Family
Soneva announces spectacular Easter programme for Maldives resorts
Soneva has unveiled a thrilling Easter programme across its award-winning resorts in Maldives.
With Soneva celebrating its milestone 25th anniversary in 2020, this seasonal programme is set to be the biggest, most diverse and most exciting yet: alongside exceptional Easter activities for all ages and one-of-a-kind, thought-provoking experiences, Soneva will welcome a star-studded array of world-renowned experts and Michelin-starred chefs through the new Soneva Stars calendar.
Running between April 2 and 16, guests at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani in the Maldives will have an unprecedented opportunity to meet their sporting heroes, learn from pre-eminent experts in wine and astronomy, and dine with pioneering gastronomes.
A much-loved seasonal treat at Soneva, each of the two resorts will once again be hosting the World’s Greatest Easter Egg Hunt – open to guests of all ages, wooden eggs are hidden across each resort, to be exchanged for delicious chocolates from the Chocolate Parlour. An egg-stra special prize awaits the guest who collects the most eggs!
Soneva Fushi
Guests are invited to celebrate the joy of the holidays with an Easter Safari complete with mouthwatering food, live music, games and unforgettable entertainment.
Young Sonevians can expect a fun-packed Easter activities programme, with arts and crafts, Easter basket-making, a surprise Easter cruise and a special late-night Easter-themed party.
A sparkling constellation of Michelin-starred chefs and acclaimed restaurateurs are set to grace Soneva Fushi’s kitchens over the Easter holidays.
One-Michelin-starred chefs Jonathan K. Berntsen and Shaun Rankin will both be hosting intimate dinners at Once Upon a Table, a culinary theatre which sits just eight guests in front of an open kitchen, as well as Cedric Vongerichten, who is recognised by Zagat as one of the top 30 chefs under 30. Also hosting visiting chef finners are Kamilla Seidler, crowned Latin America’s top female chef in 2016, and Filip Langhoff, who has one Michelin star for his critically acclaimed restaurant, Ask.
The gastronomic line-up is perfectly paired with visiting expert Jancis Robinson, editor of The Oxford Companion to Wine, and long-time wine columnist for the Financial Times, who is considered the world’s foremost expert on wine.
Sporting legends, Graeme Le Saux and Jonas Bjorkman, will also be at Soneva Fushi over the Easter break. Former England international footballer Graeme will be hosting a Table Talk at Cinema Paradiso, as well as running a football camp for Young Sonevians, whilst former world No. 4 singles tennis player Jonas will be offering one-to-one private coaching for Soneva guests.
Freediver Ken Kiriyama, holder of Japan’s national freediving record, will be hosting freediving sessions, covering breathing techniques, theory, stretching, and confined and open water practice.
Astronomer Lars Lindberg Christensen, renowned for his work with some of the world’s largest telescopes, including Hubble and the Extremely Large Telescope, will be sharing his knowledge of the night skies. Lars will be hosting an Astronomical Breakfast at Fresh in the Garden, as well as fascinating private astronomy sessions at the Ever Soneva So Celestial observatory.
Soneva Jani
Soneva Jani will be hosting an Easter-inspired pop-up on the sands of North Beach. Starting with mouthwatering cocktails, it will feature a delectable Easter dinner accompanied by live entertainment and a DJ. For those in the holiday spirit, there will also be giant egg painting on North Beach, plus the chance for Young Sonevians to try their hand at sailing.
Regarded as a trailblazer on the Scandinavian food scene, one-Michelin-starred chef Jonathan K. Berntsen will be in residence at Soneva Jani over the Easter period. The creative force behind the much-vaunted Clou in Copenhagen, he is renowned for pairing classic cooking techniques with an innovative approach to matching food and wine.
With a two-Michelin-star pedigree, Soneva Jani’s Grand Master chef Kiichi will prepare an unforgettable degustation menu at The Gathering. Known for his playful approach, Chef Kiichi blends time-honoured Japanese techniques with a Maldivian twist.
Guests can also experience the new Guess Who’s Cooking dining concept – with a secret menu, the bespoke meal is tailored to their preferences by one of Soneva Jani’s talented chefs then served in a secret location. With a different chef and different location every day, the chef will only reveal their identity after the meal to explain their choice of dishes and their inspiration.
Visiting practitioner Kanlayanee ‘Jang’ Martthuean will be sharing her extensive experience across the wellness industry with Soneva Jani guests. As a passionate advocate for training wellness therapies and yoga, she will be helping guests realign their body and mind.
Soneva currently runs two resorts in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, and luxury yacht, Soneva in Aqua. The world-leading luxury resort operator also operates Soneva Kiri resort in Thailand.
In 1995, the award-winning luxury resort Soneva Fushi set the standard for all desert island barefoot luxury hideaways in the Maldives. Located in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Soneva Fushi pairs Robinson Crusoe fantasy with intelligent luxury.
Sixty-two private villas with their own stretch of beach are hidden amongst dense foliage within touching distance of a pristine coral reef. Eight new one- and two-bedroom Water Retreats, perched above the turquoise depths of the Indian Ocean, are scheduled to open to guests by May. Intuitive service is provided by Mr./Ms. Friday butlers.
Highlights include the open-air Cinema Paradiso, counting Saturn’s rings in the high-tech Observatory, the home-made chocolate and ice cream rooms, five hundred wines to choose from, six different restaurants and countless destination dining options.
In November 2015, Soneva launched a floating villa concept, Soneva in Aqua, a treasure trove children’s Den and a multi-purpose facility encompasses a glass gallery, boutique and studio where guests can learn the art of glass blowing.
Opened in December 2016, Soneva Jani is Soneva’s newest property and the world-leading luxury hotel group’s second resort in the Maldives.
Soneva Jani is located on the island of Medhufaru within a 5.6 kilometre lagoon in the Noonu atoll, and has uninterrupted ocean views in all directions. The lagoon is 35 minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport and one hour by speedboat from Soneva Fushi.
Meaning ‘wisdom’ in Sanskrit, Soneva Jani currently comprises 24 overwater villas and one island villa, with additional villas to be built in phase two. Five islands encircle the lagoon, each one with soft white sands and covered in rich tropical vegetation. Four of the five islands will remain untouched, making Soneva Jani the lowest density development in the Maldives. The overwater villas are spaced across the expansive lagoon, offering privacy and extensive views over the Maldives’ turquoise waters. The island villas will be tucked into the lush greenery, providing the ultimate privacy, and all within steps of the beach.
Soneva Jani’s main guest facilities are located at The Gathering, the heart of the overwater villas. This dramatic three story structure is home to the main dining outlets, in addition to the Soneva Spa, library, retail area and wine cellar. It is located next to the Maldives’ first overwater Observatory.
Facilities on the island include the overwater Cinema Paradiso, the Eco Centro Waste-to-Wealth centre, organic gardens, tennis courts, water sports champa and Zuhair’s Beach on a desert island in the lagoon.
Family
Kuda Villingili to host ‘Friendly Spirits & Ghosts After Dark’ this Halloween
This Halloween, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives invites families to reconnect over a week of island celebrations. From 28 October to 1 November 2026, Friendly Spirits & Ghosts After Dark brings together imaginative children’s activities, Halloween evenings and time shared in the Maldives.
Home to a 150-metre swimming pool—one of the largest in the country —Kuda Villingili is among the best places to stay in the Maldives for families seeking space, privacy and experiences to enjoy together. Spacious one- to four-bedroom private pool villas provide space and privacy for multi-generational stays, complemented by eight restaurants, a dedicated Kids Club, spa and wellness experiences, watersports, surfing, tennis and pickleball. The five-star luxury resort in the Maldives is located just 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport.

Designed for young explorers, this year’s celebration introduces Kuda Fiyo & the Friendly Ghosts, an original island story that brings Halloween to life through imagination and discovery. Throughout the week, children can follow Kuda Fiyo on an adventure featuring creative workshops, themed games, arts and crafts, treasure hunts, cookie and cupcake decorating, mocktail experiences and a Halloween Party— giving families a collection of family experiences in the Maldives to enjoy together.
As the sun sets, Ghosts After Dark takes over with Halloween-inspired experiences for families, couples and friends. Guests can enjoy haunted cocktails at sunset, set sail on a themed sunset cruise, explore the house reef during guided night snorkelling, try their hand at Halloween mixology or settle in beneath the stars for an open-air movie night. A Halloween Buffet Dinner with seasonal dishes and live entertainment anchors the celebrations, while themed cocktails and mocktails are served throughout the week.

Beyond Halloween, families have the freedom to shape each day around what they enjoy most. They can discover the marine world together, dine across the resort’s restaurants, retreat to the privacy of their villa or spend an afternoon beside the expansive pool. With experiences for different ages and interests, there is space to come together as well as time to enjoy the island individually.
This Halloween, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers families the chance to reconnect, create new traditions and experience the season differently. Friendly Spirits & Ghosts After Dark brings together children’s adventures, evenings by the sea and the freedom of an island holiday.
Because the best family traditions are not simply celebrated—they are created together.

View Kuda Villingili’s Halloween 2026 brochure here. For more information about Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, please visit www.kudavillingili.com.
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Joy Island Maldives expands guest activities with new Joy Arcade
Joy Island Maldives, part of The Cocoon Collection, has expanded its leisure offering with the launch of Joy Arcade, the resort’s first dedicated gaming room.
The new facility has been introduced as an indoor entertainment space where guests can play individually or with friends and family, adding another activity to the resort’s programme beyond the beach, lagoon and outdoor experiences.

Joy Arcade features four gaming stations built around simulation and virtual reality technology. The line-up includes a three-screen racing car simulator, equipped with a force-feedback steering wheel and pedals; VR Moto, a motion-based motorcycle simulator that moves in response to the virtual terrain; a 9D VR Platform, featuring two motion pods and a selection of adventure, horror and flight experiences; and VR Gun Shooting, which combines a headset with a motion-tracked controller and an in-room leaderboard.
The racing simulator accommodates one player at a time and is recommended for guests aged eight and above, while VR Moto is recommended for those aged 10 and above. The 9D VR Platform can accommodate up to two players and is recommended for guests aged six and above, while VR Gun Shooting is designed for one player at a time and recommended for ages eight and above.

The arcade operates daily from 10am to noon, 2pm to 6pm and 9pm to 11pm. Walk-in guests do not need to make an advance booking, with passes available from the arcade desk during operating hours.
Guests can choose from one-, two-, three- and four-hour Play Passes, as well as an Unlimited Day Pass. Each pass provides access to all four gaming stations, with the duration determining the amount of playing time available. The resort advises guests to check with the arcade desk for current pricing and any rates linked to resort or stay packages.
Joy Arcade is open to guests of all ages, although younger players may require a parent or guardian when using motion-based equipment. Headsets, controllers and safety equipment are provided and sanitised between uses. The room can also be booked for birthday parties and other events, with private sessions, party host assistance and refreshments available for groups.

The addition expands the range of recreational facilities at Joy Island, which positions activities as a central part of its guest experience. The resort also offers tennis and padel, fitness and wellness sessions, excursions, diving and water sports, while its Kids’ Club, Kiddie Cove, provides supervised activities for children aged three to 12.
Its Dive & Water Sports Centre offers activities including scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, jet skiing, parasailing, wakeboarding and waterskiing. Other experiences include dolphin cruises, fishing trips and marine excursions.
Joy Island is located in North Malé Atoll, around 40 kilometres from Velana International Airport and approximately 40 minutes away by speedboat. The resort has 151 villas, comprising 91 beach villas and 60 overwater villas, with accommodation options that include villas with private plunge pools. Interiors feature furnishings and design elements by Italian design company LAGO.
The resort also operates Oasis Spa, where treatments combine Eastern and Western wellness approaches, including Balinese massage, hot stone massage, aromatherapy and couples’ treatments. Its fitness programme includes yoga, Pilates, Zumba, aqua fitness, gym sessions, beach volleyball and racquet sports.
Joy Island’s food and beverage offering comprises three restaurants and a bar. The Market serves international cuisine through buffet and live cooking stations, while Il Basilico focuses on Italian dishes, including wood-fired pizza. Palm Beach offers beachfront dining, including seafood and grilled dishes, while Rainbow Bar, located beside the swimming pool, serves drinks throughout the day. The resort also offers destination dining experiences, including sandbank picnics, lagoon dinners, beach dinners and garden dining.
With Joy Arcade, the resort is adding an indoor gaming component to an activity programme that already spans water sports, diving, wellness, excursions, children’s activities and racquet sports, providing guests with an additional option for entertainment throughout their stay.
Family
Outdoor adventures, football sessions planned for Velaa Kids Week
Velaa Private Island will host Velaa Kids Week from 3 to 9 August 2026, bringing together outdoor activities, team challenges and sports sessions for young guests.
The programme will be delivered in partnership with Sharky & George, which specialises in activities and experiences for children. It has been designed to encourage creativity, curiosity and confidence through games and island-based exploration.
Activities will include outdoor adventures, interactive games, team challenges and opportunities to discover the resort’s natural surroundings. The programme will also provide children with opportunities to form friendships and develop teamwork skills during their stay.
World champion freestyle footballer Tobias Becs will join this year’s event, adding a sporting component to the programme. Becs will conduct sessions and demonstrations in which children can learn freestyle football skills, take part in physical activities and try new techniques.
His involvement is intended to introduce young guests to freestyle football in an accessible format, with sessions combining demonstrations, participation and play.
Velaa Kids Week forms part of the resort’s family programming and will offer a scheduled series of activities throughout the seven-day event.
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