Featured
South Palm Resort opens, boosts tourism in Maldives south
South Palm Resort Maldives, a brand new resort developed on the uninhabited island of Ismehela Hera in the southernmost Addu atoll, has opened.
The resort welcomed its first guests on Sunday.
South Palm Resort Maldives is accessible by a short 10-minute speedboat ride from Gan International Airport in Addu. The resort offers accommodation in 130 rooms of six categories: Sunrise Villa, Palm Villa, Beach Villa, Family Villa, Water Villa and Overwater Pool Villa.



The resort’s all-day dining Banyan Restaurant allows guests to experience the creativity and warmth of international cuisine in a romantic setting, whilst the Kanduolhi Bar offers grilled seafood, premium steaks or set menus in a private setting. At Moodhu Bar, guests can chill to the next level with nightly entertainment.

The Kurumba Spa at South Palm Resort is a sanctuary for the senses, overlooking the clear blue ocean. It features the first-ever ‘floating spa rooms’ in Maldives for sessions of personal rejuvenation.

Southern Maldives Divers, the PADI five-star dive centre at South Palm Resort, offers guests the chance to explore the remote waters of Addu. Amazing dive sites are close by and an abundance of manta rays can be seen year round.

Owned and operated by Maldives-based South Palm Maldives Pvt Ltd, the four-star resort is being developed in three phases, with the first phase covering the first batch of rooms along with a restaurant, two bars and a spa. The second phase will bring the total number of rooms to 240, whilst the third phase involves linking the adjoining Kedevaahera island via a causeway and developing more water villas.
Development of a tourist resort on the island of Ismehela Hera has long been planned out with the project making headlines as recently as 2015 when the government announced that it was in talks with two foreign investors that had expressed interest in developing the island. Then tourism minster Ahmed Adeeb told local journalists at the time that the resort would have at least 600 beds.
The announcement was followed by the launch of Ismehela Hera Integrated Resort Development Project on April 28, 2015. No progress, however, was made.
Meanwhile, government had revealed in 2017 that a local company had won the bid for the island and had paid the acquisition cost.
The latest initiative to develop Ismehela Hera is part of a new push to develop tourism in the southernmost Addu. Government has separately launched a project to develop 3,000 beds in Addu to cater to backpackers and budget travellers.
Maldives, known world over for its upmarket tourism industry, has resorts in the hundreds spread across the archipelago. The industry has in recent years expanded to introduce more affordable segments, including guesthouses and liveaboards.
Despite several new resort developments and a boom in guesthouse tourism in the Maldives, Addu as a whole has lagged behind for years in attracting tourism-related investments. The relatively large atoll, which has unique geographical features compared to other parts of the island nation, is home to only two of the some 140 tourist resorts in the Maldives; Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa, and Canareef Resort Maldives.
However, tourism in the south has recently received a much needed boost from the launch of direct flights to Gan International Airport by SriLankan Airlines.
Neighbouring Sri Lanka’s flagship carrier, which is particularly popular amongst tourists who travel to the Maldives from Europe, currently operates six weekly flights to Gan from Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo.
Featured
Kuredhivaru Resort & Spa presents May–July guest experience calendar
Kuredhivaru Resort & Spa has introduced a series of guest experiences scheduled from May to July 2026, combining wellness, cultural activities, dining and entertainment across the island.
The programme is structured to offer a mix of daytime and evening activities, with each month featuring a different focus aligned with seasonal events and international observances.
In May, the programme begins with Full Moon Celebrations on 1 May 2026, including beachside dining alongside yoga and sound healing sessions. This is followed by Mother’s Day on 10 May 2026, with activities such as a Mother and Daughter Retreat and spa experiences designed for shared participation.
Later in the month, World Whisky Day on 16 May 2026 will be marked with a single malt tasting session. Activities for younger guests will include a Kids Fashion and Talent Show, providing a platform for participation and entertainment.
In June, the focus shifts towards wellness and cultural engagement. Global Wellness Day on 13 June 2026 will include guided sessions and ocean-based activities. The Dragon Boat Festival on 21 June 2026 will be marked with a themed dining experience.
The resort will also host World Cup live screenings throughout June and July, creating a social viewing environment for guests. International Yoga Day on 21 June 2026 will be observed with a sunrise beach session.
In July, World Chocolate Day on 7 July 2026 will be marked with themed culinary experiences. Maldives Independence Day on 26 July 2026 will be observed through a Maldivian night buffet and Boduberu performances.
Full Moon Night will return on 29 July 2026 with beach dining and wellness sessions, while the Sun and Splash Pool Party on 22 July 2026 will bring together music, dining and poolside activities.
Through this three-month programme, Kuredhivaru Resort & Spa is offering a mix of wellness, cultural and social experiences designed to provide guests with a range of activities during their stay.
Family
Le Méridien Maldives highlights family travel with summer package
Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa has introduced its Family Fun Summer package, aimed at families seeking a longer island stay built around shared activities, dining and accommodation benefits. The offer is available for booking until 15 June 2026, for stays through to 20 December 2026, with a minimum stay of four nights.
Located in Lhaviyani Atoll, the resort is set within a lagoon environment and is positioning the package around a combination of family-oriented experiences and flexible daily programming. The property incorporates eco-conscious design elements alongside its natural island setting, with activities structured across both recreation and relaxation.
The Family Fun Summer package is designed for two adults and two children aged 12 and below. It includes full board dining with daily breakfast, lunch and dinner across selected venues, while children in this age group stay and dine free of charge. Guests also receive a USD 150 resort credit per stay, which can be used across dining outlets and Explore Spa by Le Méridien.
Daily watersports such as kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkelling are included, alongside a programme of activities that varies each day. These include yoga, Pilates, beach volleyball, scavenger hunts and live entertainment. Younger guests have access to the Le Méridien Family Kids Hub, which offers structured activities, outdoor play areas and a dedicated toddler space.

Additional experiences include access to the Marine Conservation Hub, where guests can engage with the resident marine biologist, and guided tours of the resort’s hydroponic garden through The Greenhouse Tour. The Waves Fitness Centre is also available, offering programmes for different fitness levels, while the in-villa minibar is replenished daily with non-alcoholic beverages and snacks.
For children, the Kids Hub programme includes themed activity days focused on subjects such as marine life and local culture, alongside workshops, games and evening experiences including a children’s camping activity with stargazing and group activities.
Families can also take part in marine-based activities including snorkelling, lagoon exploration and excursions such as dolphin and turtle trips. Creative sessions, including painting, are also part of the activity offering.
Through the Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy programme, the resort offers a Family Foraging experience in its hydroponic garden, where guests can take part in harvesting produce with the resident horticulturalist before using the ingredients in cooking sessions.
The resort’s dining outlets include a range of options, from Mediterranean-style lunches at Riviera to beachside dining at Velaa Bar + Grill. Le Scoop, the resort’s gelato outlet, offers a selection of flavours including options using locally sourced ingredients.
For adults, La Vie provides an adults-only bar environment, with views over the Indian Ocean, a private pool and a selection of beverages and light dishes.
Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa features 134 villas across beach and overwater categories, including two-bedroom options designed for families and groups. These include Beach Villas with direct access to the shoreline and Overwater Villas with lagoon access. Some villas also include private pools.
For larger groups, the three-bedroom Thilamaafushi Beach Villa accommodates up to six adults and three children, with indoor and outdoor living spaces, a private beach area, swimming pool and jacuzzi.
Through the Family Fun Summer package, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa is positioning its offer within the family and multigenerational travel segment, combining accommodation, dining and activity-based experiences within an island setting.
Awards
Family Fun Summer returns to JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa
As multigenerational travel continues to influence the luxury hospitality sector, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa has reintroduced its Family Fun Summer programme, aimed at families seeking more time together through a combination of accommodation, activities and dining benefits.
Built around the brand’s “Stay in the Moment” philosophy, the programme includes a USD 300 resort credit that can be used across dining, spa and recreational experiences, allowing different generations to shape their stay according to their interests.
At the centre of the offer are the resort’s Overwater Duplex Villas and Two-Bedroom Duplex Beach Villas with Pool, which are designed to accommodate multigenerational travel through larger layouts and private space. These villas are supported by Thakuru service and complimentary bicycles, giving guests flexibility in how they move around and experience the island.
Beyond the villa, the programme includes a range of activities intended to support family engagement and shared experiences. Younger guests have access to the Family by JW™ Little Griffins Kids’ Club, one of the larger children’s clubs in the Maldives, with more than 100 programmes focused on play and discovery. Families can also take part in culinary classes at the JW Garden, where the resort offers a farm-to-table experience linked to the natural setting of the island.
Mohit Dembla, General Manager of JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, said the programme responds to changing guest expectations around luxury travel.
“Today’s luxury traveller isn’t just seeking a beautiful destination, they’re seeking time,” he said. “Time together, time to be present, time away from the noise. ‘Family Fun Summer’ is our answer to that, a sanctuary where every generation finds something meaningful.”
The Family Fun Summer package includes the USD 300 resort credit, which can be used for spa treatments, dining or island activities. It also includes daily breakfast, as well as three-course lunches and dinners for two adults and children under 12 at selected venues. Families will also receive a floating breakfast served in the privacy of their villa.
In addition, the package offers 60 per cent savings on dining at the resort’s signature restaurants, Hashi and Shio. Other inclusions include Thakuru service, complimentary use of non-motorised watersports equipment, and private bicycles for island use. The package also includes a 30-minute photography session and one printed photograph as a keepsake.
Through the relaunch of Family Fun Summer, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa is positioning itself within the growing multigenerational travel segment, combining larger villa accommodation with dining, leisure and family-focused experiences.
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