The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort has marked a new chapter in its marine conservation journey with the successful completion of Coral RISE (Coral Restoration Initiatives for Sustainable Ecosystems), an initiative created in collaboration with MARS Sustainable Solutions. From September 18 to 20, 2026, the resort installed 100 Reef Stars and 1,500 coral fragments in its house reef.

Reef Stars are sand-coated, hexagonal steel structures that provide a stable foundation for coral fragments in damaged or degraded reef areas. Installed underwater and connected to form a supportive reef framework, they help coral fragments establish and grow while creating habitat for fish and other marine life.

The restoration work follows MARS Assisted Reef Restoration System (MARRS), a science-based method developed by MARS Sustainable Solutions. The approach combines trained restoration teams, locally sourced coral fragments, Reef Stars, and ongoing maintenance and monitoring. Over time, the structures are designed to integrate into the reef environment and support the recovery of a more diverse marine habitat.

“Coral RISE demonstrates how a focused first step can develop into a lasting commitment to reef restoration,” said Kate Janetski, Marine Program Lead for Maldives & Caribbean and Global Training Manager at MARS Sustainable Solutions. “The 100 Reef Stars installed at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort provide a practical foundation for coral growth, while continued monitoring and care will be essential to the project’s long-term progress. We are pleased to support the resort in bringing science-based restoration closer to its guests and associates.”

“Completing the first phase of Coral RISE is an important milestone for The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort,” said Harish Gopalakrishnan, General Manager of The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort. “The ocean surrounding our island is central to the Maldivian experience, and protecting it is a responsibility we take seriously. By making the restoration area accessible to guests for snorkelling, we hope to foster a deeper understanding of the reef and inspire more people to care for the natural environment.”

The initiative was introduced during World Wellness Weekend, reflecting Westin’s belief that well-being extends beyond the individual. As part of the weekend’s activities, guests joined the resort team and MARS Sustainable Solutions in building and preparing the Reef Stars before they were installed in the reef.

Located within an area accessible for snorkelling, the restoration site will allow guests to observe the Reef Stars and monitor coral development over time. Ongoing marine education will also help raise awareness of coral ecosystems and the importance of reef conservation in the Maldives.

Coral RISE also complements the resort’s broader sustainability journey, including its Green Globe certification and continued efforts to embed responsible practices into its operations and guest experience. Situated in Baa Atoll, a region known for its rich marine biodiversity, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort’s coral restoration initiative creates a visible local contribution to the health of the atoll’s reef ecosystem. The certification provides a framework for the resort’s sustainability work, while Coral RISE brings that commitment to life through direct action to support the marine environment.

For more information, visit westin-maldives.com.

Villa Resorts is expanding its approach to wellbeing with a new series of experiences at Villa Nautica, led by holistic wellness practitioner Adrianna Lawera. Centred on breath, sound, somatic movement and intentional rest, the programme invites guests to step away from the pace of everyday life and reconnect with a slower, more considered rhythm.

Adrianna is a wellbeing lifestyle coach and integrated holistic practitioner specialising in skeletal restoration, fascia release, vibrational sound healing and breath-based movement. Through her signature approach, Wellness for Busy Minds, she makes rest and mindfulness feel more relevant to modern life, helping people build sustainable wellness habits that can exist alongside demanding routines.

Based in the Maldives, Adrianna draws much of her inspiration from nature and the restorative power of slowing down. She serves as a World Digital Detox Day Ambassador and a Global Wellness Day Official Key Supporter for the Maldives, with a wider mission to encourage more intentional relationships with technology, attention and rest.

At Villa Nautica, her programme brings together shared experiences and personalised therapeutic practices designed to address mental, physical and emotional fatigue. Rather than treating wellness as another activity to schedule into the day, the sessions create space for guests to release physical tension, quiet the mind and become more present in their own lives.

The island itself becomes part of that experience. Open skies, ocean air and the natural pace of life in the Maldives create an environment where slowing down feels instinctive rather than prescribed.

The programme reflects Villa Resorts’ wider approach to wellbeing, with experiences shaped by nature, place and meaningful restoration. By welcoming practitioners such as Adrianna, Villa Resorts continues to explore more thoughtful ways for guests to reconnect with themselves and with the environments around them.

Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa marked the 10th edition of World Wellness Weekend with a three-day programme led by Singapore-based wellness practitioner Dawn Sim. From 18 to 20 September 2026, guests were invited to embrace a more mindful approach to wellbeing through a curated series of experiences centred on movement, relaxation and nutrition.

With more than 25 years of experience in fitness and wellness, Dawn Sim has dedicated her practice to encouraging healthier, more balanced lifestyles. A yoga and Pilates instructor, certified sound bowl therapist and health coach, she brings together movement, breathwork, sound and holistic practices through an approachable philosophy centred on physical and mental wellbeing.

Across the three-day programme, Dawn led sunrise and sunset yoga, Pilates, meditation and sound bath sessions, with private classes also available for guests seeking a more personalised experience. Moving beyond physical practice, she hosted a diet and nutrition conversation focused on mindful eating and practical ways to support everyday wellbeing.

“I am delighted to return to Le Méridien Maldives, this time for World Wellness Weekend. The Maldives offers a beautiful environment to slow down, reconnect and spend time in nature, and I hope guests leave feeling restored and inspired to carry some of these practices into their everyday lives,” said Dawn Sim.

Set on the natural island of Thilamaafushi in Lhaviyani Atoll, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa brings wellbeing into the island experience through an active lifestyle, restorative treatments, nourishing cuisine and time spent outdoors. At Waves Lifestyle Hub, guests can take part in a daily programme including yoga, Pilates, Zumba, aqua aerobics, workout sessions and more, complemented by a 24-hour fitness centre and personal training. Outdoors, the resort offers a padel court alongside complimentary non-motorised water activities including kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and snorkelling, while the surrounding lagoon and nearby housereef invite guests to explore below the surface.

For moments of relaxation, the overwater Explore Spa features treatment rooms with glass-panel floors offering views of the ocean beneath. Drawing inspiration from Ayurvedic principles, its collection of massages, body treatments and facials is designed to restore balance and enhance overall wellbeing. Expanding its wellness offering, the resort has recently introduced dynamic air-compression boots, designed to support circulation and ease tired legs after workouts, watersports or active days around the island.

Mindful dining forms another part of the resort’s approach to wellbeing. Waves Café presents an all-day menu of fresh, nourishing dishes featuring produce harvested from the resort’s hydroponic Greenhouse, one of the largest in the Maldives.

“It is a pleasure to welcome Dawn back to Le Méridien Maldives and bring World Wellness Weekend to life through a programme that complements the experiences we offer throughout the year,” said Thomas Schult, General Manager of Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa. “Our approach to wellbeing is about creating opportunities for guests to move, recharge and enjoy the island at their own pace, whether starting the day with sunrise yoga, staying active on the padel court, enjoying nourishing food or simply taking time to unwind. Dawn’s approach was a natural fit for this philosophy.”

Surrounded by a 360-degree lagoon and the Indian Ocean, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa features 134 beach and overwater villas inspired by mid-century modern design and the brand’s European heritage. From private pool villas to spacious two- and three-bedroom options for families and groups of friends, the resort invites guests to savour the good life through an unhurried approach to island living.

From 13 to 23 December 2026, Le Méridien Maldives will welcome former World No. 1 padel player Juani Mieres for a dedicated padel retreat, inviting guests to take their game further through daily clinics led by one of the sport’s most accomplished players.

For more information or to book, please visit lemeridien-maldives.com or contact reservations.maldives@lemeridien.com.