Featured
Soneva, The Ultimate Library to donate 100 books to local schools
Soneva and its partner Ultimate Library has announced the donation of a collection of 100 educational books and classic children’s literature to the Baa Atoll Education Centre and the Bahiyya Pre-School, in celebration of World Book Day.
On World Book Day, which is celebrated on March 7, Soneva Fushi’s Barefoot Bookseller will travel across the sea from the resort, in a boat full of books to Eydhafushi, the capital of the Baa atoll, to celebrate the event with local students and teachers. There will be games, literary workshops, guided reading, and much more as the Barefoot Bookseller installs the selected books, chosen and donated by Ultimate Library.
The collection of books going to Eydhafushi includes these titles: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Roald Dahl), Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Lewis Carroll), Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 1 (Jeff Kinney), A Monster Calls (Patrick Ness), The Wreck of Zanzibar (Michael Morpurgo), Why the Whales Came (Michael Morpurgo), Sky Song (Abi Elphinstone), Cogheart (Peter Bunzl), Treasure Island (Louis Stevenson Robert), and The 13-Storey Treehouse (Andy Griffiths).
The donation is made under The Blackwell Community Libraries Project, which gives hotels the opportunity to nominate their chosen school, community centre or local library for Ultimate Library to donate 100 children’s books tailored to their needs.
Ultimate Library provides bespoke book collections and libraries for hotels, resorts, private residences, and retail spaces. Their personalised curating process takes care of every aspect from the design, supply, and installation. Each book collection is designed to inspire, educate and entertain, tailored to the property’s location and client interests. Ultimate Library believes that books add warmth, texture and soul to any project.
Through Ultimate Library, Soneva Fushi now has its own Barefoot Bookseller on the island who oversees the book collection. The Bookseller also provides a range of experiences for guests centred around literature. These include Creative Writing Classes; Bibliotherapy, where guests are introduced to books that expand their reading horizons; Academic Tutoring for ages 9-18; and The Barefoot Bookseller’s Literary Lecture, a presentation on the philosophy of fiction, imagination and artistic empathy which comes with a complimentary drink.

In 1995, the award-winning luxury resort Soneva Fushi set the standard for all desert island barefoot luxury hideaways in the Maldives. Located in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Soneva Fushi pairs Robinson Crusoe fantasy with intelligent luxury.
Sixty-two private villas with their own stretch of beach are hidden among dense foliage within touching distance of a pristine coral reef. Intuitive service is provided by Mr./Ms. Friday butlers.
Highlights include the open-air Cinema Paradiso, counting Saturn’s rings in the high-tech Observatory, the home-made chocolate and ice cream rooms, five hundred wines to choose from, six different restaurants and countless destination dining options. In November 2015, Soneva launched a floating villa concept, Soneva in Aqua, a treasure trove children’s Den and a multi-purpose facility encompasses a glass gallery, boutique and studio where guests can learn the art of glass blowing.
If the experiences are magical, the philosophy is simple: No news, no shoes. No pretensions either.
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.
Featured
World Art Day inspires new Graffiti Club at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has launched the Graffiti Club to mark World Art Day, introducing a team-led initiative focused on artistic expression, collaboration and storytelling through art.
The resort said the initiative brings together more than 18 team members from across different departments, reflecting a shared interest in creativity. As part of the project, selected back-of-house spaces have been turned into canvases, transforming staff areas into spaces for artistic work.
Inspired by the natural environment of the Maldives and the Maamunagau lagoon, the first set of artworks features marine life such as manta rays, whale sharks and sea turtles. The resort said the designs reflect the biodiversity of the destination and its connection to the surrounding ocean. Additional artwork is also being developed as the project continues.
InterContinental Maldives said the initiative is rooted in its brand culture and service philosophy, Inspire Incredible, and is intended to support creativity, collaboration and self-expression among team members.
Renuka Gupta, cluster director of learning and development, said creativity exists in every individual, regardless of role or background. She said the initiative was created to provide team members with a space to express themselves, connect with colleagues and contribute to the environment in which they work each day.
The resort said the Graffiti Club forms part of its wider approach to workplace culture, with a focus on creativity, wellbeing and personal expression alongside the guest experience.
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