Featured
Pullman Maldives, Mercure Kooddoo launch campaign against single-use plastic
Plastic bags are widely-known and unchallenged: amongst others, they block drainages and cause flooding, choke marine and land animals, and are a blight, particularly on tourism. In addition, the production and distribution of plastic bags contribute significantly to climate change. Because of these negative effects, hundreds of measures have been taken around the world to reduce the use of plastic bags.
Sister resorts, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa and Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort, have stepped up their efforts to actively reduce the use of single-use plastic items within both resorts.
The campaign was recently supported by local telecom giant Dhiraagu, which provided 600 reusable bags to the resorts. Following this generous donation, the resorts officially launched their campaign against single-use plastic.

During the launch event, which was attended by Rifath Rasheed from tourism ministry, the resorts’ marine biologist Amandine and culinary director Chef Philippe gave a short, meaningful presentation, titled “Save the Ocean”, to team members. The team eagerly listened and gave their commitment to help the management to make both resorts free from plastic bags and bottles.


The management also assured Rifath that representatives from the resorts will visit neighbouring islands of Villingili and Maamendhoo to create public awareness about preserving the beauty of our ocean.
Through its Planet21 sustainability programme, Accor Group leads a global campaign to preserve our environment. Part of Planet21, is ensuring that we take mandatory actions on being eco-friendly in our daily lives. Pullman Maldives Maamutaa and Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort – two out of five Accor properties in Maldives – follow in this approach with their campaign against single-use plastic.
As part of the Planet21 sustainability programme, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa and Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort regularly hosts awareness sessions for their team members, so they can help the management in advancing the initiative to reduce plastic waste. The resorts promote simple steps such as brining your own bag for shopping; when a shop wants to give a bag (whether plastic or paper), team members are encouraged to refuse and just put the goods inside the Dhiraagu reusable bag instead.
These steps extend to the recruitment process too; the resorts educate new recruits not to bring any plastic items to the Maldives.
John D. Bendtsen, Area General Manager for Pullman Maldives Maamutaa and Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort, said: “This is not an easy job, however with the support and assistance of everyone we can make a huge difference. The single-use plastic ban is expected to cover six single-use plastic items initially including plastic bags, straws, cups, plates, small bottles and certain types of sachets”.
Let’s all be proactive in saving our planet!

Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort, a four-star resort developed on the island of Kooddoo in Gaafu Alif Atoll, boasts 68 stylish and well-appointed villas, comprising 43 overwater villas and 25 beach villas with 20 of them featuring a private swimming pool. Attesting to the Mercure brand promise of an authentic experience, vivid colours and decorative motifs along with warm textures and local design touches are used tastefully throughout the villas in order to create a haven of peace with a strong local character.
Guests are offered several attractive dining options. The all-day dining Alita Restaurant serves Pan-Asian à la carte cuisine and themed buffets, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Vistas, an overwater restaurant and lounge, serves tapas, snacks and handcrafted cocktails, whilst the Alita Pool Bar offers cocktails and light bites with a view.
The resort has several recreational activities and facilities such as the 50-metre lagoon-side swimming pool, fully equipped fitness centre, tennis court, kids’ club and off-island day trips. The marine-themed Suvadiva Spa at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo, meanwhile, offers a range of treatments and therapies for guests in need of relaxation and rejuvenation.
The all-inclusive Pullman Maldives Maamutaa 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.
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.
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.
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.
Pullman Maldives Maamutaa and Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort are located in Gaafu Alif Atoll, a 55-minute domestic flight from Velana International Airport, followed by a short speedboat ride from Kooddoo Airport. The two resorts are just five minutes by boat away from each other.
Featured
Dhigali Maldives closes festive season with dynamic New Year’s Eve party
The festive season at Dhigali Maldives concluded on a vibrant and memorable note, offering guests a series of celebrations that blended tradition, creativity, and island spirit. From a uniquely Maldivian take on Santa’s arrival to thematic experiences inspired by the elements, the resort transformed into a setting designed for joy and togetherness.
Christmas Eve brought guests to Capers, where a traditional buffet featuring a wide range of global flavours was accompanied by live music that set the festive tone. On Christmas Day, Santa Claus made his entrance not by sleigh but aboard a traditional bokkura, a gesture that delighted families gathered along the shoreline.
In the days leading up to New Year’s Eve, Dhigali Maldives presented a programme themed around “The Four Elements of Nature.” The series began on 27 December with Earth, featuring a jungle trail, grounded yoga sessions, and spa treatments. On 28 December, the celebrations moved to East for Water, highlighted by a floating bar and zorb ball acrobats performing across the pool. Air followed on 29 December with an aerial silk performance on the beach, and Fire brought the energy to a peak on 30 December with traditional Bodu Beru drumming and a fire dance illuminating the night sky.
The festivities culminated on New Year’s Eve at East Beach, where all four elements converged for an immersive celebration. Fire dancers, live performers, and a pyrotechnic display lit up the sky in vibrant colours. Hungarian DJ Regán Lili headlined the night with a set described as electric, her soundscapes resonating across the island and drawing guests to the dance floor as they welcomed the new year. It marked a striking finale to a season of celebration at Dhigali Maldives.
Featured
Kuramathi Maldives announces private wellness programmes with Imron Zulfikar
Kuramathi Maldives has announced the arrival of esteemed holistic wellness practitioner Imron Zulfikar, who will undertake an exclusive residency at the resort from 15 December 2025 to 3 January 2026. During this period, guests will have the opportunity to participate in bespoke wellness experiences crafted by a recognised expert in integrative health.
Throughout his residency, Imron will conduct a series of private wellness sessions designed to restore balance, promote renewal, and enhance long-term wellbeing. His practice brings together ancient therapeutic traditions and contemporary fitness science, resulting in personalised programmes that support harmony, mobility, and emotional resilience. Signature offerings include:
- Watsu Water Healing Journey: A restorative treatment conducted in warm water, combining elements of shiatsu, massage, and gentle movement to release deep tension, soothe the nervous system, and foster a sense of tranquillity.
- Chakra Balance Therapy: A holistic session that aligns mind and body through crystal healing, guided meditation, and calming massage techniques.
- Meridian Deep Release Massage: A therapeutic blend of deep tissue massage and acupressure aimed at easing chronic tension, improving flexibility, and stimulating energy flow.
- Accu Glow Facial: A rejuvenating facial incorporating acupuncture and customised skincare to activate collagen production, detoxify the skin, and enhance natural luminosity.
- Oriental Slim Detox Massage: A treatment grounded in Traditional Chinese Medicine, combining acupuncture and massage to promote lymphatic drainage and support detoxification.
Imron is an accomplished wellness lifestyle coach and holistic fitness specialist with more than ten years of experience in acupuncture, tension release therapies, yoga, Pilates, and personal training. His integrative methodology nurtures physical alignment, emotional balance, and overall vitality.
He has worked with numerous luxury resorts and an impressive roster of high-profile clients, including Serena Williams, Emma Watson, Richard Branson, and members of the UAE Royal Family. Celebrated for his intuitive approach and refined technique, Richard Branson has previously referred to Imron as having “golden hands.”
Kuramathi Maldives looks forward to offering guests this exceptional opportunity to engage in transformative, individually tailored wellness experiences during Imron’s residency.
Drink
Felice Capasso brings award-winning mixology to The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli this February
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort will host World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2025, Felice Capasso, for an exclusive Tastemaker Series collaboration from 4–5 February. The partnership further strengthens the resort’s position as a destination for discerning travellers seeking craftsmanship, cultural depth, and refined experiences.
Located on a private island in the Dhaalu Atoll, The St. Regis Maldives has established a contemporary interpretation of island glamour. Its signature villas include some of the most coveted accommodations in the Indian Ocean, notably the John Jacob Astor Estate—one of the Maldives’ largest overwater residences—and the tranquil, beachfront Caroline Astor Estate. Each estate offers generous living spaces, expansive pools, and panoramic views, reflecting the resort’s dedication to elevated, residential-style luxury.
Within this sophisticated environment, The Whale Bar—an iconic overwater structure—will serve as the setting for Capasso’s arrival. As evening falls, the venue will adopt a vibrant Latin-inspired ambience, where guests will enjoy family-style small plates, bespoke cocktails, and rare vintages on tap while the sunset illuminates the lagoon. In this atmospheric setting, Capasso will unveil an exclusive cocktail menu for his bar takeover, blending classical technique with modern creativity.
On the following day, the resort will host an intimate Masterclass led by Capasso, centred on rum. The session will explore the spirit’s history, its regional expressions, and the narrative approach that distinguishes exceptional mixology. His expertise—rooted in precision, intuition, and storytelling—offers guests a rare opportunity to engage with a leading figure in the global bar industry.
This collaboration forms part of the resort’s ongoing Tastemaker Series, which brings influential creators and innovators to the island. By welcoming talents such as Felice Capasso, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort continues to craft immersive, evocative experiences that embody the distinctive spirit of St. Regis.
-
News1 week agoFour Centara resorts in Maldives target school-holiday travellers with extended-stay offers
-
News1 week agoCinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives wraps Christmas celebrations, prepares NY 2026 line-up
-
News1 week agoKuda Villingili Resort Maldives marks Year of the Horse with four-day Lunar New Year programme
-
News1 week agoHoliday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives unveils week-long Orthodox Christmas celebrations
-
News5 days agoInterContinental Maldives Maamunagau rings in 2026 with ocean-inspired festive programme
-
Drink5 days agoHuvafen Maldives hosts exclusive Riedel Wine experience led by Maximilian J. Riedel
-
News6 days agoSun Siyam Olhuveli marks end of 2025 with sustainability-led programmes
-
News5 days agoFinolhu unveils ‘A Year in Colour’ with global artist residencies in 2026


