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Local artists wow guests at LUX* South Ari Atoll
Three local artists have wowed guests at LUX* South Ari Atoll with their artistic talents, as part of a series of art workshops hosted by the resort.
In partnership with local NGO Maldivian Artist Community (MAC), three talented local artists took residency at LUX* South Ari Atoll from June 28-30, where they hosted three classes that focused on their individual skills.
“We are committed to serve the public and local community by giving various opportunities to local talents to promote their arts and craft and other skills. We are proud to have hosted this event at LUX* and received wonderful feedback from all our guests,” Jonas Amstad, the resort’s General Manager, said.
“Three local art events were attended by at least 50 guests over the course of three days. It was well received by all guests who attended the event, including taking the art piece made with them to home as a souvenir from their Maldives holiday.”
Renowned local artist Hussein ‘Iphpha’ Iffal led the series with his signature coffee art class at the resort’s Café LUX*, using freshly roasted coffee. During his two-hour workshop on June 28, Iphpha taught curious guests the techniques in which he is able to create detailed portraits and beautiful scenes from the Maldives landscape using coffee as a medium.
Famous for his underwater painting and coffee art portraits, Iphpha tries to link the popular Maldivian pastime of meeting at cafes and drinking coffee with his own part in this present day cultural trend. Recognised by the local and international community, Iphpha recently held an exhibition in Abu Dhabi with 66 artworks using coffee as a medium. He is also a talented underwater painter.
On the second day of LUX* South Ari Atoll’s art workshop series, up-and-coming artist Insha Hassan hosted a two-hour class on watercolour painting at the resort’s Beach Rouge restaurant. Several young guests at the resort as well as students from a neighbouring island school took part in the workshop, painting scenes from the underwater beauty of the Maldives using watercolour.
Insha currently works as a visual artist in various souvenir shops and guesthouses. Since starting her career in 2016, Insha has exhibited her works at the National Art Gallery and at Kandima Maldives resort’s first ever Kula Art Festival.
The series wraped up on June 30 with a two-hour acrylic art class hosted by popular local artist Ahmed ‘Baachy’ Azmee at the Veli Bar Beach. He used acrylic to wow the participants by creating several pieces of contemporary canvas art that were later exhibited for the resort’s guests.
A self-taught abstract artist, Baachy uses sensual and bright colours as well as various mediums including acrylic, oil and charcoal to create contemporary canvas art. He has participated in various art related events, including the Kula Art Festival at Kandima.
“LUX* South Ari Atoll will have another series of art festival during December 2018 to promote local art and talents,” Amstad said.
“As a core element of our CSR initiatives, LUX* South Ari Atoll will focus on promoting local arts and crafts throughout the year, including the festive of 2018/2019. We have already partnered with the famous coffee artist Iffal to host an Underwater Diving Art workshop during the September LUX* Underwater Diving festival. He will also showcase a Sand Art show during the festive period at LUX*.”
Cutting-edge designer villas and world-class dining can be found only a 30-minute seaplane flight away from the main Velana International Airport, making LUX* South Ari Atoll one of the most exciting resorts in the Maldives.
With 187 private villas dotted at the water’s edge along four kilometres of powder fine beach or perched on stilts above a crystal clear lagoon, these spacious pavilions and villas bring an entirely original vibe of coastal, beach house chic to the Maldives.
Excellent eating and drinking is always a cut above the rest at LUX*, and at LUX* South Ari Atoll, there is authentic South East Asian street food in the Maldives’ only over-the-water gourmet night market and world-class Chinese cuisine at East, along with the Japanese restaurant Umami, which offers live teppanyaki and dazzling selection of sakés.
While the resort has a PADI-certified dive centre, two infinity pools, a floodlit tennis court, a fitness centre and a renowned spa which hosts a wellness concierge and a menu of indulgent treatments, what sets the property apart from its neighbours are surprises, or better known as #ReasonstogoLUX. Designed to create lasting memories for guests, these ‘reasons’ can range from island-roasted coffee in Café LUX* to impromptu movie screenings at cinema paradise and the chance to hang your wishes on the Tree of Wishes.
Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort has announced its “Eid in Harmony” programme for Eid al-Adha, scheduled from 27 to 29 May 2026, offering guests a series of curated experiences centred on dining, cultural elements and leisure activities.
The programme is designed to provide a structured yet relaxed approach to the celebration, with a focus on shared experiences and engagement with the island environment. According to the resort, the initiative aims to bring together cultural traditions and hospitality offerings within a resort setting.
A central feature of the programme will be the Eid al-Adha Feast, a dining experience presenting a selection of dishes prepared for the occasion. The event will be set in a themed environment reflecting elements associated with Eid.
The resort will also introduce an “Eid Gift with Purpose” initiative, positioned as a gesture aligned with the values of giving and reflection associated with the occasion.
In addition, guests will have the option to participate in a Guest Archery Competition, offering a recreational activity designed to complement the island setting and provide an alternative form of engagement during the celebration period.
Alongside the programme, the resort has launched an “Eid Island Escape” offer, which includes a range of inclusions for guests staying during the period. These include a 30-minute jet lag recovery massage, daily breakfast at Raha Market, dinner on a dine-around basis across selected restaurants, and a one-time floating breakfast experience.
In a statement, the resort’s management said the programme is intended to reflect the values of togetherness and reflection associated with Eid al-Adha, while offering guests opportunities to spend time with family and participate in shared experiences.
Through the three-day programme, Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort is presenting Eid al-Adha as a combination of dining, leisure and cultural activities within a resort environment.
Reethi Faru Resort has received Green Globe certification, recognising its compliance with international standards for sustainable tourism.
The certification reflects the resort’s stated commitment to responsible hospitality, with a focus on environmental management, social responsibility and operational practices across the property.
Green Globe certification is awarded following an assessment based on established sustainability criteria and verified through independent third-party audits. The standard reviews performance in areas including environmental management, energy efficiency, resource conservation, community engagement and sustainable operations.
With the certification, Reethi Faru Resort joins a group of hospitality operators worldwide that have met Green Globe’s sustainability requirements and demonstrated an ongoing commitment to improvement in tourism practices.
In a statement, the management of Reethi Faru Resort said the recognition reflects the resort’s continued focus on preserving the natural environment of the Maldives while maintaining the guest experience. The management added that sustainability forms part of the resort’s daily operations.
The Green Globe standard includes more than 40 core criteria supported by over 380 compliance indicators, providing a framework for assessing sustainability performance in the hospitality sector.
Featured
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort marks loyalty week with member and staff recognition
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is marking IHG Global Loyalty Week 2026, a group-wide initiative recognising IHG One Rewards members and the employees who contribute to guest experiences across the brand.
The observance will take place from 11 to 17 May 2026 and is aligned with IHG’s wider theme of “bringing loyalty to life”, focusing on guest recognition and service-led engagement.
As the Maldives’ first all-Club InterContinental resort, InterContinental Maldives is using the occasion to highlight its emphasis on personalised service and guest recognition. During the week, the resort will present a series of experiences and gestures intended to acknowledge IHG One Rewards members through tailored hospitality touches.
A central feature of the programme will be “Member Moments”, which are designed to reflect guest preferences, milestones and individual travel experiences. These will include personalised welcome arrangements, selected in-room amenities, culinary offerings and family-focused gestures.
The resort will also use the week to recognise its employees, whose service contributes to guest loyalty and repeat visits. Under its “Inspire Incredible” service culture, InterContinental Maldives will hold staff appreciation activities and internal recognition initiatives during the week.
Commenting on the occasion, General Manager Reinhold Johann said the initiative highlights the importance of making guests feel recognised and welcomed, while also acknowledging the role of employees in delivering those experiences.
Through IHG One Rewards, members have access to benefits and travel privileges across more than 6,800 hotels worldwide. At InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, these benefits are integrated into the resort’s all-Club InterContinental offering, which combines personalised service with resort-based experiences in Raa Atoll.
Through its participation in IHG Global Loyalty Week 2026, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is positioning guest recognition and service culture as key elements of its hospitality approach.
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