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Vilu Reef relaunched as Sun Aqua Vilu Reef

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Vilu Reef
Maldives.net.mv – The visionary Sun Aqua brand has announced the opening of its second property, the Sun Aqua Vilu Reef, a stunningly refurbished resort found on the beautiful bite-sized gem of Meedhuffushi Island in the heart of the South Nilandhe Atoll. The property is the second addition to the group after the Sun Aqua Pasikudah which opened earlier in 2015 on Sri Lanka’s North East coast.

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.

Vilu Reef

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.

Vilu Reef

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.

Cooking

International Chefs’ Day: Kabita Singh to cook live at Sun Siyam Olhuveli

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Sun Siyam Olhuveli Maldives will welcome award-winning food creator Kabita Singh, the personality behind Kabita’s Kitchen, for a special culinary residency in October to mark International Chefs’ Day on 20 October 2026.

Known for making everyday Indian cooking accessible to a wide audience, Singh will move from her digital kitchen to the Maldives, joining the resort’s culinary team for a live cooking experience created for guests.

The collaboration will bring together Singh’s approach to Indian cuisine — centred on familiar flavours, accessible recipes and an increasing focus on wholesome cooking — with Sun Siyam’s Plant Based Bliss philosophy, which promotes the nutritional and holistic benefits of plant-forward dining.

As part of the International Chefs’ Day celebrations, Singh will cook alongside Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s culinary team during a live session in front of resort guests. The experience will feature a specially curated selection of vegetarian, vegan and health-conscious dishes developed in collaboration with the resort’s chefs and inspired by Singh’s own cooking philosophy.

Guests will have the opportunity to watch Singh prepare the dishes, learn about the techniques and stories behind them, and sample her interpretation of plant-forward Indian cuisine in a Maldivian island setting.

Kabita’s Kitchen has grown from a home-cooking channel into one of India’s most widely followed food platforms, with approximately 14.6 million subscribers on YouTube alone. Singh has built her audience through content ranging from regional favourites and vegetarian staples to festive dishes, street-food classics and everyday family recipes.

Her influence within India’s food and digital content sector was recognised at the inaugural National Creators Award in 2024, where she received the Best Creator in Food Category award, presented by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“We are really excited to welcome Kabita to Olhuveli and bring a taste of Kabita’s Kitchen to the Maldives,” said Hassan Adil, General Manager of Sun Siyam Olhuveli.

“Food is such an important part of the way people connect, and this is about bringing our guests closer to the experience, watching Kabita cook, discovering the flavours and stories behind her dishes, and of course tasting them together. Her fresh, approachable style is a great match for our Plant Based Bliss philosophy, and celebrating International Chefs’ Day together with our own culinary team makes it even more special. We want dining at Olhuveli to be fun, social and full of moments that guests remember long after they leave the island.”

Located in South Malé Atoll, Sun Siyam Olhuveli is part of Sun Siyam’s Lifestyle Collection. The resort combines beach experiences, dining, entertainment, wellness and other activities within its broader island offering.

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Awards

Madifushi Private Island wins ‘Sensation of the Year’ at Global Destination Awards

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Madifushi Private Island has been named “Sensation of the Year” at the Global Destination Awards 2026, marking a proud milestone for the resort and its team. The award was presented during a gala ceremony held in Moscow, bringing together leading hospitality professionals, international brands, travel experts, celebrities, and media representatives.

Established by World Fashion Channel and Global Destination Group, the awards recognise achievements across the luxury travel and hospitality industry, with a focus on service, innovation, architecture, and distinctive guest experiences. This year’s ceremony honoured winners across 33 categories, spanning Russian and international hotels, resorts, destinations, and tourism businesses.

The evening provided Madifushi Private Island with an opportunity to showcase its identity and guest experiences to an audience of industry leaders and travel and lifestyle media.

“Anyone who has experienced Madifushi Private Island will understand why ‘Sensation of the Year’ feels so fitting,” said Mohamed Hilmy, General Manager of Madifushi Private Island. “There is something truly special about the island—the colours of the lagoon, the beauty of its beaches, and the sense of tranquility that invites you to slow down and take it all in. The island leaves an impression that stays with you long after you leave, and we are delighted to see it recognised in this way.”

For Madifushi Private Island, the award is a moment to celebrate the people behind the guest experience, from the teams welcoming visitors to those working behind the scenes. It also provides an opportunity to strengthen connections with travel partners and introduce the resort to travellers seeking their next true Maldivian escape.

Madifushi Private Island extends its appreciation to the award organisers, its guests, travel partners, and colleagues for their continued support. As the resort celebrates this achievement, its focus remains on thoughtful hospitality and creating memorable island experiences for every guest.

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Awards

JOALI BEING elevates to Three MICHELIN Keys for its island-wide well-living experience

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JOALI BEING, the transformative well-living island in the Maldives, celebrates a defining milestone as it is awarded Three MICHELIN Keys, progressing from Two Keys to the MICHELIN Guide’s highest hotel distinction.

The recognition marks an important moment in the evolution of JOALI BEING and celebrates its distinctive philosophy of the Joy of Well-Living, an invitation to experience wellbeing not as a temporary retreat, but as a more joyful, conscious and meaningful way of living.

More than a resort with a wellness offering, JOALI BEING was conceived as an entire island dedicated to well-living. Ancient wisdom and modern science, nature and biophilic design, nourishment, movement, mindfulness and meaningful connection come together to create an immersive environment where guests are invited to reconnect, discover and build a more conscious relationship with themselves.

At the heart of this journey is the pursuit of Weightlessness – a sense of freedom, lightness, energy and wonder – with experiences designed not only for the time spent on the island, but to inspire positive and sustainable changes that can continue beyond it.

A singular approach to the Joy of Well-Living

JOALI BEING approaches wellbeing as something deeply personal and interconnected. Its philosophy is centred around Four Pillars – Mind, Skin, Microbiome and Energy – creating a framework through which guests can explore their individual needs and aspirations.

Rather than following a predetermined definition of wellness, each journey is shaped around the individual. Personalised wellbeing programmes bring together expert guidance, ancient healing traditions and modern science, spanning movement, nutrition, mindfulness, restoration and holistic therapies. This integrative approach encourages guests to understand themselves more deeply, explore new practices and discover what well-living can mean within their own lives.

An entire island designed around transformation

At JOALI BEING, wellbeing extends far beyond the traditional boundaries of a spa. It is embedded into the architecture, landscape and rhythm of the island, with dedicated Transformational Spaces offering different pathways towards discovery and reconnection.

AREKA, the island’s wellbeing centre, brings together personalised experiences and specialised therapies. KAASHI Hydrotherapy Hall explores the restorative qualities of water and heat, while AKTAR, the herbology centre, invites guests to discover the properties and uses of herbs and essential oils. Sound becomes another pathway through SEDA and the Discovery Sound Path, while CORE creates an energising environment for fitness and movement.

Together, these spaces create a complete ecosystem for well-living, transforming the island itself into part of the guest’s personal journey of renewal and transformation.

Where nature and design become part of wellbeing

Nature is fundamental to the JOALI BEING experience. Conceived according to biophilic design principles, the island creates a continuous relationship between architecture and the natural environment. Across its 68 beachfront and overwater villas, wellbeing spaces and pathways, indoor and outdoor environments flow together with tropical greenery, water, light and open horizons.

Here, nature is not simply a backdrop. It becomes an active part of the journey, creating opportunities to slow down, reconnect and experience a deeper sense of presence.

Nourishment with joy at its heart

The philosophy of the Joy of Well-Living extends naturally to gastronomy, where mindful cuisine brings together nourishment, creativity and pleasure. Connected to the Microbiome pillar, the culinary experience encourages a greater understanding of the relationship between food and wellbeing while preserving the flavour, craftsmanship and social connection that make dining joyful.

Rather than defining wellbeing through restriction, JOALI BEING celebrates nourishment as a source of discovery and pleasure – reflecting the belief that meaningful change becomes more sustainable when joy remains at its centre.

Well-living for every generation

At JOALI BEING, wellbeing also unfolds through connection, curiosity, movement and play. B’Kidult welcomes younger guests and families with meaningful experiences that encourage shared well-living, allowing children and adults to explore nature, creativity, movement and discovery together.

This multigenerational approach expands the traditional idea of a wellbeing destination, creating an environment where the Joy of Well-Living can be explored at every stage of life.

From Two to Three MICHELIN Keys

The progression from Two to Three MICHELIN Keys represents a defining milestone in the journey of JOALI BEING and its continued evolution as a transformative well-living destination.

From its Four Pillars and personalised wellbeing journeys to its Transformational Spaces, biophilic design, mindful cuisine and multigenerational experiences, every dimension of JOALI BEING contributes to an environment where wellbeing is not treated as one element of the stay – it is the experience itself.

The achievement celebrates a philosophy that has guided JOALI BEING from the beginning: that well-living should feel inspiring rather than prescriptive, personal rather than predetermined, and joyful rather than restrictive.

Through the Joy of Well-Living, JOALI BEING continues to create a place where guests can feel lighter, happier and more energised, returning home with renewed perspective and meaningful practices to carry into everyday life.

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