SHANGRI-LA TRADERS HOTEL MALÉ

PRE NIGHT STAY

Landing in Malé around 10.10pm local time, we were seamlessly transferred to our mood-lit Deluxe Room on the highest floor of Traders Hotel before 11pm with our luggage arriving just minutes after. The Traders charming service solidified my last minute choice for a pre night stay due to a night arrival and 15 hours travel time from Sydney.

At Ibrahim Nasir International Airport Arrivals, Traders greeted all their guests then lead us to an awaiting hotel speedboat. The speedboat is modern and upon boarding cool towels and bonaqua water were offered to soften the 28 degree humid weather. Just a 7 minute ride from Hulhulé Island across to Malé, they sure are speedy when navigating in the dark of night. A short guided walk passing by plenty of mopeds, we arrived in the intimate Lobby for a relatively quick sit down check-in and never once was there a need to worry about coordinating our luggage since the airport.

The Deluxe Room catered to every transit need in providing complimentary bottled water, Wi-Fi and Tom Yum noodles if you are in dire need of a late night snack! A glassed in rain shower is a standout room feature layered with timber blinds for privacy. Dark timber fittings provide an earthly feel that softens with lighting and smooth white linen. For those staying longer there is a flat screen TV, a sufficient Mini Bar of known goodies and generous Room Service menu options. The King size bed measured up to luxe hotel standards and just called for Zzzz’s after our long flights.

At sunrise, I took a peek through the curtains and was totally surprised by what I was greeted by. For a night I choose not to opt for a view, yet were in luck to see pastel colours across Malé’s miniature skyline and the Indian Ocean waking up to speedboats and motor yachts waiting to transfer guests to nearby resorts. Serene first day light moments over this humble country.

LIME on Level 1 should be your first stop for Buffet Brekky to begin a Maldivian stay. The restaurant service was attentive and enthusiastic. There are plenty of options to start your morning including items that we usually gravitate to, being an omelette station, Western hot selections and fresh fruit. Being part of Shangri-La, there are also Asian selections if you prefer to begin the day with a Miso soup. A 7.00am breakfast was quiet as only a handful of guests had surfaced, so we favoured a window table to watch the locals cruise by on their mopeds commuting to work or school.

A visit to the Rooftop infinity pool is a must before you leave. From the top of Traders you can watch incoming jets touch down and boats cruise to surrounding islands. For energetic guests you can visit the gym before a swim above the ocean or for a more slow pace settle on a day bed to keep soaking in island and sky views.

Our next resort, Viceroy Maldives liaised with Traders to transfer us back to Ibrahim airport to catch our Trans Maldivian Airways seaplane. The coordination by both hotels really took the thinking out of getting from one destination to another and made local travel a breeze.