Featured
From sound healing to blue hole diving: Vakkaru Maldives’ new Vakkare concept promises utmost guest care

Proud to represent one of the world’s foremost luxury resorts, the team at Vakkaru Maldives have always done everything in their power to ensure guests enjoy a holiday experience to treasure forever.
But with all of the challenges that have swept across the world this year — and the time that family and friends share together more precious than ever before — it was decided that Vakkaru Maldives should take its commitment to truly supporting guests’ wellbeing even further.
Launching on August 1 to coincide with the resort’s reopening, Vakkare is a new standard in luxury hospitality, unmatched in the Maldives, that will place the concept of care at the core of all that Vakkaru Maldives offers.
Comprising four pillars — We Kare, Self Kare, Let’s Kare and After Kare — Vakkare incorporates not just the resort’s practical responses to the challenge of operating a remote private-island resort in the age of Covid-19 but also considers the physical, social and emotional needs of guests who have sought out this peaceful retreat as a timeless sanctuary in which to rest, rejuvenate and refocus following the exhaustions of the last few months.
We Kare
A mantra that will guide the Vakkaru team through this new era, We Kare signifies the resort team’s dedication to sincerely investing in the wellbeing of its members and everyone who visits.
It is a renewed commitment towards displaying empathy, surpassing guest expectations, and delivering happiness. It also means ensuring every possible step is taken so each new arrival can be completely confident their health and safety is fully protected.
Vakkaru Maldives has always upheld the highest hygiene standards, but nonetheless various new measures have been introduced in response to the emergence of Covid-19.
They include thorough medical checks for team members and health screenings for new arrivals, alongside enhanced sanitisation practices and the provision to guests of We Kare packs to include face masks and other personal items and keepsakes.
While social distancing is now a consideration around the world, its implementation didn’t require a drastic change to the property’s infrastructure. With the protection of privacy a consideration from day one, villas, restaurant seating and the like have always allowed for exclusivity.

Self Kare
A portfolio that will deliver uplifting encounters, indulgent moments and wonderful memories, Self Kare refers to the many restorative, wellness-minded experiences and services that will be available to every guest.

Among them are a range of enhanced light- and no-touch spa treatments and rituals that will complement the resort’s most popular massages and facials.
Those returning to Vakkaru will find a greater emphasis on visiting practitioners who specialise in meditation and yoga, alongside a range of transcendental sound therapies facilitated by the reverberations of crystal healing bowls.

The ultimate new spa immersion is the resort’s signature Merana Healing Journey, a day-long ritual that incorporates yoga, sound healing and a rebalancing coconut shell massage.
For those inspired to improve their physical fitness, Vakkaru’s personal trainer is on hand to tailor programmes and the range of outdoor exercises on offer will include tennis, beach volleyball and family-friendly mini triathlons.
Nourishing dining experiences will be available throughout Vakkaru’s restaurants, with the Vakkare symbol in menus signifying refreshing, nutritionally balanced dishes that promote good health without ever compromising on taste or satisfaction.

To learn more about healthy eating, guests can pick perfect produce themselves in the resort’s flourishing organic garden, before participating in a Self Kare cooking class.
Alternatively, the resort’s team will take care of everything by facilitating pleasure-filled private-dining experiences that might take place within sight of the ocean on the beach or under the glow of starlight within the comfort of guests’ villa.

During the day, private nature walks will wind through the forest of over 2,300 coconut trees that shade Vakkaru’s interior — should anyone request refreshment, the walk’s guide will be happy to pluck a coconut directly from a treetop.
With the healing power of nature so fundamental to Self Kare, guests will also be encouraged to explore the majesty and truly rare beauty of the seascape that envelops the resort.
Located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve internationally recognised for the abundance of sea life drawn to its warm, crystalline waters, Vakkaru Maldives can arrange private, marine biologist-led excursions in search of graceful manta rays and awe-inspiring whale sharks, alongside access to superlative diving and snorkelling sites. They include a remarkable blue hole, so close to Vakkaru’s beach that it can be reached in just a few minutes by kayak.
Let’s Kare
That abundance of natural wonders contributed significantly to Vakkare’s third pillar: Let’s Kare.
Keenly aware of their responsibilities to this vulnerable, vital ecosystem, the team at Vakkaru Maldives already follow stringent sustainability procedures and will increasingly look to facilitate opportunities for curious guests who wish to contribute to environmental and community-based endeavours, be they participating in coral-planting programmes, assisting local conservation efforts or supporting community work on local islands.
Vakkare means not just taking care of team members, guests and the resort, but making a meaningful, positive difference to the broader region and beyond.

After Kare
Those tenets combined with the incredible beauty, exceptional villas and world-class facilities Vakkaru Maldives has always provided should mean every stay stands out as truly special.
So, that sense of good health and happiness is sustained long after their return home, Vakkare’s After Kare will be a wellness-centred loyalty programme providing guests with tips from visiting practitioners and the Vakkaru team, alongside a range of exclusive offers and special surprises.
Combined, those four pillars are intended to support a guest experience that holds an unwavering, sincere sense of true hospitality at its heart. At a time when so many feel the need for a worry-free escape more than ever, each warmly welcomed visitor to Vakkaru Maldives can count on the team’s commitment to Vakkare. They will be certain to take the utmost care of absolutely everything.
Vakkaru Maldives promises an intimate slice of paradise, designed to create timeless memories, effortlessly.
Whether traveling as a couple or family, guests can book direct their long-awaited getaway with Escape Awaits Reopening Offer starting from $900++ per room per night in a Beach Pool Villa.

Available for stays between August 1 and December 22, this exceptionally generous offer includes a 40 per cent discount on accommodation and an array of benefits including complimentary transfers for up to two adults and two children, daily breakfast, complimentary daily dinner as well as a 60-minute relaxing body massage at Merana Spa.
For reservations and general information, please visit vakkarumaldives.com or contact reservations@vakkarumaldives.com.
Featured
SO/ Maldives unveils restorative wellness journey with Holistic Healer Karan Kumar

SO/ Maldives, the avant-garde private island retreat nestled in the Emboodhoo Lagoon, has announced a deeply restorative wellness journey for the wet season. This immersive experience is spearheaded by renowned Certified Holistic Healer, Karan Kumar, in collaboration with the resort’s resident wellness team.
Located just 15 minutes by speedboat from Malé International Airport, SO/ Maldives blends high fashion with holistic living, offering a bold and stylish take on island luxury. The resort comprises 80 individually designed villas—ranging from beachfront sanctuaries to overwater havens—all boasting panoramic views, complete privacy, and vibrant marine surroundings. Every element of the property is curated to appeal to modern travelers seeking indulgence, creativity, and connection.
At the heart of the resort lies the SO/ Wellness Camp, a sanctuary where cutting-edge design meets nature to provide a transformative escape. More than a traditional spa, this tranquil retreat delivers a full-body and mind experience. Guests are invited to unwind in contemporary, organic-inspired treatment rooms featuring amenities such as a Vichy rainforest shower, steam and sauna rooms, and a state-of-the-art fitness center with sweeping ocean views. The spa’s architectural design is inspired by the gentle movement of water and the island’s natural contours, creating a space that is simultaneously grounding and ethereal.
Central to the wellness offering is a curated selection of therapies that balance ancient practices with modern innovation. Programming includes sound therapy using full moon singing bowls, high-tech facials that combine astrology with skincare, and other bespoke rituals designed to restore and inspire. Whether seeking deep relaxation or a revitalizing boost, SO/ Spa offers guests a chance to reconnect with themselves in an environment that’s as stylish as it is serene.
As part of this season’s programming, guests can access personalised healing sessions at the SO/ Wellness Centre led by Karan Kumar. With over six years of experience, Kumar brings together Ayurveda, Reiki, Energy Healing, and mind-body therapies in a powerful integrative approach. His one-on-one sessions aim to address physical pain, emotional trauma, and energetic imbalances while unlocking each guest’s potential for joy, clarity, and inner strength.
Each session is intuitively tailored, creating a compassionate space for healing and introspection. Guests are encouraged to slow down, reconnect with their inner selves, and rediscover a vibrant sense of balance and wellness.
Featured
Yoga Day marked with soulful island practice at Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives

In honour of International Yoga Day, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives hosted a serene yoga session on its pool deck, inviting both in-house guests and resort colleagues to begin their day with mindfulness, movement, and meaning. Set against the tranquil backdrop of the Indian Ocean, the session offered participants a chance to embrace the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of yoga in a uniquely immersive natural setting.
Led by resident yoga instructor Malvika Pant, the morning session encouraged attendees to step away from their daily routines and reconnect with themselves through breathwork and gentle movement. “Yoga isn’t just a practice,” said Malvika. “It’s a way of returning to yourself. Here at Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, with the sea breeze in your hair and the sound of the waves close by, even a few mindful stretches can feel like a profound reset. Nature supports the journey inward.”
The session drew participants from around the world, including both seasoned yoga enthusiasts and first-time practitioners. One guest shared, “I’ve done yoga before, but this was different—more peaceful, more connected. Doing sun salutations with the ocean in front of you and no distractions around is something I’ll carry with me long after I leave.”
Beyond marking the global celebration of yoga, the event showcased the resort’s ongoing commitment to wellness. Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives offers a variety of well-being experiences throughout the year, from early morning yoga flows and sunset meditations to personalised one-on-one sessions tailored to individual needs.
As holistic wellness continues to shape global travel trends, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives provides a distinctive retreat where guests can reconnect with themselves and the natural world—one breath at a time.
Featured
Sun Siyam Iru Veli debuts Wellness in Motion Week with beach runs and expert-led yoga

Sun Siyam Iru Veli recently hosted its inaugural ‘Wellness in Motion Week,’ welcoming guests, local wellness leaders, and global experts for a curated celebration of movement, mindfulness, and holistic reconnection in the heart of the Maldives. The week-long programme attracted over 150 participants, offering a series of transformative events aimed at promoting deeper wellbeing in harmony with nature.
To commemorate Global Wellness Day, the island held the first-ever Maldives Wellness Run in partnership with iRunners Maldives on June 14th. Set against the stunning backdrop of the shoreline, the 4-kilometre beach run featured over 85 guests and team members, who completed an invigorating course around the island. Embracing the theme #ReconnectMagenta, participants were encouraged to connect with themselves, their community, and the surrounding environment through intentional movement and breath.
Central to the week were intimate Mind & Body sessions led by two international wellness experts. Marina Violinha, a holistic women’s health and fitness specialist, conducted a sunset yoga session and an interactive talk at Magoodhoo Beach, guiding attendees in exploring feminine strength and emotional balance. Meanwhile, Shane Seery, an award-winning executive health coach, offered functional movement coaching on the resort’s tennis courts, combining personalised support with outdoor flow.
On June 20th, 88 team members took part in a sunrise yoga session led by the resort’s spa team. This gathering aligned with the global theme ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health,’ highlighting the resort’s commitment to wellbeing as a shared value among both staff and guests.
The week concluded on International Yoga Day (June 21st) with a serene sunrise yoga and wellness ceremony at Turtle Beach. Facing the Indian Ocean, participants welcomed the day in stillness and unity.
Through Wellness in Motion Week, Sun Siyam Iru Veli underscored its dedication to offering meaningful, restorative experiences where nature, culture, and conscious living converge. From sunrise yoga sessions and barefoot beach runs to expert-led coaching and immersive spa rituals, the resort continues to redefine island wellness and rejuvenation.
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