Featured
Veligandu Island Resort gets facelift ahead of Sept reopening

The global novel coronavirus outbreak has evolved from one of general alerts and watchfulness to an escalating public health issue. This crisis forced Veligandu Island Resort & Spa, like its peers in the Crown & Champa Resorts portfolio and many others across the world, to close down resort operations for the past few months.
But the management at Veligandu took it as an advantage to give the team a time off from work and spend some quality time with their family, relatives and friends. Some team members also remained on the island to look after the secluded haven, and had completed some repairs and maintenance work.
They managed to renovate most of the resort facilities and few minor repairs around the island, especially a new landscaping throughout the island creating a vista with more greenery and exotic blooms, which looks stunning.
The resort team is now fully ready to welcome guests to a safe and comfortable environment, from September 1.
“We are confident and have no doubt that all our guests will enjoy their anecdote at our forevermore secluded haven even under new normal operation guideline,” General Manager Fathuhulla Ibrahim said, in a message ahead of the reopening.
Safe holiday experience
A well trained Crown & Champa Resorts airport representative will receive you and provide guidelines through the airport journey until the seaplane transfer.
The seaplane operator, Trans Maldivian Airways, strictly follows the required guidelines from the government authorities. A safe physical distance between guests will be maintained while seated and the seats will be disinfected after each transfer.
Your designated island host will assist you upon arrival to the resort following the internal resort operation and local government guideline to operate during the ‘new normal’ without compromising any service standard and the true Veligandu hospitality.
In the main restaurant, Dhonveli, waiters will serve your selected food directly on to your table from a carefully-developed buffet with live cooking stations. In addition, the guest experience has been enhanced with the addition of two BBQ beach dinner and one theme night on the beach per week under the weekly dinner schedule.
In order to assure safety, only a limited number of guests will be confirmed to enjoy the facilities at once; like at Madivaru Restaurant, the spa and on excursions.
You can download the resort’s mobile application, which will be launched at the end of August, so that you can view all the menus and book all the desired services, offerings or any other request before your arrival.
Internationally approved chemicals are used to disinfect and clean all areas and the highest standard of hygienic protocols are implemented across the services provided by strictly observing the required health protection agency guidelines. Sanitising dispensers are placed at the entrance of all facilities including public toilets and public areas.
A well-established and trained medical team is available on the island to ensure the well-being of each guest in corporation with the health protection agency.
For a hassle-free holiday, the resort is offering complimentary PCR testing for guests who stay for more than seven nights and has a compulsory requirement by the airline or home country. Each PCR test will be conducted by the resort’s well-trained medical team on the island and test result will be sent to the guest prior to their departure.
Resort operations will continue as normal as possible with safety protocols in place and maintaining safe physical distance between guests.
The resort staff continue to receive comprehensive training with the guidance of established, accredited international partners to assure the highest and latest standards are understood and followed.
“With these safety guidelines in place, guests can confidently start packing their bags and trust to have a safe holiday experience in paradise,” Ibrahim said.
“We all look forward to our valued guests to stay with us, enjoying true Maldivian hospitality, making their story of a one resort one island a meaningful experience. We are ardently waiting to welcome you for an indelible tale at your forevermore secluded haven.”
Veligandu, surrounded by a beautiful lagoon and a long stretch of white sandy beach, is the only resort on the island of Veligandu in North Ari Atoll. The resort, which is accessible by a scenic 20-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport, has 91 rooms, including 54 Jacuzzi Water Villas, 10 Water Villas, 16 Jacuzzi Beach Villas and 11 Beach Villas.
Veligandu offers one of the best value all-inclusive packages in the Maldives, whether you’re looking for peace and tranquillity for quiet walks along the beach, a place to sip champagne and celebrate your love, or to indulge in an intimate meal under the stars.
Veligandu is offering a host of offers for your Maldives holiday in 2020 and 2021. For more information and bookings, please visit www.veligandu.com.
Cooking
Malaa – The Maldivian Café: NH Kuda Rah’s new culinary jewel

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.
Featured
Madifushi Private Island makes impact at ILTM Asia Pacific 2025

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.
Action
Jesse Mendes to ride at 2025 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing showdown

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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