From new Over Water Pool Villas at Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort to a cultural dining experience in Cambodia and the start of whale watching season at Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort in Mozambique, please find below the latest news from Anantara Hotels & Resorts.
Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort – New Over Water Pool Villas
Set on a natural island in the South Malé Atoll, surrounded by one of the best lagoons in the Maldives, Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort has relaunched its Over Water Villas following four months of extensive renovations, including the introduction of four new Deluxe Sunset Over Water Pool Villas.
Suspended over the crystal-clear lagoon, the 40 new-look over water villas draw inspiration from the forms of a Maldivian boat with warm neutral tones, subtle blue accents and fluid lines. Outside, there is a fun, yet clever play of space with the addition of over water hammocks in the Sunrise and Sunset Over Water Villas.
As part of the refurbishment, four new Deluxe Sunset Over Water Pool Villas have been added with much larger infinity pools. As the most exclusive of Anantara Dhigu’s over water villa categories, they feature 129 square meters of living space, with direct access into the lagoon.
Following the completion of the Over Water Villa refurbishments, Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort has several renovations in the pipeline for the year, including the addition of an exclusive bar, The Yellow Fin Club.
Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort is only 30 minutes by speedboat from Male International Airport.
Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort, Mozambique – Whale Watching Season Starts and Runs until December
June marks the start of whale watching season at Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort when pods of whales embark on their annual migration from Antarctica to Africa. It is one of the longest migrations in the world and can be seen passing through the waters of Mozambique until December.
Guests staying at Anantara Bazaruto Island can witness the whale migration by sea or by air. They can charter a boat in search of whales and snorkel at the colourful Two Mile Reef, where it may also be possible to spot dolphins and swim with sea turtles. A half day tour is followed by a picnic lunch at Pansy Island or Paradise Island. For an aerial escapade above the Bazaruto Archipelago, a scenic 30 minutes helicopter flight will give a bird’s eye view of the humpback whales as they journey through the Indian Ocean. The whale watching trips are guided by Anantara’s expert guides who are knowledgeable about marine life and Mozambique’s ocean.
From vibrant coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, to some of the world’s largest populations of dolphins, whales, sharks, turtles and dugong, it is these remarkable ecosystems and the surrounding crystal-clear waters that make Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort a premier whale watching destination.
Rooms at Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort start from USD 522 on an all-inclusive ‘stay longer’ offer including accommodation in a Beach Villa, one dhow sunset cruise and non-motorised water sport activities. Whale watching starts from USD 165 per person for a three hour ocean safari excursion, or USD 209 per person half day ocean safari and USD 780 per helicopter flight excursion.
New ‘Angkorian Dining Theatre’ from Anantara Angkor Resort Celebrates Cambodia’s Living Heritage and Local Flavours
Anantara Angkor Resort, just 15 minutes from the temples of Angkor Wat, has introduced a new Angkorian Dining Theatre Experience.
Held in the resort’s tranquil Frangipani Courtyard, the five-course culinary journey opens with a Bakotor performance – a mesmerising martial art show inspired by ancient Khmer warriors. This is followed by a traditional shadow puppet show in three acts, featuring small puppets painstakingly crafted from painted cowhide and wood in adherence to centuries-old traditions.
Known locally as Sbek Thom, large Cambodian shadow puppetry is on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list and embodies the country’s cultural legacy. The art form is undergoing a revival and the new dining experience ensures guests experience Sbek Thom in its authentic form through a blend of storytelling, tradition and gastronomy.
The Angkorian Dining Theatre experience is priced at USD 600 per couple, including a five-course menu of local delicacies ranging from Kep crab cakes and Mekong langoustine soup to lamb shank Saraman curry and baked Alaska layered with local mango with wine pairings.
Thailand’s ‘Set-Jetting’ Phenomenon Takes Off With New Film Shot at Anantara Layan Phuket Resort
Thailand’s ‘set-jetting’ phenomenon is going from strength to strength, as the country confirms itself as the go-to destination for Hollywood and international filmmakers, leveraging its picturesque locales to boost tourism and support the local economy.
The latest film set in Thailand is the recent ‘Mother of the Bride’ film which premiered on Netflix on 9th May. An American romantic comedy directed by Mark Waters it was shot at Anantara Layan Phuket Resort and Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas and stars Brooke Shields, Miranda Cosgrove and Benjamin Bratt.
In 2022, the Thai government took a bold step to waive personal income tax for foreign talent for five years, augmenting an already attractive film incentive system. Since then, the programme was further enhanced to offer foreign film productions a cash rebate of up to 20%, with Phuket emerging as a prime location for shooting overseas films.
The new film coincides with the launch of new dining options at Anantara Layan Phuket Resort, which recently opened Dara Cuisine Phuket and Sky Observatory. Overlooking a lagoon, the new restaurant Dara serves modern Thai cuisine from a grill-focused menu featuring seasonal produce. The Observatory Deck above hosts rooftop stargazing sessions paired with craft cocktails inspired by constellations, while during the day high-energy chefs lead hands-on Thai cooking classes in the show kitchen.