Chef Eyck Zimmer to prepare special dining experience at Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort

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Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort is privileged to announce that Eyck Zimmer will be guest chef at the resort 21 October to 2 November 2017.

One of the truly great talents in modern haute cuisine, Zimmer has won accolades such as Portuguese Chef of the Year 2008, British Chef of the Year 2006, Meilleur Ouvrier de Grande Bretagne 2000, and Ordre Du Merite Agricole, to name a few.

Zimmer, 48, a German national, has wowed diners and culinary judges across Germany, Switzerland, UK, Hong Kong and Portugal in a 30-year career that has seen him cook in some of the best restaurants in the world: Claridges, The Dorchester, and The Ritz in London; The Palasthotel, Berlin; The Grand Hotel Regina, Grindelwald, Switzerland; and The Choupana Hills in Madeira, Portugal.

Chef Eyck Zimmer, Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort

While at the Outrigger, Zimmer will create a special five-course menu on 24 & 25 October at the intimate 16-seat Driftwood Restaurant by the beach. The wine pairing will be presented by guest sommelier LuAndre Volschenk. Zimmer will also prepare a special Halloween dish on 31 October.

At the Outrigger, the multi-award winning chef will also conduct a cooking class on the beach, again with paired wines. Participants will receive an Outrigger chef’s apron, a signed menu and a photograph with Zimmer. The private cooking class costs US$150 per person.

“Eyck’s visit is a wonderful opportunity for guests to make the ultimate pairing of world class beach setting and sumptuous cuisine,” said John Allanson, General Manager of the Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort. “It will be a marvellous occasion for our guests. Eyck looks forward to meeting everyone before, during and after the dinners.”

Zimmer was born in Erfurt, Germany in 1969. “In those days of the Cold War, Erfurt was part of East Germany. But I was lucky to grow up in a family where good food was always appreciated. Both my grandmother and my father were keen amateur chefs. Their passion for cooking encouraged me at quite an early age to take it up and experiment with their recipes.”

When the Berlin Wall came down, Zimmer was liberated and quickly moved to learn and then perfect his trade in some of the best restaurants in Europe.

Chef Eyck ZimmerOn arrival in Madeira in 2003, after earning many accolades at the best restaurants in London, Zimmer found inspiration in the Portuguese sun. “I discovered fusion cuisine. A marriage of Portuguese, Asian, French and North African influences allowed me to experiment with all manner of innovative and intriguing dishes.”

“I discovered fusion cuisine. A marriage of Portuguese, Asian, French and North African influences allowed me to experiment with all manner of innovative and intriguing dishes.”

This October, at the culinary crossroads of the Maldives, guests will be able to discover the latest mouth watering inspirations of itinerant chef Eyck Zimmer.

For information and bookings contact Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort directly. Email: [email protected]. Tel: +960 684 7770.

Unwind in the Maldives with a Solo Traveller Rejuvenation Package

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A 7-night single traveller stay at the Outrigger in Maldives with flights, now only £2785, a 30% saving 

The Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort has teamed up with Barefoot Traveller to offer a 7-night “Solo Traveller Luxury Rejuvenation Package.” The offer has been created for individuals seeking to rejuvenate body and soul in a luxurious, safe and serene setting with crystal clear blue water and soft sandy beaches.

The package includes accommodation in a 211 sqm beach villa with private pool, breakfast and dinner (half board), a range of watersports, free use of hydro pool and steam room, sunrise and sunset daily yoga sessions, free non-motorized water sports such as kayaking, paddle boarding, pedal boat and snorkelling, and a 20% reduction on pre-booked luxury spa sessions.

The 7-night stay at the Outrigger starts from £2785 (down from £3895 – a 30% saving).

The price includes flights from London Heathrow and is valid for travel up to 31 March 2018 (except peak periods), with bookings open until 30 September 2017.

Guests can upgrade their meal plan to full board (three meals a day) for 7 nights for £295, or go all-inclusive (including beverages) for 7 nights from £495 (down from £850).

“Single holidays is one of the fastest growing segments in UK,” says Mark Delpachitra, General Manager of Barefoot Traveller. “Many single holidaymakers are working, widowed or single females. That’s why we have chosen destinations such as the Maldives where you can indulge in well-earned rejuvenation to undo the stresses from your busy work life or challenges at home.”

Full details of The Solo Traveller Luxury Rejuvenation Package are available here. Or call 020 8741 4319. Email: [email protected].

Hosts and guests at Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort join World Oceans Day activities

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Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort today held “Our Ocean, Our Future,” marine awareness events to honour World Oceans Day 8 June. The events were an extension of Outrigger’s global OZONE (Outrigger’s Zone) marine conservation program, with all nine Outrigger Resorts participating around the world.

In the Maldives, Outrigger staff and guests conducted a beach and lagoon reef clean up to remove marine debris from the reef. Later in the afternoon there was a coral restoration program. After a briefing, guests helped the Best Dives Konotta staff attach fragments of coral to a metal frame which will be placed underwater to encourage new coral growth.

In the evening, guests and staff gathered around the pool and watched a documentary called “Planet Ocean” by Yann Arthus-Bertrand.

In the Outrigger Kids Club, youngsters participated in World Oceans Day by painting pictures with the theme, “My Ocean”. There were ocean face painting sessions, creating sand sculptures and a viewing of the Walt Disney movie “Moana”.

The lagoon clean up and the key activities of World Oceans Day were led by Best Dives Maldives.

This June, throughout World Oceans Month, Outrigger Resorts properties worldwide are offering a diverse range of immersive activities and conservation opportunities for Outrigger guests to get in the OZONE mind-set and make a difference, even while on vacation.     

Some 60% of the world’s coral reefs are being denuded by climate change, land-based pollution and unsustainable fishing. Outrigger’s OZONE conservation program encourages guests to become part of the solution by participating in marine conservation activities while on vacation.

Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort Celebrates Coral Regeneration Day

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OZONE and Best Dives Maldives invites you to join renowned marine biologists and our own Ms. Caterina Fattori for a learning afternoon on coral ecology, where you’ll have the opportunity to plant new corals.

Date: 27th October 2016
Time: 4:00 pm
Location: Watersport

Dr. Nicole Kube and Dr. Mirko Becker from The German Oceanographic Museum (Deutsches Meeresmuseeum), are here to train guests and hosts on coral ecology, the importance of biodiversity, threats to coral reefs, techniques to transplant corals and strategies for restoration.

OZONE (Outrigger’s ZONE) is a global conservation initiative centered on protecting the health of coral reefs and the oceans surrounding the iconic beach destinations of Outrigger Resorts. Over 60% of the world’s coral reefs are under immediate threat from climate change, overfishing and land-based pollution. OZONE is an action plan to make a positive impact on reef conservation.

Coral Regeneration Day, Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort
Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort

OZONE generates awareness and enhances the guest experience through interaction and learning. Guests of Outrigger Resorts may view in-room videos, attend on-property lectures, and participate in community activities like coral planting.

OZONE was launched in 2015 in celebration of World Oceans Month and in partnership with government, private industry, and conservation organizations worldwide.  We encourage you to browse these websites and visit the local aquariums we support on your next trip to an Outrigger Resort.

Help us plant new corals and learn their critical role in our world’s ecosystem. outrigger.com/ozone

IUCN World Conservation Congress
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Polynesian Voyaging Society
Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System
Waikiki Aquarium (Hawaii)
Underwater World (Guam)
Mamanuca Environment Society (Fiji)
Reef Conservation Mauritius
Maui Divers Jewelry (Malama Honua Voyaging Canoe Pendant)
Tori Richard
Best Dives Maldives

What are 10 things you can do to protect coral reefs?  Find out

Special OZONE Offer!  We’re celebrating OZONE with a new Eco-Adventure Package at our beachfront resorts in Waikiki. Learn more

Outrigger Konotta Maldives Announces Wondrous Beach Activities for Christmas and New Year

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Under the warm Maldivian sun, there’s plenty out of the ordinary for families and couples this festive season

The Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort has announced an inspirational festive programme of beach activities for Christmas and New Year. The idyllic beach resort in the south of the Maldives has created wonderful activities from 19 December to 2 January, most of which are free. The activities fall under three festive themes:

For Little VIPs – Kids can enjoy activities such as sand sculptures on the beach, island treasure hunt, aqua gym, open-air movies, banana boat rides, secret garden picnics, making superhero capes, dance lessons, meeting Santa in his grotto, and more.

Kids Club, Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort
Kids Club, Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort

For Adults – While the kids are playing (supervised), adults can enjoy complimentary yoga, guided snorkelling trips, morning meditation, fishing trips, beach barbecues, water polo, sushi making, a Southeast Asia culinary night, romantic sunset dinners, chilling by the pool (with in-house DJ), discovering nearby castaway islands, a Moroccan evening, Japanese night, Tai Chi on the beach, kayak racing, dolphin trips, snorkelling with a marine biologist, open air movies, and more.

Paddleboading and Seabob underwater scooter, Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort
Paddleboading and Seabob underwater scooter, Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort

Out of the Ordinary Stuff – Guests can celebrate Christmas and New Year in style by renewing their vows on the beach, crossing the equator to the ‘other side of the world’, surfing (yes, surfing – there are six reef breaks nearby), being castaway on your own island for the day (with nice food and drinks), visiting local islands, dining on the beach at a sunken table, and learning to cook Maldivian, Indian, Sri Lankan or Japanese cuisine.

Nala Rah Teppan Grill and Raw Bar, Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort
Nala Rah Teppan Grill and Raw Bar, Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort
International and Regional dining at Blue Salt, Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort
International and Regional dining at Blue Salt, Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort

This Christmas and New Year, prices start from US$760/£621/€698 (plus 22% GST & service charge) per night for a luxurious 211 square metre Beach Villa with private pool, accommodation for two adults and two children, daily gourmet breakfast, and daily three-course dinner.

Beach Dining, Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort
Beach Dining, Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort

For full information on the Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort festive programme, click here. For the festive accommodation offer click here (1st-anniversary offer). Or call +9607902786. E: [email protected].

Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort Wins ‘Best Resort’ Award

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The Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort has won “Best Resort” in the Travel Weekly Asia 2016 Readers Choice Awards.

The stunning 53 all-pool villa resort in the south of the Maldives has wowed visitors since it opened in August 2015.

The award “honours the ‘best of the best’ in the travel industry,” said Travel Weekly Asia Group Publisher, Irene Chua.

Outrigger Resort Vice President Sales & Marketing, Mark Simmons, received the award on behalf of the property at the Readers Choice Awards ceremony in Singapore, 17 October.

Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort
Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort

The General Manager of the resort, Mr John Allanson, said: “Outrigger is very proud of the latest accolade for the Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort. We dedicate it to our hard working hosts who treat all guests as part of the Outrigger family.”

Comprising 29 Beach Pool Villas, 21 Ocean Pool Villas, two Lagoon Pool Villas and the masterful three-bedroom Grand Konotta Villa, the Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort offers a complete sense of privacy and intimate luxury. The Outrigger has the largest average villa sizes in the Maldives.

Each winner in the awards was voted for by Travel Weekly Asia readers, a group comprising professionals from different specialties and expertise within the travel industry.

In December 2015, the Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort also won the “Luxury Contemporary Resort of the Year,” in the Luxury Travel Guide Global Awards.

Outrigger was also hailed for the way it went about acquiring the resort. In October 2015 the property won first place for Single Asset Transaction of the Year in the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific Deal of the Year Awards.

The private island of Konotta is located 211 miles (340 kilometers) to the south of Malé and is accessible via a 55-minute flight from Malé to Kaadedhdhoo Airport followed by a scenic 30-minute journey on a luxurious private speedboat.

The first visitor to the Maldives in 2016 wins an all-inclusive one-week holiday at Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort

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The first visitor to the Maldives in 2016 has won a fully-inclusive one-week holiday at the Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort. Ms Kate Holmes, a UK national, entered the Maldives at Malé airport customs and immigration point at 6.50am on 1 January on an Oman Air flight from Muscat.

Ms Holmes was taking a trip to Hulhumale with a friend to visit various islands. When she returns in September she will stay at the Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort, which won “Luxury Contemporary Resort of the Year” in the Luxury Travel Guide Awards in November 2015.

Ms Holmes was greeted by officials of the Ministry of Tourism and a boduberu drum welcome accompanied by Maldivian dancers. Ms Silvia Collepardi, the Director of Sales & Marketing at the Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort, was also there to welcome Ms Holmes.

The prize was created in a joint effort by Maldivian tourism authorities and Outrigger to honour Visit Maldives Year 2016, which is now underway.

By coincidence, 2016 is also the 50th anniversary of independence for the Maldives and the 50th overseas trip taken by Ms Holmes, who said she was very surprised and delighted by the prize.

The award-winning 53-villa Outrigger opened in August 2015 and has the largest average villa sizes in the Maldives.

For queries about the Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort, email: [email protected]. Visit Outrigger Maldives. Tel: +960 684 7771.