The Anantara Veli Maldives is tempting remote workers with an ‘unlimited stay’ package for US$30,000. But what about your visa? Olivia Palamountain reports
The Anantara Veli Maldives is offering an “Unlimited Stays in Paradise” package for US$30,000 including all taxes and surcharges, which, on the face of it, is very good value.
The deal is available until November 30, 2020, and allows unlimited stays at the hotel in 2021 in an overwater bungalow, with daily breakfast, 25 per cent savings on dining and spa treatments, and unlimited shared transfers between the hotel and Male airport.
Even when you do the maths it’s a great deal. For US$30,000 you can live in the Maldives for a year, which is the equivalent of US$2,500 per month or a pocket-friendly US$83 per night.
Add in the reduced food and drink and you might actually be better off packing up your London flat and heading off to paradise.
Standard rates at the Anantara Veli Maldives start at around US$500 per night so the “Unlimited Stay in Paradise” package represents savings of some 80 per cent if you were to be in residence for a whole year.
Workations in the Maldives
But how long is too long in the Maldives – and would you really want to spend 2021 on one island and in one resort? Plus, there’s the visa issue.
Tourist visas last just 30 days, and if you intend to work in the Maldives, a work permit must be secured before arrival. This includes a security deposit paid to the Ministry of Finance.
Additionally, as is the norm these days, all tourists and short-term visitors must present a negative PCR test for Covid-19 on arrival to Maldives. The test subsequent health certificate must be issued no more than 96 hours prior to departure.
Off the back of the pandemic, some island nations such as Barbados, Bermuda, Mauritius and Anguilla are now offering long-term premium visas for tourists, as reported by Globetrender. If the Maldives government was to offer a similar incentive, perhaps this reality of this package would be more attractive?
More creative deals are on offer in the Maldives by luxury hotelier Soneva. Its workation package is valid at both its Jani and Fushi resorts between now until mid-2021 for stays of 14, 21, and 30-days.
Reduced rates are available for longer stays, which include transfers and daily meals for bookings of all sizes and guests can opt to split their time between both resorts.
The resorts promise plenty of workspace, either communally in the living and dining rooms, or in the privacy of ones own villa, all of which have desks and high-speed internet.
Perks of the Workation Offer include daily private yoga and meditation, three made-to-order juices per day and complimentary ice creams, chocolates and deli items at Soneva’s signature parlours.
Additionally, you’ll get to switch up your view from the office with a complimentary three-hour Castaway Office on the sandbank with a picnic lunch once a week, a free Later Afternoon Castaway Office on a private island with a sunset cocktail once a week, and the use of the resort library.
For 30-day stays at Soneva Fushi, a day of sailing onboard the 23-metre Soneva in Aqua yacht with a desert island picnic is also part of the package.
This joins the Work Well package at Vakkaru Maldives, as reported by Globetrender and designed for digital nomads to temper hard graft with self-care. The offer is available for guests staying 21 days or longer and includes an oceanfront office and access to a bespoke wellbeing programme.
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