Fushifaru Maldives believes that luxury begins with one simple act: taking off your shoes. Born from a natural sandbank in the heart of Lhaviyani Atoll, the boutique island resort is home to some of the softest, most powder-like sand in the Maldives, inviting guests to embrace the timeless pleasure of barefoot island living from the moment they arrive.

Nestled on the north-eastern edge of Lhaviyani Atoll, the award-winning boutique resort invites guests to leave more than just their shoes behind. Here, time slows, nature takes centre stage and every experience is designed to reconnect travellers with the effortless beauty of the Maldives.

Long before villas dotted its shoreline, Fushifaru existed as a pristine natural sandbank. Although the island has flourished into a lush tropical paradise, its origins remain beautifully preserved beneath every step. The beaches are renowned for their exceptionally fine, powder-soft sand – so light and silky that guests instinctively slip off their shoes on arrival, often forgetting about them for the rest of their stay. It is a feeling that has become synonymous with Fushifaru.

Rather than polished marble walkways or grand architectural statements, the island offers something increasingly rare: the freedom to wander barefoot from sunrise to sunset, with nothing but warm sand beneath your feet and the gentle rhythm of island life setting the pace.

“Luxury today isn’t about having more – it is about feeling more,” says Jumana, Resident Manager at Fushifaru Maldives. “At Fushifaru, we encourage guests to embrace the island exactly as it is meant to be experienced – barefoot, unhurried and deeply connected to nature. Our island has a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere that reflects the true spirit of the Maldives. Whether guests are walking along our powder-soft beaches, sharing stories with our team or discovering the incredible marine life just offshore, they experience something genuine, personal and unforgettable.”

That authenticity is woven into every aspect of the Fushifaru experience. With just 63 villas, the resort has intentionally remained intimate, allowing every guest to enjoy personalised service while preserving the peaceful character of the island. Inspired by traditional Maldivian architecture, the resort blends contemporary comfort with local craftsmanship, creating spaces that feel both elegant and deeply rooted in their surroundings.

Beyond its famously soft beaches lies one of the Maldives’ most vibrant underwater playgrounds. The island’s spectacular house reef offers effortless snorkelling directly from the shore, where colourful coral gardens are home to turtles, reef sharks, eagle rays and countless tropical fish. Just a short boat ride away, the renowned Fushifaru Thila – one of the Maldives’ renowned dive sites – promises exhilarating encounters with manta rays, schooling fish and thriving marine ecosystems that continue to captivate divers from around the world. Adventure extends far beyond the reef. Guests can set sail on traditional dhoni cruises, discover secluded sandbanks, enjoy dolphin watching at sunset, indulge in bespoke dining experiences beneath the stars or immerse themselves in authentic Maldivian culture through curated island activities. Every experience is thoughtfully designed to celebrate the destination rather than distract from it.

As travellers increasingly seek meaningful escapes over manufactured luxury, Fushifaru’s boutique philosophy feels more relevant than ever. Here, genuine hospitality, warm smiles and authentic connections take precedence over extravagance, creating memories that linger long after departure.

It is this unmistakable sense of place that continues to draw guests back to the island year after year. At Fushifaru Maldives, luxury isn’t defined by what you wear. It’s defined by what you choose to leave behind. Sometimes, that starts with your shoes!

Mandara Spa at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa, Meemu Atoll, Maldives, has been named a finalist for Eco-Spa of the Year at the prestigious Destination Deluxe Awards 2026, recognising the spa’s thoughtful approach to sustainability and wellness in one of the world’s most remarkable island destinations.

As travellers become increasingly mindful of how their journeys impact the places they visit, sustainability has become an important part of the wellness experience. Around the world, guests are seeking destinations that not only provide moments of relaxation and renewal, but also demonstrate genuine care for the environment and local communities. This shift continues to inspire the hospitality industry to reimagine luxury through more responsible and meaningful experiences.

The Destination Deluxe Awards celebrate excellence across the global wellness and hospitality industry, recognising destinations, spas, clinics, programmes, and treatments that continue to inspire through innovation, purpose, and exceptional guest experiences. The Eco-Spa of the Year category honours properties that successfully integrate environmental responsibility into their wellness philosophy while creating experiences that are authentic, memorable, and deeply connected to their surroundings.

Wellness Inspired by Nature

Surrounded by the turquoise waters of Meemu Atoll, Mandara Spa at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa offers an experience shaped by the rhythms of island life and inspired by Balinese healing traditions. Every treatment invites guests to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and appreciate the tranquillity of one of the world’s most extraordinary natural environments.

Sustainability is thoughtfully woven into the guest experience through a conscious effort to minimise the spa’s environmental footprint, including the use of natural and organic ingredients wherever possible and practices that support a lower-impact approach to wellness. Rather than viewing sustainability as a single initiative, Mandara Spa believes it is reflected through everyday choices that respect the island environment while delivering the warm, personalised hospitality that guests have come to expect. This philosophy reflects a simple belief that caring for people’s wellbeing should also include caring for the places that make those moments of wellbeing possible.

A Recognition Shared by Many

Being recognised as an Eco-Spa of the Year finalist is a proud moment for Mandara Spa and a reflection of the people behind every guest experience. From the therapists whose skilled hands deliver every treatment to the resort teams who create a welcoming atmosphere each day, this recognition celebrates a shared commitment to thoughtful hospitality and genuine care.

It also recognises the trust placed in Mandara Spa by guests and partners who continue to support the brand’s journey. Their encouragement has helped Mandara Spa continue to evolve while remaining true to the Asian traditions that have guided the brand since it was founded in 1996.

As the wellness industry continues to evolve, Mandara Spa remains committed to creating experiences that honour nature, celebrate authentic healing traditions, and encourage guests to reconnect with themselves and the world around them. This finalist recognition serves as both a celebration of what has been achieved and an inspiration for the journey ahead.

Celebrating Together

Alongside its Eco-Spa of the Year finalist recognition, Mandara Spa at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa has also been shortlisted for the People’s Choice Award in the Spas, Clinics, Programmes & Treatments category.

Mandara Spa warmly invites guests, partners, friends, and the global wellness community to join this celebration by casting their vote in support of the dedicated team behind this achievement. Every vote is a meaningful expression of encouragement for the therapists and resort teams whose passion continues to create memorable wellness experiences in the Maldives.

Voting is now open here.

This July, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru reaffirm their long-standing commitment to protecting the Maldives through a month of conservation initiatives that inspire guests to become active stewards of the ocean.

Plastic Free July: Protecting the Maldives’ Blue Heart

As per UNDP, each year, the Maldives generates more than 43,000 tonnes of plastic waste – equivalent to the weight of approximately 215 blue whales and nearly 120 tons per day. For a country whose future depends on healthy oceans, reducing plastic pollution is essential to protecting marine biodiversity, and preserving the natural beauty that defines the Maldives.

Throughout July, guests are invited to take part in weekly Sunset Island Beach Cleans and Reef Cleans with our Marine Lab, helping remove marine plastic trash while learning about the importance of protecting the fragile coastal and reef ecosystems. The programme also includes a collaboration with a local sustainable NGO, showcasing how discarded plastic can be transformed into artwork, jewellery, and other meaningful products through creativity and circular design.

Shark Awareness Day: Why Sharks Matter

On 14 July, the resorts will mark Shark Awareness Day in collaboration with Miyaru, the Maldives’ leading shark research and conservation NGO. While sharks are often portrayed as dangerous, they are in fact among the ocean’s most important guardians.

By naturally regulating fish populations, sharks help keep coral reef ecosystems healthy and balanced. Without them, the delicate food chain can be disrupted, affecting everything from reef fish and coral health to the countless marine species that depend on these habitats. Healthy shark populations are also a sign of a thriving ocean—one that supports local fisheries, protects biodiversity, and sustains the world-renowned diving and snorkelling experiences that make the Maldives so unique.

Through engaging talks with Miyaru’s marine experts, guests will discover fascinating facts about Maldivian sharks, understand the challenges they face, and learn how conservation efforts are helping protect these often misunderstood guardians of healthy oceans.

Mangrove Conservation Day: 26 July

As part of Plastic Free July, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru will also celebrate the International Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem on 26 July through a community mangrove planting and cleanup initiative with Huraa Council.

Mangroves are among the Maldives’ most valuable natural ecosystems, serving as nurseries for marine life, protecting coastlines from erosion, filtering pollutants, and strengthening resilience against climate change. Together with reef conservation and plastic reduction, the initiative reinforces the importance of protecting every part of the marine ecosystem—from the shoreline to the reef.

More than a month of activities, Plastic Free July reflects Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru’s enduring commitment to preserving the Maldives’ rich marine heritage – bringing together guests, local communities, and conservation partners to protect the ocean through collective action.