Featured
Baglioni Resort Maldives reopens with double win at World Luxury Hotel Awards

Baglioni Resort Maldives has been twice awarded in 2020 World Luxury Hotel Awards.
At the 2020 World Luxury Hotel Awards, the Baglioni Resort Maldives secured a Regional win in Luxury Ocean View Resort category, while the Baglioni Spa was announced as the Regional winner in Best Beauty Product category.
“My entire team and I are extremely happy and proud of this fantastic achievement,” Andrea Saderi, General Manager of Baglioni Resort Maldives, said.

The double came just before the Baglioni Resort Maldives reopened its doors to guests on Friday.
“We look forward to welcome you with our warmth, authentic and unforgettable Italian touch. Come and feel once again the sunny side of life in here,” an announcement by the resort read.

Basking on the island of Maagau in the pristine Dhaalu atoll, just a 40-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport, the resort’s 96 exquisite villas are surrounded by tropical nature, turquoise waters and velvet-smooth white sands.
From breakfast to after dinner, a panorama of food and drinks are available to delight the most exclusive international clientele, all in the resort’s signature Italian style.
A pool bar and three superb restaurants – Gusto, for Italian verve; Umami, the place to eat Japanese; and Taste, the home of international cuisine – serve gourmet dishes alongside a healthy menu of light, nutritious creations and a kids’ menu crafted especially for younger guests. Sophisticated aperitivi, wine tastings and personalised private dinners complete the offering.
The Baglioni Spa is an Italian oasis deep in the heart of nature. Amidst the tropical vegetation’s warm embrace, the Baglioni Spa is the perfect place to ease your way to a profound sense of peace.
This exclusive centre, with concept design by Raison d’Etre, vaunts four open-air wooden pavilions for individual treatments, two double pavilions for treatments for two, and a yoga pavilion for practising yoga, meditation and breathing exercises. There is also a well-equipped gym.
Cosmetics used at the Baglioni Spa are sourced from Insium, a 100 per cent Italian brand that markets vegan products certified cruelty-free by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the world’s largest animal-rights organisation.
The spa menu includes Thai and Balinese rituals, personalised massages, and treatments to tone, purify and rejuvenate the face and body or to strengthen hair stressed by sun and sea. The Baglioni Spa also offers beauty and wellness experiences for children, groups and families.
A gym, beach volleyball and non-motorised watersports, pedalos, windsurfing, kayaking, boat trips and snorkelling with full equipment provided. The choice is yours!
PADI Gold Palm five-star diving centre is a gateway to some of the finest dive sites on the planet, with daytime excursions and some special trips to enjoy by night. From its strategic position away from the crowded atolls, it offers a wealth of opportunities to explore a pristine reef. All the dive points are near the island, so travel time is kept to a minimum.
The Baglioni Resort Maldives has been planned in meticulous detail for guests to experience a tailor-made stay in the heart of the Indian Ocean with a touch of exclusive Italian hospitality by Baglioni Hotels.
At the Baglioni Resort Maldives, nothing is left to chance. The holiday experience includes multilingual staff available 24/7, a freshwater swimming pool, butler service, laundry, and a beach service with loungers. There is a boutique for treating yourself to a spot of shopping, and a kids’ club to keep younger guests aged 3–12 well entertained. All for an unforgettable holiday with a feast of sport, relax and gourmet experiences.
The resort also benefits from exclusive partnerships forged by Baglioni Hotels with some of the most prestigious Italian brands, including Ferrari Trento, makers of the world’s favourite Italian bubbles; Frette, sumptuous handmade bed linen and bath towels; MC2 Saint Barth, swimwear characterised by exclusive designs; and Insium, innovative anti-ageing cosmetics.
Designed with materials carefully chosen to minimise the environmental impact, the Baglioni Resort Maldives is the ideal destination for those dreaming of an exclusive holiday surrounded by nature and numerous sporting activities to take advantage of.
Featured
Angsana Velavaru shines in T+L Luxury Awards 2025 with top pool and GM honours

Angsana Velavaru, part of the esteemed Banyan Group, has secured prestigious placements in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, ranking #8 for Best Resort Pool and #3 for Best General Manager in the Maldives. These accolades underscore the resort’s dedication to outstanding service, thoughtfully crafted accommodations, and guest-centric innovation.
Located in the unspoiled South Nilandhe Atoll, Angsana Velavaru features 113 villas—79 of which are equipped with private infinity pools. Among them are the celebrated Beach Villas and the signature InOcean Pool Villas, which extend elegantly over the lagoon’s turquoise expanse. Each villa is designed to offer a harmonious blend of sophistication and comfort, enabling guests to immerse themselves in nature with both privacy and style.
Central to the resort’s social ambiance is the Kuredhi Pool Bar, a lively and inviting venue that offers more than just refreshments. It serves as a communal hub where guests can enjoy curated experiences such as DJ nights, aqua aerobics, and wellness sessions. This programming reflects the resort’s vision of merging serenity with social vibrancy.
Spearheading this success is General Manager Ahmed Zahir, who was recognised as the #3 Best General Manager in the Maldives. Zahir’s inspiring career began three decades ago as a Laundry Supervisor and has since evolved into a historic milestone—becoming the first Maldivian General Manager within the Banyan Group. His leadership is characterised by a deep understanding of local culture, empathy, and hands-on experience across resort operations.
“This recognition is not only an honour—it’s a reflection of how far we’ve come as a team and as an industry,” Zahir shared. “I’m proud to lead with values shaped by the Maldives itself: resilience, hospitality, and heart. At Angsana Velavaru, we aim to deliver something genuine and lasting—for our guests, our people, and our community.”
Under Zahir’s stewardship, Angsana Velavaru has fostered a culture rooted in authenticity, local empowerment, and purposeful guest engagement. The resort remains committed to evolving as a destination that honours tradition while embracing forward-thinking experiences.
Featured
Oaga Art Resort’s Samaasaa takes centre stage in Dubai’s art scene

Under the desert sky of Dubai, Oaga Art Resort made its international debut with a striking performance by Raai Badeeu at the closing night of renowned light calligrapher Karim Jabbari’s exhibition, Vertical Horizon / 361 Degrees, held at Inloco Gallery. The performance introduced audiences to Samaasaa, the resort’s original theatrical dining concept where storytelling intertwines with seasonal cuisine, and folklore comes alive through immersive performance.
Samaasaa represents a distinctive fusion of art and gastronomy, with each course unfolding as an edible chapter of a story. The concept invites guests into a world where tradition meets innovation, rooted deeply in Maldivian heritage.
The venue for the performance, Inloco Gallery, is an emerging boutique art space in Dubai known for pushing creative boundaries. Its third season was dedicated to ‘vanishing urban landscapes’—a reflection on the echoes of fading cityscapes. Central to this season was the work of Karim Jabbari, whose intricate light calligraphy transforms traditional Arabic script into contemporary expressions of cultural memory. His Vertical Horizon / 361 Degrees exhibition explored the theme of ‘Lost Tradition,’ featuring a collaborative project with artist Khalil Abdulwahid that documented Al Satwa’s disappearing historic fabric and reclaimed calligraphy’s original role as a vehicle for communication and preservation.
In collaboration with Inloco Gallery and Karim Jabbari, Oaga Art Resort presented Raai Badeeu as part of the finissage—a moving farewell performance that seamlessly blended calligraphy, choreography, and storytelling. The immersive show transformed the gallery into a space of ancestral memory, myth, and poetic expression, embodying the artistic ethos of Oaga.
The performance also offered audiences an exclusive preview of Samaasaa Presents: The First Coconuts, Oaga’s upcoming theatrical dining experience. A specially curated segment from the show was performed, offering a glimpse into the mythical origins of island life through expressive movement and narrative.
As Oaga Art Resort expands its creative reach beyond the Maldives, this performance in Dubai marks the beginning of a broader journey. Guided by a spirit that is playful, poetic, and deeply rooted in island culture, Oaga is poised to share its unique stories with the world.
Featured
JOALI Maldives welcomes FIX’s iconic chocolate in first-ever global expansion

Dubai-based artisanal brand FIX Dessert Chocolatier, renowned for its viral chocolate creations, has partnered with JOALI Maldives – the Indian Ocean’s first art-immersive luxury island resort. Starting 2 July 2025, guests at JOALI Maldives will have the exclusive opportunity to indulge in FIX’s signature creation, The Original Dubai Chocolate, marking the first time the coveted dessert will be available outside the UAE.
Famed for its bold creativity, intricate layering, and unforgettable textures, FIX has redefined the modern dessert experience. This collaboration brings together two worlds of sensory delight – the imaginative world of FIX and the refined, story-driven luxury of JOALI Maldives.
As part of this partnership, FIX introduces Time To Mango, a brand-new chocolate bar inspired by tropical fruits, warm breezes, and the playful spirit of summer. Blending mango-forward flavours with nostalgic childhood treats and a whimsical touch of popping candy, the creation delivers a multi-sensory experience wrapped in rich chocolate.
FIX Dessert Chocolatier’s signature artistry and innovative flavour combinations align seamlessly with the philosophy of JOALI Maldives, a resort celebrated for its immersive art, sublime design, and curated experiences. According to FIX co-founder Sarah Hamouda, “This collaboration is about more than flavour – it’s about sparking wonder and delivering delight in unexpected ways. Seeing our creation featured at JOALI Maldives feels like the perfect match of storytelling and indulgence.”
Guests at JOALI Maldives will encounter FIX’s chocolates across various curated settings – from the private airport lounge and the resort’s artisanal ice cream shop to bespoke in-villa amenities and select evening turndown rituals. Every piece is hand-crafted in Dubai, carefully transported, and presented under the Maldivian sun as a true edible work of art.
Commenting on the partnership, Semiha Askin, Global Director of Sales and Marketing at JOALI, stated, “At JOALI, we embrace art in all its forms – from visual and spatial to culinary. Partnering with FIX Dessert Chocolatier allows us to extend that ethos into the realm of artisanal sweets. Their chocolate is more than a dessert – it’s an immersive experience our guests will remember, one bite at a time.”
This marks FIX’s first international placement, making JOALI Maldives the only destination outside of the UAE to offer the brand’s signature chocolate. The collaboration exemplifies a shared dedication to luxury, creativity, and culinary innovation.
Located in one of the largest and deepest atolls in the world, JOALI Maldives offers 73 elegantly appointed beach and over-water villas, each accompanied by a personal Jadugar (meaning “skilled magician” in Dhivehi). The resort is a sanctuary of sustainability, immersive programming, and next-level wellbeing offerings, including the JOALI BEING Cure – the first outpost of sister retreat JOALI BEING, the Maldives’ pioneering wellness island.
-
Action21 hours ago
Netflix’s ‘All the Sharks’ puts global spotlight on tiger shark paradise in Maldives’ Fuvahmulah
-
Action1 week ago
Consistently awarded, beyond compare: Machchafushi Island Resort’s house reef
-
Cooking1 week ago
Jumeirah Olhahali Island welcomes Shimmers’ Chef Emanuele for exclusive culinary residency this July
-
Drink1 week ago
Cellar of quiet distinction: Vakkaru Reserve wins fifth Wine Spectator Award
-
Action1 week ago
Siyam World kicks off August with star-studded football camps
-
Awards7 days ago
Atmosphere Kanifushi marks 6 years as Maldives’ leading family resort
-
Drink1 week ago
Dare to taste with W Maldives at Island Alchemy Ft. Beckaly Franks
-
Action1 week ago
Making waves all summer long: Manta rays, mini explorers take over The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives