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.
Culture
Family adventures and romantic escapes await this Eid at Kandooma Maldives
When the world feels noisy and the pace of everyday life unrelenting, there is something quietly powerful about stepping onto a stretch of powder-white sand and letting the Indian Ocean do its work. Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, nestled in the South Malé Atoll just 45 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, is inviting families and couples to do exactly that this Eid.
Whether you are travelling with children in tow or looking for uninterrupted time with the person you love, Kandooma has shaped experiences around both, without compromise.
Kandooma is an island that understands what you need right now explains Sharon Garrett, Director of Marketing and Sustainability at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives.
“Short breaks and getaways are even more essential now. Being able to reconnect to yourself and with those you love matters deeply. Our private island paradise offers the backdrop for that kind of reset,” she said.
“People are looking for real value, especially given the cost-of-living pressures so many are facing globally. Kandooma sits in that sweet spot of mid-market pricing with a delivery that genuinely exceeds expectations. You get the turquoise ocean, the white sandy beaches, the tropical warmth and the kind of friendly Maldivian hospitality that stays with you long after you leave.”
Exclusive Packages, Only When You Book Direct
Booking directly from the resort unlocks packages unavailable elsewhere, including two standout Eid offers:
- Family Getaway (minimum 4 nights): Accommodation, WiFi, daily breakfast and dinner are all included. Children under 13 receive a special Kandoo Kids’ Club welcome gift, and on one day the whole family gets to make their own pizza lunch together, one of those small, sticky-fingered memories that lasts for years. On one evening, while the kids enjoy Movie Night at the Kids Club, parents slip away for a romantic beach dinner (set-up) just for two. The package also qualifies for IHG’s Kids Eat and Stay Free offer (children under 13) and Kandooma’s celebrated Dive Free Programme, which gives two certified divers two complimentary dives per day, with all equipment included. Terms and conditions apply.
- Island Romance (3 nights): Three nights built around the two of you. Accommodation, daily buffet breakfast and dinner for two, and in-villa welcome touches set the tone. During your stay, you will enjoy one breakfast in bed, a romantic beach picnic lunch and a beach dinner under the stars. Certified scuba divers also qualify for the Dive Free Programme, with up to two complimentary dives per certified diver per day, including all gear and air/Nitrox. Terms and conditions apply.
Kandooma’s reputation has been built over years of consistent delivery. The resort’s Kandooma Right surf break is one of the Indian Ocean’s most celebrated waves, drawing surfers from around the world. Its surrounding dive sites are considered among the finest in the Maldives, earning recognition from the diving community year after year.
The Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala, a globally respected wellness brand, brings considered, holistic treatments to an already serene island setting. Six dining venues offer everything from relaxed beachside plates to candlelit dinners, drawing on international flavours and the freshest ingredients.
Accommodation choices span Garden, Beach and Overwater Villas through to expansive two-storey Beach Houses, suiting everyone from honeymooners wanting seclusion to families who simply need more space to breathe. Families appreciate the Family Beach Houses, the stunning 2-bedroom Overwater Villa with its spectacular sea view and the 3-bedroom Beach Pool Villa.
The full range of Eid Al-Adha Special Offers is available from the resort’s website.
News
Milaidhoo Maldives embraces mindfulness, movement and nourishment for Global Wellness Day
Milaidhoo Maldives invites guests to celebrate Global Wellness Day 2026 under the theme “#JoyMagenta”, embracing its signature wellbeing philosophy built around three interconnected pillars: food, physical balance and peace of mind. Nestled within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of the Baa Atoll, the island offers a sanctuary where nature-led experiences, mindful nourishment and restorative practices come together to support holistic wellbeing.
Throughout the day, guests are guided through immersive experiences designed to awaken gratitude, creativity, connection and movement, each reflecting Milaidhoo’s commitment to wellbeing in harmony with the oceanic environment.
Morning begins with Gratitude on the Compass Pool Bar deck, where mindfulness meditation and breathwork invite stillness and clarity. Mid-morning, Creativity unfolds at Serenity Spa with a DIY coconut scrub workshop using natural island ingredients, celebrating sustainable self-care and the island’s nourishing food philosophy through the use of locally inspired botanicals.
Mid-afternoon brings Connection at the overwater Yoga Pavilion with couples stretching and sound healing sessions designed to deepen presence and emotional harmony. As evening approaches, Movement takes place during a sunset Vinyasa yoga flow at Ocean Stories Beach, where breath, motion and ocean rhythm align.
Throughout the experience, Milaidhoo’s culinary wellbeing approach complements the journey, with mindful dining options that emphasise fresh, locally inspired and nutritionally balanced cuisine to support physical vitality and inner peace. Food is presented not only as nourishment but also as a sensory extension of the island’s healing environment, reinforcing the connection between body and nature.
Milaidhoo Maldives’ Global Wellness Day celebration reflects the island’s deeper philosophy of holistic living, where food, physical movement and peace of mind are seamlessly integrated into every guest experience. The island’s intimate setting encourages reconnection with nature and self, allowing each moment to be experienced with intention and joy.
The day concludes with a renewed sense of vitality, emotional balance and calm presence, embodying the essence of “joy” that defines this year’s theme. Milaidhoo continues to place well-being at the heart of its experience, ensuring every stay supports lasting harmony in one of the world’s most tranquil island sanctuaries.
For those seeking to continue their journey of calm and renewal, explore the full Milaidhoo wellbeing experience here.
News
Fushifaru Maldives unveils overnight ‘Sleep Under the Stars’ escape
From candlelit dinners to sleeping beneath a canopy of stars on the largest natural sandbank in Lhaviyani Atoll, Fushifaru Maldives by BeKind Hospitality Group invites couples to experience one of the Maldives’ most unforgettable overnight escapes.
Surrounded by crystal-clear waters, Fushifaru Maldives is redefining romantic island escapes with its extraordinary “Sleep Under the Stars” experience – an unforgettable overnight stay on the resort’s breathtaking private sandbank. This once-in-a-lifetime experience invites couples to disconnect from the world and reconnect with each other beneath a sky illuminated by countless stars. Combining barefoot luxury, romance and the raw beauty of the Maldives, the experience has been thoughtfully designed to create memories that last forever.
As the sun begins to set over the horizon, guests are whisked away to the secluded sandbank where an enchanting evening awaits. Candlelit dining by the ocean sets the tone for the night, with the sound of gentle waves providing the perfect soundtrack. Guests can then cosy up beneath the stars for a private open-air movie screening, before retreating to their beautifully prepared beachfront bed for a night unlike any other.
With no distractions, no crowds and nothing but the soothing ocean surrounding them, guests are given the rare opportunity to experience the Maldives in its purest and most intimate form. As dawn breaks across the horizon, the experience continues with a hearty breakfast served directly on the sandbank – the perfect way to begin the day before returning to the resort.
“At Fushifaru, we continuously seek to create meaningful and unforgettable experiences that connect guests with the natural beauty of the Maldives,” said Jumana Muhammad, Resident Manager of Fushifaru Maldives. “Our ‘Sleep Under the Stars’ experience is designed to offer something truly special – a rare opportunity for guests to disconnect from the world and reconnect with each other amidst the serenity of our stunning natural sandbank and a sky full of stars.”
More than simply an excursion, “Sleep Under the Stars” is a celebration of romance, nature and unforgettable moments. Whether marking a honeymoon, anniversary, proposal or simply a special escape together, the experience captures the magic of the Maldives in a truly unique and deeply personal way.
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