As the Eid-al-Fitr holiday period approaches, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is turning its focus towards Asian markets, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and the Indian subcontinent, where the festive holiday period often creates opportunities for short-haul leisure travel.

With several days of public holidays across many Asian countries during Eid, the Maldives presents an attractive option for families and expatriate communities seeking a tropical island escape within convenient flying distance.

“Asian markets continue to present strong potential for short-haul leisure travel to the Maldives, particularly during holiday periods such as Eid,” said Sharon Garrett, Director of Marketing & Sustainability at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives. “For many families, it’s an opportunity to combine the celebrations of Eid with a relaxing island holiday in a safe, welcoming environment surrounded by the natural beauty of the Maldives.”

Located in the South Malé Atoll, the resort is just 45 minutes by speedboat from the new Velana International Airport terminal in Male, making it one of the more accessible private island resorts for regional travellers arriving via key Asian aviation hubs such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Mumbai and Colombo.

To mark the Eid holiday period, the resort will host a special celebratory dinner and a programme of family-friendly activities, designed to bring guests together in the spirit of Eid. Visitors can also enjoy a wide range of island experiences, including snorkelling and scuba diving, as well as wellness treatments at Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala.

Families travelling with children are well catered for through the resort’s Kandoo Kids’ Club, alongside the popular IHG Kids Stay & Eat Free programme, which allows children under 13 to stay and dine free when sharing a room with their parents and dining from the kids’ menu when accompanied by adults in the resort’s restaurants.

Accommodation options range from garden and beach villas to spacious two-storey beach houses and overwater villas, appealing to couples and families alike. Two- and three-bedroom accommodation options are ideal for multi-generational families and small groups travelling together during the Eid holiday period.

As the Maldives tourism industry continues to diversify its source markets, regional Asian travellers remain an important segment, particularly during key holiday periods such as Eid.

More information about Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives can be found from the resort’s website. 

Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives has officially launch Connected Island Luxury, a refined brand positioning designed to align with the evolving motivations of today’s global traveller.

At the core of this strategic evolution are two experience-led stay pathways – Connect to Self and Connect to Others – curated to move beyond traditional resort offerings and deliver purposeful, emotionally resonant island journeys. Guests who book directly through the resort website can now add this stay enhancement to their room reservation, enjoying preferential rates and fully integrated experiences tailored to their stay.

Why Now: The Shift Toward Purpose-Driven Travel

The launch responds to clear global travel trends shaping 2026 and beyond:

• Wellness and renewal are now primary motivators for long-haul travel
• Quality time with loved ones consistently ranks as the leading reason to travel
• Guests increasingly prioritise immersive, authentic experiences
• Responsible and sustainable practices influence booking decisions more than ever before

Today’s luxury traveller is no longer seeking purely excess. They are seeking intention. Connected Island Luxury positions Grand Park Kodhipparu not around opulence, but around presence, meaning and connection—to self, to others and to the natural environment.

Connect to Self: Renewal in Its Purest Form

Designed for guests seeking clarity and restoration, Connect to Self is a bundle of experiences that introduces a curated rhythm of wellbeing-led experiences woven seamlessly into the island stay.

Days may begin with sunrise yoga overlooking the Indian Ocean. Afternoons unfold snorkelling lessons on the house reef and transition to evening spa rituals at the overwater spa. Lagoon-based watersports experiences offer moments of calm and stillness, complemented by sleep-enhancing spa therapies and nourishing, wellness-forward dining.

Rather than adding “activities,” Connect to Self creates a holistic journey—inviting guests to disconnect from noise and return home feeling genuinely renewed.

Connect to Others: Meaningful Moments, Shared

For couples, families and celebratory travellers, Connect to Others presents a bundle of experiences that transform shared experiences into defining memories.

Guests may glide across the lagoon in a clear kayak and return to enjoy an afternoon tea in a beach cabana. Private beach cinema evenings unfold beneath Maldivian skies, while FireDoor culinary journeys encourage storytelling and connection around the table placed on a transparent floor through to the lagoon below. Guided snorkelling on the house reef integrates marine insight and learning, elevating a leisure activity into an educational encounter. Bespoke anniversary and proposal experiences are crafted with thoughtful precision.

Curated by a Lifestyle Host, each Connected journey presents a bundle of related experiences around the resort that are intentionally cross-designed across spa, watersports, culinary and lifestyle teams—a collaborative “honeycomb” model that ensures seamless delivery and meaningful integration.

A Strategic Repositioning for a New Generation of Guests

Liz Smailes, Director of Marketing, explains: “Connected Island Luxury represents a deliberate repositioning of how we present Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives to the global market. Today’s travellers are searching by intention in addition to geography. They are seeking wellbeing, togetherness and experiences that carry emotional value.”

“Our responsibility is to answer why guests travel, not simply showcase what we offer. Connect to Self and Connect to Others create that emotional bridge—strengthening our premium positioning while clearly differentiating us within a competitive Maldives landscape.”

In a market increasingly shaped by comparison—including local island alternatives—the strategy reinforces rate integrity by elevating the narrative from facilities to experience design.

A New Chapter After Nine Years of Leadership

For Raffaele Solferino, General Manager, who has led the resort for over nine years since its opening in 2017, this launch signals a natural progression.

“Over the past nine years, we have built a strong foundation—from our overwater villas and award- winning spa to our vibrant house reef and culinary offering. This next chapter is about elevating how guests experience the island. Connected Island Luxury reflects who we already are—warm, intuitive and personal—but articulates it with greater clarity and integration,” he said.

“We are moving from offering activities to curating journeys. From presenting amenities to delivering meaning. It is an exciting evolution for our team and a new promise to every guest that they will leave our private island resort feeling better than the moment they arrived.”

In addition to being available as a preferential enhancement for direct website reservations, the Connected journeys will also be offered for purchase at the resort as curated experience bundles.

When purchased on island, these bundles provide a more advantageous rate than booking each element individually, while still maintaining the strongest value for guests who secure their Connected Island Luxury journey at the time of confirming their stay online. This tiered approach ensures flexibility for spontaneous decision-making, while rewarding early commitment through the most compelling bundled savings.

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, a 5-star resort within Sun Siyam’s Luxury Collection, celebrates the soulful fusion of coastal essence and premium Maldivian island living this Easter under the theme Salt & Spice. This curated programme harmonises the sea’s generosity with immersive cultural and gastronomic experiences.

The season’s centrepiece is an exclusive residency with Michelin-starred Chef Robin Pietsch. Recognised as “Gastronom of the Year” by Falstaff and a celebrated cookbook author, Chef Pietsch brings his signature precision to the Maldives with a Land & Sea wine-pairing event at Islander’s Grill. To offer a refined culinary experience, the chef is crafting bespoke Michelin-starred menus for the reimagined dining venues, including The Trio and Flavours, the resort’s Italian and French restaurants.

The Easter calendar evokes the spirit of elegant living through seafood nights, lobster barbecues by the shore, Japanese Teppanyaki pairings, and thematic evenings celebrating South Indian and Asian influences. These celebrations are complemented by the resort’s signature 24-hour Premium All-Inclusive Dine Around offering, allowing for effortless indulgence throughout the stay.

For families, the island transforms into a hub of discovery, from Easter Spice Art and cookie-crafting to the grand arrival of the Easter Bunny with a show on 5 April. The programme balances creativity with adventure, offering guests the chance to explore the deep blue through nurse shark or turtle safari excursions, or a quiet picnic lunch on a secluded island. As the sun sets, the Signature Experiences, Cinema by Moonlight experience aboard a traditional dhoni and Maldivian Roots cultural evenings offer a window into creative moments, local arts and traditions. Days conclude either to the rhythmic beat of Boduberu drums with a dance show performed by the locals or at curated DJ nights.

The Easter programme encourages guests to discover the deep blue of the Maldives through a curated excursion programme, including introductory dives, blue light snorkelling, and family excursions to the Nemo Garden underwater park. For restoration, the spa offers bespoke chocolate and spice therapies alongside nature-infused treatments inspired by Ayurvedic and Chinese traditions, each designed to offer families or couples a new sense of relaxation.

“Sun Siyam Iru Fushi invites multi-generational travellers to experience Premium Island Indulgence in newly reimagined, elegant villas, featuring a bespoke butler approach and moments that capture the heart. Our Easter Programme is meticulously curated to ensure every guest finds their ideal holiday experience. It retains the joyous and festive spirit we pride ourselves on sharing with our guest,” highlighted Abdulla Atham, Resort Manager.