Wellness
Wellness and Health – New Definition of Luxury and Lifestyle

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.

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.
News
Niva Kuramathi Maldives celebrates International Men’s Day with spa and fitness experiences
Throughout November, Niva Kuramathi Maldives turns toward movement and wellbeing. From 1 to 30 November 2026, LIME Wellbeing presents its International Men’s Day Wellness Collection. The collection brings together four restorative treatment packages, complimentary group sessions on 19 November and a three-day retail offer. These are days made for the body to relax, the mind to settle and energy to return.
Restore, 1–30 November
The Executive Recharge is a 60-minute deep tissue massage that reaches the places where stress sits. Tight muscles loosen, and energy returns. The Athlete’s Recovery Package is a 90-minute sports recovery massage. It combines focused stretching with deep muscle work to restore range of motion, so the body remembers how to move with ease. The Gentleman’s Grooming Ritual is a 30-minute express Obsidian facial for the face, neck and torso. Rich in minerals and plant extracts, it deeply cleanses and hydrates. Tension lifts, texture softens, clarity returns. The Total Wellbeing Experience pairs a 60-minute deep tissue massage with a 30-minute Obsidian men’s facial. Muscle recovery flows into skin restoration – body first, then face, then a calm you may not have felt in a while.

Move, 19 November
On International Men’s Day itself, you can join one of two complimentary male group sessions, each designed to build strength, mobility and resilience. The Resistance & Core Group Fitness Class focuses on breath core strength. The Office Yoga Group Session concentrates on gentle stretches to ease stiff shoulders and neck caused by to many long hours spent at a desk.

Obsidian Gentlemen’s Skincare Rituals
At the heart of the collection sits Obsidian, a range designed around the distinct needs of men’s skin. Tailored specifically for men, these treatments offer deep-cleansing, revitalising facials that target the unique needs of men’s skin, leaving you refreshed and perfectly groomed.
Retail, 19–21 November
For three days, all retail products at LIME Wellbeing are 15% off, and select treatments carry exclusive International Men’s Day pricing.

For further information and reservations, please call +960 666 01 50 or email reservations@nivakuramathi.com.
Awards
Milaidhoo Maldives’ Serenity Spa wins Best Hotel Spa at Condé Nast Johansens Awards 2027
Milaidhoo Maldives’ overwater Serenity Spa has received the Best Hotel Spa award at the 2027 Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence, recognising the resort’s personalised wellness services and spa experiences.
The awards ceremony was held at The Montcalm Mayfair in London on Monday, 2 November 2026. Milaidhoo Maldives was represented by Georgie Westley, Corporate Director of Marketing and Communications at Versa Hospitality, alongside representatives from ROVE PR UK.
Located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Serenity Spa offers a range of wellness treatments and services in an overwater setting.
The spa provides personalised wellness programmes supported by an on-island wellbeing consultant, daily yoga classes and an extensive selection of treatments designed to meet individual guest requirements.
Guests can receive treatments at the overwater spa or in the privacy of their villas. The treatment menu includes massages, beauty therapies and specialised wellness treatments incorporating advanced technologies.
Among the technologies available at Serenity Spa are the LYMA Laser, Archedaway Cupping Therapy and M2T Blade. The spa also uses products from wellness and beauty brands including Natura Bissé, Aromatherapy Associates, Obsidian for Men and Margaret Dabbs.
Milaidhoo Maldives incorporates wellness into other aspects of its guest experience, including its culinary offerings. The resort’s approach includes meals prepared using fresh ingredients from its Chef’s Garden, alongside daily yoga sessions and activities centred on relaxation and wellbeing.
Paul van Frank, General Manager of Milaidhoo Maldives, said the award recognised the spa team’s commitment to delivering personalised services.
“We are incredibly proud of this recognition. Our Serenity Spa is a special part of the Milaidhoo experience and our team, the Milaidhoo Family, takes great care to ensure every guest receives the attention and personalisation they deserve. From expert treatments to the simple pleasure of taking time for yourself, we want guests to leave feeling refreshed and reconnected,” he said.
The recognition highlights Milaidhoo Maldives’ wellness offerings, which combine spa treatments, specialist therapies, personalised services and wellness-focused dining experiences.
The resort continues to incorporate wellness into its hospitality offering through its Serenity Spa, culinary programmes and recreational activities.
News
Maldives-born wellness brand ELE|NA celebrates 11 years of operations
ELE|NA, the spa and wellness brand by Atmosphere Wellness, celebrates its 11th anniversary this November under the theme 11 Years. One Essence. Born in the Maldives, the brand has grown through a philosophy rooted in nature, personalisation and connection, carrying its wellness philosophy to new destinations while staying true to the principles that shaped its beginnings.
Eleven years on, the essence is unchanged. What evolves is how that philosophy is experienced: through new wellness practices, scientific innovation, sustainability initiatives and the people who bring each guest journey to life.
Recognition has followed. ELE|NA was named Leading Wellness Brand of the Year at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, and ELE|NA Essentia was named Emerging Skincare Brand of the Year at the Destination Deluxe Awards 2025.
“For eleven years, ELE|NA has believed that wellness should feel personal and give back to the places that inspire it. That belief has not changed. What has grown is our team, our knowledge and our reach, now across South Asia. This anniversary belongs to the therapists and colleagues who bring that essence to every guest,” said Heidi Grimwood, Senior Vice President, ELE|NA.

A Maldives-Born Philosophy, Evolving with Time
The Maldives is at the heart of ELE|NA’s story. Across its sanctuaries, the brand explores how wellness can respond to the individual while drawing inspiration from nature and the surrounding environment.
This year, ELE|NA introduced the Pillars of Vitality, a framework that now anchors its therapies and shapes a more considered, holistic approach to wellbeing. Spanning TouchFlow, ReFine, BodyFit, SoulVibe, SleepSync and FoodDelight, the pillars give each guest journey a clear structure while leaving room for personal choice.
At selected sanctuaries, QEST4 bio-energetic assessment adds a technology-led dimension to personalised wellness, complementing traditional practices with a deeper understanding of individual needs.
The ELE|NA Wellness Academy, endorsed by CIBTAC, is advancing the brand’s commitment to learning. It has hosted Reiki and sound healing courses that develop practitioners and deepen their understanding of complementary wellness practices.
A Milestone in Sustainable Wellness
Nature has always been central to ELE|NA’s philosophy, extending beyond treatments to the brand’s responsibility towards the environments in which its sanctuaries operate.
That commitment reached an important milestone this year, when all eight ELE|NA sanctuaries in the Maldives were awarded Platinum, the highest tier of the Sustainable Wellness Group’s Sustainable Spa & Wellness Accreditation, following three consecutive years at Gold Standard. The recognition reflects a sustainability journey built year on year, and a focus on embedding responsible practices into everyday spa operations.

Celebrating the People Behind Eleven Years
Across ELE|NA’s Maldives sanctuaries, the anniversary is being celebrated through experiences that bring guests and teams together. Sunrise yoga, meditation and sound healing sit alongside tree planting, botanical workshops, sustainable craft activities and anniversary gatherings.
At the heart of the day is The 11:11 Moment. At 11:11 AM on 1 November, every sanctuary pauses together, as guests and teams stop to breathe, make a wish and share it, marking eleven years with one shared intention.
Each property brings its own character to the celebrations, with activities and shared rituals that reflect local surroundings and resort communities. Team performances and appreciation initiatives also recognise the therapists and colleagues whose care and expertise shape the guest experience every day.
While each sanctuary celebrates in its own way, the intention is shared: to honour the connections between wellness, nature and community.
From the Maldives to New Horizons
ELE|NA’s next chapter carries its wellness philosophy further into India. Building on its presence at Sadar Manzil Heritage by Atmosphere in Bhopal, the brand opens ELE|NA Ayur at Ananta Spa & Resort, Ajabgarh, on 1 November, with OZEN Villas Jaipur and Arunya in Coorg to follow. Each destination offers an opportunity to interpret the brand’s approach through its own landscape and setting.
The brand is also introducing ELE|NA Essentia, its own skincare line, to India. Made in India and inspired by Indian botanicals, Essentia extends ELE|NA’s nature-led philosophy beyond the spa and into everyday skincare rituals.
Beyond India, ELE|NA’s pipeline extends to Sri Lanka and Nepal, where new destinations will bring the brand’s nature-led approach to fresh landscapes and cultures.
Eleven years on, the destinations have grown and the practices have evolved. The essence remains one.
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