Featured
Amilla Fushi to host wellness programme with leading yogi Gypsy Bast

Amilla Fushi has announced a special wellness programme with Gypsy Bast, a leading figure in the Bali and international Yoga world.
Gypsy will take residency at Javvu Spa in Amilla Fushi from December 10 to February 14, 2018.
Classes at Javuu Spa will begin with a grounded Meditation and Dynamic Hatha Flow and Pilates. Using creative sequences, tune into the present moment, breathe, align, and learn adjustments. Listening to your body’s language will allow your true spirit to move freely throughout you. Posture and precision for each individual will be a focus. Peace, softness and ease is cultivated and all levels are welcome.
At times, some classes will explore Somatic Movement and Restorative Yoga where the parasympathetic nervous system can be addressed and stress levels reduced in the nerve body. Classes will end with a slowing down and finish gently with Yoga Nidra relaxation.

The Javvu Spa at Amilla Fushi. PHOTO/ AMILLA FUSHI
Gypsy has been teaching yoga, meditation and pilates for over 20 years. Wherever she teaches, Gypsy is offering her greatest dharma, which is to help people feel good and move freely with lasting pleasure.
She has been a teacher, healer, and performer for over 23 years, with a practice that evolves from backgrounds of dance, theater, yoga, pilates and somatic movement therapies. She is known for her fun, uplifting attitude, and practices meditation, Yoga Nidra, and loves chanting mantras to connect to the Divine peace within all.
After surviving several car accidents, and numerous dance and stunt injuries, Gypsy restored herself completely by applying exercises that she learned from healing trauma, as well as her lifetime of study. Using these modalities of healing and living positively, she feels it is possible for everyone!
Gypsy has traveled the world teaching yoga retreats and performing, and has had opportunities to train the Cirque du Soleil’s “Totem” and “Corteo” shows in yoga and pilates. She coached children “at risk” of drugs and violence with yoga, and even did an international tour as a dancer/aerialist, hanging upside down from a chandelier (a great one for neck pain).
The Javvu Spa at Amilla Fushi is a beautiful, home from home hang out with two sides to its nature – a private side and a social side. You can retreat into the protective canopy of the trees or chill out in the large, communal lounge for your treatments.
The spa has an ‘open door’ policy and you are welcome to simply stop by and flop, read a magazine on one of the comfy chairs or sofas, shop, nibble and have a drink (champagne and herbal tea) served from the drinks trolley — whether you are booked in for a treatment or not, and the only thing that whispers here are the leaves in the trees.
The Javvu Spa is made up of 10 wooden double treatment pods with either a sauna or a steam room, a relaxing tea lounge, a wet area which also includes a no-bookings required sauna and steam room. There is also a wonderful spacious outdoor yoga and meditation pavilion.
The socialising Amilla spa-style area has a specialist barber, hair salon, exclusive manicure and pedicure areas, a beauty bar and relaxation area overlooking the sparkling Indian Ocean.
Accessible by a 30-minute scenic seaplane flight from the Maldives’ main Velana International Airport, Amilla Fushi offers a choice of 59 houses that sit gracefully over crystal clear waters, nestled among lush tree tops or hugging the shores of pristine white sand. Additionally, the resort offers eight spectacular four to eight bedroom Beach Residences ideally suited to large families, groups of friends and VVIPs seeking the ultimate in space and privacy.
Action
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island achieves PADI Eco Center Certification

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has been officially certified as a PADI Eco Center, becoming one of only two resorts in the Maldives to receive this recognition in 2025. The certification is awarded to dive resorts that extend their efforts beyond standard operations, with a strong focus on protecting marine environments and raising awareness among future generations.
As part of the certification process, the resort’s team adopted the Conrad House Reef through PADI’s Adopt the Blue programme. A Dive Against Debris clean-up dive was conducted around the reef near Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, during which 10 kilograms of marine litter, primarily plastics and metal fragments, were collected.
The team also joined Green Fins in June 2025 and has since introduced a series of sustainable practices. These include paperless dive check-ins, eco-briefings before excursions, reduced use of plastics through the introduction of glass alternatives, and signage encouraging responsible snorkelling and diving across the dive centre.
Guests are also directly engaged in conservation activities through coral restoration initiatives. In 2025, the team has facilitated 17 coral line adoptions, where participants attend an educational session before attaching coral fragments to nursery lines and assisting with their placement underwater.
Jessica Miller, Marine Biologist at Conrad Maldives, commented: “This certification represents a milestone for us. It’s the result of dedicated teamwork and genuine care for the ocean. Watching our guests become part of the solution, whether through coral planting or learning about local marine life, is what makes this so special.”
Nick Flynn, General Manager of Conrad Maldives, added: “We’re incredibly proud of the team’s achievement in making Conrad Maldives a certified PADI Eco Center. This milestone is part of our long-term commitment to sustainability and a testament to how luxury and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.”
Ranjit Batra, Chief Executive Officer of Ventive Hospitality, the owning company of Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, highlighted the wider significance of the achievement. He said: “The PADI Eco Center recognition for Conrad Maldives Rangali Island underscores our commitment to protecting marine ecosystems while shaping the future of responsible travel. We are proud of Conrad for leading the way in sustainability across the Maldives.”
The certification strengthens Conrad Maldives’ broader sustainability objectives under Hilton’s Travel With Purpose programme. The resort will continue to offer educational dives, coral adoption opportunities, and conservation briefings, encouraging guests to actively participate in marine protection efforts during their stay.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island operates under Hilton and is part of Hilton Honors®, the global guest loyalty programme. Hilton Honors members booking directly through official Hilton channels receive a range of benefits, including exclusive discounts, free standard Wi-Fi, flexible payment options combining Points and money, and contactless technology via the Hilton Honors mobile app, which enables digital check-in, room selection, and access.
Featured
Angsana Velavaru recognised as Best Water Villa Resort at TTM Awards 2025

Angsana Velavaru has been named Best Water Villa Resort at the TTM Awards & Gala 2025, presented by Travel Trade Maldives, the country’s leading travel trade platform.
The award acknowledges the resort’s InOcean Pool Villas, the Maldives’ first standalone water villas located one kilometre from the main island. These villas have become a signature feature of Angsana Velavaru, designed to accommodate both couples and families, with private pools, direct access to the ocean, and spacious interiors.
Beyond the architectural concept, the villas are intended to provide guests with a personal and adventurous connection to the surrounding sea. The resort also offers a wide range of experiences through its ‘101 Things to Do’ programme, which includes marine exploration, wellness activities, and culinary experiences. Cultural engagement is a central element, with opportunities for guests to interact with local island communities and traditions. The resort further integrates sustainability through its ‘Stay for Good’ initiatives, which combine environmental care with community involvement.
Commenting on the award, General Manager Ahmed Zahir said: “We are truly honoured to receive this award from the TTM Awards, a platform that embodies the spirit of the Maldivian travel community. This accolade not only celebrates the uniqueness of our InOcean Pool Villas but also pays tribute to the dedication of our team, who work tirelessly to create moments of discovery, connection and meaning for our guests. At Angsana Velavaru, we believe a stay should be more than a holiday—it should become a journey that remains with our guests long after they return home.”
Angsana Velavaru continues to position itself as a destination offering immersive experiences. Guests are invited to explore coral reefs, engage in island life, and create enduring memories in harmony with the natural environment.
Featured
Barceló Nasandhura Malé named Best City Hotel at TTM Awards 2025

Barceló Nasandhura Malé has been awarded Best City Hotel at the TTM Awards 2025, held on 28 August at Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi.
The recognition reflects the passion, hard work, and dedication of the team at Barceló Nasandhura, whose commitment to excellence has been evident since the property opened earlier this year. The hotel has focused on creating memorable guest experiences and setting new standards for city hospitality, which contributed to this achievement.
The TTM Awards, part of the Maldives’ largest travel trade show, celebrates the country’s hospitality sector across 28 categories, bringing together leading travel and tourism professionals from the region.
As it marks this milestone, Barceló Hotel Group reaffirmed its dedication to shaping the future of city hospitality in Malé.
-
Family1 week ago
Kuramathi Maldives brings families together with fortnightly children’s programme
-
Featured1 week ago
Maldives beaches rated among world’s best for rest and rejuvenation
-
Featured1 week ago
October at Soneva: culinary journeys, wellness retreats and world-class guests
-
Excursions1 week ago
Marine encounters: spinner dolphins at Canareef Resort Maldives
-
Featured7 days ago
W Maldives to host ‘The Joy Rituals’ wellness programme in September 2025
-
Drink5 days ago
Kandolhu Maldives introduces new villas and gastronomic journeys
-
Local6 days ago
MU Maniku, key architect of Maldives tourism industry, dies
-
Featured6 days ago
Bavarian traditions meet island living at Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s Oktoberfest