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Four Maldives resorts amongst world’s most loved hotels

Four tourist properties in Maldives have secured spots in the Gold List of the Loved by Guests award presented by hotels.com.
From the Maldives, Velassaru Maldives and Veligandu Island Resort & Spa made it to the list with a score of 4.8 out five, while Kurumba Maldives was included in the list with a score of 4.7 out five. The Barefoot Eco Hotel in the island of Hanimadhoo in the northern Haa Dhaal atoll also secured a spot with a score of 4.7.
Veligandu Island Resort, surrounded by a beautiful lagoon and a long stretch of white sandy beach, is accessible by a scenic 20-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport. The resort, which has recently won the Holidaycheck Award for the Top Hotel/Resort in the Maldives for the second year in a row, has 76 rooms, including 54 Jacuzzi Water Villas, 10 Water Villas and 12 Jacuzzi Beach Villas.

Veligandu Island Resort and Spa. PHOTO/ VELIGANDU
Accessible by a 25-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport, Velassaru Maldives offers contemporary-styled villas and bungalows. A wide variety of international specialities are prepared at Velassaru’s five restaurants, including fresh contemporary sea food, Japanese, international and grill pan Indian options, while the two beach bars serve cocktails and wines.
Kurumba Maldives, located a mere 15-minute speedboat ride away from Velana International Airport, is the first resort opened in the Maldives in 1972. Following a complete reconstruction in 2003, it has emerged as a grand resort of distinctive style and panache. With 180 bungalows and villas dotted throughout the island within verdant foliage only a pace or two from the beach, Kurumba Maldives offers a wide range of luxurious accommodation.

The beach bar at Kurumba Maldives. PHOTO/ KURUMBA
The Barefoot Eco Hotel is located within an almost untouched forest on Hanimadhoo island in the preserved deep north of Maldives. This four-star eco hotel offers tranquil and comfortable accommodation options featuring private balcony or terrace along with a private beach area.

The Barefoot Eco Hotel in Hanimaadhoo. PHOTO/ THE BAREFOOT
The Gold List recognises the best hotels and resorts around the world, based on guest reviews. It is the highest honour in the Loved by Guests awards by Expedia-affiliated hotels.com, a leading online accommodation booking website with properties ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts to local favourites and bed & breakfasts.
The Loved by Guests awards were curated using data that showed that it is the simple things that create hotel perfection, with luxurious extras seen as the cherry on the cake. The hotels.com data revealed that cleanliness and comfort are 35 times more important than an extravagant breakfast, a luxurious pool or a deluxe coffee machine in your room. And surprisingly, in this connected world, the impact of friendly and helpful staff is 10 times more important than free Wi-Fi.
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The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo marks global wellness initiative with three-day celebration

The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort has announced a series of complimentary and signature wellness experiences to mark World Wellness Weekend, scheduled for the third week of September 2025. The programme is designed around Westin’s five Pillars of Well-Being — Feel Well, Eat Well, Sleep Well, Move Well, and Play Well — encouraging guests to restore, move, and connect in the natural surroundings of the Maldives.
The activities commence on Friday, 19 September, with a game of water volleyball, combining light-hearted competition with physical activity under the Maldivian sun. As evening falls, the practice of Yoga Nidra will be held, guiding participants into a state of conscious rest and restoration.
On Saturday, 20 September, the agenda features Craft Your Glow, a workshop where guests create body scrubs using natural ingredients and tropical botanicals. The day continues with runWestin, an invigorating sunset beach run that highlights the benefits of movement and outdoor exercise.
The programme concludes on Sunday, 21 September, with Sunrise Yoga at the resort’s Yoga Pavilion. This gentle morning practice harmonises breath and movement, offering a balanced start to the day. Later, a Massage Workshop will provide guided techniques for easing tension in the head, neck, and shoulders, offering couples and individuals alike skills they can apply beyond their stay.
Situated in Baa Atoll, the Maldives’ first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort integrates its well-being philosophy across the guest experience. The resort positions World Wellness Weekend as more than a schedule of events, presenting it instead as an opportunity to embrace mindful living, movement, and rest.
Guests considering a stay may also opt for the ‘Earn, Eat, Enjoy; package, which includes breakfast for two adults and two children, a resort credit of USD 70, and a range of complimentary wellness activities to enhance their island experience.
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SO/ Maldives to host three-day wellness retreat with Anna Kanyuk

This September, SO/ Maldives will host SCULPT. STRETCH. SHINE., a three-day wellness retreat in collaboration with international wellness figure and founder of Top Stretching, Anna Kanyuk. The programme will take place in the setting of Emboodhoo Lagoon and aims to combine movement, mindfulness, and contemporary lifestyle elements within a luxury resort environment.
The retreat will span three days on the resort’s private island, offering participants a structured experience designed to support physical fitness, skincare, and overall wellbeing. Activities will include sunrise sessions on floating decks, evening programmes on the beach, and a series of workshops and classes delivered by Kanyuk and other experts.
Mornings will begin with workouts on the ocean-facing yoga deck, ranging from full-body flows and posture-focused core exercises to high-intensity cardio sessions. These will be followed by small-group workshops at the Pavilion at Hadaba, where participants can join sessions such as Kanyuk’s Facebuilding 101, skincare practices, and talks on nutrition, motivation, and lifestyle balance. In the evenings, activities will move to Lazuli Beach, where stretching, breathwork, and reflection will take place as the sun sets.
The retreat is designed not as a detox programme but as a curated approach to rebalancing and rejuvenation. Each session is intended to help participants enhance physical strength, improve skin health, and adopt practices to support mental clarity.
SO/ Maldives describes itself as a private-island fashion resort that combines avant-garde design with natural surroundings. Villas are located either overwater or within the island’s vegetation, with minimalist interiors, private pools, and wide lagoon or jungle views. Social and dining venues include Lazuli Beach Club, which offers a Mediterranean-inspired experience, and Hadaba, the resort’s signature Middle Eastern dining concept.
With its design-driven identity and wellness-focused philosophy, SO/ Maldives is positioning the retreat as an opportunity for guests to pursue wellbeing within a high-end leisure setting. SCULPT. STRETCH. SHINE. will be held as an intimate programme with limited participation available.
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Summer Island Maldives rewards guests with 10th anniversary holiday giveaway

Summer Island Maldives is celebrating a decade of barefoot charm and Maldivian hospitality with the launch of a special 10th Anniversary Giveaway. The award-winning resort is offering one winner and a companion the opportunity to enjoy 10 nights in paradise, entirely complimentary.
The Grand Prize Includes:
- Ten nights for two in a Water Villa
- All-inclusive meals and beverages
- Roundtrip speedboat transfers from Velana International Airport
- A Serenity full-body massage for two at Firuma Spa by Serena
- A 10-dive package per guest with Diverland Maldives, or an Open Water certification course for beginners
- Curated experiences including a Beach BBQ Dinner, Sandbank Picnic, Sunset Cruise, and non-motorised water sports
“This anniversary marks a decade of incredible memories and meaningful connections with guests from around the world,” said Mohamed Thaufeeq, Resort Manager at Summer Island Maldives. “As a way of saying thank you, we are inviting our guests to join the celebration and have the chance to experience everything that makes Summer Island so special.”
To enter, participants are required to:
- Follow @summer.island.maldives on Instagram
- Like the giveaway post
- Tag two friends in the comments (the tagged friends must also follow the page)
- Share the post on their Instagram story and tag the resort (private account holders must send a screenshot of the tagged story)
Key Details:
- Open to all nationalities aged 18 and above
- Travel period: 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026 (blackout dates apply and bookings are subject to availability)
- International flights are not included
- Winner will be announced on 1 October 2025 via Instagram
- Prize is non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash
The giveaway reflects the resort’s ongoing commitment to offering authentic, joyful, and eco-conscious holiday experiences.
Located just 45 minutes by speedboat from Malé, Summer Island Maldives is managed by Kaimoo Resorts and Hotels. The resort is recognised for its relaxed barefoot philosophy, sustainability initiatives, and warm hospitality. Its accolades include the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2024 and the TUI Global Hotel Quality Awards in both 2024 and 2025.
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