Now open for all ages throughout the year, JOALI BEING continues to expand experiences for sojourners. Focusing on the vital importance of early-stage learning and wellbeing, the retreat’s expert team will introduce B’Kidult on 15th December 2023, a new zone for multi-generational play with specially curated offerings to inspire young hearts and minds.

Early Learning & Wellbeing

A child’s early years lay the foundation for the rest of their life. Childhood learning and wellbeing have a direct and enduring impact on the future, including educational attainments, career path, financial status, all-round health and civic engagement. Interwoven with the beauty and abundance of nature, the new zone at JOALI BEING showcases the incredible possibilities of playtime for learning and wellbeing. Experiences are deftly designed around the Four Pillars — the resort’s unique approach to holistic wellbeing.

B’KIDULT: A Multi-Generational Playground

Playtime at B’Kidult brings different generations together through purposeful, meaningful and enjoyable activities. Besides being great fun, multi-generational play has been shown to have numerous physical and mental health benefits for adults and children alike. Both kids and adults are invited to rediscover the joy and wonder of playtime. As the tagline goes: “Be a kid again at B’Kidult!”

Guests can explore an array of thoughtfully crafted experiences to bolster health, impart new skills and nurture connections. The Four Pillars of JOALI BEING: Mind, Skin, Microbiome and Energy are brought to life through experiential learning and active engagement.

Offerings at B’Kidult include sensory playgrounds, mud kitchens, contemporary rooms, and a well-equipped professional kitchen for little chefs. Guests of all ages can also participate in a range of wellbeing workshops and learning sessions, from making natural self-care products with resident herbalists to exploring the power of sound healing guided by experienced sound practitioners.

Making the most of its remote tropical island setting, B’Kidult weaves elements of nature into each space and activity, awakening the senses and fostering a closer relationship with the earth. From crystalline waters and warm sunshine to soft sands and lush palms, nature’s sensory gifts set the stage for a memorable family journey that unites discovery, learning and wellbeing.

In a significant development marking a new milestone in the world of luxury hospitality, Worldwide Kids has announced the accreditation of two prestigious properties: Soneva Fushi and Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives. These properties have been added to Worldwide Kids’ esteemed portfolio of Accredited Resorts.

Both Soneva Fushi and Finolhu Baa Atoll achieved this recognition in September, further solidifying their commitment to providing families with exceptional and safe holiday experiences in a fun, nurturing, and natural environment.

With both resorts successfully passing the rigorous health and safety audit, along with their dedicated teams completing the City & Guilds accredited ‘International Childcare for Leisure and Tourism’ training course offered by Worldwide Kids, this accomplishment underscores their unwavering commitment to providing families with outstanding and safe holiday experiences in paradise.

Soneva Fushi, renowned for its stunning natural beauty and world-class amenities, aligns perfectly with Worldwide Kids’ commitment to delivering top-tier childcare and family-friendly experiences. As Worldwide Kids expands its reach, the collaboration with Soneva Fushi reaffirms the dedication to ensuring families around the world have access to the highest quality childcare services.

The resort has a team of dedicated and hand-picked carers, who are trained and certified by Worldwide Kids, overseeing the various activities and amenities available for children. They not only prioritise children’s safety but also serve as enthusiastic playmates who engage with children, fostering their creativity and social skills. Soneva Fushi and the team at The Den aim to create cherished memories for families while providing parents with the peace of mind that their children are in the best possible care, promising families the most enjoyable and worry-free holiday.

The facilities feature a family-friendly ‘playground for the imagination’ with shallow pools, a pirate ship, and musical piano keys. Children also have access to a library, music room, dress-up area, a room stocked with over 8,000 Lego and Duplo pieces, a cinema, and a variety of complimentary experiences designed to enhance holiday enjoyment and peace of mind for Young Sonevians and their families.

Worldwide Kids is truly delighted with this achievement, as Soneva Fushi marks the second Soneva property added to their portfolio, following Soneva Jani’s accreditation earlier in the year. Worldwide Kids is excited to embark on this new chapter with Soneva Fushi and remains committed to delivering excellence in childcare services and family-oriented experiences at their partner resorts worldwide.

In further exciting news, Worldwide Kids has announced the extension of its accreditation to Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives. This partnership underscores the commitment to delivering top-tier childcare services and family-oriented experiences to the valued guests at this stunning destination. Here, young guests are affectionately known as ‘Oceaneers.’ The Maldives kids club, aptly named The Oceaneers Club, is a captivating world that nurtures creativity. It offers a range of engaging activities, including art in the outdoor studio, exciting water play in the kids’ pool, and cooking and baking adventures. The Oceaneers Club at Finolhu provides a rich and enjoyable environment where young minds can explore and create.

Nestled in the breath-taking Baa Atoll in the Maldives, Finolhu Baa Atoll stands as the ultimate family-friendly oasis in paradise. This idyllic destination redefines luxury travel by seamlessly combining exquisite experiences for both adults and children. Finolhu Baa Atoll takes pride in its unwavering commitment to family-friendliness and excellence in childcare services while collaborating with Worldwide Kids to ensure that families can create lasting memories in a safe and enriching environment.

Worldwide Kids takes pride in its strong presence in the Maldives, with multiple accredited resorts that uphold their commitment to exceptional childcare and family-friendly experiences. These resorts in the tropical paradise include Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences, JA Manafaru, One&Only Reethi Rah, Soneva Jani, and Velaa Private Island, in addition to the recent additions. These prestigious properties are renowned for their luxurious accommodations but also for their dedication to ensuring that families can enjoy a worry-free holiday. These resorts offer safe and enriching activities that align with Worldwide Kids’ training and operational standards, designed by their team of passionate childcare and development experts.

For more information about Worldwide Kids and their Accredited Resorts in the Maldives visit https://worldwide-kids.com/resorts-asia/

Families will delight in Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives’ Festive Offer. Kids under 13 years of age have a free holiday at the private island escape for stays from 22 December 2023 to 7 January 2024.

The picturesque natural island is perfect for families to celebrate Christmas 2023 and welcome the New Year. Just 40 minutes from Male’s Velana International Airport by speedboat, the celebration starts right away when the resort’s airport team greet you at Arrival and ushers you to your waiting boat.

The resort’s recreation and leisure team has created a wide variety of activities for young and old, from the free daily snorkelling lesson in the pool, mini-Olympics and the adrenalin-pumping snorkelling with sharks excursion to relaxing at Kandooma Spa and taking a breathtaking scuba dive. An award-winning, fully-fledged PADI Dive Centre is on the island. It offers courses ideal for those staying for a week and the popular Bubblemaker class in the pool for the little ones.

“At Kandooma, we welcome the end-of-year festivities enthusiastically and with excitement. For our team, we particularly enjoy making Christmas extra special for our little guests and adding our island magic,” said Mark Eletr, General Manager, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives.

“This year, the Kids stay, eat and receive their airport boat transfers completely free,” Mark adds.

So what’s the catch?

“There’s no catch other than Kids under 13 years must be staying with a paying parent,” he says with a smile. As a parent to two young kids, Mark recognises that happy children make for happy parents and repeat business.

“If we give our young guests a wow experience and keep them having fun through adventure and an exciting programme of activities, parents can relax knowing they are safe and not getting up to mischief.”

Kandooma is a natural and private island closed to outside guests, making it exclusive to those staying. The resort features an array of dining outlets, from the delicious international buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner at Kandooma Cafe to the speciality restaurant The Kitchen, which serves delicious fresh seafood and dishes with an Asian twist. A beach holiday wouldn’t be complete without poolside snacks at Bokkuraa Coffee Club and a selection of drinks at the BAR-Aveli Beach Bar on the main beach and the rooftop Sunset Deck & Bar, which, as the name suggests, is the place to be to catch the spectacular sunsets.

Festive accommodation

Special accommodation packages are available for the Christmas period, including a choice of Half Board (Breakfast and Dinner), Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) and All-Inclusive (with premier brands of spirits, wines, beers, cocktails, mocktails, coffees/teas etc. served 11 am to 11 pm).

Gala Dinners are compulsory over the festive period. The all-villa island resort offers a choice of different villas for stays, each appealing to a diverse clientele from around the world, whether it be the romance of the Overwater Villas, the space and allure of the 3-bd Beach Pool Villa, the convenience of beach access from the two storey Beach Houses with a sand carpet living space on the lower level, the comfortable Beach Villas with their stunning views and outdoor hammocks or the Garden Villas set back from the beach a little, amongst the green spaces with their open-air showers and outdoor seating areas. Accommodation over the festive season starts at US$398++ per night, based on double occupancy staying in a Garden Villa, with a minimum of 3 nights. And remember, the Kids under 13 stay, eat and receive their airport transfers FREE.

Tropical Christmas celebrations

Especially for Christmas, a Shimmering Gala Dinner will be held on Christmas Eve (24 December) at the resort’s all-day dining restaurant Kandooma Cafe. Guests can expect a treasure trove of seafood, carvery roasts, local Maldivian favourites, exquisite salads influenced by the flavours of Asia and an array of decadent desserts. The gala dinner is US$249++ per person. Complimentary for children under 13 years.

On Christmas day, celebrate with a sumptuous Buffet, including international favourites. For the kids, something very special is planned. The Kandoo Kids’ Club will host a Dress-Up Pool Party at the main pool just for the little ones, with a visit from Santa distributing some goodies for all.

New Year’s eve party

New Year’s Eve (31 December) is a highlight as we say goodbye to the year that has been and welcome 2024 with excitement, new resolutions and dreams for the year ahead. A Glittering Gala Dinner will be held Poolside at the Kandooma Cafe with a delicious feast. Following dinner, the DJ will turn up the volume and get the party started with all your favourite tunes before the big countdown at midnight. The New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner is US$349++ per person. Complimentary for children under 13 years.

Both Gala Dinner celebrations have an all-that-shimmers and glitters theme, and guests are encouraged to wear White.

Russian Christmas

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is a popular choice for guests from Russia for the Orthodox holidays. The Kandooma team is planning a terrific Russian Orthodox Christmas celebration on 7 January. A beach party complete with a DJ will delight partygoers.

Over the festive period, there is plenty to do at Kandooma Fushi. A complete activities schedule has been prepared for both young and old. The Kandoo Kids’ Club has a variety of fun and educational activities for the little ones – there is no putting the kids in front of a movie all day here! With its own water playground and indoor temperature-controlled craft zones complemented by island adventures and discoveries, the little ones will surely enjoy their time as much as the grown-ups, if not more.

For information about the Festive Programme at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, visit www.maldives.holidayinnresorts.com to download the eBrochure.