For the second consecutive year, ELE|NA has been honoured with a nomination as Maldives’ Best Wellness Retreat at the prestigious World Spa Awards 2025. Set within the idyllic surrounds of OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, ELE|NA continues to redefine the art of well-being with its signature philosophy: Wellness Your Way™.

An embodiment of tranquillity and transformation, ELE|NA invites each guest to discover their own rhythm of renewal—where wellness is not a destination, but a way of life.

At the heart of ELE|NA lies a commitment to deeply personalised wellness, guided by three distinct archetypes:

• Wellness Seeker – A graceful introduction to holistic well-being, offering guests a curated taste of treatments, movement, and mindfulness.
• Wellness Rendezvous – Designed for those weaving wellness into leisure, this archetype offers 2–3 hours of rejuvenating therapies, complemented by dedicated wellness menus across every dining outlet.
• Wellness Rejuvenation – A transformative retreat crafted with intention. From pre-arrival consultations with a resident wellness practitioner to immersive days spent in a private sanctuary, this is a journey of reconnection, reflection, and renewal.

ELE|NA’s spirit is captured through five signature therapies:

• OceanFlow – A harmonious full-body ritual inspired by the natural rhythms of the sea. This flowing treatment invites deep restoration through gentle waves of movement and mindful touch, reconnecting body and breath.
• Philosophia Botanica – Rooted in the wisdom of Eastern traditions and enriched with artisanal botanicals, this elegant facial ceremony rebalances the skin and spirit through ancient face-mapping techniques and botanical alchemy.
• Sound Healing Journey – Using vibrational frequencies from singing bowls, gongs, and chimes, this meditative session guides guests into a state of inner harmony. A deeply immersive therapy designed to balance energy, quiet the mind, and restore emotional clarity.
• Ayurvedic Rituals – Grounded in the timeless principles of Ayurveda, these personalised treatments—ranging from soothing Abhyanga massages to balancing Shirodhara—are curated by the resident Ayurvedic doctor to nurture inner vitality and restore elemental balance.
• Intuitive Massage – Guided by instinct and experience rather than routine, this deeply attuned massage allows the therapist to respond to the body’s subtle cues—delivering a personalised, soul-soothing therapy that addresses both physical tension and emotional energy.

In partnership with Muhdo, ELE|NA offers the DNA Health Test Kit—an innovative tool that unlocks personalised insights to craft a wellness path aligned with each guest’s genetic blueprint. This union of science and soul ensures each journey is not only meaningful but deeply relevant.

Drawing inspiration from the Five Elements, ELE|NA’s culinary approach is a celebration of mindful nourishment. Seasonal ingredients and balanced flavours meet in a sensorial journey that nourishes body and mind—where each bite is a gesture of self-care and joyful indulgence.

Voting for the 2025 World Spa Awards opens from 28 May to 5 August 2025. The global community is invited to support ELE|NA and help bring this prestigious award home by casting votes at: Vote Now.

“To be recognised two years in a row is a tribute to the team’s passion for transforming lives through wellness,” says Heidi Grimwood, Vice President of ELE|NA. “At ELE|NA, the focus is not on offering a one-size-fits-all retreat. Instead, each guest’s uniqueness is celebrated through meaningful, tailored journeys that honour their lifestyle, pace, and purpose.”

Patina Maldives and The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, have partnered to launch the inaugural Fari Islands Festival – a celebration of culture, creativity, and conscious living – taking place from 19-22 September 2025. This first edition will bring together internationally renowned contemporary creatives and thought leaders, including Canadian poet and illustrator Rupi Kaur, British DJ Kim Turnbull, and Tokyo-born fine food movement Wagyumafia. The Fari Islands Festival is set to establish itself as a distinctive new moment on the Indian Ocean’s cultural calendar.

This unique collaboration unites two leading resorts in a shared commitment to fostering an inspired and mindful Maldivian experience, set within the serene and forward-thinking Fari Islands archipelago.

Designed not as a spectacle but as an experience of resonance and reflection, the Fari Islands Festival invites discerning guests to immerse themselves in a world of ideas and artistry.

The four-day programme has been thoughtfully curated to offer guests opportunities to connect with contemporary thought leaders, creators, and innovators in immersive, considered, and wholly original ways.

• Creative Artistry: Internationally celebrated poet Rupi Kaur will lead the festival’s creative discourse, delivering a series of intimate readings and reflective dialogues that explore language, emotion, and personal truth.
• Body, Mind, and Soul: The Bamford Experience, hosted by wellness expert CJ Jones-Leake alongside sustainability advocate and former professional athlete Anthony Mullally, offers a daily rhythm of grounding rituals, including breathwork, movement, and integrative therapies.
• Nature Amplified: National Geographic Explorer and shark scientist Gibbs Kuguru, in partnership with the Olive Ridley Project, will guide a series of explorations designed to deepen awareness of the Maldives’ marine ecosystems. Guests will be invited into a renewed relationship with the ocean through guided snorkelling trips, conservation workshops, and reflective discussions.
• Sonic Immersion: British DJ and creative force Kim Turnbull will curate the island’s sonic identity, shaping ambient soundscapes and live performances that align with the gentle cadence of the natural environment.
• Culinary Exploration: Gastronomy will become performance with Wagyu Mafia’s celebrated Kobe beef ritual, presented through a limited series of curated dinners. Meanwhile, award-winning cocktail studio Nutmeg and Clove will reimagine the island’s bar culture through sensorial storytelling and spirited artistry.

The festival will be hosted across the Fari Islands, a rare example of architectural clarity and community-led design. At the heart of the archipelago lies Fari Marina Village, a shared destination that seamlessly connects both resorts through curated experiences in dining, design, and the arts.

The Fari Islands is the only destination in the Maldives where two distinct resort philosophies coexist in effortless harmony. Patina Maldives embodies transformative luxury and artistic curiosity, encouraging guests to look beyond the moment and create lasting memories. In gentle contrast, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives embodies heritage, craft, and natural flow, guided by the principle of the Circle of Life.

Together, the two resorts offer a fluid experience of rare depth, inviting guests to cross between both resorts and engage in a dynamic yet intimate cultural programme crafted to nourish both inner and outer worlds.

According to Anthony Gill, General Manager of Patina Maldives, “Patina Maldives was created as a place of purposeful presence, where guests are invited not only to passively experience but to participate. This festival extends that vision, encouraging guests to connect actively and meaningfully with ideas, artists, and the natural world.”

Oscar Posta, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, adds, “At The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, we honour the rhythm of nature and the richness of human connection. The Fari Islands Festival reflects that ethos, a gathering where culture, creativity, and community come together with intention. It is an invitation to slow down, to listen deeply, and to be moved by the beauty of meaningful exchange.”

In celebration of World Cocktail Day (May 13), Mercure Maldives Kooddoo has introduced ‘The Art of Tea,’ a curated menu of tea-infused cocktails crafted in collaboration with Art of Tea, the award-winning luxury tea brand founded by renowned Master Tea Blender and CEO Steve Schwartz.

This exclusive menu seamlessly blends organic small-batch teas with premium spirits and island-inspired ingredients, offering guests a slow, sensory cocktail experience.

Art of Tea is internationally recognised for its dedication to organic sourcing, sustainable practices, and hand-blended selections that honour both ancient traditions and modern wellness principles. While its teas are available throughout the day at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo, the new cocktail collection adds a fresh layer of discovery.

Steve Schwartz, Founder and Master Tea Blender at Art of Tea, explained, “At Art of Tea, we believe in the transformative power of tea. Bringing our handcrafted blends into the cocktail experience at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo is an invitation for guests to explore tea in a new, sensory way — where tradition meets innovation in every sip.”

Tea-based cocktails are not merely a twist on the familiar; they represent a transformation. The inclusion of tea introduces natural complexity, depth of flavour, and subtle health benefits, resulting in drinks that are both sophisticated and refreshing. Each blend offers unique tasting notes, ranging from floral to smoky, spicy to citrusy, balancing seamlessly with spirits and house-made syrups.

Featured Cocktails from The Art of Tea Menu

• Coco Bloom – White coconut tea, rum, Malibu, coconut and strawberry syrup, lemon juice
• Velvet Noir – Dark chocolate peppermint tea, vodka, triple sec, mojito syrup, lemon
• Sunrise Spiritz – Bright Eyed tea, gin, triple sec, lemon juice, sugar syrup
• Masala Mule – Masala chai tea, Armagnac, triple sec, sugar syrup, lemon
• Mint Mirage – Pacific Mint tea, beer, blue curaçao, mojito syrup, lemon
• Grey Royale – Earl Grey tea, whisky, cucumber and mojito syrup, lemon juice

Whether guests are sipping Velvet Noir at sunset, enjoying Coco Bloom under the palms, or winding down the day with Earl Grey and whisky, The Art of Tea menu offers an elegant way to pause, reflect, and experience something new, all with the Indian Ocean as a backdrop.