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Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha back in Maldives, says “my favourite place”
Indian actress Sonakshi Sinha is back in Maldives or as she calls it, “My favourite place in the whole wide world.”
Sonakshi, who spent a week-long getaway in the Maldives a year ago, in arrived in the Maldives Saturday afternoon and travelled to Jumeirah Vittaveli resort.
After arriving in the luxury resort, she shared a photo of herself in a swimsuit, captioning the photo, “Should’ve been under the Maldivian sun, but we got some rain instead!! No problem because @jumeirahvittaveli makes the waiting inside worth it too!! Love being back in my favorite place in the whole wide world!!!”
Daughter of actors Shatrughan Sinha and Poonam Sinha, Sonakshi made her acting debut in the action-drama film Dabangg (2010), which won her all the Debut awards including the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.
Sonakshi has played the romantic interest of the male protagonists in several top-grossing action-dramas, including Rowdy Rathore (2012), Son of Sardaar (2012), Dabangg 2 (2012) and Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty (2014). She received critical acclaim for her portrayal of a woman suffering from tuberculosis in the romantic drama Lootera (2013), for which she received a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.
In addition to acting in films, Sonakshi sung a small part in the Imran Khan song “Let’s Celebrate” in her film Tevar (2015). She then made her official singing debut with the single “Aaj Mood Isqholic hai” and sung in a total of four of her films.
Located a short 20-minute ride on board a luxurious motorised catamaran from the main Velana International Airport, Jumeirah Vittaveli offers unmatched diversity, subtle luxury and personalised exploration, whether you are seeking a romantic getaway or an exotic destination for your family.
The 3,500 square metre Royal Residence can accommodate 14 people, with prices from USD 35,000 per night. This lavish private retreat comprises private beach, dedicated restaurant, spa, two swimming pools, an overwater sundeck, jetty, chef, butler and golf buggy chauffeur. Guests can enjoy a private yacht transfer to the residence and spacious accommodation, which comprises the main Sanctuary, two Guest Villas and a double-storey guest house. An abundance of lounge and seating spaces provide the opportunity to spend quality time together. Each stay at the Royal Residence comes with a host of benefits such as daily evening canapes and champagne, personal fitness trainer as well as wellness consultant and 24-hour resident butler service. Wellness treatments can be enjoyed in the private Talise spa room inside the Sanctuary complex.
In addition to the Royal Residence, Jumeirah Vittaveli comprises 89 villas and suites each with their own swimming pool and direct access to the beach or lagoon. The private and spacious villas are available with one or two bedrooms making them the ideal accommodation for both families and couples.
Guests can enhance their romantic escape and stay at the picturesque Private Ocean Retreats, an indulgent hideaway with a loft-style bedroom upstairs, overwater hammocks, private infinity pool and full outdoor daybed. The villas are freestanding in the lagoon ensuring maximum privacy while only a two-minute ride on board the complimentary boat service from the main island. The Private Ocean Retreats are designed to offer all the resort services, from in-villa dining and yoga on a open air deck to an indulgent couple’s massage.
For the evenings, guests have the choice of a culinary journey through India in the resort’s signature restaurant Swarna, or an overwater fine dining experience featuring French cuisine at Fenesse.
The Talise spa at Jumeirah Vittaveli has been named Best Luxury Wellness Spa in Maldives by the World Travel Awards in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Treatments at the spa are inspired by concepts of light and space connecting with the purity and vibration of ingredients. The team produces their own island made 100 percent pure coconut oil, which is used in treatments and available as a take-home souvenir. The garden and overwater treatment rooms provide romantic spaces for couples who wish to enjoy blissful relaxation, while the spa menu also includes dedicated Mother-Daughter and Father-Son pampering sessions.
Jumeirah Vittaveli offers romantic escapes as well as a variety of land and water-based activities, including the destination’s first ice rink, a PADI Dive base, water sports centre, six restaurants and bars, and two lounges. An underground tasting room and a wine library will open soon.
Maldives is amongst the most sought after destinations by high profile personalities and celebrity travellers from around the world.
Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio and American TV personality Paris Hilton have partied in the Maldives. The likes of English singer and television presenter Rochelle Humes and her husband Marvin, and British TV personality Billie Faiers have all declared the Maldives as their favourite part of the world for a relaxing getaway. Another British singer Perrie Edwards and English actress Millie Mackintosh have also fell in love with the white sands, turquoise waters and the blue skies of the Maldives.
Hollywood actress Gal Gadot and Lindsay Lohan along with Bollywood personalities such as Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan, Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra, Parineeti Chopra, the Bachchan family and Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi, as well as world-renowned music artists such as Robin Thicke and Justin Bieber have declared their love for the Maldives.
Sports personalities, including the likes of David Beckham, Carlos Tevez, Arjen Robben, Miroslav Klose, Franz Beckenbauer, Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcel Desailly and Mohamed Salah have also spent their hard-earned vacations in the tropical paradise.
India has also become a major source market for the Maldives’ tourism industry.
Official figures show that 90,474 tourists arrived in Maldives from its closest neighbour last year, a nine per cent increase from the 83,019 Indian travellers that chose the Maldives in 2017.
That growth has continued this year as well, as the number of Indian tourists that visited the Maldives recorded a 96.4 per cent increase in the first five months of the year to reach 66,265 compared to 33,734 in the same period last year.
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The Standard, Maldives brings Lunar New Year energy to Raa Atoll
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.
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Four Seasons Maldives brings Fire Horse energy to Lunar New Year celebrations
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.
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Love loud and laid-back: Valentine’s Day across CROSSROADS Maldives
At CROSSROADS Maldives, Valentine’s Day is designed as a full-day celebration that extends beyond a single romantic dinner, unfolding instead as a journey of connection, creativity and shared discovery. Set across two interconnected islands linked by a tranquil lagoon, the destination invites couples to shape their own rhythm of romance, moving fluidly between moments of energy, playfulness and quiet reflection.
Located just 15 minutes by speedboat from Malé, CROSSROADS Maldives offers a multi-island Valentine’s escape that combines barefoot island living with a contemporary sense of togetherness. From sunrise through to starlight, couples are encouraged to explore experiences that engage both body and mind.
At SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, the day begins with a sunrise couple’s fitness run along the shoreline, followed by guided snorkelling experiences and pool-based wellness sessions. As the pace builds, playful activities take centre stage, including aqua zumba, beach and pool volleyball, water polo and a light-hearted couple’s “Amazing Race” around the island.
Creative expression forms an integral part of the programme, with hands-on workshops such as coconut painting, tie-dye art, cocktail and mocktail masterclasses, and relaxed karaoke sessions at the swim-up bar. For couples seeking slower, more intimate moments, SAii Spa offers extended Valentine’s journeys for two, featuring shared rituals, massages, facials and private bathing ceremonies, concluding with champagne and chocolate indulgences.
One of the most personal experiences takes place at the clay studio at The Marina @ CROSSROADS, where couples spend time shaping a single ceramic piece together. The finished item is kiln-fired and, if guests depart before completion, shipped to their home as a lasting keepsake of their time together.
Across the lagoon, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives presents a contrasting atmosphere with its Love Loud, Live Proud Valentine’s programme. Dance-led fitness sessions, couple-focused pool games and sunset partner yoga transition into beachfront dining, live music and Latin-inspired performances beneath the night sky.
As part of the celebrations, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives has introduced the LOVE ROCKS Valentine’s offer, providing couples with the opportunity to extend their stay beyond the day itself. The offer includes savings of up to 35 per cent, with bookings available from 12 January to 10 February 2026 for stays between 10 February and 31 March 2026.
As evening falls, Valentine’s dining experiences unfold across the destination’s beach and open-air venues, ranging from intimate multi-course dinners and relaxed barbecues to DJ-led beach parties at Hard Rock Cafe. Rather than centring on a single moment, Valentine’s Day at CROSSROADS Maldives is defined by a series of experiences chosen by each couple, allowing the celebration to feel personal, flexible and unhurried.
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