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Wellness and Health – New Definition of Luxury and Lifestyle

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Vaibhav Garg Cornell

Maldives.net.mv – Vaibhav Garg, Cluster Director of Talent & Culture – AccorHotels, Maldives represented Maldives and AccorHotels at the Cornell University during a recent International Symposium: Hospitality, Health & Design (October 9 – 11, Ithaca, New York) with over 90 speakers, and 4 high profile keynote panels on hospitality, healthcare, senior living, and design and with over 200 delegates, global industry and academy leaders, executives, top researchers, and fellow participants. Vaibhav shared his research paper on the subject “Wellness & Health – new definition of luxury and lifestyle”

Speaking at the session, Vaibhav emphasized that Wellness is the state of optimal well-being and starts with self care.  It’s not simply the absence of illness, but an improved quality of life resulting from enhanced physical, social, mental, emotional, spiritual and environmental health. In the area of health and wellness awareness; it all comes down to a giant contemporary demand for advancements in pro-active health. There are many reasons why the wellness industry is, and will continue to expand. What is killing us today are life style diseases. The major causes of early deaths have shifted from infectious diseases to chronic lifestyle-related conditions. 70% of which are preventable through eating right, exercise, supplementation and effective stress management.

“When it’s about bragging on social media on wellness, health and lifestyle that’s the new luxury statement and that’s what I spoke at Cornell University. There has been a major shift in the way we look at our lives and in “unconventional” way. It’s about personal satisfaction more than just a brag. Today there are many social media and fitness tracking applications that are emerging with a thrust into our lives advocating new gen lifestyle flair. People are following these new trends greatly and widely across age groups and evolved and matured mindsets. My presentation at Cornell University took a look at Gen Z trends as well as global market trends in health + wellness and its implications on the hospitality industry. Wellness at AccorHotels and other industry case studies were also showcased during this event”, briefed Vaibhav.

Vaibhav Garg Cornell

So when it comes to selfie posts and personal photographs (self posing or check ins) It’s usually a confluence of health, body image, peer affirmation and self-actualization. As millennials craft their social media persona, body image becomes a primary concern. 73% of millennials exercise to enhance their physical appearance. People who posts status updates about their diet and exercise routine or travel diaries appears to be more Narcissistic and they use Facebook and other fitness social networks like H, Pump Up, Instagram and Burn This to share their workout selfies, to broadcast the effort they put into their physical appearance. In my personal view, It’s not simply overexposure but a new way towards an improved quality of life resulting from enhanced physical, social, mental, emotional, spiritual and environmental health.

In his presentation remarks, he emphasized that there is an absolute revolution going on involving the “consumerization of fitness and wellness, the very nature of the future fitness opportunity is changing and in hospitality industry wellness needs to be accessible and integrated with the guest experience in the hotel in the most natural way. “At Accor, we believe that our guests need to have “wellness options” to choose from and our wellness strategy is redefined with 4 pillars of health and well-being.” added Vaibhav.

Vaibhav has been representing Maldives and his respective organizations at Cornell University since 2012 while showcasing his research case studies and new trends in the area of hospitality, hotel operations, human resources and service excellence. “It was an incredible honor to represent Maldives and AccorHotels at Cornell University, New York, this October 2016 where academicians, fellow industry professionals and practitioners from across a broad spectrum of the wellness, health, hospitality and design industry gathered for an immersive learning experience into the cultural factors and trends transforming the hospitality, health & design in marketplace.” concludes Vaibhav Garg.

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Milaidhoo Maldives introduces high-end wellness residency led by Dr Lim Xiang Jun

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Milaidhoo, an intimate island retreat located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, has announced a once-in-a-season wellness residency with internationally renowned integrative medicine specialist Dr Lim Xiang Jun, taking place from 22 to 28 February 2026.

For the first time, guests will have the opportunity to experience Dr Lim’s integrative approach to wellbeing in a private island setting. The founder of a leading modern Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice in Singapore, Dr Lim brings more than 20 years of experience and a rare mastery of both Eastern and Western healing traditions, including acupuncture, TCM, energy medicine, yoga, Ayurveda, meditation and metaphysics Bazi astrology.

During her residency, Dr Lim will offer bespoke one-on-one consultations and signature therapies aimed at restoring vitality, balancing energy and supporting transformation of mind, body and spirit. Guests will have access to her globally recognised treatments, including facial acupuncture, gua sha, reflexology and Chi Nei Tsang, as well as immersive sessions in meditation, qigong, yoga, sound healing and energy therapy. The residency’s distinctiveness lies in its integration of ancient wisdom, modern clinical practice and metaphysical insight, creating a personalised journey for every guest.

“Milaidhoo is an ideal sanctuary for guests seeking to reset, recharge and reconnect with themselves,” said Paul van Frank, General Manager of Milaidhoo. “By pairing the island’s serene, barefoot elegance with Dr Lim’s transformative expertise, this residency delivers an experience that is intimate, exceptional and truly unique.”

Dr Lim Xiang Jun added: “I am honoured to bring my holistic practices to Milaidhoo Maldives for the first time. The island’s natural tranquillity and energy provide an ideal environment for guests to embark on a personalised wellbeing journey. I look forward to guiding each guest through integrative traditional therapies, meditation and energy healing to help them reconnect with their vitality.”

With a limited number of consultations and treatments available, the residency is designed for guests seeking a holistic reset and a deeply personalised wellness experience within Milaidhoo’s peaceful island surroundings.

Guests wishing to secure their stay for this exclusive residency may visit the resort’s Special Offers page to reserve their wellness journey.

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Dr Aradhana Ghyas brings Shamanic rituals, energy work to SO/ Maldives this festive season

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This festive season, SO/ Maldives invites the world’s style-setters, wellness lovers and holiday escapists to experience a different kind of Red Carpet moment, one that begins beneath the skin and radiates outward. From 18 December 2025 to 30 January 2026, the ultra-stylish private island resort welcomes Dr. Aradhana Ghyas, renowned holistic health expert, for an exclusive Visiting Spa Practitioner residency, adding a powerful wellness dimension to its signature festive celebrations.

Known for curating experiences that blur the lines between fashion, art and lifestyle, SO/ Maldives is redefining festive indulgence. Think less excess, more elevation. Less recovery, more radiance. This season, the resort’s Red Carpet Festivities are not only about dressing to impress but about feeling luminous, balanced and unapologetically well.

At SO/ Maldives, wellness takes on a vibrant, contemporary edge with Dr. Aradhana Ghyas. She specializes in shamanic healing rituals, therapeutic bodywork, energy balancing, breathwork, sound therapy, yoga nidra, and trauma‑informed relaxation practices. Each treatment is designed to release emotional stress, restore nervous system balance, and support holistic well‑being. With a focus on gentle physical, emotional, and energetic detoxification, Aradhana helps guests reconnect with clarity, vitality, and inner harmony.

“Today’s luxury traveller wants more than beautiful surroundings they want meaningful transformation,” said Olivier Moies-Delval, General Manager of SO/ Maldives. “With Dr. Aradhana Ghyas in residence, festive glamour evolves into a deeper, more radiant experience.”

Departing from traditional spa menus, the curated experiences are designed to intrigue, energise and deliver visible results. From sculpting facial therapies and deep detox rituals to intuitive tarot readings and shamanic cleansing, each session offers guests a chance to reset mentally, physically and energetically while still embracing the playful, fashion-forward spirit of SO/ Maldives.

Set against the turquoise waters of the Maldives, Dr. Aradhana Ghyas’ residency seamlessly complements SO/ Maldives’ festive programming, where sunset soirées, vibrant design and island glamour take centre stage. Guests can transition from red carpet moments to restorative rituals, stepping back into celebrations refreshed, radiant and fully recharged.

Special group wellness classes are also available, inviting friends, couples and like-minded travellers to glow together because at SO/, wellness is best experienced socially.

This festive season, SO/ Maldives invites guests to detox the drama, recharge the energy and glow like never before. With Dr. Aradhana Ghyas in residence, the island becomes a destination not just for escape, but for elevation.

For more information or to book your perfect getaway, please visit so-maldives.com or contact so.maldives.reservations@so-hotels.com.

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Serenity Spa at Baros Maldives introduces new rituals, multi-day wellness journeys

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Baros Maldives unveils a renewed Serenity Spa menu this season, marking a thoughtful evolution of the island’s wellness offering. Designed for travellers seeking restoration with tangible results, the new menu positions Baros as a refined glowcation destination — where meaningful relaxation meets visible, lasting wellbeing.

Set within the lush heart of the island, Serenity Spa is reached by a winding sandy path, accompanied by birdsong, palms and the soft scent of tropical blooms. Here, wellness moves beyond passive pampering. Baros blends time-honoured Asian healing traditions with modern techniques, advanced skincare and potent natural actives, creating experiences that restore balance, enhance radiance and invite deeper rest.

Central to the new menu is a curated collection of island-inspired signature rituals. Baros Forest Therapy draws on the calming power of nature, combining grounding essential oils, guided inhalation, flowing massage, a mineral-rich mud mask and a soothing scalp massage to ease stress and reconnect body and mind. The Serenity Green Signature and Walk in the Garden rituals further reflect Baros’ forested landscape, using botanical actives, aromatherapy and intuitive bodywork for deeply sensory renewal.

Serenity Spa’s enhanced product portfolio brings together globally respected wellness brands. Natura Bissé introduces science-led facial and body therapies, while Aromatherapy Associates offers mood-enhancing massages designed to support sleep, relaxation and emotional wellbeing. Obsidian for Men delivers focused, mineral-rich treatments and Margaret Dabbs elevates hand and foot care into restorative rituals.

“Each product has been carefully selected for its efficacy and its ability to work in harmony with our nature-led environment,” says Tri Wardani, Cluster Director of Spa at Baros Maldives. “This allows us to offer treatments that are both sensorial and results-driven, without losing the calm, understated essence of Baros.”

Complementing the menu are two wellness journeys, offered over three, five and seven days. Each combines personalised therapies, advanced facials, daily movement practices and time in nature, designed to be experienced at a personal pace.

“This new chapter at Serenity Spa is a natural evolution of what Baros has always stood for,” shares Ibrahim Shijah, the General Manager of Baros Maldives. “It is about deepening the guest experience, with wellness that feels natural, intelligent and entirely in tune with our island.”

Please contact reservations@baros.com or +960 664 2672 for booking enquiries.

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