THE MAIA TURNS 5
It has been a fast 5 years for the Maia Luxury Resort and Spa on Mahe, since it opened its doors for the first time in September 2006 and it has been a good 5 years by the signs of it.
On Tuesday this week, while yours truly was checking out luxury properties in Dubai, the MAIA celebrated the big day in style by throwing a big birthday party at their helipad for resort residents, invited guests and representatives of Southern Sun and Qatar Diar which jointly own the MAIA, offering those in attendance the sweeping views of the Indian Ocean waters and the surrounding lush countryside.
The MAIAs 25 villas are built into the hilltop and offer visitors every imaginable luxury, including the most precious one privacy since guests can actually take all their meals in situ, prepared by the team of chefs on call for exactly such requests. All villas have their own infinity swimming pool and of course their own personal butler, who is on call 24 / 7 should guests require any services, snacks, drinks or the latest newspapers from back home, which the resort actually prints on a daily basis and delivers crisp and fresh, either for breakfast or at any time of the day.
Managed since the opening in 2006 by Frederic Vidal, he and his team have over the years bagged a cabinet full of hospitality and travel magazine awards, including a few prestigious Best of from Conde Nast and other leading publications. Said Frederic on the occasion: All these prestigious awards and accolades are the result of an incredible team work, where every member of the Maia family plays his or her role.
Present from the Seychelles government was the Chairman of the Seychelles Tourist Board, Mr. Barry Faure, who is also the Secretary of State in the Presidents Office the tourism portfolio is held directly by President Michel, signifying the importance the sector enjoys on the archipelago accompanied by the STB top brass of Alain St. Ange, CEO and Elsia Grandcourt, Deputy CEO.
Notably were some inaugural guests also present, who have for the past 5 years faithfully spent their annual holidays at the Maya, a clear sign of how visitors, once they caught the MAIA bug, keep returning time and again to get more of what this correspondent once described as hospitality made in heaven and sent to earth.
From this correspondent it is a very warm Happy Fifth to the MAIA and their extraordinary staff, who have made every visit a unique experience and who are the backbone of the success of the MAIA.
(Picture courtesy of the Seychelles Tourist Board)
One the left the release of the celebratory balloons while
on the right is Frederic Vidal addressing the guests and
staff with Mr. Barry Faure (right) and Alain St. Ange
(left) looking on.
