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Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort celebrates one-year anniversary
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.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has announced its Halloween programme for 2025, titled ‘Spooky Tropical Halloween’. The celebrations will take place from 28 October to 1 November, transforming the island into a Halloween-themed destination that combines the tropical setting of the Maldives with seasonal festivities.
The programme is designed to offer activities for both adults and children. On 31 October, adults can begin the evening with Haunted Cocktails at the Raalhu Bar, featuring themed drinks served against the backdrop of the sunset. This will be followed by the Spectacular Buffet Halloween Dinner at The Restaurant, showcasing a range of Halloween-inspired dishes and desserts. The night will conclude with The Halloween Spirit DJ Night at The Bar, offering music and entertainment alongside shisha under the stars.
Children will be able to join the Spooky Under the Sea adventure at the Kuda Fiyo Kids Club, running throughout the week from 28 October to 1 November. Activities will include crafts such as Shark Creation and Ghost Jellyfish making, a Spooky Story Circle, a Sea Monster Treasure Hunt, Trick-or-Treat, and Halloween costume making. The programme is intended to combine creativity with playful seasonal themes.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director of Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, said: “Halloween at Kuda Villingili promises something spine-tingling for everyone, from our little explorers enjoying a spooky under-the-sea adventure to adults indulging in a thrilling tropical Halloween experience. This year’s theme allows us to create an atmosphere that is both exciting and enchanting, offering guests a uniquely memorable way to celebrate the holiday in our tropical paradise.”
The resort has stated that the Halloween celebrations aim to provide a range of events and crafts within an atmosphere that balances seasonal themes with the resort’s luxury environment, ensuring a memorable experience for all guests.
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has announced the return of Manta Month this September, following the success of last year’s initiative. Now established as an annual programme, the celebration offers guests of all ages the opportunity to engage with the ocean while supporting marine conservation, with a particular focus on the manta ray.
Throughout the month, guests are invited to take part in guided excursions to known manta hotspots, led by the resort’s experienced team, who share insights into manta behaviour and conservation. Awareness talks highlight the story of a manta rescued near the island, serving as a reminder of the resort’s continuing efforts to protect marine life. Children can enjoy manta-themed arts and crafts as well as beach games, while the wider community will join reef and island clean-up activities, with collected waste repurposed into manta sculptures. In addition, proceeds from manta pendant sales at the resort’s retail boutique will be donated to The Manta Trust, extending support for research and protection initiatives.
Located close to several of the Maldives’ top ten dive sites, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives places importance on the wellbeing of the ocean and its ecosystems, a priority shared by both guests and staff. The resort’s sustainability initiatives are aligned with IHG’s purpose, True Hospitality for Good, through its Journey to Tomorrow programme, which supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and demonstrates a commitment to long-term environmental protection.
Commenting on the event, Mark Eletr, General Manager of Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, said: “What started as a special event last year has now grown into an annual month-long celebration. Kandooma Manta Month is not just about seeing these magnificent creatures up close, but about creating meaningful experiences that inspire awareness, responsibility, and care for our ocean environment.”
ROBINSON NOONU, one of the Maldives’ leading resorts, has introduced a summer programme that combines culinary highlights, family activities, wellness initiatives, and entertainment events. The resort is recognised for creating memorable experiences that remain with guests long after departure and has curated a schedule designed to appeal to a wide range of travellers.
Guests at ROBINSON NOONU are offered a selection of culinary experiences enhanced by weekly live performances from international artists and DJs. These performances provide a varied musical backdrop, creating an immersive atmosphere for dining and evening entertainment.
Families visiting the resort this season can participate in the Weekly Splash Action at the newly renovated water sports jetty. The highlight of the event is a ten-metre-long air cushion (Blob), which catapults participants into the lagoon. The activity attracts additional interest when the General Manager joins in, adding to the sense of occasion.
The resort has expanded its sports and wellness offering with the introduction of a padel tennis court, bringing one of the world’s fastest-growing sports to its facilities. Another addition is ‘YinSurf’ on the Strobel & Walter Balance Board, combining yoga, mindfulness, and full-body training. This programme is designed to promote physical wellbeing while supporting mental focus.
Every two weeks, the resort hosts themed events, including:
- Jungle Party – held in a driftwood-inspired venue.
- Underwater Party – featuring an inflatable octopus and 360° underwater visuals.
- Sundowner Beach Party – an evening gathering on the beach during sunset.
- White Party – an event on the pool deck with themed décor.
- BOHO Festival Show – a new addition, with a bohemian setting of teepees and natural tones.
- Pink Pool Party – a lively celebration with a colourful theme.
The highlight of the season will be the ‘This is NOONU’ Week, scheduled from 22 to 29 September. The programme includes performances from eight international artists, guest DJs, and WellFit experts. Events such as the Suite Party and a special edition of the Pink Pool Party will be featured, offering guests a range of experiences throughout the week.
By combining entertainment, wellness, sport, and culinary experiences, ROBINSON NOONU continues to strengthen its position as a Maldivian resort offering diverse programmes for its guests.
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