V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection will host Executive Chef Pisut ‘Nong’ Nahan and Lead Mixologist Mongkol ‘Lek’ Saengchud from V Villas Phuket – MGallery Collection for a Thai culinary pop-up on 10 and 11 October 2026.

Titled ‘From the Andaman to the Indian Ocean’, the collaboration will bring together the culinary identities of the two destinations through contemporary Thai cuisine, cocktails and island dining experiences.

Over two evenings, guests will be able to take part in Cocktail & Dine at Muraka and a Sundowner & Beach Dinner at AKOYA Sea Lounge.

Chef Nong will showcase his ‘Thai with a modern twist’ approach, combining regional Thai flavours, seasonal ingredients and traditional techniques with contemporary presentation. The menu has been designed as a culinary journey between Thailand and the Maldives, drawing inspiration from the Andaman Sea and the waters surrounding Mirihi.

Khun Lek will complement the dining experience with cocktails inspired by place, storytelling and balance. His ‘triangle’ method combines sweetness for relaxation, sourness for freshness and bitterness for depth, with each drink centred around an umami element.

The collaboration will feature dishes and cocktails developed specifically for the event. Menu concepts include Royal Massaman Croquette, Siam Betel Crab and Ocean Tuna Crudo, while featured drinks will include the Mirihi Martini, Muraka Whisper and Tropical Terroir.

The pop-up forms part of the shared approach of V Villas Maldives at Mirihi and V Villas Phuket, as well as MGallery Collection’s focus on experience-led hospitality and storytelling.

Further details on timings, menus and reservations will be announced by the resort. Availability for the two-night event will be limited.

Bandos Maldives is celebrating the remarkable journey of loyal guests Kate and Andy, whose deep bond with the island and its vibrant underwater world has beautifully evolved over two decades.

Their Bandos story began in 2006, and ever since they have retuned back at least twice a year. In2014, they returned for a truly unforgettable milestone: exchanging their vows underwater at Bandos. Since then, diving has remained at the heart of their visits. Kate marked her 1,000th dive with more than 900 of them alongside the Bandos dive team, and Andy celebrated his 900th dive, all completed with Dive Bandos, in September 2025.

This special journey has now reached another milestone with Mrs. Watkinson’s 50th visit to Bandos and more than 400 dives on the Bandos house reef. To commemorate this extraordinary connection, Bandos has dedicated a special area of the house reef to her, creating a lasting tribute to her many years of memories beneath the waves. The area, named the K & A Coral Garden, forms part of the resort’s coral restoration project. Acropora coral fragments are carefully secured to suspended nylon ropes using a frame-based restoration method. As the coral grows, the garden will develop into a living habitat, providing shelter to marine life and enriching the biodiversity of the house reef.

More than a celebration, the K & A Coral Garden represents a living legacy: honouring 50 visits, hundreds of dives, and a lasting connection with the ocean while contributing to the continued restoration of Bandos’ house reef.

Beyond their love for the vibrant marine life, the couple is dedicated advocates for eco-friendly practices. To create a timeless memory of their incredible 50th visit, they also planted a frangipani tree right outside their favourite villa at the resort to grow alongside the resort for years to come.

General Manager Ismail Rasheed shared, “We are honoured to celebrate such an extraordinary milestone with Kate and Andy. We truly value the profound and lasting bond they have built with the resort. The K & A Coral Garden is a meaningful way for us to celebrate their connection while creating something that will continue to give back to the reef they have enjoyed for so many years.”

From underwater vows and milestone dives to a coral garden that will continue to grow, Kate and Andy’s journey with Bandos Maldives is a beautiful story of loyalty, love and a shared passion for the ocean: one that will continue to live beneath the waves.

As the final quarter of the year approaches, Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives introduces Celebrate More, Feel More, a seasonal invitation to reconnect, celebrate and create meaningful memories in the heart of the Indian Ocean.

Running from October through December 2026, the campaign brings together a collection of island experiences, special occasions and seasonal offers, culminating in the resort’s festive programme, A Celebration of Light & Lagoon.

Just 20 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the 120-villa resort offers an accessible island escape where guests can choose their own pace, from underwater adventures and restorative wellness to intimate dining and shared celebrations.

A Season of Connection

At the heart of Celebrate More, Feel More is a simple idea: the most memorable holidays are defined not only by where we travel, but by how those experiences make us feel.

Reflecting the resort’s Connected Island Luxury philosophy, the campaign celebrates four dimensions of island life: connection with nature, connection with loved ones, connection with oneself and connection with the distinctive character of the Maldives.

Whether marking a honeymoon, celebrating an anniversary, gathering with family or simply taking time away together, guests are encouraged to shape their own island story.

October: Remember the Quiet –Reconnecting Through Sound and Stillness

October will see the launch of a new signature stay Remember the Quiet, an invitation to step away from the noise of everyday life and rediscover the restorative power of sound and stillness.

Surrounded by the gentle rhythms of the Indian Ocean, Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives offers a natural setting in which to slow down, become more present and reconnect with oneself and loved ones.

From the sound of waves against the shore to moments of stillness overlooking the lagoon, the island encourages guests to experience the Maldives beyond its extraordinary scenery. Full details will be revealed closer to the date.

November: Celebrate Together

November shifts the spotlight towards shared experiences, exceptional dining and the pleasure of spending time together. At the resort’s signature overwater restaurant, FireDoor, guests can discover a distinctive dining experience featuring a glass-floor setting overlooking the marine world below.

The resort’s signature stay experience, Kodhipparu Reef Connection, takes on a special edition for Black Friday. Thanksgiving also provides an opportunity for American travellers and expatriates living across the region to gather with friends and family in an alternative tropical setting.

Throughout the month, the emphasis is on celebrating the people and experiences that make travel meaningful.

December: A Celebration of Light & Lagoon

The season culminates in A Celebration of Light & Lagoon, Grand Park Kodhipparu’s festive theme for 2026. Against a backdrop of turquoise waters, golden sunsets and starlit evenings, the resort invites guests to exchange familiar winter traditions for an island celebration.

From Christmas dining and family time to romantic evenings and New Year festivities, the programme will bring together the resort’s culinary, lifestyle and recreational experiences.

Plan Your Island Celebration

Throughout the final quarter of 2027, guests can discover the resort through a combination of signature experiences. The result is an island holiday that can be as active, restorative, romantic or sociable as each guest chooses.

“Celebrations are not always about grand occasions. Sometimes, they are simply about finding the time to reconnect with the people who matter most. With Celebrate More, Feel More, we want to give our guests the freedom to create their own special moments, whether that means exploring our house reef, sharing an exceptional dinner or welcoming the New Year together beneath the Maldivian stars,” Liz Smailes, Director of Marketing.

Celebrate More, Feel More runs from October to December 2026, with seasonal offers and experiences available throughout the quarter. For further information and reservations, visit the official website.