Connect with us

Featured

Beauty rejuvenated: Anantara Kihavah Maldives now open with brand new look, experiences

Published

on

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas is now reopen and welcoming guests with brand new villas and redesigned wellness and dining concepts, including its newly renovated beach pool residences, restaurants and Anantara Spa.

Further enhancing the guest experience, the resort has also implemented Anantara’s Stay with Peace of Mind programme and the launch of the new Anantara app.

Just in time for Christmas and festive holiday planning, the resort is offering special stay packages designed for you to make the most of your Maldives vacation.

“The team and I are extremely excited about welcoming our guests back with all these new improvements. “Every detail was carefully considered and balanced between creating an utterly brand-new look and maintaining a welcoming familiarity which our repeat guests expect,” General Manager Ross Sanders said.

“Our aim is to not only retain the guests’ confidence when it comes to booking their holiday, but also to build on the assurance that every possible measure has been taken to create the safest possible environment for their stay. Anantara’s Stay with Peace of Mind programme defines our heightened safety and cleaning measures, and precautions undertaken in our commitment to safeguarding our guests’ health and wellbeing, as well as that of our team members.”

Beach pool residences

The epitome of luxury at its most spacious, Anantara Kihavah’s two-, three-, and four-bedroom Beach Pool Residences marry a light and airy interior design with smart technology home comforts including a fully equipped kitchen, whilst optimising each residence’s space.

Cradled by lush foliage and bright bougainvillea accents, the redesign of these beachfront accommodations, starting from 1330 sqm for the two-bedroom Residence to a commanding 2,000 sqm of space for the four-bedroom Residence, was completed this year.

In homage to Anantara’s hospitality culture, an outdoor Sala Thai provides shaded relief, while contemporary lounge furniture sets the stage for rest and relaxation, alongside newly extended swimming pools fitted with massage jets.

Uplifted by a light neutral palette, the atmosphere is at once comfortable and relaxed, yet modern and luxurious.

Rattan details, woven straw carpets, Maldivian motifs and teak wood furniture further accent the distinctively tropical vibe of each room, while floor-to-ceiling doors effortlessly slide open for sweeping views of the tropics.

The highlight in each revamped bathroom, newly fitted with intelligent toilet technology, is a water feature wall designed to mimic that of a real waterfall.

Wellbeing and fitness are also not forgotten – with each residence outfitted with its own private double-bed spa treatment room and gym featuring a complete range of fitness equipment.

With a dedicated villa host to attend to your every need, and a wine sommelier and personal chef service on request, a stay in one of these residences is a promise of a truly private escape.

Reinventing dining experiences

Formerly known as Salt, the evolution of the restaurant into Spice has established it among the newest restaurants to open in the Maldives.

New flexible seating has been introduced, allowing for easy creation of private corners of intimacy or tables to accommodate larger groups. A neutral wood palette presents a timeless, light and airy vibe against a panoramic backdrop of endless blue horizon.

The facelift has not only taken place in the dining areas, including the alfresco deck perfectly placed for spectacular sunset views, but also in the culinary spaces.

To further accentuate its Asian offerings, the entire open kitchen has been redone. In addition to additional wok cooking stations, a tandoori oven has also been installed, introducing the bold flavours of India to the newly revamped menu.

Framed against a backdrop of endless ocean blue, Manzaru has always been a popular choice for sunrise-to-sunset poolside lounging, leisurely Mediterranean lunches and romantic Italian candlelit dinners.

Fitted with brand new timber-framed pool cabanas and a gin speciality bar, there are over 60 different types of gins waiting to be savoured at this familiar favourite, now enhanced with a distinctively beach club vibe.

Spa, wellness rejuvenated

The heartbeat of wellness and relaxation, Anantara Kihavah’s famed overwater Anantara Spa has also undergone renovation.

All six treatment rooms have been refurbished in soothing pure white, heightening the relaxation vibe, offset by a showpiece carbon-black bathtub or a plump Thai massage bed.

New wet and dry facilities have been introduced, including a Finnish-style sauna, infrared sauna, and hot and cold plunge pools.

Best of Maldives at Kihavah

A culmination of experiences unique not just to the destination but also exclusively available at this idyllic Indian Ocean retreat, this carefully curated stay package includes three distinct once-in-a-lifetime adventures; snorkelling with manta rays, stargazing at the only overwater observatory in the Maldives, and fine dining underwater at SEA, the world’s first underwater restaurant and wine cellar.

Valid for stays of six nights or more, choose from accommodation options of a beach pool villa or over water villa on half board consisting of breakfast, and dinner at three restaurants.

For stays of up to five nights, the package will include only the underwater lunch experience at SEA. Both packages are valid until October 31, 2021, with rates starting from $8,800 for two adults.

Maldives family adventure

Escape on a tropical getaway this festive season and celebrate Christmas or countdown to the new year in the Maldives.

Embark on an amazing five-night family vacation with dining, resort activities, children’s club and babysitting benefits all packaged into your Maldivian holiday of action-packed adventure.

Package includes:

  • Private beach barbecue with the family with a choice of menu selection
  • Four-course family lunch at SEA, the resort’s award-winning underwater restaurant
  • Turtle Quest marine adventure, a two-hour cruise with the family in search of turtles
  • Complimentary activities at Thiththi Boli Kids’ Club for the little ones, including cooking classes, arts and craft sessions and more
  • Complimentary activities in the recreation centre for the adults including yoga classes, Pilates and more
  • Two-hour private babysitting service at your preferred time
  • Welcome kids’ amenity pack for every child
  • Daily complimentary ice cream for kids
  • Children stay and dine for free
  • Family portrait framed as a departure gift

Anantara Kihavah has lined up a spectacular calendar of festive activities this year.

Celebrate Christmas Eve with a magical dinner on the beach, keep a look out for Santa on Christmas Day at Manzaru and at SEA, the resort’s famed underwater restaurant, usher in 2021 with a Great Gatsby themed New Year Eve’s party with live entertainment and a fireworks show.

On January 6, 2021, relish festive traditions in a tropical setting with a gala dinner set on the beach.

For more information and bookings, please visit Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas’ official website.

Featured

Halloween at Sun Siyam Iru Veli turns fantasy, not fright

Published

on

Sun Siyam Iru Veli marked Halloween with a one-day island celebration, “Whimsy Over Wicked,” reimagining the tradition of fright as a fairytale of fantasy on 31 October. The programme invited guests of all ages to immerse themselves in themed workshops, entertainment, and dining experiences designed to encourage creativity and the joy of make-believe.

At the Turtle Kidz Club, children joined a full-house Pumpkin Workshop, decorating pumpkins with gemstones, bright colours, and playful patterns. As the sun set over Fresh Water Beach, the festivities shifted to a Masquerade Evening, where guests enjoyed island beats and signature cocktails and mocktails against a golden horizon. The celebration continued at Turtle Beach with a Beach BBQ Dinner, presenting a Halloween-inspired menu in a storybook setting with live music by the sea.

The night concluded with a private “Cinema Under the Stars” screening, offering an open-air experience that captured the spirit of the occasion.

Through “Whimsy Over Wicked,” Sun Siyam Iru Veli highlighted creativity, connection, and the island’s natural setting. Guests departed with memories shaped by laughter, imagination, and a shared celebration under the Maldivian night sky.

Continue Reading

Drink

SO/ Maldives unveils Creation Wines five-course pairing evening

Published

on

SO/ Maldives will host an exclusive Wine Dinner in collaboration with Creation Wines, led by Carolyn and Glenn Martin, founders of the South African winery. The event will take place at Lazuli Beach Club on 5 November 2025, from 18:30 to 22:00, with a beachfront setting designed for an evening of fine wine, culinary craft and storytelling.

Guests will be served a five-course menu, each course created by the SO/ Maldives culinary team to complement selected vintages from Creation. From the first pour to the final course, the pairings highlight a shared commitment between SO/ Maldives and Creation Wines to creativity, authenticity and the art of living well.

Guided by Carolyn and Glenn Martin, the evening will explore the relationship between food and wine, with insights into their winemaking approach, the vineyard, and their journey from South Africa’s Hemel-en-Aarde Valley to the Maldives.

Creation Wines combines an ancient landscape with a modern estate driven by innovation. Its team draws on the Hemel-en-Aarde terroir to produce wines that aim to be vibrant and expressive, with each bottle telling a story of balance and harmony.

At SO/ Maldives, contemporary design and artistic sensibility provide the backdrop for imaginative experiences. The Creation Wine Dinner reflects this approach, bringing together gastronomy, style and narrative in a single event.

“This dinner is a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship and connection,” said Nyoman Suandari, Director of Culinary at SO/ Maldives. “Each pairing is designed not only to delight the palate but also to evoke emotion—to capture the essence of both land and sea, and of the artistry that unites us.”

Continue Reading

Featured

From wellness to culture: Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts embodies new era of Maldivian travel

Published

on

The Maldives continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s premier island destinations, achieving global acclaim while maintaining steady growth in visitor arrivals. The country was recently named Best Beach Destination at the World Tourism Awards 2025 in Brussels and ranked among the Top Ten Countries for Food in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2025.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, the Maldives recorded over 1.7 million tourist arrivals as of 21 October 2025 — a 10% year-on-year increase. The destination is on course to meet its ambitious target of 2.3 million arrivals by year-end, with the final quarter expected to bring the highest influx of visitors as the nation enters its peak travel season.

Sustained demand from key markets including India, China, Russia, and the United Kingdom, alongside rising interest from the Middle East and Europe, continues to fuel this growth. The trend reflects a broader global shift towards experience-led travel, where visitors seek meaningful, immersive stays rather than conventional leisure holidays.

As arrival numbers climb, the focus within the Maldives tourism industry is evolving from volume to value. Hospitality brands are responding by offering experiences that highlight authenticity, sustainability, and cultural engagement. Among them, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts — which operates four properties across the Maldives — is redefining the concept of island travel through wellness, cuisine, and culture.

The brand’s approach extends beyond accommodation, curating distinctive experiences that deepen the guest journey. From spa rituals rooted in Asian wellness traditions at Mandara Spa and Chavana Spa to private beachfront dinners celebrating the region’s rich culinary heritage, each stay is designed to be both restorative and enriching. Guests who book directly also receive exclusive credits and tailored experiences, reinforcing the Maldives’ growing appeal as a destination for conscious and immersive travel.

This direction mirrors the Maldives’ evolving tourism strategy, which prioritises authenticity and quality over volume. As the nation edges closer to another record-breaking year, its success lies not only in the number of arrivals but in its ability to offer enduring, high-calibre experiences — a vision shared by Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts as it continues to shape the future of island hospitality across the region.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.