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Michaelangelo Produces W Hotels’ Seventh Edition of Music CD

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Maldives Promotion House – Renowned international music expert Michaelangelo L’Acqua as first ever Global Music Director and strategic advisor for the W brand, has strengthened W Hotels’ presence within the music community in new and exciting ways, including producing the seventh edition of W Hotels CD, attracting partnerships within the music industry, and identifying ways to further integrate music into the W guest experience globally.

For more than 10 years, with the opening of the first W Hotel in New York City in 1998, W has continually broken new ground through innovative and first-of-their-kind music programs and partnerships. As W Hotels continues to grow globally, more than doubling its current portfolio of 33 hotels by 2011, the contemporary lifestyle brand has engaged L’Acqua to ensure this passion for entertainment is integrated in authentic and original ways, positively impacting the guest experience in its hotels worldwide.

“Like fashion, which is also a passion of the W brand, music is a global language that is always evolving and reinventing itself,” Global Brand Leader of W Hotels Worldwide and Le Meridien, Eva Ziegler said. “This helps us connect to our loyal jet setting guests, who are always looking out for what’s next and what’s new, and Michaelangelo, who shares both of these passions with us, is the perfect fit to help us globally attract and implement music into our hotels in a credible way and engage guests and locals alike.”

Since being discovered by Tom Ford and brought on as the Music Director of Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent in 1999, Michaelangelo L’Acqua, who holds a prestigious music degree from The New School Jazz & Contemporary Music Program, has worked with some of the biggest names in fashion, producing over 150 fashion shows in Paris, Milan, Berlin and New York for the likes of Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, John Varvatos, Jil Sander, Chanel, and Diane von Furstenberg.

As a recording artist working under the name “Onda,” L’Acqua has scored and licensed music for nearly 200 commercials, including campaigns for Revlon, Cotton Inc., and Old Navy. He also served as a producer on The Isley Brothers’ “Taken To The Next Phase” remix project for Sony Music Entertainment’s Legacy Recordings.

L’Acqua recently executive produced a large scale concept record for EMI/Capitol Records, Re: Generations: the Nat King Cole Remix Project, bringing on board the talents of such artists as Cee-Lo, The Roots, will.i.am with Natalie Cole, TV On The Radio, and Brazilian Girls, among others. For this record, he also produced the “Brazilian Love Song” track, featuring Bebel Gilberto. Most recently, L’Acqua was tapped by fashion legend Karl Lagerfeld to produce Elle Germany’s 20th Anniversary event as well as Chanel’s runway show, both at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin.

With his ability to seamlessly meld the worlds of fashion and music, it is fitting that L’Acqua has made his debut as W’s Global Music Director during New York Fashion Week, where W Hotels is hosting its VIP Backstage Lounge for the 12th consecutive season. While the W VIP Lounge has always been a hotspot for celebrities and fashion’s elite throughout the week, L’Acqua is taking things up a notch by implementing new and exciting music programming in the stylish space.

In addition to personally DJing in the lounge, he is bringing in established and emerging artists for surprise performances in the Lounge while debuting tracks that he has hand-picked for the latest instalment of W Hotels’ signature CD, including a preview song by Bebel Gilberto.

“It is such an exciting time to join the W Hotels brand as they are expanding globally,” said L’Acqua. “While the music industry is trying to adapt to change and reconnect to its core audience, W is undertaking innovative ways to offer music to their guests as an integral part of their contemporary lifestyle. I am honoured to have been chosen as the Global Music Director to help execute W’s vision.”

W Hotels has long been an innovator in the world of music. The first hotel brand to produce a CD that captured the vibe of its public spaces, W Hotels’ released its sixth compilation in this exclusive series, The Sound of Wonderlust, in 2008. In partnership with MasterCard Worldwide and SONY MUSIC, W Hotels also sponsors Wonderlust Live, a groundbreaking platform offering W Hotel guests and loyalists exclusive insider access to a world of musical experiences through an exclusively curated series of live performances by award-winning and emerging artists, such as Natasha Bedingfeld, Gavin DeGraw, and Peter Bjorn and John.

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Coco Bodu Hithi celebrates Women’s Dive Day with marine conservation experience

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In celebration of PADI Women’s Dive Day on 18 July 2026, Coco Bodu Hithi invites certified women divers to come together for a meaningful morning beneath the surface, combining marine conservation with the joy of exploring the ocean in one of the Maldives’ most vibrant natural environments.

Inspired by this year’s global theme, “Celebrate Community. Create Change.”, the resort’s Women of the Ocean Reef Clean-Up Dive encourages to connect through shared passion for the underwater world while making a positive impact on the environment.  Designed exclusively for certified women divers, the guided reef clean-up dive offers the opportunity to explore Coco Bodu Hithi’s biodiverse house reef while helping remove debris and protect its delicate ecosystem.

At the heart of it all is Coco Dive, the resort’s PADI-certified dive centre, where guests can discover the beauty and wonders of the Maldives through safe, personalised and memorable underwater adventures.  Whether taking their very first breath below the surface or exploring advanced dive sites, guests are guided by an experienced, multilingual team of instructors dedicated to creating unforgettable diving experiences.

Just minutes from the resort, divers can access almost 30 renowned dive sites, home to vibrant coral reefs and an abundance of marine life, including hawksbill turtles, white-tip and grey reef sharks, eagle rays, barracuda, Napoleon fish, schools of blue-striped snappers, batfish and fusiliers.  Guests looking to begin their marine adventures can also start their certification before arrival through PADI eLearning, allowing them to spend more time exploring the ocean once they reach the Maldives.

“At Coco Bodu Hithi, we believe every dive is an opportunity to build a deeper connection with the ocean,” said Jinn Hui, Dive Base Leader for Coco Bodu Hithi.  “PADI Women’s Dive Day celebrates the growing community of women in diving while reminding us that small actions, such as removing debris, can make a meaningful difference to the health of our reefs.”

The activity is available at the resort’s standard single-dive rate and includes a personalised certificate of participation and a complimentary dive video, allowing guests to take home lasting memories of a meaningful day beneath the surface.

Rooted in Coco Collection’s truly Maldivian heritage, Coco Bodu Hithi continues to bring guests closer to nature through experiences that inspire a deeper appreciation for the Maldives and its fragile marine habitat.

Located in North Malé Atoll, just 35 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Coco Bodu Hithi invites guests to unwind in spacious villas with up to 30% savings through the Discover Coco offer or enjoy exclusive benefits with the Local & Expat Exclusives package. Visit cococollection.com or contact reservations@cococollection.com for further enquiries.

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Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru launch month-long marine conservation programme

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This July, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru reaffirm their long-standing commitment to protecting the Maldives through a month of conservation initiatives that inspire guests to become active stewards of the ocean.

Plastic Free July: Protecting the Maldives’ Blue Heart

As per UNDP, each year, the Maldives generates more than 43,000 tonnes of plastic waste – equivalent to the weight of approximately 215 blue whales and nearly 120 tons per day. For a country whose future depends on healthy oceans, reducing plastic pollution is essential to protecting marine biodiversity, and preserving the natural beauty that defines the Maldives.

Throughout July, guests are invited to take part in weekly Sunset Island Beach Cleans and Reef Cleans with our Marine Lab, helping remove marine plastic trash while learning about the importance of protecting the fragile coastal and reef ecosystems. The programme also includes a collaboration with a local sustainable NGO, showcasing how discarded plastic can be transformed into artwork, jewellery, and other meaningful products through creativity and circular design.

Shark Awareness Day: Why Sharks Matter

On 14 July, the resorts will mark Shark Awareness Day in collaboration with Miyaru, the Maldives’ leading shark research and conservation NGO. While sharks are often portrayed as dangerous, they are in fact among the ocean’s most important guardians.

By naturally regulating fish populations, sharks help keep coral reef ecosystems healthy and balanced. Without them, the delicate food chain can be disrupted, affecting everything from reef fish and coral health to the countless marine species that depend on these habitats. Healthy shark populations are also a sign of a thriving ocean—one that supports local fisheries, protects biodiversity, and sustains the world-renowned diving and snorkelling experiences that make the Maldives so unique.

Through engaging talks with Miyaru’s marine experts, guests will discover fascinating facts about Maldivian sharks, understand the challenges they face, and learn how conservation efforts are helping protect these often misunderstood guardians of healthy oceans.

Mangrove Conservation Day: 26 July

As part of Plastic Free July, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru will also celebrate the International Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem on 26 July through a community mangrove planting and cleanup initiative with Huraa Council.

Mangroves are among the Maldives’ most valuable natural ecosystems, serving as nurseries for marine life, protecting coastlines from erosion, filtering pollutants, and strengthening resilience against climate change. Together with reef conservation and plastic reduction, the initiative reinforces the importance of protecting every part of the marine ecosystem—from the shoreline to the reef.

More than a month of activities, Plastic Free July reflects Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru’s enduring commitment to preserving the Maldives’ rich marine heritage – bringing together guests, local communities, and conservation partners to protect the ocean through collective action.

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InterContinental Maldives elevates active luxury with new padel court

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InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has unveiled its new padel court, adding a fresh dimension to island wellness and offering guests a dynamic new way to stay active in paradise.

Now with over 30 million players worldwide, padel is one of the fastest growing sports, offering a fun and inclusive activity for beginners and experts alike. The brand new court is framed by Maldivian palm trees and white sand, creating a striking backdrop for both leisurely matches and spirited competition.

Complimentary for all guests, the court includes the use of premium rackets and balls, allowing guests to discover a new skill in a tropical island setting. Families are invited to enjoy dedicated on-court sessions designed for all ages to create memorable, shared experiences. Benches line the court, creating a comfortable space for spectators to watch and support friends and family.

Located beside InterContinental Maldives’ fitness centre with its state-of-the-art gym, personal training programmes, and aerobic workout sessions, the new padel court aims to enhance the resort’s distinctive approach to luxury, wellbeing and curated guest experiences.

Overwater Pool Villa starting from $1,290++ per night with a variety of inclusions. The padel court is complimentary
for guests.

For more information, please visit www.maldives.intercontinental.com or email reservations.icmaldives@ihg.com.

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