This festive season, Dusit Hotels and Resorts invites travellers to experience two distinctive celebrations in the Maldives, united by a shared source of inspiration: the ocean.

At Dusit Thani Maldives, the festive season comes to life through Ocean Carnival, a joyful celebration inspired by the colour, movement and wonder of the underwater world.

Meanwhile, dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives turns up the island energy with Reef & Rhythm, where the ocean meets music, flavour, culture and celebration. Together, the two programmes offer different interpretations of the festive season while sharing the warmth of Dusit’s Thai-inspired gracious hospitality and the natural beauty of the Maldives.

“While Dusit Thani Maldives and dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives each have their own distinctive character, both are deeply connected to the ocean and the spirit of the Maldives,” said Jean-Louis Ripoche, Area General Manager, Dusit Hotels & Resorts in the Maldives. “With Ocean Carnival and Reef & Rhythm, we wanted to create two festive experiences that reflect the personality of each resort while sharing the same sense of celebration, connection and discovery. Whether guests are looking for a vibrant island atmosphere or a more tranquil escape surrounded by nature, we look forward to welcoming them to celebrate this special time of year with us.”

Two islands, one ocean-inspired celebration

Located on Mudhdhoo Island in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Dusit Thani Maldives sets the scene for a festive escape surrounded by a vibrant house reef and the tranquillity of its natural island setting. Its Ocean Carnival programme brings together festive dining, family activities, wellness experiences and live entertainment, culminating in a spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration on the beach.

Just seven minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives offers a different rhythm. The lifestyle-focused, Premium All-Inclusive resort embraces its playful character with Reef & Rhythm, bringing together pool parties, beachfront dining, live bands, DJs, cultural experiences, family adventures and celebrations beneath the stars.

Ocean Carnival at Dusit Thani Maldives

The celebrations at Dusit Thani Maldives begin with the lighting of the Christmas tree at Sand Bar on 21 December, setting the stage for a programme of memorable island experiences.Festive highlights include a beachfront Lobster BBQ, a lively Bartender Flairing Show, Santa’s arrival on Christmas morning, and an elegant Christmas Family Set Dinner at Sea Grill.

The programme continues between Christmas and New Year with a pool party and the resort’s Jungle Night, transforming Coconut Grove into an immersive tropical setting with a playful Jurassic twist, BBQ dining, entertainment and the unmistakable rhythm of Maldivian Boduberu.

The season reaches its crescendo on 31 December. Guests will begin the evening with a New Year’s Eve cocktail reception before Market Beach transforms for the Ocean Carnival New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner & Party. A lavish gala buffet will be accompanied by live music, DJs and entertainment inspired by the movement and magic of the ocean, before a midnight fireworks display welcomes 2027 beneath the Maldivian sky.

Celebrations continue into the New Year, including an authentic Thai Street Food Market at Benjarong on 3 January, accompanied by a traditional Thai dance performance.

Feel the Reef & Rhythm at dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives

At dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives, Reef & Rhythm follows the pulse of island life, with music and entertainment woven throughout the festive programme.

The season officially begins on 10 December with a sunset Christmas Cocktail Soirée and Tree Lighting Ceremony at SOI Beach. Christmas Eve brings a beachfront festive feast at Baraveli followed by live performances, Christmas celebrations and an LED party, while Christmas Day begins with Santa’s arrival before moving into a day of poolside music, beach games and tropical festivities.

Food takes centre stage throughout the season with experiences ranging from Streets of Thailand to Seafood, Sax & Champagne, an evening of fresh seafood, sparkling champagne and live saxophone melodies by the beach.

Maldivian culture also plays an important role in Reef & Rhythm. The resort’s Discover the 26 Atolls of the Maldives experience brings local traditions to life through arts and crafts, cultural performances and the rhythms of the islands.

Families can slow the pace with Cinema Under the Stars, while evenings across the resort feature an ever- changing soundtrack of live bands, DJs, solo singers, saxophone performances and visual shows.

On 31 December, SOI Beach becomes the heart of the celebration for the Reef & Rhythm New Year’s Eve Gala. Beginning with a sunset saxophone performance, the evening progresses through an international gala, live music and stage entertainment before the countdown to 2027. A DJ-led after-party then carries the celebration into the early hours of the New Year.

Celebrate the Maldives, your way

While each resort brings its own character to the festive season, both celebrations share a common spirit: bringing people together through memorable dining, music, culture and experiences shaped by their island surroundings.

For travellers seeking a vibrant, social and contemporary celebration close to Malé, Reef & Rhythm at dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives delivers a festive season filled with energy from morning until late into the night.

For those drawn to the natural beauty and laid-back luxury of Baa Atoll, Ocean Carnival at Dusit Thani Maldives offers an immersive festive escape where celebration, discovery and connection unfold against one of the Maldives’ most remarkable ocean settings.

From reef to rhythm, and from carnival colour to celebrations beneath the stars, Dusit invites guests to end 2026 and begin the New Year surrounded by the ocean.

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa has announced the first chapter of its newly launched Masters of Food & Wine Series, A MICHELIN-Starred Culinary Journey Through the Seasons, welcoming acclaimed Cantonese master Executive Chef Ku Chi Fai for two exclusive dining experiences on 2 and 5 October 2026. The event marks the official opening of the season-long exclusive dining experiences, bringing internationally celebrated chefs to Our Living Island from October 2026 through April 2027.

Taking place during Chinese Golden Week, the inaugural chapter, “A Celebration of Prosperity, Family and Culinary Heritage,” invites guests to discover one of China’s most distinguished culinary traditions through an exceptional six-course menu paired with premium wines.

Making his first-ever appearance in the Maldives, Executive Chef Ku Chi Fai brings more than four decades of culinary expertise and a legacy of excellence shaped by a lifelong dedication to Cantonese gastronomy. As the founder of MICHELIN-starred The Beijing Kitchen, he has led the restaurant to earn seven consecutive MICHELIN Stars and eight consecutive Black Pearl One-Diamond Awards, establishing it among the region’s most acclaimed dining destinations.

Renowned for his mastery of traditional Cantonese techniques, Chef Ku’s cuisine reflects a harmonious balance of heritage, precision and innovation. His approach honours the integrity of exceptional ingredients while elevating them through meticulous craftsmanship and contemporary refinement.

“We are honoured to welcome Executive Chef Ku Chi Fai to Hadahaa as the first guest chef of our Masters of Food & Wine Series,” said Anshul Sharma, General Manager of Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa. “His remarkable achievements and dedication to preserving the rich traditions of Cantonese cuisine make him the perfect chef to commence this extraordinary culinary journey.

His visit embodies the spirit of cultural discovery, passion, craftsmanship and excellence that defines the series.”

Created as a celebration of the seasons and meaningful moments throughout the year, the Masters of Food & Wine Series transforms traditional guest chef dinners into an immersive journey through global culinary cultures. Each chapter is inspired by a seasonal occasion and interpreted by a distinguished chef whose culinary philosophy resonates with the values of Our Living Island.

For his exclusive engagement at Hadahaa, Executive Chef Ku Chi Fai will present an exclusively curated six-course dinner showcasing the elegance and depth of Cantonese cuisine. Drawing inspiration from both his culinary heritage and the natural bounty of the Maldives, the experience will celebrate exceptional ingredients, timeless techniques and the art of gathering around the table.

EVENT DETAILS

Masters of Food & Wine Series | Chapter I
Golden Week: A Celebration of Prosperity, Family and Culinary Heritage
A Six-course curated dinner with wine pairing

Guest Chef: Executive Chef Ku Chi Fai
Date: 2 & 5 October 2026
Time: 7:30 PM onwards
Venue: Island Grill
Price: USD 249++ per person

Reservations are now available. Guests are encouraged to secure their places early for this rare opportunity to experience the artistry of one of China’s most celebrated chefs in the intimate surroundings of Hadahaa.

Today (1st October) marks a new chapter for Kandooma Maldives, one of the South Malé Atoll’s best-known island resorts as it officially begins life under its new brand. For the past 17 years, travellers have known the island as Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives. From today, the resort steps forward simply as Kandooma Maldives – refreshed, all-inclusive and with an experience-led approach designed to make family holidays easier, richer and considerably more fun.

It is less a reinvention than an opportunity for Kandooma to be fully itself. The same easy-going island character, familiar faces and warm Maldivian welcome remain. At the same time, a significant product refresh introduces new accommodation, new villa configurations and private pools to more of the resort’s family accommodation.

Eight new Family Beach Pool Villas combine direct beach access with private splash pools and dedicated children’s sleeping spaces. Pools have also been added to Kandooma’s two-bedroom Beach Houses, while two spacious three-bedroom Pool Villas offer another option for larger and multi-generational families.

At the centre of the new Kandooma is a simple proposition: an experience-led Maldivian island where the family holiday is taken care of, leaving everyone free to discover, experience and celebrate.

All-inclusive, beyond the meal plan

Kandooma Maldives is now all-inclusive, but its interpretation goes well beyond breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks.

For qualifying stays of 4 nights or more, experiences such as a sunset splash cruise, sunrise fishing, a 30-minute spa treatment and guided reef snorkelling form part of the holiday. Certified divers can also take advantage of Kandooma’s Dive Free programme, with one complimentary guided dive per day, including standard dive equipment, boat transfers, and air/Nitrox fills.

Longer stays unlock additional experiences and benefits, with selected inclusions resetting every four nights.

Andrew Drummond, General Manager of Kandooma Maldives, said: “For us, all-inclusive was never going to be simply a meal plan. We wanted it to change the way guests experience the island. A family shouldn’t spend its holiday constantly deciding what something costs or whether to add another experience. We want them out on the water, trying something new, sitting down together over dinner, slowing down at the spa or discovering a little more about the Maldives.

“Kandooma has always had an incredible energy and personality. This new chapter gives us the freedom to put that at the centre of everything we do. We’ve taken many of the experiences people come to the Maldives hoping to have and made them part of the Kandooma holiday from the outset. That’s what experience-led all-inclusive means to us.”

One island. Five ways to experience it.

Bringing the new brand to life are the five Kandooma Signatures, designed to make it easy for guests to discover different sides of the island throughout their stay.

Kandooma Blue – Days spent on, in and under the water

The ocean is Kandooma’s playground. Diving, guided reef snorkelling, fishing and cruises connect guests with the waters of the South Malé Atoll, while the resort’s established PADI 5-Star Dive Centre provides access to some 28 nearby dive sites. Certified divers staying four nights or longer can make the most of Dive Free with one complimentary guided dive each day.

Kandooma Table – Every meal, now part of the holiday

Food becomes part of the experience rather than simply somewhere to stop between activities. Alongside all-inclusive dining are beach barbecues, sunset dinners, themed island nights and informal social dining. Kandooma Café now operates around the clock, while the new Beach Club provides an all-day social hub that transitions from relaxed daytime hangout to cocktails after dark.

Kandooma Flow – Slow the day down

A counterpoint to Kandooma’s more active side, Flow brings together Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala, yoga, pilates, sound healing and time to simply stop. Every qualifying four-night stay includes a choice of a 30-minute back, neck and shoulder massage OR 30-minute foot massage as part of the all-inclusive experience.

Kandooma Social – Evenings worth staying up for

As the sun goes down, Kandooma becomes somewhere to gather. Sunset sessions, live music, campfire nights, group games and island events create an easy social rhythm where families, couples and friends can spend time together, or meet someone new.

Kandooma Ways – A closer look at island life

The Maldives is more than a beautiful backdrop. Local island and Malé visits, nature walks, sustainability initiatives, Maldivian culture and hands-on learning give guests, particularly younger travellers, opportunities to understand more about the people, environment and traditions of the destination.

Made for families

Family remains firmly at the heart of Kandooma. Kids Stay and Eat Free continues under the new all-inclusive concept, while Kandoo Kids’ Club welcomes children aged four to 12 from 8AM until 8PM daily with supervised activities, arts and crafts, gaming, a splash zone and waterslide.

Young adventurers can also take their first underwater breaths through PADI Bubblemaker from age eight or learn to ride their first waves through children’s surf lessons with Kandooma’s surf partner, Perfect Wave.

Elsewhere on the island, the new Beach Club (due to be completed in the coming weeks) creates a natural gathering place for families and teenagers, while the resort’s 24-hour dining means early starts, late arrivals and sudden holiday appetites don’t need to follow a timetable.

“Families don’t necessarily want to do everything together all day,” added Drummond. “A great family resort gives everyone room to have their own holiday and then creates the moments that bring them back together. That’s very much the Kandooma we have built.”

Located 35 kilometres south of Velana International Airport and approximately 45 minutes by speedboat, Kandooma Maldives features 146 villas across garden, beachfront and overwater settings.

And while the name above the door has changed, much of what guests have loved about the island has not. The team remains. The warmth remains. The ocean is exactly where it was. The next chapter is simply Kandooma. Discover. Experience. Celebrate. Visit: www.kandooma-maldives.com.