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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.
ELE|NA has been named Leading Wellness and Spa Brand at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, recognising the Maldives-based wellness brand’s contributions to the hospitality and wellness industry across the region.
The recognition comes as wellness continues to become an integral part of luxury hospitality, with ELE|NA working alongside resort partners to develop and operate wellness facilities that combine therapeutic experiences, trained professionals and operational expertise.
Guided by its Wellness Your Way™ philosophy, ELE|NA incorporates wellness into different aspects of the guest experience. Its six Pillars of Vitality – TouchFlow, ReFine, BodyFit, SoulVibe, SleepSync and FoodDelight – encompass therapeutic treatments, physical activity, emotional wellbeing, restorative sleep and nutrition. The framework allows individual resorts to develop wellness programmes tailored to their locations and guest preferences.
In addition to providing wellness experiences, ELE|NA works with hospitality partners on concept development, spa operations, therapist training and service delivery. Its operational model combines the individual characteristics of each resort with standardised systems and procedures aimed at maintaining service consistency across its properties.
Sustainability also forms part of the brand’s operations. All ELE|NA properties in the Maldives have received Platinum Sustainable Wellness Accreditation, recognising their approach to responsible spa operations, environmental management and community wellbeing.
The brand also invests in professional development through the ELE|NA Wellness Academy, which provides training programmes for therapists and wellness professionals. The academy combines traditional therapeutic practices, practical training and contemporary wellness knowledge to support professional development and strengthen service standards across the industry.
The recognition at SATA 2026 comes as ELE|NA continues to expand its operations beyond the Maldives, extending its wellness concepts and services into India, Nepal and other emerging hospitality destinations.
With wellness increasingly influencing travellers’ accommodation choices and holiday experiences, ELE|NA continues to focus on integrating wellness services into resort operations while supporting the development of trained professionals and sustainable practices within the hospitality sector.
Milaidhoo Maldives is set to welcome award-winning chef James Knight-Paccheco, widely known as Chef JKP, on 11 and 12 December 2026 for two culinary events focusing on cooking techniques, culinary experiences and the exploration of new flavours.
On 11 December, Chef JKP will conduct a culinary workshop, offering guests the opportunity to cook alongside him, learn professional techniques and exchange ideas in the kitchen. The following evening, he will host a wine-pairing dinner featuring dishes prepared in his signature style, accompanied by wines selected by the resort’s resident sommelier to complement each course.
With more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Chef JKP has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury hotels and restaurant projects across the UK and the Middle East. Throughout his career, he has worked alongside renowned chefs including Raymond Blanc, Gordon Ramsay and Michael Caines. He is also the creator and host of The Chef JKP Podcast, which has recorded more than 6.5 million downloads.
At Milaidhoo Maldives, the culinary experience draws inspiration from the island’s surroundings, Maldivian flavours and traditional cooking methods, combined with international influences introduced by the resort’s team of chefs. This approach encourages the exchange of culinary knowledge and techniques, allowing guests to explore local dishes, learn new cooking methods and engage with the chefs responsible for their dining experiences.
Located within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Milaidhoo offers a setting where dining experiences focus on personalised service and interaction between guests and culinary professionals. Chef JKP’s visit is intended to provide guests with opportunities to engage directly with the visiting chef, gain insights into his approach to cooking and experience his culinary creations.
The culinary workshop will take place on 11 December 2026, followed by the wine-pairing dinner on 12 December 2026.
Reethi Faru Resort has welcomed the festive season with its annual Fruit Mixing Ceremony, marking the beginning of a programme of celebrations, activities and experiences for guests visiting the resort during the Christmas and New Year period.
The resort has prepared a series of festive events and activities catering to guests of different ages and interests. Families will have the opportunity to participate in Christmas tree decorating, creative workshops and gingerbread house making, while couples can enjoy evening walks along beaches decorated with festive lights.
The festive programme will include a Christmas dinner and a New Year’s Eve gala, followed by a DJ party to welcome 2027. Guests will also be able to participate in coral planting activities alongside a marine biologist, providing an opportunity to learn about the island’s marine ecosystem and contribute to conservation efforts.
For guests seeking relaxation, the resort will offer yoga sessions and spa treatments, while those interested in outdoor activities can participate in water sports, island excursions, sports challenges and PADI diving experiences conducted by certified instructors.
Other events scheduled during the festive period include Reethi Faru Resort’s anniversary celebration, a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and the arrival of Santa Claus. The programme will also feature live music, Maldivian cultural performances, outdoor movie nights and a selection of dining experiences.
According to the resort, the festive programme has been designed to bring together traditional Christmas and New Year celebrations with activities that highlight the Maldives’ natural environment and cultural heritage.
Through its combination of festive events, recreational activities, marine conservation initiatives and dining experiences, Reethi Faru Resort aims to provide guests with opportunities to celebrate the holiday season while experiencing island life in the Maldives.
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