Latest news with #WaldorfAstoriaIthaafushi
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Private Maldives island comes with one-of-a-kind Ferrari - but it'll cost you
The Ferrari Testa Rossa J has been brought to the Maldives island for guests who exclusively hire Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi - but it will cost you a pretty penny A private island stay in the Maldives, costing a whopping £55,000-a-night, has just upped its luxury game by importing a Ferrari for guests to drive around the resort. The Ferrari Testa Rossa J is a 75% reproduction of the iconic Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa – a model that holds a significant place in the annals of Ferrari and motor racing history. This exclusive vehicle, the only car on the island, has been shipped over for the use of guests who hire Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi exclusively. Only 299 of these £110,000 cars were ever produced. The full-sized version, which can fetch a staggering £28,000,000, famously became the first car to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times. The EV Ferrari Testa Rossa J will be available exclusively for private island guests to test drive during their stay - and is included in the price when guests hire the island. Ithaafushi, the largest private island in the Maldives, spanning over 344,000 square-feet, can ordinarily accommodate 24 guests. However, those hiring the island privately can use the EV Ferrari to travel between private yoga sessions, the five pools and numerous restaurants. This comes after Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi, also known as Pearl Island in the Maldivian language Dhiveh, partnered with Hedley Studios - formerly The Little Car Company. The scaled-down electric icon Ferrari will be there for a year. It was developed from the original drawings of the original - which conquered the 1000km in Buenos Aires and the 12 Hours of Sebring with the driving duo Phil Hill and Peter Collins. In addition to the car, guests can also savour customised menus and have close encounters with wild turtles and whale sharks. The price for a night's stay on the island varies, but it is believed to be around £55,000. The world of mega-exclusive holidays is a fascinating one, even if most of us can only ever dream of affording one. Philippe Brown has been organising incredible trips for society's uber wealthy for decades, having spent 13 years as a location scout and then tour guide in some of the world's most exotic destinations. During the past ten years he has been "challenging the status quo of luxury travel" at Brown and Hudson. Incredibly wealthy people in search of something special contact the firm before Philippe and his colleagues attempt to work out their hopes, fears and secret dreams. These are then used as the basis for weird and wonderful holidays they create by throwing huge amounts of cash at the issue, and using their connections to pull some strings. We spoke to Philippe about the stranger trips he has arranged. You can read all about them here.
South China Morning Post
29-01-2025
- South China Morning Post
The best beach holidays from Maldives luxury to Thailand eco-friendly havens
Need a guide to some of the most stunning and unique beach-break travel destinations? Our list will allow you to discover hidden gems like the Philippines' diving paradise of Puerto Galera, ride the waves at one of Asia's top surfing beaches, and even compare the most luxurious resorts that the Maldives has to offer. Dive in, the water's lovely. 1. Maldives luxury resort showdown: Raffles Meradhoo vs Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi … which is best? Discover the ultimate Maldives escape as we compare two five-star resorts offering sun, sand, surf and more than a touch of luxury. The Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi and Raffles Maldives Meradhoo both have unique vibes, stunning locations and exceptional facilities, so which offers the perfect island paradise for your next getaway? 2. Discover Puerto Galera on Mindoro Island, the diving capital of the Philippines with its El Galleon resort, yacht club and hidden beaches Renowned for its vibrant coral reefs and Unesco-protected marine biosphere Puerto Galera on the northern tip of the Philippines' Mindoro Island offers world-class diving and so much more. You can also explore hidden beaches, lush waterfalls, charming eateries, lush rainforests and a vibrant local culture. 3. Discover Asia's top surfing beaches, from Phuket's beginner waves to Sri Lanka's surf paradise We list eight top Asian surfing destinations with stunning beaches, vibrant cultures and world-class waves to cater for everyone whether you're a novice or a pro. Discover the beginner-friendly waves in Phuket or the challenging barrels in Indonesia. Explore hidden gems like Yomitan in Japan, experience the thrill of Cloud 9 in Siargao, or learn to surf in the tranquil waters of Cherating, Malaysia.
