Cocoa Island Maldives Luxury Resort Offers Free Nights

- Published: May 10, 2009 An 'Extend that Summer Feeling' package at the idyllic, award-winning Cocoa Island in The Maldives, offers guests seven nights for the price of five on all room categories. Or, for those staying longer, guests can enjoy fourteen nights stay for the price of ten.

The exclusive offer from this unique COMO Resort is valid from May 1 to October 15, 2009.

The chic, Indian Ocean outpost is world-renowned for diving and its serene COMO Shambhala Retreat, an exclusive retreat for yoga and well-being, rejuvenation therapies, and indulgent pampering.

Room rates for the period of May 15 to June 30, and September 1 to October 15, range from US$680++ for a Dhoni Suite to US$900++, US$1,120++ and US$2,200++ a night for villas. In July and August, prices start at US$760++ a night, to US$1,000++, US$1,260++ and US$2,200++ for villas.

Complimentary meal upgrades are available for Cocoa Island’s guests who reside in the resort for more than 4 nights. Those who book bed and breakfast will be upgraded to half board, and those on half board will be upgraded to full board for the duration of their stay.

Prices are for either single or double occupancy with breakfast, and are subject to 10% service charge and government tax of US$8 per person a night.

COMO’s vision of privacy and stylish beach living, in the Indian Ocean, is located amongst South Malé’s coral atolls, just a 40-minute speedboat ride from the international airport. A transfer service is available.

The resort was designed by Singaporean architect Cheong Yew Kuan – who also designed two new highly regarded COMO Hotels and Resorts: Uma Ubud in Bali and Uma Paro in Bhutan.

At Cocoa, the style is barefoot and deliberately restrained, with some rooms designed after the Maldivian ‘Dhoni’ boats. Duplex Loft villas are clad in wood with generous outdoor decking. All suites and villas are over-water, and accessible by planked walkways. Two-bedroom villas are distinguished by personal butler service.

Cuisine by Daniel Johnson, former executive chef at Bedarra Island, Australia's most exclusive resort, is from nature’s larder- the freshest yellow fin tuna caught locally, and herbs and spices from nearby southern India. The menu features a mixture of Maldivian, Indian, Continental, and selection of other Asian flavours.

Guests can also choose COMO Shambhala cuisine, which is designed to maximise energy and well-being through the use of organic foods rich in living enzymes, vitamins and sea minerals.

The COMO Shambhala Retreat features an open-air pavilion for; group and private yoga classes; treatment rooms (including one for couples); a steam room; a large hydrotherapy pool; and a gym.

The Asian-based therapies range from specific body treatments to facials and sophisticated massages, including the COMO Shambhala signature massage, delivered by experienced practitioners who customise treatments according to individual needs.

A complimentary yoga class is conducted from 5-6pm daily at the Yoga Pavilion by resident Yoga Instructor, Pramod Kumar, who is also available for private tuition. His main style is Hatha yoga, although he is familiar with several other styles. He was trained by Sri Prahalade Redi, from the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center in India.

For the actively inclined, the Maldives' warm waters promise some of the world’s best diving. The famous Cocoa and Guriadhoo Channels lie on Cocoa’s doorstep, while snorkelers can enjoy a marine-rich lagoon. PADI certified instructors lead dives and provide tuition for divers of all levels.

Private excursions include island hopping, beach picnics, dolphin watching and exploring Malé’s markets.

Cocoa Island's an all-day lounge is fully equipped with internet desks, espresso machines, new DVD/media players in all rooms and wi-fi internet.