News
Kurumba Maldives hosts ‘Party with a Purpose’
Maldives.net.mv – On Friday 2nd May Kurumba Maldives proudly hosted the fundraising event “Party with a Purpose”. This event was held for the third year running in aid of 72 orphaned children residing at “Kudakudhinge Hiyaa” located on Villingili island, as well as the Education and Training Centre for Children (ETCC) in Maafushi island with 37 children. Support from 10 different Maldivian performers, many suppliers and partners contributed to raise over US$20,000. The funds collected will be used to purchase new kitchen and living equipment plus urgent consumable supplies.
Local artists volunteered their time to perform Maldivian and international tunes with bands, DJ’s and a Bodu Beru groups performing for guests’ enjoyment. Performances took place at the Water Sports Beach Stage between 3.30pm to 7.30 pm and at the Beach Bar from 8pm until 12am. The musicians who offered their time and joie de vivre were: The Woods, Def Note, Coral Band, Shimmering Light, Good Feelings, Pluck & Blow, Dhammaanu Bodu Beru, DJ Malik, DJ Ali as well as the Kurumba Bodu Beru team. Moreover invitees were able to enjoy some watersports activities with the gracious cooperation of Extreme
Maldives.
The set up for the event would have not been possible without the vital support of Event Maldives as well as a taskforce of 40 team members from Kurumba itself donating their time.
Local and foreign suppliers; Chef Middle East, Wrist, Cosmopolitan, Lilly F&B, SIMDI Beverages, Grape Expectations and MMI Maldives donated goods that were used as refreshments and nourishment throughout the day, from which all proceeds went to the cause.
The silent auction was graced this year with the tremendous support of 18 resorts and 2 major airline carriers as sponsors. This was conducted throughout the event with many guests bidding for the following resorts and prizes:
Velassaru, Four Seasons Kuda Huraa, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Kanuhura, Lily Beach Resort & Spa, Shangri La’s Villingili, Soneva Fushi, Sheraton Full Moon Resort & Spa, Niyama, Bandos, Jumeirah Vittaveli, Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa, Chaayaa Lagoon Hakuraa Huraa, Holiday Inn Kandooma, Huvafen Fushi, Vivanta by Taj Coral Reef, Maalifushi by COMO, W Retreat & Spa, Kurumba Maldives, Veli Spa, Emirates Airlines and Cathay Pacific.
The afternoon and evening was a great success with many locals, expatriates and senior business invitees plus Kurumba’s in house guests joining in. There was non stop live entertainment across the two venues and the day was blessed with perfect weather to host such an event.
The Kudakudhinge Hiyaa orphanage, located on Villingili island hosts children between the ages of 6 months and 21 years old. This is a self-supporting service that requires help from the community and industry in order to continue providing a caring, safe and educational environment for these children.
Judit Rosa, Sales & Marketing Manager of Kurumba and organizer of the event stated: “This has been a highly successful event. We have been blessed and overwhelmed by the support of the local performers, suppliers and partners. Going forward, we intend to maintain this popular yearly event and raise greater funds for a good purpose.”
News
Sheraton Maldives launches festive offer with up to 20% savings on stays
This festive season, trade winter’s chill for sunlit shores, turquoise waters, and celebrations surrounded by the natural beauty of the Maldives. Set on the lush tropical island of Furanafushi, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa invites guests to embrace the holidays through its Festive Special Offer, a thoughtfully curated escape where exceptional dining, island adventures, and meaningful moments come together in paradise.

Available for stays from December 20, 2026, to January 10, 2027, the offer brings together the pleasures of a tropical getaway with the warmth of festive celebrations. Guests can enjoy up to 20% savings on room rates, full-board dining, complimentary shared speedboat transfers, and special privileges designed to make every moment of the holiday feel effortless.
Families can also enjoy added value, with children aged 11 and under staying and dining for free when sharing accommodation with their parents.

A Culinary Journey for Every Occasion
At Sheraton Maldives, the festive experience unfolds one memorable meal at a time. Mornings begin at Feast, where a generous buffet breakfast, freshly prepared juices, aromatic coffee, and a selection of teas set the tone for the day ahead. Lunch invites guests to explore a three- course à la carte selection at selected restaurants, with an enticing variety of Mediterranean, Indian, Mexican, and Asian-inspired flavors.

As the sun sets over the Indian Ocean, evenings offer a choice between a vibrant buffet dinner at Feast and a three-course à la carte experience at selected dining venues. To make the occasion even more special, adults receive up to USD 45 dining credit to discover the authentic Thai cuisine of Baan Thai or the refined seafood creations and ocean-to-table flavors of Sea Salt.

Island Adventures, Balanced with Moments of Indulgence
From the moment guests arrive, the holiday unfolds at an unhurried island pace. Complimentary shared speedboat transfers from Velana International Airport ensure a seamless journey to the resort, where days can be spent discovering the island’s natural beauty and embracing the spirit of adventure.

Guests can take to the lagoon on a kayak or paddleboard, explore vibrant marine life while snorkeling, or enjoy a friendly match on the tennis court. For moments of pure relaxation, Shine Spa for Sheraton offers 15% savings on selected treatments, inviting guests to slow down, recharge, and find their own sense of tropical tranquility.
Whether it is a family gathering beneath the palms, a romantic sunset shared over exceptional cuisine, or the simple pleasure of waking up to the ocean, every experience offers an opportunity to make the season truly personal.

Make This Festive Season Your Own
At Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, the holidays are more than a change of scenery. They are an invitation to reconnect, discover new experiences, and create traditions in a setting where the natural beauty of the Maldives meets the warmth of genuine hospitality.
Guests are invited to book their festive escape by November 15, 2026, and celebrate the season with sun-drenched days, memorable dining, and moments to treasure long after the holidays have passed.

For reservations and further information, email Sheraton.Maldives@sheraton.com or discover the offer here.
Awards
ELE|NA recognised for excellence in wellness hospitality at SATA 2026
ELE|NA has been named Leading Wellness and Spa Brand at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, recognising the Maldives-based wellness brand’s contributions to the hospitality and wellness industry across the region.
The recognition comes as wellness continues to become an integral part of luxury hospitality, with ELE|NA working alongside resort partners to develop and operate wellness facilities that combine therapeutic experiences, trained professionals and operational expertise.
Guided by its Wellness Your Way™ philosophy, ELE|NA incorporates wellness into different aspects of the guest experience. Its six Pillars of Vitality – TouchFlow, ReFine, BodyFit, SoulVibe, SleepSync and FoodDelight – encompass therapeutic treatments, physical activity, emotional wellbeing, restorative sleep and nutrition. The framework allows individual resorts to develop wellness programmes tailored to their locations and guest preferences.
In addition to providing wellness experiences, ELE|NA works with hospitality partners on concept development, spa operations, therapist training and service delivery. Its operational model combines the individual characteristics of each resort with standardised systems and procedures aimed at maintaining service consistency across its properties.
Sustainability also forms part of the brand’s operations. All ELE|NA properties in the Maldives have received Platinum Sustainable Wellness Accreditation, recognising their approach to responsible spa operations, environmental management and community wellbeing.
The brand also invests in professional development through the ELE|NA Wellness Academy, which provides training programmes for therapists and wellness professionals. The academy combines traditional therapeutic practices, practical training and contemporary wellness knowledge to support professional development and strengthen service standards across the industry.
The recognition at SATA 2026 comes as ELE|NA continues to expand its operations beyond the Maldives, extending its wellness concepts and services into India, Nepal and other emerging hospitality destinations.
With wellness increasingly influencing travellers’ accommodation choices and holiday experiences, ELE|NA continues to focus on integrating wellness services into resort operations while supporting the development of trained professionals and sustainable practices within the hospitality sector.
Cooking
Milaidhoo Maldives welcomes Chef JKP for culinary workshop, wine-pairing dinner
Milaidhoo Maldives is set to welcome award-winning chef James Knight-Paccheco, widely known as Chef JKP, on 11 and 12 December 2026 for two culinary events focusing on cooking techniques, culinary experiences and the exploration of new flavours.
On 11 December, Chef JKP will conduct a culinary workshop, offering guests the opportunity to cook alongside him, learn professional techniques and exchange ideas in the kitchen. The following evening, he will host a wine-pairing dinner featuring dishes prepared in his signature style, accompanied by wines selected by the resort’s resident sommelier to complement each course.
With more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Chef JKP has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury hotels and restaurant projects across the UK and the Middle East. Throughout his career, he has worked alongside renowned chefs including Raymond Blanc, Gordon Ramsay and Michael Caines. He is also the creator and host of The Chef JKP Podcast, which has recorded more than 6.5 million downloads.
At Milaidhoo Maldives, the culinary experience draws inspiration from the island’s surroundings, Maldivian flavours and traditional cooking methods, combined with international influences introduced by the resort’s team of chefs. This approach encourages the exchange of culinary knowledge and techniques, allowing guests to explore local dishes, learn new cooking methods and engage with the chefs responsible for their dining experiences.
Located within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Milaidhoo offers a setting where dining experiences focus on personalised service and interaction between guests and culinary professionals. Chef JKP’s visit is intended to provide guests with opportunities to engage directly with the visiting chef, gain insights into his approach to cooking and experience his culinary creations.
The culinary workshop will take place on 11 December 2026, followed by the wine-pairing dinner on 12 December 2026.
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