Featured
‘Hack Your 21st Century Digitised Body’ at Vakkaru Maldives with renowned fitness expert Yasmin Karachiwala
Vakkaru Maldives has announced plans to host a fitness retreat with world-renowned fitness expert Yasmin Karachiwala.
Awarded “Best Fitness Instructor” by Vogue, Yasmin and her team have curated a bespoke programme to rev up your daily routine. With over 26 years in the industry and the pioneer of Pilates in India, Yasmin is also India’s first “Balanced Body Master Pilates” instructor and “Fletcher Pilates” instructor. With numerous awards and accolades including best-selling author to her name, her elite client list reads like the cover of a fashion magazine, literally. India’s A-lister’s from Katrina Kaif to Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt to Kareena Kapoor and more train with Yasmin to sculpt, tone and look their ultimate best for one of the world’s largest film industry, Bollywood.
Harnessing all her knowledge and experience, Yasmin invites guests to her “Hack Your 21st Century Digitised Body” at Vakkaru Maldives from August 9 to 13.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be bringing my brand of fitness to the Maldives for the first time. I am looking forward to ‘Hack Your 21st Century Digitised Body’ as I have created a holistic experience where guests will be able to take away a little bit of everything. My personal goal is to increase your knowledge on Pilates and to beat the common misconception that you need equipment to work out. I want you to know that you can work out anytime, anywhere,” Yasmin was quoted in a statement, as saying.
“I will also be joining forces with the culinary team at Vakkaru Maldives to curate my ultimate breakfast table every morning, spend an afternoon sharing my hacks on the best travel-friendly snacks and smoothie concoctions as meal replacements and share some of my well-kept secret recipes for desserts. At my masterclass, I want you to understand that the food you eat must not be a tedious diet that you have picked out of a magazine, but a variable routine that you look forward to each morning.”

To “Hack Your 21st Century Digitised Body” at Vakkaru Maldives with Yasmin Karachiwala, guests can book an all-inclusive-retreat or a class-by-class session. The programme includes:
- August 9: Mat pilates at Main Pool Side Deck | Leg, butt and abs at Vakku Beach
- August 10: Beach cardio with Tone-Y bands at Isoletta Beach | Pilates with props at gym
- August 11: 20-20-20 Pilates at Lagoon Bar | Beach Tabata at Vakku Beach
- August 12: Beach boot camp at Isoletta Beach | Circuit pilates at Merana Spa’s Wellness Area
- August 13: Beach circuit at Isoletta Beach
Yasmin Karachiwala’s five-day “Hack Your 21st Century Digitised Body” is priced at USD 7,954 for stays in a Beach Pool Villa or USD 6,024 for an Over Water Villa. Each package comes with:
- Five nights stay in the chosen villa category
- Half board meal plan ie (daily breakfast and dinner)
- Return transfers either via seaplane or domestic flight (subject to international arrival time, weather and availability)
- A 60-minute body massage at Merana Spa
- Access to Yasmin Karachiwala’s “Hack Your 21st Century Digitised Body” programme
- All applicable taxes
This 2019, complementing Vakkaru’s island offerings will be a collection of curated, ultra-immersive and cherish-able guest experiences in collaboration with luxury guest experiences specialist, The Magnolia Creative Collaborations. From culinary greats to wellness mentors, from scent experts to fitness guru’s, from luxurious fashion collaborations to exquisite artisanal pop-ups, Vakkaru Maldives will be inspiring guests to create timeless memories, effortlessly.
From October 21 to 25, Vakkaru Maldives will open its shores to Alistair Birt, Head Pastry Chef of Harrods London for an extraordinary experience with Chocolate.
“Nestled within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa atoll in the Maldives, Vakkaru Maldives is the perfect setting to bask in the ultimate luxury of ‘time’ and ‘space’ where guests are invited to relax, reflect and refocus. We recognise that our guests are on a lifelong, personal and emotional quest towards a fulfilling health and wellness goal and we are dedicated to ensuring they have access to the best,” General Manager Nicholas Mason said.

Located in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa atoll and accessible by a 25-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport, Vakkaru is a secluded tropical island resort blessed with timeless ocean views, white sandy beaches and nurtured by nature. The resort offers guests a holistic approach to unassuming luxury and unforgettable experiences. Drawing on the rich traditions of the locale, design elements are focused on traditional Maldivian style and fused with the finest natural elements. The result is the creation of amazing spaces for guests to connect with each other and the environment around them.
Whether travelling on a romantic break or with family and friends, the resort offers a superlative choice of accommodation types, including family rooms. Each of the 125 beach and overwater villas and suites have a natural aesthetic and sense of privacy.
An indulgent selection of dining choices await guests in four restaurants and two bars, with several ingredients hand-picked from the island’s very own organic farm. The beachfront Amaany restaurant specialises in international cuisine, and serves breakfast and dinner. Isoletta overlooks the garden and specialises in Italian cuisine, while Vakku is a beach restaurant that specialises in international cuisine and serves dinner. Overlooking the garden, Onu specialises in Asian cuisine and serves dinner.
Extensive Parrot Fish Club facilities offer tailored activities for children aged between three and 12 years. Indoor play and activity areas have been designed to capture the imagination, and the outdoor exploration space features a children’s pool.
For reservations and general information, please visit vakkarumaldives.com or contact reservations@vakkarumaldives.com.
Featured
‘Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom’ comes to Sun Siyam Vilu Reef this festive season
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Privé Collection within the House of Siyam, has announced its festive programme, “Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom”, which will run from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.
The seasonal programme features activities and experiences for guests of all ages. Dining will take centre stage with Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve gala dinners by the water, exclusive Chef’s Table experiences and seafood barbecues on the beach.
The evening entertainment programme will include live acoustic performances, island DJ sets, aerial dance shows and Maldivian cultural performances.
During the day, guests will be able to explore the resort’s lagoon through activities such as house reef snorkelling, sunset Jet Car rides and sandbank excursions. The Spa will offer wellness rituals and couples’ therapies, while younger guests can take part in gingerbread decorating, a fashion show and Santa’s arrival on the beach.
“Eutopia is our invitation to celebrate and embrace nature, meaningful moments, and the relaxed luxury that defines Sun Siyam Vilu Reef through our festivities,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager.
“From unforgettable ocean adventures to starlit beach celebrations, every experience has been thoughtfully designed to create lasting memories that will continue to flourish long after the season ends.”
The programme will culminate with a New Year’s Eve celebration on the beach on 31 December, featuring live music, midnight toasts and a fireworks display over the water.
The resort’s festive programme is available to view online, with bookings open for stays between 22 December 2026 and 7 January 2027.
Awards
Sun Siyam Iru Veli earns top wedding destination honour at TTM Awards
Fresh from being named Best Honeymoon Destination in 2025, Sun Siyam Iru Veli was recognised as Best Wedding Destination at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards & Gala 2026, held at Crossroads Maldives on 27 August. The award further reinforces the resort’s commitment to celebrating romance in all its forms.
Surrounded by turquoise lagoons and white-sand beaches, Iru Veli provides a natural setting for couples seeking an intimate island retreat. Every villa features a private pool, while secluded beaches, private sandbanks and a 24-hour all-inclusive dine-around experience offer guests privacy and flexibility throughout their stay.
The resort hosts celebrations of different scales, ranging from barefoot ceremonies by the ocean to larger events encompassing the entire island. Dedicated wedding planners work closely with each couple to personalise every element, ensuring that both the ceremony and the wider stay reflect their individual story.
This flexibility extends beyond the resort’s wedding packages. Simple Romance, Grand Gesture and Sandbank Magic provide couples with a starting point, with each celebration customisable through décor, dining, wellness, entertainment and island experiences. For occasions requiring complete exclusivity, full-island buyouts allow the resort experience to be tailored around the couple and their guests.
The celebrations can continue beyond the ceremony through candlelit dinners beneath the stars, spa rituals for two, sunset cruises and time spent together across the island. These experiences enable couples to shape the occasion around their preferences, with personal moments unfolding throughout their stay.
“Every couple arrives with a different story and a different vision for their celebration. There is no template here. From intimate ceremonies for two to full-island celebrations with family and friends, our role is to create moments that feel completely personal. That is exactly what our team does. They listen first and then create a ceremony that truly reflects the couple. This award is a testament to the dedication and care they put into making every moment memorable,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.
The annual TTM Awards & Gala brings together travel professionals and hoteliers to recognise achievements across the Maldivian hospitality industry. Iru Veli’s latest award further strengthens its position among the Maldives’ leading destinations for weddings and romantic escapes.
Action
Chef Jake Norman and Molly O’Donoghue join Niva Dhigali for November programme
Niva Dhigali Maldives will welcome visiting chef Jake Norman and British pickleball champion Molly O’Donoghue for a curated programme of island experiences this November, bringing together dining and active wellbeing in the Maldives.
Norman began his culinary career making pizza in the markets of Guadalajara, Mexico, before working in several London restaurants, including St John, Ottolenghi and Sabor. He now leads the kitchen at Updown Farmhouse in Kent, where his cooking focuses on seasonal ingredients, live-fire techniques and Mediterranean influences.
On 18 November, Norman will host an exclusive dinner at Faru, presenting a menu that combines Mediterranean flavours with influences from Mexico and the Middle East, while incorporating ingredients sourced from the Maldives.
The shared dining experience will feature Indian Ocean produce, grilled dishes and smoky flavours, with a menu designed to reflect the setting and encourage guests to dine at a relaxed pace.
The programme will also include pickleball sessions hosted by British champion Molly O’Donoghue. A national champion in mixed and women’s doubles, as well as a European champion in mixed doubles, O’Donoghue first discovered the sport while studying in Australia. She has since competed internationally and worked to introduce the sport to players around the world.
At Niva Dhigali, O’Donoghue will conduct beginner sessions and advanced coaching, giving guests of different skill levels the opportunity to learn, play and develop their technique.
Located in Raa Atoll, Niva Dhigali Maldives is surrounded by tropical vegetation, a lagoon and the Indian Ocean. The November programme, featuring Norman’s dining experience and O’Donoghue’s pickleball sessions, forms part of the resort’s approach to offering guest experiences centred on food, wellbeing and the island environment.
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