Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has announced that it has been recognised as a finalist in the prestigious SPA Star Awards 2025 in the International Category. This esteemed recognition celebrates outstanding achievements, innovative offerings, and pioneering wellness concepts in the global spa and wellness industry.

A panel of industry experts has carefully selected Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives as one of the standout finalists, recognizing its commitment to exceptional spa experiences and holistic wellness. The winners of the SPA Star Awards 2025 will be officially announced during the highly anticipated FORUM SPA inside gala evening on June 2, 2025.

This recognition further cements Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives as a premier wellness destination, offering world-class spa experiences that blend luxury with tranquillity. The nomination not only underscores the resort’s dedication to excellence but also provides a platform to showcase its unique approach to wellness to a global audience.

Nestled in the heart of the Maldives, Kuda Villingili Resort is a luxurious island retreat that seamlessly combines contemporary elegance with authentic Maldivian charm. Its world-class spa is a sanctuary of relaxation, featuring an array of holistic therapies, rejuvenating treatments, and serene overwater treatment villas designed to promote total well-being. With expert therapists, time-honoured wellness programs, and a peaceful ambiance, the spa at Kuda Villingili offers guests an unparalleled escape into rejuvenation and self-care.

“We are truly humbled and honoured to be a finalist in the prestigious SPA Star Awards 2025. At Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, wellness is at the core of everything we do— offering our guests a sanctuary where they can reconnect, rejuvenate, and find balance in the beauty of nature. This nomination is a celebration of our passion for holistic well-being, heartfelt hospitality, and the transformative power of meaningful spa experiences,” said Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives.

The SPA Star Awards 2025 is a premier event that celebrates excellence in spa and wellness. The awards ceremony, held during the FORUM SPA inside gala evening, will offer networking opportunities, expert discussions, and recognition of the industry’s most innovative spa concepts.

From mid-April, all nominees, including Kuda Villingili, will be featured on the official SPA Star Awards website, on FORUM SPA inside social media platforms, and in the May/June issue of SPA inside magazine. Readers, guests, and wellness enthusiasts will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite spa and wellness destination until mid of May for the Audience Award.

Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives invites its valued guests, partners, and supporters to join this exciting journey and cast their votes in support of this remarkable achievement.

To vote for your favourite resort, simply send an email to vote-spastar@redspa.de with “Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives” as the subject line. Every vote counts—and as a bonus, all participants will be entered into an exciting prize draw.

The Prize includes a luxurious four-day wellness holiday for two at one of the Best Alpine Wellness Hotels in Austria and South Tyrol.

Voting is open until 11 May 2025, so don’t miss the chance to support your favourite island wellness sanctuary and win an unforgettable escape to the Alps.

The private island Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives welcomes the return of Active Escapes fitness retreats 27 April to 4 May, with the 2025 F45 Festival added to the annual event line-up. Running 22-29 September 2025, the F45 Festival at Kandooma Maldives is a highlight on the Active Escapes event calendar, and perfect for those who like to combine fitness with their vacation.

“Everyone’s idea of the perfect holiday is different. For some of our guests, it’s all about soaking up the sun, taking ocean dips, and sipping cocktails until sunset – and that sounds pretty amazing. But for others, it is about staying active, trying new things and connecting with like-minded people. That’s where Active Escapes shine – creating unforgettable getaways tailored for those who want more than just a holiday in the sun. We are thrilled to welcome Active Escapes back to Kandooma again this year offering the ultimate balance of fitness, adventure and relaxation in our tropical island paradise.” said Sharon Garrett, Director of Marketing, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives.

Active Escapes curates experiences that cater to diverse preferences. From water-based activities like snorkelling and kayaking to scuba-diving and more. Beyond the aqua-centric pursuits, there is time for holistic well-being too. Think yoga sessions against the backdrop of a breathtaking sunrise or sunset. A visit to the Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala in the resort gardens or just taking a moment to breathe and reflect by the beach with the sounds of the waves enveloping you. Active Escapes emphasises not only the thrill of leisure pursuits and group fitness activities but also the tranquillity and grounding that can be attained by embracing nature’s beauty and being in the present at this island paradise.

F45 workouts combine elements of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), circuit training, and functional training aiming to achieve real and noticeable change. An F45 workout can burn 400-600 calories, delivering an amazing, post-workout euphoria, in 45-minutes.

Joining an Active Escapes Retreat or the F45 Festival isn’t about going without. Guests are welcomed with mouthwatering cuisine crafted by the resort’s culinary team led by Chef Eddie Ng complemented by an impressive selection of drinks. The philosophy is simple: train hard by day while having fun and indulge guilt-free at night.

The Active Escapes getaways are all about having fun with other like-minded people from around the globe. It’s a welcoming environment where the hope is you will leave a bit fitter than when you arrived in the Maldives, but the ultimate decision is yours. You can participate in everything and go hard-core or pick and choose. There are varying degrees of difficulty in the programme to ensure those seeking to work out super hard feel challenged and those who need to be a little less intense in their workouts feel well catered for.

Active Escapes are particularly popular with solo-travellers, who make up half of their bookings globally. The main age-group is 20-40 years, however on occasion there have been guests in their late 50s.

The seven-night Active Escapes F45 Festival 2025 hosts have been confirmed as Alice Evans, Cristina Chan and John Karpathakis.

Packages start from US$2,800 per person twin share (excluding flights) and US$3,700 for a single room. Packages include:

• 7 Nights accommodation
• Day 1 is arrival day and boat transfers are included at any time from Male Airport
• Brunch and dinner included daily (except arrival day)
• All fitness workouts
• Yoga sessions
• Choose your activity (Surfing, SUP, Shark Snorkeling)
• Snorkel Maldives Reef Boat Trip
• Free scuba diving
• Breath work and Ice baths
• Live music and DJ’s
• Open Mic Night
• Themed Party Day
• Reverse Raffle – Lots of prizes to be won!
• Photo Package
• Active Escapes Welcome Pack

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has a variety of different room types. Ask about upgrading to a Beach House or Overwater Villa – upgrade charges apply. Payment plans are also available taking the US$400 deposit now and the remaining amount split into regular payments up until the retreat. Note that package prices quoted are likely to increase as the event draws closer. All prices are quoted in US dollars and subject to local taxes and Maldives mandatory green fees.

Active Escapes operates fitness retreats year-round in locations all over the world – Bali, Maldives, Noosa, Byron Bay, South Africa, Greece, Thailand, New Zealand and more!

In a harmonious blend of serenity and expertise, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is set to host renowned visiting practitioner Emiliana Pappalardi for a limited-time residency from April 12 to 28. This exclusive offering promises a bespoke wellness experience designed to redefine the journey toward holistic renewal.

Emiliana Pappalardi, a distinguished multidisciplinary therapist with over 15 years of experience at some of the world’s most esteemed wellness sanctuaries, brings a unique fusion of ancient healing practices and contemporary therapeutic techniques. Her sessions incorporate a diverse range of modalities, including Ayurveda, sound healing, Reiki, Yoga Nidra, and Naad Yoga. Each treatment is deeply personalised, intuitive, and transformative, offering guests a restorative journey that goes beyond traditional relaxation.

Emiliana’s holistic approach seeks to realign the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of well-being. Her treatments are immersive and integrative, harmonising Eastern wisdom with Western innovation. Each session creates a sacred space for renewal, where vital energy is restored and the senses are fully awakened.

Set within the breathtaking surroundings of the Dhaalu Atoll, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort provides a stunning stage for Emiliana’s residency. The Iridium Spa, perched above the turquoise waters, features six overwater treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy pool, and sweeping views of the Indian Ocean—an ideal sanctuary for transformative healing.

For those seeking the pinnacle of luxury, the resort offers premium villa accommodations. The John Jacob Astor Estate, the largest overwater villa in the Maldives, spans an expansive 1,725 square meters and features a private infinity pool, spa suites, and panoramic ocean vistas. The Caroline Astor Estate, nestled along the beach, offers a spacious private pool, elegantly appointed master bedrooms, and a secluded terrace for peaceful retreat. Both estates embody refined comfort and come with the hallmark St. Regis Butler service. Whether enjoying a sunset from an overwater deck or strolling the pristine shoreline, these villas provide an exquisite setting for rest and rejuvenation.

Earlier this month, the resort welcomed guests to experience The Healing Hour with Mariko Hiyama, featuring her celebrated facial reflexology and holistic therapies. Her residency concluded on April 4, leaving behind a trail of revitalised guests.