News
PER AQUUM unveils new brand identity

Maldives.net.mv – PER AQUUM has revealed new phase in the brand’s evolution and the most significant development since its launch 10 years ago with a new logo, revamped visual identity and fresh hotel names. A collection of pure originals, the current portfolio reflects the elevated status of the brand featuring PER AQUUM Huvafen Fushi and PER AQUUM Niyama in the Maldives, PER AQUUM Desert Palm in Dubai and Essque Zalu Zanzibar, which is being transformed into a PER AQUUM resort.
In 2013, Minor Hotel Group (MHG), the Thailand-based hotel owner, operator and investor, entered into a joint venture strategic partnership with Universal Enterprises, PER AQUUM’s founding company based in the Maldives. As part of this strategic venture MHG and Universal are developing the brand to encompass at least five additional properties within the next five years. The new brand identity, which is designed to lay the foundation for the expansion of the brand, was developed by MHG’s in-house team led by industry veteran and luxury hotelier, Nick Downing, VP of PER AQUUM, and Eight, the Hong Kong-based brand strategy and communications firm. In line with the rebranding and reflecting the literal translation of PER AQUUM ‘through water’, MHG and Eight created a new logo and identity inspired by the element of water, inspiration for many of the brand’s innovative concepts from the world’s first underwater spa to the world’s first underwater lounge.
‘The fact that this is the first major change to PER AQUUM’s visual identity since our launch 10 years ago is testament to the strength and longevity of the brand’s original DNA as well as the foresight of the founding company, Universal Enterprises,’ said Nick Downing, VP of PER AQUUM. ‘As we usher in this new era, we are determined to remain at the cutting edge of luxury and to continue to break the mould and challenge convention – we have a proven track record to uphold so we’re not looking for cookie cutter hotels or every day experiences. The most significant changes include the new tagline ‘Daring to be different’, a brand new logo with the monogram representing the ripples and immersive effect of a stay at a PER AQUUM hotel or resort and the renaming of the hotels under the PER AQUUM umbrella.’
Determined to maintain PER AQUUM’s pole position at the forefront of naturally modern design, Nick recently announced the opening of Play, the second island at PER AQUUM Niyama. With 48 new villas, Play offers fresh, groundbreaking concepts including Nest, the treetop dining experience and BLU, the laid-back beachfront restaurant where Miami meets the Mediterranean, plus new facilities for every generation including the most exciting children’s club in the Maldives. MHG also announced last December that Essque Zalu Zanzibar would be transformed into the newest member of PER AQUUM’s portfolio following the completion of the first phase of the upgrade programme targeting accommodation and selected public areas. PER AQUUM will manage the resort’s operations with signature passion and imagination during the transition period whilst simultaneously driving its evolution into a PER AQUUM-branded property to be relaunched in late 2015.
In parallel with the launch of new itineraries and new experiences for guests as well as a new set of service standards, PER AQUUM’s iconic Dream Calendar is also evolving. Surging with originality under its new identity, Pulse is PER AQUUM’s exclusive stream of avant-garde experiences from A-list affairs to intimate celebrations. Guests can immerse themselves in one-of-a-kind happenings inspired by PER AQUUM.
Eight was selected by MHG following a competitive pitch due to its strategic approach based on business intelligence and insight, its groundbreaking design concepts and its 20 year track record working with leading global brands from Apple to Montblanc to Cathay Pacific and Virgin Atlantic. Eight has received widespread industry recognition from Cannes Lions nominations to multiple wins as Brand Consultancy of the Year.
‘‘PER AQUUM is a hospitality brand that isn’t afraid to push the envelope and the strategy encapsulated by “Daring to be Different” is a simple, emphatic expression of the company credo,’ says Bjorn Fjelddahl, Partner at Eight. ‘We chose electric colours to mirror the hues of aquatic life and the vibrancy of the lush, green polo estate and natural environment in the UAE. We created a signature ‘liquid’ pattern to echo the brand’s fluid personality and mystique,’ says Fjelddahl. ‘Much like the actual hotel experience, our identity hints at something sumptuously and discreetly luxurious, a hidden, ethereal world waiting to be discovered.’
Featured
Grand Park Kodhipparu highlights manta ray conservation on World Manta Day

Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives marked World Manta Day with a series of activities aimed at raising awareness about the importance of manta ray conservation and the threats these marine species face from international trade, overfishing, plastic pollution and habitat destruction.
The resort organised painting workshops where guests were invited to illustrate their impressions of manta rays and their underwater environment, fostering a connection with marine life through art. Using shimmering glitters, participants recreated the elegance and grace of manta rays, while others crafted large-scale designs on the beach, turning the shoreline into a visual tribute to the creatures.
As part of its commitment to environmental education, the resort released a special video highlighting the feeding habits, defence strategies and reproductive behaviours of manta rays. The video serves as an educational resource, reinforcing the significance of marine conservation through scientific understanding and community engagement.
Citra Suriah, Marketing Director of Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives, said the resort would continue to provide opportunities for guests to learn about and advocate for collective responsibility in protecting the ocean.
Cooking
The Nautilus Maldives’ unscripted dining: A revolution in ultra-luxury hospitality

Luxury travel is moving beyond service—it’s moving toward liberation. The Nautilus Maldives pioneers culinary freedom and is the world’s first resort without meal times, where chefs co-create indulgence with guests, anything, anytime, anywhere.
A Pioneer of schedule-free, personality-driven dining
The Nautilus is not just another luxury resort in the Maldives; it is rewriting the rules of fine dining. Its “Unscripted Dining” concept makes it the most liberated, guest-centric culinary experience in the world.

The Nautilus’s Chefs Are Always In
Unlike traditional luxury resorts, dining at The Nautilus isn’t bound by restaurant hours, menus or venues. Chefs serve as co-creators of indulgence, working with guests to turn moods, whims, or even Instagram posts into one-of-a-kind culinary experiences. Haute cuisine at 2 a.m., ramen by the beach at sunset, or a Michelin-style degustation menu on a private sandbank — The Nautilus chefs deliver, as at The Nautilus, the kitchen never closes. For jet-lagged travellers, this means ultimate convenience and comfort: breakfast at dusk, dinner at dawn, or spontaneous midnight feasts.

Why Plan a Meal When You Can Invent It?
Culinary freedom defines The Nautilus. Guests aren’t simply dining – they are designing their own experience in real time. From lobster benedict in bed at midnight to cocktail-paired tasting menus under the stars, everything is on the table – literally. It’s a rejection of routine and predictability, elevating emotional dining as the new luxury. Guests are invited to experience food as emotional expression, with each dish crafted in the moment and shaped by imagination.

An Island Without Meal Times – Radical Hospitality for the Ultra-Individual
The Nautilus rebels against hospitality norms: no schedules, no restrictions, no compromises.
Its philosophy embodies the future of ultra-luxury hospitality: total guest freedom, spontaneity, and personalised indulgence.

A Shared Vision of Culinary Freedom
“True luxury is freedom,” says Adan Gomez, General Manager of The Nautilus. “Our Unscripted Dining concept is a direct reflection of that belief. By removing the limits of time and menus, we invite our guests to experience food not as routine, but as a deeply personal journey of indulgence and expression. Today’s ultra-luxury travellers seek authenticity and individuality above all else. The Nautilus leads this shift, offering a radical departure from scripted hospitality. Every meal becomes a story co-created with the guest, a promise of spontaneity and soulful connection.”
To find out more about The Nautilus visit www.thenautilusmaldives.com.
Entertainment
Halloween and Autumn celebrations at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, is preparing to welcome guests to a week-long Autumn Festival with Halloween-themed celebrations running from 30 October to 5 November. The programme features a variety of activities designed for families, couples, and individual travellers, with events ranging from treasure hunts and creative workshops to wellness sessions and exclusive dining experiences.
The celebrations begin on 30 October with a beachside Tabata workout followed by a pumpkin carving workshop at La Locanda. Activities for children and teens include the Magic of Mantas virtual reality exploration, Haunted Brick Builders, and the Autumn Costume Fashion Show. Parents are invited to a cocktail gathering on the shore before the evening concludes with a Culinary Maestro dinner by Michelin-starred Chef Max Strohe, as part of the resort’s Masters of Crafts series.
On 31 October, guests may join a morning Dynamic Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden or take part in a turtle snorkelling excursion. Children between four and twelve are encouraged to join the Flying Fox Quest, a Halloween-themed nature walk, while older children embark on an Island Treasure Quest. Seasonal workshops such as wreath decoration and creative pumpkin carving are available, and the day concludes with a Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt across the island and a Halloween Feast at La Locanda.
As the week progresses, the festival highlights wellness and creativity. Under the Masters of Crafts programme, mobility coach Anthony Green will host sessions on posture, flexibility, and spinal health. Seasonal crafts for younger guests include galaxy-themed pumpkin art, Halloween decorations, wand-making, and mask workshops. Family activities extend to Autumn Carnival Stalls, Magic Hat bowling, and themed cooking sessions. Evening entertainment includes a magic show, a piñata party, and further culinary experiences led by Chef Max Strohe.
The festival concludes on 5 November with a Vinsaya Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden, an art class featuring batfish designs on tote bags, and a children’s treasure hunt. Families are invited to join the Boos and Brews Halloween Dhoni Cruise before the celebrations end with a Luxury Sunset Cruise.
Through this programme, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, combines seasonal festivities with wellness, creativity, and gastronomy, offering guests a diverse celebration of autumn and Halloween in the Maldives.
-
Action1 week ago
Freediving with tiger sharks: Shark Expedition Fuvahmulah collaborates with marine biologist Andriana Fragola
-
Featured1 week ago
Finolhu replants 1,200 coral colonies to strengthen house reef
-
Featured1 week ago
OZEN LIFE MAADHOO lunches Barefoot Bistro at Hudhu Bay
-
Featured1 week ago
Coco Bodu Hithi prepares for holiday season and New Year festivities
-
Featured1 week ago
Summer Island Maldives rewards guests with 10th anniversary holiday giveaway
-
Featured1 week ago
Emilie Channon brings holistic healing residency to Baros Maldives
-
Featured1 week ago
Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives offers added value for Saudi National Day getaways
-
Featured6 days ago
SO/ Maldives to host three-day wellness retreat with Anna Kanyuk