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Vakkaru Maldives: from parrotfish to paradise

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Within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa atoll in the Maldives lies a reef island composed entirely of sediment produced on the surrounding coral “faru” (or reefs), 85 percent it is thought, by parrotfish, the fish grinding up coral during feeding and, after digesting the edible content, excrete the rest as sand, creating the powder soft, brilliant white sands that encircle the island. (According to a study published in the journal Geology in 2015 after having taken samples and surveys on the reefs around Vakkaru island.)

From that beginning, the exceptional beauty and awe-inspiring location were what drew the owners of this untouched jewel, to select Vakkaru in their quest to fashion an idyllic, sustainable environment of pared-back luxury under the endless emeralds and azures of the Maldives.

Vakkaru Maldives has welcomed guests since December 2017, and is accessible by a scenic 25-minute seaplane flight from the Velana International Airport.

Drawing on the rich traditions of the locale, design elements are focused on Maldivian style fused with the finest natural resources in order to preserve the integrity of local architecture with a contemporary style. The result is the creation of amazing spaces for guests to connect with each other and the environment around them.

“It is an extraordinarily stunning island with an impressive house reef and more than 1,400 mature coconut trees left from earlier days when the island was a coconut plantation. I love that we were able integrate the trees within the design of the resort, especially given that Vakkaru means coconut wood in Dhivehi. We also wanted to consider the importance of parrotfish to our island, so we have named the little islanders club Parrotfish Club,” says Narelle McDougall, Director of Business Development.

The resort offers an extensive selection of accommodation, with 125 beach and overwater villas and suites catering for couples and families alike. Indulgent dining choices allow guests to enjoy flavours from Europe to Asia in four restaurants and two bars.

Preferring to keep the natural beauty of the island as unspoilt as possible, this independently operated resort is remarkably elegant and understated.

“Fashionable design elements, impressive jungle feel to the gardens and vegetation, apothecary organic bathroom amenities, intelligent guest room connectivity and an array of recreational activities await travellers seeking an intimate getaway in arguably one of the most desirable island destinations on the planet,” says General Manager Wicus Prinsloo.

Less than three months after welcoming guests from around the world, Vakkaru Maldives was announced “New Comer of the Year” during ITB in Berlin at the annual Hideaways Party, a prestigious event hosted by publishers of exclusive travel magazines and the Hideaways Hotels Collection.

Let the timeless allure of the Maldives welcome you in as you discover the warmth and affection of its people in this idyllic island retreat.

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Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa unveils family-focused Family Fun Summer package

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Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa has introduced its Family Fun Summer offer, a family-focused package designed to encourage guests to spend time together through dining, leisure and recreational activities in a private island setting.

Located 15 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the resort is offering the package as a year-round experience, despite its summer branding. The programme is intended for families seeking a stay that combines accommodation, meals and activities in a single offering.

The experience includes daily breakfast at Feast, where guests can access buffet selections for adults and children. Lunch is served as a three-course beachside meal, while evenings include buffet dinners, à la carte options and access to the resort’s speciality restaurants.

As part of the package, adult guests receive a USD 45 dining credit per night, which can be used at selected outlets including Baan Thai and Sea Salt. The offer is designed to expand dining options within the resort’s full board arrangement.

The package also includes activities aimed at different age groups. Children have access to the Sheraton Adventure Club, while families can take part in pool activities, water sports, sunset dolphin cruises and guided snorkelling excursions.

For guests seeking wellness experiences, Shine Spa for Sheraton offers a range of treatments, with the package including 15 per cent savings on selected services. The resort has also introduced a spa experience designed for parent and child. Additional recreational options include sunrise beach yoga, as well as access to tennis and football facilities.

Other inclusions within the offer include a complimentary family photoshoot and dining benefits for children when eating with their parents.

Family Fun Summer is available for booking until 15 June 2026, for stays through to 20 December 2026. Through the package, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is presenting a family-oriented resort experience centred on dining, recreation and shared time together.

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InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau to mark Mother’s Day with wellness and dining offerings

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InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has announced a Mother’s Day programme centred on wellness, dining and family experiences, offering guests a range of activities designed to mark the occasion in Raa Atoll.

Set within the resort’s island setting, the programme will feature a series of experiences aimed at encouraging families to spend time together through relaxation, dining and shared activities.

At AVI Spa, the Mother’s Day offering will include signature treatments focused on rest and balance. Guests will also have access to holistic sessions led by visiting practitioner Dr Afsana Aradhana Ghyas, whose work focuses on integrative wellbeing and emotional balance.

Dining experiences will form a central part of the programme. These will include floating breakfasts served in private villas, interactive cooking sessions with the resort’s chefs, and private dining experiences ranging from sunset beach dinners to sandbank dining under the stars.

The resort will also offer family-focused activities for the occasion. These will include craft sessions for children, ocean-inspired guided art activities and a family photoshoot intended to capture the day’s experiences.

Through the Mother’s Day programme, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is presenting a combination of wellness, dining and family activities shaped around personal and shared experiences in a resort setting.

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W Maldives unveils The Wavemaker Edit with global talent collaborations

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W Maldives has launched The Wavemaker Edit, a new ongoing series of curated collaborations with international talent, aimed at introducing a range of guest experiences across mixology, wellness, cuisine and music.

The series is designed as a rotating programme, with each edition bringing a different creative perspective to the resort. According to W Maldives, the initiative is intended to create a continuing calendar of experiences that combine social, cultural and wellness-led elements.

The first edition of The Wavemaker Edit will run from 3 to 14 June 2026 and will feature two themed chapters, titled Island Alchemy and The Restore Ritual.

Island Alchemy will focus on mixology. On 3 June, Kwok will lead a guest shift at SIP, presenting three cocktails that explore contrast and balance, including a bespoke creation inspired by the Maldives. The collaboration will continue on 6 June at WET Deck, where a poolside day party will feature a curated cocktail menu.

The second chapter, The Restore Ritual, will centre on wellness and movement in recognition of Global Wellness Day. Led by Mumbai-based yoga and movement educator Samiksha Shetty, the programme will include sessions focused on breathwork, mindfulness and alignment-based practice.

The wellness programme will include Sunset Yoga sessions at FIRE Beach on 12 and 14 June, as well as a morning meditation session at AWAY Spa on 13 June. The main event within this chapter will take place on 13 June, when guests will be able to join a Sunset Yoga session aboard the Horizon Yacht. This bookable experience will also include healthy refreshments and a 60-minute massage at AWAY Spa.

W Maldives said future editions of The Wavemaker Edit will expand into culinary, music and art-led experiences under a number of themed series, including Flavors Unscripted, Sound Wave and Make A Scene.

Commenting on the launch, General Manager Amila Handunwala said the initiative reflects the resort’s approach to continuously evolving the guest experience through collaborations with international talent.

W Maldives is positioning the series as part of its broader effort to offer more structured and experience-led programming for guests. In addition, the resort is promoting its Original Wavemaker package, which includes seaplane transfers and a half-board meal plan for two adults with a minimum stay of four nights.

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