Connect with us

Featured

JA Manafaru Maldives promises unforgettable tropical festive season

Published

on

Festive season in the Maldives is a magical combination of both the traditional and the exotic, offering a joyous family escape full of festive cheer in fabulous weather.

JA Manafaru is an award-winning private island bringing a whole new meaning to festive celebrations – where enchanting tropical beauty sets the stage for Christmas and New Year’s festivities, and a choice of relaxing and exciting experiences add to the season’s revelry.

Tree lighting ceremony

On December 23, from 6pm onwards, guests may join the party in the Cellar Garden and feel the festive cheer as the oldest Banyan Tree on the island is lit up for Christmas.

With carols sung by resident musicians, as well as complimentary canapés and cocktails, JA Manafaru invites guests to kick off the festive season in style.

Christmas movies under the stars

From December 22-24 and on January 1, from 9pm onwards, guests will be surrounded by palm trees under a starry sky at the Infinity Pool, as they enjoy a festive movie classic such as Miracle on 34th Street Time and It’s a Wonderful Life.

Complimentary popcorn and a selection of gourmet snacks and beverages to share make this family experience to remember.

Santa’s arrival

On December 24, at 5.45pm, JA Manafaru offers a festive experience like no other – welcoming Santa as he arrives to the island via the jetty and makes his grand entrance, signalling the beginning of a tropical Christmas.

Christmas Eve barbecue

On December 24, from 7pm onwards, guests will experience Christmas Eve island-style with sharing feasts served directly on the beach and live grill stations serving a variety of fresh seafood, as chefs prepare delicacies on a traditional Maldivian style barbecue using coco husks and local marinades.

Christmas Day brunch

Guests will wake up to the endless blues of the Indian Ocean for a mesmerising Christmas Day brunch on December 25 from 8am.

A celebratory day for all, the brunch will feature Christmas classics and a mix of both traditional festive fare and island delicacies.

New Years Eve

On December 31, from 7.30pm onwards, guests are invited to dine at various international street food stations and join a whimsical walking tour of the island, with entertainment elements along the way including games, live music, and refreshments.

The party kicks off at the Coral Jetty, where a live band and DJ will ring in the New Year with a fiesta of music and dancing.

Orthodox Christmas

On January 6, from 7pm onwards, the al fresco Kakuni dining tables will be set in hues of green and red while the buffet will be filled with traditional Russian specialties.

Positioned at the most northern tip of Maldives in the beautiful Haa Alifu Atoll, JA Manafaru offers privacy, space and distance from other islands as it sits idyllically where the Arabian Sea meets the vast Indian Ocean.

The remote location is beyond the rest of the islands’ cluster, offering unspoilt natural landscapes to explore. The award-winning resort describes this as ‘the true Maldivian experience’, whereby guests have the sense of discovering a pristine natural landscape uninterrupted by an excess of tourists.

Fringed with exquisite powder beaches and crystal-clear waters teeming with exotic marine life, the chic enclave features 84 luxurious beachfront and over-water villas and residences, each with their own private pool and in some cases two.

The accommodation options range from 135 sqm to 1600 sqm, providing complete serenity, with even entry level options showcasing a larger area than most deluxe categories in the Maldives.

The lagoon-ringed island location reassures guests of its safety, as it is far and away from any hustle and bustle or large tourist or locally inhabited areas.

All properties within the JA Resorts & Hotels portfolio are following a full programme of safety and sanitisation which includes the #DubaiAssured government directives and the protocols of the World Travel & Tourism Councils #SafeTravels initiative.

Featured

Reethi Faru Resort reveals festive line-up of dining, entertainment and island experiences

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Awards

Condé Nast Traveler names .Here Baa Atoll among Indian Ocean’s top resorts

Published

on

.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.

Continue Reading

Awards

Reethi Faru Resort celebrates culinary team’s success at Hotel Asia and FHAM

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.