Featured
Riu Hotels’ twin Maldives resorts open
Riu Hotels & Resorts has opened its first properties in Maldives, Hotel Riu Atoll and Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas.
Tourism minister Ali Waheed inaugurated the resorts at a ceremony which took place at the resort on Friday. Environment minister Dr Hussain Rasheed Hassan and housing minister Mohamed Aslam also attended the ceremony.

The two 24-hour all-inclusive hotels are located in Dhaalu atoll, a 40-minute flight from the main Velana International Airport plus a 10-minute speedboat ride.
The four-star Hotel Riu Atoll offers 264 villas, 36 of which are suites over the Indian Ocean. The rooms are equipped with all the best comforts such as a minibar, air conditioning, safe box and satellite TV.
Hotel Riu Atoll provides guests with a pool with swim-up bar and impressive views of the sea, and another pool for children. You can also head to the beach and relax in the sun lounger area or go diving to contemplate the underwater beauty of the island paradise.
Guests will enjoy authentic culinary experiences thanks to the delicious dishes prepared by the chefs. The main restaurant serves buffet breakfasts with live cooking stations, and the Italian and steakhouse restaurants offer à la carte dining that is sure to impress you. And if you like to savour an aperitif or soft drink after a relaxing dip or while watching a stunning sunset, you have the Lounge Bar and the Sports Bar, open 24 hours.
The relaxation that pervades the whole of the Maldives is completed by the spa in Hotel Riu Atoll. It offers guests an extensive menu of treatments so that you can find whatever appeals to you the most. Or, if you prefer holidays packed with activities, you have the chance to practice water sports like kayaking, paddle surfing and diving, as well as enjoying the entertainment programmes full of shows and live music. And the little ones in the family can enjoy RiuLand kids’ club, where they will find a heap of activities just for them.
Connected to Hotel Riu Atoll by a walkway surrounded by a lagoon, the five-star Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas offers 176 villas, 72 of which are overwater suites. The rooms — some of which has Junior Suites — are equipped with minibars, drinks dispensers, kettles, air conditioning and satellite tv, amongst many other facilities.
The pool at Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas is one of its most charming places, as it has stunning views of the sea with a swim-up bar and a chill-out zone. But, if you prefer the white sand and crystalline waters of your surroundings, the resort offers you direct access to the beach that fringes the island, so that you can relax on the sun loungers set up for you. Children staying in Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas can also make use of the children’s pool and the RiuLand kids’ club at the neighbouring Hotel Riu Atoll.
Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas offers a range of cuisines that will surprise you. The main restaurant serves buffet breakfasts, lunches and dinners with live cooking stations, whilst the Japanese and fusion cooking restaurants allow you to enjoy delicious à la carte dishes for dinner. You can also try the Italian restaurant and the steakhouse at Hotel Riu Atoll if you want to try something different.
Guests at Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas are recommended to take advantage of the Hotel Riu Atoll’s facilities to enjoy massages and beauty treatments in the spa, water sports such as diving, kayaking and paddle surf, and the entertainment programmes full of shows and live music.
Featured
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives introduces summer offer across four island resorts
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives has introduced a summer offer aimed at travellers seeking longer stays across its four island resorts.
Guests booking stays of seven nights or more will receive complimentary return transfers for two people, while shorter stays will include complimentary one-way transfers. At participating resorts, up to two children under the age of 12 can also stay and dine free.
The offer includes savings on selected excursions and activities and is available for bookings and stays until 31 October 2026.
Guests who book directly through Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives will have access to additional benefits, including options to personalise their stays with beach dining, spa treatments and island activities. Members of the brand’s loyalty programme will receive further savings and earn double Discovery Dollars during the promotional period.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers beachfront accommodation, a range of activities and speedboat transfers from Malé. Its accommodation and family-focused programmes are designed for guests seeking a combination of recreation and time together.
Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives provides accommodation, dining options, wellness services and water-based activities within an island setting. The resort caters to couples, families and travellers visiting the Maldives for the first time.
Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, located across two islands in Meemu Atoll, is positioned for couples and honeymooners. Guest experiences include sunset dining, spa treatments and access to the surrounding lagoon.
Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon caters to divers and snorkellers through its house reef, marine life and access to dive sites. The resort provides direct access to underwater experiences in the Indian Ocean.
The summer offer provides savings of up to 65% across Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives’ four properties.
Awards
JOALI Maldives wins two honours at Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia
JOALI Maldives has been recognised in two categories at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia 2026, receiving honours among the Best Resorts in the Maldives and for the Most Outrageous Villa.
The recognition reflects the resort’s Creative Living philosophy, which brings together art, nature, wellbeing, sustainability and hospitality within the guest experience.
Located in Raa Atoll, approximately 45 minutes by seaplane from Malé, JOALI Maldives opened as the Maldives’ first art-immersive luxury resort. Art installations, dining experiences, wellbeing programmes and accommodation are integrated across the island as part of its approach to resort living.
The property features 73 beach and overwater villas and residences, positioned across the island and above the Indian Ocean. The accommodation has been designed to provide privacy, space and access to views of the surrounding environment.
Each villa combines contemporary design with materials including timber, marble, bamboo and terrazzo, as well as handcrafted finishes. Floor-to-ceiling glass provides views of the ocean, while private pools connect the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Artworks and design pieces are also incorporated into each villa, reflecting the resort’s Creative Living concept and extending the art experience into the accommodation.
Guests can choose from Beach Villas, Water Villas and multi-bedroom Residences, with options designed for couples, families and groups. The larger residences provide additional living areas, pools and facilities for guests seeking more space and privacy.
Each villa is supported by a dedicated Jadugar, a term used by the resort to describe its butler service. The Jadugar assists guests throughout their stay by arranging dining experiences, island activities, celebrations and other personalised services.
Guests are also provided with bicycles to explore the island’s pathways, gardens and viewpoints.
JOALI Maldives said the awards reflected the work of its team and the support of its guests, partners and wider community. The resort also said it would continue developing experiences focused on creativity, wellbeing and connection.
The recognition adds to JOALI Maldives’ position within the Maldives’ luxury resort sector, where its art-led design and Creative Living philosophy form the basis of its guest experience.
Cooking
Michelin-Starred Chef Grégoire Berger to host dining experience at Lily Beach Resort & Spa
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has announced a culinary collaboration with Chef Grégoire Berger, chef and co-owner of the Dubai restaurant Kraken.
Known for progressive French cuisine influenced by the ocean, Berger has received a Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Dubai from 2022 to 2024. His restaurant has also been included among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, while his work has received recognition through several international culinary awards.
Berger’s approach draws on the sea as a source of ingredients, ideas and presentation. His menus combine French culinary techniques with marine influences, with each dish developed around a narrative connected to the ocean.
As part of his visit to Lily Beach in August 2026, Berger will host a fine-dining dinner for a limited number of guests. He will also introduce a signature dish at AQVA Bar & Restaurant during the collaboration.

The programme forms part of Lily Beach’s efforts to expand its culinary offering and introduce visiting chefs and dining concepts to guests in the Maldives.
Located in South Ari Atoll, the resort will provide guests with an opportunity to experience Berger’s cuisine within its all-inclusive hospitality concept. The collaboration will combine his Michelin-recognised approach with the resort’s existing food and beverage programme.
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has established its hospitality offering around its premium all-inclusive model, supported by a range of dining venues. Its restaurants offer overwater dining, international buffet selections, seafood and Asian-inspired dishes.
The resort’s culinary programme is supported by the Platinum Plan, an all-inclusive package that includes dining experiences, a selection of wines and spirits, excursions and personalised services.
Through the collaboration with Berger, Lily Beach aims to add another dining experience to its guest programme while continuing to develop its position within the Maldives’ luxury hospitality market.
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