Spa
Kuredu appoints Elisabeth Lorbeer as Spa Manager
Kuredu Island Resort has appointed Elisabeth Lorbeer as the Spa Manager.
Elli, a German national, holds a bachelor’s degree in arts and business economics, with a major in marketing & HR, from the University of Applied Sciences in Deggendorf, and is joining us here at Kuredu in the Maldives not long after having completed a massage therapy course at the Hawaii Healing Arts College, where she specalised in Swedish massage, lomi lomi, shiatsu, reflexology and sports massage.
Elli has seen a good portion of the world, including incredible places like the aforementioned Hawaii, French Polynesia, New Zealand and Japan, however she feels that the Maldives holds a special allure. Besides training her team and coming up with new ideas to enhance the spa and well-being treatments at Duniye Spa, she enjoys yoga, paddleboarding, snorkelling, as well as playing ukulele and dancing hula in her spare time. As she puts it nicely: ‘I’m living a life that I don’t need a holiday from!’
Kuredu Duniye Spa manager is settled in by now and already has her own list of top things to do at the resort: start the day with yoga on the sandbank, have breakfast on the deck of the O Resort, snorkel on the house reef and recharge the batteries on the hammock afterwards. Since no day at Kuredu is complete without a massage, Elli recommends the Maldivian Island Paradise treatment at the over-water O Spa, followed by a cappuccino at Sai Kotari, the cosy tea and coffee house at the end of Kuredu’s jetty. To wrap up her ideal day in paradise, Elli’s tip includes paddleboarding at sunset and finishing off with a luscious meal at The Far East Restaurant.
We wish Elli a fantastic time at Kuredu and may her positive energy and professional massages work miracles on Duniye Spa guests.
Action
Soneva reveals star-studded calendar of residencies through end of 2026
Soneva has unveiled the latest Soneva Stars calendar, seeing out the year with a line-up spanning space, sport, gastronomy, craftsmanship and wellbeing. Across Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Secret, guests are invited to train, learn and interact with remarkable personalities who have spent their careers at the top of their fields.
Among the year’s headline residences is Tim Peake, the first British ESA astronaut to visit the International Space Station. Peake will host talks, interactive sessions and stargazing experiences at Soneva Fushi from 19 to 29 December, sharing insights from his extraordinary career in space exploration beneath some of the clearest night skies on Earth.
The sporting calendar will welcome a series of internationally recognised athletes. A Premier League record goalscorer and former Manchester United striker, Andy Cole will lead football sessions from 25 October to 1 November, while former world No. 8 Marcos Baghdatis (25 October to 5 November) and current ATP star Karen Khachanov (12 to 22 November) will host tennis clinics and coaching experiences, giving guests a rare chance to train with players who have competed at the sport’s highest level. In September, Olympic medallist and world champion decathlete Leo Neugebauer will lead a session at Soneva Fushi’s outdoor gym as part of his residency.


In the world of wellbeing, Sarah Chapman, the facialist whose client list reads like a who’s who of the beauty world, will bring her treatments to Soneva Secret from 27 October to 5 November, offering guests the kind of skin expertise usually reserved for a waiting list.

The culinary programme features acclaimed chefs including Chantelle Nicholson (22 October to 6 November), known for her ingredient-led cooking and commitment to sustainable gastronomy, and champions of elevated Scandinavian dining, Niclas Jönsson (22 October to 6 November) and Fiskebar’s Jamie Lee (14 to 26 December), who will present special experiences throughout the season.

The Soneva Stars calendar runs even deeper. Astronomers Dr James Gilbert and Dr Lars Lindberg Christensen amplify the resorts’ celestial programme, while glass artists Adam Holtzinger and Susan Špiranović lead a residency at Soneva Fushi’s glass studio. Enhancing the wellbeing offering, guests can work with osteopath Hortensia Corredoira, East Asian healing specialist Alexander Scrimgeour, performance coach JP Liendi, Bodyism’s Nathalie Schyllert and wellbeing expert Richie Norton, alongside football freestyler Marcel Gurk, across residencies running through to the end of the year.

“The most memorable moments unfold through the power of human connection,” said Neil Gallagher, Chief Executive Officer of Soneva. “With Soneva Stars, our guests train with Andy Cole, sit with Tim Peake to find out what it’s truly like up there and get a fresh taste of the ocean’s bounty with Jamie Lee. These experiences spark conversations and memories that stay with them long after they leave.”
No two Soneva Stars seasons are ever the same. Each residency is an expression of Just What Matters: meaningful connections, new perspectives and moments of genuine wonder and discovery.
Guests can explore the full Soneva Stars calendar to book remarkable experiences.
Meditation
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort to mark World Wellness Weekend with three-day celebration
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort will commemorate World Wellness Weekend 2026 with an immersive three-day celebration inspired by the restorative power of nature. Taking place from September 18 to 20, 2026, the thoughtfully curated program invites guests to embrace mindful living, holistic wellbeing, and meaningful connection through experiences designed to foster balance, vitality, and renewal in an extraordinary island setting.
Rooted in the St. Regis tradition of crafting exceptional experiences, the weekend brings together movement, mindfulness, self-care, and wellness education against the breathtaking backdrop of the Maldives. The three-day program includes yoga and meditation, Pilates, strength and fitness training, Anti-Gravity Yoga, aquatic fitness experiences, skincare workshops, and guided self-care sessions. These experiences encourage guests to reconnect with themselves, cultivate inner balance, and embrace a more mindful way of living.
Nestled between lush tropical rainforest and pristine white-sand beaches on a private island in Dhaalu Atoll, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort offers a serene sanctuary where luxury and wellbeing exist in harmony. From sunrise rituals overlooking the Indian Ocean to transformative experiences at the award-winning Iridium Spa, every element of the weekend is thoughtfully designed to inspire presence, deepen one’s connection with nature, and nurture a lasting sense of wellbeing.

Day One | Friday, September 18, 2026
The weekend begins with Morning Yoga at the Yoga Sala, where guests are invited to greet the day with sun salutations that energise the body and calm the mind. A dynamic blend of aerobics and boxing follows, designed to strengthen, challenge, and invigorate.
Later, guests can explore the principles of holistic wellbeing during Balancing Your Doshas, an interactive Ayurvedic workshop focused on achieving greater harmony between mind, body, and environment. The afternoon continues with an energising Beach Boot Camp, before transitioning into a restorative Chakra Yoga session, encouraging self-expression, authenticity, and personal growth.

Day Two | Saturday, September 19, 2026
The second day begins with Sunrise Yoga and Meditation, followed by Mat Pilates, session designed to enhance core strength, balance, and flexibility.
A highlight of the day, Anti-Gravity Yoga combines traditional yoga principles with suspended movement, creating a unique experience that is both engaging and restorative. At Iridium Spa, guests may participate in a Skin Analysis Workshop, featuring personalised consultations and expert recommendations tailored to individual skincare and wellness goals.
The afternoon features Strength Training, before concluding with a guided Chakra Meditation centred on Ajna, the third-eye chakra, encouraging clarity, intuition, and reflection.

Day Three | Sunday, September 20, 2026
The final day starts with a tranquil Morning Yoga session, followed by an invigorating HIIT Workout, challenging participants with high-intensity movement designed to elevate fitness, endurance, and vitality.
Guests are then welcomed to the iconic overwater Iridium Spa for an interactive BR Skin Instant® Workshop, where tailored insights and expert advice highlight the relationship between wellbeing and radiant, healthy skin.
The wellness journey continues with Pool Bike Fitness, a low-impact aquatic workout that combines resistance and cardiovascular training, followed by The Art of Massage Workshop, where guests can learn simple therapeutic techniques to support relaxation and recovery.
The weekend concludes with a Modified HYROX Workout on the beach, a dynamic functional fitness challenge that blends strength, stamina, and cardio. A final Chakra Yoga session dedicated to Sahasrara, the crown chakra, brings the celebration to a meaningful close.
A Journey to Renewal
Nestled between lush tropical rainforest and pristine white-sand beaches on a private island in Dhaalu Atoll, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort provides an extraordinary setting for renewal and discovery. From sunrise rituals overlooking the Indian Ocean to transformative experiences at the award-winning Iridium Spa, every element of the World Wellness Weekend is thoughtfully designed to inspire presence, deepen one’s connection with nature, and nurture a lasting sense of wellbeing.
For more information on World Wellness Weekend 2026 and the resort’s wellness offerings, visit stregismaldives.com.
News
ELE|NA achieves wellness champion status across entire Maldives portfolio
This World Wellness Weekend 2026, ELE|NA celebrates the achievement of all nine of its Maldives sanctuaries, each recognised as a Wellness Champion for their commitment to bringing meaningful wellness experiences to guests.
World Wellness Weekend is a global movement designed to inspire people to prioritise their wellbeing through the Five Ways to Wellbeing: Sleep & Creativity, Nutrition & Nourishment, Movement & Vitality, Sense of Meaning & Purpose, and Connection & Community. Celebrating its 10th edition in 2026, the initiative takes place annually on the third weekend of September, bringing together wellness destinations, hospitality groups, fitness communities and organisations around the world to create experiences that encourage people to live healthier, happier and more connected lives. In 2026, the movement will come to life through more than 15,000 events across 190 countries, with 47 wellness activities taking place across the Maldives.

Nine sanctuaries. Nine Wellness Champions.
For ELE|NA, achieving Wellness Champion Status across 100% of its Maldives portfolio is a reflection of a shared philosophy embedded across its sanctuaries and teams. Champions are recognised for their ability to activate wellness, engage their communities and encourage positive, sustainable wellbeing practices, demonstrating that wellness is not a once-a-year initiative, but an ongoing commitment.

A Weekend to Move, Restore & Reconnect
Guests across ELE|NA’s sanctuaries will be invited to explore wellness through sunrise yoga, meditation, breathwork, sound healing, herbal tea ceremonies, aqua fitness and Pilates, alongside hands-on natural wellness workshops including coconut oil and scrub making, natural hair masks and massage, creating meaningful opportunities to pause, restore and reconnect.
Through its participation in World Wellness Weekend, ELE|NA’s sanctuaries will bring this philosophy to life across the Maldives, creating opportunities for guests to explore different dimensions of wellbeing and discover practices they can carry with them long after their stay.

ELE|NA is a global spa and wellness management company dedicated to redefining personal well-being through tailored, immersive experiences. Operating in the Maldives and India, ELE|NA blends traditional healing practices, contemporary therapies, and wellness science to craft journeys as unique as each individual. Beyond exceptional spa and wellness experiences, ELE|NA provides expert management solutions for resorts and properties, helping them deliver personalized, elevated wellness offerings. Guided by the philosophy of Wellness Your Way™, ELE|NA empowers both guests and partners to discover their own path to vitality, balance, and inner harmony.
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