Featured
Fantastical celebrations at JOALI Maldives this festive season

From 21st of December 2021 to 9th of January 2022, JOALI Maldives will be hosting a fantasy-world inspired three-week calendar of enchanting festive activities and joyful experiences for all ages.
The paradise island will be transformed into an otherworldly playground that blends past and present, fantasy and reality.
Guests can take part in a range of traditional family experiences throughout the festive period, such as the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony; the unveiling of JOALI Maldives’ culinary art-designed Gingerbread House, getting a visit from Santa Claus, JOALI style; and watching the ball drop for New Year’s Eve, welcoming 2022.
To help guests with their approach to wellbeing this festive season, JOALI Maldives will be home to a selection of trainers and teachers that will help with wellbeing, introspection, and self-knowledge.
Joanne Ignacio, JOALI Maldives’ Resident Yoga & Holistic Teacher, will be on hand to help guests rebalance, relax, and renew with tailored wellbeing experiences. During the festive season, Joanne will be facilitating wellness sessions where guests can take their pick from various yoga styles, pranayama, meditation, manifestation, posture correction, and more.
Darko Vujic, Resident Fitness Trainer, will guide guests through daily fitness training and activities, including metabolic training, mixed martial arts workout, tabata training, aqua fitness workout, and more.
Resident Tennis Coach, Stefan Mijushkovikj’s passion for tennis is manifested in fun and engaging lessons for those who are new, as well as a great competition for more experienced players.
Dr Sohal Shah practices a unique blend of acupuncture and yoga and is renowned for combining herbal remedies, Chinese cupping, and yogic relaxation techniques to treat a host of ailments – from aches, pains and migraines, to insomnia, weight gain and lifestyle addictions.
JOALI Maldives is offering a complimentary consultation with Dr Sohal this festive season, who will identify the guests’ needs and goals for their wellbeing journey.

For adrenaline seekers and water lovers, JOALI Maldives will be offering various activities including parasailing, scuba diving, and glass-bottom kayaking.
Alongside the festive and adrenaline-fuelled activities, guests can learn more about the marine-scape of the Maldives with JOALI’s Resident Marine Biologists, Ida-Wenona Hendriks and Shameem Ali. Ida-Wenona and Shameem are available for a wide range of educational experiences including learning to build coral frames in support of the JOALI Reef Restoration Programme, scuba-diving to plant coral onto the reef nursery and guided snorkelling over JOALI’s house reef.
Younger guests are in for a treat, with fun-filled adventures and learning sessions to keep them busy. Families can enjoy an exhilarating over and underwater sea bob ride; tailored tennis lessons from the tennis pro Stefan Mijuskovic; or archery sessions with an experienced instructor.
Families can also look forward to ceramic art classes with JOALI Maldives’ resident artist, Nataliya Kuleshova or join in the beloved Maldivian pastime of reef-bottom fishing.
To create an unforgettable holiday celebration, JOALI Maldives will be hosting an array of culinary experiences to enjoy, including celebration menus and interactive mixology and culinary classes with their talented chefs.

Festive celebrations will include a Christmas Eve dinner of signature dishes alongside beloved holiday recipes, served by the firelight of beach torches and a Christmas Day brunch with an array of sweet morning treats and celebratory drinks for the adults.
To celebrate the welcoming of 2022, JOALI Maldives will host a New Year’s Eve “Phantasmagoria” celebration, lit by moonlight, stars and fireworks, which includes a lavish feast of international dishes and artistic surprises by their team of chefs.
Start the New Year with a New Year’s Day brunch including a Bloody Mary station, healthy mixed sprouts and vegan salads, and a make-your-own juice station.
Guests can also enjoy a range of educational culinary art experiences during the festive period, including learning to roll sushi like a pro at a Sushi Making class; a hands-on festive favourite cooking class; a day of learning to create authentic Italian cuisine dishes at Bellinis; an interactive Asian cuisine teppanyaki cooking class that is perfect for the entire family; and a family-friendly introduction to Indian Ocean spices from their talented Chefs.
Cooking
Grégory Doyen brings his sweet artistry to The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is continuing its acclaimed Tastemaker Series, a curated programme of exceptional collaborations with world-renowned chefs, artists, and creative visionaries, with the arrival of Chef Grégory Doyen, one of the most distinctive talents in contemporary pastry art.
Born in Burgundy, France, into a family of artists, Chef Doyen discovered his passion for pastry during childhood, turning his family kitchen into his first studio. A graduate of the prestigious École Nationale Supérieure de la Pâtisserie, his career spanning two decades has taken him through Michelin-starred kitchens and international stages, earning him recognition as a leading figure in modern patisserie.
Renowned for his sculptural desserts and refined French craftsmanship, Chef Doyen’s creations merge technical precision with emotional expression, transforming pastry into a form of edible art. His innovative approach has led to collaborations with some of the world’s most iconic luxury maisons—including Cartier, Marc Jacobs, La Prairie, Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Vacheron Constantin, and Hermès—alongside bespoke commissions for Range Rover and Vogue. Often described as the creator of fashion-desserts, he is celebrated for infusing haute couture sensibility into the timeless artistry of French patisserie.
Guests at The St. Regis Maldives are invited to immerse themselves in Chef Doyen’s world of delicate textures and visual poetry through a special festive programme. On 10 December, he will conduct an intimate pastry masterclass, offering participants rare insight into his creative process and sculptural finesse. That evening—and throughout the festive season—his desserts will take centre stage at ALBA, the resort’s signature dining venue, where a curated dessert collection will be presented daily from 10 December to 7 January, offering a decadent celebration of the holiday season.
The residency’s highlight will unfold on 11 December at Decanter, where Chef Doyen will collaborate with the resort’s Executive Chef for a six-course, four-hands wine-pairing dinner, showcasing a symphony of refined flavours and masterful artistry.
A testament to The St. Regis legacy of exceptional taste and global collaboration, the Tastemaker Series at The St. Regis Maldives unites leading talents from gastronomy, art, and design in one-of-a-kind experiences that celebrate creativity and craftsmanship amid the breathtaking surroundings of Vommuli Island. From Michelin-starred chefs to visionary mixologists and artisans, the series continues the St. Regis tradition of curating the extraordinary—where innovation, tradition, and indulgence converge in the most exquisite of island settings.
Entertainment
Swiss cellist JODOKCELLO to perform at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, in collaboration with BRICS Entertainment, has announced the continuation of the global journey of JODOKCELLO — the barefoot cellist from the Swiss Alps whose performances have reached millions worldwide.
Born in the hills of Emmental, Switzerland, Jodok Vuille, known professionally as JODOKCELLO, has transformed the way audiences experience classical music. Having built his own cello and performed barefoot across mountaintops and global stages, his approach to music is rooted in authenticity, presence, and human connection.
With over 15 million followers and collaborations with international brands and artists including Mercedes-Benz, Swatch Group, FC Barcelona, Alan Walker, IL VOLO, and Lindsey Stirling, JODOKCELLO has become one of Switzerland’s leading cultural figures. His work continues to transcend musical boundaries and inspire audiences across generations.
As part of his ongoing three-year global initiative, the Barefoot in the Sand Tour, JODOKCELLO will perform an exclusive set at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives during the resort’s management cocktails on 18 October. The collaboration highlights Alila’s dedication to curating meaningful experiences that celebrate both creativity and nature.
“Music is not just sound. It’s connection. It’s presence. It’s the truth,” said JODOKCELLO.
His barefoot performance, set against the backdrop of the Maldivian horizon, will offer guests a distinctive cultural moment that intertwines artistry, authenticity, and environment.
Thomas Weber, General Manager of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, said: “Hosting JODOKCELLO at Alila Kothaifaru is an honour. His artistry reflects the same values we uphold — authenticity, connection, and respect for nature. This will be an unforgettable experience for our guests.”
The Barefoot in the Sand Tour marks a new chapter in JODOKCELLO’s artistic journey — one that extends beyond concert halls, bringing his message of presence and unity to audiences around the world.
Featured
Ifuru Island Maldives hosts visiting practitioner Devendra Pokhriyal at Xanadu Spa

Xanadu Spa at Ifuru Island Maldives has announced the arrival of Devendra Pokhriyal, a highly regarded wellness practitioner from the Himalayan foothills of India, who will serve as a Visiting Practitioner from 23 October 2025 to 7 January 2026. Guests will have the exclusive opportunity to experience his renowned healing therapies during this four-month residency.
Hailing from the birthplace of yoga and Ayurveda, Devendra brings extensive expertise across a diverse range of holistic disciplines, including Ayurvedic consultations, detox programmes, myofascial release, dry needling, marma therapy, and energy healing. His therapies are recognised for their ability to relieve pain, enhance mobility, and restore harmony to the body, mind, and spirit.
“We are excited to welcome Devendra as a Visiting Practitioner at Xanadu Spa,” said Marcel Sawyer, General Manager of Ifuru Island Maldives. “His authentic Himalayan knowledge and holistic approach will enrich our guests’ wellness journeys and add a distinctive dimension to their time on the island.”
During his residency, Devendra will offer a curated menu of treatments, including:
- Ayurvedic Consultations – personalised wellness guidance based on Ayurvedic principles.
- Marma Healing Therapy – revitalising energy flow and vitality through ancient Ayurvedic techniques.
- Remedial Massage – a bespoke full-body experience combining deep-tissue techniques, Thai stretching, and wooden tapping along meridian lines.
- Detox and Healing Therapies – including slimming detox massages, myofascial release, and nasya sinus cleansing.
Known for his compassionate and intuitive approach, Devendra has guided guests across the world toward relaxation, recovery, and transformation. His limited-time residency at Xanadu Spa presents a rare opportunity for guests of Ifuru Island to immerse themselves in authentic Himalayan-inspired wellness in the heart of the Maldives.
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