Featured
Amilla Maldives lives up to reputation as ‘Island of Surprises’ this Valentine’s Day
Music truly is the food of love at Amilla Maldives this Valentine’s Day.
The Baa Atoll resort has lined up three consecutive nights of entertainment and celebrations, beginning on February 12 and building up to the big night on February 14. Featuring live performances, dancing, sumptuous food and private starlit experiences, every night brings new surprises.
Building up to Valentine’s Day, couples can plant a tree in the Mystique Garden to celebrate their relationship, let their creative passions flow at a ‘sip and paint’ guided painting session with wine, or watch a romantic movie at the open-air Secret Cinema on either the 12th or 13th.
Amilla’s new Executive Chef Andrew Smith has also designed a very special new sensory experience. Some like it hot, some like it melted, some like it fruity and some — well, some just like it!
The Amilla Chocolate Journey — taking place in Amilla’s dedicated Chocolate Room — guides couples on an exploration of the island’s exquisite handmade chocolates. These delectable concoctions are matched with champagne, wine and port to complement their flavour and tantalise the tastebuds.
A perfect ‘afternoon delight’ to get guests in the mood for a romantic dinner. As a symbol of love and passion, it seems perfect timing to launch the new chocolate experience for Valentine’s Day, but it will be an ongoing part of the resort’s colourful happenings and activities.
‘Valentine’s Day Date Night’ on the 14th begins with a cocktail party on the beach with champagne, bespoke cocktails and canapes, as the sun sets over the glittering ocean.
Guests’ love messages to each other will be written in the sand surrounding them. Dancers and a traditional Maldivian ‘bodu beru’ (‘big drum’) band will provide entrancing performances.
Then each couple departs for a private ‘Dine by Design’ dinner. The private dining experiences feature a delectable three-course set menu. A cushion-filled nook hollowed out on the beach, surrounded by lanterns. A candlelit private table in the main pool’s sunken island.
A special meal at Amilla’s overwater signature restaurant or rustic Italian brasserie. These are just four of a total of six romantic locations to choose from. A live band will be performing on the main beach, under the stars.
Dinner is followed by an after-party on the beach. Guests can dance the night away to DJ beats under the glow of lanterns, sparkling lights and the bright equatorial stars.
Alternatively, one couple can seize the opportunity to pull out all the stops for the Premium Valentine’s Day Package on the 14th. This includes a glass of champagne, private four-course wine-paired meal on the beach, private ‘Amilla Chocolate Journey’, private cinema screening and romantic turndown service.
With so many opportunities for couples to delight and treat each other this Valentine’s Day, Amilla is living up to its reputation as ‘An Island of Surprises’.
The resort is renowned for its constant evolution, ingenuity, playfulness and innovations, from its new Maldivian traditional medicine-inspired spa treatments to ‘glamping’ in a bubble pod under the stars.
For more information about the resort and bookings, please email sales@amilla.mv or visit www.amilla.com.
Featured
Reethi Faru Resort reveals festive line-up of dining, entertainment and island experiences
Reethi Faru Resort has welcomed the festive season with its annual Fruit Mixing Ceremony, marking the beginning of a programme of celebrations, activities and experiences for guests visiting the resort during the Christmas and New Year period.
The resort has prepared a series of festive events and activities catering to guests of different ages and interests. Families will have the opportunity to participate in Christmas tree decorating, creative workshops and gingerbread house making, while couples can enjoy evening walks along beaches decorated with festive lights.
The festive programme will include a Christmas dinner and a New Year’s Eve gala, followed by a DJ party to welcome 2027. Guests will also be able to participate in coral planting activities alongside a marine biologist, providing an opportunity to learn about the island’s marine ecosystem and contribute to conservation efforts.
For guests seeking relaxation, the resort will offer yoga sessions and spa treatments, while those interested in outdoor activities can participate in water sports, island excursions, sports challenges and PADI diving experiences conducted by certified instructors.
Other events scheduled during the festive period include Reethi Faru Resort’s anniversary celebration, a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and the arrival of Santa Claus. The programme will also feature live music, Maldivian cultural performances, outdoor movie nights and a selection of dining experiences.
According to the resort, the festive programme has been designed to bring together traditional Christmas and New Year celebrations with activities that highlight the Maldives’ natural environment and cultural heritage.
Through its combination of festive events, recreational activities, marine conservation initiatives and dining experiences, Reethi Faru Resort aims to provide guests with opportunities to celebrate the holiday season while experiencing island life in the Maldives.
Awards
Condé Nast Traveler names .Here Baa Atoll among Indian Ocean’s top resorts
.Here Baa Atoll, a private island retreat in the Maldives, has been named the No. 6 Resort in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026.
The annual Readers’ Choice Awards recognise hotels, resorts, destinations, airlines and other travel experiences based on votes submitted by Condé Nast Traveler readers.
The recognition places .Here Baa Atoll among the highest-ranked resorts in the Indian Ocean and comes during a milestone year for the property.
Located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, .Here Baa Atoll comprises nine residences spread across two natural islands, Somewhere and Nowhere.
Somewhere features seven three- and four-bedroom residences extending from the beach towards the lagoon and designed for families and groups travelling together. Each residence offers indoor and outdoor living spaces, multiple pools, private dining and personalised Roohu service. Guests are transferred directly to their residence by private speedboat, avoiding a conventional lobby and check-in process.
Condé Nast Traveler has previously highlighted the resort for its emphasis on privacy, its beach-to-lagoon residences and its discreet approach to luxury.
The resort experience also includes Nowhere Private Island, which is reserved exclusively for a single group at a time. The island features a five-bedroom Presidential Residence and a three-bedroom Lagoon Residence, providing eight bedrooms and 3,329 square metres of private living space, supported by dedicated service and individually curated experiences.
The Readers’ Choice Award follows several other recognitions received by .Here Baa Atoll during 2026. The resort was included in the Condé Nast Traveler Hot List 2026, with the publication highlighting its residences and design. It has also received international recognition for its architecture and design, alongside creative collaborators Kulör Group, Muza Lab and Topo Design Studio.
Elina Adiyan, Resident Manager of .Here Baa Atoll, said: “To be recognised by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler so early in our journey is incredibly meaningful. .Here was created around a simple idea: to give guests extraordinary space, genuine privacy and the freedom to experience the Maldives entirely on their own terms. This recognition belongs equally to our team, whose care and dedication bring that vision to life every day. We are deeply grateful to everyone who voted for us.”
The latest recognition adds to .Here Baa Atoll’s growing international profile within the luxury travel sector, with the resort positioning privacy, spacious accommodation, design and personalised service at the centre of its guest experience.
Awards
Reethi Faru Resort celebrates culinary team’s success at Hotel Asia and FHAM
Reethi Faru Resort has announced three medal wins by members of its culinary team at the Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge and the FHAM Global Culinary Challenge.
At the Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge, Chef Rohit Kabdal received a Gold Medal in the Decorated Cake category, recognising his work in cake design, presentation and technical execution.
Chef Abhishek Sharma also represented Reethi Faru Resort at the competition, earning a Bronze Medal in the Hot Cooking Fish category.
At the FHAM Global Culinary Challenge, Chef Mayank Bijalwan secured a Silver Medal in the Dress the Cake category, adding a third medal to the resort’s recent culinary achievements.
The results highlight the range of skills within Reethi Faru Resort’s culinary team, spanning pastry, cake presentation and hot kitchen techniques.
According to the resort, participation in professional culinary competitions provides its chefs with opportunities to develop their skills, exchange knowledge and test their abilities alongside other industry professionals.
The achievements also form part of Reethi Faru Resort’s wider focus on dining and guest experience, with its culinary team involved across the resort’s restaurants and food and beverage offerings.
Reethi Faru Resort congratulated Kabdal, Bijalwan and Sharma on their respective achievements, describing the results as recognition of their commitment, technical ability and creativity.
The three medals add to the resort’s recent culinary accolades and reflect its continued emphasis on professional development within its kitchen team.
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