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Ocean Office, fitness overhaul, ‘Vacay PA’: Vakkaru Maldives takes care of mind, body, soul, business
Just because the office is out of bounds doesn’t mean you have to work from home!
Offering the service of a dedicated Vacay PA, a bespoke fitness and nutritional programme; tailored recreational activities, and an Ocean Office set-up that provides what might be the world’s most envy-inducing Zoom call backdrop, Vakkaru Maldives resort’s Work Well package is custom-made for remote workers who during this strange time want to better their business, mind, body and soul in a setting that is nothing short of remarkable.
Available to guests who book a stay at Vakkaru Maldives for 21 days or longer, each Work Well residency includes a complimentary upgrade to a bigger villa that will include a specially decorated study equipped with a printer and office supplies, but every new arrival can also expect special benefits that are adapted entirely to their needs.
Committed to setting new standards of considerate service and care in the Maldives through its industry-leading hospitality concept Vakkare, Vakkaru Maldives is dedicated to promoting wellbeing in all its forms, and so a complimentary, bespoke fitness programme will be developed for every Work Well guest.
Devised in collaboration with the resort’s wellness team, the unique fitness programme will offer up to an hour of complimentary personal training, meditation or yoga per day, alongside frequent (and free) tennis-coaching sessions by world-class coaches from Tipsarevic Luxury Tennis on the resort’s palm-fringed, cobalt-blue tennis courts.
Whether to shift excess Covid kilos, gain mental clarity, limber up or simply achieve the perfect serve, every Work Well arrival will be supported in achieving their own personal wellbeing and exercise goal when not getting down to business.
To make maintaining such virtuous habits as easy as can be during working hours, a Brain and Body Fuel pick-me-up will be provided to each Work Well guest every afternoon: again complimentary, this special delivery will be a constantly changing rotation of delicious, natural and healthy snacks and drinks. They might include mini fruit kebabs; oatmeal and peanut butter cookies; homemade granola; or vegan smoothies made with berries, banana, coconut milk and honey.
For those days dominated by looming deadlines, Vakkaru’s chefs can promptly prepare more substantial, reviving and off-menu room-service dishes perfect for fuss-free deskside dining.
For more practical considerations, guests can call on their personal Vacay PA to help with day-to-day tasks. Also trained to provide traditional butler services, they will be happy to print work documents, confirm flight arrangements, manage schedules, and assist with the organisation of meetings.
Should Work Well guests decide a change of scene might be in order, their Vacay PAs can also move their workplace from their private study to a tranquil Ocean Office, a WiFi-accessible outdoor outpost where the brilliant blues of the Indian Ocean provide the most uplifting backdrop and gently lapping waves serve as background music. For those who don’t mind irritating their colleagues back home, the setting provides a Zoom backdrop that is sure to draw awe-struck responses.
For meetings, workshops and brainstorming sessions held on the private island itself, colleagues and groups who book the Work Well offering in unison can convene at their own Beach Boardroom, a barefoot meeting quarter pitched in Vakkaru’s white-sand beaches. It gives new meaning to the concept of blue-sky thinking.
After another productive day of work and with their fitness and nutritional needs sated, Work Well guests will also find all manner of ways to roam and relax — and will even be able to add a few new hobbies, accolades and achievements to their lockdown LinkedIn profile.
Vakkaru Maldives stands in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that is home to mesmerising sea life, and the resort’s dive centre Splash offers diving courses with PADI-certified instructors for all levels.
An array of cooking classes, including a farm-to-table immersion held in the resort’s peaceful organic garden, will also be on offer.
To keep families entertained, Vacay PAs can arrange dolphin- and manta ray-watching cruises, family film nights complete with popcorn and homemade ice cream, and fun family sports days.
All those activities and amenities combined should ensure every Work Well guest’s job-satisfaction results reach stellar levels.
All of the benefits of the Work Well package are available on a complimentary basis for bookings lasting 21 days or longer, and the service can currently be combined with Vakkaru Maldives’ Escape Awaits reopening offer, which for a limited time provides a 40 per cent discount on accommodation alongside complimentary return transfers, daily breakfast and dinner, a complimentary spa treatment at the overwater Merana Spa, and a range of other extras.
Work Well rates start from $18,000 for 21 nights or from $25,000 for a month-long stay for two adults.
For reservations and general information, please visit vakkarumaldives.com or contact reservations@vakkarumaldives.com.
Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort has been nominated in both the Condé Nast Traveller (UK) and Condé Nast Traveler (US) Readers’ Choice Awards 2026, reflecting recognition across two of the travel industry’s established global platforms.
The annual awards highlight hospitality brands based on guest feedback, with nominations reflecting performance across areas such as service, design, wellness and overall guest experience.
Located within one of the Maldives’ larger resort lagoons, Sirru Fen Fushi is known for features including the Coralarium, an underwater art installation, as well as its approach to sustainability and wellness. The resort said the dual nomination reflects its continued focus on delivering guest experiences aligned with international expectations.
According to the property, its offering combines accommodation, dining and wellness programmes within a natural island setting, supported by service and curated activities.
In a statement, resort management said the nomination acknowledged both the contribution of its team and the support of its guests.
“We are honoured to be nominated in both editions of the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards,” the resort said. “This recognition is a testament to our dedicated team and the heartfelt support of our guests. We remain committed to creating experiences that resonate long after our guests return home.”
Voting for the Condé Nast Traveler (US) Readers’ Choice Awards and Condé Nast Traveller (UK) Readers’ Choice Awards is open until 30 June 2026.
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has introduced a new padel court as part of its ongoing development of wellness and recreational facilities, expanding its racquet sports offering alongside the existing tennis court at Vommuli House.
The addition reflects increasing global interest in padel and forms part of the resort’s approach to providing activity-based experiences for guests within its island setting. Located within landscaped surroundings, the court is available for both casual play and structured sessions, including coaching with a resident padel professional.
According to the resort, the facility is intended to cater to a range of skill levels and provides an option for guests seeking to incorporate physical activity into their stay.
The introduction of the padel court is part of a broader expansion of the resort’s wellness programme. Guests also have access to fitness and wellbeing activities including Tabata and boxing sessions, reformer Pilates, and guided yoga and meditation classes held at the Yoga Sala.
In addition, the resort has upgraded its fitness centre with equipment from Technogym, including the Artis Cardio, Skillrun and Strength series. The facility is designed to maximise natural light and views of the surrounding ocean environment.
The upgraded gym also includes the Technogym Checkup System, which provides assessments of body composition, posture and performance, allowing for the development of personalised fitness programmes for guests.
Through these additions, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort continues to expand its wellness and recreation offering, with a focus on integrating fitness, sport and wellbeing into the guest experience.
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The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort introduces Cargo dining concept with Diwali programme
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has introduced a Diwali-focused culinary programme centred on Indian Ocean cuisine, using the occasion to highlight the development of Cargo, its dining concept positioned around regional flavours and contemporary technique.
Rather than presenting Diwali as a standalone celebration, the resort has used the period to emphasise a broader culinary direction, with Cargo positioned as a platform for Indian Ocean gastronomy shaped by regional influences, ingredient-led cooking and modern interpretation.
Chef Surjan Singh, also known as Chef Jolly, was invited to collaborate on the initiative, bringing experience in Indian cuisine across international markets. The collaboration focused on developing a cuisine-led concept that draws on established techniques while adapting them for a global hospitality audience.
From 28 to 30 October 2026, Chef Jolly worked with the resort’s culinary team to refine and expand Cargo’s Indian menu. The focus was on creating a contemporary approach to Indian cuisine, using spice profiles and preparation methods that align with the venue’s positioning within the Indian Ocean context.
The result is a dining concept that combines Indian, Maldivian and Sri Lankan influences within a single menu structure. According to the resort, the aim is to balance familiarity and exploration, while maintaining consistency in technique and ingredient quality. Cargo is designed as a long-term addition to the resort’s dining portfolio, rather than a temporary concept linked to seasonal programming.
The initiative reflects a wider trend within luxury hospitality, where food and beverage offerings are increasingly used to establish brand identity and guest engagement beyond traditional event-based programming. At The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, Cargo forms part of this approach, with a focus on regional storytelling through cuisine.
The menu has been developed by Chef Jolly in collaboration with Executive Chef Christian Pedersen, combining regional Indian influences with contemporary presentation. The venue, set within the resort’s garden environment, is designed to offer an outdoor dining experience that aligns with the island setting.
As part of the Diwali programme, the resort has also introduced a series of dining and interactive experiences led by Chef Jolly. These include the Festival of Lights set menus at Cargo, featuring three-course and five-course options inspired by Indian culinary traditions, available from 28 October to 8 November 2026.
A Chef Jolly Wine Dinner will be held at Decanter on 29 October 2026, offering a six-course menu paired with selected wines in a private dining setting. In addition, a master cooking class will take place at ALBA on 30 October 2026, providing guests with an introduction to Indian cooking techniques and flavour development in a small-group format.
Chef Jolly, who has more than 30 years of experience and is known for his work with MasterChef India, brings a background that includes restaurant partnerships in markets such as London, Singapore and Qatar. His involvement is intended to support the development of a dining concept that integrates regional authenticity with contemporary hospitality expectations.
Through this Diwali-led programme and the continued development of Cargo, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is positioning Indian Ocean cuisine as a sustained part of its culinary offering, moving beyond seasonal activations towards a longer-term approach to destination dining.
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