Step into a realm of unparalleled luxury and avant-garde elegance as SO/ Maldives prepares to celebrate Chinese New Year in high style from 28 January to 31 January 2025. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Maldives, this iconic celebration promises a curated experience of haute cuisine, holistic indulgence, and captivating festivities, transforming the holiday into a statement of sophistication.

Renowned for vibrant celebrations and rich heritage, this year’s Chinese New Year program offers an unforgettable lineup. Highlights include a spectacular light-up ceremony, spellbinding cultural performances, a chic DJ party, and elegant festive fairs, all steeped in glamour and refinement.

The theme for 2025, “Ushering Fortune and Unity for a Prosperous New Year,” emphasises joy, harmony, and good fortune. Anchored in multiculturalism and diversity, the festivities aim to bring families and couples together for a stylish celebration of new beginnings. Through vibrant events and a glamorous ambiance, SO/ Maldives sets the stage for a bright and prosperous year.

Guests can immerse themselves in a fusion of cultural traditions and tropical luxury. Highlights include the energetic Lion Dance, which winds through the resort, and thrilling adventures such as snorkelling in crystal-clear waters. Culinary experiences like the Asian Street Market and Beach BBQ showcase Chinese-inspired gourmet delights, while creative workshops such as Handmade Pottery and Canvas Bag Painting ensure magical moments for younger guests.

SO/ Maldives elevates the festive allure with dazzling red lantern installations and breathtaking dragon dance performances on pristine beaches. Villas adorned with bespoke Chinese New Year decor blend cultural heritage with contemporary chic, creating an atmosphere of bold sophistication.

“At SO/ Maldives, we reinvent luxury celebrations, merging vibrant traditions with a cutting-edge, fashion-forward perspective. This Chinese New Year, the experience will be as bold and dazzling as the Year of the Wood Snake itself,” says Olivier MOIESDELVAL, General Manager of SO/ Maldives.

SO/ Maldives invites guests to embrace the finer things in life, where every taste, touch, and moment sparkles with creativity and glamour.

Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) announced the Maldives Carnival 2025, ‘Maldives Mahautsav,’ organised by Pickyourtrail and endorsed by Visit Maldives. The event took place from January 11th to 12th, 2025, at the Ambience Mall in Gurgaon, India, and was officially inaugurated by Aishath Azeema, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives to India. The two-day event offered interactive activities and immersive experiences, highlighting the unique offerings available in the Maldives, also known as the Sunny Side of Life.

The Maldives Carnival 2025 included 17 resort booths where visitors could explore premium resort options and learn about the distinctive islands of the Maldives. Representatives from Pickyourtrail were present at each booth to provide personalised information and engage with attendees, offering tailored travel advice. Various activities were also designed to bring elements of the Maldives experience to life for the Indian audience.

The event aimed to connect Indian travellers with the Maldives’ unparalleled beauty and luxury, particularly during the peak North Indian wedding season. It highlighted opportunities for honeymoons, destination weddings, and other memorable getaways. Organised by Pickyourtrail, the initiative provided resorts with a platform to showcase their exceptional offerings to the Indian market. It also aimed to strengthen relationships between travel stakeholders and potential buyers while positioning the Maldives as a premier destination for family vacations, romantic escapes, and adventure experiences.

Pickyourtrail, a leading travel-tech platform specialising in personalised international itineraries, was founded in 2014. The platform allows users to customise all aspects of their trips, including flights, accommodations, activities, and experiences, focusing on seamless planning for popular destinations such as the Maldives. In recognition of its innovative approach, Pickyourtrail received the Best Holiday Brand award in 2024.

The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort invites guests to celebrate the Chinese New Year with its event, ‘Lunar Reflection: An Uplifting Beginning in the Year of the Wood Snake’. Situated within the Maldives’ first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the resort provides a serene environment for a rejuvenating holiday that harmoniously combines Maldivian hospitality with vibrant New Year festivities.

From January 28 to February 12, 2025, the resort offers a range of thoughtfully curated experiences. The celebrations commence with the Prosperity Buffet Dinner at Island Kitchen, featuring an Asian-inspired menu in a festive atmosphere. For a more intimate dining experience, the Taste of Asia at Hawker showcases a family-style sharing menu infused with regional flavours.

Festivities continue with a Lunar Pool Party, where music, cocktails, and festive cheer create a lively atmosphere under the Maldivian sun. As the evening unfolds, guests can enjoy a buffet dinner blending international and Chinese cuisines at Island Kitchen. Additional culinary highlights during the celebration include Izakaya Night at Pearl and the exclusive Chef & Sommelier Dinner, where Executive Chef Fahdrul and his team present a meticulously crafted menu paired with fine wines.

The Heavenly Spa by Westin offers rejuvenation through the ‘Lunar Detox Ritual’, available throughout the celebration period. This restorative spa package includes a detoxifying green tea body wrap followed by a 60-minute massage with a herbal poultice, designed to leave guests refreshed and invigorated for the year ahead.

Families are also catered to with engaging activities at the Westin Family Kids Club. Children can participate in creative workshops such as crafting Hong Bao, making snake puppets, and designing lanterns. Adventure seekers can explore the vibrant marine life and coral reefs of the Baa Atoll using complimentary snorkelling and ocean kayaking equipment, immersing themselves in the underwater wonders that make the region a diver’s paradise.

Renowned for its thoughtful design, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort emphasises comfort and sustainability. Its spacious overwater and beach villas, featuring the award-winning Heavenly Bed and panoramic ocean views, offer a luxurious retreat. Guests are encouraged to embrace the resort’s wellness pillars, which promote eating, sleeping, moving, feeling, and playing well.