News
Velaa Private Island offers new high-tech water sports
Recently named ‘2016 Luxury Private Island of the Year’ there are already countless reasons to visit Velaa Private Island – and now there is yet another. Unlike other Maldivian resorts, Velaa Private Island offers far more than just a beach holiday, and with the introduction of their new state of the art water toys it solidifies their position as one of the finest hotels in the world.
Encouraging all of their guests to get involved with some Indian Ocean adventure, Velaa’s new water gadgets include the hover-board, an aquatic mechanism that mimics the feeling of riding a skateboard over the ocean with a top speed of 16 miles per hour. This unique board gives even the most experienced surfers a speed induced adrenaline rush and can send its rider 16 feet up into the air.
Inspired by old sci-fi jetpacks, the jetpack is unlike any water device currently in the market. This new aquatic jetpacks uses immense water pressure to send its rider a whole 30 feet into the air with an added ability to hover in place so riders feel they are levitating.
For the ultimate aqua adrenaline experience the flyboard blasts at high speed so that its user experiences exhilarating lifts and drops as the boards water jets propel the rider above the ocean’s surface.
Recently voted within the top five hotels in the world by Travel + Leisure Velaa Private Island is the realisation of a dream to create a ‘beyond luxury’ exclusive boutique hideaway in the Maldives. Velaa means “Turtle Island” in the local language – named after generations of sea turtles that flock there to nest and hatch. From a broader “bird’s eye view” which greets arrivals by seaplane, the island’s exclusive over-water villas are also constructed to resemble the head of a turtle, with the island forming the body. The resort comprises 43 private villas, houses and residences and 4 four-bedroom residences. While 18 of the 43 are built over water, the Romantic Pool Residence can only be reached by boat, allowing even more privacy and exclusivity.
Action
W Maldives brings fast-growing sport of padel to the island
W Maldives has introduced the FIT Padel Court, a dynamic open-air sporting space that brings one of the world’s fastest-growingsports to the island in signature W style.
Set within the resort’s lush greenery, the FIT Padel Court is more than just a game. Designed as both a sporting arena and social hub, it welcomes beginners and seasoned players alike to rally, connect, and compete in an effortlessly vibrant setting. Open daily and availablefor private bookings, the court brings a fresh rhythm to island days, blending movement with moments that matter.
Elevating the experience further, the resort’s FIT team completed an intensive training with the Asia Pacific Padel Academy (APPA), the region’s leading institution for padel education and coach development. Designed to sharpen both technical precision and on-court strategy, the program ensures that every guest interaction is guided by knowledge, confidence, and an intuitive understanding of the game.

Led by a certified coach and national athlete, Karyn Emeralda, the training immersed the team in the fundamentals of technique, tactical play, and smart positioning, equipping them to deliver engaging, high-quality sessions tailored to every level. From first-time players discovering the sport to those looking to refine their edge, guests can now tap into beginner-friendly sessions and social matches designed to spark both skill and connection.
“Padel is more than a sport, it is a social movement, and we are excited to bring that energy to the island,” said Amila Handunwala, General Manager of W Maldives. “With the launch of the FIT Padel Court and a team trained to guide and inspire, we are creating an experience that is equal parts playful, dynamic, and elevated. It is about giving our guests new ways to move, connect and feel the pulse of the destination.”
As part of W Maldives’ ever-evolvingapproach to fitness and lifestyle, the FIT Padel Court reflects a broader commitment to experiences that are immersive, social, and distinctly of the moment. Here, every serve is set against a soundtrack of ocean waves, every match unfolds under Maldivianskies, and every guest is invited to play their way.
For those looking to extend the experience, the Original Wave maker package offers the perfect invitation to stay longer and dive deeper. With a minimum stay of four nights, the package includes seaplane transfers and a half-board meal plan for two adults, ensuring a seamless and elevated island getaway.
For more information, visit www.wmaldives.com or connect with the resort’s team at reservations.wmaldives@whotels.com.
News
Grand Park Kodhipparu celebrates nine years with immersive summer campaign
Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives marks its ninth anniversary with the launch of Summer Lagoon Living—a new seasonal campaign inspired by longer stays, meaningful connection, vibrant marine life and a slower rhythm of island living.
Designed to celebrate the soulful side of summer in the Maldives, the campaign repositions the season as a time for deeper experiences, restorative travel and immersive island living.

The celebration is intentionally timed to include World Oceans Day, as the campaign also reflects the resort’s continued commitment to ocean conservation and the protection of the house reef that has become central to the guest experience over the past nine years. Throughout the campaign, guests will also be encouraged to engage more consciously with the marine world surrounding the island, reinforcing the importance of protecting fragile reef ecosystems for future generations.

Summer Lagoon Living introduces a special anniversary stay featuring the ‘Every Third Night OnUs’offer, inviting both returning guests and first-time visitors to spend more time immersed in the lagoon lifestyle that defines the resort experience. Valid for new bookings with stays through to the end of October 2026, the offer has been intentionally designed to encourage greater flexibility for travellers seeking either shorter regional escapes or longer, more restorative island journeys.
Set just 20 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives has evolved over the past nine years into one of the Maldives’ most recognised boutique island resorts—known for its contemporary overwater villas, award-nominated spa and restaurants, vibrant house reef and thoughtful approach to modern luxury hospitality.
The anniversary season also arrives as the resort awaits the results of multiple international travel award nominations recognising its boutique resort experience, vibrant house reef, award-nominated spa and restaurants, water villa stays and evolving philosophy of Connected Island Luxury.

“Our ninth anniversary feels especially meaningful because we are not only celebrating the journey of the resort itself, but also how luxury travel has evolved over that same time,” says General Manager, Raffaele Solferino.
“I have had the privilege of being part of Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives since before the island welcomed its very first guests in 2017. Over the years, we have seen travellers increasingly seek something more intentional—experiences that create emotional value, genuine connection and a sense of wellbeing, rather than luxury defined purely by excess. Today, our vision of Connected Island Luxury reflects that evolution. It is about helping guests leave feeling better than when they arrived, while remaining deeply connected to the extraordinary natural environment surrounding the island—especially the ocean and house reef that make this destination so special.”
Throughout the Summer Lagoon Living season, guests will discover curated experiences inspired by island life at its most relaxed and immersive—from reef snorkelling and ocean adventures to sunset dining, wellness rituals, beach cinema evenings and moments designed to reconnect guests with both themselves and the natural beauty of the Maldives.

The resort’s house reef continues to play a central role within the campaign narrative, particularly as summer months in the Maldives are often associated with richer marine encounters, including turtles, reef sharks and stingrays frequently spotted close to shore and directly from many of the villas.
Flexible Island Escapes Through October 2026
“As travel patterns continue to evolve, we wanted to create an offer that provides guests with greater flexibility around how they choose to experience the Maldives,” says Director of Marketing Liz Smailes.
“The structure of the offer allows guests to extend their stay in a way that feels natural and rewarding. Because the offer can be repeated throughout the same reservation, it works equally well for both short-haul breaks and long-haul travel over six nights or more.”
As summer unfolds across the Maldives, Summer Lagoon Living positions the season not as an off-peak alternative, but as one of the most visually cinematic, emotionally restorative and naturally vibrant times to experience island life—where slower days, richer marine encounters and meaningful moments take centre stage.
Celebrate Summer in the Maldives
Designed for forward planning, Every Third Night On Us provides both immediate value and future flexibility, allowing travellers to secure more time, more experiences and a slower rhythm of island living well in advance.
For more information and bookings, please visit the resort’s website.
News
Centara Ras Fushi Maldives offers relaxed daycation with dining and watersports
Located in North Malé Atoll, just a short speedboat journey from Velana International Airport, Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, an adults-only resort, has introduced a day escape shaped by turquoise waters, ocean breezes, and uninterrupted time together. Designed for those seeking a relaxed island setting away from the everyday, this adults-only daycation experience blends dining, leisure, and oceanfront indulgence into one seamless escape.
From the moment you arrive, the island unfolds at its own gentle rhythm. Spend the day moving between crystal-clear lagoons, beachfront moments, and shared dining experiences, while unlimited special beverages and all-inclusive lunch and dinner create an effortless atmosphere of connection and celebration.
Beyond the shore, guests may explore the surrounding waters with snorkelling gear, non-motorised watersports, and selected water activities included throughout the experience. For groups of ten guests or more travelling together, a complimentary day-use villa provides a private space to relax, refresh, and unwind between moments by the sea.
The day visit experience is designed for those looking to gather, unwind, and experience the beauty of the Maldives through a day of relaxed island living. The package is priced at USD 150 net per person, with return speedboat transfers available at USD 99 net per person.
For reservations and further information, contact +960 797 6851 or alimo@chr.co.th.
-
Culture6 days agoEid al-Adha at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort to feature Arabian BBQ and island experiences
-
News5 days agoAdaaran Select Hudhuranfushi’s Mandara Spa expands wellness offering with athlete-inspired recovery treatments
-
Family1 week agoJOALI BEING reimagines family travel through immersive summer experiences
-
News1 week agoChavana Spa introduces Hyperice recovery experiences at Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives
-
News1 week agoAmilla Maldives expands spa programme with natural therapies expert residency
-
News1 week agoSunny Leone and family experience island adventures at The Standard, Maldives
-
Action6 days agoKuda Villingili Resort Maldives unveils surf-focused luxury escape for 2026
-
Awards5 days agoSun Siyam Iru Veli recognised with 10 honours at Life Saving Leadership Awards


