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Celebrate holiday season in paradise with Centara’s Maldives resorts

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Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, invites travellers to savour the holiday spirit in paradise at a choice of two distinct island resort destinations in the Maldives with programmes complete with Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, visits from Santa, wellness activities, and festive feasts.

At Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, guests enjoy a whimsical experience at the adults-only retreat which is celebrating with a “Candy Cane Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses” festive programme.

Perfect for couples and honeymooners on a romantic holiday retreat, the resort is situated in the North Malé Atoll just over 15 minutes away from Velana International Airport by speedboat.

Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives offers a relaxing and inspiring holiday experience along with plenty of opportunities to indulge, play and rejuvenate this holiday season. 

From 22nd – 31st December 2021, the resort’s festive programme allows guests to reconnect with themselves and each other through indulgent culinary experiences, exciting recreational and rejuvenating wellness activities including:

  • Maldivian Seafood BBQ (28th December): Featuring fresh seafood flavours straight from the ocean to the grill and performances by traditional Bodu Beru drummers
  • Cuban Trio Beats (throughout the festive programme): Performances by 2 Clave, a talented Cuban-born trio renowned for their captivating vocals
  • Arabian Shisha Night (29th December): Revel in exotic flavours and blends
  • Tranquility and Meditation (30th December): Learn the art of holistic healing therapy
  • SPArkling Love (throughout December): 120-minute spa journey featuring enchanting SPA Cenvaree rituals with body contour wrap or scrub, milk bath enjoyed with sparkling wine, aromatherapy massage, and spa gift set

Elsewhere in the Maldives, Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives, in the picturesque South Ari Atoll, delivers a fantastic resort experience complemented with a range of exciting activities that appeals to both couples and families, including diving opportunities on an excellent house reef complemented with a sunken shipwreck. 

The palm-fringed island resort ushered in the festive season on 16th November 2021 with the annual Christmas Cake Mixing Ceremony.

This holiday, travellers are invited to indulge in a “Believe in the Magic of the Season” festive programme from 22nd December 2021 – 1st January 2022 with highlights including:

  • DJ SRV (24th & 25th December): Performances by New Delhi’s foremost electronic dance DJ and producer
  • Festive Dining and Wellness (24th – 25th & 31st December): A taste of Christmas with themed feasts and complimentary wellness activities  
  • Sizzle n’ Drizzle (22nd December): Beach BBQ featuring succulent freshly caught seafood and prime meats on the grill
  • Master Chef Class (27th December): Learn the fine art of culinary excellence in the tempting world of Thai gastronomy
  • The Epicurean Seafood Feast (28th December): 5-course dinner paired with fine wines selected by a visiting master sommelier
  • Children’s Events (21st December – 1st January): Daily calendar of thrilling activities for junior VIPs by the cheerful Elf crew, including origami art, baking cookies for Santa and his reindeers, and handmade greeting cards
  • Festive Afternoon Tea
  • SPAbulous offers: Rejuvenate and awaken the senses at SPA Cenvaree with special spa packages and signature sets of body scrubs and body lotions to take home

With Centara Complete Care, travellers can rest assured with rigorous new hygiene standards including social distancing measures and increased frequency in sanitisation. Together with global hygiene and verification specialists Ecolab and SGS, Centara has redefined the group’s commitment to health and safety so travellers can stay at Centara with complete confidence. 

Travellers save 25% on their stay at Centara Grand Island Resort and Centara Ras Fushi Resort with the Last Minute Maldives Escape, plus an extra 15% on-top discount for CentaraThe1 members. 

For more information or for further assistance with booking, contact the Centara Contact Centre at ccc@chr.co.th and +66(0) 2101 1234, or visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com.

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COMO Maalifushi launches freediving with Maldivian pioneer Fahd Faiz

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COMO Maalifushi has announced the launch of its new freediving programme, developed in collaboration with Fahd Faiz, the first Maldivian freediving instructor and a prominent advocate for marine conservation in the country. This initiative reflects the resort’s ongoing commitment to delivering transformative guest experiences while promoting sustainability, education, and professional development within its team.

Running from 27 July to 10 August 2025, Fahd Faiz’s residency marks the official introduction of freediving training at COMO Maalifushi. The programme centres on equipping the resort’s marine team with advanced skills in breath-hold diving, safety protocols, and heightened underwater awareness. These freediving techniques are set to be incorporated into the resort’s PADI offerings, providing guests with an opportunity to engage with the ocean in a more mindful and unrestricted manner.

Fahd Faiz is the founder of Freedive Maldives, the country’s first locally owned freediving centre, established in 2015. A world record holder in static apnea, he has trained more than 1,000 students and currently serves as President of the Maldives Freediving Association. As the country’s sole PADI Instructor Trainer, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the freediving landscape both in the Maldives and internationally.

Peter Nilsson, Managing Director of COMO Maldives, remarked, “Having Fahd with us at COMO Maalifushi has been an inspiring experience for the team. His passion for the ocean, combined with his exceptional expertise and dedication to education, aligns perfectly with our brand’s ethos of holistic wellness, sustainability, and authentic connection to place. This new freediving initiative not only strengthens our internal capabilities but also enriches the experience we offer our guests, allowing them to encounter the marine world in a deeper and more tranquil way. We are proud to support Fahd’s mission and delighted to introduce freediving at COMO Maalifushi.”

During his residency, Fahd is leading immersive training sessions with the resort’s marine team, focusing on breath control, rescue techniques, equalisation, and mental conditioning—skills essential to freediving and valuable in ensuring guest safety and engagement.

This new freediving experience at COMO Maalifushi is poised to become a signature offering, inviting guests to explore the depths of the Indian Ocean on a single breath, amidst vibrant coral gardens, tropical reef fish, and the meditative silence of the sea.

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Tailored tranquillity and adventure at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa

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Long celebrated as a quintessential romantic escape, the Maldives is now enchanting travellers of every age — from families with children and teenagers to couples and solo adventurers. The JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa presents a setting where guests can share extraordinary experiences and create lasting memories, whether they are seeking exhilarating marine encounters, exceptional dining, or a tranquil wellness retreat.

The resort’s JW Little Griffins Kids Club, among the largest in the Maldives, offers a captivating world for younger guests. Designed around the theme of a beachside pirate shipwreck, the outdoor space features a 13-metre-long pirate ship, a dedicated children’s pool, and miniature amenities such as sun loungers. Over 100 engaging activities are on offer, including pizza-making classes, island discovery walks, kite flying, sandcastle building, and the JW Beach Olympics. Children under the age of 12 dine free of charge. Teenagers aged 12 and above have access to a private pool and lounge, as well as indoor entertainment such as PlayStation gaming and karaoke — ensuring a tailored experience for every age group.

For those drawn to the ocean, the resort’s Dive & Water Sports Centre offers a comprehensive array of aquatic experiences. From snorkelling vibrant coral reefs and scuba diving to dolphin spotting and deep-sea fishing, activities are designed to suit all interests and skill levels. Adventure-seekers can indulge in jet skiing, parasailing, wakeboarding, water-skiing, and kite surfing, while guests preferring a gentler pace can opt for kayaking, paddleboarding, or a traditional banana boat ride. The resort’s experienced team ensures each encounter with the ocean is both safe and unforgettable.

Those in pursuit of serenity can unwind at the overwater SPA by JW, where contemporary design harmonises with the soothing rhythm of the sea. Guests may select from a variety of rejuvenating treatments, including restorative massages, crystal facial therapies, and invigorating body rituals — all designed to promote inner and outer balance. A tranquil swim in the outdoor pool, framed by sweeping ocean views and gentle breezes, completes the experience.

Culinary exploration at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa is nothing short of exceptional, with five distinctive restaurants offering flavours from across the globe. Fiamma serves beloved Italian classics, while Kaashi offers Thai cuisine high in the treetops with panoramic sea views. Hashi presents refined Japanese teppanyaki over water, and Shio provides premium meats and seafood in a fine dining atmosphere. Aailaa offers a global dining experience throughout the day, with live cooking stations adding an interactive flair. Guests may also enjoy cocktails at Wabi Sabi, rare aged rums at Rum Baan, and a selection of curated wines from the resort’s expansive cellar. For more intimate occasions, private Destination Dining options include an eight-course Indian tasting menu at RIHA or bespoke meals under the stars or in-villa.

Solo travellers are equally well catered for, with the resort offering a unique combination of seclusion and luxury. Without the need to accommodate group plans or shared schedules, guests travelling alone are free to tailor their stay as they wish — from early morning yoga overlooking the Indian Ocean to private snorkelling sessions guided by marine biologists. The resort’s spacious overwater villas provide a peaceful refuge for reading, journaling, or quiet contemplation. Private dining options allow solo guests to enjoy gourmet cuisine in complete privacy, and the dedicated Thakuru (butler) service ensures every detail is attended to with care.

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Wellness visionaries unite for SOUL Festival 2025 at Soneva Fushi

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If the terms ‘peak performance’ and ‘breathwork’ are not yet part of one’s vocabulary, they are likely to be after five days at SOUL Festival 2025. Set to take place from 9th to 13th October at Soneva Fushi in the Maldives, this year’s edition marks the highly anticipated return of Jamie Wheal and Julie Webster, co-founders of the Flow Genome Project and two of the most prominent figures in the world of transformational wellness.

Following their captivating sessions at last year’s festival, the pair return with a newly curated programme of immersive experiences designed to enhance movement, mindset and emotional wellbeing. Mornings begin barefoot, awakening the body; days are enriched with science-based insights into the brain’s most powerful states; and evenings are grounded in restorative practices that leave participants centred, clear, and recharged. The Flow Genome Project’s methods, which are followed by elite athletes, creatives, CEOs and even special forces operatives, will once again be brought to life amidst the serene meeting point of jungle, ocean and refined luxury.

Throughout the festival, guests can expect movement practices that reconnect them with their bodies, workshops aimed at fostering greater ease in relationships, and breathwork sessions that promote nervous system recovery and a deep sense of calm. The experience is a journey in learning how to attune, release, and rediscover one’s natural rhythm.

Joining Jamie and Julie this year are Sanctum founders Luuk Melisse and Gabriel Olszewski, Nathalie Schyllert of Bodyism, Peigín Crowley of Ground Wellbeing, and a host of leading names in holistic health and performance, including Tim Gray, Dr Timm Golueke, Roses Gabor, Frida Redknapp, Kirsten King, Adrienne Adhami, Dong Juan, Anika Lefebvre, and Nils Behrens.

SOUL Festival is Soneva’s annual celebration of visionaries, seekers, and innovators from across the globe. This year’s programme is ambitious, the setting is extraordinary, and places are limited. Guests booking before 31st August 2025 will enjoy a 10% saving with the SOUL Festival early bird offer.

Returning home unchanged may not be an option.

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