Featured
Lily Beach Resort receives British Airways Holidays Award for Customer Excellence

Lily Beach Resort & Spa is delighted to announce that it has received a British Airways Holidays. Customer Excellence Award for its performance in 2020, despite it being one of the most challenging years in the industry.
Based on unbiased guest reviews, this accolade recognises superior services, facilities and customer experiences offered by hotels around the world. Lily Bech Resort & Spa received an overall score of 9.5/10.
British Airways Holidays is one of the UK’s leading tour operators, which uses customer feedback to identify top-rated hotels as part of its commitment to providing high-quality holidays.
Reviews are collected from genuine customers via Reevoo (www.ba.com/reviews) – an independent and impartial third-party company. Customers are asked to score hotels based on location, service, cleanliness, and sleep quality, as well as provide an overall score out of ten.
British Airways Holidays gathered nearly 24,000 independent reviews in 2020 and is awarding 475 Customer Excellence Awards across the globe to recognise their top-rated hotels.
“We are delighted that Lily Bech Resort & Spa is one of our top-rated hotels for 2020. In a challenging year of uncertainty, this award is testament to the hotel’s commitment to offering an exceptional customer experience. We look forward to continuing our relationship and together delivering unforgettable holidays for our customers,” says Group Director of Sales & Marketing Desislav Gosposdinov.
“This award is a testament to show for the hard work that is done by our well-knit team at Lily Beach, and it gives recognition to the fact that they can deliver a great experience to all our guests. As we like to day in Lily Beach, guests do truly come as a stranger and leave as a friend.”
Lily Beach Resort & Spa is a luxury 5-star resort nestled in the natural beauty of the Maldives. Located on Huvahendhoo Island in South Ari Atoll, Lily Beach is accessible by a 25-minute scenic seaplane journey from Velana International Airport.
Lily Beach’s legendary all-inclusive Platinum Plan is an all-encompassing meal plan that has a number of complimentary offerings. These include a thoughtfully curated range of excursions, delicious and distinctive food options – especially the very epicurean themed buffet dinners at Lily Maa: their main restaurant, updated COVID-19 safety procedures which have been thoroughly accredited by Hotel Resilient, and a variety of leisure and sporting activities.
Thanks to this luxurious all-inclusive meal plan that has everything one would need to have a worry-free vacay, the natural beauty of the island, the sheer number of dive sites and the availability of adventurous excursions such as Whale Shark spotting in the atoll, and the warmth of the staff who knows how to provide the generous all-inclusive experience to perfection, the resort is one of the most sought-after island all-inclusive destinations in the Maldives.
To inquire about Lily Beach or book a stay at this resort, send an email to: reservations@lilybeachmaldives.com
Featured
Experience timeless Maldivian elegance at Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa

Machchafushi, meaning ‘Fish Island’ in Dhivehi, encapsulates the essence of this serene retreat in South Ari Atoll. As part of The Centara Collection, Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa embodies the true spirit of the Maldives, offering guests an intimate connection with the ocean, marine life, and the island’s cultural heritage.
Situated within the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA), a UNESCO-recognised site, Machchafushi provides year-round access to remarkable marine experiences, vibrant coral ecosystems, and unforgettable underwater explorations, including the famous Kudhimaa shipwreck. Once a secluded, uninhabited island, Machchafushi holds a special place in the cultural landscape of the Maldives. Today, as part of this protected marine reserve, it continues to remain authentic, sustainable, and deeply rooted in its natural surroundings.
Marine life is at the heart of the Machchafushi experience. The island offers some of the world’s highest whale shark resighting rates, with encounters available throughout the year. Guests may also encounter graceful manta rays and a colourful abundance of tropical fish drifting through crystalline waters. Encircled by a renowned house reef—stretching nearly five times the island’s size—the area is home to over 1,000 species of fish and 200 varieties of coral, creating an underwater paradise.
South Ari Atoll is celebrated as one of the Maldives’ finest diving regions, featuring over fifty dive sites teeming with marine life. Kudarah Thila presents a UNESCO-protected labyrinth of overhangs and swim-throughs populated by fusiliers and snappers, while Broken Rock captivates divers with its dramatic canyon of corals and macro life, ideal for underwater photography. Dhigurah Beyru and Maamigili Corner are noted for encounters with whale sharks, manta rays, and occasionally dolphins. The 52-metre Kudhimaa Wreck has evolved into a thriving coral habitat, now home to lionfish, batfish, groupers, and the well-camouflaged stonefish and frogfish. Nearby, Anemone Alley flourishes beneath the seasonal seaplane platform, forming a vibrant ecosystem that draws snorkellers and divers alike. The house reef remains the beating heart of Machchafushi—a world-class natural wonder beneath the waves.
Beyond the ocean, the island tells a story of its own. At its centre stands a centuries-old Banyan Tree, known locally as the Ummeedhu Tree, or ‘Wish Fulfilment’. This living symbol invites guests to pause and reflect, taking part in the Sacred Thread Ceremony, where wishes and intentions are tied to the tree’s branches—creating a bond that endures long after their stay.
Sustainability is woven into every aspect of Machchafushi’s philosophy, ensuring the preservation of both its natural beauty and cultural legacy. Every sunrise, dive, and golden thread tied to the Ummeedhu Tree becomes part of a continuing narrative—one that celebrates the Maldives’ heritage and invites guests to create lasting memories in harmony with nature.
Entertainment
Spooky celebrations await at Sun Siyam Olhuveli with ‘The Return of the Mummy’

Sun Siyam Olhuveli will transform into a realm of ancient legends and eerie excitement this Halloween with its themed celebration, The Return of the Mummy. Guests of all ages will have the opportunity to take part in two days of themed activities, family games, and live entertainment throughout the resort.
The highlight of the celebration will be a beachfront performance by Swedish DJ and rising international talent Caroline Roxy. A multifaceted artist—DJ, singer-songwriter, producer, fashion designer, and former model—Caroline is known for fusing energetic electronic beats with pop-inspired rhythms. Drawing on her musical upbringing and experience performing at festivals in cities such as Stockholm and Los Angeles, she is set to deliver an electrifying performance that promises to bring a captivating energy to the shores of Sun Siyam Olhuveli.

The festivities will begin on 31 October 2025 with a Halloween Beach Fest, featuring mummy-themed games, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treat adventures, and the popular Mummy Dance Freeze for younger guests. As night falls, the Lagoon Bar will become the centre of the celebration, with flickering lights, pulsing music, and a much-anticipated DJ set by Caroline Roxy. Her performance will combine haunting melodies with powerful electronic rhythms, setting the tone for an unforgettable Halloween evening.
Celebrations will continue on 1 November 2025 with treasure hunts, themed cupcake and marshmallow workshops for children, and a sunset pirate cruise. Adults can take part in a Halloween boot camp before the evening concludes with a fire show and live music by Hightides at the Lagoon Bar.
Blending ancient Egyptian mystery with island charm, The Return of the Mummy at Sun Siyam Olhuveli invites guests to experience a unique Halloween adventure where the legends of the past meet the magic of the Maldives.
Excursions
From first visit to thousand dives: Love story anchored at Bandos Maldives

Bandos Maldives recently marked a significant milestone with two of its most loyal guests, Kate and Andy, who have shared a long-standing connection with the island.
Andy achieved an impressive feat by completing his 900th dive, all undertaken with Dive Bandos. His wife, Kate, surpassed this accomplishment by reaching her 1000th dive, with over 900 of those dives also completed alongside the Bandos team.
The Dive Bandos team joined the couple in celebrating this memorable occasion, recognising not only their dedication to diving but also the enduring bond they have formed with the resort over the years.
Kate and Andy’s relationship with Bandos extends far beyond statistics. Having first visited the island in 2006, they have returned every year since, making Bandos an integral part of their lives. In 2014, the couple even chose to exchange their wedding vows underwater at the resort — a unique moment that forever linked their love story with Bandos.
“Celebrating guests like Kate and Andy reminds us of what Bandos truly represents,” said Ismail Rasheed, General Manager of Bandos Maldives.
For Bandos Maldives, moments such as these exemplify why guests continue to choose the island for both adventure and a sense of belonging. With stories like Kate and Andy’s, Bandos stands not merely as a dive destination, but as a home — both beneath and above the waves.
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