Connect with us

Featured

Vakkaru Maldives’ first visiting wellness practitioner of 2021: Dawn Harlow

Published

on

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.

Resort Photography

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

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives introduces summer offer across four island resorts

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Awards

JOALI Maldives wins two honours at Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Cooking

Michelin-Starred Chef Grégoire Berger to host dining experience at Lily Beach Resort & Spa

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.