News
Marriott International completes acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, creating world’s largest hotel company

Maldives.net.mv – Marriott International, Inc. has completed its acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., creating the world’s largest and best hotel company. Marriott now offers the most comprehensive portfolio of brands including leading lifestyle brands, a significant global footprint, and leadership in the luxury and select-service tiers as well as the convention and resort segment. Beginning today, Marriott will match member status across Marriott Rewards – which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards – and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), enabling members to transfer points between the programs for travel and exclusive experiences when they link their accounts later today.
“Throughout our nearly 90-year history we have never stopped searching for innovative ways to serve our guests. With the addition of Starwood’s strong brands, great properties, and talented people, we have dramatically expanded our ability to provide the best experiences to our customers. We also welcome the tremendous responsibility as the world’s largest hotel company to be a good global steward, providing new opportunities for our associates and building the economic strength of the communities we call home,” said J.W. Marriott, Jr., Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Marriott International.
“We believe that Marriott now has the world’s best portfolio of hotel brands, the most comprehensive global footprint, and the most extensive loyalty programs, providing an unparalleled guest experience. Combining Starwood’s brands with ours better enables Marriott to reach our goal of having the right brand in the right place to serve our loyal guests and welcome new ones,” said Arne Sorenson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Marriott International. “We can now provide a better range of choices for our guests, more opportunities for our associates, and greater financial benefits for our owners, franchisees, and shareholders.”
The new company will operate or franchise more than 5,700 properties and 1.1 million rooms, representing 30 leading brands from the moderate-tier to luxury in over 110 countries. With the completion of this acquisition, Marriott’s distribution has more than doubled in Asia and the Middle East & Africa combined.
Marriott Rewards – which includes the Ritz-Carlton Rewards – and SPG are the most recognized and awarded loyalty programs in hospitality. Together, these programs will offer members more benefits when they link their accounts, as well as new destinations such as Aruba, Tuscany’s Serchio Valley and Kruger National Park in South Africa for SPG members and the Maldives, Bora Bora and Santorini, Greece for Marriott Rewards and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards members.
“Marriott will draw upon the very best each program offers and we can’t wait to show the loyal members of these programs the power and benefits of Marriott and Starwood coming together,” said Stephanie Linnartz, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Commercial Officer.
Meditation
Angsana Velavaru unveils new wellness journeys with Shubhangi Chauhan

Angsana Velavaru, a secluded island retreat in the South Nilandhe Atoll, unveils a new chapter in its guest experience this May with the launch of a curated wellness yoga programme – a purposeful and poised invitation to return to the essential of wellbeing. Rooted in the resort’s ongoing commitment to mindful, holistic travel, the offering marks a quiet evolution that creates spaces not only to unwind, but to reconnect with oneself in meaningful, grounded ways.
Designed with quiet intention, the new yoga programme blends classical techniques with contemporary needs. Complimentary morning and afternoon sessions guide guests through Sunrise Flow, Breath & Balance, and Hatha Yoga – practices that anchor the body and reset the nervous system. Each class is held in an open-air pavilions or beachfront space, where the movement of the ocean and the softness of natural light lend their own quiet support.
For those seeking more immersive practice, chargeable sessions explore deeper dimensions of stillness and release – from Pranayama and Yin Yoga to guided Meditation and Restorative Sunset Yoga. The programme is supported by trained instructor who focus not on performance, but on personal connection and presence. Private sessions are also available, offering tailored approaches for guests who wish to explore their practice more intimately – whether for physical balance or emotional clarity.
Wellbeing at Angsana Velavaru extends beyond the mat. Tucked within the island’s lush greenery, the award winning Angsana Spa offers a distinctive approach to bodywork and healing. Treatments are rooted in time-honoured Asian traditions and delivered with intuitive care. From soothing body polishes to tension releasing massages, each therapy is designed to restore energy gently and naturally. Warm, grounding hospitality and the spa’s contemporary design create an atmosphere of calm- where the body can soften and the mind can finally slow.
To mark Global Wellness Day from 13 to 15 June, Angsana Velavaru welcomes Shubhangi Chauhan, certified holistic wellness coach and founder of WITHIN, for a special guest residency. Her personal story – a transformative journey from physical burnout to deep self-discovery – now forms the foundation of global movement supporting mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. Today, WITHIN is home to a team of 23 practitioners, offering coaching, emotional support, and mindset guidance across continents.
During her residency, Shubhangi will lead a thoughtfully curated programme featuring strength and breathwork sessions, yoga for flexibility and inner balance, and a Wellness Circle exploring mental clarity, nutrition, and community care. A signature session – a blindfold Free Flow Dance followed by Yoga Nidra – invites guests into a rare space of surrender and emotional release.
The collaboration reflects broader philosophy at Angsana Velavaru – that wellbeing is not about routine but rhythm. Not about escape, but return. And that sometimes, the most powerful transformation happens not in movements but in stillness.
At Angsana Velavaru, wellness is an experience of depth, presence, and purpose. Reconnect with your inner rhythm through yoga, discover healing through spa rituals and take part in a transformative wellness collaboration on an island made for renewal.
To learn more about Shubhangi’s residency programme and secure your place for Global Wellness Day, visit the resort’s website.
Awards
TripAdvisor honours Ifuru Island Maldives in top 10% of hotels for 2025

Ifuru Island Maldives has announced that it has been recognised as a winner in the prestigious Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards 2025, placing the resort in the top 10% of hotels worldwide.
This achievement celebrates businesses that consistently deliver fantastic experiences to travellers around the globe, having earned outstanding traveler reviews on Tripadvisor over the past 12 months. Ifuru Island Maldives stood out by delighting guests with its warm hospitality, vibrant experiences, and the one-of-a-kind Exclusively Yours Premium All Inclusive concept.
“We are thrilled to receive this award, especially because it comes directly from our guests’ feedback,” said Marcel Sawyer, General Manager of Ifuru Island Maldives. “Our passionate team pours their heart into creating unforgettable moments for every guest, and this recognition is a true reflection of their dedication and the magic of our island.”
Ifuru Island Maldives has quickly become a sought-after destination for travellers looking to connect, unwind, and celebrate life in style. With its unique Exclusively Yours Premium All Inclusive offering, guests enjoy a seamless holiday experience filled with culinary variety, curated entertainment, and a vibrant social lifestyle concept that brings people together. From spacious suites with direct beach access to immersive island experiences and warm, genuine service, Ifuru Island delivers exceptional value for money without compromising on quality or guest satisfaction.
Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards honour travellers’ favourite destinations, hotels, restaurants, and activities around the world. Winners are determined based on the quality and quantity of reviews and ratings over a 12-month period.
News
Experience luxury, tradition, togetherness this Eid al-Adha at Kuda Villingili Resort

Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives invites guests to an unforgettable Eid al-Adha celebration from June 6 to 10, 2025—a time where heartfelt traditions seamlessly blend with the resort’s signature barefoot luxury. This special holiday is marked with a thoughtfully curated program that embraces the spirit of gratitude, togetherness, and island-inspired joy, offering the perfect setting for families and friends to come together.
Guests are welcomed into a rich tapestry of cultural and culinary experiences throughout the five-day celebration. The resort’s culinary team, in collaboration with the renowned Qureishi brothers, will present The Spice Caravan, a Middle Eastern fusion 5-course set lunch steeped in the heritage of Awadhi and Arabic cuisine. The festivities culminate in a lavish Grand Island Feast at The Restaurant, featuring Middle Eastern and Maldivian specialties under the stars, with live Bodu Beru, a spirited band, and family-friendly entertainment.
Evenings are transformed into elegant island soirées with Shisha & Beats featuring a live DJ, premium shisha, and exclusive signature mocktails such as Genie’s Delight— crafted with hibiscus, ginger, coconut, and cardamom. Guests can also enjoy sunset happy hours and exclusive offers across various dining venues, including MED Restaurant and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi.
For the little ones, the Kuda Fiyo Kids Club offers daily Eid-themed adventures—from henna art and traditional dances to interactive crafts, treasure hunts, and cupcake decorating—creating a vibrant and meaningful holiday for families. Meanwhile, those seeking ocean thrills can join Eid Ocean Adventures, including dolphin cruises, snorkelling excursions, fishing trips, and immersive local island tours.
To unwind and renew, the resort’s spa offers bespoke Eid wellness experiences with expertly curated treatments, including rejuvenating scrubs, facials, Ayurvedic therapies, and soothing aloe vera massages, each designed to restore balance and radiance.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives is a haven where the celebration of Eid al-Adha becomes even more special. With its collection of spacious multi-bedroom villas—ideal for families or groups of friends—and a wealth of family-oriented activities and marine excursions, the resort is the perfect island escape. Guests are invited to reconnect with loved ones and the serene beauty of the Maldives, where cultural richness and elevated hospitality unite in harmony.
To enhance the celebration, Kuda Villingili extends a Blissful Eid al-Adha offer crafted for luxury and togetherness. For stays of 4 nights and above, guests will enjoy complimentary return shared speedboat transfers, daily breakfast, and a refined three-course dinner at select dining venues. The experience is elevated with a 60-minute aromatherapy massage for two, a serene sunset cruise, and a vibrant snorkeling excursion, each offered once during the stay. Families are warmly welcomed, with children under 12 staying and dining for free from the kids’ menu. To make the Eid escape even more rewarding, guests receive up to USD 150 in resort credit per villa, with an enhanced USD 300 credit for stays over seven nights. This special Eid offer is valid for bookings and stays until 30 June 2025.
This Eid al-Adha, let Kuda Villingili be your sanctuary of celebration, culture, and coastal elegance.
View Kuda Villingili’s Eid Special Programme here. To discover more about Kuda Villingili’s special offers, visit the resort’s website or contact reservations@kudavillingili.com.
-
Featured1 week ago
Ayada Maldives earns elite recognition in 2025 Travellers’ Choice Awards
-
Featured1 week ago
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort hosts five-day yoga retreat for International Yoga Day
-
Family1 week ago
The Nautilus Maldives redefines children’s spaces with ecoBirdy
-
Featured1 week ago
Summer Island Maldives named among top 10% of hotels worldwide by TripAdvisor
-
Featured1 week ago
Tripadvisor honours Constance Moofushi among Best of the Best Luxury Hotels in Asia
-
Cooking1 week ago
Exquisite culinary journey awaits at Cinnamon Velifushi’s Marlin
-
News6 days ago
Exclusive private island escape at Intercontinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
-
Awards5 days ago
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives recognised among ‘Reader’s Favourite Overseas Hotels’ by Travel + Leisure China 2024