News
Anantara Wins Four Top Accolades at Maldives Travel Awards 2015
Maldives.net.mv – Anantara Resorts & Spas in the Maldives are celebrating industry and public recognition once again, winning four of the top travel and tourism honours at this year’s annual Maldives Travel Awards.
Anantara has been making its mark in the Maldives for holidaymakers ever since the brand entered the nation in 2006 with Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa. This was strengthened in 2008 when the adults-only resort of Anantara Veli welcomed its first guests, along with the bespoke services of the boutique resort Naladhu. In 2011, Anantara once again raised the bar with the all pool villa resort of Anantara Kihavah Villas. The Maldives Travel Awards Gala Ceremony, held on 19 September 2015, saw travel and tourism professionals acknowledging Anantara’s excellence in luxury hospitality, wellness and spa services.
Leading Beach Resort in the Maldives; Anantara Kihavah Villas
No stranger to the awards podium, Anantara Kihavah Villas has been acknowledged with one of the most coveted awards of the event for the second consecutive year, Leading Beach Resort. Commenting on the award, General Manager Jean-Marc Ma-Poon says, “We are delighted with this acknowledgement from our local travel industry and general public. It’s a wonderful affirmation for the professional dedication the resort team delivers, ensuring not only that our villas and restaurants are unique, but that our amazing location within Baa Atoll is cherished and celebrated. When the resort was initially designed, the synchronicity of four architectural and interior design companies kept the island’s environment of lush vegetation intact, harnessing its tropical nature to excellent advantage. It’s wonderful that four years after opening, Anantara Kihavah Villas has proven itself to be a leading resort in a much sought after category and in a highly competitive market.”
Leading Wellness and Spa Resort; Anantara Veli Resort
Anantara Veli Resort in the South Male Atoll was recognised for its unique wellness offering. Torsten Richter, Cluster General Manager for Anantara Dhigu, Anantara Veli and Naladhu Resorts comments, “We are proud to be acknowledged as the Maldives Leading Wellness and Spa Resort, especially as this is just 18 months after the Sundari Ayurveda Spa concept was introduced to Anantara Veli. Under the expert guidance of our Resident Ayurveda Doctor guests enjoy authentic wellness experiences with a flexible approach to health, wellbeing and healing elements, yet also allows the freedom to relax and indulge while on a luxury holiday. Perfecting that balance of wellness and indulgence on an individual basis, and with lasting effect long after the holiday ends, is key to the success of the spa at Anantara Veli and a tribute to the highly professional services of the team.”
Leading Spa Brand; Anantara Spa
Rooted in the timeless healing traditions of the world’s richest cultures, Anantara Spas are designed to restore balance and harmony between body and mind in an oasis of beauty, grace and tranquillity. Intoxicating aromas of the world’s most exotic elixirs and oils are used in treatments designed to deliver radiance, healing and a quiet sense of inner and outer well-being. Receiving the awards on behalf of Anantara, Elizabeth Smailes, Area Director of Marketing Communications in the Maldives for Minor Hotel Group, says “Acknowledging excellence in luxury hospitality across Anantara’s three resorts in the Maldives – Anantara Veli, Anantara Dhigu and Anantara Kihavah Villas – the MATATO Travel Awards 2015 further endorses this year’s World Travel Award Anantara Spa also received for Leading Spa Brand in the Maldives. These awards and accolades reflect the commitment of Anantara Spa to setting the standard for service excellence and the dedication of its team members to provide the ultimate guest experience with every treatment.”
Leading International Hotel & Resort Brand in the Maldives
In addition to the gala event last weekend, at a special edition of the Maldives Travel Awards held during the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai on 5th May 2015, Anantara was also awarded Leading International Resort Brand. At the time of receiving the award in May, Nicholas Downing, VP Operations – Indian Ocean for Minor Hotel Group, praised his team members and the three Anantara resorts in the Maldives, saying that this recognition stands as a testament to their professional and personal dedication and commitment. “They exemplify the heartfelt hospitality that lies at the core of every Anantara experience.”
The Maldives Travel Awards is organised by the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) to highlight and reward members of the travel sector that have made the greatest contribution to the industry over the past year. The awards are judged through a process of online voting as well as a jury assessment of presentations and site inspections.
News
Milaidhoo Maldives embraces mindfulness, movement and nourishment for Global Wellness Day
Milaidhoo Maldives invites guests to celebrate Global Wellness Day 2026 under the theme “#JoyMagenta”, embracing its signature wellbeing philosophy built around three interconnected pillars: food, physical balance and peace of mind. Nestled within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of the Baa Atoll, the island offers a sanctuary where nature-led experiences, mindful nourishment and restorative practices come together to support holistic wellbeing.
Throughout the day, guests are guided through immersive experiences designed to awaken gratitude, creativity, connection and movement, each reflecting Milaidhoo’s commitment to wellbeing in harmony with the oceanic environment.
Morning begins with Gratitude on the Compass Pool Bar deck, where mindfulness meditation and breathwork invite stillness and clarity. Mid-morning, Creativity unfolds at Serenity Spa with a DIY coconut scrub workshop using natural island ingredients, celebrating sustainable self-care and the island’s nourishing food philosophy through the use of locally inspired botanicals.
Mid-afternoon brings Connection at the overwater Yoga Pavilion with couples stretching and sound healing sessions designed to deepen presence and emotional harmony. As evening approaches, Movement takes place during a sunset Vinyasa yoga flow at Ocean Stories Beach, where breath, motion and ocean rhythm align.
Throughout the experience, Milaidhoo’s culinary wellbeing approach complements the journey, with mindful dining options that emphasise fresh, locally inspired and nutritionally balanced cuisine to support physical vitality and inner peace. Food is presented not only as nourishment but also as a sensory extension of the island’s healing environment, reinforcing the connection between body and nature.
Milaidhoo Maldives’ Global Wellness Day celebration reflects the island’s deeper philosophy of holistic living, where food, physical movement and peace of mind are seamlessly integrated into every guest experience. The island’s intimate setting encourages reconnection with nature and self, allowing each moment to be experienced with intention and joy.
The day concludes with a renewed sense of vitality, emotional balance and calm presence, embodying the essence of “joy” that defines this year’s theme. Milaidhoo continues to place well-being at the heart of its experience, ensuring every stay supports lasting harmony in one of the world’s most tranquil island sanctuaries.
For those seeking to continue their journey of calm and renewal, explore the full Milaidhoo wellbeing experience here.
News
Fushifaru Maldives unveils overnight ‘Sleep Under the Stars’ escape
From candlelit dinners to sleeping beneath a canopy of stars on the largest natural sandbank in Lhaviyani Atoll, Fushifaru Maldives by BeKind Hospitality Group invites couples to experience one of the Maldives’ most unforgettable overnight escapes.
Surrounded by crystal-clear waters, Fushifaru Maldives is redefining romantic island escapes with its extraordinary “Sleep Under the Stars” experience – an unforgettable overnight stay on the resort’s breathtaking private sandbank. This once-in-a-lifetime experience invites couples to disconnect from the world and reconnect with each other beneath a sky illuminated by countless stars. Combining barefoot luxury, romance and the raw beauty of the Maldives, the experience has been thoughtfully designed to create memories that last forever.
As the sun begins to set over the horizon, guests are whisked away to the secluded sandbank where an enchanting evening awaits. Candlelit dining by the ocean sets the tone for the night, with the sound of gentle waves providing the perfect soundtrack. Guests can then cosy up beneath the stars for a private open-air movie screening, before retreating to their beautifully prepared beachfront bed for a night unlike any other.
With no distractions, no crowds and nothing but the soothing ocean surrounding them, guests are given the rare opportunity to experience the Maldives in its purest and most intimate form. As dawn breaks across the horizon, the experience continues with a hearty breakfast served directly on the sandbank – the perfect way to begin the day before returning to the resort.
“At Fushifaru, we continuously seek to create meaningful and unforgettable experiences that connect guests with the natural beauty of the Maldives,” said Jumana Muhammad, Resident Manager of Fushifaru Maldives. “Our ‘Sleep Under the Stars’ experience is designed to offer something truly special – a rare opportunity for guests to disconnect from the world and reconnect with each other amidst the serenity of our stunning natural sandbank and a sky full of stars.”
More than simply an excursion, “Sleep Under the Stars” is a celebration of romance, nature and unforgettable moments. Whether marking a honeymoon, anniversary, proposal or simply a special escape together, the experience captures the magic of the Maldives in a truly unique and deeply personal way.
Entertainment
DJ Lara Fraser and Giorgio Chiarello headline music and mixology week at Niva Dhigali Maldives
This October, Niva Dhigali Maldives invites guests to embrace the island’s natural rhythm as internationally renowned DJ, producer and radio host DJ Lara Fraser joins Italy’s most awarded flair bartender Giorgio Chiarello for an exclusive week of music, mixology and island celebration. From 25th to 31st October 2026, the duo will bring their signature artistry to the heart of the island with sunset DJ sessions at Haali Bar, curated cocktail experiences, and a vibrant Halloween party at East Bar.
Perched on the western edge of the island, Haali Bar is one of Niva Dhigali’s most iconic spaces – a place where the sky melts into shades of gold and coral, naturally shaped by the sea. As the sun begins to dip below the horizon each evening, guests will be immersed in Lara’s signature open-format sound, blending dance, house and hip hop into sunset sets designed to flow with the energy of the ocean and the golden light of dusk, while Giorgio crafts a curated selection of signature cocktails with his celebrated flair.
Known for performing on some of the world’s most prestigious stages – including the Red Bull Stage, McLaren’s Trafalgar Square takeover, the Monaco and Las Vegas Grand Prix, Wembley Arena, Royal Ascot, the Cannes Film Festival and global Fashion Weeks – Lara brings an internationally celebrated energy to the island, creating unforgettable moments as day drifts into night.
Complementing the week’s soundtrack, Italy’s most awarded flair bartender Giorgio Chiarello returns to Niva Dhigali with his signature artistry and cocktail mastery. Globally celebrated for his flair performances and expertise in American-style mixology, Giorgio will present a curated selection of signature cocktails at Haali Bar, where guests can watch his dynamic showmanship unfold against the backdrop of uninterrupted sunset views.
At Niva Dhigali, every moment moves with ease – from tranquil mornings by the lagoon to golden sunsets at Haali and lively nights at East Bar – creating memories shaped by nature, music, flavour and the freedom of island life.
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