Recipe: Tandoori Chicken

Posted on by

Delicious tandoori chicken, best served with long grain basmati rice, cucumber salad, grilled veggies and roasted corn on the cob.

Meeru restaurant, Constance Halaveli Resort, Maldives

Meeru restaurant, Constance Halaveli

  • 2lbs chicken cut into pieces
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 1 1/4 cups plain yogurt
  • 1/2 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped coriander
  • 1 lemon, cut into wedges

1. Remove skin from chicken pieces, and cut slits into them lengthwise. Place in a shallow dish. Sprinkle both sides of chicken with salt and lemon juice. Set aside for 20 minutes.
2. In a medium bowl, combine yoghurt, onion, garlic, ginger, garam masala, and cayenne pepper. Mix until smooth. Spread yoghurt mixture over chicken. Cover, and refrigerate for 6 to 24 hours (the longer the better).
3. Preheat grill to medium high heat. Cook chicken on grill until no longer pink and juices run clear. Alternatively, bake the chicken in the oven for 25-30 minutes at 230ºC.

Garnish with coriander and lemon wedges.

 

8 reasons to take your kids to Constance Hotels

Posted on by

If you’ve ever thought that children and luxury holidays don’t mix, think again. Imagine a tropical island idyll where you and your kids can immerse yourselves in a world so relaxing, you’ll never want to leave.

Family holidays at Constance Hotels Experience

Family holidays at Constance

Cue Constance.

Our elegant resorts exude a wonderfully relaxing atmosphere, so you get to enjoy a luxury family holiday knowing that your children will be welcomed with open arms.

To give you a taste of what it’s like at one of our resorts, here are 8 great reasons to trade the traditional camping holiday for an all-out luxury family get-away.

1. Beaches

The beaches at each of our 7 resorts offer the softest sand imaginable and paddle-friendly shorelines. At Constance, these natural playgrounds come with sand butlers  - on hand to bring refreshments, lunch and snacks so you don’t even have to move from your oversized lounger. Relax and soak up the rays while your children make race tracks and fairy castles with sand, stones and shells.

2. Sports

Kids love to be active, and good weather means they can enjoy the great range of sports we offer including kayaking, golf, yoga, cycling, tennis, swimming and diving.

The calm, warm water of the Indian Ocean makes it ideal for children to don a mask and snorkel and discover the magical underwater world brimming with tiny nemo fish, colourful corals and awe-inspiring turtles and manta rays.

3. Kids clubs

Kids club at Constance Lemuria Resort, Seychelles

Kids club at Constance Lemuria

Our complimentary kids’ clubs for 4-12 year olds allow you to enjoy some time-out while your kids make new friendships under the care of our experienced and friendly staff. The emphasis is on adventure, fun and discovery – from crafts and face painting, to exploring the beach as pirates and mermaids.

4. Excursions/activities

If you want to discover the cultural side of Mauritius, the Maldives, Madagascar and the Seychelles, there’s a huge range of excursions and activities on offer. From discovering exotic and rare wildlife, to boat rides and exploring local markets, these day trips are fun, refreshing and will open your children’s eyes to a totally different world around them.

5. Eat

At Constance, we’re known for our exceptional cuisine. Children’s menus, family friendly restaurants, early dinner sittings and in-villa dining means you don’t have to compromise on the food that you eat, just to ensure that your kids will eat theirs.

Cheesy soldiers, Banana, mango and pineapple sushi, Thai fishballs, Banana berry split and Oreo cookie cheesecake are some of the delights you’ll find on our menus for children.

6. Pamper

Family friendly meals at Constance Hotels Experience

Family friendly meals

We know that many parents can’t wait to indulge in some spa pampering to restore equilibrium to frazzled minds and tired bodies. Take advantage of our kids’ clubs while you head off to the spa, or bring your children with you for one of our children’s spa treatments. With the focus on fun and trying something new, popular choices include ‘flowers in the hair’ and ‘bubble foot bath’.

7. Relax

Amidst the hubub of daily family life, it’s all too easy to forget to just sit down and relax together. At our resorts, we take care of everything so you can down tools and enjoy your holiday as a family.

We’ve thought of all the extras so you can cut back on what you need to bring with you -  nappies, cot bedding, toys, baby food, buggies – but if there’s something we haven’t included, you just need to ask.

8. Enjoy time as a couple 

Constance Moofushi Resort, Maldives

Constance Moofushi

And once your children are tucked up in bed, take advantage of our babysitting service so you can indulge in some time with your loved one. Enjoy romantic beach dinners, sunset walks along the shore, cocktails, live music, and the utter joy of a meal shared without any interruptions.

Sound tempting?

Visit our website to find out more about each of our hotels, or to check booking availability.

And if you want to keep up with the latest news, competitions and events from Constance Hotels Experience, visit our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter.

 

Luxury spa experience at Constance Ephélia

Posted on by

Escape to Constance Ephélia, Seychelles for all-out spa indulgence.

Hillside villa at Constance Ephelia Resort, Seychelles

Hillside villa at Ephelia

The Spa Village is a big draw at this resort, set in the heart of tropical gardens and backed by lush green mountains. One double and 11 single treatment rooms are positioned around a beautiful spa pool.

If it’s total privacy you’re after, consider booking into one of our spa villas where you can simply roll out of bed and walk a few steps to your own spa. Each villa comes with a double treatment room, hot tub, steam shower, laconarium, private garden and plunge pool.

At Ephélia, you can enjoy treatments from Shiseido and Spa de Constance. Here’s a taste of what’s currently on offer:

Shiseido

Shiseido Expresso

  • Quick Tension Release & Express Facial

Revitalising Experience

  • Relaxing massage with Lemon Grass & Cinnamon Bath

 

Spa at Constance Ephelia Resort, Seychelles

Spa at Constance Ephelia

Spa de Constance

Detoxifying Experience

  • Lemon Grass Salt Scrub
  • Green Tea Body Wrap & Head Massage
  • Back Massage with Lemon Grass Oil

Aloe Vera Relaxing Experience

  • Relaxing body massage
  • Mini facial

Find out more

Spa de Constance and Shiseido treatments at Constance Ephélia Resort – on our website.

Tempted to book a holiday? Find out about availability at Constance Ephélia or book now.

 

Essential summer style 2012

Posted on by

If you’re looking to up your style this summer, Vogue lifts the lid on what to buy right now.

Beach at Constance Moofushi Resort, Maldives

Constance Moofushi, Maldives

1. Vogue’s 25 Summer Sunglasses 

The right pair of sunglasses adds instant cool to any outfit. This summer there’s a rush on frames with block colour, pastels and prints.

2. Vogue’s 100 Best Bikinis and Swimsuits

Before heading to the beach, check out Vogue’s list of the 100 best bikinis and swimsuits in the shops.

3. Vogues’ Head to Toe Prints

A look that successfully made it’s way from the runway to the high street, head-to-toe prints work brilliantly in a hot climate. Find out how to pair your prints for maximum effect.

4. Designer summer sales

It’s that’s time again – Vogue gives a round-up of where to grab the best designer bargains.

5. Milan Fashion Week 2012

If you’ve got your summer style wrapped up, draw inspiration for next season and beyond the shows at Milan Fashion Week.

 

Villas at Constance hotels

Posted on by

‘Go and open the door. Maybe outside there’s a tree, or a wood, a garden, or a magic city.’

Villa door at Constance Belle Mare Plage

The villa door

These are the words of Czech poet Miroslav Holub (1923-1998) inviting you to enter into a new world in his poem ‘The Door’.

Open the door to any of the private villas at Constance Belle Mare Plage and you’ll discover a world you can escape to complete with a tree, a garden, the friendly face of your villa master, and your own pool, space and oasis of privacy and tranquillity.

Just what you wish for when dreaming of your long-awaited escape to a tropical island paradise.

Find out more about the luxury accommodation on offer at each of our resorts.

Recipes from Sri Lanka

Posted on by

Dishes from the Maldives are heavily influenced by the traditional cuisine of India and Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan green pea and cashew curry

Sri Lankan green pea and cashew curry

This week our Chef de Partie at Constance Halaveli, Pradeep Suranga, brings you 3 of his favourite dishes from his home country of Sri Lanka. The spiciness of the dishes can be modified to suit your own tastes. All of these dishes are available at Jahaz restaurant, Constance Halaveli.

Recipe 1: Green Pea and Cashew Curry

Delicious vegetarian curry, perfect for colder evenings.

  • 100g Cashew nuts
  • 20g Onion, sliced
  • 25g Green peas
  • 5g Curry leaves
  • 10g Fresh garlic, sliced
  • 10g Turmeric powder
  • 5g Cumin powder
  • 3g Chilli powder
  • 5g Coriander powder
  • 200ml Coconut milk
  • 50ml of Coconut milk cream

1. First soak the cashew nuts in water for 30 minutes.
2. Combine all the ingredients except the green peas and coconut milk into a saucepan and cook over a medium heat until the cashews are soft.
3. Add the green peas and coconut cream and season with salt and pepper.
4. Serve with fragrant rice.

 

Recipe 2: Indian Cookies

Desserts at Jahaz restaurant, Constance Halaveli Resort

Desserts at Jahaz restaurant

A delicious after-dinner treat that is traditionally served with Masala tea.

  • 400g Butter
  • 1kg Flour
  • 250g Icing sugar
  • 15g Salt
  • 50g Milk powder
  • 150g Water

1. Pre-heat oven to 180°C.
2. Add milk powder and icing sugar to a bowl and mix with water.
3. Then add flour, butter and salt and mix it until it forms like a dough.
4. Roll out the dough and cut with a cookie cutter.
5. Place the cookies on a greased paper lined tray and bake for 20 minutes.

 

Recipe 3: Hoppers

Pradeep Suranga

Pradeep Suranga

Hoppers are a traditional breakfast favourite in Sri Lanka, often accompanied by luni miris, a mixture of red onions and spices.

  • 250g Rice flour
  • 75ml Coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 10g Baking soda or yeast
  • 10ml Vegetable oil
  • Water as necessary

1. Mix yeast in a little amount of water.
2. Beat the egg very well.
3. Mix all the above ingredients together with rice flour and keep the mixture for 1.5 hours.
4. Add the coconut milk as you need to get the right consistency.
5. Keep the mixture for 15 minutes.
6. Heat the small wok/hopper pan til hot.
7. Add a bit of vegetable oil and swirl it around the pan
8. Take one small ladle of mixture and spread all over the pan and cook over medium and cover with a lid.

Find out more about Constance Halaveli