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The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort celebrates Global Wellness Day

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June 12 marked the 10th anniversary of Global Wellness Day (GWD) – a day dedicated to living well and to honouring choices that cultivate health in all its forms.

With wellness at its core positioning, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort put together a unique programme of health and fitness activities on June 12 devoted to nourish and restore the mind, body and spirit connection.

Westin Hotels & Resorts, one of hospitality’s global leader in wellness, empowers guests to transcend the rigours of travel while on the road through the brand’s Six Pillars of Well-being: Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well.

Guests can experience wellness offerings that include the brand’s iconic and award-winning Heavenly Bed, TRX fitness equipment in the signature WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studios, delicious and nutritious menu offerings, and more.

Recently, Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s international portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, also unveiled the next evolution of its wellness-focused “Let’s Rise” campaign to motivate locals and travellers alike to regain control and enhance their well-being when they travel.

With use of the unifying line “We are All Risers”, the campaign celebrates a community of achievers and reinforces the brand’s commitment to our guests’ holistic sense of well-being around the clock.

As a leader in the well-being and hospitality industry, 59 Westin hotels in Asia-Pacific including The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort are poised to address the increasing importance of maintaining and enhancing your wellness routines through its signature brand experience, especially after the challenges and demands of the past year.

Through the campaign, Westin aims to motivate and energise everyone around the fact that no matter where they maybe, they can rise up, Move and Be Moved, both broadly in life by staying active with WestinWORKOUT and the brand’s signature RunWestin programmes and Be Moved both figuratively and literally with Westin’s active and regenerative signature offerings.

On the occasion of Global Wellness Day, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort scheduled a number of activities throughout the day including morning Yoga to start the day, a one-mile run led by RunWESTIN Concierge around the resort, a healthy breakfast, a recovery massage at the Heavenly Spa by Westin, a breath work and meditation session to calm the mind and a high intensity circuit training workout.

The resort also offers an Eat Well Menu packed with thoughtful options that keep guests fuelled and focused on feeling their best.

Created with care on an island reef in the heart of the world-renowned UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Baa Atoll region of the Maldives, this wellness haven offers 69 villas and a residence, distinct eco-friendly Italian design, exceptional dining experiences and a transformative wellness offering.

Guest can indulge in a rejuvenating spa treatment at the luxury Heavenly Spa by Westin. Built overwater with a glass floor to enhance the sense of calm the water brings, the spa has range of treatments to leave guests re-energised and nourished in both mind and body.

With a choice of four unique outlets, The Pearl, Island Kitchen, Hawker and Sunset Bar, guests can experience a delightful range of cuisines during their stay.

There is also a state-of-the art WestinWorkout Fitness Studio with TRX functional training equipment–great for pre-run workouts, suspension training and offers app based instructional videos by TRX Master Instructors.

In addition, there all the facilities expected from a luxury escape including a multi-function recreation ground for tennis, basketball and volleyball.

Kids will be entertained at the Westin Family Kids Club with pool with indoor and outdoor playground, Kids Club activities include creative crafts, treasure hunts, themed parties and learning about the Maldives’ colorful marine life.

A divers’ paradise, this Maldivian region is known for its plethora of coral reefs – over 250 species – and is home to one of the largest concentrations of manta rays and whale sharks in the world.

Book direct on the resort’s website for the best available rates and exclusive benefits: www.westin-maldives.com.

Culture

Milaidhoo Maldives invites guests to discover real island living in Kihadhoo

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Milaidhoo Maldives, a boutique luxury resort situated within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, has unveiled its latest signature offering – the Local Island Tour – a meaningful and intimate cultural experience that provides guests with a genuine insight into everyday life in the Maldives.

Nestled amidst the natural splendour of Baa Atoll, celebrated for its vibrant marine biodiversity and unspoilt local islands, this new experience extends beyond the boundaries of the resort. Guests are invited to journey just 15 minutes by boat to Kihadhoo, a serene and authentic island where tradition, community and simplicity remain firmly embedded in daily life.

Upon arrival, visitors are immersed not only in a new landscape but in a slower, more deliberate way of life. Much like the ethos of Milaidhoo, where barefoot luxury is designed to encourage presence and connection, Kihadhoo exudes its own quiet charm – a lifestyle shaped by nature, calm and community. Along its sandy paths, occasionally crossed by a scooter or two, time appears to slow down. It is a place grounded in authenticity and understated beauty.

The experience is personally guided by Ali “CR” Niushad, a Kihadhoo native and esteemed member of the Milaidhoo team. Acting as both host and storyteller, CR offers guests the rare opportunity to experience the island not as tourists, but as warmly welcomed friends. The visit begins with a traditional greeting from local flower girls dressed in Maldivian attire, setting the tone for an encounter steeped in culture and sincerity.

As the tour unfolds, guests are met with the everyday sights and sounds of the island: children waving in the distance, neighbours exchanging greetings, the rhythmic sweep of a broom, the gentle clatter of cooking utensils, and women gathered in joali seats, softly conversing in the afternoon light. A walk through Kihadhoo reveals vividly painted doors on homes – reminiscent of the colourful doors of Milaidhoo’s own villas – reflecting the island’s quiet charm and creative spirit.

This is not a traditional sightseeing excursion; it is an immersion into the heartbeat of island life. Guests enjoy fresh coconuts at a small, family-run café, visit the local school and community centres, and spend time in CR’s family home, sharing stories and perspectives. Each moment is organic, heartfelt, and grounded in sincere human connection.

In an era where travellers increasingly seek meaningful and mindful experiences, Milaidhoo’s Local Island Tour captures the spirit of slow travel: an invitation to pause, observe, and engage with respect and curiosity.

Experience Highlights:

  • Price: USD 95++ per person (minimum of four guests)
  • Inclusions: Return boat transfers, traditional island welcome, guided walk with CR, refreshments (fresh juice or coconut), visits to village landmarks, and a selection of homemade Maldivian snacks with tea or coffee

While Milaidhoo offers refined barefoot luxury that nurtures a sense of inner calm, Kihadhoo presents the soulful essence of Maldivian island life. Together, they create a compelling contrast – sanctuary and simplicity, elegance and authenticity.

This experience is more than a cultural outing. It is a return to the original purpose of travel: to connect, to learn, and to be changed in quiet, unforgettable ways.

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Cooking

From garden to gourmet: Dusit Thani Maldives celebrates local, responsible cuisine

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Widely recognised as a premier luxury resort in the Maldives, Dusit Thani Maldives is redefining the concept of sustainable dining. Central to the resort’s culinary ethos is a strong commitment to sourcing ingredients locally and responsibly, crafting exceptional, globally inspired dishes that reflect the natural abundance of the Maldivian archipelago.

Located just a short stroll from the resort’s kitchens, the organic Chef’s Garden thrives with fragrant herbs, edible flowers, vegetables, and fruits. Ingredients such as lemongrass, basil, papaya, and chillies are carefully hand-harvested at peak ripeness, ensuring that vibrant flavour and freshness are brought directly to the plate.

All fish featured on the resort’s menus is sustainably sourced from within the Maldives, provided by local fishermen who utilise traditional, low-impact fishing techniques. Wherever possible, produce is also procured from Maldivian farmers—an approach that supports island communities, reduces carbon emissions, and celebrates the rich biodiversity of the atolls.

“Our approach is rooted in a respect for the land and sea,” explains Executive Chef Olivier Portret. “Every dish reflects the story of the Maldives—not just its flavours, but its culture and its people. We want guests to experience something truly meaningful with every bite.”

Guests can enjoy these thoughtfully sourced ingredients across a variety of dining experiences, from fine Thai cuisine at Benjarong, to freshly grilled seafood served al fresco at Sea Grill, or even through interactive cooking classes led by the resort’s culinary team.

Through this garden-to-table philosophy, Dusit Thani Maldives offers more than exceptional cuisine—it fosters a deeper connection to place, purpose, and the planet. This commitment not only sets the resort apart as one of the finest in the Maldives, but also as a destination where sustainability and luxury exist in perfect harmony.

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Action

Ocean, culture, community: sustainable celebrations at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru & Dhawa Ihuru

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Single-use plastics continue to pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems, with over 11 million metric tonnes entering the oceans each year. Since the Banyan Group began its efforts to eliminate single-use plastics in 2018, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru have led the way within the group—achieving a 75% reduction in plastic use, the highest rate across all properties.

This July, guests are invited to participate in a series of sustainability-focused activities designed to create meaningful impact:

  • 12 July: A community clean-up in Malé City in collaboration with CLEAN Maldives, bringing together locals, guests, and team members to reduce marine waste in urban environments.
  • 19 & 26 July: Marine litter snorkelling clean-ups around the house reef, removing plastic debris while protecting marine life and habitats.
  • 29 July: A recycled arts and crafts workshop at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru in partnership with Feyran Craft House, transforming collected plastic into handcrafted artworks.

These efforts support the Banyan Group’s ‘Brand for Good’ sustainability targets, which include the complete elimination of guest-facing single-use plastics by 2025 and full elimination across operations by 2030.

Taking place at Dhawa Ihuru—recognised for having one of the best house reefs in the Maldives (Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2025)—the Rannamaari Dive Fest invites divers and marine enthusiasts to explore the famed Rannamaari Shipwreck, located just metres from the shoreline.

This immersive day features:

  • Guided dives to the shipwreck
  • Underwater treasure hunts
  • Marine conservation talks
  • Cultural experiences including local arts and crafts, Maldivian cooking classes, and spa rituals

The event pays tribute to the vibrant marine ecosystem that defines Dhawa Ihuru as a premier dive destination.

Observed on 26 July, Maldivian Independence Day commemorates the country’s emergence as a sovereign island nation. In celebration of this historic occasion, both Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru have curated three days of experiences rooted in national pride, community, and tradition.

  • 26 July: Guests may participate in a symbolic swim across the channel connecting the two islands, representing unity and freedom. The day continues with a Maldivian Culture Talk exploring traditions, language, and the significance of Independence Day, followed by a traditional Bodu Beru performance and beach bonfire under the stars.
  • 26–28 July: Three days of beachside “Fun Olympic Games” celebrate island spirit through friendly competition and laughter.
  • 25–31 July: Special dive and water sports promotions of up to 30% will be available. Offers include signature experiences such as diving the Rannamaari Shipwreck and snorkelling excursions with nurse sharks and stingrays.

The July programming forms part of the lead-up to Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru’s official 30th anniversary in September 2025. Each initiative reflects the resort’s founding philosophy: Embracing the Environment, Empowering People. Guests are invited to reconnect with nature, engage with Maldivian culture, and experience the true spirit of the Original Maldives.

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