Featured
Pullman Maldives Maamutaa Resort opens with undersea villas
Pullman Maldives Maamutaa Resort has opened its doors.
Set amidst 18 hectares of lush tropical flora and fauna on the Gaafu Alifu Atoll, the all-inclusive resort boasts 122 decadent villas, including two exclusive Aqua Villas featuring bedrooms submerged beneath the turquoise waters for a truly memorable experience of the region’s marine life up close.
This is the second such offering in the Maldives and in the world. Conrad Maldives Rangalhi Island had in November opened The Muraka, the world’s first undersea residence.
In addition to the Aqua Villas, the new Pullaman Maldives Maamutaa also features The Royal Suite — a resort within a resort which provides complete privacy and indulgence including a high degree of personalised services.
“We are delighted to be shining the spotlight on the Maldives once again with the launch of our fifth Accor property. Pullman Maldives Maamutaa Resort is a stunning addition to the premium segment and we look forward to welcoming global nomads to explore the spectacular marine life of Gaafu Alifu Atoll and its surrounding diving sites,” Patrick Basset, Chief Operating Officer of Accor, Upper Southeast & Northeast Asia and the Maldives, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
Featuring a range of overwater and beachside villas, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa is surrounded by lush vegetation, a natural lake and sun-kissed beaches, plus one of the region’s largest and deepest lagoons. With water temperatures slightly cooler than many other islands, the richness of the marine life and the colours of the coral are unparalleled. For example, this is the only place where divers can spot up to 13 species of sharks in the water.
Guests will never go hungry, as the resort boasts one of the most generous, all-inclusive offers in the Maldives, complete with a variety of culinary delights available at six outlets across the island.
Options include Mélange, an all-day dining restaurant; The Hub, a sunken pool bar offering signature drinks and delicious sharing plates; Saffron Affair for a sophisticated evening of tapas and craft cocktails; and Souq Oven for Middle Eastern dishes, for pairing with a wine list featuring over 80 wines from around the world.
For something more casual, guests can enjoy healthy café treats and alchemy experiences at Sol Rising; or one of the region’s first organic, vegetarian and vegan restaurants, Phat Chameleon, set amidst a vegetable and herb garden. For those on the go, the playful Bites on Wheels food cart offers refreshing sorbets and light snacks throughout the day.
Children and teens are well catered for at Playground and Skillz Sports Centre, with a range of entertaining and educational activities including snooker, table tennis, various board games and a golf simulator. Nature walks, treasure hunts, and outdoor sports are also available for the adventurers at heart to enjoy the natural beauty of the island.
Pullman’s well-being approach focuses around the four pillars of Sleep; Sport; Food; and Spa and here it’s all about bringing guests as close to nature and the outdoors as you can get.
Fitness enthusiasts can start at the resort’s Fit Trail island jogging track with five fitness stations offering a variety of physical trails, or level up with a complete boot-camp Raaveriya Workout experience that kick starts with callisthenics followed by an invigorating run on the beach and a refreshing swim in the lagoon.
For complete restoration of the body, mind and soul, choose from a selection of signature facials, body treatments and massage therapies available at the resort’s Spa by Phytomer, which features eight treatment rooms perched over a shallow, white sand lagoon.
Guests can sign up for a local arts and crafts classes, marine conservation talks, or enjoy nature trail walks around the island with the resort’s resident marine biologist, or scuba dive and snorkel in one of the Maldives’ largest blue lagoons covering a total area of 1,700 hectares. The surrounding coral gardens feature a diverse variety of reef fish, dolphins, turtles and sharks around the resort’s 26 dive sites.
“With our generous all-inclusive offering, we look forward to welcoming guests to the Pullman Maldives Maamutaa Resort where they can explore the island’s sandy beaches, nature trails and renowned diving sites while enjoying full wellness and culinary journey,” John Bendtsen, General Manager of Pullman Maldives Maamutaa Resort, said.
As a special opening offer, guests can enjoy complimentary return transfers valued at USD 360 USD per person when booking a stay of five nights or more, valid from September 25 to December 23rd.
Accessible by a 55-minute domestic flight from Velana International Airport, followed by a 15-minute speedboat ride from Kooddoo Airport, the Pullman Maldives Maamutaa Resort is the first Pullman branded hotel in the Maldives and the fifth Maldivian property in AccorHotels’ portfolio.
A newcomer to the Maldives booming tourism industry, AccorHotels is on a major expansion drive with five properties already under its belt in just two years. The French multinational hotel group runs Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort, Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi, Mӧvenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives and Raffles Maldives Meradhoo, as well as the just opened Pullman Maldives Maamutaa.
Cooking
Domenico Carella and Fabrizio Margarita unite for innovative culinary experience at Patina Maldives
Patina Maldives has announces an exclusive culinary pop-up, Ultra Milano by Domenico Carella, taking place from November 9th to November 13th, 2024. This exclusive experience will showcase the innovative culinary and mixology talents of Domenico Carella, a renowned figure in the food and beverage industry.
Carella has built an impressive career as a professional chef, bartender, and manager. With over a decade of experience, he has mastered the art of blending ingredients and flavours to create dishes that perfectly balance texture and taste. His culinary journey has taken him around the world, earning accolades such as Manager of the Year in Asia by “That’s Shanghai” in 2015.
At this event, Domenico Carella’s mixology will complement Fabrizio Margarita’s pizza artistry, reimagining dining with a sustainable flair at Veli Bar in Patina Maldives, Fari Islands.
Carella’s approach to food and beverage emphasises environmental respect and sustainability. His holistic vision ensures that all departments, from the kitchen to the bar, work harmoniously, aligning the procurement of raw materials to create a unified and sustainable operation.
Awards
GO TRAVEL Awards honour Sun Siyam Resorts for excellence in sustainable tourism practices
Sun Siyam Resorts has been awarded the title of “Most Influential Sustainable Hotel Group of the Year” at the 2025 GO TRAVEL Hotel Travel Excellence Awards. This recognition, presented by GOGO Media and Weibo Shanghai, celebrates Sun Siyam Resorts’ exceptional contributions to sustainable tourism in the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
This prestigious award highlights the group’s dedication to blending authentic guest experiences with a strong commitment to environmental and social responsibility. At Sun Siyam Resorts, sustainability is not just a practice but an integral part of its operations, shaping how the group interacts with the environment and supports local communities.
Central to Sun Siyam Resorts’ achievements is the “Sun Siyam Cares” program, which encompasses various eco-friendly and community-focused initiatives. These include reducing energy and water consumption, managing waste efficiently, supporting local community development, and investing in renewable energy sources. Through these efforts, Sun Siyam Resorts actively works to reduce its carbon footprint and environmental impact.
The group’s commitment extends beyond environmental conservation to cultural preservation, emphasising the protection of local heritage and traditional practices. By prioritising these sustainable practices, Sun Siyam Resorts contributes not only to environmental well-being but also to the socio-economic growth of the communities where it operates.
This recognition at the GO TRAVEL Hotel Travel Excellence Awards underscores Sun Siyam Resorts’ leadership in sustainable tourism, marking a significant milestone in the group’s journey to create memorable, eco-friendly travel experiences. Through a seamless blend of luxury and sustainability, Sun Siyam Resorts offers guests the chance to enjoy extraordinary vacations while leaving a positive impact on the world.
Featured
Tennis legend Marion Bartoli leads exclusive lessons at Siyam World Maldives
From December 10th to 14th, Siyam World Maldives will host an unforgettable event for tennis enthusiasts and sports lovers. In collaboration with LUX Tennis, the resort welcomes former World No. 7 and Wimbledon Champion Marion Bartoli for an exciting LUX Tennis Star Event, featuring private lessons, group clinics, and a Meet & Greet with the tennis legend.
After establishing itself as a premier destination for football camps and hosting some of the sport’s greatest players, Siyam World is now shifting focus to tennis, with Marion Bartoli as the latest star to join its roster of sports icons. Guests will have the opportunity to step onto the court with Bartoli herself, gaining insights and tips from one of the sport’s best, whether they’re experienced players or beginners looking to improve their skills.
In collaboration with LUX Tennis, the resort offers a diverse range of tennis activities, from private one-on-one lessons to energetic group clinics, catering to all levels of players. Additionally, a Complimentary Meet & Greet session provides fans with the chance to take photos, engage in conversation with Bartoli, and hear about her inspiring journey from professional player to tennis icon.
Marion Bartoli is a celebrated former professional tennis player from France, known for her unique playing style and remarkable career achievements. She captured the prestigious Wimbledon Championships singles title in 2013, becoming the sixth player in the Open Era to win the title without dropping a set. Bartoli was also a Wimbledon finalist in 2007 and reached the semifinals at the French Open in 2011. Throughout her career, she earned seven singles and three doubles titles on the WTA Tour. Recognised for her unconventional approach, she played with both hands on her forehand and backhand, distinguishing her from traditional players. Bartoli reached her career-high ranking of World No. 7 on January 30, 2012, and returned to this ranking on July 8, 2013, following her Wimbledon victory.
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