Following his first visit earlier this year, award-winning Danish chef Jesper Koch returns to Vakkaru Maldives from 26 October to 5 November 2026, bringing the next chapter of his collaboration with the resort directly to guests.

Chef Jesper first visited Vakkaru in July, spending nearly two weeks working closely with the resort’s culinary and service teams. Centred on knowledge sharing and collaboration, his time on the island laid the foundation for this autumn’s programme and a series of dining experiences created for guests.

At the heart of his second visit will be three five-course tasting-menu evenings on 29 October, 1 November and 3 November, held at Vakkaru Reserve, the resort’s award-winning wine cellar. Home to one of the Maldives’ most exceptional wine collections, Vakkaru Reserve spans 680 Old and New World labels and has been recognised with Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence for six consecutive years.

Working alongside the resort’s culinary team, Chef Jesper will bring together his Danish and Nordic culinary roots with the flavours and character of the Maldives, incorporating local ingredients, produce from Vakkaru’s Organic Farm, locally sourced seafood and regional influences where they naturally complement each dish. Separate wine and non-alcoholic pairing options are also being developed to accompany the menus.

The programme will begin on 27 October with a cocktail reception, offering guests the opportunity to meet Chef Jesper and welcome him back to the island before the series of dinners begins.

For Chef Jesper, his return is an opportunity to build on the connection established in July. “My first visit gave me the opportunity to spend time with the team, exchange ideas and experience the spirit of Vakkaru first-hand. Returning now feels like a natural continuation of what we started. I am looking forward to being back in the kitchen and, most importantly, to sharing our work with guests through these dinners.”

Teddy Susanto Wiryawan, General Manager of Vakkaru Maldives, added: “Chef Jesper’s first visit allowed us to establish a strong connection and lay the foundations for this collaboration. His return now brings that work to our guests. These evenings will offer them the chance to experience his distinctive approach to cooking and discover what can emerge when two culinary teams come together with a shared passion for hospitality.”

Regarded as one of Denmark’s most influential gastronomic figures, Chef Jesper brings more than three decades of experience spanning hospitality, gastronomy and entrepreneurship. He is known for combining Nordic culinary traditions with contemporary techniques and a distinctive approach to flavour.

His career has earned him wide recognition, including leading Restaurant Syttende to Michelin recognition, being named Danish Chef of the Year, representing Denmark at the Bocuse d’Or competition, receiving an Honorary Diploma from the Danish Gastronomic Academy, and being recognised as “Chef’s Chef” by the Danish Gastronomy Foundation. He is also widely known as a long-standing judge on the Danish edition of MasterChef.

Set within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, Vakkaru Maldives continues to bring new perspectives to its dining experiences through collaborations with leading culinary talent from around the world. Chef Jesper’s return marks the next stage of a partnership that began with an exchange of ideas and now comes to life at the table.

For further information about the resort, please visit vakkarumaldives.com or contact reservations@vakkarumaldives.com to make a reservation.

Sometimes, the most memorable part of a holiday isn’t found on an itinerary. It’s the quiet moment after a massage, the feeling of waking up well rested, or simply having the time to slow down without watching the clock.

As more travellers place greater value on how they feel when they return home, wellness has become an increasingly meaningful part of the holiday experience. Rather than viewing the spa as a single indulgence, many guests are looking for experiences that help them pause, recharge and reconnect throughout their stay.

Reflecting this shift, Chavana Spa has introduced a new collection of Wellness Programmes across participating resorts in the Maldives. Available as one-, three-, five- and seven-day journeys, the programmes combine personalised consultations with thoughtfully sequenced therapies, creating a guided experience that allows wellbeing to unfold naturally over time.

A More Connected Way to Unwind

The new Wellness Programmes are designed to complement Chavana Spa’s existing menu of massages, facials and body treatments, offering guests another way to experience wellbeing while continuing to enjoy the flexibility of individual therapies.

Every journey begins with a personal consultation, allowing therapists to understand each guest’s lifestyle, priorities and wellbeing goals before creating a personalised sequence of experiences. Therapeutic massage, body treatments, mindful movement, breathing practices and relaxation rituals are carefully combined to encourage balance, ease physical tension and support overall wellbeing.

Rather than choosing treatments one by one, guests are invited to follow a structured journey where each experience builds naturally on the last. Whether staying for a single day or a full week, the programmes create space to slow down and embrace a gentler rhythm throughout the holiday.

“Wellness is increasingly becoming an integral part of how people choose to travel. With these programmes, we wanted to create something more intentional than a single spa treatment, a personalised journey that gives guests the time and space to slow down and reconnect genuinely. At the same time, we recognise that a holiday in the Maldives is often a dream come true, whether it is a honeymoon, an anniversary, a family escape or a long-awaited break. Guests want to experience everything the destination has to offer, from the blue sea, white sands and golden sunshine to the food, culture and time together. Our Wellness Programmes are designed to complement that experience, giving guests moments to pause, restore and look after themselves, while still leaving plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the Maldives,” said Tenille Keats, Country Manager of Mandara Spa.

Wellness Inspired by Every Destination

No two holidays are exactly alike, and neither are Chavana Spa’s Wellness Programmes. Each participating spa has developed its own collection of journeys, inspired by its island setting, therapist expertise and the needs of its guests.

Some travellers may be looking for a restorative pause between diving, snorkelling or exploring the Maldives, while others may simply wish to dedicate more of their holiday to rest and self-care. By offering programmes across different durations, Chavana Spa allows guests to choose an experience that suits the way they travel, whether they have one day to recharge or several days to fully embrace a slower pace.

While every destination offers its own distinctive wellness journey, each programme reflects Chavana Spa’s philosophy of warm hospitality, thoughtful care and holistic wellbeing, creating experiences that feel both personal and approachable.

Wellbeing That Travels Home With You

The value of a wellness experience is often discovered long after the holiday has ended. It may be a better night’s sleep, a renewed sense of balance or simply the reminder to make more time for oneself in everyday life.

That is the intention behind Chavana Spa’s Wellness Programmes. More than a collection of treatments, they are designed to encourage guests to leave feeling refreshed, restored and inspired to carry simple wellbeing practices beyond their time in the Maldives.

As travellers continue to seek holidays that offer both relaxation and purpose, Chavana Spa invites guests to discover that sometimes the greatest luxury is simply having the time and space to pause.

Where to Experience the Wellness Programmes

Chavana Spa’s Wellness Programmes are available at the following participating destinations in the Maldives:

• Chavana Spa at Adaaran Club Rannalhi
• Chavana Spa at Cinnamon Dhonveli
• Chavana Spa at Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon

Programme themes, durations and inclusions vary by destination. For more information or to enquire about individual programmes, guests are encouraged to contact their preferred spa directly.

Not long ago, wellness on holiday usually meant finding time for a massage between excursions or booking a facial before dinner. Today, many travellers are approaching wellbeing differently. Rather than fitting a spa treatment into their itinerary, they are building part of their holiday around it.

Whether it is stepping away from demanding schedules, recovering from burnout, improving sleep or simply creating space to slow down, travellers are increasingly seeking experiences that leave them feeling genuinely restored long after they return home. Wellness is no longer simply something to enjoy while travelling. For many, it has become one of the reasons they travel in the first place.

Recognising this shift, Mandara Spa has introduced a new collection of Wellness Programmes across participating resorts in the Maldives. Available as one-, three-, five- and seven-day journeys, the collection offers guests a more structured approach to wellbeing, where carefully sequenced therapies, guided rituals and personalised consultations come together to create a journey rather than a series of individual appointments.

When Wellness Becomes the Itinerary

The new Wellness Programmes are designed to complement Mandara Spa’s existing treatment menu, not replace it. They are created for guests who wish to dedicate part, or all, of their stay to a more immersive wellness experience, allowing each day to build naturally on the one before.

“Wellness is increasingly becoming an integral part of how people choose to travel. With these programmes, we wanted to create something more intentional than a single spa treatment, a personalised journey that gives guests the time and space to slow down and reconnect genuinely. At the same time, we recognise that a holiday in the Maldives is often a dream come true, whether it is a honeymoon, an anniversary, a family escape or a long-awaited break. Guests want to experience everything the destination has to offer, from the blue sea, white sands and golden sunshine to the food, culture and time together. Our Wellness Programmes are designed to complement that experience, giving guests moments to pause, restore and look after themselves, while still leaving plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the Maldives,” said Tenille Keats, Country Manager of Mandara Spa.

Every journey begins with a personal consultation, where therapists take time to understand each guest’s lifestyle, priorities and wellbeing goals before thoughtfully shaping the experiences that follow. Instead of selecting treatments one by one, guests are guided through a carefully curated sequence that may include therapeutic massage, body therapies, mindful movement, breathing practices and relaxation rituals. The result is a connected wellness experience, with every element contributing to a greater sense of balance, restoration and renewal.

Every Journey, Thoughtfully Designed

There is no single way to travel, and no single path to wellbeing. Some guests may have only one day to pause between island adventures, while others choose to dedicate several days to slowing down, restoring balance and reconnecting with themselves. Reflecting these different travel styles, Mandara Spa has developed Wellness Programmes ranging from one to seven days, allowing guests to choose a journey that best suits both their schedule and personal wellbeing goals.

While every programme is guided by Mandara Spa’s holistic philosophy, each participating resort has developed its own distinctive collection of wellness journeys, shaped by its surroundings, therapist expertise and the needs of its guests. This allows every destination to offer its own interpretation of wellbeing while remaining true to the Mandara Spa experience.

At Mandara Spa at Adaaran Select Meedhupparu, guests can also experience a dedicated Ayurvedic Programme, where personalised consultations, traditional therapies, herbal preparations and yoga come together in a holistic journey inspired by one of the world’s oldest healing systems.

Whether experienced over a single day or an entire week, every programme is designed with the same intention: to create meaningful moments of rest that continue beyond the holiday itself. More than a sequence of treatments, these journeys encourage guests to return home with a renewed sense of balance and simple wellness practices that can continue long after they have left the islands.

Where to Experience the Wellness Programmes

Mandara Spa’s Wellness Programmes are available across eight participating spa destinations in the Maldives, with each property offering its own distinctive collection of one-, three-, five- and seven-day wellness journeys.

Participating locations include:

• Mandara Spa at Adaaran Prestige Vadoo
• Mandara Spa at Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi
• Mandara Spa at Adaaran Select Meedhupparu
• Wellness by Mandara at Barceló Nasandhura
• Mandara Spa at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa
• Mandara Spa at Cinnamon Velifushi
• Mandara Spa at Meliá Whale Lagoon Maldives
• Th.ari Spa by Mandara at NOOE Maldives Kunaavashi

For more information or to enquire about individual programmes, guests are encouraged to contact their preferred spa directly.