Connect with us

Family

K for Kids, H for Haven: child-friendly experiences at Four Seasons Maldives Kuda Huraa

Published

on

Known affectionately as “KH,” Kuda Huraa may as well stand for “Kids Haven” for the quality and extent of activities geared towards younger guests at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa.

“There’s still a preconception that the Maldives isn’t great for children,” explains General Manager Randy Shimabuku. “But when you combine Kuda Huraa’s engaging activities, intimate size, accessible layout and effervescent service culture, nothing could be further from the truth.”

Kuda Huraa kids can visit the island’s cutest residents in the Resort’s turtle pools – where hatchlings from protected nests are hand-reared to increase their chance of survival in the wild – or learn about the vulnerable marine ecosystem with 3D movies in the Marine Discovery Centre. Little dudes as young as six can then swap the classroom for the ocean with year-round lagoon courses with the Resort’s Tropicsurf Surf School. Advanced courses and surf clinics are available for older children, or those with more experience.

Scuba programmes are available for oceanic adventurers as young as eight – and thanks to special permission from PADI, the resort is one of only a handful in the world where children can learn to dive directly among the fish in the shallow lagoon, as opposed to in the swimming pool.

Intrepid marine explorers will also love the resort’s shark snorkel safaris, dolphin cruises, sunset fishing and Robinson Crusoe escapes, while adventure and sports lovers will relish soaring above the ocean on X-Jetblades or trying their hand at wake-boarding, tennis, parasailing and banana-boating.

After an action-packed day, wellness aficionados as young as six can catch a tiny dhoni (traditional Maldivian boat) to The Island Spa for marine-inspired spa treatments packed with oceanic wonders. Discover miracle shells, nourishing seaweeds, wobbly waterbed massages and yoga on land and at sea.

Children aged 4-12 seeking a more structured approach to their day will find all the entertainment they desire courtesy of Montessori-trained Kids’ Club Manager Lisa Rowland, whose daily programme of complimentary activities includes crafts and cookery, spa sessions and scavenger hunts, beach games and garden fun. Under-fours are welcome when accompanied by an adult guardian or Resort babysitter.

In addition, a host of standard child-friendly extras await every child: goody bags; personalised treats and toiletries; child-size robes and slippers; complimentary meals for under-fives; and subsidised, tailored menus for 4-12 year-olds in all the restaurants. The resort’s chefs happily cater to picky palates and will even accommodate early sittings for hungry little tummies.

Kids’ Club also organises extensive two-week vacation programmes during busy periods such as Christmas and Easter. During this time, the daily-changing schedule is supplemented by seasonal activities and entertainment from egg hunts to parties with Santa, as well as evening events including movie nights, theme nights, karaoke, treasure hunts, discos and s’mores under the stars. There is also a Kids’ Buffet Lunch in Cafe Huraa during the Easter and Festive holidays (USD 15 per child; complimentary for under five years).

“We base our kids’ activities on the understanding that if the kids are having fun, the parents are too,” concludes Randy. “And the best way to do that is to treat them like the ‘little grown ups’ they believe themselves to be. It also helps that Kuda Huraa is a small enough island for kids to feel right at home, yet big enough for those wanting peace and privacy to seek those all-important kiddie-free moments. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

Combining innovation, wellness and conservation, Four Seasons Resort Maldives Landaa Giraavaru is a 44-acre, 103-villa wonderland in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — a 30-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport.

Its sister property, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa lies to the south: an enchanting garden island complete with Island Spa sea sanctuary and Tropicsurf coaches and guides. It features 96 thatched beach and water accommodations constructed by local craftsmen using indigenous materials and techniques to reflect a true sense of the Maldives.

The luxury catamaran Four Seasons Explorer connects the two properties via three, four and seven-night cruises, plus private leisure, surf and manta ray charters.

The latest addition to the Maldives collection, Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, Baa Atoll opened in December as the group’s first exclusive-use private island: off limits to everyone else, limitless to the guests.

Awards

Soneva Fushi takes top honour for sustainable childcare in luxury hospitality

Published

on

Soneva Fushi in the Maldives has won the Excellence in Sustainable Childcare award at the Luxury Childcare Association (LCA) Awards 2026, recognising the resort’s approach to incorporating environmental education and sustainability into experiences for younger guests.

The award was among five categories announced by the association following a voting process held last month. The awards recognise luxury hotels and resorts that provide childcare facilities, programmes and family experiences, with winners selected through votes cast by families, guests and industry leaders.

Located within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Soneva Fushi received the recognition for The Den, its children’s club, where activities are designed to introduce younger guests to environmental responsibility through play and learning.

The programme includes tree planting, environmental scavenger hunts, nature-inspired arts and crafts, and recycled paper-making. Children can also visit the resort’s Eco Centro, where waste materials are separated, composted, reused or transformed into new products.

Beyond The Den, the resort offers guided nature walks, marine conservation activities and opportunities to learn about the island’s wildlife. These experiences aim to help children develop an understanding of the natural environment and the importance of conservation.

The Excellence in Sustainable Childcare category recognises properties that integrate environmental responsibility into their childcare programmes, encouraging young guests to develop respect for nature through practical activities and everyday experiences.

Soneva Fushi was the only resort in the Maldives among the five category winners announced for 2026.

Other winners included JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa in Greece, which received the Excellence in Children’s Programming award, and The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa in Mauritius, which won Excellence in Family Experiences.

Paradisus by Meliá Bali in Indonesia received the Excellence in Childcare Facilities award, while MarBella, part of the Mar-Bella Collection in Greece, won Excellence in Baby & Toddler Care.

The 2026 awards follow the association’s inaugural awards in 2025. The five categories were developed to recognise different aspects of family hospitality, including childcare facilities, programming, environmental responsibility and services for younger children.

The Luxury Childcare Association is a membership organisation that accredits luxury hotels and resorts providing professional childcare services and family experiences. Its membership includes more than 70 properties, with the association promoting standards in childcare safety, professionalism and guest experiences across the luxury hospitality sector.

Continue Reading

Family

Niva Kuramathi brings Halloween magic with week of family fun

Published

on

Niva Kuramathi Maldives welcomes young explorers to a week of magic, mischief and island wonder. From 26 October to 1 November 2026, young explorers step into A Spooktacular Island Adventure – seven days of crafts, games, and small wonder. Each morning is a new discovery. Each afternoon dissolves into the pool, the beach, the gold of twilight.

A week of creepy creature craft, spooky sports challenges and witches potions

The week begins with the creation of spiders and ghosts taking form under small hands, followed by pumpkin races and a treasure hunt that winds through the island’s gardens. Wands are crafted, potions bubble in the pool, and at the Eco Centre the island reveals the nocturnal life that wakes when the light softens.

Midweek turns playful and bold – monster mini-Olympics gives way to Halloween yoga, a slow stretch, a steady breath, before spooky bookmarks and beach games fill the hours. As evening settles, the zombie dance party begins and kids have fun mastering three awkward moves – stiff arms outstretched, the stumble and stomp, and bobbling head.

Small creatures come alive in craft and challenge. Bats take flight from paper and paint. A haunted sandcastle rises at the water’s edge, built together, shaped by tide and sand. Vampire ball games, pool challenges, and Halloween tattoos – an afternoon that turns easily into dancing.

When the Whole Island Wears a Mask

On Halloween, coconuts become canvases. Faces transform. Costumes appear as the light lengthens toward the Bageecha Trick-or-Treat event. Spooky games, sweet surprises, and a pool party where music and laughter carry over the water. A day of wonder, a night to remember.

Halloween feels different at Niva Kuramathi – softer, warmer, closer to nature. A week where children imagine freely, play barefoot, and find a little magic in the everyday. The sand, the lagoon, the golden hour – where they become part of the story.

For further information and reservations call: +960 666 01 50 or email:  reservations@nivakuramathi.com.

Continue Reading

Family

Reethi Faru Resort celebrates Halloween with family activities and costume party

Published

on

On 31 October, Reethi Faru Resort invites guests to discover a different side of the Maldives, as the island transforms into a tropical Halloween escape filled with family fun, creative costumes, music, themed dining and unforgettable island moments.

Set against the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, Halloween at Reethi Faru brings together the playful spirit of the season with the natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere of a Maldivian island. From afternoon activities for younger guests to an evening costume celebration, the programme offers something for everyone.

Halloween Fun for Little Ones

The celebrations begin with a dedicated afternoon of Halloween fun for younger guests. Children can get into the spirit of the occasion with face painting, themed games and specially curated activities designed to encourage creativity, imagination and plenty of laughter.

Families are invited to embrace the occasion together, with little ones transforming into their favourite Halloween characters before enjoying an afternoon of playful island adventures.

A Night of Costumes, Music and Celebration

As the sun sets and the island takes on a different atmosphere, the celebrations continue with the Halloween Costume Party.

Guests are invited to dress up and join an evening of DJ music, dancing and Halloween entertainment, with the island providing a unique tropical setting for creative costumes and festive fun.

From mysterious characters to imaginative creations, the costume party brings guests together for an evening where the unexpected feels right at home in paradise.

A Halloween Feast with a Tropical Twist

Food is at the heart of every celebration, and Halloween at Reethi Faru is no exception.

The resort’s culinary team will create a specially themed Halloween buffet, featuring a selection of international and local flavours presented with a creative seasonal twist. From the buffet to the bar, the Halloween spirit continues with specially prepared Halloween cocktails, adding a playful finishing touch to the evening.

Halloween Under the Maldivian Sky

Celebrating Halloween in the Maldives offers a setting unlike any other.

As darkness falls, the sounds of the ocean replace the bustle of everyday life, while the moonlight reflects across the lagoon and the island’s tropical surroundings create an atmospheric backdrop for the evening’s celebrations.

This combination of Halloween tradition and Maldivian island life makes the experience at Reethi Faru distinctive. The result is a celebration that feels festive and familiar, yet entirely at home in paradise.

Whether travelling with family, enjoying a romantic escape or simply looking to experience the Maldives in a different way, guests can join the festivities and create their own Halloween memories on the island.

A Different Kind of Halloween

On 31 October, Reethi Faru Resort invites guests to leave the ordinary behind and experience Halloween where tropical island life meets the spirit of the season.

With creative activities, costumes, music, cuisine and the beauty of the Maldivian night providing the backdrop, Halloween at Reethi Faru offers a celebration that is playful, atmospheric and uniquely island-inspired.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.