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Four Seasons Private Island Maldives: untouched design, voyage of discovery
Conceived as a natural extension of its Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve location – an area recognised for its unique harmony between man and nature – Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah synchronises style and simplicity, sophistication and scenery.
Designed to reflect the travels, temperament and trinkets of an international globetrotter, the private island residence takes each exclusive-use booking on a global ‘voyage of discovery’ through hand-selected details that enhance the unassuming ‘at home’ vibe.
Harmonic Hospitality
Voavah’s buildings and facilities were designed around the island’s existing natural elements – from its vast shallow ‘swimming pool’ lagoon on the western side to its established foliage – to honour and protect the raw site. Surrounded by ocean, the design largely revolves around the water and, with such spectacular views, walls of sliding windows feature wherever possible.
“By working with Voavah’s existing beauty, the layout and design effectively revealed itself,” comments Cedric Jaccard of Asia-based boutique design consultancy, Avalon Collective.
“The Beach House hub is contained in the centre of the island, opening onto the spectacular natural lagoon, around which the rest of the design took shape. By restricting the rest of the accommodations to the edges, we were able to leave the island largely untouched, heightening the sense of guests having their own island to explore.”
Purposefully Pure
Elementary in their elegance, Voavah’s interiors do not compete with Mother Nature’s magnificence. Instead they unite with her: the neutral colour palette and lack of walls extend ‘inside to outside’, while a mix of natural materials (copper, leather and rattan) and wood (rosewood, mahogany, ebony and teakwood) create texture and ever-changing shadows as they dance with the sun. In keeping with the island’s conservation-mindedness, the use of protected and rare natural materials such as mother of pearl and corals has been avoided.
Voyage Of Discovery
The multi-sensory, globally-inspired design experience extends from the use of carefully considered natural resources to a unique selection of artefacts gathered from Asia and beyond. The result is an enticing and eclectic ‘at-home’ feel, with key pieces to draw the eye and steal the heart.
The Beach House is accented with Arabic influences. A swinging day bed for 6 surrounded by extra large sofas encourages communal lounging. Ornate latticework walls embedded with LED lights and candles make for atmospheric evenings, while the lack of walls allows for unrestricted views and a strong connection to the surrounding nature.
Isolated in the middle of the lagoon, The Water Villa feels distinctly Southeast Asian with its high-backed ‘Peacock’ chairs and woven fishing baskets from Malaysia and Vietnam fashioned into lamps and side tables.
The Ocean of Consciousness Spa features artefacts that enhance the marine concept and connect to the Indian Ocean, from an ornate Rajasthani mirror to large nautical carvings. Simple yet mystical, the spa design encourages the mind to free from its confines and embrace a place of higher consciousness.
The Three-bedroom Beach Villa is beautifully understated, with large open spaces and extreme ocean views on three sides to create a true sense of remoteness. No distant islands mar the perfect ocean views, including the endless vistas from the large bathtub in the master bathroom. Unique touches such as the sundeck submerged in the pool enable maximum ocean-inspired relaxation and repose.
Marine-inspired wall art
Across the island, an eclectic array of wall-art, gathered from international travels throughout China, India, Bali and Thailand, centre on the ocean, largely inspired by Four Seasons Resorts Maldives conservation projects: a large ceramic bas-relief of turtles; an intriguing abstract piece comprising cable ties fashioned into coral shapes to reflect the creation process of the Resorts’ coral reef regeneration project (which uses cable ties to attach the coral fragments to coral frames to ‘build’ new coral reefs); and beautiful carvings of octopi, swordfish, starfish and more.
Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah opened in December, becoming the world’s first exclusive-use hideaway in a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. This secluded two-hectare haven transcends the private island experience by being “entirely yours” from the moment of booking with seven bedrooms, a Beach House, a dive school and a 62-foot (18.9 metre) yacht offering ultimate privacy for up to 20 guests at a time.
Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah joins another two properties in the Maldives run by Four Seasons.
Combining innovation, wellness and conservation, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru is a 44-acre, 103-villa wonderland in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — a 30-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport.
Its sister property, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, lies to the south: an enchanting garden island complete with Island Spa sea sanctuary and Tropicsurf coaches and guides. The luxury catamaran Four Seasons Explorer connects the two via three, four and seven-night cruises, plus private leisure, surf and manta ray charters.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has announced its Halloween programme for 2025, titled ‘Spooky Tropical Halloween’. The celebrations will take place from 28 October to 1 November, transforming the island into a Halloween-themed destination that combines the tropical setting of the Maldives with seasonal festivities.
The programme is designed to offer activities for both adults and children. On 31 October, adults can begin the evening with Haunted Cocktails at the Raalhu Bar, featuring themed drinks served against the backdrop of the sunset. This will be followed by the Spectacular Buffet Halloween Dinner at The Restaurant, showcasing a range of Halloween-inspired dishes and desserts. The night will conclude with The Halloween Spirit DJ Night at The Bar, offering music and entertainment alongside shisha under the stars.
Children will be able to join the Spooky Under the Sea adventure at the Kuda Fiyo Kids Club, running throughout the week from 28 October to 1 November. Activities will include crafts such as Shark Creation and Ghost Jellyfish making, a Spooky Story Circle, a Sea Monster Treasure Hunt, Trick-or-Treat, and Halloween costume making. The programme is intended to combine creativity with playful seasonal themes.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director of Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, said: “Halloween at Kuda Villingili promises something spine-tingling for everyone, from our little explorers enjoying a spooky under-the-sea adventure to adults indulging in a thrilling tropical Halloween experience. This year’s theme allows us to create an atmosphere that is both exciting and enchanting, offering guests a uniquely memorable way to celebrate the holiday in our tropical paradise.”
The resort has stated that the Halloween celebrations aim to provide a range of events and crafts within an atmosphere that balances seasonal themes with the resort’s luxury environment, ensuring a memorable experience for all guests.
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has announced the return of Manta Month this September, following the success of last year’s initiative. Now established as an annual programme, the celebration offers guests of all ages the opportunity to engage with the ocean while supporting marine conservation, with a particular focus on the manta ray.
Throughout the month, guests are invited to take part in guided excursions to known manta hotspots, led by the resort’s experienced team, who share insights into manta behaviour and conservation. Awareness talks highlight the story of a manta rescued near the island, serving as a reminder of the resort’s continuing efforts to protect marine life. Children can enjoy manta-themed arts and crafts as well as beach games, while the wider community will join reef and island clean-up activities, with collected waste repurposed into manta sculptures. In addition, proceeds from manta pendant sales at the resort’s retail boutique will be donated to The Manta Trust, extending support for research and protection initiatives.
Located close to several of the Maldives’ top ten dive sites, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives places importance on the wellbeing of the ocean and its ecosystems, a priority shared by both guests and staff. The resort’s sustainability initiatives are aligned with IHG’s purpose, True Hospitality for Good, through its Journey to Tomorrow programme, which supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and demonstrates a commitment to long-term environmental protection.
Commenting on the event, Mark Eletr, General Manager of Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, said: “What started as a special event last year has now grown into an annual month-long celebration. Kandooma Manta Month is not just about seeing these magnificent creatures up close, but about creating meaningful experiences that inspire awareness, responsibility, and care for our ocean environment.”
ROBINSON NOONU, one of the Maldives’ leading resorts, has introduced a summer programme that combines culinary highlights, family activities, wellness initiatives, and entertainment events. The resort is recognised for creating memorable experiences that remain with guests long after departure and has curated a schedule designed to appeal to a wide range of travellers.
Guests at ROBINSON NOONU are offered a selection of culinary experiences enhanced by weekly live performances from international artists and DJs. These performances provide a varied musical backdrop, creating an immersive atmosphere for dining and evening entertainment.
Families visiting the resort this season can participate in the Weekly Splash Action at the newly renovated water sports jetty. The highlight of the event is a ten-metre-long air cushion (Blob), which catapults participants into the lagoon. The activity attracts additional interest when the General Manager joins in, adding to the sense of occasion.
The resort has expanded its sports and wellness offering with the introduction of a padel tennis court, bringing one of the world’s fastest-growing sports to its facilities. Another addition is ‘YinSurf’ on the Strobel & Walter Balance Board, combining yoga, mindfulness, and full-body training. This programme is designed to promote physical wellbeing while supporting mental focus.
Every two weeks, the resort hosts themed events, including:
- Jungle Party – held in a driftwood-inspired venue.
- Underwater Party – featuring an inflatable octopus and 360° underwater visuals.
- Sundowner Beach Party – an evening gathering on the beach during sunset.
- White Party – an event on the pool deck with themed décor.
- BOHO Festival Show – a new addition, with a bohemian setting of teepees and natural tones.
- Pink Pool Party – a lively celebration with a colourful theme.
The highlight of the season will be the ‘This is NOONU’ Week, scheduled from 22 to 29 September. The programme includes performances from eight international artists, guest DJs, and WellFit experts. Events such as the Suite Party and a special edition of the Pink Pool Party will be featured, offering guests a range of experiences throughout the week.
By combining entertainment, wellness, sport, and culinary experiences, ROBINSON NOONU continues to strengthen its position as a Maldivian resort offering diverse programmes for its guests.
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