Featured
Festive extravaganza at Hard Rock Hotel, SAii Lagoon Maldives

S Hotels & Resorts has announced an extensive line-up of events in Maldives this festive season.

The Hard Rock Hotel Maldives will ring in the New Year with all things pink for the resort’s first festive season. The SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, will spread festive cheer and ring in the New Year with exotic celebrations, live entertainment and tropical delicacies.
Hard Rock Hotel Maldives is ready to rock ‘n’ roll this Christmas with an array of music-themed festive activities on offer throughout the holiday season. Think pink as the resort decks its halls with rose-coloured decorations, accessories and beverages, inviting guests to complement the theme and dress pretty in pink.
The festivities kick off on December 22 with an Island Food and Wine Fun Fair, where delicacies of the world are combined with fragrant wines from the resort’s cellar to create a bountiful island feast. Guests are invited to adorn a chef’s hat and apron at Sessions and learn the tricks of the trade behind each chef’s live cooking station, featuring an assortment of exotic flavours from Indonesia to Japan, to Saudi Arabia.
On December 23, little rock stars are invited to rock around the Christmas tree with the resort’s tree lighting ceremony at Octagon Lawn, accompanied by delicious Christmas cookies, fruit punch and heart-warming mulled wine for adult rockers.
On Christmas Eve, families and friends can come together to enjoy Christmas In The Sand at Sessions, a novel dining experience on the peaceful shores of Hard Rock Hotel Maldives. On Christmas Day, jingle all the way to The Elephant and The Butterfly, where rosé and pink hats are aplenty and a pink Christmas brunch like no other awaits.
The festivities resume on December 27 with La Vie en Rosé Fridays; sip rosé, savour seafood, soak in the sunshine and dance to live music throughout the day at The Elephant and The Butterfly. On December 29, celebrate the delights of the Indian Ocean with a seafood market.
On New Year’s Eve, Hard Rock rings in the New Year with all things pink, where a sumptuous feast at Sessions tickles the tastebuds, and everything from gin, to cocktails, to champagne and beer, are all served in shades of pink. Live entertainment ensues by the beach with Latino band Sugar, followed by renowned acoustic guitarist Luca Stricagnoli.

The festive season is all around at SAii Lagoon Maldives, as the resort celebrates its first SAiisational winter with a series of fun-filled activities for guests of all ages. Decorations of blue and silver will echo throughout the resort, bringing festive cheer to the island paradise.
The festivities begin on December 22, as you join the resort’s chefs to craft and decorate your very own gingerbread house at Miss Olive Oyl. The build-up to Christmas continues on December 23, when parents, children and couples are invited to enjoy the resort’s SAiisational Tree Lighting, during which fruit punch, cookies and glühwein will be served to the sound of joyous SAiicarollers.
On Christmas Eve, little ones can make their way to Santa’s Wishing Counter at Koimala & Maalimi’s Junior Kids Club and Camp, where Santa’s helpers will be ready to make wishes come true on Christmas Day. Christmas Eve dinner will be served at Miss Olive Oyl.
On Christmas Day, wondrous surprises lie in store as Santa’s sleigh touches down on the shimmering sands of SAii Lagoon Maldives. Guests will be invited to gather around Koimala & Maalimi’s Junior Kids Club and Camp as an exciting morning filled with engaging activities and amusement awaits. At lunchtime, Miss Olive Oyl Pool will host Art Of The Party; a colourful event featuring flamboyant costumes, vibrant artworks and Mediterranean delights alongside live musical entertainment.
SAii reignites the festivities on December 27 with a seafood market at Miss Olive Oyl, showcasing the freshest local catches of the day.
On New Year’s Eve, guests can enjoy an exotic celebration at One Thousand And One Nights, an evening filled with aromatic flavours, fairy tale lighting and live entertainment. The celebrations continue after dinner in Café del Mar Maldives with a Countdown Party till late.
SAii Lagoon Maldives, a Curio Collection by Hilton, and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives are part of Crossroads Maldives, the Maldives’ first and largest integrated tourist destination owned by Thailand’s leading developer Singha Estate.
Crossroads encompasses nine idyllic islands fringing the Emboodhoo Lagoon in the South Male Atoll, three of which have been used as the first phase of the project.
Phase one of the integrated development opened in September, and features two lifestyle hotels, SAii Lagoon Maldives and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, both of which have direct access to extensive facilities at The Marina @ Crossroads, an 800-metre lifestyle area and beach walk featuring retail, entertainment and dining outlets. The facilities include a 30-berth marina, the Junior Beach Club and Camp, the Crossroads Event Hall, Maldives Discovery Centre and Marine Discovery Centre – the project’s environmental and educational hub.
A Curio Collection by Hilton hotel, SAii Lagoon Maldives is an original and inspiring resort that features a series of rooms and villas, including overwater pool villas, plus world-class dining as well as access to extensive water sports, cultural activities and wellness at The Marina.
Hard Rock Hotel Maldives features 178 rooms, suites and villas, plus family-friendly experiences and Hard Rock’s branded concepts, including a Hard Rock Cafe, Rock Spa, and two Rock Shops showcasing merchandise and music memorabilia.
Both hotels are operated by S Hotels & Resorts, the hospitality arm of Singha Estate.
Action
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island achieves PADI Eco Center Certification

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has been officially certified as a PADI Eco Center, becoming one of only two resorts in the Maldives to receive this recognition in 2025. The certification is awarded to dive resorts that extend their efforts beyond standard operations, with a strong focus on protecting marine environments and raising awareness among future generations.
As part of the certification process, the resort’s team adopted the Conrad House Reef through PADI’s Adopt the Blue programme. A Dive Against Debris clean-up dive was conducted around the reef near Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, during which 10 kilograms of marine litter, primarily plastics and metal fragments, were collected.
The team also joined Green Fins in June 2025 and has since introduced a series of sustainable practices. These include paperless dive check-ins, eco-briefings before excursions, reduced use of plastics through the introduction of glass alternatives, and signage encouraging responsible snorkelling and diving across the dive centre.
Guests are also directly engaged in conservation activities through coral restoration initiatives. In 2025, the team has facilitated 17 coral line adoptions, where participants attend an educational session before attaching coral fragments to nursery lines and assisting with their placement underwater.
Jessica Miller, Marine Biologist at Conrad Maldives, commented: “This certification represents a milestone for us. It’s the result of dedicated teamwork and genuine care for the ocean. Watching our guests become part of the solution, whether through coral planting or learning about local marine life, is what makes this so special.”
Nick Flynn, General Manager of Conrad Maldives, added: “We’re incredibly proud of the team’s achievement in making Conrad Maldives a certified PADI Eco Center. This milestone is part of our long-term commitment to sustainability and a testament to how luxury and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.”
Ranjit Batra, Chief Executive Officer of Ventive Hospitality, the owning company of Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, highlighted the wider significance of the achievement. He said: “The PADI Eco Center recognition for Conrad Maldives Rangali Island underscores our commitment to protecting marine ecosystems while shaping the future of responsible travel. We are proud of Conrad for leading the way in sustainability across the Maldives.”
The certification strengthens Conrad Maldives’ broader sustainability objectives under Hilton’s Travel With Purpose programme. The resort will continue to offer educational dives, coral adoption opportunities, and conservation briefings, encouraging guests to actively participate in marine protection efforts during their stay.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island operates under Hilton and is part of Hilton Honors®, the global guest loyalty programme. Hilton Honors members booking directly through official Hilton channels receive a range of benefits, including exclusive discounts, free standard Wi-Fi, flexible payment options combining Points and money, and contactless technology via the Hilton Honors mobile app, which enables digital check-in, room selection, and access.
Featured
Angsana Velavaru recognised as Best Water Villa Resort at TTM Awards 2025

Angsana Velavaru has been named Best Water Villa Resort at the TTM Awards & Gala 2025, presented by Travel Trade Maldives, the country’s leading travel trade platform.
The award acknowledges the resort’s InOcean Pool Villas, the Maldives’ first standalone water villas located one kilometre from the main island. These villas have become a signature feature of Angsana Velavaru, designed to accommodate both couples and families, with private pools, direct access to the ocean, and spacious interiors.
Beyond the architectural concept, the villas are intended to provide guests with a personal and adventurous connection to the surrounding sea. The resort also offers a wide range of experiences through its ‘101 Things to Do’ programme, which includes marine exploration, wellness activities, and culinary experiences. Cultural engagement is a central element, with opportunities for guests to interact with local island communities and traditions. The resort further integrates sustainability through its ‘Stay for Good’ initiatives, which combine environmental care with community involvement.
Commenting on the award, General Manager Ahmed Zahir said: “We are truly honoured to receive this award from the TTM Awards, a platform that embodies the spirit of the Maldivian travel community. This accolade not only celebrates the uniqueness of our InOcean Pool Villas but also pays tribute to the dedication of our team, who work tirelessly to create moments of discovery, connection and meaning for our guests. At Angsana Velavaru, we believe a stay should be more than a holiday—it should become a journey that remains with our guests long after they return home.”
Angsana Velavaru continues to position itself as a destination offering immersive experiences. Guests are invited to explore coral reefs, engage in island life, and create enduring memories in harmony with the natural environment.
Featured
Barceló Nasandhura Malé named Best City Hotel at TTM Awards 2025

Barceló Nasandhura Malé has been awarded Best City Hotel at the TTM Awards 2025, held on 28 August at Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi.
The recognition reflects the passion, hard work, and dedication of the team at Barceló Nasandhura, whose commitment to excellence has been evident since the property opened earlier this year. The hotel has focused on creating memorable guest experiences and setting new standards for city hospitality, which contributed to this achievement.
The TTM Awards, part of the Maldives’ largest travel trade show, celebrates the country’s hospitality sector across 28 categories, bringing together leading travel and tourism professionals from the region.
As it marks this milestone, Barceló Hotel Group reaffirmed its dedication to shaping the future of city hospitality in Malé.
-
Family1 week ago
Kuramathi Maldives brings families together with fortnightly children’s programme
-
Featured1 week ago
Maldives beaches rated among world’s best for rest and rejuvenation
-
Featured1 week ago
October at Soneva: culinary journeys, wellness retreats and world-class guests
-
Excursions1 week ago
Marine encounters: spinner dolphins at Canareef Resort Maldives
-
Featured7 days ago
W Maldives to host ‘The Joy Rituals’ wellness programme in September 2025
-
Drink5 days ago
Kandolhu Maldives introduces new villas and gastronomic journeys
-
Local6 days ago
MU Maniku, key architect of Maldives tourism industry, dies
-
Featured6 days ago
Bavarian traditions meet island living at Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s Oktoberfest