Featured
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.
Entertainment
QUEENZ OF PIANO to perform at Reethi Faru Resort this festive season
Reethi Faru Resort has announced that internationally recognised piano duo QUEENZ OF PIANO will perform at the resort as part of its Christmas and New Year celebrations for the 2026/27 festive season.
The duo will present three live performances on 29 December 2026, 31 December 2026 (New Year’s Eve) and 2 January 2027, offering guests a series of musical experiences during the holiday period.
QUEENZ OF PIANO are known for combining classical music with contemporary pop, performing arrangements that bring together compositions from different musical periods and genres.
Their performances reinterpret well-known classical pieces and modern hits, incorporating elements of both musical styles to appeal to audiences of different ages and musical preferences.
The duo’s approach focuses on showcasing the versatility of the piano through arrangements that blend traditional classical techniques with contemporary musical influences.
The performances will form part of Reethi Faru Resort’s festive entertainment programme, providing live musical experiences for guests celebrating Christmas and New Year in the Maldives.
The three scheduled performances will take place during the resort’s year-end celebrations, including a special appearance on New Year’s Eve.
Featured
Kandooma Maldives unveils ‘Pirates’ Festive Adventure’ for Christmas and New Year
Kandooma Maldives has announced its Christmas and New Year programme, titled Pirates’ Festive Adventure, featuring festive dining, family activities, marine excursions, live entertainment and wellness experiences.
The programme will run from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027, offering a range of activities and celebrations for guests staying at the resort in South Malé Atoll.
The festive programme forms part of Kandooma Maldives’ experience-led all-inclusive offering, which combines dining, recreational activities and marine experiences.
The resort provides round-the-clock dining at Kandooma Café, with meals and snacks available to accommodate international arrival and departure schedules. Eligible certified divers staying for four nights or longer can also participate in daily diving activities as part of the all-inclusive offering.
For families, Kandoo Kids’ Club will organise a series of themed activities throughout the festive period. These will include pirate-themed crafts, treasure-inspired games, creative challenges, festive card-making, gingerbread making and Christmas celebrations.
Younger guests will also have opportunities to participate in Christmas cookie decorating and other seasonal activities, while Santa Claus is scheduled to make an appearance as part of the festivities.
Marine excursions and watersports will feature throughout the programme, with activities including shark snorkelling, shipwreck safaris, turtle-point snorkelling, sunset cruises and night fishing.
Guests will also have opportunities to participate in surfing lessons, guided Jet Ski tours and other watersports activities around the island.
Festive dining will form a central part of the celebrations, with the resort organising a Maldivian-themed buffet dinner accompanied by traditional Bodu Beru drumming and a fire dance performance.
Other dining experiences will include a multi-course Christmas Eve gala dinner, Christmas dining events and special New Year celebrations. The menus will feature a combination of Maldivian cuisine, international dishes and traditional festive offerings.
For guests seeking wellness experiences, Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala will offer a range of treatments, including couples’ spa experiences, a three-day wellness programme and recovery treatments designed for surfers.
The festive programme will continue into January with additional activities at Kandoo Kids’ Club, marine excursions and recreational experiences.
The celebrations will conclude on 7 January 2027 with Orthodox Christmas activities for guests observing the occasion.
Andrew Drummond, General Manager of Kandooma Maldives, said the programme was designed to bring together different aspects of the resort’s guest experience during the festive season.
“Festive holidays are about spending meaningful time together, discovering something new and creating memories that last long after the journey home,” he said.
“Our programme brings together the experiences that make an island holiday special, whether that means an ocean adventure, a celebration around the table, time to relax or a little festive magic for the family.”
Located on a private island in South Malé Atoll, Kandooma Maldives offers accommodation, dining, marine activities and recreational facilities for families, couples and groups of friends.
Guests are advised to review the festive programme for activity schedules, package inclusions and advance-booking requirements. Additional charges apply to selected excursions, watersports and spa treatments.
Awards
Secret Paradise Maldives Co-Founder recognised for regenerative tourism efforts
Ruth Franklin, Co-Founder of Secret Paradise Maldives, has received the Regenerative Travel Pioneer Award at the 2026 Inspiring Women in Travel Asia (IWTA) Awards, held at the Conrad Bangkok on 14 October 2026.
The IWTA Awards recognise women contributing to environmental, social and regenerative initiatives across Asia’s travel and tourism industry. The Regenerative Travel Pioneer Award honours individuals whose work places local communities, cultural preservation and environmental conservation at the centre of tourism development.
Franklin co-founded Secret Paradise Maldives in 2012, establishing a tourism business focused on providing visitors with experiences beyond traditional resort holidays. The company promotes interactions between travellers, local communities and the natural environment through locally led tourism activities.
Secret Paradise Maldives works with local businesses, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community groups to support responsible tourism practices and ensure that a greater share of tourism revenue benefits local communities.
Its activities focus on marine conservation, cultural awareness and creating opportunities for Maldivians to share their knowledge, traditions and way of life with international visitors.
Commenting on the recognition, Franklin acknowledged the contributions of the company’s employees, local partners and community organisations.
“I’m incredibly honoured to receive this recognition. While the award may have my name on it, it represents the collective efforts of the entire Secret Paradise team, our local partners and the many NGOs and community members we work alongside.
“Since establishing Secret Paradise, our aim has always been to demonstrate that travel can be a force for good, creating meaningful experiences for visitors while supporting local livelihoods, celebrating Maldivian culture and helping protect the incredible natural environment we are so fortunate to call home. This award is recognition of everyone’s contribution to that journey,” she said.
The award recognises Franklin’s work in promoting community-based tourism in the Maldives and Secret Paradise Maldives’ efforts to integrate environmental conservation, cultural preservation and local economic participation into its tourism operations.
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