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Lux* introduces expert-led workshops on guest well-being, rolls out in Maldives
Lux* Hotels and Resorts has launched a unique calendar of expert-led workshops designed to inspire creativity and boost guest health and well-being, with the first set of workshops being rolled out in Maldives and a select few other destinations.
The new LUX* expert-led workshops feature an impressive line-up of Australian talent who are teaching their arts, knowledge and skills on a global stage at LUX* Resorts in Mauritius, Reunion Island and the Maldives throughout 2017 and beyond. Courses include Tibetan sound healing and stress-busting meditation, painting, the art of bookbinding, or learn how to make the ultimate health tonics.
Designed in partnership with Sydney-based organisation Work-Shop, these workshops mirror latest research revealing everyday creative activities such as performing music, painting or drawing, writing short stories, songs and poetry can ward off stress, leading to an upward spiral of increased emotional well-being.
The Lux* South Ari Atoll resort in the Maldives has already hosted three workshops; a two-hour yoga and arts session in January, a practical session on taking better Instagram photos last month and a two-hour workshop on travel writing just this month.
As the year progresses, Lux* South Ari Atoll will host a lot more workshops on a wide range of topics, including:
- Tibetan sound healing (August): Understand how to access your intuition and gain confidence in listening to your inner voice through balancing and grounding your energy using yogic tools. Experience the deep vibrations and soothing sounds of ancient Tibetan singing bowls during a sound meditation as well as through fun group activities.
- DIY Kombucha and health tonics (August and October): Kombucha is a fermented health drink originating from China, which is believed to be the key to improving digestion and boosting the immune system. Reconnect with the art of fermenting in this hour-and-a-half masterclass, and explore the benefits of making beet kvass, master tonic and rejuvelac.
- DIY Chinese medicine therapies (November): This ancient system of health therapies is also a philosophy of maintaining one’s own vitality. Tai chi, qigong, and diet are as much a part of Chinese medicine as acupuncture and Chinese herbs; learn the techniques of cupping and scraping to relieve aches, pains, and muscle tightness, to help recovery from colds and flu.
- DIY Japanese bookbinding (December): In this three-hour bookbinding class guests will be trained in binding techniques and make their very own books in beautiful handmade suminagashi marbled papers. Discover Japanese stitch, Japanese stab binding, Hemp stitch and tortoiseshell binding and create Japanese journals to use as photobooks and diaries.
“The expert-led workshops will continue every year and propose exciting new experiences, offering our guests a different luxury hospitality experience; celebrating life with creative entertainment; holidaying differently, creatively. Some will feature similar talent with evolving content, based on their success. In addition new workshops will be added,” Axelle Mazery, Group Press and Public Relations Manager told Australia’s Travel Weekly.
LUX* South Ari Atoll has recently undergone a major upgrade. Fresh from its relaunch, cutting-edge designer villas and world-class dining can be found only a 30-minute seaplane flight from Male making LUX* South Ari Atoll one of the most exciting resort in the Maldives. Excellent eating and drinking is always a cut above the rest at LUX* and at South Ari Atoll, there is authentic South East Asian street food in the Maldives’ only over-the-water gourmet night market and world-class Chinese cuisine at East, along with the Japanese restaurant, Umami, which offers live teppanyaki and dazzling selection of sakés.
The Mauritius-based hospitality group has recently announced the opening of its second resort in the Maldives in November. Named LUX* North Male Atoll and located on the six hectare picnic island of Olhahali which is in an unexplored Maldivian atoll, the new resort features contemporary architecture that is unique for the Indian Ocean, including private terraces, rooftop lounges, outdoor decks, private gardens and 13m private pools.
Constance Hospitality has been recognised in the 2026 Traveller Review Awards by Booking.com, with its Maldivian resorts achieving some of the highest scores within the group’s portfolio.
In the Maldives, Constance Halaveli Maldives received an outstanding score of 9.8 out of 10, while Constance Moofushi Maldives achieved 9.7. The ratings, based on verified guest reviews, reflect consistently high levels of guest satisfaction and service delivery.
Constance Halaveli Maldives, known for its spacious overwater and beachfront villas, personalised service and refined dining concepts, continues to perform strongly among travellers. Constance Moofushi Maldives, positioned as a barefoot chic resort with an all-inclusive concept, also maintains a high guest approval rating, supported by its diving experiences and relaxed island atmosphere.
While the wider Constance portfolio across the Indian Ocean was recognised, the Maldives properties stand out as the group’s highest-rated resorts in the 2026 awards cycle.
Commenting on the recognition, Jean-Jacques Vallet, Chief Executive Officer of Constance Hospitality, stated that the awards reflect the professionalism and commitment of the teams on the ground. He added that guest feedback remains central to maintaining service standards and delivering consistent experiences across the group’s destinations.
The recognition reinforces the position of Constance Halaveli Maldives and Constance Moofushi Maldives as leading performers within the Maldives’ competitive luxury hospitality sector.
Sun Siyam Resorts is marking the Lunar New Year across its Luxury, Privé and Lifestyle collections with a coordinated programme of cultural experiences, festive dining, music and family-focused activities from 15 to 20 February 2026. Celebrating the Year of the Horse, each resort’s programme reflects its individual character while embracing the spirit of renewal and togetherness associated with the season.
Siyam World – Lifestyle Collection
At Siyam World, Lunar New Year celebrations combine cultural heritage with contemporary island energy. A highlight of the programme is a live showcase featuring Chinese-inspired DJ sets paired with the traditional guzheng, creating a fusion of electronic rhythms and classical melody. Performances by the Chaozhou Shantou lion dance troupe add further cultural depth, with guests invited to observe, participate and learn traditional movements.
Sun Siyam Olhuveli – Lifestyle Collection
Sun Siyam Olhuveli is presenting a relaxed Lunar New Year programme shaped by traditional symbolism and island living. Throughout the week, the resort will host family-friendly cultural activities, traditional performances and live music. Red-themed décor and festive elements will set the tone, while dragon displays and cultural showcases bring movement to the island’s central spaces. The celebrations peak on 16 and 17 February with performances by DJ Slim Belghith, whose international sound will accompany evening festivities.
Sun Siyam Iru Veli – Privé Collection
At Sun Siyam Iru Veli, the Year of the Horse will be marked through a programme that combines cultural traditions with family-oriented experiences. The Kids Club will host themed activities including red envelope crafting, lantern making, zodiac-inspired art and traditional games. The Fire Horse Pool Party at Chemistry will bring families together with music and refreshments. Dining highlights include hot pot lunches and dinners, along with a dedicated Chinese section titled “Flavours of Fortune” at the Aqua Orange buffet. Guests may also enjoy seasonal spa treatments at Ocean Spa designed to promote balance and renewal.
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef – Privé Collection
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef will conclude its celebrations with a Grand Spring Gala Dinner featuring international cuisine alongside Chinese specialities. The evening includes a traditional lion dance performance, filling the island with movement and symbolic gestures intended to welcome prosperity and good fortune.
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi – Luxury Collection
At Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, Lunar New Year celebrations will blend Chinese traditions with Maldivian island experiences. Dining features include beachfront seafood platters, Blue Lobster barbecues and traditional hot pot dinners, complemented by chocolate, cheese and champagne tastings.
Younger guests may take part in dragon dance workshops and lantern painting sessions, while signature resort experiences such as Sunset Jet Car rides, Cinema by Moonlight on a private boat and floating breakfasts add further variety. Evening turndown moments incorporate local Maldivian touches, reflecting the resort’s approach to cultural exchange. With 15 dining venues, family-oriented villas and dedicated adults-only spaces, the resort’s programme is designed to accommodate a broad range of guests.
Commenting on the celebrations, Ahmed Naufal, Group Director of Business Development, noted that China remains an important market for Sun Siyam. He stated that the Lunar New Year celebrations provide an opportunity to honour Chinese traditions while delivering experiences consistent with the group’s standards of hospitality.
Across its Maldivian portfolio, Sun Siyam Resorts presents Lunar New Year as a season of cultural appreciation, shared celebration and renewal by the sea.
St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has announced a partnership with LUX Tennis, strengthening the resort’s established tennis offering and introducing plans for a new padel court. The collaboration expands the resort’s active lifestyle programme, with a particular focus on families and multi-generational travel.
The St. Regis brand draws on the legacy of the Astor family, founders of the original St. Regis New York, whose Gilded Age lifestyle celebrated refined leisure and sporting pursuits. Tennis, in particular, became a symbol of elegance within the Astor social circle, reflecting a culture shaped by hospitality, recreation and sophistication. This heritage continues across the St. Regis portfolio today, where classic sports remain an integral part of the brand’s identity.
Set within the resort’s private island environment, the enhanced LUX Tennis programme is designed to elevate on-island tennis experiences for guests of all ages and skill levels. The programme features expert-led coaching, bespoke clinics and visiting residencies by internationally recognised professionals, offering guests opportunities to train, play and engage with elite talent in an accessible and inspiring setting.
Confirmed visiting professionals include Angelique Kerber, three-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one, who will visit from 29 to 31 March 2026, and Feliciano López, former Spanish champion with a career-high singles ranking of world number 12, scheduled from 16 to 17 May 2026.
The expanded tennis programme is designed to integrate seamlessly with island life, offering everything from relaxed family matches and junior-friendly coaching to more focused sessions for experienced players. Activities are structured to complement time spent at the beach, spa experiences and family dining.
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort features 77 beachfront and overwater villas, each with a private pool, alongside facilities such as the John Jacob Astor Estate, the largest overwater three-bedroom villa in the Maldives. Guests also have access to the award-winning Iridium Spa, six dining venues and a private yacht available for charter, reinforcing the resort’s positioning as a destination for both leisure and active pursuits.
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