Featured
Christmas with tropical twist at Emerald Maldives Resort
Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa invites families to trade in their traditional Christmas trees for some luscious, tropical palms, and celebrate the festive season on the Raa atoll this year. The five-star member of Leading Hotels of The World promises a socially distanced, activity-filled, restorative winter holiday.
Emerald is excited to announce a series of activities and initiatives to delight guests staying over the festive season, all of which are thoughtfully included within the resort’s fabulous Deluxe All-inclusive offering.
Warming up: Christmas tree decoration (December 22)
To mark the start of the festive period, guests are invited to take part in the resort decorations.
The magnificent Christmas tree will be embellished with marine-inspired elements and the décor will reflect the ocean’s natural colour palette, with touches of blues, green and silver.
Following the hard work, guests will be rewarded with a cocktail by the Sunset Pool Café, a Flair Show and a live DJ set from 10.30pm onwards.
Cooling down: Pool party, beach activities (December 23)
Emerald’s large main pool invites guests for a socially distanced pool party, accompanied by BBQ delicacies and refreshing cocktails, as well as fresh coconut stations.
Sports enthusiasts will be able to test their volleyball skills during Emerald’s very own volleyball tournament and challenge their family and friends.
As night falls and the sea breeze caresses, a live music performance sounds in the background.
Christmas Eve: Beach carol (December 24)
A totally unique experience, families are invited to join the resort team on the Water Sports Beach for one of the most traditional Christmas activities: attending the Christmas carol play, with the sun diving into the Indian Ocean as backdrop.
A change of scenery follows, with guests invited to join the gala dinner at the resort’s signature Aqua restaurant, located just a few steps from the sea and boasting panoramic views of the ocean framed by the clearer starry sky.
Christmas Day: Brunch with Santa (December 25)
Cutting waves on his jet ski, Santa will make his scenic arrival at Emerald on Christmas morning, joining guests for a Christmas brunch at Aqua.
From 6pm, adults are invited to a one-of-a-kind wine tasting, in the setting of the Sun Set Pool Café while kids will be seated at the resort cinema and served ice creams, popcorn and marshmallows, that they can grill in the kids-friendly barbecue.
A member of Leading Hotels of the World, Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa reopened on August 1 and has recently been the first resort to achieve the GBAC STAR™ Facility Accreditation in the Maldives, meaning it is the cleanest and safest property in the destination.
Emerald Maldives invites guests to experience the Natural Elegance and Natural Freedom philosophy of the resort where space, luxury, comfort and privacy are in the very nature of the guest experience.
Located in the Raa atoll, Emerald Maldives is set on 20 hectares of beautiful private island and surrounded by 100 hectares of wrap-around reef in walking distance of the 1.7km beach.
The endless azure blue sea, golden sand and green outdoor space ensures guests will truly feel like they’re on their own paradise island.
Featured
Reethi Faru Resort reveals festive line-up of dining, entertainment and island experiences
Reethi Faru Resort has welcomed the festive season with its annual Fruit Mixing Ceremony, marking the beginning of a programme of celebrations, activities and experiences for guests visiting the resort during the Christmas and New Year period.
The resort has prepared a series of festive events and activities catering to guests of different ages and interests. Families will have the opportunity to participate in Christmas tree decorating, creative workshops and gingerbread house making, while couples can enjoy evening walks along beaches decorated with festive lights.
The festive programme will include a Christmas dinner and a New Year’s Eve gala, followed by a DJ party to welcome 2027. Guests will also be able to participate in coral planting activities alongside a marine biologist, providing an opportunity to learn about the island’s marine ecosystem and contribute to conservation efforts.
For guests seeking relaxation, the resort will offer yoga sessions and spa treatments, while those interested in outdoor activities can participate in water sports, island excursions, sports challenges and PADI diving experiences conducted by certified instructors.
Other events scheduled during the festive period include Reethi Faru Resort’s anniversary celebration, a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and the arrival of Santa Claus. The programme will also feature live music, Maldivian cultural performances, outdoor movie nights and a selection of dining experiences.
According to the resort, the festive programme has been designed to bring together traditional Christmas and New Year celebrations with activities that highlight the Maldives’ natural environment and cultural heritage.
Through its combination of festive events, recreational activities, marine conservation initiatives and dining experiences, Reethi Faru Resort aims to provide guests with opportunities to celebrate the holiday season while experiencing island life in the Maldives.
Awards
Condé Nast Traveler names .Here Baa Atoll among Indian Ocean’s top resorts
.Here Baa Atoll, a private island retreat in the Maldives, has been named the No. 6 Resort in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026.
The annual Readers’ Choice Awards recognise hotels, resorts, destinations, airlines and other travel experiences based on votes submitted by Condé Nast Traveler readers.
The recognition places .Here Baa Atoll among the highest-ranked resorts in the Indian Ocean and comes during a milestone year for the property.
Located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, .Here Baa Atoll comprises nine residences spread across two natural islands, Somewhere and Nowhere.
Somewhere features seven three- and four-bedroom residences extending from the beach towards the lagoon and designed for families and groups travelling together. Each residence offers indoor and outdoor living spaces, multiple pools, private dining and personalised Roohu service. Guests are transferred directly to their residence by private speedboat, avoiding a conventional lobby and check-in process.
Condé Nast Traveler has previously highlighted the resort for its emphasis on privacy, its beach-to-lagoon residences and its discreet approach to luxury.
The resort experience also includes Nowhere Private Island, which is reserved exclusively for a single group at a time. The island features a five-bedroom Presidential Residence and a three-bedroom Lagoon Residence, providing eight bedrooms and 3,329 square metres of private living space, supported by dedicated service and individually curated experiences.
The Readers’ Choice Award follows several other recognitions received by .Here Baa Atoll during 2026. The resort was included in the Condé Nast Traveler Hot List 2026, with the publication highlighting its residences and design. It has also received international recognition for its architecture and design, alongside creative collaborators Kulör Group, Muza Lab and Topo Design Studio.
Elina Adiyan, Resident Manager of .Here Baa Atoll, said: “To be recognised by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler so early in our journey is incredibly meaningful. .Here was created around a simple idea: to give guests extraordinary space, genuine privacy and the freedom to experience the Maldives entirely on their own terms. This recognition belongs equally to our team, whose care and dedication bring that vision to life every day. We are deeply grateful to everyone who voted for us.”
The latest recognition adds to .Here Baa Atoll’s growing international profile within the luxury travel sector, with the resort positioning privacy, spacious accommodation, design and personalised service at the centre of its guest experience.
Awards
Reethi Faru Resort celebrates culinary team’s success at Hotel Asia and FHAM
Reethi Faru Resort has announced three medal wins by members of its culinary team at the Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge and the FHAM Global Culinary Challenge.
At the Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge, Chef Rohit Kabdal received a Gold Medal in the Decorated Cake category, recognising his work in cake design, presentation and technical execution.
Chef Abhishek Sharma also represented Reethi Faru Resort at the competition, earning a Bronze Medal in the Hot Cooking Fish category.
At the FHAM Global Culinary Challenge, Chef Mayank Bijalwan secured a Silver Medal in the Dress the Cake category, adding a third medal to the resort’s recent culinary achievements.
The results highlight the range of skills within Reethi Faru Resort’s culinary team, spanning pastry, cake presentation and hot kitchen techniques.
According to the resort, participation in professional culinary competitions provides its chefs with opportunities to develop their skills, exchange knowledge and test their abilities alongside other industry professionals.
The achievements also form part of Reethi Faru Resort’s wider focus on dining and guest experience, with its culinary team involved across the resort’s restaurants and food and beverage offerings.
Reethi Faru Resort congratulated Kabdal, Bijalwan and Sharma on their respective achievements, describing the results as recognition of their commitment, technical ability and creativity.
The three medals add to the resort’s recent culinary accolades and reflect its continued emphasis on professional development within its kitchen team.
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