Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort has announced an awe-inspiring festive programme of activities for Christmas and New Year 2019-20.

Guests can expect pristine beach discoveries, food and beverage spectaculars, fun activities for kids, and plenty of quality relaxation for adults.

The spacious and award-winning, all-pool villa resort in the south of the Maldives has created wonderful activities from December 19, 2019 to January 1, 2020. Most of the activities are complimentary.

The activities fall under eight great festive themes:

Food & Beverage: Expect everything from a festive feast on December 25 to a global gourmet voyage, Indian Ocean night, Asian street food fair, barbecue and Boduberu, sunset seafood and sauvignon, wine academy with a guest sommelier, mezze and Arabic grill, and more.

Active lifestyle: Combat festive excess with aqua aerobics, an introduction to paddle boarding, gym fitness lessons, and kayaking around the island.

For Kids: Enjoy movie nights under the stars, family sand castle contests, kids parties, kite flying, hunting for Christmas bells, and, of course, visit Santa Claus in his grotto on Christmas Day.

Body & Soul: Choose from meditation classes, nature walks, aerial yoga, and a full range of pampering options at Navasana Spa, a sanctuary within a sanctuary.

For Adults: Enjoy live chill out sessions by the resident DJ, New Year’s Eve party, spa, wine, mixology, dining on the beach, and a sunset cocktail reception with management.

Mother Nature: Join a marine talk with the resort’s marine biologist, say hello to a sea turtle, or give back to nature by joining a desert island clean-up and snorkel trip – all activities are part of Outrigger’s OZONE global marine conservation commitment.

Out of the Ordinary States of Being: Uniquely memorable experiences include local island excursions, renewal of vows, sunken beach table dining by candlelight, picnic on a sandbank, cooking classes, or escaping in a traditional dhoni boat to be a desert island castaway for a day.

Festive People: Chill with the festive people who will make it a particularly memorable time of year on Konotta Island: Matty Wainwright (DJ), Christopher Long (chef), Bijaya Kumar (yoga and fitness trainer), Reena and Rashfa (Coral Kids Club supervisors), and Santa Claus (no introduction required). A mixologist and sommelier will be joining too.

“Each year we work with Santa and his elves to create festive magic for families and couples who want to unwind in a pristine beach setting at Christmas,” John Allanson, General Manager at the Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort, was quoted in a statement, as saying.

“Outrigger promises a magical experience where you can forget the winter cold and celebrate in style.”

The private island of Konotta is located 340 kilometres to the south of capital Male, and is conveniently accessible via a 55-minute flight from the main Velana International Airport to Kaadedhdhoo Airport followed by a scenic 30-minute journey on a luxurious private yacht.

The award-winning Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort offers guests the largest average villa sizes in the Maldives. Comprising 29 Beach Pool Villas, 21 Ocean Pool Villas, two Lagoon Pool Villas and the three-bedroom Grand Konotta Villa, the resort offers a complete sense of privacy and intimate luxury.

Captivate your senses with innovative dining concepts, the Navasana Spa, and high-end facilities. In between your diving lesson and massage, indulge in sumptuous Maldivian cuisine or a glass of white Burgundy in one of the resort’s restaurants or the comfort of your villa. As the sun sets, sample Japanese single malts at the Teppan bar whilst drinking in endless ocean views.

For full information on the Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort festive programme, click here. Or call +960 684 7770. E: reservation.konotta@outrigger.mv. Booking: outrigger.com.

Fushifaru Maldives has celebrated winning the ‘Maldives Leading Beach Resort’ award at the 26th edition of the World Travel Awards.

World Travel Awards honour the top travel destinations worldwide as rated by travel professionals as well as by travellers. Known as the “Tourism Oscars”, the World Travel Awards are renowned as the most prestigious and comprehensive in the global industry and recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.

On Monday, on the resort’s stunning beach, over 100 residents and guests celebrated this remarkable victory at a magical sunset cocktail event, exulting traditional Maldivian elements that Fushifaru Maldives is renowned for.

The trophy made a grand entrance on a jet ski arriving at the beach in style, where it was received with an authentic Maldivian welcome and was escorted between the rejoicing audiences.

“Winning the award is an outstanding affirmation of the trust our guests place in our personalised services and serve as positive motivation for us to continue raising the bar in being the resort of choice for leisure travelers. All our resident hosts and staff are dedicated to provide our guests with inspiring and memorable experiences during their stay. With 49 villas, our resident hosts are able to cater to every guest’s wish to ensure a magical Maldivian adventure,” General Manager Ahmed Siaar was quoted in a statement, as saying.

Only a 35-minute breathtaking seaplane flight away from Velana International Airport, Fushifaru Maldives is nestled between a national Marine Protected Area and three of the Maldives’ most iconic dive sites. Fushifaru Maldives is a with an endless promise of adventure, excitement, discovery and serenity all in one diverse landscape.

Merging quintessential Maldivian design with modern aesthetics, this boutique Maldivian chic resort’s 49 beach and water villas exude a sense of cosines yet luxurious in space and amenities. Each of the villas feature open-air bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers, private verandas with dining areas and breath-taking views of the surrounding area – some villas feature private plunge pools.

Dining experiences focus on regional and international flavours to suit every taste and dietary requirement. Scrumptious breakfast buffets and palate pleasing international cuisine are offered at Korakali while flavourful Asian delicacies and mouth-watering varieties of freshly caught seafood can be savoured at Raakani. Signature cocktails and detoxtails are complemented by the best sunset views on island whilst lounging by the pool at Fanihandhi. A range of international dishes and snacks can be served straight to the privacy of your villa, 24 hours.

Heylhi Spa has five treatment rooms or sanctuaries that embody the spirit of rejuvenation; a concept inspired by the Cleaner Wrasse fish found commonly throughout the island’s reef. Designed with lush, green surroundings, the spa echoes its name Heylhi, which in Dhivehi refers to jungle-like vegetation found at the shoreline. Each treatment room resembles traditional Maldivian cottages, complete with outdoor garden bathrooms.

Photography: Ikoo Photos

Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa Maldives has announced plans to host a charity run to mark Global Wellness Day.

On June 8, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort will partner with irunners, a Maldivian running group supporting a local foundation for children, for a jog across a six-kilometre jogging trail recently launched by Adidas global ambassador Adrienne LDN.

The train takes runners through 10 locations unique to the resort. Runners can get their hearts pumping as they pass Mount Villingili, the highest peak in the Maldives at five and one tenth metres, run through the lush jungle with 17,000 coconut trees and banyan trees, pass historical sites, witness natural lagoons and the turtle nestling beach, and step through the closest point to Antarctica. The route also passes along the sandy coastline and through the golf course.

As part of its Global Wellness Day events, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort will also offer healthy dishes and a reflexology session. The day will conclude with a sunset yoga session on Mount Villingili.

These events are part of a group-wide celebration. To mark Global Wellness Day, all Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts properties will be promoting health and wellness, introducing bespoke wellness experiences that will bring a positive change to every individual.

A private hideaway, in a world of its own, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa is the perfect setting for couples, with its secluded location as part of the Maldives southernmost atoll.

For the ultimate luxury experience, Villa Muthee, is the epitome of tropical refinement. The presidential villa nestles in its own luxurious environment with its private walkway entrance, a spacious deck with a private infinity pool and direct access to the ocean, a separate living room, yoga pavilion and even its own spa treatment room to let guests relax without leaving the villa.

Beyond Villa Muthee, the resort offers an extensive choice of accommodation, such as the unique Tree House Villas, Perched on stilts among the emerald green treetops, the villas offer intimate settings with marvellous views of the ocean and a large deck with its own private infinity pool. For true ocean lovers, the Water Villas, positioned over the lagoon, offer the perfect seascape for those who cannot resist slipping into the aquamarine waters teeming with tropical marine life. These open and airy villas come with overwater hammocks for languorous lounging.

The resort offers many options for water adventurers, such as turtle-quest snorkelling, diving to a unique shipwreck site, surfing with half a dozen great wave setups or parasailing for a bird’s eye view of the island. Tropical ‘havenists’ will also find their own piece of paradise in the unique flora and fauna that can be explored while cycling around Villingili’s jungle and coastal pathways or while playing on the only golf course in the Maldives. Couples can also enjoy a range of cultural experiences like no other in the Maldives, with guided tours of the neighbouring islands of Addu atoll, visits to the local farms and samplings of Maldivian cuisine.

The brightest gem in the sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean, Villingili island is a haven for those seeking true romance. As if it was meant to be, the resort is located in the heart-shaped Addu atoll, just a five-minute boat ride away from Gan International Airport.