In celebration of International Men’s Day on 19 November 2025, Milaidhoo Maldives has announced The Gentlemen’s Retreat — a bespoke wellness experience exclusively designed for the modern gentleman. Offered as both a transformative three-day retreat and a rejuvenating one-day escape, the programme provides a rare opportunity for rest, reflection, and reconnection.

Set within the serene surroundings of Milaidhoo, a private island sanctuary in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, The Gentlemen’s Retreat embodies the resort’s philosophy of barefoot luxury and mindful living. Here, time slows down, and every experience is carefully crafted to harmonise with the island’s natural rhythm. Rooted in simplicity and presence, the retreat invites guests to embark on a journey of genuine renewal — one that goes beyond relaxation to nurture both mind and body.

“We understand that luxury is not merely about indulgence, but about meaningful, transformative experiences,” said Paul van Frank, General Manager at Milaidhoo Maldives. “This retreat honours the global conversation around men’s mental health and well-being, offering an immersive sanctuary for those seeking calm and clarity.”

Three-Day Wellness Journey:

• Day 1: Arrival and Grounding – Guests are welcomed with a calming herbal drink, a cool towel, and a personalised wellness consultation before easing into a Jet Lag Reviver Massage — a 60-minute deep tissue treatment designed to release tension and stimulate circulation. The evening concludes with a guided Breathing Ritual by the ocean at sunset to restore focus and calm.
• Day 2: Strength and Vitality – The day begins with a Sunrise Functional Fitness session led by a personal trainer, followed by a nourishing Power Breakfast featuring local superfoods. Guests then enjoy Herbal Steam Therapy to detoxify the body before experiencing the signature Maldivian Warrior Massage, a 90-minute firm-pressure ritual using African wood dumbbells and herbal compresses to enhance strength and vitality.
• Day 3: Balance and Rejuvenation – The final day features Tai Chi or Hatha Yoga by the sea, an Obsidian Detox Facial to revitalise the skin, and a reflective session of guided meditation or journaling with the resort’s wellness coach. The journey concludes with a Sunset Mocktail at Compass Bar, a Nutrition Consultation and Meal Plan, and a farewell gift to commemorate the experience.

One-Day Retreat Experience

The condensed one-day retreat offers an immersive escape for those seeking renewal within a single day. The itinerary includes a private movement session, a full-body spa ritual featuring an Intensive Muscle Release Massage by Aromatherapy Associates, and moments of calm through an ocean swim or pool float. Guests enjoy a healthy outdoor lunch with fresh island produce, followed by a choice of cooling treatments — either the Aroma Sun Soother or Obsidian Facial. The day concludes with guided Sunset Reflection, a mocktail at Compass Bar, a private candlelit dinner under the stars, and an evening ritual featuring herbal tea, a warm essential oil bath, and deep sleep preparation.

The Gentlemen’s Retreat will be available throughout November 2025, with limited spaces to ensure an intimate and highly personalised experience for each guest.

The St. Regis Maldives will host a transformative wellness residency featuring globally acclaimed Master Pilates Instructor Tash Barnard and renowned Performance and Wellbeing Coach Andre Barnard. Taking place from 3 to 16 November 2025, the programme brings together decades of expertise in movement, strength, and holistic wellbeing, offering guests a rare opportunity to rejuvenate both body and mind in the tranquil setting of the Maldives.

Tash Barnard will lead her signature Pilates sessions, designed to refine posture, strengthen the core, and promote mindful movement. Her tailored programmes include individual postural resets, sports performance sessions, and immersive stretch and release experiences, each crafted to restore balance, mobility, and vitality. Couples may also take part in guided movement sessions that encourage connection and shared wellbeing.

Andre Barnard’s practice combines personal training, performance coaching, and targeted therapies to enhance physical performance and overall wellness. Guests can participate in strength and conditioning workouts, bespoke coaching sessions, or immersive retreats that blend mindful movement with restorative therapy, energising the body and calming the mind.

Together, Tash and Andre Barnard will offer joint programmes that unite Pilates, therapeutic massage, and guided movement with strength and posture training. Their full-day Wellbeing Retreats feature mindful flow, sports-focused Pilates, massage, and breathwork, concluding with a gratitude circle to leave participants grounded and renewed.

Set within the serene overwater sanctuary of The St. Regis Maldives, these exclusive experiences invite guests to reconnect with themselves, embrace mindful living, and depart feeling rebalanced in body, mind, and spirit.

At Ayada Maldives, wellness is not an add-on to the guest experience, it is part of the island’s natural rhythm. Surrounded by the soothing sounds of the ocean and the vibrant energy of the tropics, guests are invited to rediscover balance through yoga, movement, and mindfulness, guided by the resort’s resident instructor, Satyam.

Rooted in Tradition

Satyam’s journey to Ayada began far from the turquoise waters of the Maldives, in the Himalayan foothills of Rishikesh — a town revered as the birthplace of yoga. There, he trained under some of India’s most respected teachers, completing over 500 hours of certified practice. Satyam also studied naturopathy, Ayurvedic Panchakarma, and therapeutic yoga, equipping him with a holistic understanding of the connection between body, mind, and spirit.

This depth of knowledge now shapes the wellness offering at Ayada Maldives, where each session blends authentic yogic principles with the serene energy of the island.

An Inclusive Approach to Wellbeing

From sunrise yoga on the beach to sunset meditation at the Zero Degree Pagoda, Satyam’s classes are designed to meet guests wherever they are in their journey. His teaching philosophy is simple — yoga should be accessible to everyone.

Beginners are gently guided through foundational poses, while experienced practitioners can explore more advanced techniques and breathwork. Beyond yoga, Ayada’s wellness programme also includes reformer Pilates, Tai Chi, high-intensity interval training, and even children’s yoga, ensuring that every guest — regardless of age or ability — finds their place in the island’s rhythm of movement.

Where Nature Enhances the Practice

What makes Ayada’s approach truly special is its setting. For Satyam, the island itself plays an active role in every session. The ocean breeze, the scent of tropical flora, and the gentle sound of waves create an atmosphere that naturally calms the mind and deepens the practice.

“The energy here is different,” he explains. “You can feel it the moment you start to breathe — the island encourages you to slow down, to be present, to reconnect.”

Wellness at Ayada Maldives is more than a daily ritual — it is an invitation to reconnect with oneself, to find stillness in motion, and to rediscover the joy of balance.

For more on Ayada Maldives’ wellness offerings, visit www.ayadamaldives.com.