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Vakkaru Maldives wins three accolades at 2020 World Travel Awards
Vakkaru Maldives has a trio of very good reasons to celebrate over the coming festive season and beyond: launched in 2017, the private-island retreat has just been crowned a winner three times over at the 27th Annual World Travel Awards.
Immensely proud to receive such recognition just three years after opening, the independently run resort has been named Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort 2020.
Additionally, its immense signature four-bedroom overwater villa The Residence has been named both Maldives’ Leading Hotel Suite 2020 and Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel Suite 2020.

Established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries, the World Travel Awards is recognised internationally as an arbiter of excellence in the luxury travel sector.
These latest accolades consolidate Vakkaru Maldives’ position as one of the country’s most exciting and inviting luxury resorts and come shortly after the launch of its innovative new hospitality concept Vakkare.
A commitment to providing the utmost care in all its forms, this enhanced service standard sees all members of the Vakkaru team make sincere and creative effort to surpass guest expectations.
In addition to enjoying the benefits of Vakkare, holidaymakers who visit the newly crowned Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort will enjoy superlative treatments at overwater Merana spa; elevated fine dining that pays particular attention to nourishing and energising dishes; and some of the Indian Ocean’s best diving and watersports experiences thanks to the resort’s enviable location in Baa Atoll, named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2011 in recognition of its exceptional ecological value and beauty.

Guests at The Residence will enjoy all of these benefits and more, alongside the prestige of residing in Maldives’ Leading Hotel Suite and Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel Suite.
Perfectly positioned to provide uninterrupted views of the sunset, the four-bedroom, two-storey villa extends to 971 squaremetres and contains all a family or group of friends could possibly want to enjoy the ultimate Maldives holiday in complete exclusivity.

Bordered by a bubbling whirlpool, its infinity pool seems to meld with the turquoise ocean. Around it, a vast open terrace allows for versatile entertaining and includes a dining area, multiple relaxation areas, a private spa pavilion and a staircase that leads directly to the sea.
Inside, sprawling rooms allow for spontaneous get-togethers and extravagant parties alike. For quiet time, bathrooms come with mammoth tubs, private steam rooms and outdoor showers.

But of course, The Residence’s selling points aren’t merely structural.
Every new arrival will be gifted experiences intended to make their stay as effortless as possible and their interactions with friends and family as special as can be. These range from VIP passage through Velana International Airport to a panoply of in-resort and in-villa privileges efficiently and effortlessly facilitated by their always-on-call butler team.

Among the many benefits included are complimentary sundowners, yoga sessions and spa treatments to be enjoyed on the privacy of their ocean-facing deck, as well as family film nights with limitless popcorn, candyfloss and ice cream, a private beach barbecue and celebratory afternoon teas.

Speaking about the resort’s three category-topping placements at the 2020 World Travel Awards, Vakkaru Maldives’ general manager Iain McCormack said: “As we approach the end of such a momentous year, I could not be more thrilled that Vakkaru Maldives has been honoured three times over at the World Travel Awards. These accolades are testament to the tireless effort every Vakkaru team member makes to ensure every guest stay here is as special as can be.”
“As travellers the world over slowly start to move again, we look forward to welcoming them to our palm-shaded beach villas, timber-framed overwater villas, and the unparalleled – and now multi-award-winning – grandeur and beauty of The Residence.”

Nestled in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Vakkaru Maldives is a timeless sanctuary intuitively designed for guests seeking unassuming luxury and cherishable experiences.
A scenic 30-minute seaplane journey from Velana International Airport takes you to this secluded reef island blessed with timeless ocean views, powder-soft white sand beaches, unique deep blue holes and spectacular marine biodiversity.
The 113 beautifully-appointed overwater and beach villas are elegantly designed to respect the surrounding tropical nature and Maldivian charms.
Additionally, indulgent dining choices, a world-class wine cellar — home to a curated selection of fine vintage and non-vintage offerings from Old to New World — as well as curated leisure activities and amenities create enriched experiences for everyone.
For reservations and general information, please visit vakkarumaldives.com or contact reservations@vakkarumaldives.com.
Featured
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa unveils family-focused Family Fun Summer package
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa has introduced its Family Fun Summer offer, a family-focused package designed to encourage guests to spend time together through dining, leisure and recreational activities in a private island setting.
Located 15 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the resort is offering the package as a year-round experience, despite its summer branding. The programme is intended for families seeking a stay that combines accommodation, meals and activities in a single offering.
The experience includes daily breakfast at Feast, where guests can access buffet selections for adults and children. Lunch is served as a three-course beachside meal, while evenings include buffet dinners, à la carte options and access to the resort’s speciality restaurants.
As part of the package, adult guests receive a USD 45 dining credit per night, which can be used at selected outlets including Baan Thai and Sea Salt. The offer is designed to expand dining options within the resort’s full board arrangement.
The package also includes activities aimed at different age groups. Children have access to the Sheraton Adventure Club, while families can take part in pool activities, water sports, sunset dolphin cruises and guided snorkelling excursions.
For guests seeking wellness experiences, Shine Spa for Sheraton offers a range of treatments, with the package including 15 per cent savings on selected services. The resort has also introduced a spa experience designed for parent and child. Additional recreational options include sunrise beach yoga, as well as access to tennis and football facilities.
Other inclusions within the offer include a complimentary family photoshoot and dining benefits for children when eating with their parents.
Family Fun Summer is available for booking until 15 June 2026, for stays through to 20 December 2026. Through the package, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is presenting a family-oriented resort experience centred on dining, recreation and shared time together.
Featured
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau to mark Mother’s Day with wellness and dining offerings
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has announced a Mother’s Day programme centred on wellness, dining and family experiences, offering guests a range of activities designed to mark the occasion in Raa Atoll.
Set within the resort’s island setting, the programme will feature a series of experiences aimed at encouraging families to spend time together through relaxation, dining and shared activities.
At AVI Spa, the Mother’s Day offering will include signature treatments focused on rest and balance. Guests will also have access to holistic sessions led by visiting practitioner Dr Afsana Aradhana Ghyas, whose work focuses on integrative wellbeing and emotional balance.
Dining experiences will form a central part of the programme. These will include floating breakfasts served in private villas, interactive cooking sessions with the resort’s chefs, and private dining experiences ranging from sunset beach dinners to sandbank dining under the stars.
The resort will also offer family-focused activities for the occasion. These will include craft sessions for children, ocean-inspired guided art activities and a family photoshoot intended to capture the day’s experiences.
Through the Mother’s Day programme, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is presenting a combination of wellness, dining and family activities shaped around personal and shared experiences in a resort setting.
Drink
W Maldives unveils The Wavemaker Edit with global talent collaborations
W Maldives has launched The Wavemaker Edit, a new ongoing series of curated collaborations with international talent, aimed at introducing a range of guest experiences across mixology, wellness, cuisine and music.
The series is designed as a rotating programme, with each edition bringing a different creative perspective to the resort. According to W Maldives, the initiative is intended to create a continuing calendar of experiences that combine social, cultural and wellness-led elements.
The first edition of The Wavemaker Edit will run from 3 to 14 June 2026 and will feature two themed chapters, titled Island Alchemy and The Restore Ritual.
Island Alchemy will focus on mixology. On 3 June, Kwok will lead a guest shift at SIP, presenting three cocktails that explore contrast and balance, including a bespoke creation inspired by the Maldives. The collaboration will continue on 6 June at WET Deck, where a poolside day party will feature a curated cocktail menu.
The second chapter, The Restore Ritual, will centre on wellness and movement in recognition of Global Wellness Day. Led by Mumbai-based yoga and movement educator Samiksha Shetty, the programme will include sessions focused on breathwork, mindfulness and alignment-based practice.
The wellness programme will include Sunset Yoga sessions at FIRE Beach on 12 and 14 June, as well as a morning meditation session at AWAY Spa on 13 June. The main event within this chapter will take place on 13 June, when guests will be able to join a Sunset Yoga session aboard the Horizon Yacht. This bookable experience will also include healthy refreshments and a 60-minute massage at AWAY Spa.
W Maldives said future editions of The Wavemaker Edit will expand into culinary, music and art-led experiences under a number of themed series, including Flavors Unscripted, Sound Wave and Make A Scene.
Commenting on the launch, General Manager Amila Handunwala said the initiative reflects the resort’s approach to continuously evolving the guest experience through collaborations with international talent.
W Maldives is positioning the series as part of its broader effort to offer more structured and experience-led programming for guests. In addition, the resort is promoting its Original Wavemaker package, which includes seaplane transfers and a half-board meal plan for two adults with a minimum stay of four nights.
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