Featured
Taj Exotica Maldives receives four-star ranking from 2021 Forbes Travel Guide

Forbes Travel Guide, positioned as one of the travel world’s most revered ratings, recently awarded Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives with four stars in its 2021 guide, with added appreciation of the idyllic resort having “myriad activities for the restless” traveller.
“It is an honour and privilege to be awarded Four Stars in this prestigious travel guide, especially following one of the most challenging years for hospitality, because it once again lists Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives as one of the most outstanding properties in the world and highlights the resort for what it truly is – a secluded luxury resort getaway located in one of the world’s most beautiful destinations with a plethora of excitement,” Samrat Datta, General Manager at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives, said.

Lauded for being an independent, global rating system for luxury hotels, Forbes Travel Guide ratings are based on incognito inspector visits to every property to test up to 900 objective, stringent standards from the on-arrival greeting to customised turndown services and everything in between, rating the hotel on its service and the quality of its facilities.
Forbes Travel Guide 2021 described Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives as a “secluded private island with starched white sands, thatched-roof overwater villas, towering palm trees and impossibly blue waters.”
It highlighted the resort’s many activities such as windsurfing, jet skiing, waterskiing, kayaking, wakeboarding, PADI courses and snorkelling, as well as the traditional Indian therapies at the Jiva Spa, the unforgettable sunset cruise around Hembadhu Island and the resort’s cornucopia of dining experiences such as Tree Top Dining, Dug-out Beach Dining and the romantic overwater feast atop the Ocean Pavilion.

The guide also mentioned the luxurious indulgence and scenic views from the 64 villas of Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives, with special emphasis on its two-bedroom Rehendi Presidential Overwater Suite which it described as “a tropical paradise.”
An oasis of luxurious hospitality in the scenic Emboodhu Finolhu island, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives stands as a beacon of the best travel experiences for 2021 – a true escapade in the most beautiful place on earth.
For more information and bookings, please visit www.tajhotels.com/en-in/taj/taj-exotica-maldives/ or contact sales.maldives@tajhotels.com.
Awards
Ifuru Island Maldives wins Best Premium All-Inclusive Resort at Golden Travel Awards 2025

Ifuru Island Maldives has been officially named Best Premium All-Inclusive Resort Maldives 2025 by the prestigious Golden Travel Award, recognising the resort’s exceptional guest experience and innovative all-inclusive offering. The resort distinguished itself through its commitment to redefining the premium all-inclusive concept with a bold combination of curated adventures, gourmet dining, and a true sense of luxury.
Marcel Sawyer, General Manager of Ifuru Island Maldives, expressed pride in the recognition, noting that it celebrates the dedication and passion the team invests in creating unforgettable moments for every guest. He emphasised that the resort’s experience is designed to offer guests the freedom to relax, explore, and feel truly at home, all within the comforts of a premium all-inclusive package.
Ifuru Island Maldives has quickly established a strong reputation with its thoughtfully crafted ‘Exclusively Yours’ Premium All-Inclusive package. With a fresh approach to luxury and authenticity, the resort continues to resonate with modern travellers who seek both comfort and meaningful connections.
This acknowledgment from the Golden Travel Award further solidifies Ifuru Island’s growing reputation as one of the Maldives’ most distinctive and experience-driven destinations.
Featured
Float & Flow Yoga debuts at Holiday Inn Kandooma Maldives

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives now offers guests a unique wellness activity: Float & Flow Yoga. Set amidst the picturesque surroundings of crystal-clear waters, this innovative session blends balance, movement, and mindfulness on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), fostering a joyful connection with nature.
Designed to accommodate both experienced yogis and beginners, Float & Flow Yoga provides a 60-minute session on the resort’s SUP Yoga Dock. This specially designed floating platform, shaped like a flower, features eight “petals,” each securing a SUP board around a central space designated for the instructor. Participants are guided through gentle yoga sequences that emphasise balance, breath, and flow.
Courtney Chambers, the resident Yoga Instructor at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, describes the activity as a joyful and liberating experience. She notes that SUP yoga encourages participants to embrace the playful side of the practice while reconnecting with nature.
Classes take place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 10:00 am, with a maximum of eight participants per session to maintain an intimate and supportive atmosphere. A minimum of three guests is required for each session. The class fee is priced at US$45 per person, inclusive of taxes and service charges.
Additionally, a professional drone photo and video package is available for US$25 per person, providing guests with a memorable keepsake of their experience.
Participants are advised to wear comfortable swimwear or yoga attire and to arrive 10 minutes early at the Perfect Wave Surf Shop for a pre-session briefing.
Whether the goal is mindfulness, gentle movement, or simply a splash of fun, Float & Flow Yoga at Kandooma offers an unforgettable opportunity to reconnect with both self and sea.
Featured
Five-course Indian fine dining by Atrangi to feature at Jumeirah Olhahali Island’s June pop-up

Jumeirah Olhahali Island has announced an exclusive culinary pop-up in collaboration with Atrangi by Ritu Dalmia, the renowned Indian restaurant located at Jumeirah Al Qasr in Dubai. Scheduled from 7 to 12 June 2025, this special event will feature Atrangi’s Head Chef, Aniket Chatterjee, who will partner with the resort’s culinary team to present a refined five-course dining experience. This unique collaboration aims to reinterpret regional Indian dishes through a contemporary perspective.
Atrangi, inspired by the vision of acclaimed chef and restaurateur Ritu Dalmia, is celebrated for its bold and eclectic approach to Indian cuisine. Ritu Dalmia, a self-taught chef, began her culinary journey by launching Delhi’s first standalone Italian restaurant at just twenty-two. Over the years, she has established a portfolio of acclaimed restaurants across India and Europe, earning her widespread recognition in the culinary world. Representing her creative vision in the Maldives, Chef Aniket Chatterjee brings a modern sensibility and a profound respect for Indian culinary traditions, promising a dining experience that is both sophisticated and soulful.
For this special occasion, Chef Aniket has curated a bespoke menu that masterfully blends traditional Indian techniques with global influences. Guests will be treated to intimate oceanfront dinners and relaxed beach grills under the stars, with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian tasting menus available.
The dining journey will commence with a playful twist on the nostalgic chilli cheese toast, followed by pickled doodhi and smoked dahi. Main course offerings include Malvani chicken tikka with confit garlic, or for vegetarians, paneer peeli mirch tikka accompanied by spring onion curry. A whipped butter board will serve as a palate cleanser before guests savour dishes such as kappa meen curry or satu pulao with dalma, parwal, and burnt tomato chutney, celebrating the rich diversity of Indian flavours. The meal will conclude with an indulgent Indian sweet, followed by mignardise featuring pistachio soan papdi and a mini jalebi with rabri.
Chef Ritu Dalmia expressed her excitement about the event, stating, “The Maldives has always been a special country for me, having visited several times. It is a thrill to bring Atrangi to Jumeirah Olhahali Island, where we can showcase community-inspired dishes while celebrating the best produce the Maldives has to offer.”
The beach grill dinner at Shimmers Beach on 10 June will be priced at USD 225 plus taxes per person. On other evenings, the five-course set menu will be served at a designated ocean-view location for USD 195 plus taxes per person.
-
Featured1 week ago
Ayada Maldives earns elite recognition in 2025 Travellers’ Choice Awards
-
Featured1 week ago
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort hosts five-day yoga retreat for International Yoga Day
-
Featured1 week ago
Whispers of love by the sea: say ‘yes’ at Angsana Velavaru
-
Family1 week ago
The Nautilus Maldives redefines children’s spaces with ecoBirdy
-
Featured1 week ago
Summer Island Maldives named among top 10% of hotels worldwide by TripAdvisor
-
Featured1 week ago
Tripadvisor honours Constance Moofushi among Best of the Best Luxury Hotels in Asia
-
Cooking7 days ago
Exquisite culinary journey awaits at Cinnamon Velifushi’s Marlin
-
News6 days ago
Exclusive private island escape at Intercontinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort