Family
‘From Fluff to Cut with The Marshmallowist’ this Easter at Vakkaru Maldives
This Easter, Vakkaru Maldives teams up with The Marshmallowist – the UK’s first producer of gourmet marshmallows, for an unforgettable Easter in the tropics.
From April 12 to 16, The Marshmallowist will be popping up all over the island with bespoke treats like the “Easter Bunny Hot Chocolate Bar” at Amaany on Easter Sunday morning, a dedicated adult and children’s sessions of “A Very Marshmallowist Masterclass” and an adults-only “Baileys x The Marshmallowist Cocktails” at Lagoon Bar.
The Marshmallowist will also be serving her signature mallow ice cream sandwiches at Cabana Bar’s “Easter Beats Pool Party” for guests to cool off from the afternoon sun.
Ending the week on a high, the “Gimme S’More Sugar” bonfire movie night will feature the squishy, gooey goodness of marshmallows freshly roasted on a stick over a bonfire for s’mores, promising guests an unforgettably cosy Easter under the stars at Vakkaru Maldives.
Founded by Oonagh Simms, The Marshmallowist is the first producer of gourmet marshmallows in the UK using premium ingredients – only whole fresh fruits, organic herbs & spices and boutique alcohol.
The Marshmallowist combines classic confectionery with unexpected flavours like raspberry and champagne, strawberry and basil, charcoal and jasmine tea and more. Having trained as a chocolatier in Paris, Simms creates Marshmallows with a French soufflé-like texture and a signature London edge.
With a flair for the adventurous and a taste for success, The Marshmallowist has collaborated with brands like Alexander McQueen, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Lancome, Roland Mouret and has been featured in publications like VOGUE UK, Wallpaper magazine, The Guardian, The Times, Harper’s BAZAAR, The Economist and more.
Simms’s first recipe book The Marshmallowist was published by Penguin Random House in 2016, and follows her journey from Paris to Portobello Road and includes recipes of her sweet treats.

April 12: The Marshmallowist Easter Bunny Hot Chocolate Bar at Amaany
Renowned for their gourmet marshmallow hot chocolate, The Marshmallowist will be bringing her signature recipes to Amaany – Vakkaru Maldives’ signature all day dining restaurant, with a pop-up bar on Easter Sunday morning.
“A proper hot chocolate is as cosy an indulgence you can have”, says Oonagh Simms as she looks forward to sharing her very indulgent experience like the S’mores Hot Chocolate – a classic hot chocolate topped with a torched vanilla marshmallow an a chewy biscuit crumb for the most decadent start to the Easter festivities.
Look out for the adults-only hot chocolate that was featured at the Baileys Treat Bar at Covent Garden over winter in 2018 and the beautifully presented Love Potion – a rose hot chocolate with torched raspberry and champagne marshmallows drizzled with pistachio praline and rose petals, will take your breath away.

April 13: A Very Marshmallowist Masterclass at Vakkaru Reserve & Parrotfish Club
Learn to whip and get your hands messy this Easter as you fluff up your very own gourmet marshmallows with The Marshmallowist.
Sign up and join The Marshmallowist as she shares her secrets on how to master marshmallow making – from flavour combinations to whipping the lightest of fluffs and decorating your mallow creation using fresh ingredients from the island’s organic farm, this is your chance to get truly experimental with your confectionery.
Each guest can try their hand at all stages of the making process – including boiling up aromatic fruit purees and fluffing the mixture into perfect peaks, hand-cutting and taking home their own personalised Marshmallowist mallows.

April 14: Baileys x The Marshmallowist Cocktails at Lagoon Bar
Whilst overlooking a surreal Maldivian sunset at Lagoon Bar, The Marshmallowist together with Vakkaru Maldives’ mixologist will curate three signature drinks based on ingredients harvested from the island’s organic farm.
In an exclusive collaboration with Baileys and their celebrated Baileys Chocolat Luxe that is made from luxurious layers of Baileys Irish cream liqueur and real Belgian chocolate, marshmallow cocktails will be taking centre stage at Lagoon Bar throughout Easter week.

April 15: The Marshmallowist Ice Cream Sandwich Pop-up Parlour at Cabana’s Pool Side
This limited-edition experience will see The Marshmallowist’s fruit-based ice cream popping up at Cabana Bar’s poolside ice cream shack. Joining her will be a DJ on the decks and a pool party in full swing for some fun in the sun.
Using fresh ingredients from the island’s organic farm, this interactive and immersive experience will have guests queuing for delicious toasted vanilla fluff sandwiched between soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies topped with fresh fruit, Easter eggs, chocolate shards and more.

April 16: “Gimme S’More Sugar” Bonfire Movie Night on Cabana Beach
Under the starry skies of the Maldives, Vakkaru Maldives will set the scene for a cosy movie night warmed by a bonfire for guests to toast their own marshmallows.
Bringing a social, family-feel to the evening, there will be boards of cracked chocolate shards, handcrafted biscuits and jars spilling out with creative toppings from fairy floss to fresh fruit.
Let your imagination go wild and dream up your fantasy S’more with a little help from The Marshmallowist.
To be part of this cherishable experience, guests can book their stay with Vakkaru Maldives’ Joyous 2020 Offer and enjoy up to 35 per cent off room rates with daily breakfast and dinner when booking directly on vakkarumaldives.com.

This 2020, Vakkaru Maldives continues with its collection of curated, ultra-immersive and cherishable guest experiences in partnership with guest experiences specialist, The Magnolia Creative Collaborations. Watch out for more experiences from culinary greats, wellness mentors and scent experts, as well as luxurious fashion collaborations and exquisite artisanal pop-ups.
Through these experiences, Vakkaru Maldives aims to inspire guests to create timeless memories, effortlessly.
A secluded tropical island resort in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Baa atoll, a scenic 30 minutes north of Velana International Airport by seaplane, Vakkaru Maldives offers guests a holistic approach to unassuming luxury and cherishable experiences as you discover the warmth and affection of its people.
Blessed with timeless ocean views, white sandy beaches and nurtured by nature, the resort boasts an extensive selection of accommodation featuring 113 contemporary beach and over water villas and suites with Maldivian rustic charms. Indulgent dining choices from across the world are served in six restaurants and bars, as well as a wine cellar, specialising in global cuisine with Maldivian twist, Italian, Japanese, Southeast Asian as well as luxury beach grill.
Engaging experiences abound for everyone, every day at Vakkaru Maldives with a variety of water sports and excursions await at Splash, two tennis courts and a badminton court at the Sports Fields, recreational activities at Coconut Club, Parrotfish Club for children below 12 years of age, 24/7 overwater gymnasium with personal trainer as well as pampering head to toe treatments at Merana Spa.
Vakkaru Maldives has become the latest addition to Global Hotel Alliance’s (GHA) award-winning DISCOVERY loyalty programme under the curated “Ultratravel Collection” that features premium brand of exceptional hotels and resorts from around the world, hand-picked for the most discerning travellers.
For reservations and general information, please visit vakkarumaldives.com or contact reservations@vakkarumaldives.com.
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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