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Soneva’s ‘egg-cellent’ Easter for whole family in Maldives

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This Easter, Soneva has created fun-filled calendars of experiences, dining, children’s activities and so much more for an unforgettable holiday in the Maldives.

Guests can expect more chocolate than they know what to do with, searching high and low across the resorts for hidden wooden eggs, Soneva Fushi’s much-anticipated football camp with sporting legend Mikael Silvestre, and private stargazing sessions with award-winning astronomer and science communicator Lars Lindberg Christensen.

For younger guests Easter-themed activities have been planned by the Den Teams, while Oppidan Education will be offering opportunities to learn and study outside of the classroom at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani.

Soneva Fushi (March 29 – April 7)

This year, the six-day Young Sonevian’s Football Camp will take place twice (March 26-31 and April 3-8).

The camp, led by former Manchester United and Arsenal player, Mikael Silvestre, gives budding football fanatics a chance to hone their skills, and learn more about the beautiful game.

Friendly matches will be incorporated at the end of the day to test out newly learned skills and strategies.

The yearly Easter Egg Hunt will see family members of all ages team up to search the island of Kunfunadhoo looking for hidden wooden eggs which can be exchanged for real chocolates. The person who finds the most eggs will be awarded a special prize.

Other children’s activities include making Papier Mâché Easter Eggs, their own egg collecting baskets, Easter-themed cupcakes and masks. They can also take part in an Egg-athon, an Easter Picnic, and a special Den Easter Egg Hunt.

The night before Easter Sunday, a Food Journey will take guests from the over-water Bar(a)bara to Mihiree Mithaa. The culinary adventure past different food stalls, with entertainment along the way, culminates with a Gala Dinner beneath the starry skies.

When it comes to learning outside of the classroom, Soneva makes sure its young guests are always engaged.

Oppidan Education, the UK-based experts for all things learning return to organise summer camp workshops and activities for children on the island. Best suited for children aged seven plus, the group workshops take place every day from 10.30am to 12.30pm and are complimentary.

Oppidan’s mentors are also experienced in helping boost the confidence of children and teens, as well as helping them with their studies. Private one-on-one tutoring and mentorship sessions are offered at an additional price.

Exclusive dinners are set to take place at Once Upon a Table, the intimate chef’s table at Out of the Blue. Cédric Vongerichten (March 25 to April 4), is the Chef de Cuisine at Perry St. and the French-Indonesian restaurant, Wayan, both in New York City, he is also the co-owner of Vong Kitchen and Le Burger, in Jakarta.

Alberto Faccani (March 30 – April 13), the owner and Head Chef of the two Michelin-starred Magnolia, brings his dynamic, self-taught style of cuisine that blends styles, forms and tradition back to Soneva Fushi.

For a taste of Thai cuisine guests should not miss Dylan Jones (April 1-10), who is one half of the dynamic chef duo at the helm of Bangkok’s Bo.lan.

When the sun sets, guests can explore the night skies through the lens of the state-of-the-art telescope with Lars Lindberg Christensen, the award-winning astronomer.

Soneva Jani (March 29 – April 7)

The Den team’s bunny-inspired activities include the Easter Egg Hunt around the lagoon and on the main island of Medhufaru.

Everyone is invited to join in the search for wooden eggs (three eggs can be exchanged for one chocolate egg), with the winner taking home a special prize.

There will also be Easter Egg and Face Painting, as well as Chocolate Easter Egg Decorating with the resort chocolatiers. There will be scavenger hunts, picnics, and a special Easter Disco Party with an entertainer.

Oppidan Education will also be at Soneva Jani over Easter, offering the same complimentary group workshops and private one-on-one tutoring and mentorship sessions for an additional price.

When it comes to dining, visiting chef Cédric Vongerichten (April 2-3) will be hosting an exclusive lunch and dinner at the Crab Shack after he completes his dining experiences at Soneva Fushi.

The resort’s Sommelier team have put together a Truffle and Caviar Wine Pairing, an Organic Wine and Cheese Pairing, and an exclusive Sunset Champagne Tasting out in the middle of the lagoon.

For budding mixologists, the Private In-Villa Sunset Cocktail Classes are not to be missed. The Easter Dinner on North Beach will have guests dancing the night away to tunes spun by a DJ.

Dine at the three recently opened restaurants that are part of Soneva Jani’s Chapter Two.

Overseas by Mathias Dahlgren is a casual, overwater restaurant that serves plant-based and pescatarian dishes for lunch and dinner, with produce freshly picked from the organic gardens, or sustainably caught in the waters around the resort.

So Wild by Diana Von Cranach is a fully plant-based restaurant in the middle of the organic garden that revives historical recipes from around South East Asia and Indonesia. Ingredients are prepared using techniques like steaming, flash-frying, and dehydrating when they are not presented raw.

So Primitive is set around a central fire pit, putting the element of fire in the spotlight. Think roasting, grilling, searing, salt-crusted baking, and cooking in kettles and clay pots over coals.

Travel through the cosmos with private stargazing experiences with the resort’s resident Astronomer or hit the ‘gym’ surrounded by tall screw pines when you take on the Jungle Gym’s obstacles: balancing beams, monkey bars, rope climbs and rings.

In the realm of wellness, Soneva Jani’s Spa and visiting experts have much to offer. Visiting practitioner Hortensia Corredoira’s multi-pronged approach to wellness and healing combines traditional osteopathy and her deep knowledge of the body, muscles and bones, and the cranio-sacral system.

Soneva’s Spa team also holds regular yoga and meditation sessions, as well as lectures on Ayurveda, or guests can enjoy package treatments like the 90-minute Glowing Spa Package, which includes a Sodashi Marine Mineral Facial and an Express Manicure and Pedicure.

Soneva is a pioneering family of hospitality properties, offering holistic encounters in luxurious and inspiring environments – from world class resorts to outstanding natural locations.

Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva in Aqua in the Maldives, and Soneva Kiri in Thailand rebuke the traditional concept of luxury and instead promise the luxury of time, purity and solitude.

Every day, guests are encouraged to discover sandy feet, inspired minds and full hearts.

Combining luxury with a conscientious approach to sustainability and the environment, and proactively changing the nature of hospitality, it delivers intuitive service and meaningful experiences to the guests.

Family

Outdoor adventures, football sessions planned for Velaa Kids Week

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Velaa Private Island will host Velaa Kids Week from 3 to 9 August 2026, bringing together outdoor activities, team challenges and sports sessions for young guests.

The programme will be delivered in partnership with Sharky & George, which specialises in activities and experiences for children. It has been designed to encourage creativity, curiosity and confidence through games and island-based exploration.

Activities will include outdoor adventures, interactive games, team challenges and opportunities to discover the resort’s natural surroundings. The programme will also provide children with opportunities to form friendships and develop teamwork skills during their stay.

World champion freestyle footballer Tobias Becs will join this year’s event, adding a sporting component to the programme. Becs will conduct sessions and demonstrations in which children can learn freestyle football skills, take part in physical activities and try new techniques.

His involvement is intended to introduce young guests to freestyle football in an accessible format, with sessions combining demonstrations, participation and play.

Velaa Kids Week forms part of the resort’s family programming and will offer a scheduled series of activities throughout the seven-day event.

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Family

Where families come together: Alila Kothaifaru Maldives’ luxury villa experience

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As travellers increasingly prioritise meaningful time together, multi-generational holidays and private group escapes are reshaping the luxury travel landscape. Responding to this growing demand, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, a Hyatt resort, offers thoughtfully designed two-bedroom accommodations that combine generous living spaces with the resort’s signature understated luxury, creating an idyllic setting for families and friends to reconnect amidst the natural beauty of the Maldives.

While the Maldives has long been synonymous with romantic escapes, today’s travellers are embracing a different kind of luxury—one centred on shared experiences, quality time, and the freedom to travel together without compromising privacy. At Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, the Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villas and the exclusive Boduge Residence have been designed to support these evolving travel preferences while remaining deeply connected to the island’s pristine environment.

Space Designed for Togetherness

Set along the island’s powder-soft shoreline, the Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villa offers 265 square metres of thoughtfully planned indoor and outdoor living. Featuring one king bedroom and one twin bedroom, spacious living and dining areas, an enclosed bathroom with separate bathtub and shower, and a lush private garden with swimming pool and sun deck, the villa provides ample room for families to spend quality time together while enjoying moments of quiet retreat. Every stay is complemented by the attentive service of a dedicated villa host, ensuring a seamless and personalised island experience.

A Private Residence for Life’s Special Gatherings

For milestone celebrations, extended family holidays, or intimate group escapes, the Boduge Residence offers Alila Kothaifaru Maldives’ most exclusive accommodation.

Spanning 395 square metres (4,251 sq ft), the residence features 235 square metres (2,530 sq ft) of elegant indoor living space with two beautifully appointed bedrooms—a king-bedded master suite, a twin bedroom and a dedicated service room with twin bedding, expansive living and dining areas, a kitchenette, maid’s room, premium amenities, and dedicated villa host service.

Its 160-square-metre (1,722 sq ft) outdoor sanctuary is designed for effortless island living, complete with a 45-square-metre private pool, spacious sun deck, outdoor dining area, wooden swing, and poolside BBQ—inviting guests to linger over shared meals, celebrate special occasions, or simply enjoy uninterrupted time together beneath the Maldivian sky.

For larger groups, the Boduge Residence can seamlessly connect to a neighbouring villa, creating a spacious three-bedroom retreat while preserving the privacy and tranquillity that define the Alila experience.

“Luxury today is increasingly defined by the quality of time we spend with the people who matter most,” says Thomas Weber, General Manager of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives. “Our two-bedroom accommodations were created to give families and groups the space to reconnect naturally, while immersing themselves in the calm, simplicity, and extraordinary beauty of our island. It’s an experience that reflects Alila’s philosophy of thoughtful luxury—where every detail is intentionally designed to foster meaningful moments.”

Rooted in Nature, Guided by Design

Home to 81 private pool villas, including 41 Beach Pool Villas, 36 Overwater Pool Villas, three Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villas, and the exclusive Boduge Residence, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is defined by architecture that complements rather than competes with its surroundings.

Designed by Singapore-based Studiogoto, the resort embraces clean architectural lines, natural materials, and open spaces that blur the boundaries between indoors and out. Every accommodation has been carefully integrated into the island landscape, reinforcing Alila’s long-standing commitment to sustainability, mindful hospitality, and a deep respect for place.

Beyond the Villa

Surrounded by the vibrant marine life of Raa Atoll, guests enjoy direct access to exceptional snorkelling and diving, immersive wellness experiences at Spa Alila, and thoughtfully curated Alila Moments that celebrate Maldivian culture and nature.

Families can also enjoy quality time beyond the beach through the resort’s padel tennis court, outdoor game area, and Play Alila activities designed for younger guests, creating fun shared experiences for every generation.

Whether discovering local traditions, exploring the island’s rich biodiversity, or enjoying the resort’s signature Shack Sundowner on a secluded sandbank, every experience is designed to encourage genuine connection—to the destination and to one another.

For more information or to book your stay, visit www.alilahotels.com/kothaifaru-maldives.

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Awards

Fashion Travel Awards name Villa Park Maldives’ best family island resort

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There are family resorts, and then there are islands that seem to understand how families actually travel. Villa Park, set in the whale shark waters of South Ari Atoll, belongs firmly to the latter. Named Best Family Island Resort in the Maldives at the Fashion Travel Awards 2026, the resort has been recognised for an experience that feels generous, unforced and made for every generation.

Organised by Fashion TV Russia, the awards took place in Moscow in aboard the Radisson Royal Flotilla, bringing together tourism leaders, media, tastemakers and international travellers to celebrate standout names in global hospitality.

At Villa Park, the luxury is not only in the setting, though there is plenty of that. It is in the space to spread out, the ease of moving through the day, and the rare feeling that no one has to compromise. Children have the world of Park Players Kids’ Club, teens can cycle, snorkel or head out on the water, while parents find their own rhythm between the beach, Araamu Spa, long lunches and quiet moments by the pool.

Set on one of the largest natural islands in the Maldives, Villa Park has the scale to keep a holiday interesting and the softness to make it feel simple. Days move from palm-lined cycling paths to white-sand beaches, from watersports to whale shark excursions in the marine protected waters of South Ari, from casual family meals to evenings by the ocean. Polished, but never precious.

The recognition reflects Villa Park’s growing reputation as a Maldivian resort that does family travel with both style and substance, creating holidays that feel adventurous, easy and deeply shared.

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