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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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Malaa – The Maldivian Café: NH Kuda Rah’s new culinary jewel

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NH Maldives Kuda Rah has announced the launch of its newest food and beverage outlet, Malaa – The Maldivian Café. Now open to guests, the café offers a taste of authentic Maldivian cuisine alongside interactive Maldivian cooking classes.

Guests staying at NH Maldives Kuda Rah can delve into the country’s rich culinary traditions with guidance from award-winning Executive Chef Farish Mukhthar. With over 22 years of experience in the hospitality and culinary industries across five-star and ultra-luxury resorts in the Maldives, Chef Farish brings a deep-rooted passion and refined expertise to the resort. Trained under renowned European celebrity chefs, he has earned a strong reputation for his culinary artistry.

The café focuses exclusively on authentic Maldivian dishes, using locally sourced ingredients from nearby islands as well as the chef’s own garden within the resort. Cooking classes offer guests the opportunity to prepare classic Maldivian dishes, such as curry and local salads, under the guidance of Chef Farish—culminating in a delicious homemade lunch.

As fish (both fresh and smoked) is the staple of the Maldivian diet, it is often prepared with coconut and rice or roshi (Maldivian flatbread). Other traditional ingredients include breadfruit and sweet potato—versatile and starchy staples that feature in a wide range of local dishes. The cuisine is often boldly spiced, with the fiery Scotch bonnet chilli, locally known as githeyo mirus, playing a central role. This essential chilli, along with herbs grown organically in the resort’s garden, imparts a distinctive heat and fruity flavour to many Maldivian dishes.

While many resorts in the Maldives offer a wide array of international cuisine—ranging from Italian and Japanese to French and Indian—the opportunity to savour authentic local flavours can be one of the most memorable aspects of travel. Malaa – The Maldivian Café provides a unique and immersive dining experience for those curious about Maldivian culinary heritage and the fascinating stories behind its traditional ingredients.

This initiative is part of NH Hotels & Resorts’ broader effort to connect guests with meaningful local experiences through its Live Local programme, under the Minor DISCOVERY loyalty scheme. The programme is designed to offer curated, immersive activities and authentic cultural encounters, allowing guests to engage more deeply with their destination.

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Madifushi Private Island makes impact at ILTM Asia Pacific 2025

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Madifushi Private Island has announced its successful participation in the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Asia Pacific 2025, which took place from 30 June to 3 July at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore.

ILTM Asia Pacific is an exclusive, invitation-only luxury travel event, recognised for bringing together the world’s foremost luxury travel advisors, high-end hospitality brands, and experience curators. The event serves as a key platform for forging meaningful connections and crafting bespoke itineraries for high-net-worth individuals across the Asia Pacific region.

As Madifushi Private Island continues to position itself at the pinnacle of luxury, its presence at this esteemed event offered a strategic opportunity to present the resort’s distinctive offerings to a targeted audience of industry professionals and media. Delegates at ILTM engaged in pre-scheduled one-to-one appointments, networking sessions, and educational forums with some of the most influential figures in the luxury travel sector.

Ali Shakir, Group General Manager of MIC Group, commented, “Our participation in ILTM Asia Pacific reflects our commitment to sustained growth and excellence within the luxury travel sphere. This platform enables us to connect with the right partners to attract discerning travellers to Madifushi, ensuring that our brand repositioning truly reflects our luxury potential.”

Ibrahim Inad, Commercial Director of MIC Group, added, “It was an honour to represent Madifushi Private Island at ILTM Asia Pacific this year. Being among prestigious luxury brands and esteemed advisors reaffirmed our dedication to redefining the Maldivian luxury experience, while upholding authentic hospitality and personalised service.”

Throughout the event, Madifushi Private Island showcased its tailored experiences, bespoke services, refined culinary offerings, and unspoilt natural surroundings — all of which resonate with the evolving preferences of the luxury traveller in the Asia Pacific region.

Participation in ILTM Asia Pacific 2025 represents a key milestone in Madifushi Private Island’s journey to broaden its presence within the global luxury travel arena. The resort aims to foster strong partnerships with leading travel advisors and agencies, welcoming a new wave of discerning visitors to the Maldives.

Located in the tranquil Meemu Atoll, Madifushi Private Island is an elegant retreat offering carefully curated luxury experiences rooted in authentic Maldivian hospitality. Set amidst the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, the island is a sanctuary for those in search of serenity, bespoke services, and transformative moments.

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Jesse Mendes to ride at 2025 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing showdown

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Brazilian surf icon Jesse Mendes has been confirmed as one of the competitors for the 2025 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy. A former contender on the Championship Tour and winner of the 2018 Triple Crown of Surfing, Mendes is set to bring his trademark power, fluid style, and love of alternative boards to the prestigious event held at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa.

Mendes expressed his excitement at the invitation, recalling a moment with fellow Brazilian surfer Adriano de Souza, who had previously received his own call-up to the event. Mendes recounted how de Souza had eagerly accepted the invitation on the spot, not wanting to give Four Seasons a chance to reconsider—a testament to the event’s reputation among professional surfers. Now, Mendes is preparing for his own turn in the lineup and is eager for what lies ahead.

The Surfing Champions Trophy is renowned for its distinctive format, inviting six elite surfers to compete on single fin, twin fin, and thruster (tri-fin) boards across three rounds, before a grand final in which they choose their preferred board to battle for the title. With heats staggered by age and a handpicked field of legends, the event offers a blend of competitive intensity and playful camaraderie, set against the backdrop of some of the world’s most perfect waves.

At 31, Mendes built his competitive career on his dynamic rail work and comfort in heavy barrels. Since stepping back from the professional circuit, he has turned his attention to the more expressive side of surfing, favouring twin fins and riding boards shaped by Album Surfboards. He shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming twin fin division and revealed that he has been collaborating with shaper Matt Parker—who has crafted boards for past Surfing Champions Trophy competitors Josh Kerr and Coco Ho—to prepare for the contest. Confident in Parker’s expertise, Mendes joked that his only job now is to surf.

Beyond the waves, Mendes is also looking forward to the full experience at Kuda Huraa. Having visited the Maldives before, he is relishing the opportunity to return and surf pristine waves in an intimate and relaxed competition format. He spoke warmly of the luxury offered by Four Seasons, especially the prospect of long surf sessions followed by world-class dining with his wife on a secluded island paradise.

The Surfing Champions Trophy is as celebrated for its setting as for its surfing. From the flawless right-handers of nearby Sultans to the lush tropical charm of Kuda Huraa, the event offers an unforgettable experience for both participants and guests. Those staying at the resort during the tournament can watch the action up close from luxury surf vessels anchored at the lineup.

With Jesse Mendes and Craig Anderson now confirmed, anticipation is mounting for this year’s showdown. Three additional international invitees and one Maldivian wildcard are set to be announced soon.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa is also inviting guests to embrace the spirit of surfing with the Surf’s Up package. Combining expert coaching from Tropicsurf professionals with guided surf excursions to iconic local breaks, the package offers a complete surf lifestyle experience. Guests can enjoy daily yoga sessions, a soothing massage at The Island Spa, breakfast each morning, round-trip speedboat transfers, and premium surf equipment—all from the comfort of the resort’s idyllic island setting.

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