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Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort celebrates one-year anniversary

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The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, which opened in October 2018, is thrilled to reflect on a memorable first year whilst looking ahead to exciting, new initiatives for 2020 and beyond.

The much-anticipated Westin debut in the Maldives didn’t disappoint. A sensational ‘Ocean Escape’ themed launch event in November 2018 saw the Natural History Museum in London converted in a spectacular Maldivian island for 200 guests.

This launch event set the tone for a remarkable first year in which the hotel has garnered not just one, but three prestigious awards: Indian Ocean’s Leading New Resort 2019 – World Travel Award; 20 Best Spas in Global Spa List – Travel & Leisure (India and South Asia); and Luxury Lifestyle Magazine Readers’ Travel Award Runners up – Best Hotel in Asia.

The Westin Maldives has also been recognised as being a leading guest satisfaction performer with Marriott Bonvoy.

With sustainability at the heart of its design and ethos, the award-wining hotel was created on 14 acres of previously undeveloped land which have been transformed into an understated yet luxurious resort comprising 70 villas and suites. Every step of the process has had sustainability and protection of the habitat as a key pillar.

“The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort is a resort of incomparable beauty, as well as outstanding wellness, accommodation and gourmet offerings. We are delighted to be celebrating our one-year anniversary having made such an impression on our guests and the industry as a whole. It is a great honour to have been acknowledged so highly with three recent awards and we are relishing the challenge of going above and beyond expectations. Our focus now is how we can elevate our experiences for our guests and make their stay even more memorable. We look forward to another successful year ahead,” Brendan Corcoran, General Manager at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, was quoted in a statement, as saying.

Looking Ahead

The Westin Maldives will continue to provide its guests and visitors with an unmatched luxury experience by investing its time and efforts in exceptional cuisine, spa initiatives, kids’ offerings and unique guest experiences.

The Westin Maldives has recently launched a host of exciting workshops as part of its kids programme encouraging its younger guests to ‘Sea Clearly’. An exciting new range of activities, it will aim to educate and empower children about the environment and demonstrate how we can all do our bit to help save the planet and the ocean.

The resort’s wellness focus is changing each month in 2019 and 2020 with specialist practitioners visiting the resort, resonating the Westin brand’s Six Pillars of Well-Being: Feel Well, Work Well, Move Well, Eat Well, Sleep Well and Play Well.

During the months of October and December, wellness practitioners Barton McGuckin and then Elizabeth Cocoann will be visiting The Westin Maldives. From an abundance of deep individual healing practices to nutrition consultations and life coaching, the practitioners have been individually hand picked and tie in with the other incredible wellness offerings at the resort. These include the luxurious Heavenly Spa by Westin, fresh and healthy cuisine and a state-of-the-art gym.

The hotel will also continue to deliver exquisite culinary experiences to match the needs of all customers. The resort perfectly embodies the Westin brand’s wellness philosophy “Empowering a Better You”, and the four sensational dining outlets are no exception.

A range of cooking classes are on offer including pastry-making, sushi and Maldivian cooking classes. The resort offers an array of curated dining experiences including floating breakfasts, destination dining on the beach, seafood wet markets.

In addition, exclusively over the dates October21-31, Hawker restaurant will be hosting ‘Streets of Silom’ festival, celebrating the very best of Bangkok’s cuisine.

Surrounding the anniversary, the resort will be running various anniversary special offers including; the Ultimate Romance package, Ultimate Wellness package, Dinner on Us package and the Holistic Wellness package with visiting practitioner Elizabeth Cocoann to help guests find their inner balance.

UNESCO Location

Situated on a beautiful coral island in the Baa atoll, a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve site, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort offers a tranquil escape with uninterrupted ocean and pristine turquoise lagoon views.

Each villa is shaped with an eco-friendly double roofing to create the perfect natural ventilation. Outdoor rainforest showers are a distinctive feature. Poised over the sea on stilts and with an area of almost 200 square metres each, the overwater suites are among the largest a resort has to offer in the Baa atoll region.

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Experience timeless Maldivian elegance at Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa

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Machchafushi, meaning ‘Fish Island’ in Dhivehi, encapsulates the essence of this serene retreat in South Ari Atoll. As part of The Centara Collection, Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa embodies the true spirit of the Maldives, offering guests an intimate connection with the ocean, marine life, and the island’s cultural heritage.

Situated within the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA), a UNESCO-recognised site, Machchafushi provides year-round access to remarkable marine experiences, vibrant coral ecosystems, and unforgettable underwater explorations, including the famous Kudhimaa shipwreck. Once a secluded, uninhabited island, Machchafushi holds a special place in the cultural landscape of the Maldives. Today, as part of this protected marine reserve, it continues to remain authentic, sustainable, and deeply rooted in its natural surroundings.

Marine life is at the heart of the Machchafushi experience. The island offers some of the world’s highest whale shark resighting rates, with encounters available throughout the year. Guests may also encounter graceful manta rays and a colourful abundance of tropical fish drifting through crystalline waters. Encircled by a renowned house reef—stretching nearly five times the island’s size—the area is home to over 1,000 species of fish and 200 varieties of coral, creating an underwater paradise.

South Ari Atoll is celebrated as one of the Maldives’ finest diving regions, featuring over fifty dive sites teeming with marine life. Kudarah Thila presents a UNESCO-protected labyrinth of overhangs and swim-throughs populated by fusiliers and snappers, while Broken Rock captivates divers with its dramatic canyon of corals and macro life, ideal for underwater photography. Dhigurah Beyru and Maamigili Corner are noted for encounters with whale sharks, manta rays, and occasionally dolphins. The 52-metre Kudhimaa Wreck has evolved into a thriving coral habitat, now home to lionfish, batfish, groupers, and the well-camouflaged stonefish and frogfish. Nearby, Anemone Alley flourishes beneath the seasonal seaplane platform, forming a vibrant ecosystem that draws snorkellers and divers alike. The house reef remains the beating heart of Machchafushi—a world-class natural wonder beneath the waves.

Beyond the ocean, the island tells a story of its own. At its centre stands a centuries-old Banyan Tree, known locally as the Ummeedhu Tree, or ‘Wish Fulfilment’. This living symbol invites guests to pause and reflect, taking part in the Sacred Thread Ceremony, where wishes and intentions are tied to the tree’s branches—creating a bond that endures long after their stay.

Sustainability is woven into every aspect of Machchafushi’s philosophy, ensuring the preservation of both its natural beauty and cultural legacy. Every sunrise, dive, and golden thread tied to the Ummeedhu Tree becomes part of a continuing narrative—one that celebrates the Maldives’ heritage and invites guests to create lasting memories in harmony with nature.

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Entertainment

Spooky celebrations await at Sun Siyam Olhuveli with ‘The Return of the Mummy’

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Sun Siyam Olhuveli will transform into a realm of ancient legends and eerie excitement this Halloween with its themed celebration, The Return of the Mummy. Guests of all ages will have the opportunity to take part in two days of themed activities, family games, and live entertainment throughout the resort.

The highlight of the celebration will be a beachfront performance by Swedish DJ and rising international talent Caroline Roxy. A multifaceted artist—DJ, singer-songwriter, producer, fashion designer, and former model—Caroline is known for fusing energetic electronic beats with pop-inspired rhythms. Drawing on her musical upbringing and experience performing at festivals in cities such as Stockholm and Los Angeles, she is set to deliver an electrifying performance that promises to bring a captivating energy to the shores of Sun Siyam Olhuveli.

The festivities will begin on 31 October 2025 with a Halloween Beach Fest, featuring mummy-themed games, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treat adventures, and the popular Mummy Dance Freeze for younger guests. As night falls, the Lagoon Bar will become the centre of the celebration, with flickering lights, pulsing music, and a much-anticipated DJ set by Caroline Roxy. Her performance will combine haunting melodies with powerful electronic rhythms, setting the tone for an unforgettable Halloween evening.

Celebrations will continue on 1 November 2025 with treasure hunts, themed cupcake and marshmallow workshops for children, and a sunset pirate cruise. Adults can take part in a Halloween boot camp before the evening concludes with a fire show and live music by Hightides at the Lagoon Bar.

Blending ancient Egyptian mystery with island charm, The Return of the Mummy at Sun Siyam Olhuveli invites guests to experience a unique Halloween adventure where the legends of the past meet the magic of the Maldives.

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Excursions

From first visit to thousand dives: Love story anchored at Bandos Maldives

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Bandos Maldives recently marked a significant milestone with two of its most loyal guests, Kate and Andy, who have shared a long-standing connection with the island.

Andy achieved an impressive feat by completing his 900th dive, all undertaken with Dive Bandos. His wife, Kate, surpassed this accomplishment by reaching her 1000th dive, with over 900 of those dives also completed alongside the Bandos team.

The Dive Bandos team joined the couple in celebrating this memorable occasion, recognising not only their dedication to diving but also the enduring bond they have formed with the resort over the years.

Kate and Andy’s relationship with Bandos extends far beyond statistics. Having first visited the island in 2006, they have returned every year since, making Bandos an integral part of their lives. In 2014, the couple even chose to exchange their wedding vows underwater at the resort — a unique moment that forever linked their love story with Bandos.

“Celebrating guests like Kate and Andy reminds us of what Bandos truly represents,” said Ismail Rasheed, General Manager of Bandos Maldives.

For Bandos Maldives, moments such as these exemplify why guests continue to choose the island for both adventure and a sense of belonging. With stories like Kate and Andy’s, Bandos stands not merely as a dive destination, but as a home — both beneath and above the waves.

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