News
Festive Celebrations at Kurumba Maldives 2015 – 2016
Maldives.net.mv – Why not celebrate Christmas and New Year in paradise at Kurumba Maldives? With a series of gastronomic experiences, presented by Executive Chef Ross Chapman and his culinary team, guests can enjoy a varied selection of delicacies and classy, cosmopolitan events.
The festive events include unique activities such as wine tastings set in the sparkling blue lagoon, cocktail mixology classes and cooking demonstrations. For kids, treasure hunts, snorkelling lessons and a visit from Santa himself along with many other activities will keep them thoroughly entertained throughout the season.
On Christmas Eve, dinner in Thila features an exciting and vibrant buffet complete with live cooking stations, followed by entertainment at Kandu Bar, which is not to be missed!
On Christmas Day, a special Brunch will be served in Thila restaurant. Our team will perform the classic Christmas Carols at Kandu Bar – an annual tradition – and for the children, a kids party will be organized at the pool side to meet the one and only: Santa.
On New Year’s Eve, the theme “Welcome to Broadway” will take centre stage; glamorously dressed guests will walk down the red carpet, starting the celebrations with a champagne cocktail. An innovative and lavish buffet will be served in Thila. Entertainment from local Maldivian dancers, and a few surprise performances will culminate with a fabulous awards ceremony, especially for guests, including categories such as “Best Dressed” and many more. The party will move into Kandu Bar as the night progresses, with songs from one of the best live bands in the Maldives and a mixture of classics and popular tunes from our resident DJ.
Welcome 2016 with a complimentary New Year’s Day recovery brunch served from 8.00am until 2.30pm.
Orthodox Christmas dinner will take place on 6th January, served in Thila with a focus on fresh seafood followed by entertainment in Kandu Bar with a live band.
Kurumba Maldives is celebrating the success of 2015 and will bring in 2016 in their own exceptional style.
Kurumba has made available the festive season program on http://www.kurumba.com/uploads/wysiwyg/factsheets/2015_Fes tive_Brochure.pdf
News
Shangri-La Circle offers dining benefits at JEN Maldives Malé
JEN Maldives Malé has introduced the Shangri-La Circle (SLC) loyalty programme, offering dining benefits for guests from 1 April to 31 December 2026.
The programme provides free and instant membership, allowing guests to access discounts and earn reward points on dining experiences at the property. Members receive a 15 per cent discount on their first dining purchase upon joining, along with ongoing 15 per cent savings on food and beverage.
Guests can enrol in the programme through the Shangri-La Circle mobile application. Membership benefits include reward points on eligible spending, which can be redeemed for future dining and hotel experiences.
The offer applies to regular dining experiences and excludes tobacco, special theme buffet nights, and other ongoing promotions.
JEN Maldives Malé stated that the programme is designed to provide value to guests while enhancing dining experiences at the hotel. The initiative also reflects Shangri-La’s focus on strengthening guest engagement through loyalty-based offerings.
Members are required to present their digital membership card at the time of billing to access the benefits.
The hotel is promoting the programme through its social media channels, in-house displays, and digital platforms. Guests can download the Shangri-La Circle application or sign up at the hotel to begin using the programme.
Awards
Kuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Cooking
Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
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