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Banyan Tree advocates culture of wellbeing inside out

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The pandemic’s widespread impact has underscored the importance of leading healthier lifestyles for our physical and mental wellbeing.

For Banyan Tree Group, its core values of wellbeing and sustainability in its internal culture is key to recovery in preparing for guests’ return during and beyond the pandemic.

“As travellers increasingly seek out purposeful experiences that connect them to nature and the environment, the Group is well-positioned to create long-term value for consumers and its associates through its brand ethos of Embracing the Environment, Empowering People,” Ho Ren Yung, Senior Vice President, Brand HQ of Banyan Tree Group, said.

“This drives Banyan Tree’s philosophy of wellbeing – the belief that being well is an inside-out journey connecting self, others and nature.”

Group-wide initiatives available internally and externally are based on a clarified approach of simplifying evidence and feedback, and then structuring these into eight pillars that guide all of the brand’s wellbeing programmes.

Incorporating practices of the mind, body, soul and relationship with others and nature, the eight pillars of wellbeing include Sleep & Rest, Dietary Awareness; Bonding & Connection; Physical Vitality, Cultivate The Mind; Learning & Development, Harmony with Nature and Sustained Practices.

Beginning with its associates, who are the heart and soul of the brand experience, the connection of self, others and nature is core through the brand’s service culture of “I Am With You”.

Through the training modules leaning on empathy, positive psychology and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), associates learn about stress management techniques, resilience, and self-care.

Banyan Tree Group has also pivoted to a wellbeing-focused organisational index whereby associates answer a set of 64 questions on lifestyle practices based on the eight wellbeing pillars.

Built on the core passion for people, its leadership team believes that “we can only look after our guests when we look after our associates”, and thus extended this survey to associates this year who provide the services to support guests at the wellbeing sanctuaries.

The same set of 64 questions is also used as an assessment for guests when they book at a wellbeing sanctuary.

These initiatives are in line with the belief that happy and healthy associates result in satisfied guests.

Outwardly, with the launch of Wellbeing Sanctuaries in properties worldwide this year, Banyan Tree seeks to continue its mission to help others live well.

Wellbeing Sanctuaries combine club floors or resort wings with dining, Spa and multifunctional practice spaces into a single signature experience.

With the support of wellbeing hosts on property who themselves practise the service culture of “I Am With You”, guests staying at a Wellbeing Sanctuary embark on a personal journey to find balance, build resilience and gain deeper self-knowledge through connecting with oneself, and with others and nature.

A stay at a Banyan Tree’s Wellbeing Sanctuary includes accommodation with sleep enhancement, 24-hour check-in and check-out, in-room wellbeing amenities, nightly rest rituals, daily balanced breakfast, afternoon nutrition platter, daily access to complimentary wellbeing activities, savings in a la carte Spa treatments and wellbeing cuisine.

Guests can also take home a wellbeing guide after their stay, including tips on sleeping better, healthy living, home exercises and other recommendations that they can practise in their daily lives.

Having launched in China this month, Banyan Tree Wellbeing Sanctuaries in Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Thailand, and Vietnam will progressively open throughout this year.

Banyan Tree Group operates three resorts in Maldives: Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Angsana Ihuru in North Male Atoll, and Angsana Velavaru in Dhaalu atoll.

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru opened its door in 1995 and is the first international chain resort in the Maldives. With just 48 pool villas dotting around the island, privacy and relaxation can easily be attained. The resort has a restaurant, bar, PADI Gold Palm five-star resort dive centre and a Banyan Tree Spa.

Vabbinfaru is also home to the Banyan Tree Maldives Marine Lab, the first of its kind to be funded and built on a private resort, where guests can learn about marine conservation and partake in the many sustainability activities on offer including coral planting, reef cleaning and daily stingray feeding sessions.

Angsana Ihuru is surrounded by one of the most vibrant and well preserved coral house reefs in the Maldives. The resort has 45 villas, a restaurant and a bar, a PADI Gold Palm five-star resort dive centre and an Angsana Spa.

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Angsana Ihuru are located in North Male Atoll, just 25 minutes away by speedboat from the airport. The two resorts are just five minutes by boat away from each other.

Velavaru or ‘Turtle Island’ is located in the pristine Dhaalu atoll, and accessible by a 40-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport. This 113-villa resort offers 79 island villas and 34 InOcean Villas, revealing spectacular views and direct access to the Indian Ocean.

Awards

Ifuru Island Maldives wins Best Premium All-Inclusive Resort at Golden Travel Awards 2025

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Ifuru Island Maldives has been officially named Best Premium All-Inclusive Resort Maldives 2025 by the prestigious Golden Travel Award, recognising the resort’s exceptional guest experience and innovative all-inclusive offering. The resort distinguished itself through its commitment to redefining the premium all-inclusive concept with a bold combination of curated adventures, gourmet dining, and a true sense of luxury.

Marcel Sawyer, General Manager of Ifuru Island Maldives, expressed pride in the recognition, noting that it celebrates the dedication and passion the team invests in creating unforgettable moments for every guest. He emphasised that the resort’s experience is designed to offer guests the freedom to relax, explore, and feel truly at home, all within the comforts of a premium all-inclusive package.

Ifuru Island Maldives has quickly established a strong reputation with its thoughtfully crafted ‘Exclusively Yours’ Premium All-Inclusive package. With a fresh approach to luxury and authenticity, the resort continues to resonate with modern travellers who seek both comfort and meaningful connections.

This acknowledgment from the Golden Travel Award further solidifies Ifuru Island’s growing reputation as one of the Maldives’ most distinctive and experience-driven destinations.

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Float & Flow Yoga debuts at Holiday Inn Kandooma Maldives

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Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives now offers guests a unique wellness activity: Float & Flow Yoga. Set amidst the picturesque surroundings of crystal-clear waters, this innovative session blends balance, movement, and mindfulness on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), fostering a joyful connection with nature.

Designed to accommodate both experienced yogis and beginners, Float & Flow Yoga provides a 60-minute session on the resort’s SUP Yoga Dock. This specially designed floating platform, shaped like a flower, features eight “petals,” each securing a SUP board around a central space designated for the instructor. Participants are guided through gentle yoga sequences that emphasise balance, breath, and flow.

Courtney Chambers, the resident Yoga Instructor at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, describes the activity as a joyful and liberating experience. She notes that SUP yoga encourages participants to embrace the playful side of the practice while reconnecting with nature.

Classes take place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 10:00 am, with a maximum of eight participants per session to maintain an intimate and supportive atmosphere. A minimum of three guests is required for each session. The class fee is priced at US$45 per person, inclusive of taxes and service charges.

Additionally, a professional drone photo and video package is available for US$25 per person, providing guests with a memorable keepsake of their experience.

Participants are advised to wear comfortable swimwear or yoga attire and to arrive 10 minutes early at the Perfect Wave Surf Shop for a pre-session briefing.

Whether the goal is mindfulness, gentle movement, or simply a splash of fun, Float & Flow Yoga at Kandooma offers an unforgettable opportunity to reconnect with both self and sea.

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Five-course Indian fine dining by Atrangi to feature at Jumeirah Olhahali Island’s June pop-up

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Jumeirah Olhahali Island has announced an exclusive culinary pop-up in collaboration with Atrangi by Ritu Dalmia, the renowned Indian restaurant located at Jumeirah Al Qasr in Dubai. Scheduled from 7 to 12 June 2025, this special event will feature Atrangi’s Head Chef, Aniket Chatterjee, who will partner with the resort’s culinary team to present a refined five-course dining experience. This unique collaboration aims to reinterpret regional Indian dishes through a contemporary perspective.

Atrangi, inspired by the vision of acclaimed chef and restaurateur Ritu Dalmia, is celebrated for its bold and eclectic approach to Indian cuisine. Ritu Dalmia, a self-taught chef, began her culinary journey by launching Delhi’s first standalone Italian restaurant at just twenty-two. Over the years, she has established a portfolio of acclaimed restaurants across India and Europe, earning her widespread recognition in the culinary world. Representing her creative vision in the Maldives, Chef Aniket Chatterjee brings a modern sensibility and a profound respect for Indian culinary traditions, promising a dining experience that is both sophisticated and soulful.

For this special occasion, Chef Aniket has curated a bespoke menu that masterfully blends traditional Indian techniques with global influences. Guests will be treated to intimate oceanfront dinners and relaxed beach grills under the stars, with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian tasting menus available.

The dining journey will commence with a playful twist on the nostalgic chilli cheese toast, followed by pickled doodhi and smoked dahi. Main course offerings include Malvani chicken tikka with confit garlic, or for vegetarians, paneer peeli mirch tikka accompanied by spring onion curry. A whipped butter board will serve as a palate cleanser before guests savour dishes such as kappa meen curry or satu pulao with dalma, parwal, and burnt tomato chutney, celebrating the rich diversity of Indian flavours. The meal will conclude with an indulgent Indian sweet, followed by mignardise featuring pistachio soan papdi and a mini jalebi with rabri.

Chef Ritu Dalmia expressed her excitement about the event, stating, “The Maldives has always been a special country for me, having visited several times. It is a thrill to bring Atrangi to Jumeirah Olhahali Island, where we can showcase community-inspired dishes while celebrating the best produce the Maldives has to offer.”

The beach grill dinner at Shimmers Beach on 10 June will be priced at USD 225 plus taxes per person. On other evenings, the five-course set menu will be served at a designated ocean-view location for USD 195 plus taxes per person.

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