Fancy a month 'working from home' in the Maldives and have serious cash to splash?


Hayley Skirka
  • English
  • Arabic

This year, working remotely has become the new normal for many of us. As offices and workplaces closed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, commuting dropped off the radar and the world settled into a new remote working pattern.

Many hotels that have taken a financial hit in the pandemic have restructured their offerings to capitalise on this new work-from-home scenario. This means there has been a noticeable rise in the number of resorts and hotels offering long-stay packages.

If money is no object, the One & Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives is offering what is possibly one of the most idyllic remote-working set-ups in the world.

28 days in paradise

If remote working with a view is what you're after, the One & Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives offers exactly that via its 28-day long-stay package. Courtesy One&Only Resorts
If remote working with a view is what you're after, the One & Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives offers exactly that via its 28-day long-stay package. Courtesy One&Only Resorts

The all-villa luxury resort in the Indian Ocean is selling a 28-day remote-work stay on the island at a cost of Dh156,000.

Travellers booking the package will have nearly a month to spend in paradise. Daily breakfast at the all-villa resort is included in the price, as is half-board dining at Reethi Restaurant. Getting to the island in North Male Atol is a breeze, as travellers will be picked up from Male via a luxury yacht; the price of this transfer is also included in the stay.

To ensure remote working is easy, villas all offer high-speed Wi-Fi and plenty of work space coupled with amazing views, especially if you book an overwater villa. You won't need a virtual Zoom background if you're working from here.

For families with children, the daily activity calendar at the Kids Only club will keep little ones entertained throughout the day, leaving adults to get on with their work.

And when it's time to down tools, there's lots to help travellers take advantage of being in such a paradisiacal location. With 12 beaches, the resort also has some of the best diving and snorkelling in the world right on its doorstep and all non-motorised water sports are complimentary.

There's also a range of pools to while away the day in, from an adults-only and infinity pool, to a palm-shaded family-friendly pool with in-water slides and mini sunloungers.

A fully equipped fitness centre offering daily classes is good for quashing any lingering work-related stress and there's also a sea-facing spa where access to the vitality pool, crystal steam room and sauna are included in the package price. Evenings can be spent watching a show under the stars at the outdoor cinema, or dining in the treetops at one of the resort's other eateries.

All this for a bargain Dh5,500 per couple, per day.

For the rest of us, who can only dream of such a remote-working set-up, the resort's 24-hour live stream is probably as close as we'll get to working with that view of impossibly blue waters and towering palm trees.

Covid-19 tests for tourists

Travellers flying to the Maldives must present a negative Covid-19 test result before being allowed entry to the islands. Courtesy flickr / Timo Netwon-Syms
Travellers flying to the Maldives must present a negative Covid-19 test result before being allowed entry to the islands. Courtesy flickr / Timo Netwon-Syms

The Maldives reopened to tourists in July. Initially, no requirements for quarantine or Covid-19 testing for visitors were in place, but authorities updated this rule in September.

All tourists and visitors heading to the tropical archipelago must now present a negative PCR test on arrival at Male International Airport. The test must have been taken in the past 72 hours, according to the latest update from the Ministry of Tourism.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Types of bank fraud

1) Phishing

Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.

2) Smishing

The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.

3) Vishing

The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.

4) SIM swap

Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.

5) Identity theft

Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.

6) Prize scams

Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.

If you go

The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.

Cherry

Directed by: Joe and Anthony Russo

Starring: Tom Holland, Ciara Bravo

1/5

Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
SUZUME
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SUE%20GRAY'S%20FINDINGS
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Five personal finance podcasts from The National

 

To help you get started, tune into these Pocketful of Dirham episodes 

·

Balance is essential to happiness, health and wealth 

·

What is a portfolio stress test? 

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What are NFTs and why are auction houses interested? 

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How gamers are getting rich by earning cryptocurrencies 

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Should you buy or rent a home in the UAE?  

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Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

TOP%2010%20MOST%20POLLUTED%20CITIES
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Essentials

The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes. 
 

Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes. 


In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes. 
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.

A MINECRAFT MOVIE

Director: Jared Hess

Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa

Rating: 3/5

Mina Cup winners

Under 12 – Minerva Academy

Under 14 – Unam Pumas

Under 16 – Fursan Hispania

Under 18 – Madenat

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
GIANT REVIEW

Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Athale

Rating: 4/5