Featured

Sublime festive season at Kanuhura Maldives

Published

6 years ago

December 17, 2019

The festive season is an unbelievably special time of year, one that is filled with treats of every variety, whimsical decorations and, most importantly, family — it’s pure magic. It also provides the ultimate opportunity to get away from the daily grind with your nearest and dearest, where you can spoil them to a holiday of a lifetime at the five-star, unfettered gypset paradise, Kanuhura Maldives.

This mystical oasis offers guests access to an exclusive and exotic island idyll complete with a sublime powder-soft beach that’s lined by a cyan lagoon filled with incredible marine life.

But that’s not all; this stunning resort has been carefully designed with a sophisticated bohemian flair and all of the luxury comforts you could wish for during your island holiday. It’s a dream holiday destination for many.

What’s truly fantastic about this resort is that it caters to all travellers; from loved-up honeymooners and wild-hearted adventures to little gypsetters eager to explore every inch of the island, there’s something for everyone, especially during the festive season.

This year, Kanuhura promises to pull out all the stops, with a festive season programme running from December 22, 2019 to January 2, 2020. Here’s a sneak peek of what this year’s festive season at Kanuhura will involve.

Exceptional gastronomic delights, events

The restaurants and bars at Kanuhura are well-known for their incredible culinary offerings and are sure to delight this festive season. But apart from the array of glorious options and wonderful themed dinner evenings — and evening entertainment — already on offer (not to mention the gelato offered daily at the Cowry Club Ice Cream Trolley), the festive season at Kanuhura brings about a wonderful variety of special occasion treats and novel events.

From sun-kissed sundowner cocktails, a Mojito and tapas evening at Jehunuhura (one of Kanuhura’s two deserted islands) and disco nights to an unparalleled seasonal five-course tasting menu served in the exclusive Chef’s Herb Garden (which includes a bottle of wine), a wine-paired meal at Bottega and an exceptional family BBQ/starlit cinema evening (with unlimited draught beer for the adults) — there’s something to excite every member of the family.

The great news is that the exceptional offerings don’t stop there; there is also the option of indulging in sublime, private dining experiences. With choices that include Champagne breakfasts, Caviar and Champagne breakfasts, private breakfasts served by the sea, in-villa floating breakfasts by the pool, private Chef’s Garden dinners, romantic beach dinners, special dig-in dinners and delectable Korean barbecue dinners (for groups of six), there’s certainly no shortage of extraordinary ways to enjoy your meals at Kanuhura this festive season.

Thrilling activities for little gypsetters

At Kanuhura, mini guests are of utmost importance, which is why the resort has gone above and beyond to create an extraordinary kids club. Here, your little ones can make friends with children of a similar age and can embrace an abundance of wonderful, age-appropriate activities under the supervision of the highly-dedicated kids club councillors.

The added benefit of the kids club is that it allows parents time to indulge in some much needed R&R.

This festive season, the kids club programme is chock-a-block with fantastic activities for young guests, including the likes of water sports, festive arts and crafts classes (like salt dough Christmas decoration making), raft building activities, sunset cruises, letters to Santa, fun cooking classes, Christmas stories, pirate adventures, among many others. Your little ones are bound to have a holiday at Kanuhura they will never forget.

Teens are also catered to, with activities such as movie nights, beach games, kayak races, beach volleyball tournaments, night fishing, coral planting, beach football, beach parties and exciting excursions planned. In fact, there are so many wonderful activities on offer, you might find it hard to pull your teens away from them.

Wonderful wellness activities

The reasons to opt for an island holiday are many, but one of them is to break away from day-to-day life and fully relax to ensure that you arrive back home with renewed energy. If this resonates with you, then a trip to the resort’s Kokaa Wellness Retreat and Spa is a must. Here, you’ll have a huge selection of exceptional treatments, carried out by highly-trained therapists using some of the world’s finest spa products.

This festive season, special classes and activities will take place on the resort’s stunning, sea-facing yoga pavilion. Some of the highlights include: sunrise and sunset yoga sessions, yogalates, Pilates classes, and a Pranayama and Meditation session (on December 24).

For those who wish to keep up their healthy habits whilst away, Kanuhura’s state-of-the-art gym will be open to be used at leisure or to make the most of the kickboxing and beach Boot Camp classes. Whatever your needs on holiday, Kanuhura has you covered.

Memorable Christmas programme

Tasteful Christmas decorations will adorn the gorgeous resort during the festive season to set the mood, but it’s the resort’s programme that will ensure everyone has a truly memorable experience.

The kids club will have Christmas-based activities throughout the festive season, but on December 24, they will spend some time decorating name boards that they will place next to a Christmas tree they will get to plant — by themselves or with a sibling — on the island (which they can always come back to visit) and be treated to a special starlight cinema screening.

The main Christmas festivities for adults will kick off on Christmas Eve with a Christmas Eve cocktail evening that will run until 8pm at Fendaa Beach, and a delicious Christmas Buffet dinner, both of which will be accompanied by live music and a DJ.

Christmas Day will be especially magical for the children, with Santa Claus’s arrival in the morning, a Christmas cookie baking class, and a memorable fishing excursion taking place. Dinner and lunch promise to be sublime with a la carte offerings, and the day will end off with a stunning sunset cocktail evening and disco.

Whilst the bulk of the Christmas festivities will take place on these traditional dates, for those who celebrate Christmas in January (those who follow the Orthodox Church’s Julian calendar), fabulous Christmas decorations will still be up to keep the spirit alive and a phenomenal buffet, inspired by Russian cuisine, will be offered in order to add to the celebration.

One thing is for sure, Kanuhura will still be a magical and festive place to spend your special celebration in the sun.

Once-in-a-lifetime New Year’s Eve celebration

The New Year’s Eve celebrations at Kanuhura have historically been extraordinary, and this year promises to be no different.

The build-up to New Year’s Eve will start on December 30 already, with the kids club offering a special sunset cruise for little ones and karaoke in the evening for teens. Adults will be treated to a year-end cocktail experience at Iru Bar and a disco evening.

On December 31, the kids club will host a pre-New Year’s party whilst adults can relish a sundowner cocktail at Iru Bar, followed by the New Year’s Eve Gala dinner and party which takes place from 8pm onwards at Cowry Beach.

The theme this year is “Nautical Nite” and the entire island will be made to feel like one big exceptional cruise liner, beautifully symbolic of the journey into the new year. Guests can dress up in their “cruise ship best” and dance the night away under the stars, surrounded by nothing but paradise in all its perfection.

On January 1 and 2, there will be a special Detox Breakfast Buffet (that will be open for an hour later than usual) to ensure guests start 2020 on the right foot.

The rest of the festive programme will unfold with magnificent experiences and unique offerings; one thing is certain, you and your family will never forget a festive season spent at Kanuhura.

Sublime way to enjoy a “winter” getaway

If you live in the northern hemisphere, then Kanuhura also offers you a glorious escape from the cold. A snow-tinged Christmas may look idyllic on TV, but we all know the realities of winter and that sometimes, you just need to get away from the cold, gray gloom.

There’s really no better way to do that than with a stay in one of Kanuhura’s gorgeous villas during the festive season.

Picture this: a spectacular family holiday spent along Kanuhura’s mesmerising shores with a two-bedroom villa as a ‘home base’ a mere stone’s throw from the beach. Instead of layering multiple items of clothing to keep out the chill, you could be lounging on the beach enjoying the outdoors or partaking in watersports whilst getting a healthy dose of vitamin D as you await Santa’s arrival.

Why would you want to be anywhere else?

Eager to ensure that you and your loved ones get to indulge in a festive season getaway unlike any other? Then book your stay (and any extra activities you can’t bear to miss) with Kanuhura today. The resort’s reservations team will ensure that you pick the right villa type for you or, as availability is limited, the best possible alternative to ensure you have the holiday of a lifetime in paradise.

A holiday at Kanuhura promises to be utterly spectacular.

Located at the heart of Lhaviyani atoll, one of the most spectacular Maldives atolls, Kanuhura is considered one of the most iconic barefoot beach resorts in the Indian Ocean. Part of the Mauritius-based hotel and leisure group Sun Resorts, Kanuhura hosted its first guest in 1999.

A USD42 million reimagining of the resort in 2016 has positioned it for the latest trend travellers have identified as Gypset; part gypsy in their drive for freedom and jetset, reflected in their wealth and craving for luxury living. The gypset muse of Kanuhura is Erin Wasson, famous top model and face representant of Maybelline.

The new rooms are luxury villas and suites with unusual elegance and furnished with natural materials with a touch of refinement and modernism. Whether you stay on the sunrise or sunset side of the island, you will be overwhelmed by the breathtaking view of the sea. The water villas have a private terrace with private access to the lagoon.

With its eight restaurants and three bars, Kanuhura will make you discover various cuisines from all over the world such as Italy, Brazil and the Maldives. The chef also provides interactive cookery demonstrations. Those looking for tranquility and well-being will be able to visit Kokaa, the wellness and spa centre for a unique sensual experience uplifting body and mind.

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From wellness to culture: Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts embodies new era of Maldivian travel

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1 week ago

October 23, 2025

m@ldives

The Maldives continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s premier island destinations, achieving global acclaim while maintaining steady growth in visitor arrivals. The country was recently named Best Beach Destination at the World Tourism Awards 2025 in Brussels and ranked among the Top Ten Countries for Food in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2025.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, the Maldives recorded over 1.7 million tourist arrivals as of 21 October 2025 — a 10% year-on-year increase. The destination is on course to meet its ambitious target of 2.3 million arrivals by year-end, with the final quarter expected to bring the highest influx of visitors as the nation enters its peak travel season.

Sustained demand from key markets including India, China, Russia, and the United Kingdom, alongside rising interest from the Middle East and Europe, continues to fuel this growth. The trend reflects a broader global shift towards experience-led travel, where visitors seek meaningful, immersive stays rather than conventional leisure holidays.

As arrival numbers climb, the focus within the Maldives tourism industry is evolving from volume to value. Hospitality brands are responding by offering experiences that highlight authenticity, sustainability, and cultural engagement. Among them, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts — which operates four properties across the Maldives — is redefining the concept of island travel through wellness, cuisine, and culture.

The brand’s approach extends beyond accommodation, curating distinctive experiences that deepen the guest journey. From spa rituals rooted in Asian wellness traditions at Mandara Spa and Chavana Spa to private beachfront dinners celebrating the region’s rich culinary heritage, each stay is designed to be both restorative and enriching. Guests who book directly also receive exclusive credits and tailored experiences, reinforcing the Maldives’ growing appeal as a destination for conscious and immersive travel.

This direction mirrors the Maldives’ evolving tourism strategy, which prioritises authenticity and quality over volume. As the nation edges closer to another record-breaking year, its success lies not only in the number of arrivals but in its ability to offer enduring, high-calibre experiences — a vision shared by Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts as it continues to shape the future of island hospitality across the region.

Featured

Centara Maldives unveils bespoke National Day escapes for UAE holidaymakers

Published

1 week ago

October 23, 2025

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As one of the most notable occasions in the GCC calendar, UAE National Day presents the perfect opportunity to plan a dream island getaway at one of Centara Hotels & Resorts’ Maldivian destinations. Travellers can discover their own piece of paradise across four distinctive properties: Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, and Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection. Each resort offers a seamless blend of elegance, comfort, island activities, and rejuvenating spa experiences — the ideal way to celebrate the spirit of the occasion with a tropical touch.

Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives

Located a short speedboat ride from Malé International Airport, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives provides an elegant island retreat ideal for celebrating special moments with family and friends. The resort features a range of overwater villas and beachfront residences, each complete with a private pool, jacuzzi, or both — offering guests an opportunity to truly unwind and disconnect from the outside world.

Set within The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, the resort offers an array of experiences, from exciting water sports and excursions to restorative wellness treatments at the tranquil SPA Cenvaree Retreat. Dining choices include international buffets at The Gallery, modern Mediterranean flavours at Bluefin, and light bites at Coco Drift’s swim-up bar. Guests can also toast to the occasion with a refreshing drink at Sunset Social.

In celebration of UAE National Day, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives invites guests to reconnect with loved ones through an exclusive stay package. Guests booking before 15 December for stays until 20 December can enjoy four nights for the price of three or seven nights for the price of five, with complimentary round-trip transfers included.

Additional benefits include:

Upgrade to the Half Board Plus meal plan when booking a Room with Breakfast
Club access
Complimentary sparkling beverage at Sunset Social on the first evening
One complimentary couples’ treatment at SPA Cenvaree Retreat
A 15% discount and triple points for CentaraThe1 members

Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives

Nestled in the scenic North Malé Atoll, Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives offers a vibrant, underwater world-themed escape perfect for families. The resort combines play and relaxation through its lazy river, splash zones, and water playgrounds, alongside the acclaimed SPA Cenvaree, a Candy Spa for children, and a lively kids’ club. Accommodation includes oceanfront and overwater villas, complemented by diverse dining experiences.

Families can enjoy the ultimate island holiday where children stay, play, and dine for free on all stays before 15 December. Perfect for the UAE National Day long weekend, the offer includes:

Special room rates
Complimentary round-trip speedboat transfers
Free stays and meals for up to two children aged 11 and under
A 15% discount and triple points for CentaraThe1 members

Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives

For couples and solo travellers seeking tranquillity, Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives offers an adults-only sanctuary designed for relaxation and connection. Guests can wake to panoramic sea views from oceanfront or overwater villas with direct lagoon access. The resort features world-class dining, a yoga pavilion, award-winning SPA Cenvaree, and water sports including windsurfing, parasailing, and snorkelling.

To mark UAE National Day, guests can take advantage of 30% off all villas (and 45% off for CentaraThe1 members), along with 50% off transfers for stays of two to four nights. The package also includes:

Sparkling beverage and fresh fruit upon arrival in overwater villas
A three-course poolside dinner under the stars for Half Board Plus guests and above
Buy-one-get-one-free spa treatments
20% discount on food and beverages
10% off water sports and excursions
Complimentary snorkelling and kayaking equipment

Bookings and stays are valid until 10 January 2026.

Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection

Set amidst breathtaking ocean views and a UNESCO-protected marine reserve, Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection caters to adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts alike. Home to an award-winning house reef and several renowned dive sites, guests can spend their days exploring coral reefs or discovering a historic shipwreck, followed by spa treatments and gourmet dining.

Guests can enjoy 45% off flexible rates for CentaraThe1 members and 30% off for non-members, along with 30% off seaplane transfers for stays of two to six nights until 10 January 2026.

The offer includes:

Handmade chocolates and tropical fruit upon arrival in overwater or pool villas
A complimentary picnic lunch for families or a private beach dinner for couples (Half Board Plus and above)
Buy-one-get-one-free spa treatments
Complimentary stays and meals for children aged six and under
20% discount on à la carte dining and floating breakfasts (Club Pool Villas only)
10% discount on water sports and excursions
Complimentary snorkelling gear and kayak use

For more information or reservations, guests can visit Centara Hotels & Resorts and explore exclusive UAE National Day offers available across all Maldivian properties.

Featured

Holistic journeys at One&Only Reethi Rah: Year of global wellness expertise

Published

2 weeks ago

October 22, 2025

m@ldives

One&Only Reethi Rah invites guests to continue their wellness journey at the renowned One&Only Spa, which has recently received a prestigious five-star rating from the Forbes Travel Guide — the first and only spa in the Maldives to earn this recognition. Surrounded by tropical greenery, the spa offers a tranquil retreat where ancient healing practices meet modern techniques, providing tailored treatments that promote lasting wellbeing.

Throughout the year, One&Only Reethi Rah has hosted leading international wellness practitioners, and the remainder of 2025 will feature an inspiring series of experiences guided by acclaimed experts. From holistic therapies and Ayurveda to Pilates, yoga, Barre, and CrossFit, each visiting specialist brings unique expertise and methodology to the island, delivering highly personalised sessions designed around each guest’s individual needs.

Beginning in October, Ayurveda specialist Dr Shreejit Ghadigaonkar will offer personalised consultations and treatments based on one of the world’s oldest healing systems, using herbal remedies, massage, and holistic therapies to restore balance. During the same period, Shannon Fenton, a Pilates and yoga instructor, will lead mindful movement sessions to enhance posture, body awareness, and overall wellbeing.

In November, bespoke fitness coach Nicky Holender will introduce tailored programmes focused on strength, endurance, and motivation, while holistic therapist Darya Gudkova will offer deeply restorative treatments combining Eastern traditions with a contemporary understanding of anatomy and psychology.

The season will continue into December and January with Sanam Heravi, a STOTT-certified Barre specialist, whose sessions use intelligent movement to support rehabilitation and life transitions. Guests seeking high-intensity training will be able to train with Zubaid Toefy, a CrossFit coach with a background in Muay Thai and Olympic weightlifting, known for his dynamic and disciplined approach.

Each visiting practitioner contributes distinct expertise to the spa’s offerings, enabling guests to explore individual paths towards vitality, clarity, and inner balance

Whether guests are beginning a new wellness journey or deepening established rituals, the One&Only Spa provides a setting for intentional transformation. From sunrise yoga sessions to deeply restorative treatments, every moment is designed to strengthen the connection between mind, body, and nature within the serene environment of the Maldives.

For guests seeking advanced skincare, the spa also presents a curated selection of facial treatments that combine cutting-edge technology with high-performance formulations. Through partnerships with globally renowned brands such as Augustinus Bader, the spa offers rejuvenating therapies that leave the skin feeling nourished, firm, and radiant.