Featured
DJ Scott Mills to lead Amilla Maldives’ NYE spectacular
BBC Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills will be leading guests at Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences out of 2020 and into 2021 at a show-stopping New Year’s Eve party.
The five-star Baa Atoll resort has a reputation for holding spectacular events to wrap up the year. And despite a tumultuous 2020, the team has managed to pull together a stellar line-up, with the theme of “The Greatest Showman’.
Joining Scott Mills will be Hayley Sanderson, one of the lead vocalists on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. They will be supported by home-grown Maldivian talent: Area 51 performers, Limestone and DJ Shafraz.
General Manager Jason Kruse says everyone deserves a treat after such a tough year, so he wanted to deliver a spectacular party to end 2020.
“We are very happy to announce that Amilla will be bursting at the seams this festive season,” he says.
“This means we’ve been able to plan a festive programme in keeping with our reputation for world-class events. Just one month ago we weren’t sure what we could achieve for the festive season, what with all the uncertainty in the world. However, we’ve managed to assemble a very impressive line-up which is even better than we could have hoped for!”

There will be acrobatic displays, songs, pop-up performances and all kinds of spine-tingling entertainment in store.
Guests can also expect to hear their favourite songs from the box-office smash, The Greatest Showman, with a contemporary twist.
The amazing live spectacles are being organised by Amilla’s incredibly talented in-house team Area 51 Performers, and overseen by Director Matt Page.
‘Ringmaster’ Dez will return once again to Amilla to host as ‘PT Barnum’. Dez is acclaimed for his hosting and musical skills and always delights the crowds.
In addition, throughout December to March, Amilla will have a new band in residence. Hailing from Moldova, the performers will be entertaining guests nightly. Members of the band have previously performed in the Eurovision Song Contest finals as “The Sunstroke Project’ and “‘DoReDos’.
This year’s festive celebrations will have a greater focus on sustainability, with millions of solar-powered LEDs lighting up the resort and immunity-boosting treats on hand.
Amilla is continuing to look after the health of its guests with its Covid-19 prevention protocols which includes complimentary PCR tests on site.
The Maldives remains open with free visas on arrival for all nationalities, providing they take a PCR test up to 96 hours before departure and observe local health protocols.
For more information about the resort and bookings, please email sales@amilla.mv or visit www.amilla.com.
Featured
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives introduces summer offer across four island resorts
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives has introduced a summer offer aimed at travellers seeking longer stays across its four island resorts.
Guests booking stays of seven nights or more will receive complimentary return transfers for two people, while shorter stays will include complimentary one-way transfers. At participating resorts, up to two children under the age of 12 can also stay and dine free.
The offer includes savings on selected excursions and activities and is available for bookings and stays until 31 October 2026.
Guests who book directly through Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives will have access to additional benefits, including options to personalise their stays with beach dining, spa treatments and island activities. Members of the brand’s loyalty programme will receive further savings and earn double Discovery Dollars during the promotional period.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers beachfront accommodation, a range of activities and speedboat transfers from Malé. Its accommodation and family-focused programmes are designed for guests seeking a combination of recreation and time together.
Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives provides accommodation, dining options, wellness services and water-based activities within an island setting. The resort caters to couples, families and travellers visiting the Maldives for the first time.
Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, located across two islands in Meemu Atoll, is positioned for couples and honeymooners. Guest experiences include sunset dining, spa treatments and access to the surrounding lagoon.
Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon caters to divers and snorkellers through its house reef, marine life and access to dive sites. The resort provides direct access to underwater experiences in the Indian Ocean.
The summer offer provides savings of up to 65% across Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives’ four properties.
Awards
JOALI Maldives wins two honours at Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia
JOALI Maldives has been recognised in two categories at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia 2026, receiving honours among the Best Resorts in the Maldives and for the Most Outrageous Villa.
The recognition reflects the resort’s Creative Living philosophy, which brings together art, nature, wellbeing, sustainability and hospitality within the guest experience.
Located in Raa Atoll, approximately 45 minutes by seaplane from Malé, JOALI Maldives opened as the Maldives’ first art-immersive luxury resort. Art installations, dining experiences, wellbeing programmes and accommodation are integrated across the island as part of its approach to resort living.
The property features 73 beach and overwater villas and residences, positioned across the island and above the Indian Ocean. The accommodation has been designed to provide privacy, space and access to views of the surrounding environment.
Each villa combines contemporary design with materials including timber, marble, bamboo and terrazzo, as well as handcrafted finishes. Floor-to-ceiling glass provides views of the ocean, while private pools connect the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Artworks and design pieces are also incorporated into each villa, reflecting the resort’s Creative Living concept and extending the art experience into the accommodation.
Guests can choose from Beach Villas, Water Villas and multi-bedroom Residences, with options designed for couples, families and groups. The larger residences provide additional living areas, pools and facilities for guests seeking more space and privacy.
Each villa is supported by a dedicated Jadugar, a term used by the resort to describe its butler service. The Jadugar assists guests throughout their stay by arranging dining experiences, island activities, celebrations and other personalised services.
Guests are also provided with bicycles to explore the island’s pathways, gardens and viewpoints.
JOALI Maldives said the awards reflected the work of its team and the support of its guests, partners and wider community. The resort also said it would continue developing experiences focused on creativity, wellbeing and connection.
The recognition adds to JOALI Maldives’ position within the Maldives’ luxury resort sector, where its art-led design and Creative Living philosophy form the basis of its guest experience.
Cooking
Michelin-Starred Chef Grégoire Berger to host dining experience at Lily Beach Resort & Spa
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has announced a culinary collaboration with Chef Grégoire Berger, chef and co-owner of the Dubai restaurant Kraken.
Known for progressive French cuisine influenced by the ocean, Berger has received a Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Dubai from 2022 to 2024. His restaurant has also been included among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, while his work has received recognition through several international culinary awards.
Berger’s approach draws on the sea as a source of ingredients, ideas and presentation. His menus combine French culinary techniques with marine influences, with each dish developed around a narrative connected to the ocean.
As part of his visit to Lily Beach in August 2026, Berger will host a fine-dining dinner for a limited number of guests. He will also introduce a signature dish at AQVA Bar & Restaurant during the collaboration.

The programme forms part of Lily Beach’s efforts to expand its culinary offering and introduce visiting chefs and dining concepts to guests in the Maldives.
Located in South Ari Atoll, the resort will provide guests with an opportunity to experience Berger’s cuisine within its all-inclusive hospitality concept. The collaboration will combine his Michelin-recognised approach with the resort’s existing food and beverage programme.
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has established its hospitality offering around its premium all-inclusive model, supported by a range of dining venues. Its restaurants offer overwater dining, international buffet selections, seafood and Asian-inspired dishes.
The resort’s culinary programme is supported by the Platinum Plan, an all-inclusive package that includes dining experiences, a selection of wines and spirits, excursions and personalised services.
Through the collaboration with Berger, Lily Beach aims to add another dining experience to its guest programme while continuing to develop its position within the Maldives’ luxury hospitality market.
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