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Live, work, thrive with Banyan Tree’s multi-destination extended stay programme Habitat
“We all have certain habitat needs for the conditions where we can thrive.”
With the rise of remote working and post-Covid changes in consumer travel patterns, Banyan Tree Group has announced the launch of Habitat – offering a new way of living, working and travelling in one.
Habitat enables guests to enjoy long-term stays at properties in more than 30 destinations around the globe under Banyan Tree Group’s house of brands: Banyan Tree, Angsana and Cassia.
With greater flexibility and the possibility of experiencing multiple destinations with a single pass, Habitat inspires a different travel journey, meeting consumers’ evolving travel needs in the new normal.
Habitat caters to seasonal travellers in search of picturesque destinations, families yearning for a long-overdue vacation, or combining it all – remote workers keen to experience the freedom of working and exploring the world at the same time.
With a Habitat Pass, guests can book their stays in ‘units’ of seven nights, with the choice to hop from one property to another within the same brands in different locations.
In addition, savings increase up to 60 per cent with each additional unit purchased, where each unit can be redeemed at a different property during the period of their stay.
Each pass is valid for 12 months and guests may book up to 4 units per brand, ranging from seven to 28 nights’ stay, with the flexibility to redeem each unit at a different time.
As part of the Habitat offering, travellers are given credits of up to $700 based on the number of units purchased, which can be used across multiple inclusions, such as F&B, spa, wellness activities, and airport transfers.
Other inclusions catering to extended stay traveller needs are of course, free breakfast, Wi-Fi for business needs and 24-hour fitness centres in most properties to help guests maintain fitness routines while travelling.
New exciting features and inclusions will be rolled out based on evolving guest needs as we invite travellers to share their travel wish lists and help us create their perfect habitat.
With domestic tourism fuelling a significant recovery, domestic travellers have the opportunity to discover hidden cultural gems within their country, with a choice of nine Banyan Tree Hotels in China and four in Thailand. When international travel reopens, guests may travel to properties across China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Morocco, Thailand and Vietnam.
With a combination of comfort, connectivity, and security while working remotely at secluded resorts, either in nature havens or in the city, Habitat aims to redefine travel, offering a new way of living, working and travelling.
“We are delighted to launch Habitat, a brand new way of extended stay, across the Banyan Tree Group of hotels, around the world. We recognise that travelling needs have changed; Habitat provides our guests with the flexibility across our different brands, stay periods and amenities,” Rosalynn Tay, Senior Vice President for Commercial at Banyan Tree Group, said.
“Our properties are natural sanctuaries, always safe and staying relevant. I believe that many different travellers, international and domestic, will find a suitable Habitat in our family of brands.”

All three Banyan Tree Group properties in Maldives — Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Angsana Ihuru in North Male Atoll, and Angsana Velavaru in Dhaalu atoll — are available under the Habitat programme.
Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru opened its door in 1995 and is the first international chain resort in the Maldives. With just 48 pool villas dotting around the island, privacy and relaxation can easily be attained. The resort has a restaurant, bar, PADI Gold Palm five-star resort dive centre and a Banyan Tree Spa.
Vabbinfaru is also home to the Banyan Tree Maldives Marine Lab, the first of its kind to be funded and built on a private resort, where guests can learn about marine conservation and partake in the many sustainability activities on offer including coral planting, reef cleaning and daily stingray feeding sessions.
Angsana Ihuru is surrounded by one of the most vibrant and well preserved coral house reefs in the Maldives. The resort has 45 villas, a restaurant and a bar, a PADI Gold Palm five-star resort dive centre and an Angsana Spa.
Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Angsana Ihuru are located in North Male Atoll, just 25 minutes away by speedboat from the airport. The two resorts are just five minutes by boat away from each other.
Velavaru or ‘Turtle Island’ is located in the pristine Dhaalu atoll, and accessible by a 40-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport. This 113-villa resort offers 79 island villas and 34 InOcean Villas, revealing spectacular views and direct access to the Indian Ocean.
Celebration
Finding your #JoyMagenta: Why the Maldives is the ultimate global capital for wellness
As the global community celebrates Global Wellness Day under the vibrant theme #JoyMagenta, the Maldives is cementing its status as the ultimate destination for ocean longevity and regenerative health. Beyond standard spa pampering, the archipelago’s unique “one island, one resort” blueprint offers a true sanctuary for nervous system restoration and mindful healing. Discover how cutting-edge cellular diagnostics, ancient Ayurvedic wisdom, and joyful, marine-based therapies are transforming the Maldivian luxury travel experience into a deeply personalized journey toward long-term vitality.
The definition of a wellness getaway has fundamentally shifted. It is no longer just about standard spa pampering or a brief escape from the grid. As the global community celebrates the 15th anniversary of Global Wellness Day under the vibrant theme #JoyMagenta, travelers are seeking long-term vitality, emotional resilience, and deep nervous system restoration.
There is perhaps no place on earth better equipped to deliver this than the Maldives. Once famed purely as a honeymoon haven, the archipelago has quietly transformed into the premier global capital for ocean longevity, regenerative health, and mindful sanctuary.

The Maldives Wellness Advantage
The geography of the Maldives inherently supports holistic healing. The “one island, one resort” blueprint offers an immediate antidote to modern sensory overload—providing natural isolation far from light and noise pollution. This unique setting allows the body’s circadian rhythms to reset naturally from the moment of arrival.
Beyond the setting, the country’s wellness economy has evolved into a sophisticated ecosystem where cutting-edge medical diagnostics seamlessly meet ancient healing wisdom. Discerning travelers now experience a multi-layered approach to well-being:
1. The Power of Thalassotherapy & Marine Longevity
Ocean-based therapies are a distinct hallmark of the Maldivian wellness landscape. Utilizing mineral-rich seawater and marine biotechnology, resorts are offering advanced cell-repair programs. From nutrient-dense, algae-based superfoods that boost immune resilience to localized marine collagen treatments that enhance joint mobility, the ocean itself is utilized as a primary source of healing.
2. Hyper-Personalized Regenerative Health
Instead of generic treatment menus, travelers are greeted by multi-disciplinary teams. A typical transformation journey begins with cellular health diagnostics:
- Advanced Biometric Scanning: Assessing metabolic rates, body composition, and cardiovascular biomarkers to establish a precise health baseline.
- Integrated Ancient Modalities: Overwater wellness pavilions host traditional Ayurvedic doctors who pair metabolic data with dosha assessments (the body’s constitutional types) to craft bespoke nutritional and therapeutic programs.
- Targeted Detoxification: Comprehensive panchakarma routines—spanning 14 to 21 days—focus on deep cellular cleansing and lasting habit resets.
3. Cultivating Joy Through Mindful Movement
Aligning perfectly with this year’s #JoyMagenta theme, wellness in the Maldives is celebrated for presence, not performance. Traditional fitness regimes are replaced with joyful, creative movement that anchors the mind in the present.
Imagine sunrise yoga sessions on an isolated sandbank surrounded only by the soft rhythm of the Indian Ocean, or paddleboard meditation over calm, translucent lagoons. These experiences go beyond physical exercise; they foster genuine emotional healing and connection with the natural world.
A Market on the Rise: According to recent data from Longevity Travel, the total wellness economy in the Maldives has expanded to represent roughly 24% of the national GDP. Wellness tourism revenue alone has surpassed $1 billion, with visitors dedicating nearly triple the average spending of standard leisure travelers toward personalized longevity and recovery programs.

Beyond the Individual: Generational & Global Health
True wellness cannot exist in isolation. Modern travelers increasingly realize that personal well-being is deeply connected to the health of our planet. Reflecting this, Maldivian retreats are pioneering eco-centric wellness experiences. Guests can engage in hands-on coral regeneration projects and marine conservation workshops.
Furthermore, this transformation has become generational. Multi-generational families can now participate together in emotional resilience workshops, youth-focused mindfulness, and tailored wellness rituals designed to build foundational healthy habits for younger minds.
This Global Wellness Day, as the global community embraces the spirit of #JoyMagenta, remember that a journey to the Maldives is no longer just an escape from daily life. It is an investment in a healthier, more balanced version of yourself that remains long after the sand leaves your feet.
Celebration
Sirru Fen Fushi to host Eid al-Adha celebration from 27–29 May
Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort has announced its “Eid in Harmony” programme for Eid al-Adha, scheduled from 27 to 29 May 2026, offering guests a series of curated experiences centred on dining, cultural elements and leisure activities.
The programme is designed to provide a structured yet relaxed approach to the celebration, with a focus on shared experiences and engagement with the island environment. According to the resort, the initiative aims to bring together cultural traditions and hospitality offerings within a resort setting.
A central feature of the programme will be the Eid al-Adha Feast, a dining experience presenting a selection of dishes prepared for the occasion. The event will be set in a themed environment reflecting elements associated with Eid.
The resort will also introduce an “Eid Gift with Purpose” initiative, positioned as a gesture aligned with the values of giving and reflection associated with the occasion.
In addition, guests will have the option to participate in a Guest Archery Competition, offering a recreational activity designed to complement the island setting and provide an alternative form of engagement during the celebration period.
Alongside the programme, the resort has launched an “Eid Island Escape” offer, which includes a range of inclusions for guests staying during the period. These include a 30-minute jet lag recovery massage, daily breakfast at Raha Market, dinner on a dine-around basis across selected restaurants, and a one-time floating breakfast experience.
In a statement, the resort’s management said the programme is intended to reflect the values of togetherness and reflection associated with Eid al-Adha, while offering guests opportunities to spend time with family and participate in shared experiences.
Through the three-day programme, Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort is presenting Eid al-Adha as a combination of dining, leisure and cultural activities within a resort environment.
Celebration
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives unveils Maldives Summer Escape for Eid al Adha
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives has introduced its Maldives Summer Escape offer as part of its positioning for Eid al Adha travel, combining accommodation benefits with seasonal dining and guest experiences for families, couples and small groups.
Available for stays through to 31 October 2026, the offer is designed to support longer stays and multigenerational travel, with a focus on dining flexibility and island-based experiences within a private resort setting.
To mark the Eid period, the resort will present a series of guest experiences linked to the occasion. On 27 May, guests will be offered an Eid breakfast at Seasalt Restaurant, featuring live Arabic cooking stations prepared by Egyptian chefs, alongside dishes such as foul medames, manakish and shakshuka.
An Eid-themed dinner buffet will also be held the same evening, with regional dishes and live cooking stations forming part of the dining programme. On other days, guests will also have the option of visiting a nearby local island to observe traditional Eid celebrations in a Maldivian community setting.
From 27 to 29 May, Mirus Bar will host a series of evening activations including a shisha lounge and DJ sets. The resort said the programme is intended to create a social setting suited to both couples and groups.
The Maldives Summer Escape offer includes daily breakfast and three-course à la carte dinners at selected venues, along with a USD 75 dining credit that can be used for alternative experiences such as Teppanyaki, The Shack or private dining.
Additional benefits include 15 per cent off treatments at Spa Alila, 20 per cent off food and beverage purchases, and 20 per cent off return seaplane transfers.
The resort said the offer is particularly suited to families and groups, with villa accommodation designed to provide both shared living space and privacy, while also appealing to couples through its more understated approach to island stays.
Thomas Weber, General Manager of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, said the resort had designed the offer around the significance of Eid and the expectations of guests travelling during the period.
“Eid is a deeply meaningful time, centred on togetherness, reflection, and shared moments,” he said. “For those choosing to celebrate away from home, we’ve curated an experience that feels both intimate and considered — where thoughtful dining, unhurried surroundings, and the natural beauty of the island come together to create something truly memorable.”
Through the combination of seasonal programming, dining inclusions and additional guest benefits, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is presenting the Maldives Summer Escape as an option for Eid travel in the Maldives.
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