Featured
Niyama Maldives announces visiting wellness practitioner programmes
Niyama Private Islands Maldives has announced a roster of visiting wellness practitioners.
Drift by Niyama offers a unique take on spa journeys, with the latest in beauty from the world’s leading brands and a visiting roster of wellness practitioners from Beverly Hills to Dubai. The schedule of visiting practitioners for the rest of the year and early next year include:
Inner peace and outer beauty with Katrina Valente (October 20 to November 10)
Join the Hollywood A-list with Intraceuticals oxygen facials – the first in the Maldives – and Dermapen mesotherapy, treatments which deliver tailored nutrients directly to the skin. Indulge in soothing massages such as raindrop therapy, originating with the Lakota Native Indians.
Katrina’s philosophy begins with the maxim that beauty radiates from the inside out. Her facials and anti-ageing treatments combine the latest medical innovations, 100 percent organic aroma products and the healing powers of holistic medicine. Each personalised consultation with Katrina begins with colour therapy to individualise treatments based on each individual’s chakras.
Trained at the Burghley Academy of Beauty in Cambridgeshire, Scottish-Italian beauty Katrina Valente is a master practitioner of reflexology, crystal therapy, Shamanic reiki and pranic healing, and has spent the last two decades based in Dubai giving holistic beauty treatments to royalty and socialites alike.

Non-surgical facelifts with Dr Alessi (December 22 to January 2, 2018)
Remove wrinkles and folds, contour and shape the planes of your face, or correct asymmetrically aligned features. Using a combination of Botox for crow’s feet and frown lines; Juvederm and Perfectha hyaluronic fillers to lift and contour cheeks, minimise nasolabial folds, wrinkles and skin depressions, and add volume to and contour lips; and Kybella, the first and only FDA-approved injectable treatment to improve the appearance of impurities beneath the chin by physically destroying fat cells. Treat yourself to a facelift without the invasiveness of surgery, all under Dr Alessi’s artistic hands.
As the founder and medical director of the Alessi Institute for Facial Plastic Surgery, Beverly Hills, Dr Alessi is certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology. Magician to the stars, Dr Alessi has appeared on Larry King Live, ABC News, CBS News, NBC News and CNN for his expertise in facial contouring.

Perfect health with Paulo Fernandes (December 27 to January 17, 2018)
Paulo will be hosting complimentary workshops on The Ten Steps for Perfect Health at Drift by Niyama. A holistic look at the combination of diet, hydration, detoxing and exercise, Paulo also introduces the wonders of nutritional microscopy and an alkaline lifestyle.
Discover the inner workings of your body, with a live blood analysis illustrating your nutritional needs, deficiencies and imbalances. Learn about targeted super foods and herbs to increase your energy levels. Sign up for a bamboo massage to melt away muscle pain, or a session of lymphatic detox with cavitation to remove accumulated toxins and break up localised fat deposits and cellulite with ultrasound.
Paulo Fernandes is a health coach certified by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in Manhattan. Competing in international swimming from a young age, Paulo joined the Marines at 18 and became a Navy Seal officer. After receiving his PhD in sports, Paulo specialised in nutritional microscopy, naturopathy, raw nutrition and biontology. Paulo has travelled the world, from Los Angeles to London to Dubai, helping the elite reach their goals of maximum health and fitness.

Niyama, a popular A-list hideaway nestled in the Dhaalu atoll, offers guests exclusive access to its twin islands – Chill and Play – conveniently connected via a picturesque bridge.
The family-friendly retreat, surrounded by picturesque shorelines and lush vegetation, has nine deluxe room categories ranging from spacious beachfront studios and one-bedroom water pavilions to three-bedroom family beach pavilions with two private pools, jacuzzi and a personal spa treatment room. With state-of-the-art amenities, in-room fridges filled with gourmet treats, a private butler plus the magic of the Maldivian island, this is the ultimate antidote to city life.
The jewel in the resort’s crown is the magnificent Crescent, a playground of five ultra-chic villas, all with private pools, for up to 14 adults and eight children. Boasting a private chef, two butlers, a housekeeper and a host of complimentary activities including a sunset dhoni cruise and movie under the stars, this over water sanctuary is the perfect paradise treat for extended families, honeymooners and discerning travellers.
With nine dining destinations, including tree house restaurant Nest and the world’s first underwater playground Subsix, guests can enhance their stay at Niyama with surreal gastronomic experiences.
Young VIPs will adore the Explorers Kids Club with its range of activities including nature expeditions around the tropical isles to MasterChef classes, while adventure-seeking teens and adults will be inspired by the resort’s excellent water sports offerings such as surfing, scuba diving and jet-skiing. Wellness devotees looking to indulge in a spot of indulgent pampering can retreat to the tranquil Drift by Niyama spa while enjoying the crystal-clear turquoise sea views from the six overwater treatment rooms.
Featured
Four Seasons Resorts Maldives blend family travel with marine discovery
As family travel patterns continue to evolve, with multigenerational holidays and “schoolcations” becoming a growing part of the market, Four Seasons is positioning its Maldives resorts as destinations where families can combine leisure with learning, exploration and shared experiences. Through programmes at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru and Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, the brand is offering a Maldives-based approach to family travel that extends beyond the traditional resort stay.
In the Maldives, the focus is placed on experiences that allow families to spend time together while engaging with the natural environment in direct and practical ways. At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, marine education forms a central part of the family offering. Children and teenagers can take part in hands-on initiatives alongside experts from The Manta Trust, learning about coral restoration, manta ray research and ocean conservation. The programme gives younger guests an opportunity to understand the marine ecosystems that define the Maldives while participating in activities linked to ongoing conservation work.
At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, the family experience is also shaped by the surrounding lagoon and reef environment. Younger guests can take part in introductory diving, surfing and marine conservation activities designed to build early awareness of the ocean and its ecosystems. These experiences place the Maldives’ natural setting at the centre of the stay, allowing families to engage with the destination through activity as well as observation.
This emphasis on learning through travel reflects wider changes in family tourism, where parents are increasingly looking for holidays that combine recreation with educational value. In the Maldives, that approach has particular relevance, given the country’s dependence on marine ecosystems and its reputation as one of the world’s leading island destinations. By integrating conservation-focused experiences into resort programming, Four Seasons is presenting family travel not only as a period of rest, but also as an opportunity for younger travellers to develop a closer understanding of the environment around them.
The Maldives setting also supports multigenerational travel in practical terms. Resorts such as Landaa Giraavaru and Kuda Huraa are well suited to families travelling across age groups, where grandparents, parents and children may all be sharing the same holiday but looking for different forms of engagement. Accommodation, marine activities and wellness offerings can be structured in ways that allow families to spend time together while also catering to different interests and energy levels.
The family proposition is strengthened by the Maldives’ ability to combine relaxation with activities that are tied closely to place. Lagoon-based discovery, reef experiences and conservation work provide a clear alternative to more conventional beach holiday programming. Rather than limiting the stay to accommodation and dining, these activities allow the destination itself to shape the guest experience.
In this context, Four Seasons’ Maldives resorts reflect a broader shift in how luxury family travel is being positioned. The emphasis is no longer only on privacy and comfort, but also on engagement, shared discovery and experiences that carry value beyond the holiday itself. In the Maldives, where marine life and island environments remain central to the visitor experience, that model gives families a way to connect both with each other and with the destination.
Through Landaa Giraavaru and Kuda Huraa, Four Seasons is therefore presenting a Maldives offering that responds to changing family travel expectations. By combining marine education, outdoor activity and resort-based comfort, the brand is aligning its family travel strategy with the qualities that continue to set the Maldives apart. The result is a version of family travel that is shaped not only by where guests stay, but by what they are able to learn and experience together while they are there.
Drink
Sirru Fen Fushi hosts Flor de Caña mixology event with Dinesh Mondkar
The Behind The Bar Sirru Icon series recently hosted a mixology event at Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort, featuring Dinesh Mondkar, Flor de Caña’s brand ambassador for India.
The event gave guests an opportunity to explore a selection of rum cocktails while learning more about the craftsmanship and heritage behind the Flor de Caña brand. Set against a sunset backdrop over the ocean, the session combined cocktail-making techniques, brand storytelling and a relaxed island setting.
Guests were introduced to a range of cocktails that highlighted bold flavours and the versatility of rum in contemporary mixology. The evening also offered insight into the methods and presentation behind premium cocktail service, adding an interactive element to the experience.
The event formed part of the resort’s ongoing Behind The Bar Sirru Icon series, which continues to bring recognised figures from the international spirits industry to the Maldives. Through the series, the resort aims to expand its food and beverage offering with curated events that connect guests with global brands and industry expertise.
Such experiences are designed to complement the wider guest programme by combining destination dining and beverage concepts with the setting of the Maldives, while offering visitors a more immersive way to engage with the resort’s hospitality offerings.
Featured
Angsana Velavaru marks reopening of upgraded futsal ground
Angsana Velavaru has reopened its futsal facility as part of efforts to enhance guest experiences and staff engagement through sport and community activities.
The reopening ceremony was officiated by Dhaalu Atoll Council president Ahmed Shafiu and the resort’s general manager, Ahmed Zahir, who jointly cut the ribbon to mark the occasion.
Located within the island grounds, the futsal court measures 57 metres by 38 metres and is intended to serve as a space for both recreational use and organised activities for guests and resort associates.
The resort said the facility would form part of its wider recreational offering and would host workshops and expert-led collaborations aimed at providing guests with sports-based experiences while also supporting skill development and interaction. It added that the initiative also reflects its focus on staff wellbeing, teamwork and active living.
The opening event included friendly matches between the Angsana Velavaru men’s and women’s teams, as well as an inter-resort match between the Angsana Velavaru Orange Army and Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru.
Adjacent to the futsal court is the resort’s upgraded watersports centre, which now includes updated guest facilities such as shower and changing areas.
Ahmed Zahir said the reopening of the futsal ground represented more than a recreational upgrade and reflected the resort’s commitment to creating meaningful experiences for both guests and associates. He said the facility would support active living, connection and wellbeing, while also serving as a space for learning and collaboration.
Angsana Velavaru, located in South Nilandhe Atoll, said the reopening of the futsal facility forms part of its wider efforts to expand its lifestyle and community-focused offerings.
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