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Vakkaru Maldives gets Wine Spectator Award, welcomes head sommelier with launch of immersive wine experiences

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At Vakkaru Maldives, oenophiles will find there’s no better place to toast the start of 2021 than in Vakkaru Reserve.

Fresh from winning a major accolade from the American magazine Wine Spectator, with a new head sommelier in place and showcasing a number of fresh new initiatives, the resort’s wine cellar will be a focal point for special wine and dine experiences throughout the year.

Originally from Argentina and a mixologist and sommelier who has worked at luxury hotels and fine dining restaurants worldwide, Vakkaru Maldives’ new Head Sommelier Lucas Girod will have overall responsibility for the cellar’s $500,000 collection.

Extending to 520 labels, it runs from old world to new world wines, and features rare vintages such as 1974 and 1985 Château Cheval Blanc, 2002 Louis Roederer Cristal Brut, 2002 Krug Clos du Mesnil and 2009 Louis Roederer Cristal Rosé, alongside1990 Sassicala, 2002 Chateau d’Yquem and Tiganello vintages running from 2006 to 2014.

It was the diversity and sophistication of the collection that prompted Wine Spectator to extend its Best of Award of Excellence to Vakkaru Reserve in the magazine’s most recent Restaurant Awards.

The awards recognise the achievements of nearly 3,800 restaurants across 80 countries and territories, with the coveted Best of Award of Excellence designations specifically celebrating venues “for serious wine lovers, that show a deep commitment to wine, both in the cellar and through their service team”.

In what is one of the most comprehensive global surveys of its kind, Vakkaru is one of only 10 resorts in the Maldives and 1,387 venues internationally to hold the honour.

This is the first year Vakkaru Reserve joined this prestigious list, making it one of only two resorts in the Maldives and 139 new entries to be elevated to that position within the last year.

“It’s incredibly exciting to join Vakkaru Maldives, where the resort’s $500,000 investment in exceptional international wines and the recent Wine Spectator award show just how seriously the team takes the pleasures of eating and drinking,” Girod said.

“This is one of the finest wine collections to be found in the Indian Ocean and I’m looking forward to sharing it in new and creative ways with all those who come to visit us.”

The award is the latest affirmation of the ambitious steps being taken by Vakkaru to build one of the Indian Ocean’s most unique and notable wine cellars and guests keen to experience what makes the Reserve so special will find a number of new experiences.

Under Girod’s stewardship, Wine Tasting in the Sea sessions will invite guests to dip enjoy a relaxed, barefoot outdoor tasting immersed in the beauty of the resort’s lagoon.

More uniquely Maldivian memories can be made during intimate tasting sessions on a sandbank, where intriguing wines will be juxtaposed with the calm beauty of the Indian Ocean.

For true wine connoisseurs, Top Wines of the World tastings will see Girod introduce premier crus from Bordeaux & Burgundy and a selection of Brunellos and Barolos alongside a range of top new world vintages, all to be served with fine cheeses and premium cold cuts.

Those launches will complement the indulgent experiences already offered at Vakkaru Reserve, where the resort’s best wines are left tantalisingly on display.

The wine cellar accommodates up to 10 guests at its indoor seating area for intimate dinners.

Encased by palm trees and beautifully illuminated by candlelight as darkness falls, the outdoor dining table seats eight and is a popular meeting place for friends who want to sample Vakkaru Reserve’s cigar collection alongside its wines.

Whether enjoyed inside or out, decadent dinners at Vakkaru Reserve might feature Maldivian lobster terrine to start, and a mains of fillet mignon and foie gras with honey mustard vegetables accompanied by a flight of champagne and different styles of wines.

Should guests simply want to drop in to casually sample whatever might take their fancy, that too can be arranged.

“We are delighted to welcome Lucas Girod as Vakkaru Maldives’ Head Sommelier,” General Manager of Vakkaru Maldives Iain McCormack said.

“Offering superlative drinking and dining experiences has always been a priority for all of us here, and it is a passion that he shares. We look forward to giving Vakkaru Reserve guests plenty of reason to cheer good times and good fortune over the months to come.”

Nestled in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Vakkaru is a timeless sanctuary intuitively designed for guests seeking unassuming luxury and cherishable experiences.

A scenic 30- minute seaplane journey from Velana International Airport takes you to this secluded reef island blessed with timeless ocean views, powder-soft white sand beaches, unique deep blue holes and spectacular marine biodiversity.

The 113 beautifully-appointed Over Water and Beach Villas are elegantly designed to respect the surrounding tropical nature and Maldivian charms.

Indulgent dining choices, a world-class wine cellar – home to a curated selection of fine vintage and non-vintage offerings from Old to New World — as well as curated leisure activities and amenities create enriched experiences for everyone.

For reservations and general information, please visit vakkarumaldives.com or contact reservations@vakkarumaldives.com.

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Villa Nautica’s festive glow: Yoga at sunrise, fireworks at midnight

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Villa Nautica will embrace the festive spirit from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, offering guests an easy island rhythm that flows from bright mornings by the water to music-filled evenings on the sand. The season begins with illuminated beaches and relaxed barbecues, gradually building through creative afternoons and live performances. Christmas Eve will feature a gala dinner, followed by Santa’s arrival on 25 December. The celebrations will culminate in a vibrant New Year’s Eve countdown with fireworks, before settling into a calm reset on New Year’s Day and concluding with Orthodox Christmas.

The programme balances practicality with a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. Mornings will bring sunrise yoga, family pool activities, and interactive cooking sessions, while evenings will feature poolside soirées, wine-paired dinners, and sunset cruises. With simple yet photogenic settings, the lagoon and sky take centre stage in shaping the mood. Guests—whether couples, friends, or families—can participate freely without losing the island’s easy pace.

For younger visitors, the festivities will centre around the kids’ club, where cookie and cupcake decorating, beach games, origami and craft sessions, storytelling, and cosy movie nights will take place. Small groups and attentive care ensure that creativity and play remain the focus, allowing parents to enjoy uninterrupted moments around the island.

A highlight of the season will be the Champagne Lucky Draw & Disco. From 1 to 31 December, each bottle of champagne purchased at resort bars or restaurants will serve as an entry to the draw. Guests are advised to keep their entry stubs for the live draw, held at 01:00 during the New Year’s celebration, where the prize will be a seven-night stay in a Water Villa for two.

Throughout the festive period, private experiences will feel as memorable as the larger celebrations. Guests may enjoy candlelit dinners on the sand, floating breakfasts, or early morning snorkelling sessions to begin the year anew. Whether seeking a lively shoreline celebration or a quiet evening stroll beneath lanterns and palms, Villa Nautica offers an atmosphere where every festive moment can glow in its own way.

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JOALI BEING launches global campaign ‘Joyful Journeys of Well-Living’

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JOALI BEING, the world’s first well-being island, has announced the launch of its new global brand campaign titled “Joyful Journeys of Well-Living.” The campaign celebrates the art of self-discovery, inviting travellers to reconnect with their inner selves through bespoke and transformative experiences.

Building upon JOALI BEING’s core philosophy of the “Joy of Weightlessness,” the campaign embodies the essence of harmony between mind, body, and spirit. It encourages guests to explore holistic pathways designed to restore balance and inspire personal growth.

Joyful Journeys of Well-Living serves as an invitation to travellers seeking meaningful change and renewal. The campaign narrates stories of individuals discovering joy through purposeful living, mindful connection, and immersive well-being experiences at JOALI BEING.

The visuals capture the island’s tranquil landscapes and nurturing spaces — from oceanfront sanctuaries to treetop villas and transformative healing sessions led by resident experts. The campaign presents JOALI BEING as more than a destination; it is a journey towards well-being, creativity, and self-transformation.

Each guest journey at JOALI BEING is founded on the resort’s Four Pillars of Well-Being — Mind, Skin, Microbiome, and Energy. Through tailored programmes, guests can embark on integrative wellness experiences encompassing sound therapy, movement and fitness, hydrotherapy, nutritional guidance, and energy-healing sessions curated by specialists.

The island features a series of advanced well-being spaces, including:

  • CORE: a movement and fitness zone
  • AREKA: a transformative treatment centre
  • KAASHI: a hydrotherapy hall
  • SEDA: a sound-healing room
  • Ocean Sala: an open-air meditation and relaxation deck

Each space is designed to nurture a profound connection with nature and the self.

The Joyful Journeys of Well-Living campaign has been conceptualised and produced by JOALI BEING’s in-house team in collaboration with creative partners and visual storytellers from across the globe. The multi-platform campaign integrates film, digital, and print media to convey JOALI BEING’s ethos — a celebration of joy, transformation, and harmony.

The visual narrative draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the Maldives, reflecting JOALI BEING’s immersive design philosophy. The imagery captures the rhythm of the ocean, the play of light, and the flow of energy that define the spirit of the island.

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Awards

Coco Bodu Hithi wins Best Waterside Hotel at Condé Nast Johansens Awards 2026

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Coco Bodu Hithi has been recognised on the global stage, winning Best Waterside Hotel (Riverside, Lakeside, Seaside) at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2026, held on 3 November 2025 in the UK. It is the second consecutive year the resort has been honoured by the publication, following last year’s win for Best Service, reaffirming its focus on heartfelt Maldivian hospitality and refined island living.

Described by Condé Nast Johansens as an “over-water, over-indulgent Maldivian island outpost,” Coco Bodu Hithi offers an intimate retreat of comfort and calm. The resort’s 32 Water Villas and 24 Coco Residences, each measuring 184 square metres and featuring private pools, provide secluded spaces set above the lagoon, where nature, design, and comfort come together to reflect the island’s romantic ambience.

Known for contemporary design infused with Maldivian heritage, the resort continues to welcome travellers seeking time by the sea, complemented by culinary collaborations with celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs. The experience balances privacy and comfort throughout a guest’s stay. With turquoise waters, quiet spaces, and experiences designed for connection and shared discovery, the resort presents a considered take on island living.

Located 35 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the island combines accessibility with seclusion—close enough for convenience, yet removed for privacy and serenity. As part of Coco Collection, the resort offers bespoke experiences, attentive service, and sustainable practices, shaping stays that feel personal and reflective of relaxed, authentic island life.

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