News
Newly-renovated rooms increase appeal of Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives
Maldives.net.mv – Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives is set to a launch a new category of guest room, which will be called “Sunset Ocean Pool Villas.” They have also committed to an ongoing program of extensive refurbishments across the entire resort.
During the first phase of the renovation program, all of the Luxury Sunset Water Villas will be completely refurbished and redesigned and will reopen to the public in July 2015. Twenty of the existing inventory will be re-imagined as ‘Sunset Ocean Pool Villas’ while the balance of 14 villas will be renamed “Ocean Water Villas.”
During phase 2, the current “Beach Suites” on the south side of the island, together with the Deluxe Family Water Villas and the resort’s one-and-two Bedroom Pool Villas, will be closed for renovations from the 20th of June until the end of August 2015. Renovations on the resort’s Deluxe Water Villas and north-facing Beach Suites will be carried out later in 2016. All villas will receive a brand-new design, structural enhancements, all-new furniture and a new light and inviting color palette.
Available to the public on July 1, 2015, the new Sunset Ocean Pool Villas will have received a completely new, contemporary interior make-over, with brand-new furniture, doors and decking. The upper sun deck will be removed completely and the outdoor area will be extended to incorporate a 12-meter-square plunge pool, looking directly out over the Indian Ocean.
These 20 new villas will command spectacular sunset views and guests here will be eligible for full ‘Club’ access. Club guests enjoy the resort’s “Ultimate All Inclusive” cash-free plan, under which guests will find everything they desire already paid for – including champagne breakfasts, a choice of three lunch and dinner venues with themed international buffets and an open bar service which provides a scintillating array of cocktails, beers, wines and spirits.
Guests in the new Villas will also benefit from the following premium additions:
- Exclusive access to “The Club” with indoor and outdoor private lounges, free-form swimming pool, and a premium dining venue for breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Access to the Club Bar and lounge serving premium brand beverages
- Club lounge check in/out
- Private Club pool access including refreshing towels, pre-lunch snacks, afternoon fruits and pre-dinner canapés
- Mid-morning snacks
- Afternoon tea service
- Upgraded in-room minibar, replenished daily including soft drinks, juice, 4 beers, chocolates and snacks and guests’ selection of 2 spirits from the following (700ml vodka, gin, whisky, rum, Bacardi and bourbon – replenished once per week) and guests selection of 1 bottle of wine (red, white, rose – replenished daily)
- Wi-Fi and internet service in the Club Lounge
- 2 pieces of laundry per room per day
- Book and DVD library
- Priority spa and restaurant reservations at all outlets
- Daily turn-down service
- Upgraded in -room amenities
Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives is located in the South Ari Atoll, about 25 minutes by seaplane from Male International Airport, or 15 minutes by speedboat from the domestic Maamigili Airport. Surrounded by a glorious white sandy beach, it is the only resort in the Maldives designed in a colonial style, with whitewashed timber buildings and meandering boardwalks.
The resort offers guests a unique “cashless” island experience with its “Ultimate All-Inclusive programme”. “We are extremely proud of the “Ultimate All Inclusive” package and are delighted that we have now been recognized as being the best in Maldives,” commented Mr. Voytek Klasicki, general manager of Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives after receiving the Maldives Association of Travel Agents & Tour Operators (MATATO), award for Top All-Inclusive Resort. The resort also received the TripAdvisor’s award in the same category.
All guest suites have bedroom and living room, a generous private terrace, and all of the amenities travelers expect from a premier beach resort including satellite TV and high-speed internet access. Guests opting for the Club level of accommodation also have access to the exclusive Club Lounge with private pool area and complimentary breakfasts, snacks, cocktails and dinner. The resort also is unusual in that it features a variety of dining options, including the all-day venue Reef, authentic Suan Bua and Azzuri Mare Italian & Seafood restaurant, plus the Aqua and Coral Bars for nightly entertainment. For those seeking day-time activity, the Resort offers recreation options, sports and fitness facilities and a professionally-managed Kids’ Club, while those looking to relax are welcome at Spa Cenvaree.
For more active guests, there are five excursion options available which include whale-shark snorkeling, local island visits, sunset cruises and night fishing as well as other snorkeling trips. The resort is also home to floodlit tennis courts, and guests can avail themselves of W-Fi, snorkeling equipment, selected motorized and non-motorized water sports, separate teen and children’s clubs as well as each and every adult guest can enjoy one daily spa treatment per day of their holiday.
Mr. Voytek Klasicki says that he is proud to have added a new selection of freshly-renovated rooms to the resorts’ many attractions, and that he anticipates that regular visitors will enjoy their stays at Centara Grand Maldives even more.
News
Sirru Fen Fushi unveils astronomy residency with ex-NASA astronaut Dominic Antonelli
Sirru Fen Fushi–Private Lagoon Resort, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, is set to host former NASA Astronaut Dominic Antonelli from 6 to 9 June 2026 for an exclusive celestial residency that brings together space exploration, storytelling, and the infinite beauty of the Maldivian night sky.
Set against the remote natural surroundings of Sirru Fen Fushi’s private lagoon in Shaviyani Atoll, this rare collaboration invites guests to journey beyond the horizon through the eyes of a veteran astronaut who has completed two Space Shuttle missions. The programme blends science, narrative, and astronomy into an immersive experience designed to spark curiosity and wonder.
Across three evenings, guests will join Captain Antonelli for a series of intimate and family-friendly encounters, including a relaxed beachfront welcome gathering, an inspiring session exploring his Space Shuttle missions, and an elevated stargazing experience overlooking the lagoon. Through vivid storytelling, visual insights, and personal reflections from his time in orbit, the residency offers rare and meaningful moments for guests of all ages.
“We are honoured to welcome Dominic Antonelli to Sirru Fen Fushi for this exceptional residency,” said the resort’s management. “This programme reflects our commitment to creating meaningful and inspiring experiences that go beyond traditional luxury, offering guests moments of discovery, connection, and wonder in one of the most extraordinary natural settings in the world.”
Sirru Fen Fushi continues to curate unique and immersive experiences that celebrate exploration, nature, and storytelling, further positioning the resort as a destination where luxury meets purpose and imagination.
Guests are invited to secure their place for this limited-engagement residency and experience a rare convergence of ocean, sky, and space on the resort’s secluded “Secret Water Island.”
For further information and reservations, please visit the resort’s website or contact reservations@sirrufenfushi.com.
Fitness
Sun Siyam Olhuveli to host week-long wellness residency led by global practitioners
Wellness Week kicks off at Sun Siyam Olhuveli from 14 to 20 June 2026, inviting guests into a vibrant celebration of movement, mindfulness, and island energy led by wellness practitioners Marina Pavlenko and Nour Montasser. The immersive residency transforms Sun Siyam Olhuveli, the Lifestyle Collection under the House of Siyam, into a vibrant space where sunrise workouts, oceanfront rituals, and restorative experiences unfold naturally across days shaped by wellness, movement, and meaningful connection.
Set across the resort’s three island setting surrounded by endless ocean views and open skies, Wellness Week at Sun Siyam Olhuveli moves beyond traditional wellness retreats. Mornings begin with energising yoga and Pilates sessions designed to strengthen the body and build awareness through movement, while sunset experiences shift into slower, more reflective moments with ocean sound journeys, meditation gatherings, crystal bowl sessions, yoga Nidra under the stars, and immersive rituals that encourage guests to reconnect with themselves in a more intentional way. The programme also includes vision creation workshops and guided experiences blending movement, sound healing, journaling, and mindful reflection.
Leading the residency is Marina Pavlenko, a Yoga and Pilates instructor and integrative health coach with more than a decade of experience in the UAE wellness space. Known for her approach that combines Yoga, Pilates, strength training, and nervous system work, Marina’s sessions focus on mobility, core strength, vitality, and creating a body that supports modern lifestyles with energy and balance. Alongside her is Nour Montasser, a certified sound healer, transformational life coach, and space holder whose work centres around creating safe and meaningful environments where individuals can slow down, reflect, and reconnect inwardly.
“Today, wellness is no longer about slowing down alone. It is about finding moments that make you feel alive, connected, and fully present,” said Hassan Adil, General Manager of Sun Siyam Olhuveli. “This residency brings together movement, energy, mindfulness, and the beauty of island living in a way that feels immersive and uplifting. We want guests to leave not only feeling restored but inspired by the experiences they shared here.”
Designed to feel vibrant, social, and experience led, Wellness Week captures a more contemporary side of wellbeing at Sun Siyam Olhuveli. Guests can move from sunrise sessions by the ocean to evenings filled with sound healing beneath the stars, all while embracing the naturally active spirit of island life. Whether travelling solo, as couples, or with friends, the residency invites guests to experience wellness not as routine, but as something alive, uplifting, and deeply woven into every moment of the stay.
As Paradise of Plenty, Sun Siyam Olhuveli invites guests to embrace a more vibrant way to escape where movement, connection, island living, and wellbeing come together in experiences designed to energise, restore, and inspire.
To discover Wellness Week and plan your stay, please visit the resort’s website.
Culture
Eid festivities come alive across CROSSROADS Maldives
This Eid Al-Adha, Crossroads Maldives invites families, residents and visitors to experience a vibrant celebration across the destination, with festive experiences taking place at SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives and The Marina at Crossroads Maldives.
Bringing together island leisure, family-friendly entertainment, beachside dining and lively social experiences, Crossroads Maldives promises an unforgettable Eid atmosphere for both in-house guests and local visitors alike.

Leading the celebrations, the newly refreshed SAii Beach Club at The Marina has unveiled its special Eid Al- Adha Family Packages, available from 20th May to 31st May 2026, offering the perfect seaside getaway for families looking to celebrate together during the festive season.
The Family Meal Package, priced at USD 130 net for two adults and two children, includes a complete Beach Club experience with meals at Beach Club outlets, soft beverages during meals, 30% savings on beverages and the Gelato Bar, full Beach Club access including pool and changing facilities, recreational activities, beach games, kids’ activities, live entertainment and complimentary Wi-Fi.

For guests looking to enjoy the facilities and festive atmosphere throughout the day, the Family Beach Club Entrance Package, priced at USD 30 net for two adults and two children, offers Beach Club access alongside 30% savings on food and beverages, live entertainment, recreational activities and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Adding to the festive excitement, guests can also enjoy lively karaoke sessions and exciting entertainment experiences at Hard Rock Cafe Maldives, located within The Marina and easily accessible to locals and expatriates visiting Crossroads Maldives. Known for its vibrant atmosphere and waterfront setting, the venue will feature engaging Eid experiences perfect for families and groups of friends looking to celebrate in true Hard Rock Cafe style.

Across the destination, visitors can look forward to traditional festive Eid Al Adha entertainment, family activities, beachside moments, live music and interactive experiences, creating a lively and welcoming Eid atmosphere throughout the holiday period.
“We are delighted to welcome families, residents and visitors to celebrate Eid Al-Adha across Crossroads Maldives, where the spirit of togetherness comes alive through entertainment, dining and shared experiences,” said Alexander Traeger, General Manager of SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton and Crossroads Marina. “From family-friendly experiences at SAii Beach Club to vibrant Eid traditions, karaoke sessions and live entertainment across the destination, our aim is to create a festive and welcoming atmosphere that is accessible to both our resort guests and the local community, making Crossroads Maldives a place where everyone can come together and celebrate the joy of Eid.”

Located just 15 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport and 30-minute complimentary ferry ride from Male’, Crossroads Maldives continues to position itself as one of the Maldives’ most accessible lifestyle destinations, seamlessly blending resorts, dining, entertainment and family-friendly experiences all within one connected destination.
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