News
This Holiday Season It’s New Year No Rules at W Maldives
Maldives.net.mv – With the holiday season approaching, W Maldives has created exciting happenings from December 11, 2016 to January 1, 2017. Breakfasts with international DJs, pool and desert island parties, sunset sessions and cruises, cocktail parties and a gala dinner, offer guests a plethora of choice this festive season.
W Maldives will upend tradition and rewrite the rules of the holidays with a street art–style take on the season. In the spirit of the graffiti artists who inspired us, W Maldives will push the boundaries and colour outside the lines in 2017. W Hotels have partnered with graffiti legend John “Crash” Matos to create a custom Christmas tree and celebrate the New Year with bold messages in bright colors.
Raised in the Bronx, Crash first honed his craft tagging subway cars. These days he can be found collaborating with luxury brands including Ferrari, Tumi and Fender. Like W, Crash also has deep roots in the music world, with close connections to Grandmaster Flash, Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys as well as a partnership with MTV.

On December 11, 18 and 24, W Maldives will hold Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony hosted by its Resident DJ Ivan Zubo from Slovakia. Complimentary snacks and a glass of Champagne will be available upon arrival.
On CHRISTMAS EVE, Saturday 24 December, guests can join the Dreamscape Sunset Cruise with Champagne, canapés and festive mixes by DJ Kane Ian from Singapore on the two-mast yacht ‘Escape’. 5:30PM-7:30PM / US$110++ per person.
Extraordinary Gala Dinner Under the Stars on serene beachfront including a large selection of live cooking BBQ stations featuring supreme meat and local “catch of the day”. The island’s interactive chefs will be carving, stirring and whipping up whatever guests are craving. 7:30PM-11:00PM / US$390++per person incl. a free flow of house beverages.
After dinner guests can make their way to the scenic WET deck to celebrate Christmas with W Maldives’ Resident DJ Ivan, who will keep his guests entertained with his ‘Chillout Beats by the Pool’ party. 8:30PM – midnight / free entry.

On CHRISTMAS DAY, Sunday 24 December, breakfast will be served at KITCHEN to celebrate Christmas in a tropical style, complemented by vibrant mixes from DJ Justin Paul, our celebrity guest DJ from LA. 7:00AM – 1:30AM.
On both of the above dates Parasailing and Jet Ski with Santa will be offered by DOWN UNDER & WAVE (watersports and diving) team.
Fuel at the Pool party will be held on WET pool deck, and hosted by DJ Kane. There will be endless BBQ and dessert options.1:00PM – 4:00PM / price upon consumption.
Overwater Sunset Session at SIP overwater bar will quench everybody’s thirst with mouthwatering cocktails created by resort’s talented mixologists to the tune of intoxicating sunset beats by DJ Ivan. 6:00PM – 7:30PM.
Chillout After Dinner Party with DJ Justin will keep everyone entertained, where guests will sip on creative cocktails, mix and mingle! 8:30PM – MIDNIGHT.
W Maldives will launch 31 December in style and with a party of a lifetime ‘Stranded on a Desert Island’, during which guests will be escorted to the Gaathafushi private island located just minutes away from the resort. Our culinary team will set up a special BBQ on the beach, and DJ Justin will entertain everybody with his LA inspired mixes. 12:00NOON – 3:00PM / US$ 210++ per person including two glasses of Champagne, a free flow of house beverages and BBQ. US$ 110++ per person incl. BBQ only.
The NEW YEAR’S EVE will start with the Glamorous Cocktail Party at LIVING ROOM, where Champagne and canapés will be served to DJ Ivan’s festive tunes. 19:30PM – 9:00PM / Free entry includes a glass of Champagne.
White Sensation Gala Dinner will take place on the FIRE beach and it will be a top feast sensation! Guests will savour fresh bites like oysters, canapés, prime meat cuts and locally sourced seafood. 9:00PM – 11:00PM / US$650 per person and includes food and house beverages.
Let the Countdown Begin with spectacular midnight fireworks and impressive line-up of international DJs and performers afterwards, including DJ Ivan Zubo, DJ Justin Paul, DJ Kane Ian and Céline Roscheck, a ravishing violinist from Vienna, the night will be truly hipped, vibrant and unique! 11:00PM – 1:00AM / Entry included in the Gala Dinner.
After the party on the beach guests will be able to enjoy After Midnight Munchies at 15BELOW underground club. These will including glow-in-the-dark cocktails and snacks complemented by more festive beats from DJ Justin. 1:00AM – until early morning / Entry doesn’t include food and drinks.
On NEW YEAR’S DAY everybody will enjoy a late Hangover Breakfast at KITCHEN restaurant. 9:00AM – 12:00NOON.
In the evening at FISH specialty overwater restaurant, Director if Cuisine Ilias Kafalis will treat guests with his famous four-course dinner Lobster Fiesta featuring the freshest Maldivian lobsters. 6:00PM – 10:30PM / US$ 180++ per person.
Alternatively, guests will be able to enjoy the Sunset Session at SIP overwater bar while listening to the chill out beats by DJ Ivan, or sipping on yummy. 6:00PM – 7:30PM.
AWAY Spa will offer a Detox. Retox. Repeat Journey that will include an aroma infused steam followed by the 80-minute AWAY massage and Detox Body Wrap to get back your own self. Our therapist’s magical hands will drift your body and mind away from toxins and unnecessary tension. 110 minutes / $ 270++ per person.
For more information please visit www.wmaldives.com
Awards
Pulse Hotels & Resorts recognised for guest experience excellence at Singapore Business Awards
Pulse Hotels & Resorts, a global hospitality development company renowned for creating extraordinary holiday experiences, has been honoured with the Experiential Hospitality and Guest Experience Excellence Award at the Singapore Business Awards 2026.
Presented by APAC Insider as part of its Singapore Business Awards programme, this accolade celebrates organisations that exemplify innovation, performance, and transformative impact across competitive industries in Singapore’s vibrant business landscape. Winners were selected through a rigorous, research-driven assessment process that prioritises merit and contribution to excellence.
The Experiential Hospitality and Guest Experience Excellence Award recognises a hospitality operator that has elevated guest experiences through differentiated service offerings, innovative guest engagement, and a commitment to exceeding evolving traveller expectations. Pulse’s recognition underscores its success in integrating creativity, thoughtful design, service excellence, and memorable experiences across its portfolio.
Pulse Hotels & Resorts currently operates a diverse portfolio of acclaimed properties across the Maldives, each tailored to distinct guest preferences and travel lifestyles. The group’s portfolio includes The Nautilus Maldives, an ultra-luxury private island retreat; Kandima Maldives, a vibrant lifestyle island resort offering extensive activities and dining options; Nova Maldives, a contemporary all-inclusive destination designed for connection and adventure; and Eri Maldives, an eco-chic lifestyle island resort nestled in the pristine North Malé Atoll. Pulse is expanding its footprint with additional projects scheduled to launch in 2026 and 2027, including integrated residential experiences such as The Coral Residences at Kandima, which promise to redefine luxury living and holiday lifestyles in the Maldives.
Commenting on the win, the leadership of Pulse Hotels & Resorts emphasised the company’s unwavering focus on guest-centric innovation and meaningful hospitality. This award reflects the group’s strategic vision of elevating the ordinary into extraordinary moments that resonate with travellers from around the world.
Since its founding in 2015, Pulse Hotels & Resorts has built a reputation as a forward-thinking hospitality brand driven by entrepreneurial spirit and a mission to deliver extraordinary holiday experiences filled with happiness, well-being and delight. The group’s values — rooted in being smart, playful, responsible and human — inform how it engages guests, collaborators and communities alike.
The Singapore Business Awards 2026 winners were publicly announced in February 2026, with Pulse’s accolade highlighting the group’s commitment to service excellence and experiential hospitality in one of Asia’s most competitive business environments.
Featured
Coco Bodu Hithi and Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu curate distinct Valentine’s escapes
Coco Collection is inviting couples to mark Valentine’s Day through two distinct expressions of romance at its island resorts, Coco Bodu Hithi and Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu. While each resort presents its own interpretation of love, both are united by a shared focus on authenticity, refined design and intuitive service, offering couples experiences centred on meaningful connection.
At Coco Bodu Hithi, contemporary design is paired with experiences created to encourage closeness and shared moments. Recognised as the Indian Ocean’s Most Romantic Resort 2025 at the World Travel Awards for the second consecutive year, the resort frames each stay around personalised encounters and signature touches designed to feel considered and sincere. These experiences are intended to allow couples to reconnect in an environment that feels relaxed and attentive.
For guests seeking a higher level of privacy, Coco Residence offers a secluded retreat defined by spacious villas, private pools above the lagoon, dedicated butler service and bespoke dining experiences tailored to individual preferences. The enclave is designed to place privacy and personalisation at the centre of the stay.
Coco Bodu Hithi is also recognised for its culinary focus, hosting visiting Michelin-starred chefs whose menus contribute to the resort’s dining programme. Romantic dining experiences take place in overwater and beachfront settings, where carefully prepared menus are complemented by the island’s natural surroundings. Beyond dining, couples are encouraged to unwind through wellness rituals, time spent along the shoreline or guided ocean experiences, with activities designed to support relaxation and shared discovery.
At Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, set within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Valentine’s celebrations take on a quieter and more nature-led character. Rooted in sustainability and Maldivian heritage, the resort invites couples to slow their pace and engage with experiences shaped by the island’s environment and traditions.
Romantic moments at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu are expressed through experiences such as private pergola dinners, vow renewal ceremonies at sunset and personalised surprises reflecting each couple’s journey together. From 7 to 14 February, the resort will host a dedicated Valentine’s itinerary designed to foster a reflective atmosphere focused on togetherness and appreciation. Guests are also invited to support marine conservation initiatives, including the ongoing work of the Olive Ridley Project, which is closely associated with the island.
Wellness plays a central role in the Valentine’s offering at both resorts. Coco Spa, set within natural surroundings, provides couples with shared spa journeys featuring treatments and therapies using natural ingredients. Additional experiences at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu include sunrise walks, lagoon swims, guided nature activities and quiet moments designed to restore balance and encourage personal reflection.
Across both islands, Coco Collection presents Valentine’s Day as an opportunity for couples to reconnect through thoughtful experiences, private moments and settings that highlight the natural beauty of the Maldives.
Featured
Francesc Miralles and Numthip Puntha to lead wellness residencies at Amilla Maldives
Amilla Maldives is hosting two visiting wellness practitioners during February and March, offering guests access to tailored therapies focused on balance, vitality and overall wellbeing.
Currently in residence, Francesc Miralles is at the resort from 30 January to 20 February 2026. An internationally recognised wellness consultant from Catalonia, he brings more than three decades of experience across Classical Chinese Medicine, physiotherapy and luxury hospitality. His approach integrates therapeutic movement, seasonal wellbeing and food as medicine, supporting guests in building resilience, restoring energy and achieving a sense of calm. During his residency, guests can book personalised sessions including physiotherapy, postural alignment, acupuncture, craniosacral therapy and facial acupuncture, alongside Harmonia classes focused on posture, mindfulness and longevity nutrition.

From 20 February to 25 March 2026, Francesc will be followed by Numthip Puntha, also known as Amp. A highly qualified physiotherapist from Thailand, she specialises in integrative therapies that combine Lifestyle Medicine, Sound Healing and Chi Nei Tsang. Her treatments are designed to support emotional release, detoxification and the restoration of the body’s natural energy flow. Guests will have the opportunity to experience healing massage, lymphatic drainage, Tibetan sound therapy, cranial release, Reiki and Chi Nei Tsang, as well as group sound bath sessions.
These visiting practitioner programmes form part of Amilla Maldives’ ongoing focus on personalised wellness, delivered within the resort’s tranquil island environment. Further information about the resort and its wellness offerings is available via the Amilla Maldives website.
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