News
Vilu Reef relaunched as Sun Aqua Vilu Reef
Originally opened in 1998 Vilu Reef is proud to take on new colours and sit as the flagship Maldivian property for the Sun Aqua brand which plans to continue its international growth over the coming years. At Sun Aqua resorts, guests can enjoy perfectly relaxing experiences led by simple luxuries, sensational food and warm, dedicated service and as it stayed open to guests during its refurbishment it continues to welcome new and repeater guests that have grown to love the property and island, year after year.
On 28th October 2015, the original date of opening in 1998, the property officially re-launched to a fanfare of celebration with official ceremonies followed by a beach side feast, dancing and live music held throughout the evening.
Property & Accommodation
The Sun Aqua Vilu Reef is easily accessible from Malè and the International Airport via a 40 minute seaplane ride. The Sun Siyam Family Lounge at the seaplane terminal bids an immediate start to the holiday offering refreshments and massages to help settle guests into the Sun Aqua spirit. The property has gone through a complete revival and been refurbished to an extremely high standard creating five different categories of rooms including 15 NEW Sun Aqua Pool Villas. Splashes of colour can be found throughout the property impressing the Sun Aqua brand into the new future of Vilu Reef.
Beach Villas
Hidden amongst the foliage are 62 shell shaped bungalows, (14 Beach Villas, 18 Deluxe Beach Villas and 10 Jacuzzi Deluxe Beach Villas, 5 Deluxe Beach Villas with Pool & 15 Sun Aqua Pool Villas) some now with lava-stone pools and whirlpool bathtubs. Rooms are now all 20% larger than before and offer private sundecks, re-fitted bathrooms and day swing beds.
Water Villas
A further 41 Water Villas (20 Reef Villas, 9 Sunset Reef Villas, 6 Aqua Villas with plunge pools, 5 Aqua Suites now with private swimming pools & 1 Grand Reef Suite) complete the accommodation offering with a select few even hiding inviting over-water hammocks. All water villas offer incredible vista views across the Indian Ocean and a true Maldivian experience.
Dine & Imbibe
One of the best parts of any journey is the adventure into exotic flavours. Guests can be selective at Sun Aqua Vilu Reef and explore the spice and warmth of home style Maldivian cuisine, feast on gourmet organic and free-range produce grown on the resorts private Farm Island, sink their teeth into freshly caught, barbequed seafood or dine under the stars with the properties destination private dining experience.
The Aqua is the resorts main restaurant sat over the water, producing freshly prepared western and international cuisine served in a buffet style and is also the resorts beautiful breakfast spot. The Well Done, the island BBQ grill on the beach serves freshly caught fish and seafood as well as being the home to the islands impressive glass enclosed wine cellar, featuring the finest wines from around the globe, creating a sophisticated backdrop for any evening. The resort also features a boutique pizzeria creating handmade pizzas topped with authentic seasoning and fresh ingredients. Destination Dining offers guests the chance to dine in private away from other guests on any spot on the island accompanied by their own private chef and waiter.
Before and after dinner guests may enjoy the chance to visit one of the islands two bars. The Nautilus is the resorts beach bar offering a cool, rustic hideaway where one of the bartender’s cocktails will help liven up a night of dancing or an exhilarating game of crab racing. Positive Energy, set beside the pool serves an array of refreshing juices, cocktails and signature tropical fruit punch either under the cool of the coconut tree or on a lounger with views of the lagoon and pool.
Spa & Leisure
One of the biggest developments at the resort has been the creation of a full holistic spa offering. Now a major focus of the resort the Sun Aqua Spa consists of six private treatment pavilions each with open air flower baths, open showers, a hydrotherapy area and double treatment beds. On offer will also be a salon, manicure/pedicure and a beautiful relaxation area. Encompassing the Five Element Theory; Wood, Fire, Metal, Earth & Water the spa will offer a lengthy menu of Ayurvedic wellness rituals, pampering beauty therapies and massage techniques from around the world. It will also offer a selection of signature therapies to help renew body and mind including a rich scrub of coconut or coffee, a herbal Udavarthanam detox or a relaxing, fragrant flower bath.
In addition to spa the Sun Aqua Vilu Reef also offers plenty of leisure activities to keep everyone entertained, relaxed and enjoying their time on the island. Diving is a big part of the culture in the Maldives in general and at Sun Aqua Vilu Reef in particular. The 5* Gold Palm PADI / SSI Diamond Dive centre brings together an exciting array of diving and snorkelling programmes and a chance to explore the sea life and reefs that litter the warm and extremely clear waters. The property hosts one of the best house reefs in the region, located just 30 meters from the shore, offering snorkelers an unrivalled experience. Watersports are also a big part of island life and guests at Sun Aqua Vilu Reef can enjoy windsurfing, canoeing and sailing as well as a range of motorised watersports such as jet skis and water-skiing.
Family
JA Manafaru launches Easter programme with family-focused experiences
This spring, the magic of the Maldives meets the joyful charm of Easter with a specially curated family getaway at JA Manafaru. Designed to help guests make the most of the island experience, the Residences Offer combines spacious villa living with thoughtful touches such as a dedicated butler, seamless arrivals, and curated daily moments. Adding to the sense of occasion, the resort will host a series of lively Easter celebrations and egg-themed activities, filling the island with playful moments for guests of all ages.
At JA Manafaru, luxury is defined by personalised service and meaningful gestures that create a sense of ease, knowing everything has already been taken care of. This attention to detail begins the moment guests touch down at Velana International Airport, where dedicated CIP airport service ensures a smooth arrival. From there, guests are whisked away by seaplane, a transfer that is complimentary for stays of five nights or more, soaring above the Maldives’ turquoise lagoons and coral atolls for a journey that feels like an adventure in itself.
As part of the Residences Offer, guests can enjoy up to 30% savings on their stay while spending their Easter break in one of three opulent hideaways, such as the stylish overwater Two Bedroom Ocean Residence with Family Infinity Pool, surrounded by uninterrupted panoramas of the Indian Ocean. The Two Bedroom Beach Residence with Two Private Pools offers a refined two-storey beachfront sanctuary, while the Three Bedroom Beach Residence with Two Private Pools elevates the experience even further with its own private spa pavilion featuring a steam room and sauna, making it ideal for larger families.
Setting the tone for a truly magical Easter celebration in the Maldives, guests are welcomed with a bottle of bubbly and a generous fruit basket on arrival. Throughout your stay, a dedicated Thakuru, the resort’s private butler, is also on hand to quietly take care of every detail, allowing families to settle in and savour each moment together. Thoughtful touches continue with personalised tags waiting on the island bikes, daily turndown amenities, and a complimentary laundry service before departure, ensuring the experience feels effortless from start to finish.
Guests visiting over the Easter weekend can also look forward to a joyful programme of seasonal festivities on Sunday, April 5th, designed to get the whole family involved. The celebrations begin at 11.00am with the grand arrival of the Easter Bunny, setting the tone for a day filled with playful moments and sweet surprises. Afterwards, guests can hop over to Kakuni for a lavish Easter feast featuring seasonal dishes, decadent desserts, and a lively egg-smashing activity for kids.
Little ones can continue the adventure with an exciting island-wide Easter egg and treasure hunt, followed by a visit to the petting zoo, where they can spend time with the resort’s fluffy bunnies. As the day winds down, Easter-themed turndown amenities await in guest villas, adding a final hint of festive magic to the evening.
At JA Manafaru, Easter is less about grand gestures and more about the small moments that bring families closer, like sharing a meal, laughing together, or watching the sun set after a day well spent. Secure your Easter family getaway now and experience a one-of-a-kind celebration that feels joyful, relaxed, and quietly unforgettable.
For bookings and more information, please visit the resort’s website.
News
Ifuru Island Maldives partners with Toddy to launch lifestyle collection
Ifuru Island Maldives has unveiled a vibrant new collaboration with Toddy, bringing together contemporary design and authentic island storytelling in a limited-edition lifestyle collection. Thoughtfully curated to reflect the rhythm and color of modern Maldivian living, the collection introduces three distinctive creations: sunglasses, quick-dry beach towels, and lenticular postcards.
The Ifuru x Toddy sunglasses are a bold expression of island artistry, drawing from the kaleidoscopic hues of the Maldivian reef and the unmistakable vibrancy of the parrotfish. Designed for both style and performance, the lightweight Mas (Ainu) shades feature polarised TAC lenses with anti-glare technology and 100% UV400 protection. Crafted with flexible yet durable frames, anti-slip detailing, and protective lens coatings to resist saltwater corrosion, they offer a seamless blend of innovation and effortless sophistication, equally suited for sun-drenched days and ocean-bound adventures.
The quick-dry beach towels reinterpret an icon of Ifuru Island, the resort’s signature three palm trees. Both emblematic and understated, the design is paired with highly functional craftsmanship. Made from absorbent microfiber, the towels are exceptionally quick-drying, lightweight, and compact, designed to move effortlessly from beach to lagoon. With sand-off technology woven into their structure, they offer a refined yet practical solution for guests seeking comfort without compromise, ensuring the island stays with you, but the sand does not.

Completing the collection, the lenticular postcards offer a poetic tribute to the rhythm of island time, shifting from sunlit brilliance to the deep, glowing tones of sunset. With imagery that transforms in motion, each piece captures the fleeting beauty of a single day in paradise, reimagined as an interactive and enduring keepsake.
“This collaboration is a celebration of Maldivian talent and storytelling,” said Marcel Sawyer, General Manager of Ifuru Island Maldives. “Partnering with Toddy allows us to showcase local artistry while creating meaningful, design-led pieces that resonate with our guests long after their stay.”
Founded by siblings Fayaz and Riyaz, Toddy has grown from humble beginnings into a proudly Maldivian brand rooted in storytelling. Inspired by generations of cultural narratives from ancient seafaring legends to mythical tales, each design carries a sense of history reimagined through a modern lens, positioning Toddy as a distinctive voice within the region’s creative landscape.
“Working with Ifuru on this was something special. We got to take the feeling of the island and turn it into a small collection, each piece carrying a bit of its colour, movement, and calm. At Toddy, we’ve always believed the best things you take with you are the ones that hold a memory. These are made to travel, but more importantly, to bring you back to those moments at Ifuru. Big thanks to the team for trusting us to help tell their story through design,” shared Riyaz.
The Ifuru x Toddy collection is available exclusively at Ifuru Island Maldives, offering guests a unique opportunity to connect with the destination through thoughtfully designed, locally inspired pieces.
Awards
Reethi Faru Resort earns 2025 British Airways Holidays Customer Excellence Award
Reethi Faru Resort has been recognised with the 2025 British Airways Holidays Customer Excellence Award for exceptional service, facilities, and guest experiences.
This prestigious accolade positions the resort among the highest-rated hotels globally, based on verified guest reviews collected by British Airways Holidays in collaboration with Feefo, the world’s leading platform for authentic buyer feedback.
Guests evaluated their stays across key aspects including location, service quality, cleanliness, and sleep comfort, resulting in an overall score out of five. Reethi Faru Resort achieved an outstanding rating of 4.9/5.
Mark Hall, Head of Product and Sourcing at British Airways Holidays, said: “Congratulations to Reethi Faru Resort on this outstanding achievement. Delivering such consistent excellence truly reflects the dedication and care your team puts into every stay and every customer. At British Airways Holidays, we value partners who share our commitment to putting customer experience at the heart of everything we do, reflected in our Customer Excellence Awards. Reethi Faru Resort is a shining example of that. We’re proud to work with you and celebrate this success.”
For Reethi Faru Resort, the award underscores a philosophy centred on delivering not just stays, but memorable island experiences where thoughtful service meets unspoiled natural beauty.
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