Featured
Kandima Maldives to transform into a spectacular Imaginarium for guests
Kicking off this December, Kandima Maldives will transform into a spectacular Imaginarium for guests. Kandima, the game changing resort with a passion on being #anythingbutordinary is fulfilling everyone’s wildest dreams.
Kandima presents the very kool festive theme ‘Imaginarium’ for all its guests this season. A place devoted to imagination, this festive season has been designed to stimulate the senses and ignite guests’ creative fantasies yet again.
With a two-week long schedule of activities, performances and imagination infused art installations, guests at Kandima Maldives will be endlessly entertained, whether it’s the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, DELI Of illusions, Kocktail Making masterclasses, Resin art exhibition, Gingerbread House Decorating or Island Scavenger Hunts and not to forget the legendary Kula Run, there’s something for every imaginative traveller.
Whether you are a family, a couple or just a solo traveller, Kandima is the place to be this festive season!
A Kandima Christmas
Everyone’s invited to take part in Kandima’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the 22nd of December. Kandima’s Breeze Beach will be transformed into a tree lighting extravaganza, with decorations, creative tropical lights, and singing Christmas carols.
On Christmas Day itself, forget the city grotto and line up for a photoshoot with Santa! With an in-house photographer to capture memories, everyone can put down their screens and have a wonderful time relishing the stunning Maldivian sunsets against the backdrop of the festivities.
For the Christmas day buffet, expect delicious menus serving classic Christmas dishes with a Maldivian twist. Fresh seafood and accompanying imaginative cocktails and bubblies will whet your appetite with live music to enjoy whilst dining. Try five imaginative and wonderful chocolate flavours specially curated by the Kandima pastry chefs all available to be picked at Kandima’s kool food retail outlets.
Endless entertainment
From incredible bands such as the high-octane group Nothing but Hits to globally renowned DJs such as Tanya Vie and famous children’s entertainer Marvel, Kandima has music and dancing to everyone’s taste from day to night to mark your perfect Maldivian festive holiday. With 10 unique dining choices, from restaurants and bars, Kandima is the best place to keep the party going.
The oh-so-kool resort will be throwing a festive bash on Christmas Eve before Christmas day but the party doesn’t stop there day next brings on a retro party before a big adult’s only white party hosted at the islands forbidden bar on the 28th, but don’t let the name fool you, nothing is forbidden at Kandima! Every generation has been thought of, with pool parties, guest football matches, kids crab hunts and karaoke at the island so parents can enjoy themselves without worrying about the kids.
The big entertainment kicks off with the official launch of the Imaginarium soon after Christmas where the islands transform into the new world of fantasies! From the Kula Run to the entertaining art illustrations to the super kool entertainment with fireworks to bring in the New Years! Maritime imaginers and adrenaline chasers will be delighted to discover a calendar of paddle board races, water volleyball, night snorkelling, dolphin cruises and diving with Santa during the period of imaginarium festivities!
Arts, crafts, K’reativity
The Imaginarium theme will see the anything but ordinary Kandima’s DELI transformed into a ‘DELI Of Illusions’ where guests will have the chance to experience the entertaining illusionary illustrations while they sip their kool-coffee’s and get creative at the nearby spaces with a Tattoo Parlour, resin art painting, Kocktail creation masterclasses or just a wellness filled vacation at the resorts esKape Spa to relax your imaginative soul.
The guests are also invited to join Kadima’s resident artist for painting sessions and unleashing creativity at the Kula art studio at Kandima. Located at the edge of a natural lake with a special ecosystem also boasting of the Aroma Café with a view, take a moment of peace to marvel at the work of talented local artists and their inspiring.
And for anyone looking to keep fit during the festivities, join the endless sports activities including football matches for the guests. Getting even more imaginative, everyone is invited to take part in the KULA Colour Run, an epic trail that sees guests run through clouds of colour as they explore one of the Maldives’ longest stretches of beach.
A new year like no other
Welcome 2022 with tasty treats at the 2 expansive all-day diners Zest, Flavour and other fine dining restaurants, offing a worldly New Year’s Eve selection.
Think of a world of choices, from the freshest seafood to the choicest of meats or the Asian delicacies to the mouth-watering delicious desserts – there is something for everyone’s palate.
After dinner, guests are invited to party the night away on the white sandy beach for a night with live entertainment and oh-so bedazzling fireworks display, a NYE that will be for the books, an unforgettable night of fun fit for the imagination, but in the real world.
The day after, guests can sooth aching heads with an indulgent New Year brunch, an intimate floating breakfast or lunch in your private villa, plan a castaway island experience for the couple /family or simply soak up the sun discovering the incredible reefs around the island.
With great accommodation options for every type of traveller and enough space to discover something new each day, Kandima is the fail-safe recipe for escapism this winter.
After months of stunted summer plans, it’s the perfect time to start a tropical tradition of Christmas in paradise or the Imaginarium New Year’s to give you that rush. Equipped with all the couple or family feels of a yearend holiday in the middle of the blue azure but none of the winter blues, guests find their imaginations ignited at Kandima this Christmas.
Featured
Villa Nautica’s festive glow: Yoga at sunrise, fireworks at midnight
Villa Nautica will embrace the festive spirit from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, offering guests an easy island rhythm that flows from bright mornings by the water to music-filled evenings on the sand. The season begins with illuminated beaches and relaxed barbecues, gradually building through creative afternoons and live performances. Christmas Eve will feature a gala dinner, followed by Santa’s arrival on 25 December. The celebrations will culminate in a vibrant New Year’s Eve countdown with fireworks, before settling into a calm reset on New Year’s Day and concluding with Orthodox Christmas.
The programme balances practicality with a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. Mornings will bring sunrise yoga, family pool activities, and interactive cooking sessions, while evenings will feature poolside soirées, wine-paired dinners, and sunset cruises. With simple yet photogenic settings, the lagoon and sky take centre stage in shaping the mood. Guests—whether couples, friends, or families—can participate freely without losing the island’s easy pace.
For younger visitors, the festivities will centre around the kids’ club, where cookie and cupcake decorating, beach games, origami and craft sessions, storytelling, and cosy movie nights will take place. Small groups and attentive care ensure that creativity and play remain the focus, allowing parents to enjoy uninterrupted moments around the island.
A highlight of the season will be the Champagne Lucky Draw & Disco. From 1 to 31 December, each bottle of champagne purchased at resort bars or restaurants will serve as an entry to the draw. Guests are advised to keep their entry stubs for the live draw, held at 01:00 during the New Year’s celebration, where the prize will be a seven-night stay in a Water Villa for two.
Throughout the festive period, private experiences will feel as memorable as the larger celebrations. Guests may enjoy candlelit dinners on the sand, floating breakfasts, or early morning snorkelling sessions to begin the year anew. Whether seeking a lively shoreline celebration or a quiet evening stroll beneath lanterns and palms, Villa Nautica offers an atmosphere where every festive moment can glow in its own way.
Featured
JOALI BEING launches global campaign ‘Joyful Journeys of Well-Living’
JOALI BEING, the world’s first well-being island, has announced the launch of its new global brand campaign titled “Joyful Journeys of Well-Living.” The campaign celebrates the art of self-discovery, inviting travellers to reconnect with their inner selves through bespoke and transformative experiences.
Building upon JOALI BEING’s core philosophy of the “Joy of Weightlessness,” the campaign embodies the essence of harmony between mind, body, and spirit. It encourages guests to explore holistic pathways designed to restore balance and inspire personal growth.
Joyful Journeys of Well-Living serves as an invitation to travellers seeking meaningful change and renewal. The campaign narrates stories of individuals discovering joy through purposeful living, mindful connection, and immersive well-being experiences at JOALI BEING.
The visuals capture the island’s tranquil landscapes and nurturing spaces — from oceanfront sanctuaries to treetop villas and transformative healing sessions led by resident experts. The campaign presents JOALI BEING as more than a destination; it is a journey towards well-being, creativity, and self-transformation.
Each guest journey at JOALI BEING is founded on the resort’s Four Pillars of Well-Being — Mind, Skin, Microbiome, and Energy. Through tailored programmes, guests can embark on integrative wellness experiences encompassing sound therapy, movement and fitness, hydrotherapy, nutritional guidance, and energy-healing sessions curated by specialists.
The island features a series of advanced well-being spaces, including:
- CORE: a movement and fitness zone
- AREKA: a transformative treatment centre
- KAASHI: a hydrotherapy hall
- SEDA: a sound-healing room
- Ocean Sala: an open-air meditation and relaxation deck
Each space is designed to nurture a profound connection with nature and the self.
The Joyful Journeys of Well-Living campaign has been conceptualised and produced by JOALI BEING’s in-house team in collaboration with creative partners and visual storytellers from across the globe. The multi-platform campaign integrates film, digital, and print media to convey JOALI BEING’s ethos — a celebration of joy, transformation, and harmony.
The visual narrative draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the Maldives, reflecting JOALI BEING’s immersive design philosophy. The imagery captures the rhythm of the ocean, the play of light, and the flow of energy that define the spirit of the island.
Awards
Coco Bodu Hithi wins Best Waterside Hotel at Condé Nast Johansens Awards 2026
Coco Bodu Hithi has been recognised on the global stage, winning Best Waterside Hotel (Riverside, Lakeside, Seaside) at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2026, held on 3 November 2025 in the UK. It is the second consecutive year the resort has been honoured by the publication, following last year’s win for Best Service, reaffirming its focus on heartfelt Maldivian hospitality and refined island living.
Described by Condé Nast Johansens as an “over-water, over-indulgent Maldivian island outpost,” Coco Bodu Hithi offers an intimate retreat of comfort and calm. The resort’s 32 Water Villas and 24 Coco Residences, each measuring 184 square metres and featuring private pools, provide secluded spaces set above the lagoon, where nature, design, and comfort come together to reflect the island’s romantic ambience.
Known for contemporary design infused with Maldivian heritage, the resort continues to welcome travellers seeking time by the sea, complemented by culinary collaborations with celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs. The experience balances privacy and comfort throughout a guest’s stay. With turquoise waters, quiet spaces, and experiences designed for connection and shared discovery, the resort presents a considered take on island living.
Located 35 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the island combines accessibility with seclusion—close enough for convenience, yet removed for privacy and serenity. As part of Coco Collection, the resort offers bespoke experiences, attentive service, and sustainable practices, shaping stays that feel personal and reflective of relaxed, authentic island life.
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