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Seaside Finolhu serves up an ace for tennis lovers via LUX Tennis partnership

Published

5 years ago

November 27, 2020

While Seaside Finolhu recently completed an extensive transformation process that will accentuate its image as a design-led luxury destination, the resort retains a steadfast commitment to its well-established character as an island playground.

This was recently underlined when the Maldivian resort announced an exciting new partnership that will see LUX Tennis oversee coaching programmes and all other tennis-related activities at Finolhu.

The splashes of vibrant colours and bold shapes of Finolhu’s new Kaleidoscope design concept have been carefully chosen not only to emphasise an aesthetic style but also to highlight the fun and playful nature of the resort.

From diving and fishing to tennis and even a state-of-the-art indoor golf studio, Finolhu offers its fun-loving and adventurous guests a wide selection of activities to keep them entertained.

To ensure it delivers the finest experience possible, Finolhu has also initiated a number of strategic partnerships and now tennis lovers of all playing levels can enjoy world-class coaching and personalised tennis programmes at the resort thanks to Finolhu’s newest partnership with internationally-renowned tennis coaching specialists LUX Tennis.

Founded in Spain in 2017, LUX tennis specialises in managing tennis-related activities and providing customised coaching programmes at luxury resorts around the world.

Combining extensive experience of professional tennis coaching with a commitment to understanding the specific needs of each player, LUX tennis focuses on fun activities designed to challenge serious players and ensure that newcomers develop a lifetime love of the game.

With its highly-experienced current or former ATP level coaches, LUX Tennis can customise its programmes to suit beginners considering taking up the game, amateurs looking to improve their skill set or serious players wanting to compete in tournaments.

Through its partnership with LUX Tennis, Finolhu is offering a choice of tailored tennis coaching, practice programmes and fun events designed to inspire and challenge guests of all ages and abilities to improve their skill set during their holidays.

Whether looking for intensive coaching or just wanting to pick up some new techniques, guests can choose to join private one-on-one or group sessions with a professional coach, while LUX Tennis will also be providing a choice of fun-filled clinics, games, exhibition events and tournaments on Finolhu’s palm-fringed court.

All tennis-related activities on Finolhu will be overseen by LUX Tennis’s assigned coach, John Zibin.

A native of Canada, John speaks English, Spanish and Italian. His tennis career includes playing for the Brock University Varsity Tennis Team, while he is also an Ontario Tennis Association Rookie Tour Champion and an Intercounty Tennis Association Champion.

John’s professional coaching career dates back to 2009 and includes experience as a Certified Tennis Instructor at Davisville Tennis Club and Parkway Valley Tennis Club of the North York Tennis Association, Toronto, Canada.

Speaking about his role in the partnership between Finolhu and LUX Tennis, John expressed his feeling that it is an extremely good fit for both parties.

“With LUX Tennis offering a top-class tennis programme and Finolhu offering top-class guest service, visitors are in for a treat and should expect nothing short of a wonderful experience both on and off the court,” he said. said.

“I am definitely looking forward to seeing smiling faces and satisfied families.”

Finolhu was opened in June 2016 and consists of four islands with long beaches. It has 125 beachfront and overwater villas — more than half with private pool — and four restaurants.

While popular with honeymooners, the extensive resort is also very family-friendly, with a kids’ club, plenty of activities and famous for its entertainment.

Owned and managed by Seaside Collection, a Europe-based hotel group with an exclusive portfolio of high-end resorts and city hotels, Seaside Finolhu Maldives is a luxury island resort.

“Finolhu”, which is a direct translation of “sandbank” in Dhivehi is located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives.

To find out more about LUX Tennis, visit www.luxtennis.com. For bookings and more information about Seaside Finolhu, visit www.finolhu.com.

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InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort launches ‘Swim with Nurse Sharks’ experience

Published

20 hours ago

February 9, 2026

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Nestled in the pristine waters of the Raa Atoll, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort introduces Swim with Nurse Sharks, a new guided marine experience offering guests a rare opportunity to encounter these gentle creatures in their natural lagoon habitat.

Located just minutes from the island, the calm, shallow waters provide ideal conditions for observing nurse sharks at rest and in motion. The one-hour experience operates three times a week by speedboat and is designed for small groups, making it suitable for families and confident swimmers seeking a meaningful connection with the ocean.

Guided with care and respect for the environment, the experience reflects the resort’s ongoing commitment to marine awareness and responsible interaction with wildlife. Guests gain insight into the behaviour of nurse sharks while exploring one of the region’s few accessible snorkelling sites dedicated to this species.

Available at USD 95++ per person, with special rates for children under 12, Swim with Nurse Sharks adds a distinctive new chapter to the resort’s immersive ocean experiences.

For more information on “Swim with Nurse Sharks” at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, please visit the resort’s website.

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Avani+ Fares Maldives to host Michael Owen’s football camp for second year

Published

1 day ago

February 9, 2026

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Michael Owen’s Football Camp is returning to Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort for a second year, running from 31 March to 3 April 2026 as part of the resort’s Easter holiday programme. Following a strong debut in 2025, the camp will once again see children and teens join the former England striker for hands-on coaching sessions on Fares Island in Baa Atoll.

Designed for kids and teens aged 5 to 13, the four-day camp combines daily training sessions, skills development and team challenges, led by Michael Owen. The programme ends on a high with a celebratory finale, with certificates, medals and jersey signings for every participant. The camp is complimentary for all guests staying at Avani+ Fares Maldives during the event, and each registered participant will receive an official Football Kit, including two sets of customised jerseys, shorts and socks.

Building on the strong response from families last year, the 2026 Football Camp sits within Avani+ Fares Maldives’ broader Easter line-up, pairing structured sports sessions with relaxed island time. Beyond the pitch, younger guests can dip in and out of island adventures at AvaniKids and the Teens Club, with creative arts and crafts and dedicated spaces designed around their age group. Mealtimes are part of the fun too, with Petit Bistro, the resort’s kids-only restaurant, created just for younger guests.

For families keen to get out on the water together, Avani+ Fares Maldives is set within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, with snorkelling along the house reef right off the island and a full menu of water sports and dive experiences at this award-winning dive resort.

Commenting on the upcoming camp, Michael Owen said: “Coming back to Avani+ Fares Maldives feels like a natural next step after the energy and enthusiasm we saw at the first camp. It is a special environment for families and the camp is all about helping kids build confidence, develop their skills and most importantly enjoy the game together. I am really looking forward to being back on the island in 2026.”

Avani+ Fares Maldives is designed with families in mind, with a wide mix of accommodation styles to suit different group sizes and travel plans. Options range from interconnecting Pavilion rooms for easy togetherness, to Beach Pool Villas with outdoor space for daytime downtime, alongside over water villas set above the lagoon. For families travelling as a bigger group, the resort also offers spacious two and three bedroom Over Water Pool Residences, with generous living areas and room to spread out between activities.

Package rates start from USD 3,500 for a family of four, including accommodation, seaplane transfers and football camp registration. Based on two adults and two children sharing on a bed and breakfast basis, includes taxes and fees. To book, visit www.avanihotels.com/en/fares-maldives, email fares@avanihotels.com or call  +960 660 1660.

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Simply summer at Milaidhoo: Invitation to slow living in the Baa Atoll

Published

6 days ago

February 4, 2026

m@ldives

In a destination often defined by excess, Milaidhoo Maldives offers a different summer narrative: one of restraint, rhythm and rare stillness. Introducing Simply Summer, a seasonal escape that celebrates the art of slowing down within the UNESCO-protected waters of the Baa Atoll.

An intimate island sanctuary, Milaidhoo is designed for travellers who value time as the ultimate luxury. Days unfold unhurriedly, beginning with relaxed oceanfront breakfasts and shaped entirely by choice, from sunrise yoga and snorkelling in pristine coral gardens to long, private hours spent within the calm of one’s villa. Evenings are defined by elegant à la carte dining, inspired by seasonal flavours and served with effortless grace.

The Simply Summer offer enhances this experience with considered privileges rather than excess. Guests are invited to explore the Maldives’ natural wonders through manta ray encounters in the legendary Hanifaru Bay, indulge in restorative rituals at the overwater Serenity Spa, or discover the atoll through curated island adventures, all with exclusive seasonal savings.

A chilled bottle of Ruinart Champagne awaiting guests in their villa sets the tone on arrival, while flexible early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability) ensures that time is never hurried. Dining remains a central pleasure, with daily breakfast and à la carte dinners at Ocean Restaurant, complemented by generous dining credits across the island’s culinary venues.

Available for stays from 1st May to 31st October 2026, with a minimum stay of four nights, Simply Summer is an understated invitation to experience the Maldives at its most refined, quietly luxurious, deeply personal and guided by the gentle pace of island life.

Simply Summer – Key Inclusions: