Featured
‘Tis the season to be jolly: Enjoy fantastic festivities in Maldives with Crown & Champa Resorts

The merriest time of the year is almost here, and we are more excited than ever!
December is likely to be a little different for many people this year, so it’s a great year to ring the changes and make it the Christmas festivities or the New Year’s Eve you always dreamed of with a tropical twist.
Across all Crown & Champa Resorts, December promises to be a wonderful time. The teams have curated amazing activities to ensure that everyone has a fantastic time, offering guests the freedom they desire and with safety in mind. From family challenges to adult-only parties, there is something for everyone at the group’s resorts.

Have it your way at Kudadoo Maldives
No matter which holidays you observe, Kudadoo is a private island where your private butler can help you curate your ideal itinerary.
From big game fishing and parasailing to picnics on a desolate sandbank and dining amidst the island’s lush vegetation, your days on this tropical piece of paradise can be completely suited to your preferences.
Or, you can let your private butler bestow upon you a collection of experiences that will make the festivities of 2020 memorable for all the right reasons.
Read more on how you can celebrate the most wonderful time of the year amid luxury and tranquillity, where elegance meets decadence – Kudadoo.
Refined festive line-up at Hurawalhi Maldives
At Hurawalhi Maldives, you can expect mouth-watering gala dinners, destination dining under the sea or starry skies, private island escapes, refined entertainment, and much more.
See what else is on Hurawalhi’s festive season line-up.
Balanced festivities at Kagi Maldives
Kagi Maldives Spa Island, the collection’s newly opened resort for wellbeing, will have its guest experience a curated festive programme that allows indulging and detoxing while enjoying December celebrations.
Guest can look forward to gala dinners on Christmas eve and NYE, taste special set menus designed under the Kagi Maldives Pure Life concept, bid farewell to 2020 in style with NYE Cocktail Reception and Kagi Pure Life activities.
Kagi’s BAANI SPA will offer a selection of packages to invigorate guests to pamper to body and mind for the new year. Contact reservations@kagimaldives.com for more information.
Potpourri of fun at Veligandu Island
Street markets, year-end yoga, Gingerbread House making, live music, parties, lucky draws, and coral planting. The secluded and romantic island Veligandu Island Resort & Spa has crafted and curated a potpourri of fun, activities, and programmes, including gala dinners, planned this festive season for you.
Have a look at the full programme of Veligandu here.
Indian Ocean festivities at Komandoo
For guests staying at the truly +18 years, adults-only Komandoo Island Resort & Spa, this December festivities will be experienced with an “Indian Ocean” cultural theme.
The music festivals, cocktail parties, and spectacular dinners to be enjoyed all with Komandoo’s signature laid-back island style while the island champions will showcase the cultures of different countries in the region, including Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, India, Comoros, and of course the Maldives.
See Komandoo’s festive season programme here.
Travel Tip: Bring your cameras, gimbals, and selfie stick for Christmas Eve. From decorations to the arrival of Santa Clause, you’ll have many reasons to capture splendid moments. Will he arrive this year in a Dhoni? on jet skis? snorkel to the island or by seaplane? This man in red will always astound you with his appearances.
Fun for whole family at Meeru
The festive season in Meeru Island Resort & Spa guarantees lots of fun for the whole family, and the festivities spread across the month from December 6 to January 7, 2021.
From Christmas markets, sand art shows, wine tasting and culinary experiences, parties and gala dinners, there’s something for everyone to enjoy themselves in Meeru.
See the festive season programme here.
As an island with separate family-friendly areas and facilities, Meeru has a separate festive program for the younger guests. Kids can enjoy handcraft sessions, treasure hunts, movies, bubble shows, and DJ parties.
The Meeru team invites you to embrace the magic of the island and the season as you create enduring memories.
See Meerus’ festive programmes for kids here.
Festive cheer at Vilamendhoo
Dive into Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa and you can look forward to an abundance of festive cheer for guests of all ages.
Discover magical celebrations mixed with the best of the Maldives ambience. Beach dinners, cocktail parties, kayak races and excursions to say goodbye to whale sharks for 2020 until you revisit them in 2021.
For the younger guests, Vilamendhoo has ranged sandcastle building competitions, Gingerbread house making, a family mini-Olympic and a variety of family-friendly experiences that the whole family is sure to love.
See the Vilamendhoo’s festive programme here.
Travel Tip: Traveling with kids and teens? Crown & Champa Resorts properties have family-friendly villas and facilities for families with young children separated from the adult-only areas of the islands. Babysitting services are available as an add-on. For the festive season, the resorts plan additional wholesome family activities for guests of all ages. We’d recommend Meeru Island Resort & Spa, Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa and Kuredu Island Resort & Spa for young families to have a top time.
Traditional meets tropical at Kuredu
Kuredu Island Resort & Spa has put together a programme of outstanding holiday events where traditional meets tropical for your merriest festive season.
The spirit of the season will carry on with an exciting programme throughout the holidays: Santa’s island-style arrival, beach barbecues, repeaters’ cocktails, gastronomic treats with Stefan Marquard, street market, live music performances by Atlantis and Mezzo, Gladiator contest and pool parties, all culminating in a superhero-themed New Year’s Eve glow party.
See more of what’s in store on the Kuredu festive season plan.

Featured
Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives announces grand opening

Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, is preparing for the launch of Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, a serene island retreat set to open on April 1st. To commemorate the opening, the resort is offering an exclusive introductory promotion, allowing guests to enjoy a luxurious escape with a range of benefits. The special offer includes Stay 4, Pay 3 and Stay 7, Pay 5 packages, along with exceptional upgrades available for a limited time.
Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives is the final addition to Centara’s collection of four distinctive properties in the Maldives, each tailored to different traveller preferences. The resort features 142 elegantly designed beachfront and overwater accommodations that harmonise with the surrounding natural beauty. This private island sanctuary seamlessly merges Thai-inspired hospitality with Maldivian charm, offering world-class dining across multiple restaurants and bars, as well as revitalising wellness experiences at the Spa Cenvaree Retreat.

The opening of this property also marks the completion of The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, a visionary project that aims to redefine experiential travel in the Maldives. As part of this exclusive multi-island destination, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives offers refined tranquility combined with immersive experiences. Guests staying at the resort also have access to the exciting water attractions and vibrant amenities of the neighbouring Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives.
Andrew Jansson, Cluster General Manager of Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives & Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming opening, stating, “From our picturesque beachfront and overwater villas to our exquisite dining and holistic wellness journeys, our team has worked tirelessly to ensure every aspect of this magnificent property exceeds expectations. We look forward to offering travellers a truly distinctive experience that captures the essence of both Centara’s signature warm hospitality and the beauty of this Maldivian paradise.”
To celebrate the grand opening, Centara Hotels & Resorts is inviting guests to take advantage of the Grand Island Indulgence: Exclusive Introductory Offer. Bookings made before June 30th, 2025, for stays between April 1st and October 15th, 2025, will qualify for the Stay 4, Pay 3 or Stay 7, Pay 5 packages. The offer also includes meal plan upgrades, complimentary sparkling wine and couples’ massages, exclusive access to The Club, a choice of an ocean excursion, and additional perks for CentaraThe1 members.
Featured
Embrace Maldives’ hidden summer with Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts

Beyond the well-known winter appeal of the Maldives lies an underrated gem—summer. From May to October, the islands transform into a sanctuary of intimate escapes, breathtaking marine encounters, and uninterrupted tranquillity, offering a side of the Maldives that remains one of travel’s best-kept secrets. This year, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts invites travellers to rediscover summer in the Maldives through curated experiences across its four island resorts, each tailored to romance, diving, adventure, and relaxation.
Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives provides an ideal setting for couples seeking a romantic summer retreat. Overwater bungalows offer a tranquil atmosphere, where the gentle lapping of waves sets a soothing rhythm for the days ahead. For those desiring an exclusive adults-only escape, Platinum Island offers elevated privacy and sophistication, creating the perfect environment for seclusion. As the sun sets, private sandbank dinners and candlelit beachside feasts transform ordinary moments into unforgettable memories.
For diving enthusiasts, Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon offers an unparalleled underwater experience. Home to one of the Maldives’ most vibrant house reefs and in close proximity to iconic dive sites, Ellaidhoo provides exceptional opportunities for marine exploration. Divers can witness the Maldives’ marine life in its full splendour, and encounters with Tripod, the island’s beloved three-finned turtle, add a unique charm to every dive. Whether exploring the legendary house reef or venturing to sites such as Fish Head and Maaya Thila, every descent promises an awe-inspiring glimpse into the ocean’s wonders.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives serves as the ultimate summer playground for thrill-seekers, where the ocean’s energy meets endless opportunities for adventure. Home to the world-renowned surf break, Pasta Point, the island attracts seasoned surfers eager to ride its perfectly peeling waves. Beyond surfing, the resort offers an array of exhilarating water sports, including jet skiing, wakeboarding, paddleboarding, and windsurfing, ensuring every adrenaline-seeker finds an activity suited to their passion. Whether carving through the waves or speeding across crystal-clear waters, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives encapsulates the thrill of ocean adventure.
Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives redefines summer living, blending stylish beachfront retreats with effortless indulgence. Days unfold at a leisurely pace, with sun-drenched afternoons by the infinity pool, gourmet dining that highlights the flavours of the sea, revitalising spa treatments, and sunrise yoga sessions designed to awaken the senses. Whether savouring exquisitely crafted dishes, indulging in personalised wellness experiences, or simply embracing the island’s serenity, Velifushi offers an escape where time slows down, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the art of island living.
Far from the winter crowds, summer in the Maldives reveals a season of untold beauty, where the rhythm of the waves sets the pace for unforgettable experiences. Whether diving into vibrant marine ecosystems, embracing barefoot luxury, or savoring moments of pure tranquillity, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives welcomes travellers to uncover one of the islands’ best-kept secrets
Cooking
Michelin magic in Maldives: Chef Wassim Hallal’s spring residency at Soneva Fushi

Danish chef Wassim Hallal will be hosting an exclusive residency at Soneva Fushi’s Flying Sauces from March 17 to May 12, 2025, bringing his two-Michelin-starred restaurant, Frederikshøj, to the world’s first fine dining zipline experience. As spring unfolds in the Maldives, guests will have the opportunity to soar along a 200-meter zipline route to reach an elevated dining platform, where breathtaking views, intuitive service, and Hallal’s masterful culinary creations await.
A pioneer of modern Nordic cuisine, Hallal’s passion for gastronomy has driven him to redefine fine dining in Denmark. His culinary journey began at a young age, leading him to refine his craft in some of Europe’s most prestigious kitchens. Under his leadership, Frederikshøj in Aarhus has earned two Michelin stars, recognized for its innovative approach, precision, and use of the finest seasonal ingredients.
During his highly anticipated spring residency at Soneva Fushi, Hallal will bring the essence of Frederikshøj to the Maldives, offering an unforgettable tasting experience that merges contemporary Nordic techniques with the island’s exceptional organic produce. His culinary philosophy pays tribute to the natural world, shaped by his environment and the evolving landscape of modern gastronomy. His style masterfully balances the refinement of French haute cuisine with the boundary-pushing creativity of New Nordic cooking, infused with global influences that drive his innovation.
At Frederikshøj, his commitment to excellence is evident in the meticulous selection of the finest local ingredients. A true culinary craftsman, he embraces experimentation, constantly redefining flavour, texture, and technique to create dishes that leave a lasting impression. Each plate serves as a canvas—an expression of creativity, refinement, and evolution—always seeking to push the boundaries of what is possible.
While in the Maldives, Hallal and his team will seamlessly blend Frederikshøj’s distinctive culinary ethos with Soneva Fushi’s organic seasonal produce, crafting a two-Michelin-starred dining experience designed to surprise, delight, and linger in the memories of guests long after the final course.
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