Featured
Celebrate holiday season in paradise with Centara’s Maldives resorts

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.
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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