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Banish winter blues, dive into luxury with Anantara Dhigu, Veli Maldives Resorts

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Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort and Anantara Veli Maldives Resort are once again welcoming guests to their shared turquoise lagoon and white sand shores, offering a host of new experiences for guests to indulge in.

Ideally located in the South Male Atoll, just a 30-minute speedboat journey from Male Airport, both resorts offer the perfect spot to escape the autumn and winter blues and immerse in an island paradise, where space and isolation go hand in hand with luxurious privacy.

Offering discerning travellers barefoot elegance in a tropical haven, Anantara Dhigu is the perfect place to create memories for a lifetime. Equipped for all the family, a variety of luxury accommodation options offer stunning views and private pools, with direct beach access or overwater serenity.

Neighbouring luxury resort Anantara Veli is an adults-only resort for those seeking the ultimate romantic getaway or to celebrate special occasions with friends.

Together with the exclusive sister property Naladhu Private Island, the three resorts form a bespoke collection of sanctuaries nestled around a stunning lagoon that celebrates the Maldives in all its natural beauty and cultural allure.

With a multitude of dining and leisure options, this trio of resorts offer something for everyone with multiple new immersive experiences, showcasing the beauty of the destination.

Activities in the water include snorkelling with nurse sharks, diving, surfing and learning about the ocean and coral restoration projects with the resident marine biologist.

For those preferring to unwind with less action, the palm-fringed islands are perfect for reclining to the gentle sound of waves lapping the endless white sand beaches or soothe body and mind at the Anantara Spa with a massage or spa ritual.

Private island for a day

The resorts offer an unrivalled private island experience, with the exclusive use of Gulhifushi Island providing the chance to live like Robinson Crusoe for the day.

Guests can enjoy the privacy and seclusion of an uninhabited island without compromising an array of five-star trappings and rejuvenating experiences including lavish dining.

Following a sumptuous picnic breakfast, the resort’s marine biologist leads a guided snorkel tour to explore the surrounding coral gardens to get up close and personal with the extraordinary marine life and colourful coral.

Appetites are then sated by a sizzling barbecue with specialities from both land and sea, prepared by a private chef.

Slumber away the afternoon with a thoughtful healing massage to heal the body and recharge the mind. Complete the spa experience with afternoon tea, prepared at a beach table carved out of sand.

The perfect island day wraps up with sunset cocktails, before heading back to the resort as twilight falls.

Blissful new spa treatments

As relaxation and ‘me time’ have become even more important over recent months, Anantara Spa in Maldives has reopened with a newly refreshed menu and four new signature journeys, all of which offer a unique experience.

Additional couples’ treatments are now available allowing guests to reconnect in paradise.

Al fresco treatments also debut at Anantara Spa, taking advantage of the magical surroundings of the island, including a brand new and exclusive floating massage and a new moonlight treatment on the beach.

The Sundari Sunset spa ritual awakens the senses on a floating platform, with the sound of waves below during a deep relaxation massage, followed by chilled Champagne while watching the sun go down.

Once darkness has fallen, the Moonlight Reflections spa healing ritual encompasses meditation and a healing massage on a private beach under the moon and stars.

Guest nutrition consultancy

Hand in hand with current trends desiring space, privacy and relaxation, comes a renewed focus on looking after the body, how we nurture and feed it, and our overall lifestyles.

The resorts now have a resident nutritionist and are offering a Guest Nutrition Consultancy.

The new service gives guests the opportunity for one on one consultations in nutrition, movement therapy and lifestyle improvement, along with assessing current health status, concerns and goals. This can also extend to developing fully customised nutrition plans and wellness programmes for guests.

Introducing Anantara App

Launching now with Anantara’s Maldives properties, the new Anantara App offers guests an on-resort, socially distanced, digital solution for a range of requirements, from check in and check out, accessing billing information, requesting in-room services, restaurant menus and reservations and booking leisure activities and appointments at the spa, all through a live chat with the resort team.

The app enables guests to communicate directly with the team to ask questions and finalise arrangements, helping to facilitate a smooth and enjoyable stay.

Peace of mind

To ensure guests feel safe and secure during their stay, Anantara’s Stay With Peace of Mind programme builds on existing health and safety measures for heightened sanitisation and hygiene.

Guests at Anantara Dhigu, Anantara Veli and Naladhu Private Island can feel safe in the knowledge that the resorts are operating in line with World Health Organisation and local Maldivian health authority regulations, in addition to implementing enhanced levels of sanitation throughout the resorts.

Entertainment

Halloween and Autumn celebrations at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

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The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, is preparing to welcome guests to a week-long Autumn Festival with Halloween-themed celebrations running from 30 October to 5 November. The programme features a variety of activities designed for families, couples, and individual travellers, with events ranging from treasure hunts and creative workshops to wellness sessions and exclusive dining experiences.

The celebrations begin on 30 October with a beachside Tabata workout followed by a pumpkin carving workshop at La Locanda. Activities for children and teens include the Magic of Mantas virtual reality exploration, Haunted Brick Builders, and the Autumn Costume Fashion Show. Parents are invited to a cocktail gathering on the shore before the evening concludes with a Culinary Maestro dinner by Michelin-starred Chef Max Strohe, as part of the resort’s Masters of Crafts series.

On 31 October, guests may join a morning Dynamic Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden or take part in a turtle snorkelling excursion. Children between four and twelve are encouraged to join the Flying Fox Quest, a Halloween-themed nature walk, while older children embark on an Island Treasure Quest. Seasonal workshops such as wreath decoration and creative pumpkin carving are available, and the day concludes with a Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt across the island and a Halloween Feast at La Locanda.

As the week progresses, the festival highlights wellness and creativity. Under the Masters of Crafts programme, mobility coach Anthony Green will host sessions on posture, flexibility, and spinal health. Seasonal crafts for younger guests include galaxy-themed pumpkin art, Halloween decorations, wand-making, and mask workshops. Family activities extend to Autumn Carnival Stalls, Magic Hat bowling, and themed cooking sessions. Evening entertainment includes a magic show, a piñata party, and further culinary experiences led by Chef Max Strohe.

The festival concludes on 5 November with a Vinsaya Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden, an art class featuring batfish designs on tote bags, and a children’s treasure hunt. Families are invited to join the Boos and Brews Halloween Dhoni Cruise before the celebrations end with a Luxury Sunset Cruise.

Through this programme, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, combines seasonal festivities with wellness, creativity, and gastronomy, offering guests a diverse celebration of autumn and Halloween in the Maldives.

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Featured

Soneva Fushi awarded SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality 2025

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Soneva Fushi, situated within the Maldives’ Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, has been named winner of the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award as part of The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025. The accolade is one of two special awards announced ahead of the official ceremony on 30 October. The award is based on votes from more than 800 members of the Academy, who were asked to identify the hotel where they experienced their single-best hospitality moment within the two-year voting period.

The award recognises the quality of service that ensures guests feel cared for throughout their stay. It celebrates the work of a property and its entire team, acknowledging excellence in areas ranging from reception and housekeeping to amenities and food and beverage services. Voters were asked to consider ambience, unique experiential elements, and the warmth of the hospitality on offer.

Soneva Fushi, the original Soneva resort and regarded as the model for barefoot luxury, is located on one of the Maldives’ largest and least developed islands. The resort comprises 71 private villas, either set amidst dense jungle or positioned above the ocean. Guests are invited to embrace a slower pace of life, with experiences ranging from deserted island picnics and wellness treatments at Soneva Soul to curated events under the Soneva Stars calendar.

Emma Sleight, Head of Content for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, said: “This award celebrates the foundation of hospitality and honours the emotional connection that guests have with a hotel and its team. For three decades, Soneva Fushi has been delivering memorable service at the highest level that puts the guest at the heart of every interaction. A mainstay of The World’s 50 Best Hotels list since the awards’ inception, Soneva Fushi is a worthy winner of the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award, setting a benchmark of all-encompassing excellence one stay at a time.”

Each villa offers extensive indoor and outdoor living space, private pools and ocean views. A distinctive feature of the resort is its Barefoot Guardians – dedicated butlers assigned to each villa to provide personalised service. Available at all times, they arrange every aspect of the guest experience, from zipline adventures and snorkelling at Hanifaru Bay to stargazing at the observatory or dining in one of 14 restaurants. The Barefoot Guardians also manage the Soneva Stars calendar, which hosts international chefs, wellness specialists and sporting figures.

Antony Paton, General Manager of Soneva Fushi, said: “This award belongs to the entire team at Soneva Fushi. It is a reflection of our shared purpose to create moments of joy, connection and wonder every single day. Being recognised by The World’s 50 Best Hotels affirms that the quiet magic we strive for is not only felt by our guests, but remembered. And that, to us, is the greatest reward.”

Giancarlo Mancino, Chief Executive Officer of SeiBellissimi, added: “At Soneva Fushi, hospitality is a seamless extension of a lifestyle deeply rooted in sustainability, wellness and mindful luxury. Founded with a slow life philosophy, every experience here is a tribute to living in harmony with nature, honouring health-conscious principles, and crafting each moment with genuine care. This devotion to sustainable elegance and the art of well-being is the perfect mirror of SeiBellissimi’s own values: Italian craftsmanship, conviviality, and a respect for quality that goes beyond the ordinary.”

The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025 ceremony will take place at Old Billingsgate in London on Thursday 30 October, where Soneva Fushi will formally receive the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award.

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Awards

Minor Hotels celebrates multiple wins at TTM Awards 2025

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Minor Hotels, a global hospitality group operating nine resorts in the Maldives, has announced that three of its properties were recognised at the Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) Awards 2025. The annual awards celebrate achievements across 28 categories, with winners selected through votes cast by guests and travel partners.

Niyama Private Islands Maldives received the award for Best Family Resort. The property is known for offering experiences for all ages, with facilities including a playground, splash park, and gourmet kitchen at its children’s club, alongside an extensive schedule of activities. Young guests are provided with age-appropriate experiences such as snorkelling safaris, cooking classes, surf lessons, and outdoor cinema evenings.

Accommodation includes a variety of spacious villas and pavilions, such as the newly renovated Deluxe Family Beach Pool Villa. Combined with diverse dining options, recreational activities, and personalised service, the resort seeks to provide both adventure and relaxation for families.

Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort was named Best Beach Resort, reflecting its setting of white sands, turquoise lagoons, and coconut groves within Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The resort offers contemporary villas, including Beach Pool Villas and Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villas, with direct beach access.

Since opening in 2023, Avani+ Fares has aimed to introduce a laid-back approach to Maldivian holidays, combining modern design with the natural environment. Guests can participate in activities ranging from water sports and wellness to dining and cultural programmes.

NH Collection Maldives Havodda Resort was awarded Best Dive Resort, recognised for its accessible house reef and marine biodiversity. Located close to the shoreline, the reef offers opportunities for snorkellers and divers of all levels, with frequent encounters with species such as reef sharks, turtles, rays, and tropical fish.

The resort also provides access to the dive sites of Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, where PADI-certified instructors guide guests through channels, thilas, and reef walls.

In addition to these three awards, Minor Hotels’ properties received 12 finalist nominations across seven categories. These included its newest addition, NH Maldives Kuda Rah Resort, which was shortlisted in three categories.

The group’s nominations at the TTM Awards 2025 were:

  • Best Beach Resort: Avani+ Fares and NH Collection Maldives Havodda
  • Best Family Resort: Niyama, Avani+ Fares, and NH Maldives Kuda Rah
  • Best Boutique Resort: NH Maldives Kuda Rah
  • Best Culinary Resort: Niyama
  • Most Picturesque Resort: NH Collection Maldives Havodda
  • Best Surf Resort: Niyama
  • Best Dive Resort: Avani+ Fares, NH Collection Maldives Havodda, and NH Maldives Kuda Rah
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