Featured
Vakkaru Maldives’ first visiting wellness practitioner of 2021: Dawn Harlow
With this new year representing a longed-for fresh start, Vakkaru Maldives is proud to welcome Dawn Harlow as the resort’s first visiting wellness practitioner of 2021.
A spiritual guide, Kundalini yoga and meditation teacher, life coach and master in breathwork who will be in residence from January 20 to February 17, she will lead a series of private and group sessions dedicated to providing guests with strength, clarity, calmness and purpose over the months to come.

Trained in Kundalini yoga in Rishikesh on the banks of the Ganges in India and a decade-long student of humanology (the science of understanding human nature), Dawn has long worked on a private basis with clients the world over and regularly leads wellbeing retreats internationally.
However, her residency at Vakkaru will differ from every programme she has previously offered.
Vakkaru recently launched Vakkare, a unique new hospitality concept in the Maldives that places the concept of care at the core of all the resort offers.
Additionally, 2021 sees Vakkaru launch 50 Shades of Blue, an extended programme of events, experiences and special activities to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the resort’s Baa Atoll home being designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Dawn was inspired by both those developments, and the unprecedented events of 2020, to facilitate highly personalised treatments and encounters that will enable guests to release deep-seated traumas and painful memories.
Her objective is to empower every individual to unlock their unique gifts and talents and to live to their true potential.
Speaking about the unique new programme she has developed for her residency at Vakkaru, Dawn said: “During the last year, each of us has faced grief and sadness; a subtle feeling of fear and uncertainty has rocked our world and this has led to despair, separation and loss.”
“Kundalini yoga renews and repairs the nervous system, heals neuroses and quietens negative thoughts. It gives a new beginning and is perfect for beginners. For all those who want to induce change in 2021, starting something new provides a way to feel brand new.”

Alongside deeply attentive and empathetic private and group yoga and meditation sessions, one of the new services offered by Dawn will be From Blue to a New You. Sensitively recognising the depression and fear which so many have faced over the last year, this personalised and private retreat runs for three days or longer and will see Dawn provide participants with tailored guidance and coaching to overcome stress, burnout and anxiety.
During Journey through the Chakras retreats, meditation, life coaching and personalised teachings will allow guests to clear their subconscious mind of the stresses and strains of the last few months, to be replaced with a deep sense of peace, a newfound energy and a soaring sense of creativity.
Vakkaru recently launched a new range of permanently available Ayurvedic treatments, many of which also focus on the body’s chakras, or energy points, and which would pair well with many of the services offered by Dawn.
With these and other offerings being held at Vakkaru’s overwater Merana Spa, also available during Dawn’s residency will be special detoxes that provide mental and emotional release alongside physical cleansing, and healing gong sessions that will realign and restore the nervous system while also endowing a sense of joy and inner peace.
Whatever treatment they may choose, consistent throughout will be Dawn’s commitment to ensuring therapies and sessions provide a solid basis for guests to enjoy inner peace and prosperity over the year 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.
Featured
Villa Nautica’s festive glow: Yoga at sunrise, fireworks at midnight
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.
Featured
JOALI BEING launches global campaign ‘Joyful Journeys of Well-Living’
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.
Awards
Coco Bodu Hithi wins Best Waterside Hotel at Condé Nast Johansens Awards 2026
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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