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Exclusive new retreat Velaa Private Island opens

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Velaa

Maldives.net.mv – Velaa Private Island, an exclusive new island hideaway in the Maldives, officially opened on December 20, 2013.

An exceptional private luxury retreat in Noonu Atoll north of Malé, with service that goes beyond traditional resorts, Velaa promises luxury from Michelin star cuisine and one of the finest wine cellars in the Indian Ocean archipelago, to world-class watersports including its own private submarine.

Exceptional facilities “beyond traditional resorts” extend to the only My Blend By Clarins spa in the Maldives and a ‘short game’ golf academy designed by two-time Masters Champion Jose Maria Olazabal operated by Troon Golf.

Velaa Private Island is the realisation of a quest by founders Radka and Jiri Smejc to establish a truly exceptional resort in the Maldives. The unique destination has been created to embody the very best of this unique archipelago, under the azure skies and in the aquamarine waters of the Indian Ocean.

“Velaa is an island paradise, in all senses, where the essence of Maldivian culture, lifestyle and landscape meets limitless opportunities,” said Jiri Smejc, the founder of Velaa Private Island.

“Our commitment is that no request is too much, and each guest ultimately feels this is their own private island.”

Velaa means “Turtle Island” in the local language – named after generations of sea turtles that flock there to nest and hatch.

A “Celebration” promotion from December 24 to January 12 introduces the prestigious new private island for rates beginning at US$3,100 a night for stays at the colonial-style Beach Pool Villas.

Velaa Private Island has been designed and curated with privacy and comfort as the guiding principles, while allowing the Indian Ocean to take centre stage. At one with nature, each of the private retreats is built using local materials, combining contemporary flourishes with interiors designed for sensory exploration. Generous terraces and sultry gazebos are positioned to maximise shade, breeze, views and privacy, allowing for total immersion in nature.

The resort features 45 private villas, houses and exclusive residences fusing local materials with contemporary style each with their private swimming pool, including 18 built on stilts over water.

Family accommodation ranges from eight beach pool houses and pavilions to an ultra-private Romantic Pool Residence accessible only by boat and four expansive 4-bedroom Velaa Private Residences, a rarity in the archipelago, for families or groups of up to 10.

With three restaurants, two bars and a wine cellar, gastronomic dining is a resort signature, designed by French Michelin starred chef Adeline Grattard.

She oversees elegant over-water restaurants Aragu and Cru, where guests can enjoy vintage champagne, as well as Tavaru teppanyaki restaurant at the center of the island, which is uniquely set in a striking ivory-white tower, and features live cooking and an extensive wine cellar.

Additional venues include beachfront restaurant Athiri and Avi – a pool bar by day and vibrant cocktail bar by night.

A Destination Dining concept additionally offers bespoke menus, entertainment and locations, both on and off the island, for special occasions.

Velaa is one of only a handful of hotels in the world and the only resort in Asia partnering distinguished spa brand My Blend By Clarins, at its sublime spa nestled over the lagoon.

The spa also showcases the first ‘snow room’ in the Maldives – a cloud-shaped reclining pod that cradles guests into deep relaxation – and a Yoga Pavilion with personal training, either on a raised tree meditation platform in the garden or by the beach.

Recreation and wellness extends to world-class water sports and fitness facilities, covered tennis and squash courts, a football field and beach volleyball court.

The Velaa Golf Academy by Olazabal is also the only golf experience of its kind anywhere in the world. Operated by Troon Golf with a resident professional for personalised tuition, it incorporates a state of the art indoor studio for fine-tuning golf swings and a short-game target area with multiple par-3 layouts for pitching from 65 to 180 yards over bunkers and a small lake onto six greens.

A PADI dive centre offers excursions, certification courses and snorkeling adventures. Water activities extend to windsurfing, kayaking, sailing, wakeboarding, water-skiing, kite surfing and the only two-passenger private submarine in the Maldives.

Sunset cruises, dolphin watching, private boat excursions and fishing expeditions are aboard a luxury Prestige yacht or traditional Maldivian ‘bahtheli’ boat.

Velaa is designed by award-winning Czech architect Petr Kolar as “an elegant fusion of Maldivian culture with contemporary luxury, intimate with Maldivian nuances”.

Styling adopts a motif of the turtle, after which the island is named, with the colors and patterns of turtle shell pervading the property. From a broader “bird’s eye view” which greets arrivals by seaplane, the island’s exclusive over-water villas are also constructed to resemble the head of a turtle, with the island forming the body.

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OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI celebrated for wine perfection at global awards

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The luxury Maldivian retreat OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI has been recognised among the world’s finest dining destinations at the prestigious World’s Best Wine Lists Awards 2025. The private island resort received dual honours at London’s legendary Savoy Hotel, winning both the ‘Best All-Inclusive Wine List in Asia’ award and the coveted ‘Jury Award’ for its outstanding wine programme.

The World of Fine Wine, a prestigious British publication, website, and app for a global audience of wine enthusiasts, hosts the World’s Best Wine Lists Award. An independent panel of judges consider entries based on criteria like breadth, depth, balance, and originality across 21 categories to celebrate the finest wine lists globally, with winners being recognised by region.

This remarkable achievement places the Maldivian sanctuary alongside the most celebrated restaurants and hotels worldwide, confirming its status as a true destination for wine lovers. The awards come from one of the most respected judging panels in the wine world, featuring Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine and other leading experts who assessed wine lists from across the globe.

“To be honoured with this global recognition for a second consecutive year is both thrilling and deeply humbling,” shares Nicolas Laguette, Director of Wines for Atmosphere Core.

“We believe that a perfect holiday should be paired with a perfect glass of wine; it must not feel like an extra, but a natural part of the journey and always available to guests throughout the entire resort. Seeing our team’s dedication, from curating over 100 labels to integrating them seamlessly into the RESERVE™ Plan, celebrated like this is incredibly rewarding. It confirms a simple truth: that world-class wines belong in every instant of a guest’s stay, from their very first toast to their last sunset sip.”

At OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, the art of wine is woven into the very fabric of your stay. The journey begins from the time you settle into your villa, where your personal maxi bar with daily refill offers a curated introduction to the resort’s acclaimed collection. This is the essence of the RESERVE™ Plan, a seamless tapestry of over 100 premium wines, champagnes, and spirits that flows effortlessly from the very moment you reach our shores, for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between.

For those with a passion for discovery, the dedicated CUVEÉ wine library serves as the heart of wine-focused offerings. Here, the expert sommeliers become storytellers, hosting intimate tasting dinners where every exquisite wine is thoughtfully paired with gourmet cuisine, creating memorable chapters in your holiday narrative.

This passion for viniculture extends across THE OZEN COLLECTION. Both OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI and OZEN LIFE MAADHOO bring the vines to the tropics through exclusive events, welcoming renowned vintners like Champagne Guy Charbaut from France and Bodegas Viñátigo from Spain’s Canary Islands for masterclasses and conversations that bring the world’s great wine regions to our shores.

Ultimately, this international recognition affirms something guests have long known, that OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI offers more than stunning vistas and luxurious accommodations. It provides a complete sensory experience where every glass poured reflects the same dedication to excellence that defines this Maldivian paradise – proving that true luxury lies in these perfectly curated moments.

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The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands invites guests to Celestial Festive journey beyond horizon

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As the year draws to a close, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands invites guests to embrace the wonder of the cosmos with Celestial Festive, an experience inspired by the mysteries and harmony of the universe. From December 22, 2025, to January 9, 2026, the resort will transform into a sanctuary of starlight and serenity that celebrates the rhythms of the heavens and the balance between earth, sea, and sky.

Perfectly positioned on the equator, where the Northern and Southern Hemispheres converge, the Maldives offers a rare vantage point to experience the celestial sphere in its full brilliance. Each sunrise traces a perfect arc across the horizon, while nights reveal a dazzling canopy of stars reflected in the calm Indian Ocean. Against this cosmic backdrop, guests are invited to reconnect with nature and themselves through celestial-inspired wellness rituals, immersive dining experiences, and artful celebrations of renewal and connection.

Throughout the festivities, guests will be guided through a collection of experiences that blend relaxation, creativity, and discovery. Mornings begin with restorative rituals such as Cosmic Flow Yoga at Mystique Garden and Galaxy Glow Gua Sha Workshops at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, aligning body and spirit beneath the rising sun. Days unfold with Planet Pulse Cardio, Coral Garden Snorkeling, and Build Your Own Reef Star, a hands-on sustainability experience where guests plant corals to create an underwater constellation of life. Young explorers can delight in Astronaut Helmet Workshops, Galactic Treasure Hunts, and DIY Star Projectors, while teens and adults immerse themselves in cosmic-inspired fitness and creative adventures.

The celebrations on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day bring an added touch of magic to the celestial season, blending holiday traditions with the resort’s signature cosmic flair. Guests can begin the day with energizing sunrise rituals and moments of mindfulness before joining festive workshops and family experiences inspired by the wonders of the sea and sky. As evening falls, a Christmas Eve Cocktail in Mystique Garden and a Celestial Christmas Dinner under the stars at EAU Bar set the stage for joyful connection, highlighted by a Christmas Concert that fills the island with music, starlight, and holiday spirit.

A highlight of the celebrations will be the arrival of Michelin-starred MINIMAL Gelato, the world’s first Michelin-starred ice cream shop, bringing its acclaimed mastery of purity and flavor to the Maldives from December 18–25. Renowned for transforming simplicity into art, MINIMAL will take over the Island Creamery to showcase six signature flavors: Olive Oil, Oolong Tea, Magnolia Leaf; Pine Needle, Camellia Oil, Oriental Herbs; Yakult, Shiso, Apple; Biluochun Tea, Sugarcane, Mountain Angelica Root; Summer Pavilion Pear Soup; and EAU Bar Chocolate Finger. Each creation offers a serene sensory journey defined by balance and refinement. Guests may savor these at dining venues across the resort or experience the MINIMAL Tasting Menu at The Tasting Room at La Locanda, featuring their Ice Trio – a three-course frozen exploration of temperature, texture, and time.

As night falls, the island transforms into a living constellation of sound and light. Exquisite culinary events illuminate the evenings, including a Starlight Dinner at EAU Bar on December 27, the Penfolds Wine Dinner at Beach Shack on December 30, and Ocean Aroma Dinner on January 2. Guests can also revel in the Ruinart Art Dinner at Summer Pavilion on January 5, blending fine wines, art, and gastronomy.

The celebrations culminate on December 31, 2025, with the Galactic New Year Countdown, a celestial soirée of fine dining, live music, and spectacular performances beneath a sky ablaze with constellations and fireworks. The evening will feature celestial-themed art performances by the visionary artists who captivated guests last year with theatrical, enchanting, and boldly experimental works that fuse movement, light, and sound into a cosmic spectacle.

As the first sunrise of 2026 dawns, guests can embrace renewal through Cosmic Sound Baths, Zodiac Crystal Alignment Sessions, and the Ocean Pearl Raw Bar, a seaside celebration of Mediterranean indulgence and serenity.

Each thoughtfully curated experience in Celestial Festive at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands honor the universal balance between heaven and earth that invites guests to reconnect with the infinite beauty that surrounds them.

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands continues to offer an unparalleled escape that caters to every traveler’s desires, from luxurious dining experiences to engaging family activities and rejuvenating wellness sessions.

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Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives transitions to five-star adults-only resort

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Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives has been reimagined as a five star, adults only sanctuary, setting a new standard for refined relaxation amidst the Maldives’ pristine surroundings. This repositioning ushers in a fresh chapter for the resort, unveiling thoughtfully designed spaces, curated dining experiences, and enhanced leisure facilities, all reflecting its promise – For Those Who’ve Outgrown Ordinary.

Dining

The resort’s culinary landscape has been completely reimagined with the introduction of two signature restaurants.

Summer, the resort’s open-air, beachfront restaurant, is set to open in late November. Capturing the vibrant energy of southern coastal cuisine, it brings to life a lively grill concept inspired by the laid-back charm of Louisiana. The menu celebrates flame-grilled specialities, gourmet burgers, and hearty comfort dishes, served in a beach-style setting that transitions effortlessly from the warmth of the afternoon to the relaxed rhythm of the evening.

Corals, opening in mid-December, introduces a semi-fine dining experience within an elegantly enclosed, air-conditioned space inspired by the island’s underwater world. Its menu highlights refined global and French influences, complemented by a carefully curated wine selection and live jazz performances that enhance the restaurant’s sophisticated ambience.

Wellness & Recreation

Further enriching the guest experience, the newly expanded Sports and Recreation Centre, set to open in mid-November, features a badminton court, newly introduced pickleball and tennis courts, and a dedicated table tennis hub, catering to the growing demand for social and wellness-focused experiences. These enhancements bring a renewed sense of energy and connection to the resort, ensuring every guest can find the perfect balance between activity and leisure during their stay.

Guest Experience Enhancements

Recognising the importance of comfort and connection throughout the guest journey, Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives has unveiled a thoughtfully designed Guest Waiting Lounge for travellers arriving early or departing late. The lounge features plush seating, soft lighting, signature teas and coffees, Wi-Fi access, and a curated reading corner, complemented by washroom and shower facilities, providing a tranquil space to unwind before the next leg of the journey.

Speaking on the reopening, Rajeeva Rajapakse, General Manager of Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, shared, “Our vision was to create a sanctuary where adults can reconnect, relax, and rediscover the magic of island life in an elevated yet effortless setting. Every space, from our new dining venues to our wellness and recreation facilities, has been designed to celebrate experiences that feel personal and inspiring.”

With these enhancements, Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives invites guests to experience an island escape where contemporary elegance meets Maldivian charm which is perfectly crafted for those who’ve outgrown the ordinary.

For more details and bookings, visit www.cinnamonhotels.com/cinnamon-hakuraa-huraa-maldives.

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