News
Roxy-Pacific Holdings to renovate and rebrand Kuda-Funafaru

Maldives.net.mv – Property and hospitality group Roxy-Pacific Holdings has revealed plans for its newly acquired Maldives resort, Zitahli Kuda-Funafaru as the company has finalised the purchase of the Noonu Atoll property from AAA Group.
Roxy Pacific Managing Director Mr. Chris Teo confirmed that the resort will undergo extensive renovation of guest villas, public spaces and food & beverage (F&B) outlets before opening in the first quarter of 2017. Upon completion it will be the second property to be marketed under Roxy’s premium Noku brand. The first opened in Kyoto, Japan in November 2015.
“We are extremely excited to have completed the acquisition of this stunning property, our first in the Maldives. We look forward to turning it into an exceptional resort that will appeal to upmarket travelers looking for unique experiences in one of the most desirable destinations in the world,” says Mr. Teo. “This acquisition fits with our broader strategy of acquiring boutique properties in Asia Pacific’s up-and-coming locations.”
“As a Maldivian owned and independently managed resort, we are delighted to have found a buyer who would be committed to continuing to deliver the high standards of service and hospitality our team has strived for.” says Mr. Ahmed Hamza, Deputy Managing Director of AAA Group. “We welcome them to the Maldives and congratulate them on acquiring Zitahli Kuda-Funafaru.”
“This is a great outcome for both Roxy Pacific and the seller, AAA Group,” says Mr. Nihat Ercan, Executive Vice President, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group, Asia. “The Maldives is a global gateway resort destination. Coupled with its robust trading environment and investor-friendly policies, the country is a highly attractive destination for investors from Asia Pacific, Middle East and beyond. The sale of Zitahli Kuda-Funafaru is the eight resort transaction exclusively marketed and sold by JLL and underpins the depth of investment activity in the market.
“On the back of this momentum, we are continuing to market resorts in the Maldives and Indian Ocean exclusively on behalf of owners,” adds Mr. Ercan.
Zitahli Kuda-Funafaru Resort and Spa currently comprises 50 villas (30 over-water villas and 20 beach villas), four F&B outlets, a full-service spa, an ocean-front fresh water infinity pool, a state-of-the-art diving centre, a fitness centre with full-sized tennis court, and a luxury boutique.
There were a record 1.23 million tourist arrivals in the Maldives in 2015 and in the first quarter of 2016, there has been a 4.3 percent increase in visitors compared to the same period last year.
Visitors from China make up 29 percent of arrivals, making it the top tourism source market for the Maldives. The Indian Ocean archipelago continues to welcome a large number of visitors from Europe and between 2010 and 2015 the number of visitors from the Middle East more than tripled.
News
Cinnamon Maldives offers up to 80% off stays in 11.11 booking promotion
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives has announced its 11.11 offer, available only to guests who book direct. Guests who book by 14th November 2026 receive up to 80% off the rate and choose three of four book direct benefits at their chosen resort, with stays valid until 30th November 2027. Stays of three nights or more also come with resort credits.
The offer spans all four of its Maldives resorts, each with its own character and its own set of book direct benefits. Whether guests are planning a holiday with children, a quiet escape for two, or a week spent mostly underwater, there is an island and a combination of experiences to match. From beach dinners to dolphin watching, guests pick the three benefits that suit their holiday best, so no two stays need look the same.

Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives
Just 20 minutes from Malé in the North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is a lively tropical island where days move easily between the beach, the lagoon, and the reef. It is an easy choice for holidays with little ones, with short transfers and plenty to keep every age busy. Book direct guests can choose any three of a dinner set up on the sand under the stars, a spa treatment to unwind after a day in the sun, a visit to a nearby local island to see everyday Maldivian life up close, and a swim and snorkel session to meet the reef and its residents.

Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives
In the Vaavu Atoll, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives is made for slowing down. Warm white sand, clear water, and the steady sound of the waves set the pace, making it a natural fit for couples and travellers looking for a quieter stay. Book direct guests can choose any three of a beach dinner for two by the water, a spa treatment designed to help them switch off completely, a day of island hopping across the atoll, and a dolphin watching trip on the open sea.

Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives
An adults only island in the Meemu Atoll, Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives is where romance moves to the rhythm of the waves. With water villas set over the lagoon and long, unhurried days, it is a favourite for honeymoons, anniversaries, and couples who simply want time together. Book direct guests can choose any three of a sunset fishing trip as the sky turns gold, a day of island hopping, a bottle of bubbly to toast the occasion, and a kayaking experience across the calm lagoon.

Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon
In the North Ari Atoll, Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon opens up a new world underwater. Its house reef sits just steps from the shore, so divers and snorkellers can slip into the water from the beach and be among the reef life within minutes, any time of day. Book direct guests can choose any three of a beach dinner after a day in the ocean, a Balinese massage to ease tired muscles, a sunset fishing trip, and a dolphin safari to spot pods in the wild.

For bookings and enquiries, visit cinnamonhotels.com and the offer is available only on direct bookings made by 14th November 2026.
News
Bandos Maldives strengthens food safety and sustainability standards with dual recognition
Bandos Maldives continues to strengthen its commitment to responsible hospitality, quality and excellence with Food Safety Management System complaint with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) standards, and the achievement of its Green Globe Certification.
These accomplishments reflect the resort’s ongoing dedication to providing exceptional guest experiences while upholding high standards of food safety, environmental responsibility and sustainable operations.

The HACCP recognition reflects the resort’s dedication to maintaining high food safety and quality standards across its food and beverage operations, ensuring guests enjoy safe and quality dining experiences. It also recognises the collective efforts of the culinary, food and beverage, and stewarding teams in upholding these standards.
Complementing this commitment to quality, the resort’s Green Globe recertification marks another important milestone in its sustainability journey. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Maldives, Bandos Maldives recognises its responsibility to protect its island environment and the marine ecosystem that makes the destination so unique. With 1,330 solar panels generating 744.8 kWp of electricity and meeting approximately 30% of daily energy requirements, Bandos Maldives continues to invest in more sustainable operations. Through its desalination plants and refillable glass bottle initiative, the resort has also eliminated more than 250,000 single-use plastic water bottles annually. Marine conservation also remains another important focus.

Commenting on these achievements, General Manager Ismail Rasheed said: “We are delighted to achieve these important milestones, which reflect our team’s dedication to quality, guest wellbeing and environmental sustainability. While we are proud of our progress, we recognise that responsible hospitality is an ongoing journey. We remain committed to continuously improving our practices and protecting our island environment for future generations.”
Guided by its Island of Hospitality brand promise, Bandos Maldives believes that exceptional guest experiences go beyond warm service and comfortable accommodation. They also mean ensuring guest safety, maintaining quality and protecting the natural beauty of the island and its surrounding marine environment.
News
Nova Maldives embraces ‘Headspace Holidays’ trend with wellness experiences
Travel’s new benchmark for luxury isn’t showing off, but showing up rested, with KAYAK’s global travel forecast calling this shift the pursuit of “Headspace Holidays” and “Wellth trips,” where next-gen travellers measure a good trip by how recovered they feel, not how much they were able to cram into an itinerary.
Here’s our take on how you could build an escape around a Dopamine Menu at Nova Maldives, sampling little nuggets of joy daily rather than having one big thing to cross off and nothing left to anticipate afterwards, to suit your appetite for happiness.
Starters — Dipping into Softness
- Grounding Steps: Barefoot strolls around the island at mornings and sunsets, with group yoga sessions to drop into as they suit: Inner Strength for gentle asanas and breathwork, Hatha Yoga for an alignment-focused practice, and Surya Namaskar for building flexibility.
- House Reef Exploration: Snorkel alongside baby reef sharks in the shallows for a quiet, close-up glimpse of Nova’s underwater world just steps from shore.
- Breakfast, Two Ways: A Lagoon floating breakfast enjoyed within the villa, followed by an easy swim, or a buffet spread stocked with ‘Maldivian Flavours’ special small-bites, nourishing juices and smoothies at Soul Kitchen.

Mains — Gentle Landings for the Day
- The Deep Blue Plate: Embark on whale shark encounters within the waters of the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA), and dive with turtles and sharks at Broken Rock’s natural canyon, the sunken cargo ship turned artificial reef at Kudhi Maa wreck, and Madivaru Rangali’s Manta Point, one of the Maldives’ best-known manta cleaning stations
- Social Circles at Holhuashi: Held every Friday, gather beneath the banyan tree for Maldivian food pop-up stalls, bodu beru drumming, a Basmagu-Dhivehi language class, and a coconut harvesting demonstration.
- Soothing Island Remedies: Block time-off for Maldivian treatments that nourish the body and soul from within, choosing between the ‘Ruhgalu’ Herbal Bolus Therapy that makes use of heated herbal poultices to soothe the body, the Kaashi Naashi Ritual, using gliding warm coconut oil and shells across the body for deep relaxation, and the ‘Unbuli Veyo’ Island Healing Ritual, which melts tension away with a warm herbal leaf compress and full-body massage.

Sides & Specials — Curious Additions
- Coral & Reef Meanderings: Help plant your own coral frame on Nova’s house reef, with the option to name it, and join a guided reef clean-up alongside the resort’s marine team, leaving a small, lasting mark on the island long after checkout.
- Cooking on the Atolls: Learn to cook with the island’s own pantry, working hands-on with local ingredients like breadfruit, green mango, plantain, cassava, bitter gourd, coconut, wax gourd and banana blossom, guided by Nova’s culinary team.
- Sensual Frequencies: Sink into a guided sound bath using singing bowls, gongs, chimes, rain sticks and ocean drums, or crystal reiki healing session, channelling the cleansing energies of crystals for chakra alignment, both echoing the island’s own natural stillness.
- A Surprise Getaway: Reach a private sandbank by boat, left completely undisturbed, and watch the sunset melt into the horizon in total solitude, or share an intimate evening as a couple beneath an open, star-filled sky.

Specials — A Little Indulgence
- The Weightless Hour: For a softer introduction to diving, Nova’s signature Wellness Diving experience blends underwater yoga, floating meditation, buoyancy and breathwork sessions, a house reef exploration, and a PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty certification.
- Mizu Overwater Evenings: Dine above the water at Nova’s overwater pavilion, choosing from five multi-course sets (Umi Kara Shinsen, Nojo Shinsende Oishi, Kaiso and more) built around farm and ocean freshness, from sushi, temaki and teppanyaki grill to seaweed and vegetarian options.

Dessert — Sweet Endings
- Nightcap at Wink: Settle in at Wink Bar as live acoustic and jazz performances from the house bands set the mood, choosing from timeless classics to contemporary favourites, including a Peach & Rosemary Blossom (bourbon whisky, peach syrup, lemon wedges, rosemary syrup) and an Espresso Martini (vodka, Kahlúa, espresso shot, sugar).
Build a stay entirely to taste, with your own made-to-order holiday at Nova. With villas from £314/night on Full Board, and soulcation and advance-purchase offers available when booking direct at www.nova-maldives.com.
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