Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa has unveiled ŪRJĀ Naturopathy Island – the next evolution of holistic healing in the Maldives. Named after the Sanskrit word for vitality, ŪRJĀ is a wellness destination with a difference. Its programme balances naturopathic principles with scientific expertise, shifting the focus from surface-level relaxation to meaningful restoration.

ŪRJĀ was created with a clear intention: to move beyond the sameness of many modern spa experiences and offer something deeper. A space where ancient knowledge, natural healing and personal empowerment come together in harmony. Beyond buzzwords, trends and quick fixes, ŪRJĀ is designed for genuine, ongoing healing, not momentary escape.

Many treatments at ŪRJĀ feature AION A®, the powerful healing mineral discovered in an ancient Roman quarry in Würenlos, Switzerland by visionary Swiss naturopathic researcher Emma Kunz (1892–1963). Named it after the Greek for “without limitation”, AION A® supports detoxification, soothes inflammation, and encourages healing via positively charged ion exchange.

A Grounded Vision of Wellbeing

Rather than chasing the latest wellness protocol, ŪRJĀ takes a holistic path rooted in knowledge, education and integrity. In a world defined by stress, digital overwhelm and physical fatigue, it asks: what do guests truly need now?

The answer is timeless: Naturopathy, practicing for centuries what the modern world now calls ‘biohacking’, restores balance, supports natural healing, and guides enduring, sustainable habits.

Rooted in this philosophy, ŪRJĀ’s programmes unite nutrition, movement, detoxification and energetic realignment, for lasting wellbeing. The imparting of knowledge is central to the experience. Guests learn about the body’s innate intelligence, the importance of rhythm and nourishment, and how small, consistent changes can restore vitality. Diagnostics, consultations and personalised guidance empower them to return home with deeper understanding and practical tools for everyday wellbeing.

ŪRJĀ’s philosophy also recognises the growing need for stillness. In a world of constant stimulation, moments of silence and reflection become powerful therapeutic tools. Experiences encourage guests to reconnect with nature, their breath, and the peace found within.

ŪRJĀ invites guests to rediscover something simple yet profound: the body already knows how to heal. Sometimes it simply needs the right environment, guidance and silence to remember.

Naturally Inspired

Accessed from the Resort’s main jetty via a small Maldivian dhoni, ŪRJĀ offers a deep immersion in elemental rhythms – a living reflection of its ethos of vitality through nature. Over-water treatment suites, open-air rituals and the pulse of the surrounding ocean immerse guests in natural rejuvenation.

The spa’s pioneering approach centres on individualised wellness. At its heart are four core naturopathic pathways: Rest & Rebalance, Cleanse, Nourish, and Reconnect. Each pathway offers a collection of therapies and rituals to align mind, body, emotions and intellect, awakening self-healing. Every journey begins with an expert Naturopathic Consultation to craft a bespoke programme of therapeutic care. Optional micronutrient scans, iris diagnosis and postural mapping offer deeper insight into internal balance and vitality.

Signature treatments include Mud Therapy, Heliotherapy, Life-Force Healing, Magneto Therapy, and Sound Healing. Complementing these are Yoga Therapy, and traditional naturopathic practices such as fasting, acupuncture and full-body alignment rituals. Highlights include the ‘Vagus Reset’, a centring ritual that activates the vagus nerve, and the Night Spa Ritual, a celestial open-air experience aligned with the rhythms of the cosmos.

ŪRJĀ also offers specialised programmes guided by the team of onsite Naturopathic Doctors to address root causes of imbalance through therapies, coaching and nutrition. From Sleep Enhancement to Liver Detox and Joint Care, each is designed to restore and sustain lasting health.

Healing Geometry

ŪRJĀ’s approach is complemented by the work of visionary Swiss naturopath and artist Emma Kunz. Four Seasons has exclusive access to Kunz’s geometric drawings – believed to emit healing energy and reflect universal principles – which illustrate ŪRJĀ’s treatment menu.

World Wellness Weekend 2026 marks a special chapter for Mandara Spa Maldives, with all ten participating spa locations achieving Wellness HERO status and becoming the first spa group in the Maldives to do so across every participating property.

Behind this distinction are the people who give it meaning. From therapists sharing their knowledge to colleagues creating welcoming experiences for guests and communities, their contribution reflects a simple belief: wellness should be something people can experience, understand and make part of their lives.

The moment is especially meaningful as World Wellness Weekend celebrates its 10th anniversary. Having participated since the first edition in 2017, Mandara Spa Maldives continues a relationship shaped by the same purpose that brought the initiative to life: bringing people together through movement, mindfulness, learning and human connection.

The People Behind the Weekend

At the heart of the weekend are the therapists and spa teams who turn each activity into a human experience. Guests may know them through massage, body therapies and personalised treatments, but during the weekend they also become guides, sharing their knowledge in a more interactive setting. Therapists share breathing techniques, mindful movement, massage practices, wellness rituals and traditions that have shaped their profession. These exchanges allow guests to understand not only how a practice is performed, but also the purpose behind it.

Colleagues and resort teams also play an important role, supporting each programme and creating an environment where people feel comfortable participating, asking questions and trying something unfamiliar. Together, their contribution reflects the spirit of Wellness For All: creating space for clients, colleagues and communities to experience wellbeing in ways that feel welcoming and relevant.

Experiencing Wellness in the Maldives

Each participating spa creates its own programme, shaped by its resort setting and the expertise of its team. Complimentary activities may include yoga, meditation, massage masterclasses, herbal workshops, movement sessions and other interactive experiences that invite guests to participate rather than simply observe.

The Maldives becomes part of that experience. A yoga session overlooking the Indian Ocean, a workshop surrounded by tropical gardens or a moment of meditation beside a quiet lagoon can offer a different perspective on wellness. The surroundings may differ from one island to another, but each experience is designed to make wellbeing approachable, enjoyable and easy to understand.

Each activity offers something personal to discover, whether it is a new way to pause, move with greater awareness or simply reconnect with oneself and others.

Behind each HERO title is a team that has shaped World Wellness Weekend around its own guests, surroundings and expertise. From one island to another, the programmes may look different, but each reflects the care and involvement of the therapists and colleagues who make the weekend possible.

The 10 spa locations recognised as Wellness HERO 2026 are:

• Chavana Spa at Adaaran Club Rannalhi
• Chavana Spa at Cinnamon Dhonveli
• Chavana Spa at Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon
• Mandara Spa at Adaaran Prestige Vadoo
• Mandara Spa at Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi
• Mandara Spa at Adaaran Select Meedhupparu
• Mandara Spa at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa
• Mandara Spa at Cinnamon Velifushi
• Th.ari Spa by Mandara at NOOE Maldives Kunaavashi
• Wellness by Mandara at Barceló Nasandhura

Across these ten locations, each team brings its own knowledge, character and approach, reflecting the collective work behind World Wellness Weekend throughout the Maldives.

In a world where being busy has become part of everyday life, making time for wellbeing can easily be pushed aside. World Wellness Weekend offers a simple reminder that caring for the body and mind deserves a place in the present.

For Mandara Spa Maldives, that is ultimately what makes this weekend meaningful. If someone leaves feeling a little lighter, more connected or simply more aware of the importance of making time for themselves, the value of that moment can extend far beyond the weekend itself.

This September, guests and communities are invited to experience World Wellness Weekend across participating Mandara Spa Maldives locations. Explore what each spa has planned for World Wellness Weekend 2026 through the World Wellness Weekend map.

Some partnerships are measured by milestones. Others are measured by the experiences they continue to create. For the past 20 years, Mandara Spa and British skincare brand ELEMIS have worked together with a shared commitment to combining professional skincare expertise with meaningful wellness experiences. Today, that partnership continues with an expanded ELEMIS treatment portfolio, giving guests across the Maldives even more ways to personalise their spa journey.

Since partnering with ELEMIS, Mandara Spa has remained committed to delivering treatments that balance visible skincare results with the restorative experience at the heart of every spa visit. As guest expectations continue to evolve, the expanded portfolio reflects a growing demand for personalised treatments that address individual skincare concerns without compromising moments of relaxation and self-care.

A New Dimension in Facial Care

Among the highlights of the expanded collection is the ELEMIS EXPERT™ LED ENERGY MASK, bringing advanced light therapy into the professional spa experience. The enhancement features ELEMIS light technology designed to work alongside professional facial treatments, offering guests a more targeted approach to their individual skincare needs.

The introduction reflects ELEMIS’ evolving high-touch, high-tech philosophy, where advanced skincare technology complements the expertise and hands-on care of the therapist. Using carefully engineered light wavelengths that work at different depths of the skin, LED technology is designed to support concerns including brightness, smoothness and the appearance of redness, while enhancing the results-driven approach at the heart of ELEMIS professional skincare.

For Mandara Spa, the ELEMIS EXPERT™ LED ENERGY MASK adds a new dimension to the facial experience without losing the restorative qualities guests seek from time spent in the spa. By bringing together technology, professional expertise and personalised care, the treatment represents how the longstanding partnership between Mandara Spa and ELEMIS continues to evolve. The ELEMIS EXPERT™ LED ENERGY MASK will be available at select Mandara Spa locations across the Maldives.

An Expanded ELEMIS Experience

The refreshed treatment portfolio introduces a broader selection of facial therapies and targeted enhancements, allowing therapists to tailor each experience to the guest’s individual skincare needs.

ELEMIS’ globally renowned, hands-on facial treatments use touch as a powerful diagnostic tool, softening and preparing the skin to receive active ingredients. This is where intuition meets expertise.

• ELEMIS Expert™ Touch Renew Facial
• ELEMIS Expert™ Touch Define Facial

ELEMIS Expert™ Add-Ons:

• ELEMIS Expert™ Collagen Eye Boost
• ELEMIS Expert™ LED Energy Mask
• ELEMIS Expert™ Restorative Head Massage

Powered by ELEMIS’ marine-inspired formulations and botanical ingredients, the collection supports hydration, radiance, firmness, and skin renewal while complementing Mandara Spa’s signature approach to holistic wellbeing. Together, the expanded offering provides guests with greater flexibility to personalise their experience, from hands-on facial therapies to targeted enhancements addressing individual skincare needs.

A Partnership Built Over Two Decades

For Mandara Spa Country Manager Tenille Keats, the milestone is also deeply personal. Her journey with ELEMIS began in 2003 while working aboard Silversea Cruises under Steiner Leisure, where she was first introduced to the brand. More than two decades later, ELEMIS remains Mandara Spa’s skincare partner of choice.

“From the very beginning of my career, I fell in love with ELEMIS. There was something incredibly powerful about the way the brand combines marine actives from beneath the sea with carefully selected botanicals and herbs from the land. It delivers real, visible results while still feeling luxurious and holistic,” said Keats. “Even as the business has evolved over the years, ELEMIS has remained our trusted partner — a reflection of its performance and its commitment to responsible beauty, underscored by its certification as a B Corp.”

Today, ELEMIS is recognised globally for combining science-led skincare with naturally derived ingredients and is certified as a B Corp, reflecting high standards of social and environmental responsibility. These values continue to complement Mandara Spa’s philosophy of delivering thoughtful wellness experiences grounded in quality, care, and lasting results.

As Mandara Spa celebrates this milestone, the partnership with ELEMIS remains focused on the future. By continuing to refine treatments, invest in professional expertise, and respond to the evolving needs of today’s wellness traveller, both brands reaffirm a shared commitment to creating spa experiences that guests will return to time and time again.

Guests can experience ELEMIS treatments and retail products at the following locations across the Maldives:

• Mandara Spa at Cinnamon Velifushi
• Mandara Spa at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa
• Mandara Spa at Adaaran Prestige Vadoo
• Mandara Spa at Adaaran Select Meedhupparu
• Mandara Spa at Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi
• Wellness by Mandara at Barceló Nasandhura
• Th.ari Spa by Mandara at NOOE Maldives Kunaavashi
• Mandara Spa at Meliã Whale Lagoon Maldives
• Chavana Spa at Adaaran Club Rannalhi
• Chavana Spa at Cinnamon Dhonveli
• Chavana Spa at Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon