Featured
Vakkaru announces festive programme ahead of golden jubilee year of tourism in Maldives

In 2022, the Maldives will celebrate its Golden Jubilee Year of Tourism, marking 50 years since the inception of the tourism industry for this island nation.
In a nod to this landmark achievement, the five-star resort, Vakkaru Maldives, will kick off its end-of-year festive celebrations with a ‘Glitter and Gold’ themed programme that reflects the rich heritage, culture and environment of the Indian Ocean.

Running from 21 December 2021 until 7 January 2022, guests are invited to share the joy of the holidays with family and friends at Vakkaru in tropical style, with a dynamic series of lifestyle and wellbeing experiences.
From bespoke menus, wine journeys and private dinners, to kids’ talent shows, sports tournaments and bespoke wellness programmes, this island paradise has something to get everyone of all ages into the festive spirit.
Located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, Vakkaru is renowned for its endless ocean views, white sandy beaches, laid-back luxurious accommodation, and exceptional service.
Of the forthcoming festive season and next year’s milestone, General Manager Iain McCormack says, “As this year draws to a close, we warmly welcome guests old and new to Vakkaru to enjoy our festive programme together, our prelude to this important anniversary for our island nation. Our team has worked hard to curate a range of exceptional, immersive experiences for guests, that reflect our special Vakkaru warmth and service.”

The ‘Glitter and Gold’ programme
Christmas Eve
The festive programme kicks off on 24 December with evening cocktails and a special Christmas Eve Gala dinner featuring live cooking stations with local and international specialties. So Blue & the Band and DJ Anna will provide a 24-karat soundtrack for the
evening with a mix of old favourites and the latest chartbusters, while an LED and Fire show lights up the night.
F&B
Golden Age cocktails crafted by the resort’s resident mixologists will be available throughout the seasonal celebrations; meanwhile Sommelier Ivan Zugic has curated a singular wine journey that includes organic and gold label wines such as Alter Ego de Palmer Margaux, Chateau Cheval Blanc Saint Emilion, Louis Roderer Cristal, and much more.
During the week Chef Driss and his team will take guests on a culinary voyage through time, with themed menus including the Golden Heritage and Traditions of the Indian Ocean (Maldives, Sri Lanka and India), A Taste of Arabia (Middle Eastern), The Golden Triangle (Thailand), and Mediterranean fare (Italy, France, Spain, Greece).

Entertainment
Sports will play a big part in the revelry for adults and kids with a Football Golden Boot Camp, a tennis tournament with resident ATP tennis pro, paddle tennis, ping pong, volleyball competition, and Family Olympics. Meanwhile children will be entertained with immersive experiences including a Pirates’ Treasure Hunt, Vakkaru Kids’ Got Talent, and Meet Santa Claus.
Wellness
Those looking to make health-related resolutions for the new year can book a consultation with Domingos Folgado, a visiting award-winning wellness practitioner, therapist, acupuncture expert and qualified personal trainer based in London.
Folgado will motivate guests to change their lifestyle and teach them optimal exercises to enhance it. Meanwhile Vakkaru’s Resident Ayurvedic expert, Dr Kalini Perera, and yoga expert, Imron, will also be on hand to help guests on a transformative journey to explore their body, mind, and soul potential.

New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is the night of the year to let your hair down. The entire island will be transformed into a fairyland for the finale of the festive season: the ‘Glitter & Gold: Bling in The New Year” Countdown Gala.
As DJ Anna and So Blue & the Band showcase the Golden Age of entertainment and keep you dancing with a medley of Oldies But Goldies, jugglers, hula hoopers, aerialists, stilt walkers, acrobats, cabaret dancers, and the LED and Fire show will keep you entertained until the early hours.
The culinary team will also pull out all stops to surprise you with a decadent celebration of local and international delights.

Located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve renowned for its spectacular sea life, Vakkaru Maldives is a timeless sanctuary recently named the Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort in the World Travel Awards.
An awe-inspiring 30-minute seaplane ride from Velana International Airport takes you to this secluded reef island, shaded by coconut palms and blessed with calming ocean views and powder-soft white-sand beaches.

Here 113 beautifully appointed Over Water and Beach Villas are elegantly designed to respect their surroundings, while exceptional dining experiences and amenities await.
Among the resort’s industry-leading offerings is overwater Merana Spa, complete with an Ayurveda practice and a regular host to residencies by the world’s most inspiring wellness practitioners.
Children and teens are generously catered for in the Parrotfish Club and Coconut Club respectively, while guests of all ages can play against world-famous pros through a best-in-class coaching partnership with Tipsarevic Luxury Tennis.
Threading all those services and facilities together, our unique hospitality concept Vakkare places a sincere, proactive commitment to care at the core of all we do.
For reservations and general information, please visit vakkarumaldives.com or contact reservations@vakkarumaldives.com.
Awards
Sirru Fen Fushi secures top spots in Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2025

Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort has been honoured in the prestigious Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, securing top rankings in two highly sought-after categories:
- #2 Best Resort Pools in the Maldives
- #4 Best Resort for Families in the Maldives
These accolades underscore the resort’s unwavering commitment to providing immersive, meaningful, and luxurious experiences for guests of all ages.
Celebrated for its expansive villas tailored with families in mind, Sirru Fen Fushi offers serene sanctuaries in beach, jungle, and overwater settings. Accommodations include the unique Safari Tented Villas, Sirru Residences, and spacious two- and three-bedroom villas, along with deluxe family lodgings—each offering privacy, ample space, and direct access to either the lagoon or beach.
Beyond its thoughtfully designed accommodations, the resort presents a range of family-friendly experiences. Guests can enjoy an interactive Kids’ Club, curated cultural and nature-based activities, hands-on art and sustainability workshops, and unforgettable marine adventures such as turtle discovery, snorkelling safaris, guided dolphin cruises, and stargazing. Each offering is crafted to inspire connection, learning, and joy across generations.
Ranked as the #2 Best Resort Pools in the Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi features an awe-inspiring 200-meter infinity pool that spans from the island’s eastern to western shores, symbolically linking sunrise to sunset. Framed by soft white sands and boundless ocean views, the pool has become an iconic centerpiece of the resort—captivating photographers, influencers, and leisure seekers from around the world.
Nestled on a pristine, untouched island, Sirru Fen Fushi seamlessly blends the quintessential Maldivian experience with sustainability, artistic expression, and cultural immersion. With this latest recognition, the resort continues to set new standards for modern luxury through meaningful travel and exceptional hospitality.
Awards
Travel + Leisure Asia Pacific awards Villa Nautica Best Resort Pool in Maldives

Villa Nautica’s signature infinity pool has been awarded the title of Best Resort Pool in the Maldives by readers of the Travel + Leisure Asia Pacific Luxury Awards 2025. More than just an architectural feature, the pool serves as the heart of the resort—a tranquil expanse of water that seamlessly mirrors the sea beyond and transforms swimming into a meditative experience. Here, thoughtful design blends effortlessly with the natural environment, creating a space where the boundaries between land, water, and sky dissolve into serenity.
Located in the North Malé Atoll, only a short speedboat ride from the capital, Villa Nautica’s 1,350-square-meter pool is both a focal point and a design statement. It does not clamor for attention but draws it gently, extending confidently toward the horizon and creating the illusion of merging with the open ocean—while still offering the comfort and stability of land.
What distinguishes this pool is not merely its size or the flawless infinity illusion, but the way it quietly becomes part of the guest’s daily rhythm. Sun loungers are thoughtfully spaced and positioned, offering just the right amount of shade and always seeming to face the light at its most flattering angle. From morning sunbathing to lazy midday naps and sunset refreshments, the space is designed for lingering.
Adjacent to the pool is Press & Pot, a favoured spot among guests who enjoy pairing their swim with an artisanal coffee. The scent of freshly brewed espresso mingles with the sea breeze and the subtle aroma of sunscreen. Here, pastries come warm from the oven, tropical fruits are sliced to order, and coffee is served to a standard that rivals any urban café—with the added luxury of an uninterrupted ocean view.
Villa Nautica’s approach is not one of ostentation but of elegance. Its luxury lies in the details: the coolness of the stone underfoot, the soft rustle of palm leaves, and the way the water reflects the sky like glass as dusk approaches. It is an environment where nature and design exist in perfect, understated harmony.
This is what set Villa Nautica apart and earned it top honors. Among a competitive field of exceptional Maldivian resorts, the Travel + Leisure panel identified a timeless quality here. This is not simply a pool to swim in—it is one to experience. A space that encourages guests to pause, disconnect, and simply be.
Featured
Global recognition for InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort at 2025 T+L Luxury Awards

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has been named the #1 Best Resort for Families in the Maldives and secured the #7 position in the Best Resorts in the Maldives category at the T+L Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, held on 19 June at Capella Bangkok.
Organised by Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Macau, the T+L Luxury Awards celebrate excellence in luxury travel across the Asia-Pacific region. Voted on by readers, these prestigious awards honour outstanding hotels, resorts, and destinations throughout the region.
This recognition underscores the resort’s dedication to providing enriching, multi-generational experiences through carefully curated family-friendly offerings. Highlights include the Planet Trekkers Kids Club, Teen Escapades, and Family Beach Pool Villas, along with educational programmes such as the Junior Marine Biologist experience in collaboration with the Manta Trust. These features reflect the resort’s unique approach to combining luxury with meaningful and age-inclusive activities.
General Manager Reinhold Johann expressed pride in the achievement, noting that the accolades represent the team’s commitment to creating memorable experiences for guests of all ages in a breathtaking setting.
Nestled in the remote Raa Atoll and surrounded by the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort offers a rare blend of expansive space and barefoot luxury—ideal for family getaways, special celebrations, and immersive island adventures.
-
News1 week ago
Place to connect within and beyond: Meyyafushi Maldives to open on October 1, 2025
-
Featured1 week ago
Where wellness meets luxury: exclusive yoga retreats at Sun Siyam Resorts
-
Excursions7 days ago
Underwater adventure awaits at Pullman Maldives Maamutaa’s Aqua Week 2025
-
Featured1 week ago
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives unveils holistic spa detox retreat for mind and body renewal
-
News1 week ago
Summer of romance ‘Avec Amour’ at Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa
-
Cooking1 week ago
Local tastes take centre stage as Hard Rock Cafe’s World Burger Tour arrives in Maldives
-
Featured7 days ago
Summer escape starts here: discover Centara’s dream destinations in Maldives
-
Action5 days ago
Is this the most scenic Padel Tennis court in the world?