Connect with us

Featured

The Emerald Collection doubles in Maldives, acquires Faarufushi resort

Published

on

The Emerald Collection – the luxury resort group behind Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa – is delighted to announce its exciting expansion with the acquisition of Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa.

A luscious 7-hectare private island in the Raa Atoll, framed by one of the Maldives’ most languid and extensive lagoons of 100-hectares.

Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa will open on 1st May 2022 and it is currently in the process of affiliation with The Leading Hotels of the World.

Wild at heart, Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa encapsulates barefoot elegance at its finest while paying homage to the thriving Maldivian environment that surrounds the resort.

The island has 80 appointed villas, split into six different categories: Beach Villas (10), Family Villas with Pool (10), Beach Villas with Pool (17), Water Villa with Pool (39), Superior Water Villa with Pool (3) and one Presidential Villa beautifully located on the pristine beach.

Championing a minimalistic, sophisticated design which incorporates natural elements of stone and wood, Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa’s water and beach villas will cater for couples looking for seclusion and privacy, families seeking quality time together and groups of friends looking for the ultimate bucket-list experiences.

With five fantastic restaurants and two bars to choose from, as part of its signature Deluxe All-Inclusive formula, Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa will offer a level of variety, quality, and creativity that’s simply unmatched in the Maldives.

A true highlight is the signature Italian restaurant, Mediterraneo, and Eclipse Bar, both located on the resort’s scenic jetty. Mediterraneo will serve up the finest Italian dishes under the starred Maldivian sky, while Eclipse invites guests for delicious cocktails and aperitifs, as the sun sets into the water.

A true destination for barefoot, holistic wellness, Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa houses the Emerald Spa, a state-of-the-art wellness facility hidden amongst the lush vegetation.

The spa comprises 8 air-conditioned spa suites elevated among the palm trees – where the unique design and oval roofs resemble eco-friendly spaceships. There is a steam room, a manicure and pedicure corner, a yoga pavilion, plunge pools, a spa boutique, and an immersive relaxation area – the perfect spot for forest bathing.

The spa menu draws from Balinese tradition and includes a host of relaxing body massages and detoxifying facials.

Designed with sports and fitness lovers in mind, Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa has one large tennis court and one paddle court in the marina, and an air-conditioned Gym & Sports Centre with Technogym equipment.

Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa will offer extensive water sports facilities and some of the best diving in the Maldives at the five-star Diving Centre, where guests can achieve the coveted PADI licence.

A dedicated Dolphin Kids’ Club is under construction and will comprise of complimentary indoor and outdoor facilities for children aged 3-12.

Action

Eri Maldives offers accessible reef diving and snorkelling

Published

on

Eri Maldives is located within the waters of North Malé Atoll and is surrounded by a house reef accessible to both beginner and experienced divers. With four direct reef entry points and shore access, the resort offers opportunities for snorkelling, introductory dives and certified diving.

The house reef supports a range of marine life, including white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, hawksbill turtles, mobula rays and spotted eagle rays, as well as schools of reef fish. The accessibility of the reef allows guests to explore the area over multiple days, providing opportunities to observe marine behaviour and habitats over time.

Turtle encounters

Hawksbill turtles are among the most frequently observed species on the reef. The resort’s dive team has identified 14 individual turtles, each recognised by shell patterns and physical features. These include turtles known as Rosie, Cara and Anna, which have been documented through repeated sightings.

The resort maintains records of these turtles, allowing returning guests to identify individuals over time. Guests may also contribute to this initiative by naming newly identified turtles that have not previously been recorded.

Manta ray season

From December to April, manta rays are known to visit cleaning stations at Bodu Hithi Thila, located approximately one hour by boat from the resort. During this period, ocean conditions support plankton flows that attract mantas to the area, where they can be observed feeding or visiting cleaning stations.

Night diving experiences

Night snorkelling and diving activities provide a different perspective on reef activity. Species such as reef sharks, trevallies, moray eels and nurse sharks become more active after dark, offering guests the opportunity to observe nocturnal marine behaviour.

At Eri Maldives, marine experiences form a central part of the guest offering, with the house reef providing consistent opportunities for exploration. The resort’s dive programme is designed to support repeated interaction with the marine environment, allowing guests to experience a range of underwater activity throughout their stay.

Accommodation is available in studio and beach villa categories, with full board packages offered for direct bookings, subject to availability.

Continue Reading

Featured

The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives collaborates with Maldivian artist Ahmed Aleem

Published

on

The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives, Autograph Collection has announced a collaboration with Ahmed Aleem Shakoor, who is currently in residence at the resort, introducing a creative element to the guest experience.

Aleem, a self-taught artist, is known for work that combines maritime themes, surrealism and symbolism. His practice spans watercolours, acrylics and mixed media, drawing inspiration from the Maldives’ history and ocean landscapes, often expressed through the use of light, depth and narrative.

During his residency, Aleem is working with the resort to develop a series of artistic and cultural experiences aimed at engaging guests. These include live painting sessions, informal interactions with the artist and workshops designed to encourage creative participation.

The programme forms part of the resort’s wider activities, with offerings such as mini canvas painting, coconut painting and creative art sessions available to guests. In addition, Tales Painted in Sunlight combines elements of Maldivian folklore, storytelling and visual art, providing further insight into local culture.

The collaboration reflects the resort’s approach to incorporating local artistic talent into its programming, while offering guests opportunities to engage with creative activities in a relaxed setting. The residency is designed to allow guests to explore artistic expression as part of their island experience.

As part of its seasonal programme, selected artistic activities are also included in the resort’s Easter offerings, providing additional opportunities for guests to take part in creative experiences during their stay.

Continue Reading

Awards

Amilla Maldives wins ‘Most OutThere Initiative’ award for Inclusive Travel

Published

on

Amilla Maldives has been named a joint winner in the Most OutThere Initiative in Inclusive Travel category at the Experientialist Awards 2026, following a Highly Commended recognition in the same category in 2025.

The Experientialist Awards recognise organisations shaping travel through inclusivity, individuality and design, with the inclusive travel category highlighting initiatives that address not only accessibility, but also how journeys are experienced by guests.

At Amilla Maldives, accessibility is integrated into the overall guest experience. The resort adopts an approach that begins at the planning stage and continues throughout the stay, with a focus on understanding individual guest needs and adapting experiences accordingly.

Aligned with its In Harmony with Purpose philosophy, the resort has introduced a range of measures aimed at improving accessibility. These include villa features designed for ease of use, accessible pathways across the island and adaptive experiences such as inclusive snorkelling and wellness sessions.

As an IncluCare Verified resort, Amilla Maldives continues to develop its offering through feedback and collaboration, with the aim of enhancing inclusivity across its operations.

Commenting on the recognition, Morgan Martinello said the resort remains focused on creating travel experiences that feel natural and accessible. He noted that the continued recognition reflects the resort’s ongoing efforts to improve inclusivity.

The award from OutThere, a platform focused on diversity and inclusion in travel, marks a further step in the resort’s efforts to create accessible and inclusive guest experiences.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.