News
Atoll Paradise wins Three World Travel Awards
Maldives Promotion House – At the Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony for the World Travel Awards, which took place at Paradise Island, a private resort in the Maldives, on May 12, 2013, Atoll Paradise emerged yet again as a leader in the region, winning three of the coveted awards, for ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Travel Agency’, ‘Maldives’ Leading Tour Operator’, and also in the newly established category ‘Seychelles’ Leading Luxury Tour Operator’!
Atoll Paradise is very proud of this accomplishment, especially since the company only added the destination Seychelles in late 2011 to its exclusive luxury resort portfolio and has already been recognized as the Leading Luxury Tour Operator of this beautiful island nation!
“It is an honor to have been selected for the second year now as a leader in the travel industry of the region! We base our success on the inside knowledge our Travel Consultants have of each resort in our collection, and of course on the top-notch personalized service we provide! All of our team members are very dedicated to their work and to the company, and we fully embrace our motto to always exceed our customers’ expectations. My team, for example, is on call 24-hours a day for our clients on location, and we ensure no hick-up will disturb your holiday serenity!”, says Jenny Vettiger Mufeed, Guest Experience Manager at Atoll Paradise.
The elegant award ceremony took place on Paradise Island in the Maldives, and the atmosphere was fitting for this dream destination – chic, yet laid-back, elegant with a tropical touch! The opening speech was given by Mr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, the President of the Maldives, and he was followed by Mr. David Falcon, Senior Vice President WTA, who gave a short background on WTA’s 20-year history. Attendees included the crème-de-la-crème in travel of the Indian Ocean region, and entertainment came with compliments of Unoosha – a magnificent singer who mixes traditional Maldivian sounds with modern beats – and local Bodu Beru groups.
The Indian Ocean Award ceremony also recognized the Maldives as a whole, awarding this beautiful island nation the elite status of Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Destination, Indian Ocean’s Leading Cruise Destination, Indian Ocean’s Leading Tourist Board, and Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination – awards were received by the Minister of Tourism himself, Mr. Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Ghafoor, who was also named Indian Ocean’s Travel & Tourism Personality of the Year. The winners in the resort categories included many of our partner resorts, with LUX* Maldives being named Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Resort, Ocean Haven at W Retreat Maldives won for Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel Suite, Frégate Island Private in the Seychelles was awarded Indian Ocean’s Leading Private Island Resort, and Hilton Mauritius received a statue for Mauritius’ Leading Spa Resort! We congratulate all of our partners who were recognized as leaders in luxury travel, and are proud to be working with each one of them!
The World Travel Awards were launched in 1993 to acknowledge and recognize excellence in the global travel and tourism industry. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, it is regarded as the very highest achievement that a travel product could hope to receive and their aim is to highlight and reward those travel brands that have made the greatest contribution to the industry over the past year. Votes are cast by more than 700,000 travel professionals and consumers in over 170 countries across the globe.
Atoll Paradise is busy with plans for further expansion, getting ready to move into their new state-of-the-art office complex by next month, where they will take advantage of the best that technology has to offer, to ensure customers can lie back and relax worry-free while on vacation.
News
Reiki Master Nikki begins August residency at Amilla Maldives’ Javvu Spa
Amilla Maldives is hosting holistic wellness practitioner Nongluck Chuaychuang, known as Nikki, for a month-long residency at the resort’s Javvu Spa.
Running from 2 to 30 August 2026, the residency offers guests a collection of treatments focused on physical relaxation, energy alignment and mental wellbeing.
A Reiki Master and sound healing specialist, Nikki has practised at luxury wellness destinations around the world. During her residency at Amilla, she is offering treatments tailored to guests’ individual needs, with sessions designed to release physical tension, support energy flow and encourage relaxation.
“True healing begins when we give ourselves the space to slow down, listen within, and return to our natural rhythm,” Nikki said.
The programme includes The Nikki Essence, her signature holistic massage, as well as Reiki Energy Healing, which focuses on subtle body alignment.
Guests can also take part in sound bath journeys using Tibetan and crystal bowls, or book intuitive bodywork sessions designed to provide restorative release.
The residency forms part of Javvu Spa’s wellness programme, which incorporates treatments and practices intended to support physical and emotional balance.
Sessions are available at Javvu Spa throughout the residency, with advance reservations recommended.
Meditation
Reconnect with nature at Milaidhoo Maldives this World Wellness Weekend
This September, Milaidhoo Maldives invites guests to press pause and reconnect with what matters most. From 18th to 20th September, the boutique island retreat in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, will mark World Wellness Weekend with a thoughtfully curated programme of experiences celebrating movement, mindfulness and the simple joy of being immersed in nature.
At Milaidhoo, wellbeing isn’t centred on strict routines or quick fixes. It comes naturally through the island’s slower pace, the restorative power of the ocean, time spent outdoors and fresh, nourishing cuisine inspired by the Maldives. On the small island, guests are gently encouraged to switch off, breathe deeply and savour each moment.
This philosophy is reflected at Serenity Spa, where a dedicated team of therapists and wellness practitioners share a deeply personal approach to wellbeing. Every treatment is thoughtfully tailored, blending time-honoured healing traditions with genuine care to help guests relax and restore themselves.
To celebrate World Wellness Weekend, Milaidhoo has created a three-day programme of complimentary and signature experiences, from sunrise yoga and aqua meditation to aerial wellness sessions and a workshop on mental wellbeing led by visiting practitioner Dr Lim Xiang Jun, who combines traditional healing wisdom with modern medical knowledge. Guests and the Milaidhoo Family members will also come together for Moving Together, a relaxed community jog along the Water Villa Jetty, celebrating the wellbeing that comes from sharing experiences with others.
Programme of activities as follows for the World Wellness Weekend:
Friday, 18th September 2026
08.00 – Complimentary Morning Yoga
Yoga Pavilion
Begin the day with a gentle yoga practice surrounded by the peaceful sounds of the ocean.
11.00 – Mental Wellbeing and Stress Management Workshop
Yoga Pavilion | Complimentary | 45 minutes
Led by Dr Lim Xiang Jun, visiting practitioner at Milaidhoo. A Modern Traditional Doctor, Dr. Lim combines traditional healing practices with modern medical knowledge, sharing practical approaches to managing stress and supporting mental wellbeing.
19.00 – Moonlit Sound Journey
Yoga Pavilion | $35++ per person (minimum of 4 guests)
A calming evening experience using sound and vibration to encourage deep relaxation beneath the Maldivian night sky.
Saturday, 19th September 2026
08.00 – Complimentary Aqua Workout
Compass Pool
A refreshing water-based workout to energise the body and mind.
11.00 – Group Aerial Yoga Flow
$35++ per person (minimum 4 guests)
A guided aerial yoga session combining movement, balance and mindful breathing.
16:30 – Moving Together
Water Villa Jetty | Complimentary
A one-hour relaxed jog along the Water Villa jetty, open to all guests and Milaidhoo Family members, celebrating movement and connection.
Sunday, 20th September 2026
08.00 – Complimentary Morning Yoga
Yoga Pavilion
11.00 – Aqua Sonic Meditation
Compass Pool | Complimentary
A unique meditation experience combining the calming environment of water with soothing sounds.
15.00 – Aerial Thai Wellness
Yoga Pavilion | $35++ per person (minimum of 4 guests)
A gentle wellness session inspired by Thai therapeutic movement techniques.
At Milaidhoo, wellbeing is not something to be added to island life, it is naturally part of it.
This World Wellness Weekend, guests are invited to take time for themselves, discover new ways to unwind and enjoy the simple pleasures of being fully present.
News
Vakkaru Maldives elevates overwater luxury with new pool villas
Vakkaru Maldives, the award-winning private island resort set within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of the Baa Atoll, has revealed the launch of a new villa category: the Overwater Villa with Pool.
The new Overwater Villa with Pool is available to book now for stays from 22 October 2026 onwards. Combining the spacious, light-filled layout and direct lagoon access that define a stay at Vakkaru with the addition of a private pool suspended above the water, the new category offers an enhanced overwater experience. Each villa offers 165 sqm of villa space and a private pool of 23 sqm, creating an intimate sanctuary where the lagoon begins at the doorstep and the horizon stretches uninterrupted to the edge of the Indian Ocean.

Comprising odd-numbered villas 211 to 245, the new Overwater Villa with Pool category sits within Vakkaru’s carefully considered overwater collection, which also includes the resort’s signature Overwater Deluxe Pool Villa. The new category has been designed for guests who seek the freedom of private outdoor space alongside the calm and seclusion that only an overwater setting can offer.
Introductory rates for 2026 start from US$1,650++ per night in low season, with shoulder season rates from US$1,950++ and festive season rates from US$4,500++. All rates are combinable with current seasonal offers.

To better reflect the distinction within its overwater collection, Vakkaru Maldives will simultaneously rename the current Overwater Pool Villa category to Overwater Deluxe Pool Villa. This is a name change only, with no amendments to villa features, inventory or rates.
Vakkaru Maldives was recognised with one MICHELIN Key in the MICHELIN Guide Hotel Selection 2025 and was recently ranked No. 9 among the Best Resorts in Asia in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2026. The resort was also named World’s Leading Private Island Resort and Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort at the World Travel Awards 2025, marking its sixth consecutive year of recognition.
For reservations, please visit vakkarumaldives.com or contact reservations@vakkarumaldives.com.
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