Featured
Maldives’ first JW Marriott resort to open on Nov 1
Marriott International has announced the opening of JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa on the island of Vagaru in Shaviyani atoll, on November 1, 2019.
Headed up by General Manager Marc Gussing, the first JW Marriott branded hotel in Maldives will feature 60 spacious villas starting at an enormous 234sqm, all with private pools. Exceptional dining is a at the resort’s core; it will showcase one of the most impressive culinary offerings in the Maldives with five restaurants and chefs from some of the world’s top restaurants, including Nobu.

Located a 55-minute seaplane flight to the north of Male, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa will place a strong emphasis on privacy. Private decks and pools are designed so they can’t be seen from outside the villas and in-villa dining will be on offer for couples or families looking for meals in a private setting.
The resort will feature one of the most impressive culinary offerings in the Maldives with five restaurants, three fully-serviced bars with 98 different types of rum, an expansive wine cellar with over 300 labels and a chef’s garden – an exceptional offering for a private island with only 60 villas.
Guests will be able to feast on a wide range of cuisine that goes beyond classic Maldivian dishes. This includes vibrant Thai dishes in a treetop restaurant, Japanese Teppanyaki, poolside Woodfired pizzas, local Maldivian dishes and seafood in a fine-dining, overwater setting. Meals will be complemented with a choice of sake, Japanese whisky, rum cocktails, smoked cocktails, and both new and old-world wines. There will also be a 24-hour in-villa dining service and destination dining experiences.

The ultra-expansive villas are designed to look like inverted Dhoni boats, and there are four villa categories to choose from. The Duplex Beach Pool Villas will feature two bedrooms, an upstairs lounge and direct access to the beach making them ideal for families, whilst the Duplex Overwater Pool Villas will offer the ultimate indulgence with unsurpassed views of the Laccadive Sea and private plunge pool. One-bedroom Beach Pool Villas with direct beach access and Overwater Pool Villas with a choice of sunset or sunrise view will also be available.


Situated in the untouched northern atoll of Shaviyani, the island’s surrounding natural reef is just metres from the shore and teeming with sea life. An on-site marine biologist will ensure the pristine reef remains untouched and in perfect health whilst overseeing aquatic expeditions including diving and snorkelling.
An iconic Spa by JW, overwater gym and an open-air yoga pavilion will offer cutting-edge and indulgent spa treatments and a daily schedule of yoga and fitness activities.
The iconic FAMiLY by JW Kid’s Club called Little Griffin’s, with a 13m pirate’s ship, kid’s sleeping areas, a servery, games, and educational animated activities will keep little ones entertained for hours.
For adults looking for some peace and relaxation an adults-only, infinity swimming pool on the tip of the island is the stuff of Instagram dreams and a chic adults-only club house with cigar room, shisha room, a billiards table, games and more will be available to guests over the age of 18.
This opening marks the debut of Marriott International’s premier luxury brand in the Maldives, and the world’s largest hotel chain’s fifth property in the island nation. Marriott’s brands already present in the Maldives include St. Regis Hotels & Resorts (The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort), W Hotels (W Maldives), Sheraton Hotels & Resorts (Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa), and Westin Hotels & Resorts (The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort).
Featured
Villa Nautica’s festive glow: Yoga at sunrise, fireworks at midnight
Villa Nautica will embrace the festive spirit from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, offering guests an easy island rhythm that flows from bright mornings by the water to music-filled evenings on the sand. The season begins with illuminated beaches and relaxed barbecues, gradually building through creative afternoons and live performances. Christmas Eve will feature a gala dinner, followed by Santa’s arrival on 25 December. The celebrations will culminate in a vibrant New Year’s Eve countdown with fireworks, before settling into a calm reset on New Year’s Day and concluding with Orthodox Christmas.
The programme balances practicality with a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. Mornings will bring sunrise yoga, family pool activities, and interactive cooking sessions, while evenings will feature poolside soirées, wine-paired dinners, and sunset cruises. With simple yet photogenic settings, the lagoon and sky take centre stage in shaping the mood. Guests—whether couples, friends, or families—can participate freely without losing the island’s easy pace.
For younger visitors, the festivities will centre around the kids’ club, where cookie and cupcake decorating, beach games, origami and craft sessions, storytelling, and cosy movie nights will take place. Small groups and attentive care ensure that creativity and play remain the focus, allowing parents to enjoy uninterrupted moments around the island.
A highlight of the season will be the Champagne Lucky Draw & Disco. From 1 to 31 December, each bottle of champagne purchased at resort bars or restaurants will serve as an entry to the draw. Guests are advised to keep their entry stubs for the live draw, held at 01:00 during the New Year’s celebration, where the prize will be a seven-night stay in a Water Villa for two.
Throughout the festive period, private experiences will feel as memorable as the larger celebrations. Guests may enjoy candlelit dinners on the sand, floating breakfasts, or early morning snorkelling sessions to begin the year anew. Whether seeking a lively shoreline celebration or a quiet evening stroll beneath lanterns and palms, Villa Nautica offers an atmosphere where every festive moment can glow in its own way.
Featured
JOALI BEING launches global campaign ‘Joyful Journeys of Well-Living’
JOALI BEING, the world’s first well-being island, has announced the launch of its new global brand campaign titled “Joyful Journeys of Well-Living.” The campaign celebrates the art of self-discovery, inviting travellers to reconnect with their inner selves through bespoke and transformative experiences.
Building upon JOALI BEING’s core philosophy of the “Joy of Weightlessness,” the campaign embodies the essence of harmony between mind, body, and spirit. It encourages guests to explore holistic pathways designed to restore balance and inspire personal growth.
Joyful Journeys of Well-Living serves as an invitation to travellers seeking meaningful change and renewal. The campaign narrates stories of individuals discovering joy through purposeful living, mindful connection, and immersive well-being experiences at JOALI BEING.
The visuals capture the island’s tranquil landscapes and nurturing spaces — from oceanfront sanctuaries to treetop villas and transformative healing sessions led by resident experts. The campaign presents JOALI BEING as more than a destination; it is a journey towards well-being, creativity, and self-transformation.
Each guest journey at JOALI BEING is founded on the resort’s Four Pillars of Well-Being — Mind, Skin, Microbiome, and Energy. Through tailored programmes, guests can embark on integrative wellness experiences encompassing sound therapy, movement and fitness, hydrotherapy, nutritional guidance, and energy-healing sessions curated by specialists.
The island features a series of advanced well-being spaces, including:
- CORE: a movement and fitness zone
- AREKA: a transformative treatment centre
- KAASHI: a hydrotherapy hall
- SEDA: a sound-healing room
- Ocean Sala: an open-air meditation and relaxation deck
Each space is designed to nurture a profound connection with nature and the self.
The Joyful Journeys of Well-Living campaign has been conceptualised and produced by JOALI BEING’s in-house team in collaboration with creative partners and visual storytellers from across the globe. The multi-platform campaign integrates film, digital, and print media to convey JOALI BEING’s ethos — a celebration of joy, transformation, and harmony.
The visual narrative draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the Maldives, reflecting JOALI BEING’s immersive design philosophy. The imagery captures the rhythm of the ocean, the play of light, and the flow of energy that define the spirit of the island.
Awards
Coco Bodu Hithi wins Best Waterside Hotel at Condé Nast Johansens Awards 2026
Coco Bodu Hithi has been recognised on the global stage, winning Best Waterside Hotel (Riverside, Lakeside, Seaside) at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2026, held on 3 November 2025 in the UK. It is the second consecutive year the resort has been honoured by the publication, following last year’s win for Best Service, reaffirming its focus on heartfelt Maldivian hospitality and refined island living.
Described by Condé Nast Johansens as an “over-water, over-indulgent Maldivian island outpost,” Coco Bodu Hithi offers an intimate retreat of comfort and calm. The resort’s 32 Water Villas and 24 Coco Residences, each measuring 184 square metres and featuring private pools, provide secluded spaces set above the lagoon, where nature, design, and comfort come together to reflect the island’s romantic ambience.
Known for contemporary design infused with Maldivian heritage, the resort continues to welcome travellers seeking time by the sea, complemented by culinary collaborations with celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs. The experience balances privacy and comfort throughout a guest’s stay. With turquoise waters, quiet spaces, and experiences designed for connection and shared discovery, the resort presents a considered take on island living.
Located 35 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the island combines accessibility with seclusion—close enough for convenience, yet removed for privacy and serenity. As part of Coco Collection, the resort offers bespoke experiences, attentive service, and sustainable practices, shaping stays that feel personal and reflective of relaxed, authentic island life.
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