Canareef Resort Maldives is expanding its wellness programme with a broader range of yoga, meditation and holistic experiences led by Karan Kumar, Yoga Professional and Holistic Healer.

Based at Canareef as an in-house Wellness Practitioner, Karan brings extensive experience inyoga, meditation, Reiki and energy healing, with a professional career spanning wellness centres and resorts in India and the Maldives.

His approach combines traditional yogic practices with contemporary wellness experiences, allowing guests to participate in structured group sessions or choose personalised one-to-one experiences according to their individual preferences.

A strong foundation in yoga and wellness

Karan holds a Master’s Degree in Yogic Science & Healing from Uttarakhand Sanskrit University, Haridwar, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Yoga Therapies from Kaivalyadhama Yoga Ashram, Lonavla. His training also includes a Yoga Instructor Certificate from Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (SVAYASA) and a Teacher Training Course through Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram in Kerala. He has also completed a 10-day Vipassana self-observation meditation course.

His professional experience includes teaching and facilitating wellness programmes across both India and the Maldives. In the Maldives, he has worked with Soneva Jaani, The Standard Maldives, SO/ Maldives, Kuredhivaru Resort and Spa and ERI Maldives, gaining experience across yoga instruction, spa and wellness operations, meditation, sound healing, Reiki and energy-based practices.

At The Standard Maldives, where he served as Spa Supervisor and Wellness Coordinator, Karan conducted yoga, sound healing and meditation sessions while also developing personalised wellness plans and overseeing spa operations. His subsequent roles at SO/ Maldives and ERI Maldives further expanded his experience in personalised holistic treatments, Reiki, guided meditation and energy healing.

Wellness from sunrise to sunset

At Canareef, guests can discover wellness experiences throughout their stay, with both group and private sessions available.

The programme includes Sunrise Yoga and Sunset Yoga, allowing guests to begin or end their day with movement, breath and mindfulness in the natural surroundings of the island.

Guests can also participate in Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Yin and Restorative Yoga, alongside Sun Salutations and dedicated breathwork sessions. Private one-to-one sessions provide a more personalised approach, with practices adapted to the guest’s experience, preferences and individual wellness goals.

Breathwork and Pranayama form an important part of the programme, introducing guests to traditional breathing practices designed to encourage awareness, relaxation and a greater connection between movement and breath.

For those looking beyond conventional yoga, Canareef’s wellness programme also includes guided meditation, sound meditation, sound baths, Tibetan singing bowl experiences, Reiki, energy healing and chakra healing.

These experiences complement the resort’s spa and wellness facilities while giving guests a choice of different ways to relax and reconnect during their holiday. Karan’s professional training includes yoga therapy, meditation, Reiki, energy healing, sound bath and Tibetan singing bowl healing, chakra balancing and Yoga Nidra.

A new full moon experience

One of the newest additions to the Canareef wellness calendar is a monthly Full Moon Meditation, held at the resort’s Yoga Shala beneath the full moon.

Each month’s session is given a different name inspired by the lunar cycle, creating a changing theme for guests to experience throughout the year.

The previous session was themed around the Sturgeon Moon, while this month’s programme is dedicated to the Harvest Moon.

The sessions are designed to create a dedicated period for meditation and reflection, using the natural setting of the Yoga Shala and the full moon as part of the experience.

The monthly programme also offers returning guests something new to discover, creating a regular wellness ritual that changes from month to month.

Wellness designed around the guest

Karan’s experience across yoga, holistic healing and resort wellness allows Canareef to offer a flexible programme rather than a single approach to wellness.

For guests who simply want to add some movement to their holiday, a sunrise or sunset yoga class provides an accessible introduction. Those looking for deeper relaxation can explore meditation, breathwork or sound-based experiences, while private sessions allow guests to spend more time working individually with Karan.

His background in yoga therapy and anatomy, combined with his experience in personalised wellness programmes, also supports an approach where sessions can be adapted to different levels of experience and individual requirements.

Beyond his daily wellness sessions, Karan has also been involved in organising and delivering larger wellness initiatives, including World Wellness Day and International Day of Yoga programmes at SO/ Maldives, World Wellness Weekend activities, and wellness collaborations with Puma Middle East and Seva Dubai during his time at The Standard Maldives. Rather than requiring guests to follow a fixed wellness itinerary, Canareef’s programme allows each traveller to create their own balance of relaxation, movement and mindfulness during their stay.

With its spacious island environment in Addu Atoll, Canareef provides a setting where wellness can extend beyond the Yoga Shala – from a quiet moment overlooking the lagoon to a walk at sunset or simply taking time to slow down.

Through its expanded wellness programme and Karan’s holistic approach, Canareef continues to offer guests another way to experience the island: with time to move, breathe, relax and reconnect.

You & Me Maldives has been named Best Adults-Only Resort at the Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) Awards 2026, recognising the resort’s positioning, guest experiences and continued focus on adults-only hospitality in the Maldives.

The award was presented during the TTM Awards & Gala 2026, held at CROSSROADS Maldives on 27 August 2026, marking the conclusion of the 10th edition of TTM Maldives. The annual awards recognise achievements, innovation and contributions across the Maldivian tourism industry.

Located in Raa Atoll, You & Me Maldives has established itself as an adults-only retreat catering to couples, honeymooners, friends and solo travellers seeking privacy and tranquillity.

The resort combines its island setting with accommodation, personalised service and experiences centred on romance, wellness, gastronomy and exploration, creating an intimate environment designed specifically for adult travellers.

The recognition comes as You & Me Maldives marks seven years of operations and welcoming guests from around the world.

“As we celebrate this important milestone, we are deeply grateful to our loyal guests, partners, and dedicated team members who have been part of this journey,” said Mohamed Imthiyaz, General Manager of You & Me Maldives.

“These seven years represent not only growth and success, but countless love stories, memories, and unforgettable experiences created on our island. Receiving the ‘Best Adults-Only Resort’ award at the TTM Awards is a tremendous honour and a reflection of the passion and dedication of our entire team.”

The Best Adults-Only Resort award further strengthens You & Me Maldives’ position within the Maldives’ luxury hospitality sector, recognising its focus on combining an adults-only concept with personalised service and island experiences.

Looking ahead, You & Me Maldives plans to continue developing its concept and guest experience through new activities, offerings and services, while maintaining its focus on the adults-only luxury segment in the Maldives.

The festive season often brings some of the simplest moments into focus: long lunches that extend into the afternoon, children discovering somewhere new, and conversations without the pressure of being elsewhere. In the Maldives, that time together unfolds naturally between ocean and shore, with each island establishing its own rhythm for multigenerational families, couples and groups of friends.

This year, the Luxury Group by Marriott International portfolio of resorts in the Maldives is inviting travellers to experience the festive season through art and design, marine discovery, local culture, gastronomy, wellness and time spent outdoors. From the creative shores of the Fari Islands and the house reefs of North Ari Atoll to the secluded northern reaches of Shaviyani Atoll, each destination offers a different setting in which guests can reconnect, celebrate traditions and create new ones, with the Maldives itself at the heart of the experience.

Available to book from 15 September to 15 November 2026 for stays between 20 December 2026 and 10 January 2027, the Festive Early Bird Offer adds tailored inclusions to each island stay. These range from resort credits of up to USD 400 per stay and complimentary non-motorised water sports to complimentary stays and dining for children under 12 and festive activities at selected participating resorts.

For guests looking to make the most of their time in the Maldives, two island experiences are within easy reach of Malé. The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands and JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort are both accessible by speedboat, while scenic seaplane journeys lead farther into the atolls to The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, W Maldives and JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa.

A Canvas of Festive Wonder at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

A 50-minute luxury speedboat journey from Malé leads to The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, where the 2026 festive season brings contemporary art into conversation with the light, colour and landscape of the Maldives.

From 20 December, the island will become a festive canvas through bespoke installations by French artist Alexandre Benjamin Navet in collaboration with the House of Ruinart. His expressive use of shape and colour will appear throughout the resort, from a specially conceived Christmas tree and ornaments inspired by the destination to playful installations culminating at Beach Shack.

The experience brings a new creative dimension to the resort’s Circle of Island Life, while leaving room for guests to shape their days at their own pace. Couples can move between the spa, lagoon and intimate dining experiences, while families and groups can gather in 100 ocean- and lagoon-facing villas designed by Kerry Hill Architects.

Larger parties can stay in expansive two-bedroom villas or the four-bedroom The Ritz-Carlton Estate, with an Aris Meeha island butler available to personalise their time together.

The Festive Early Bird package includes daily breakfast at La Locanda, New Year’s Eve celebrations and festive experiences.

A Season of Endless Wonder at JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort

Close to Malé yet removed from the pace of the capital, JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort is preparing a festive season centred on joy, discovery and wellbeing.

A 15-minute speedboat journey from Malé, the island will host ‘Enchanted Soirée: A Season of Endless Wonder’, with a programme featuring culinary experiences, restorative moments at Spa by JW, lagoon adventures and activities for younger travellers. In the evenings, multigenerational families, couples and groups of friends can come together over shared meals and festive celebrations.

Residential-style two-bedroom beach and overwater villas provide space for guests to gather and retreat, while the three-bedroom Ocean Residence includes a private gym, spa treatment room and waterslide with direct lagoon access.

Dedicated Safeeru ambassadors personalise each stay, while the Family by JW Kids’ Club provides creativity and exploration for younger guests. Other experiences include dolphin cruises, nurse shark snorkelling and dining across seven venues inspired by Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, South American and Nikkei cuisines.

The Festive Escape package includes a full-board meal plan, complimentary dining for children under 12, and access to festive activities and celebrations throughout the stay.

Ten Years of Island Stories at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort

In Dhaalu Atoll, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort will mark its 10th anniversary with ‘Chapter X: Celebrating 10 Years Through the Island’s Story’, a festive programme inspired by the landscapes and communities that have shaped a decade on Vommuli Island.

The celebration follows the resort’s four ecological zones — Lagoon, Beach, Jungle and Coast — providing families, couples and friends with different ways to discover the island through marine life, nature, cuisine, wellness and Maldivian heritage.

Children and grandparents can explore the biodiversity surrounding Vommuli House, turning shared discoveries into new family traditions, while days by the lagoon showcase the resort’s house reef and nature-inspired design.

Along the coast and beach, shared meals, storytelling and seasonal gatherings draw on the Maldives’ fishing and seafaring heritage. Christmas celebrations will include a tree-lighting ceremony, Santa’s arrival and family programming, while curated dining and wellness experiences will lead into a New Year’s Eve celebration overlooking the Indian Ocean.

The Festive Getaway includes breakfast for two and resort credits ranging from USD 200 to USD 400 per stay, depending on the villa category. St. Regis Butler service will also be available throughout each stay.

Children aged 11 and below stay and dine with compliments.

Made the Revelry List at W Maldives

For travellers looking for a more energetic festive season, W Maldives brings together North Ari Atoll’s marine life, newly refreshed villas and the resort’s social island atmosphere.

A 25-minute seaplane journey from Malé takes guests to the resort’s house reef, where days can begin underwater, continue with a nurse shark excursion or sunset cruise, and end with dinner by the beach.

From 23 December to 1 January, ‘Made the Revelry List’ will move between relaxed daytime experiences and after-dark celebrations. Christmas Eve will bring guests together at FIRE Beach for flame-grilled dining and live entertainment, while New Year’s Eve will take its cue from ‘The Velvet Revelry’, a speakeasy-inspired soirée moving from golden-hour cocktails and dinner to performances, music and a midnight countdown on WAVE Beach.

Beyond the festive programme, 77 beach and overwater villas with private pools provide space for couples and friends to settle into island life, while the two-bedroom Oasis Beach Villa with Slide is designed for families and groups.

For a change of setting, Gaathafushi, W Maldives’ private island, offers an intimate location for private dining and time away from the main island.

The Festive Favors package includes a full-board meal plan for two adults and USD 200 in daily resort credit.

An Enchanted Island at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa

The journey north forms part of the experience at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, which is reached by a scenic 50-minute seaplane flight from Malé.

In the quieter reaches of Shaviyani Atoll, spacious villas, tropical gardens and open stretches of ocean provide a setting for different generations to spend time together. Duplex Overwater Pool Villas and Two-Bedroom Duplex Beach Pool Villas provide generous living spaces for families and groups of friends, while dedicated Thakuru private butler service takes care of arrangements throughout the stay.

This year, ‘Enchanted Island, Midnight in Paradise’ will bring aerialists, fire performances, live music and a DJ into a festive calendar that balances celebrations with opportunities for families to spend time together.

Younger travellers can choose from more than 100 activities at the Family by JW Little Griffins Kids’ Club, one of the largest children’s clubs in the Maldives. Cooking experiences using ingredients from the JW Garden and Boduberu evenings will also bring different generations together during the festive period.

The Festive Splendor package includes daily breakfast for two at Aailaa and a one-time 30-minute photography session with one printed photograph.

Guests booking a Duplex Overwater Pool Villa receive a complimentary upgrade to half board, while children aged 11 and below stay and dine with compliments.