Finolhu, a Seaside Collection Resort, is set to welcome renowned wellness practitioner Dr Tridendra Shakya for an exclusive residency at Fehi Spa from 15 December 2026 to 31 January 2027. Set against the tranquil backdrop of the Maldives’ UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Baa Atoll, the residency invites guests to explore a more mindful approach to wellbeing through personalised treatments, traditional healing practices and restorative experiences.

Hailing from Kathmandu, Nepal, Dr Shakya brings 17 years of experience in naturopathy and holistic wellbeing, drawing upon ancient Eastern healing philosophies and contemporary wellness practices. His approach centres on understanding each individual’s needs, combining therapeutic techniques with lifestyle guidance to encourage relaxation, balance and a deeper connection between mind and body.

Throughout his seven-week residency, Dr Shakya will offer a carefully curated selection of therapies encompassing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture, reflexology, cupping, manipulative massage and therapeutic yoga. Personalised wellness consultations, incorporating pulse diagnosis alongside lifestyle and nutritional guidance, will allow guests to explore treatments tailored to their individual wellbeing goals.

Among the signature experiences is Yin & Pin, a combination of gentle passive stretching and acupuncture designed to encourage deep relaxation and release muscular tension. Acu-Massage brings together acupuncture, Marma point massage and traditional cupping techniques, while the Head to Toe Reviver draws upon the principles of reflexology to provide a restorative experience particularly suited to travellers seeking relaxation after a long journey.

The programme also explores the relationship between movement, breath and mindfulness. Therapeutic yoga sessions incorporate supportive postures, breathing exercises and meditation techniques adapted to individual needs. Guests can also discover Motion Meditation, blending the graceful movements of Tai Chi and Qi Gong with mindful breathing, or experience Yoga Nidra, a guided meditation practice that encourages profound relaxation and mental stillness.

For those seeking a more personalised wellness journey, the residency includes specialised experiences focusing on sleep, stress management, spinal care and traditional yogic cleansing practices. Each experience begins with an assessment, allowing Dr Shakya to tailor his approach to the guest’s individual preferences and wellbeing objectives.

The residency complements Finolhu’s existing wellness offering at Fehi Spa, where the island’s natural beauty provides an inviting setting for relaxation and rejuvenation. Surrounded by turquoise waters, powder-soft beaches and lush tropical vegetation, the resort offers an opportunity to step away from everyday routines and embrace a slower, more considered pace of life.

With its distinctive blend of barefoot luxury, contemporary design and immersive island experiences, Finolhu continues to introduce thoughtfully curated programmes that enrich the guest journey. Dr. Shakya’s residency adds a new dimension to the resort’s wellness offering, inviting guests to incorporate moments of restoration and self-discovery into their Maldivian escape.

Dr Tridendra Shakya’s residency will take place at Fehi Spa from 15 December 2026 to 31 January 2027. Complimentary initial consultations are available, with advance reservations recommended. For further information or reservations, guests may visit www.finolhu.com or contact stay@finolhu.com.

V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection will host an exclusive Hunter’s Wine Dinner on Monday, 16 November 2026, inviting guests to experience an evening of fine wine, thoughtful gastronomy and personal storytelling from one of Marlborough’s pioneering family-owned wineries.

The evening will be hosted by James Macdonald, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Winemaker at Hunter’s Wines, alongside Chelsea Macdonald and sommelier Khail van Niekerk of Grape Expectations Maldives.

Part of the founding family, James holds a degree in Oenology and Viticulture from Lincoln University and has completed several vintages overseas. Today, he helps lead Hunter’s Wines while preserving the winery’s signature Marlborough character and guiding its continued evolution.

Founded in 1979 by Ernie and Jane Hunter, Hunter’s is Marlborough’s oldest independent winery under continuous family ownership. Its internationally recognized wines reflect more than four decades of winemaking expertise, innovation and respect for the land.

For this special occasion, the culinary team at V Villas Maldives at Mirihi will present a curated menu designed to complement a selection of Hunter’s wines. The featured collection is expected to include MiruMiru sparkling wine, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rose, Pinot Noir and Gewurztraminer, guiding guests through the diversity and distinctive character of Marlborough.

Throughout the dinner, James will share the stories behind the wines, the Hunter family journey and the winemaking philosophy that has helped establish Marlborough as one of the world’s most celebrated wine regions.

“V Villas Maldives at Mirihi is committed to creating memorable experiences that connect our guests with exceptional personalities, craftsmanship and stories from around the world. We are delighted to welcome James and Chelsea Macdonald and to offer our guests an intimate discovery of Hunter’s Wines in the distinctive setting of Mirihi” said Mohamed Shareef, General Manager of V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection.

The event reflects the resort’s approach to experiential dining, where refined cuisine, a carefully curated wine programme and Mirihi’s intimate island atmosphere come together to create meaningful moments for guests.

V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection is an intimate private-island resort in South Ari Atoll. Set amid a renowned house reef and surrounded by the natural beauty of the Maldives, the resort brings together contemporary island living, personalized service, distinctive culinary experiences and meaningful encounters inspired by the spirit of Mirihi.

The resort features 42 villas, two restaurants, AKOYA Sea Lounge, Mirihi Spa, a wine cellar offering more than 300 labels, and a collection of ocean, wellness and cultural experiences.

Manhattan Grand Hotel, a 162-room five-star property in Hulhumalé, was officially inaugurated on Saturday, 7 November 2026, marking the completion of a long-delayed hospitality development originally initiated by State Trading Organisation (STO) more than two decades ago.

The hotel was inaugurated by Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises Hassan Zareer during a ceremony held in Hulhumalé Phase 1. The opening marks a new chapter for the former STO City Hotel project, which remained unfinished for years despite substantial investment and repeated efforts to complete or sell the property.

Located approximately 10 minutes from Velana International Airport, Manhattan Grand Hotel has been developed to accommodate business travellers, transit passengers, leisure visitors and long-stay guests, while providing facilities for meetings, conferences, exhibitions and social events.

The property features 162 rooms and suites across eight accommodation categories, including city-view and sea-view rooms, deluxe accommodation and junior suites. Its facilities include four food and beverage outlets, an outdoor swimming pool, a spa and wellness centre, and a fitness centre.

A central feature of the hotel is its meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) infrastructure. The property offers three major event halls, measuring approximately 700, 400 and 390 square metres, alongside dedicated meeting rooms and conference facilities. The venues have been developed to accommodate corporate conferences, exhibitions, annual general meetings, weddings, banquets and other large-scale gatherings.

The hotel’s architectural concept draws inspiration from Hukuru Miskiy, the historic Friday Mosque in Malé, incorporating elements of traditional Maldivian craftsmanship into its contemporary design. Marketed under the concept ‘Live the Heritage’, the property aims to combine local cultural influences with modern urban hospitality.

Manhattan Grand Hotel is operated by World of Business Pvt Ltd, with foreign investment from UAE-based Deep Seafood Company. The redevelopment was formalised through an agreement with Housing Development Corporation (HDC) in August 2025, under an arrangement involving 50 per cent foreign investment.

The property’s development history dates back to 2006, when STO approved plans to establish a city hotel in Hulhumalé as part of efforts to generate foreign currency revenue. Construction of the originally proposed 250-room five-star hotel began in 2011, following plans involving the US-based Carlson Hotel Group.

However, the development encountered repeated delays, leaving the building unfinished for more than a decade. STO subsequently explored several options to dispose of or complete the property before arrangements were made with HDC to facilitate its redevelopment.

The revised development also incorporates approximately three and a half floors designated for government-related facilities, including a media village, youth centre, heritage college and medical college.

Ahead of its formal inauguration, Manhattan Grand Hotel had already begun hosting hospitality industry events. The property hosted Food & Hospitality Asia Maldives (FHAM) 2026 from 7 to 9 September, bringing together hospitality suppliers, industry professionals and international exhibitors.

The hotel’s official opening adds a substantial accommodation and events facility to the Greater Malé region, supporting the growing demand for city-based hospitality services, corporate gatherings and accommodation close to the country’s main international airport.

The completion of the former STO City Hotel project also brings an end to one of Hulhumalé’s longest-running unfinished hospitality developments, converting the property into a functioning hotel and events destination.