Action
W Hotels Announces Fall 2012 Season Of Fashion Next Designers

Maldives Promotion House – W Hotels Worldwide today kicks off Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week with the announcement of its Fall 2012 season of Fashion Next designers. The five designers, who specialize in a range of concepts from tailored menswear to avant garde women’s, will officially be introduced this evening by W Hotels Global Fashion Director Jenné Lombardo during a private cocktail event at W New York – Union Square’s newest nightspot, Lilium. Lombardo has handpicked each of the designers for the fourth season of Fashion Next, the brand’s fashion initiative that fosters and supports emerging designers during Fashion Week and beyond.
While W has added two new designers this season, Haus Alkire and Suzanne Rae, designers Bibhu Mohapatra, Nomia, and Rochambeau will return for a consecutive season, demonstrating W’s commitment to fostering and nurturing up-and-coming talent. W Hotels will host four of the designers’ official presentations in the Box venue at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and support Mohapatra as he stages his first-ever runway show in the Studio at Lincoln Center on February 13, 2012.
“As W Hotels continues to transform into a global design powerhouse, we are committed to providing a platform for supporting and showcasing what’s new and next in fashion to guests and locals alike at our hotels around the world,” said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien. “This season’s forward-thinking group of emerging fashion talent is especially exciting, and we are proud that W is able to continue to support the careers of tomorrow’s rising fashion stars.”
W Hotels supports and collaborates with Fashion Next designers well beyond Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York. Bibhu Mohapatra will take his market appointments at the highly anticipated W Paris – Opéra, opening February 14, 2012, demonstrating Fashion Next’s global mission. Rochambeau will collaborate with W Seattle on the creation of the hotel’s bar uniforms, which will be unveiled in the spring following the hotel’s Living Room, bar and restaurant renovations. Additionally, Rochambeau has created an exclusive, custom-made suede tote for W Hotels this season, which is sure to be on the arms of tastemakers and fashionistas throughout Fashion Week. W Hotels will work with the additional Fashion Next designers to identify opportunities for exposure and growth to each designer’s flourishing business.
For the first time ever, W will live-stream the presentations on their global Facebook page at www.facebook.com/whotels. Viewers can also watch the shows after their completion on W Hotels fashion microsite, www.whotels.com/fashion.
“For three seasons now, the W Hotels Fashion Next program has provided me with a platform that reinforced the foundation of my brand in many ways,” explained Mohapatra. “It is a visionary program that guides, supports and nurtures young brands like mine and helps evolve the way to bigger and better things, such as staging my first-ever runway presentation this season.”
Excursions
Marine encounters: spinner dolphins at Canareef Resort Maldives

At Canareef Resort Maldives, one of the most popular experiences for guests is the dolphin tour. The abundant presence of dolphins in the surrounding waters ensures that each cruise offers a remarkable encounter with these marine creatures, creating lasting memories for visitors.
Every dolphin tour at Canareef provides an opportunity to observe pods of dolphins gliding and leaping across the waves. Guests often describe the sight of spinner dolphins darting through the clear ocean as a defining image of the Maldives’ natural marine beauty.
Morning cruises and sunset tours alike are guided by experienced staff, who share insights as dolphins appear in their natural environment. Many guests recount moments when dolphins swim alongside the boat, a spectacle that creates a unique sense of connection.
The activity is regarded as more than just an excursion; it is considered a celebration of nature and a highlight of a stay at Canareef. It allows guests to experience the Maldives in a way that underlines why dolphins are seen as ambassadors of the islands.
For travellers seeking encounters with dolphins amid turquoise waters, Canareef presents an ideal opportunity. The resort also offers seasonal promotions, including early booking discounts for the remainder of this summer, next winter, and summer 2026.
Action
Dusit Thani Maldives offers direct access to Baa Atoll’s living reef

At Dusit Thani Maldives, the experience of the ocean begins directly at the doorstep. Situated within the UNESCO-protected Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve, the resort is surrounded by one of the most vibrant house reefs in the country, offering guests the opportunity to explore a thriving underwater world just steps from their villa.
What distinguishes the resort is its 360-degree house reef. Each villa, whether set above the lagoon or along the beach, opens directly onto the water. Guests can enter the ocean within moments of leaving their deck, where coral gardens, schools of tropical fish, and turtles can often be seen. The seamless access allows families, beginners, and experienced snorkellers to engage with the reef naturally, without the need to plan or schedule an excursion.
The location within the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve makes every swim a part of a wider story of conservation and discovery. Recognised globally for its corals and tropical marine life, the reserve becomes a key gathering site for manta rays and whale sharks during the season. Around the reef, visitors can observe parrotfish, angelfish, eagle rays, and reef sharks, making it a living example of biodiversity and preservation.
Life at the resort is centred on this connection with the sea. Guests may begin their day with a morning swim, take part in a guided snorkelling safari with marine experts, and conclude by observing the coral gardens as they take on new colours in the evening light. The ocean becomes not simply a backdrop but an integral part of daily life.
The PADI-certified Dive and Watersports Centre further enhances this relationship with the ocean, offering night snorkels, freediving, drift dives, and marine education programmes designed for families. Guests are supported to safely explore the biodiversity of the atoll at their own level, whether through a gentle introduction or more advanced diving experiences.
Jean-Louis Ripoche, Area General Manager, Dusit Maldives, noted that snorkelling at the resort is not treated as an activity but as part of the rhythm of island life. He explained that the reef begins where the villa deck ends, allowing guests the freedom to explore the ocean at their own pace and making the location distinctive in its accessibility and natural beauty.
At Dusit Thani Maldives, the distinction between villa and ocean fades away. From sighting turtles at sunrise to drifting beside reef sharks at dusk, every moment reinforces the natural character of the Maldives and the unique setting of the resort.
Action
From reef to horizon: Immersive island experiences at Angsana Velavaru

Angsana Velavaru invites travelers to immerse themselves in a rhythm shaped by tides, coral gardens, and island breezes. This oceanfront retreat is located in one of the Maldives’ most vibrant marine environments. It is known as “Turtle Island” and is a 40-minute seaplane ride from Male’. The resort curates experiences for those who are drawn to discovery, depth, and the beauty of nature’s untouched corners. Angsana Velavaru offers a getaway to extraordinary diving, barefoot island adventures, and sea-bound journey.
Into the Blue: Dive Sites and Snorkelling Discoveries
Angsana Velavaru is at the center of a marine wonderland with more than 30 dive sites just minutes away. The resort’s PADI 5-Star Gold Dive Centre leads guests to explore dramatic drop-offs, gentle coral slopes, and manta ray cleaning stations. The resort offers tailored expeditions and daily two-tank dives for both experienced and beginner divers.
For those who prefer to snorkel, the house reef offers an introduction to coral life. Guided safaris, led by marine experts, provide a deeper appreciation for reef ecosystems10. The calm waters surrounding the island make it easy for even first-time snorkelers to experience the ocean.
Ocean Adventures: Cruising, Fishing and Sunset Moments
Guests can step aboard traditional dhonis to experience the ocean from a new perspective. Unforgettable views are available whether you are on a dolphin cruise or a sunset sail. Traditional handline fishing trips, guided by a local crew, are also available for a hands-on experience. Other highlights include sandbank escapes and private boat charters, which are designed to slow down time and deepen one’s connection to the sea.
Land Experiences and Island Explorations
Angsana Velavaru offers morning nature walks and visits to local islands for a glimpse into Maldivian island life. At the resort’s Marine Lab, guests can take part in coral planting or learn about marine conservation from resident marine biologists. For families, the Ranger’s Club provides meaningful moments for young explorers with treasure hunts, marine workshops, and outdoor games. Solo travelers or couples can enjoy quiet moments under the stars, yoga by the beach, or walking around the island.
Angsana Velavaru offers immersion and the chance to become part of a living seascape. Every moment resonates with nature’s quiet power.
-
News1 week ago
Hauntingly beautiful Halloween night with VICTORI at Reethi Faru Resort
-
Business1 week ago
SATA 2025 announces partnerships; confirms Hotelier Maldives, Maldives Insider as Media Partners
-
Featured1 week ago
Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives welcomes GCC families with Stay 3, Pay 2 offer
-
Featured1 week ago
Sea, sand, and Centara: Maldivian escape at Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa
-
Action1 week ago
Dusit Thani Maldives offers direct access to Baa Atoll’s living reef
-
Cooking6 days ago
Sirru Fen Fushi unveils exclusive dining series with Michelin-starred talent
-
Family4 days ago
Kuramathi Maldives brings families together with fortnightly children’s programme
-
Featured6 days ago
Research places Maldives among best winter sun destinations