Featured

What to pack for a week in Maldives

Published

7 years ago

April 12, 2019

By Kerry Brooks

This is it! The week you’ve been anticipating for a few months is just around the corner. The Maldives, we are coming! Your plane ticket is paid, hotel room booked, leave approved, and daydreaming the whole day. What’s left is just the packing part. Don’t worry; packing can be a breeze if you know what you’re taking. You don’t want to be the tourist that packs their entire room only to forget the one crucial item.

For a week in the gorgeous island nation of Maldives, here are the essentials:

1. Bathing Suits

What use would your beachfront hotel room be if you’re not getting into the crystal-clear waters that are only found in the Maldives? So better be well stocked on your bathing suits. You can choose to bring as many variations as you want or keep it minimal, maybe only bring two or three pieces that you can reuse. It’s easy enough to hang them to dry after a nice swim. That way you won’t have to struggle to haul your luggage from plane to van to boat cramped full of swimwear for every day of the week.

2. Sunblock

Do not underestimate the power of the sun. As a tropical nation, the Maldives gets its fair share of sunlight, and not just any sunlight, direct sunlight. It’s very easy to forget about sunblock when the appeal of the beach and pool are too inviting but the sunburn and skin damage you’ll experience after won’t be worth it. And don’t forget to reapply. All the swimming will certainly wash off some of that lotion and that can decrease its effectivity. A good rule of thumb would be to apply 15 minutes before getting sun exposure and reapply every one to two hours.

3. Bug Repellant

With tropical climate comes the inevitable mosquitos. While some hotels have implemented a few measures to keep their population low, it is better to be cautious and bring bug repellant spray. Mosquitos carry many diseases like malaria and dengue fever. You wouldn’t want to put a damper on your vacation by getting sick the whole time now, would you?

4. Sunglasses

The sun doesn’t just do damage to your skin; it can wreak havoc to your eyes as well. The glare from the water can do some damage to your eyes and can lead you to experience headaches, migraine, or worse, cataract. To mitigate that, don’t forget to bring a nice pair of sunglasses. When deciding on one, take into consideration the UV coverage for both UVA and UVB. Buying a gorgeous but cheap sunnies might prove to be even harmful to your eyes so might as well invest in a good pair from a good brand.

5. Snorkeling Gear

To truly enjoy the Maldivian beaches, it’s not enough simply to swim in it. Take it a step further and explore the coral life by going snorkelling. The Maldives has many spots teeming with ocean flora and fauna. With this in mind, make sure you pack your snorkelling gear. You can also rent one from your hotel, but it’s better to use one that you haven’t shared with hundreds of other tourists.

Now you’re all set, you are ready to roll. Don’t forget to experience what the Maldives has to offer culture-wise. The Maldivian people are some of the kindest and warmest people so make sure you make a couple of friends.

Author Bio: Kerry Brooks is ardent blogger and frequent traveller who enjoys writing and sharing about health, beauty, travel and physical fitness. She is currently working for Weighted Blanket in Canada, which offers world’s finest weighted blankets in Canada.

Awards

Atmosphere Core earns triple honours at Layalina Editor’s Choice Awards

Published

3 days ago

February 4, 2026

m@ldives

Atmosphere Core concluded 2025 with a strong industry showing, securing three major honours at the Layalina Editor’s Choice Awards 2025 for RAAYA by Atmosphere, Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives and OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi. The accolades underscore the group’s ability to deliver clearly differentiated resort concepts for diverse traveller profiles, while maintaining a consistent emphasis on quality, comfort and guest satisfaction across its portfolio.

At the awards, RAAYA by Atmosphere was named Best New Luxury Resort of the Year – Maldives. Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives received the title of Best All-Inclusive Luxury Resort, while OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi was recognised as Most Stylish Resort – Maldives. The honours are based on Layalina’s independent editorial assessment and established quality benchmarks, celebrating excellence across luxury hospitality, all-inclusive offerings and lifestyle-led design. Layalina is a leading Arab lifestyle publication under 7awi Media Group, with a strong readership and influence across the GCC and wider region.

Collectively, the awards highlight Atmosphere Core’s understanding of evolving travel expectations, delivering experiences that are thoughtful, well-crafted and easy to enjoy, whether guests are seeking tranquillity, variety or social energy.

Each of the recognised resorts brings a distinct identity to the group’s Maldivian portfolio. RAAYA by Atmosphere, located in the Raa Atoll, is defined by its serene environment and castaway-artist concept, encouraging guests to slow down and reconnect through nature, creativity and adventure. Atmosphere Kanifushi continues to stand out for its scale and consistency, offering a generous all-inclusive experience through the Kanifushi Plan™, expansive villas and a long, natural island setting that appeals to both families and couples. In contrast, OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi delivers a more dynamic island escape, characterised by contemporary design and a lively social atmosphere that resonates with travellers drawn to shared spaces, movement and modern aesthetics. Together, the accolades reflect a carefully curated portfolio designed to cater to a wide spectrum of travel moods and preferences.

Commenting on the achievement, Ashwin Handa, Chief Operating Officer of Atmosphere Core, said the group was honoured to receive the Layalina Editor’s Choice Awards 2025, recognising the three resorts across distinct categories. He noted that the recognition reflects the company’s carefully curated experiences, shaped by a strong sense of product, space and genuine care, and credited the passion and commitment of the teams, as well as the continued trust of guests, for the achievement.

Central to these successes is Atmosphere Core’s philosophy of the Joy of Giving, which positions hospitality around care, generosity and attention to detail. This approach informs destinations that feel closely connected to their natural surroundings and supports bespoke experiences that anticipate guest needs. The result, the group says, is a style of hospitality that is welcoming, effortless and personal, creating meaningful moments that endure beyond the stay itself.

Featured

The Standard, Maldives brings Lunar New Year energy to Raa Atoll

Published

3 days ago

February 4, 2026

m@ldives

The Standard, Maldives will mark the Lunar New Year this February with a week-long celebration that invites guests to swap urban festivities for the turquoise waters of the Raa Atoll. Taking place from 17 to 22 February, the programme will transform the island resort into a festive setting that blends time-honoured traditions with the brand’s playful and contemporary character.

Designed to move beyond a conventional island escape, the celebrations will open with lively visual touches, including jumping stilts and fortune cookies, setting the tone for a week where Maldivian tranquillity meets the spirit of East Asian culture. Throughout the programme, guests will be immersed in a series of experiences that combine culinary creativity, entertainment and cultural expression.

Food takes centre stage in the Lunar New Year offering, with a diverse line-up of dining events curated to engage all the senses. Highlights include an Asian Street Food buffet inspired by classic Chinese motifs, alongside more refined beachfront experiences such as five-course Crab Night and Lobster Night dinners at Kula Beach. Interactive elements are also woven into the programme, with Tangyuan Time at Joos Café inviting families to prepare traditional sweet glutinous rice balls together, while younger guests can participate in a dedicated mocktail-making masterclass.

Evenings at the resort will be defined by high-energy entertainment and cultural performances. Todis Beach will host LED and fire shows, complemented by special Chinese dance performances that illuminate the shoreline after dark. Adding a local dimension to the celebrations, Maldivian Boduberu drumming will feature prominently, creating a rhythmic fusion of regional and international traditions. For guests seeking a more relaxed pace, the programme also includes a Lunar New Year Movie Night at the main pool and a Bingo Night at Todis Bar.

Commenting on the celebrations, Sonika Adlakha, Commercial Director of The Standard, Maldives, said the aim was to create a Lunar New Year experience that feels both authentic and adventurous. She noted that by combining the dynamic energy of street food markets and fire shows with the calm luxury of a Maldivian retreat, the resort is offering guests a distinctive way to welcome the Year of the Horse.

To complement the festivities, the resort is offering a Premium All-Inclusive Package, designed to provide seamless access to the week’s dining and entertainment programme. The package includes the full range of culinary experiences, from Asian Street Food stalls to themed buffets at Kula, as well as a selection of premium spirits, cocktails and refreshments. This offering allows guests to fully immerse themselves in the celebrations while enjoying the freedom to experience the Lunar New Year at The Standard, Maldives without limits.

Featured

Four Seasons Maldives brings Fire Horse energy to Lunar New Year celebrations

Published

3 days ago

February 4, 2026

m@ldives

Four Seasons Resorts Maldives will welcome the Year of the Fire Horse with a week of Lunar New Year celebrations across Landaa Giraavaru and Kuda Huraa. Taking place from 16 to 24 February 2026, the programme will see both islands animated by the vibrant energy associated with this rare zodiac year.

Bold and spirited, the Fire Horse symbolises momentum, confidence and fresh beginnings. The celebrations are designed to reflect these qualities through a blend of cultural tradition, island elegance and family-focused experiences, positioning the Maldives as a fitting setting for the festive season.

Marking a first for the Maldives, the resorts will host an exclusive pop-up by Beijing’s Michelin-recognised Baiweiyuan Dumpling Restaurant, operating concurrently at both islands. Long celebrated in Beijing for its handmade dumplings and comforting soups, Baiweiyuan will present a menu featuring signature pork and chive dumplings, beef and onion fillings, and vegetarian options such as egg and tomato. Cold starters, including soy-braised pork trotter, will complement the experience.

Prepared fresh to order, the dumplings introduce an authentic taste of Beijing to the Indian Ocean, offering a culinary highlight that reflects the warmth and generosity associated with the Fire Horse.

Lunar New Year at Kuda Huraa

16–24 February 2026

At Kuda Huraa, Lunar New Year celebrations will unfold throughout the week in a lively, festival-style programme. Events begin with a Reunion Dinner at Café Huraa, followed by themed dining evenings, outdoor cinema screenings, a Pool Party and a Pop-Up Asian Market.

Evenings will include experiences such as a Secret Beach BBQ under the stars, a Mediterranean Market at Reef Club and an Asian Buffet at Café Huraa. Baiweiyuan’s dumpling pop-up will be available daily, allowing guests to enjoy the flavours of Beijing throughout the celebrations.

Kuda Huraa highlights include:

Reunion Dinner on 16 February
Family Feast Lunch, Seafood Night and Asian Buffet
Secret Beach BBQ and Mediterranean Market
Pool Party with DJ on 18 February
Pop-Up Asian Market and outdoor movie nights
Daily Baiweiyuan Dumpling pop-up

The Kuda Mas Kids Club will also host a two-week Fire Horse–inspired festival for younger guests, featuring activities such as lantern painting, snorkelling adventures, arts and crafts, dumpling making, tie-dye workshops, karaoke evenings and beach games. The programme is designed to encourage creativity, confidence and fun.

Lunar New Year at Landaa Giraavaru

16 February 2026

Landaa Giraavaru will welcome the New Year with a poolside celebration from 7.00pm to 10.30pm, featuring a Dragon Dance, live DJ and lantern-lit setting around the main pool. A Yu Sheng prosperity toss will symbolise abundance and good fortune, while live cooking stations will showcase celebratory flavours prepared by the resort’s culinary team.

Landaa Giraavaru highlights include:

Poolside Lunar New Year celebration
Dragon Dance performance
Live DJ and festive ambience
Yu Sheng prosperity toss
Culture-inspired welcome drinks
Baiweiyuan Dumpling pop-up available throughout the week

Across both islands, Lunar New Year at Four Seasons Resorts Maldives is designed to bring families and friends together in the spirit of prosperity, connection and shared celebration. Guests are invited to welcome the Year of the Fire Horse through traditions that honour luck, abundance and meaningful togetherness.