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Crossroads Maldives offers in-villa coronavirus tests for safe return home

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Crossroads Maldives is going the extra mile by offering guests the chance to get tested for coronavirus in the comfort of their hotel room.

With two of its fabulous resorts — SAii Lagoon Maldives and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives — back up and running, the first and largest integrated leisure and lifestyle destination in Maldives has recently introduced PCR exit screening without having to travel out of the resorts and visit a testing facility.

Thanks to its well-equipped clinic with a doctor and nurse based at The Marina at Crossroads, you can completely unwind knowing that you will have everything you need to safely return home.

Priced at $162 per person, the test can be carried out at the clinic or in your villa and then will be sent to capital Male for analysis. Samples will be collected 72 hours prior to departure.

Test results will be sent via email and delivered straight to your room.

SAii Lagoon Maldives. PHOTO/ S HOTELS

This new service will make it easier for guests who require Covid-19 test results for their return home.

For instance, travellers returning to the United Arab Emirates are now required to carry a negative Covid-19 PCR test result. The test must be taken a maximum of 96 hours before departure.

Hard Rock Hotel Maldives. PHOTO/ S HOTELS

Maldives lifted all Covid-19 related travel restrictions on July 15, requiring only a health declaration form from international travellers. There is no mandatory quarantine or testing on arrival.

Crossroads Maldives is committed to provide its guests with an enhanced hygiene and safety programme, which is in line with guidance from the World Health Organisation, as well as local and international tourism and health authorities. The Crossroads Safe, Healthy Relax Manifest allows guests to enjoy unforgettable experiences curated in a safe environment.

Hard Rock Hotel Maldives’ safety and hygiene practices are amplified by the new SAFE+SOUND programme from Hard Rock International, in partnership with Ecolab and NSF.

SAii Lagoon Maldives follows Hilton CleanStay practices with guidance from experts at the Mayo Clinic’s Infection Prevention and Control team.

Hard Rock Hotel Maldives. PHOTO/ S HOTELS

Nestled within the exquisite Emboodhoo Lagoon, just 15 minutes by boat from the main Velana International Airport, the game-changing new retreats offer a myriad of immersive experiences.

Whether it is a family seeking bonding time, a small group of friends in search of an upbeat get-together, a cool couple who wants to rock out in style, or a company that wish to bond with staff in a refreshing way, Crossroads customises memorable island experiences while ensuring space, privacy and safety.

With maximum flexibility, the two resorts at Crossroads Maldives are offering irresistible “Stay 3 Pay 2” packages, allowing guests to purchase vouchers that can be redeemed any time before October 31, 2021 with an attractive free night for each consecutive two nights stayed.

Perfect for those who want to travel but not sure when, this offer also comes with a maximum flexibility on reservation changes and cancellations up to 24 hours before arrival time.

The package is available across several room types starting at $550 net with a value of $800 for SAii Lagoon Maldives and at $650 net for a value of $1,000 for Hard Rock Hotel Maldives. A credit of $100 will be offered on top when staying five nights and more.

SAii Lagoon Maldives. PHOTO/ S HOTELS

Complimentary activities such as sunrise yoga, coral propagation programme, aqua gym and cocktail class are offered at SAii Lagoon Maldives.

Besides many attractive activities such as aerial acrobatics, self-defence and Jiu-jitsu classes, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives also comes with the Signature Sound of Your Stay programme allowing guests to borrow, on complimentary basis, Crosley turn tables to curate their holiday soundtracks or a Fender Electric Guitar from an exquisite guitar menu.

For the ultimate privacy, or to host destination weddings and events at both resorts, the entire island is now available for rent at $35,000 net per night inclusive of up to 50 rooms. With the Buy-Out Package, groups will be exclusively hosted on the entire island.

The package includes breakfast, lunch and dinner in resort restaurants throughout the stay, non-alcoholic drinks during meals, exclusive return speedboat transfers from Velana International Airport, and a variety of exciting signature group bonding activities with a private coach.

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Grand Park Kodhipparu highlights manta ray conservation on World Manta Day

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Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives marked World Manta Day with a series of activities aimed at raising awareness about the importance of manta ray conservation and the threats these marine species face from international trade, overfishing, plastic pollution and habitat destruction.

The resort organised painting workshops where guests were invited to illustrate their impressions of manta rays and their underwater environment, fostering a connection with marine life through art. Using shimmering glitters, participants recreated the elegance and grace of manta rays, while others crafted large-scale designs on the beach, turning the shoreline into a visual tribute to the creatures.

As part of its commitment to environmental education, the resort released a special video highlighting the feeding habits, defence strategies and reproductive behaviours of manta rays. The video serves as an educational resource, reinforcing the significance of marine conservation through scientific understanding and community engagement.

Citra Suriah, Marketing Director of Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives, said the resort would continue to provide opportunities for guests to learn about and advocate for collective responsibility in protecting the ocean.

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Halloween and Autumn celebrations at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

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The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, is preparing to welcome guests to a week-long Autumn Festival with Halloween-themed celebrations running from 30 October to 5 November. The programme features a variety of activities designed for families, couples, and individual travellers, with events ranging from treasure hunts and creative workshops to wellness sessions and exclusive dining experiences.

The celebrations begin on 30 October with a beachside Tabata workout followed by a pumpkin carving workshop at La Locanda. Activities for children and teens include the Magic of Mantas virtual reality exploration, Haunted Brick Builders, and the Autumn Costume Fashion Show. Parents are invited to a cocktail gathering on the shore before the evening concludes with a Culinary Maestro dinner by Michelin-starred Chef Max Strohe, as part of the resort’s Masters of Crafts series.

On 31 October, guests may join a morning Dynamic Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden or take part in a turtle snorkelling excursion. Children between four and twelve are encouraged to join the Flying Fox Quest, a Halloween-themed nature walk, while older children embark on an Island Treasure Quest. Seasonal workshops such as wreath decoration and creative pumpkin carving are available, and the day concludes with a Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt across the island and a Halloween Feast at La Locanda.

As the week progresses, the festival highlights wellness and creativity. Under the Masters of Crafts programme, mobility coach Anthony Green will host sessions on posture, flexibility, and spinal health. Seasonal crafts for younger guests include galaxy-themed pumpkin art, Halloween decorations, wand-making, and mask workshops. Family activities extend to Autumn Carnival Stalls, Magic Hat bowling, and themed cooking sessions. Evening entertainment includes a magic show, a piñata party, and further culinary experiences led by Chef Max Strohe.

The festival concludes on 5 November with a Vinsaya Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden, an art class featuring batfish designs on tote bags, and a children’s treasure hunt. Families are invited to join the Boos and Brews Halloween Dhoni Cruise before the celebrations end with a Luxury Sunset Cruise.

Through this programme, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, combines seasonal festivities with wellness, creativity, and gastronomy, offering guests a diverse celebration of autumn and Halloween in the Maldives.

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Soneva Fushi awarded SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality 2025

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Soneva Fushi, situated within the Maldives’ Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, has been named winner of the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award as part of The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025. The accolade is one of two special awards announced ahead of the official ceremony on 30 October. The award is based on votes from more than 800 members of the Academy, who were asked to identify the hotel where they experienced their single-best hospitality moment within the two-year voting period.

The award recognises the quality of service that ensures guests feel cared for throughout their stay. It celebrates the work of a property and its entire team, acknowledging excellence in areas ranging from reception and housekeeping to amenities and food and beverage services. Voters were asked to consider ambience, unique experiential elements, and the warmth of the hospitality on offer.

Soneva Fushi, the original Soneva resort and regarded as the model for barefoot luxury, is located on one of the Maldives’ largest and least developed islands. The resort comprises 71 private villas, either set amidst dense jungle or positioned above the ocean. Guests are invited to embrace a slower pace of life, with experiences ranging from deserted island picnics and wellness treatments at Soneva Soul to curated events under the Soneva Stars calendar.

Emma Sleight, Head of Content for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, said: “This award celebrates the foundation of hospitality and honours the emotional connection that guests have with a hotel and its team. For three decades, Soneva Fushi has been delivering memorable service at the highest level that puts the guest at the heart of every interaction. A mainstay of The World’s 50 Best Hotels list since the awards’ inception, Soneva Fushi is a worthy winner of the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award, setting a benchmark of all-encompassing excellence one stay at a time.”

Each villa offers extensive indoor and outdoor living space, private pools and ocean views. A distinctive feature of the resort is its Barefoot Guardians – dedicated butlers assigned to each villa to provide personalised service. Available at all times, they arrange every aspect of the guest experience, from zipline adventures and snorkelling at Hanifaru Bay to stargazing at the observatory or dining in one of 14 restaurants. The Barefoot Guardians also manage the Soneva Stars calendar, which hosts international chefs, wellness specialists and sporting figures.

Antony Paton, General Manager of Soneva Fushi, said: “This award belongs to the entire team at Soneva Fushi. It is a reflection of our shared purpose to create moments of joy, connection and wonder every single day. Being recognised by The World’s 50 Best Hotels affirms that the quiet magic we strive for is not only felt by our guests, but remembered. And that, to us, is the greatest reward.”

Giancarlo Mancino, Chief Executive Officer of SeiBellissimi, added: “At Soneva Fushi, hospitality is a seamless extension of a lifestyle deeply rooted in sustainability, wellness and mindful luxury. Founded with a slow life philosophy, every experience here is a tribute to living in harmony with nature, honouring health-conscious principles, and crafting each moment with genuine care. This devotion to sustainable elegance and the art of well-being is the perfect mirror of SeiBellissimi’s own values: Italian craftsmanship, conviviality, and a respect for quality that goes beyond the ordinary.”

The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025 ceremony will take place at Old Billingsgate in London on Thursday 30 October, where Soneva Fushi will formally receive the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award.

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