded location on the southwest coast of the main island of Mahe, it’s still close to the international airport as well as the capital of Victoria (a 30-minute drive).

This is the type of place you’d be crazy to pass up. The 67 villas and suites are more than spacious and all villas have their own private plunge pools, outdoor showers, and sunset views of the bay. There are two restaurants and bars, spa, fitness and recreation center as well as meeting/banquet facilities.

During 2010 Four Seasons Resort Seychelles is offering an excellent deal on lodging here: its stay longer promotion, which is valid from:

January 10 – March 31, 2010
May 11 – June 30, 2010
September 16 – October 31, 2010
December 1 – 18, 2010

Enjoy a complimentary 4th night for 3 consecutive nights stay
Enjoy a complimentary 6th and 7th night for 5 consecutive nights stay

The promotion is valid for individual bookings only and not for groups.

For reservations, call Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at 248-393-333; fax: 248-393-331; or send an e-mail to reservations.sey@fourseasons.com.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Seychelles

Maldives Gets its First Holiday Inn Resort

Heading to the Maldives soon? The island chain just welcomed its first Holiday Inn Resort on Kandooma Island on the South Malé atoll. For those of you who aren’t crazy about transferring from Male International Airport to your resort via seaplane (I’m raising my hand right now), you won’t have to when visiting this Holiday Inn. It’s just a 40-minute/22 mile speedboat ride from MLE.

There are 160 villas here in eight categories offering everything from garden views to those enticing over-the-water bungalows. Each villa offers picture windows, outdoor showers, iPod docking stations, flat-screen TVs, and wireless Internet.

The resort is hoping to lure business travels as well as vacationers interested in surfing and diving; the Holiday Inn is nearby the Kandooma Channel, Kandooma Caves, and Kandooma ‘Thila” (undersea mountain).

You’ll be able to relax as much as you want or take part in a range of activities. There’s a Dive Centre and the Kandooma Spa as well as catamaran, windsurfing, kayaking, and snorkeling outings. Oh, and don’t forget surfing lessons!

If you’ve got kids in tow, you’ll want to check out the resort’s Kids’ Club that offers babysitting services and age-specific activities.

Brendan Corcoran is the general manager of the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, which opened on December 15, 2009.

Special introductory rates starting at $290 per night are available through March 31, 2010. Airport transfers are an additional $140 one-way for adults and $85 for children.

For more information, speak with your travel agent or visit the website of the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

Photo courtesy of Holiday Inn

Today’s giveaway—a pair of Able Planet folding noise-cancelling headphones—is courtesy of Magellan’s Travel Supplies. If you still need to pick up some last-minute holiday gits, check out their website. Magellan’s offers some unique and very useful items for travelers.

If you’re traveling to Africa next year, you’ll want a pair of noise-reduction headphones. They dramatically cut back on airplane noise so you can listen to music or a movie in comfort. I tend to watch several movies on long-haul flights and noise-cancelling headphones have saved the day on more than one occasion.

Win a Pair of Able Planet Folding Noise-Cancelling Headphones

One lucky reader will be randomly chosen from all eligible entries to win a pair of Able Planet Noise-Cancelling Headphones. Contest starts at midnight on December 15 and ends the same day at 11:59 pm. You must have a mailing address within the United States in order to be eligible to enter and win.

How to Enter

Comment on this post between 12:00 am (midnight) and 11:59 pm on December 15, 2009. You’ll need to include your e-mail address so I may make contact if you are the winner. Good luck!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

Today’s stop on the Travel Bloggers’ Caravan is: EllenBarone.com. Visit the blog and comment on today’s post for a chance to win a day pack from First Ascent, a new extreme adventure line of gear and clothing form Eddie Bauer and partners.

In addition, ExOfficio will be providing the ultimate travel ensemble! You could be trekking the globe in the latest ExOfficio outfit including; 1 Shirt, 1 Pair of Pants and 1 Pair of ExOfficio Underwear. (approximately $200 value)

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com