Featured
Vakkaru Maldives to host ‘A Seaside Adventure’ with Claris The Mouse, Megan Hess
Vakkaru Maldives has announced plans to welcome internationally-renowned fashion illustrator and author Megan Hess this festive season for the exclusive launch of her third book in The Claris Collection, Claris: Bonjour Riviera.
Surrounded by glistening turquoise waters and luxurious island settings, Vakkaru Maldives will set the scene for Claris’ new adventure in the French Riviera.

Guests who pre-book their seats, will be the first in the world to receive signed copies of Claris: Bonjour Riviera hot off the press, view the unveiling of Claris’ new resort collection by luxury fashion house Poca & Poca, attend an exclusive illustration masterclass conducted by Megan Hess and enjoy a bespoke Megan Hess dessert table on Orthodox Christmas night.
Megan Hess’ 2006 illustration of the New York Times No. 1 selling book, Sex and The City by Candace Bushnell catapulted her onto the world stage where she began illustrating portraits for the New York Times, Italian Vogue, Vanity Fair, TIME magazine and more.
Megan’s skills and iconic designs have also been specially commissioned by Bergdorf Goodman in New York, Harrods of London and used in global campaigns for FENDI, Tiffany & Co., Prada, Cartier, Dior, Valentino, Salvatore Ferragamo and more.
She has illustrated live for bespoke fashion shows around the world like Viktor & Rolf, Christian Dior Couture and Chopard at the 2019 Cannes International Film Festival.
She has written and illustrated numerous best-selling books, including: Fashion House, The Dress and Coco Chanel, New York, Paris, Claris: The Chicest Mouse in Paris, Iconic, Elegance and more.
Today, Megan Hess is one of the world’s most sought-after fashion illustrators with a revered client list that includes Michelle Obama, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman and most recently Sarah Jessica Parker.

The Claris Collection was officially launched in 2018, offering readers delightful rhyming tales about courage, compassion and a stylish little mouse. From chasing her dream of moving to Paris in Claris: The Chicest Mouse in Paris, to racing against the clock to attend Paris Fashion Week in Claris: Fashion Fiasco, follow Claris’ next adventure as she stows away on the family trip to the French Riviera in Claris: Bonjour Riviera.
“The Claris Collection is destined to delight fashion-obsessed readers of all ages. It is about a little mouse who loves fashion, has an enormous heart and chases her dreams with courage and compassion,” says Megan Hess.
January 5, 2020 – Claris: Bonjour Riviera Book Launch and Poca & Poca Fashion Launch (Limited Seats)
Set against the crystal-clear waters surrounding Vakkaru Maldives and under the shaded coconut trees, guests will be treated to a Megan Hess book reading of Claris: Bonjour Riviera and a conversation with Megan on her inspiration behind Claris as a character and the concept of her new book.
Alongside the book launch, luxury fashion brand Poca & Poca by sister and brother duo Karolina and Wiktor Gniewek, will unveil their newest Claris fashion collection consisting of six key looks — a resort collection in hues of blues and creams inspired by Claris’ upcoming seaside adventure.
Crafted by a team of master tailors in Poland with precision and skill, each design is of the highest quality, exemplifying an energetic and youthful spirit. Timeless creations that are to be cherished and treasured forever.
January 6, 2020 – Megan Hess Fashion Illustration Masterclass (Limited Seats)
Limited to only the first 10 guests who book, this is an exclusive experience where Megan Hess will be conducting a fashion illustration masterclass.
Vakkaru Maldives’ collection of ultra-immersive and cherished guest experiences is created in partnership with guest experiences specialist The Magnolia Creative Collaborations. Watch out for more experiences from culinary greats, wellness mentors and scent experts to fashion collaborations and exquisite artisanal pop-ups as Vakkaru Maldives aims to inspire guests by creating timeless memories and effortlessly beautiful moments.
To be part of ‘A Seaside Adventure with Claris The Mouse & Megan Hess’, guests can book their stay with our special Festive Offer and enjoy up to 35 per cent off room rates with breakfast when booking direct on vakkarumaldives.com.

Vakkaru Maldives is a secluded tropical island resort located within the Baa atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, in the heart of the Indian Ocean.
Only 30 minutes north of Velana International Airport by seaplane, Vakkaru – meaning coconut timber in Dhivehi – is an unforgettable paradise blessed with powder soft, brilliant white sand, crystal clear turquoise water, 360-degree uninterrupted views and sprawling coral reefs with unique marine biodiversity.

Keeping the natural beauty of the island as unspoilt as possible – including retaining over 2,300 fully grown coconut trees – and drawing on the rich traditions of the locale, design elements are focused on Maldivian style fused with the finest natural resources and contemporary interior.


Guests can revel in the choice of 113 beach and overwater villas and suites, as well as five sensational restaurants, two bars, a wine cellar and an outstanding array of treatments in the overwater Merana Spa.



Facilities also include Splash Dive and Water Sports, two tennis courts, a badminton court, the Parrotfish Club for children below 12 years, Coconut Club for teens and an overwater gymnasium with personal trainer.
For reservations and general information, please visit vakkarumaldives.com or contact reservations@vakkarumaldives.com.
Featured
Villa Nautica’s festive glow: Yoga at sunrise, fireworks at midnight
Villa Nautica will embrace the festive spirit from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, offering guests an easy island rhythm that flows from bright mornings by the water to music-filled evenings on the sand. The season begins with illuminated beaches and relaxed barbecues, gradually building through creative afternoons and live performances. Christmas Eve will feature a gala dinner, followed by Santa’s arrival on 25 December. The celebrations will culminate in a vibrant New Year’s Eve countdown with fireworks, before settling into a calm reset on New Year’s Day and concluding with Orthodox Christmas.
The programme balances practicality with a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. Mornings will bring sunrise yoga, family pool activities, and interactive cooking sessions, while evenings will feature poolside soirées, wine-paired dinners, and sunset cruises. With simple yet photogenic settings, the lagoon and sky take centre stage in shaping the mood. Guests—whether couples, friends, or families—can participate freely without losing the island’s easy pace.
For younger visitors, the festivities will centre around the kids’ club, where cookie and cupcake decorating, beach games, origami and craft sessions, storytelling, and cosy movie nights will take place. Small groups and attentive care ensure that creativity and play remain the focus, allowing parents to enjoy uninterrupted moments around the island.
A highlight of the season will be the Champagne Lucky Draw & Disco. From 1 to 31 December, each bottle of champagne purchased at resort bars or restaurants will serve as an entry to the draw. Guests are advised to keep their entry stubs for the live draw, held at 01:00 during the New Year’s celebration, where the prize will be a seven-night stay in a Water Villa for two.
Throughout the festive period, private experiences will feel as memorable as the larger celebrations. Guests may enjoy candlelit dinners on the sand, floating breakfasts, or early morning snorkelling sessions to begin the year anew. Whether seeking a lively shoreline celebration or a quiet evening stroll beneath lanterns and palms, Villa Nautica offers an atmosphere where every festive moment can glow in its own way.
Featured
JOALI BEING launches global campaign ‘Joyful Journeys of Well-Living’
JOALI BEING, the world’s first well-being island, has announced the launch of its new global brand campaign titled “Joyful Journeys of Well-Living.” The campaign celebrates the art of self-discovery, inviting travellers to reconnect with their inner selves through bespoke and transformative experiences.
Building upon JOALI BEING’s core philosophy of the “Joy of Weightlessness,” the campaign embodies the essence of harmony between mind, body, and spirit. It encourages guests to explore holistic pathways designed to restore balance and inspire personal growth.
Joyful Journeys of Well-Living serves as an invitation to travellers seeking meaningful change and renewal. The campaign narrates stories of individuals discovering joy through purposeful living, mindful connection, and immersive well-being experiences at JOALI BEING.
The visuals capture the island’s tranquil landscapes and nurturing spaces — from oceanfront sanctuaries to treetop villas and transformative healing sessions led by resident experts. The campaign presents JOALI BEING as more than a destination; it is a journey towards well-being, creativity, and self-transformation.
Each guest journey at JOALI BEING is founded on the resort’s Four Pillars of Well-Being — Mind, Skin, Microbiome, and Energy. Through tailored programmes, guests can embark on integrative wellness experiences encompassing sound therapy, movement and fitness, hydrotherapy, nutritional guidance, and energy-healing sessions curated by specialists.
The island features a series of advanced well-being spaces, including:
- CORE: a movement and fitness zone
- AREKA: a transformative treatment centre
- KAASHI: a hydrotherapy hall
- SEDA: a sound-healing room
- Ocean Sala: an open-air meditation and relaxation deck
Each space is designed to nurture a profound connection with nature and the self.
The Joyful Journeys of Well-Living campaign has been conceptualised and produced by JOALI BEING’s in-house team in collaboration with creative partners and visual storytellers from across the globe. The multi-platform campaign integrates film, digital, and print media to convey JOALI BEING’s ethos — a celebration of joy, transformation, and harmony.
The visual narrative draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the Maldives, reflecting JOALI BEING’s immersive design philosophy. The imagery captures the rhythm of the ocean, the play of light, and the flow of energy that define the spirit of the island.
Awards
Coco Bodu Hithi wins Best Waterside Hotel at Condé Nast Johansens Awards 2026
Coco Bodu Hithi has been recognised on the global stage, winning Best Waterside Hotel (Riverside, Lakeside, Seaside) at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2026, held on 3 November 2025 in the UK. It is the second consecutive year the resort has been honoured by the publication, following last year’s win for Best Service, reaffirming its focus on heartfelt Maldivian hospitality and refined island living.
Described by Condé Nast Johansens as an “over-water, over-indulgent Maldivian island outpost,” Coco Bodu Hithi offers an intimate retreat of comfort and calm. The resort’s 32 Water Villas and 24 Coco Residences, each measuring 184 square metres and featuring private pools, provide secluded spaces set above the lagoon, where nature, design, and comfort come together to reflect the island’s romantic ambience.
Known for contemporary design infused with Maldivian heritage, the resort continues to welcome travellers seeking time by the sea, complemented by culinary collaborations with celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs. The experience balances privacy and comfort throughout a guest’s stay. With turquoise waters, quiet spaces, and experiences designed for connection and shared discovery, the resort presents a considered take on island living.
Located 35 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the island combines accessibility with seclusion—close enough for convenience, yet removed for privacy and serenity. As part of Coco Collection, the resort offers bespoke experiences, attentive service, and sustainable practices, shaping stays that feel personal and reflective of relaxed, authentic island life.
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