Featured
Ready to frolic with Amilla Maldives’ festive fun?
Pixies and elves will be taking over Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences this festive season. That’s British pop star, Pixie Lott, to be precise (the resort’s New Year’s Eve headline act), as well as the resort’s hard-working elves. Santa himself will be making a visit, too. In total there’ll be three weeks of thrills and entertainment.
The private island resort, in Baa Atoll, is being lit up with beautiful sustainable solar light installations and a huge Christmas tree on the main beach made of lights, along with a sleigh pulled by reindeer and a super-sized Christmas ornament. Adorable reindeer, hand-made from wood, will also be dotted throughout the resort.
Amilla’s action-packed schedule kicks off on December 23, with the unveiling of a huge hand-decorated Gingerbread House at Fresh restaurant. It will be followed by the hottest date on Amilla Maldives’ social calendar, the Children’s Fashion Show. Recreating moments from famous Christmas stories set in the past, present and future; the kids will strut the catwalk in sustainable clothing and accessories they made during Kids’ Club sessions. All this activity will be rewarded with a feast fit for Santa later that evening, for ‘kids’ of all ages. And of course, Santa himself will arrive on Christmas day with sacks full of gifts for everyone on his ‘nice’ list.
Boxing Day will begin with a distinctly sporty flavour (which will help everyone work off their Christmas dinners and all those treats). It will kick off with Amilla’s festive football camp, hosted by superstar footballer Arjen Robben. The Dutch hero will teach the resort’s littlest VIPs key skills during the five-day camp. Then the hotly-contested Amilla Cup Tennis Tournament is next on the agenda, hosted by LUX tennis resident pro, Ryan Brough.
Following Christmas, a jam-packed week of activities will lead up to the much-anticipated ‘Out of the Blue’-themed New Year’s Eve celebrations. This year’s theme blends Venetian glamour with mystical underwater creatures. On the main stage, Maldivian DJ Tappu will kick off the show before the legendary Maldivian group, Limestone Band, hits the stage. The headline act, Pixie Lott, will thrill the crowds before DJ Alex Fresh, direct from Russia, counts down the last seconds of 2021 and welcomes in 2022, accompanied by a stunning fireworks display.
Guests will be able to enjoy a plethora of dining experiences throughout the festive period, with theme nights such as Asian Street Food, Arabic and Seafood, as well as delectable festive menus featuring caviar and truffles. A degustation wine-pairing dinner is another of the highlights, as well as two luxury champagne and caviar cruises aboard the beautiful Princess 62 yacht, Blend.
Christmas will come twice this year at Amilla, as the resort will celebrate Russian Orthodox Christmas in January. Ded Moroz and the Snow Maiden will pay a visit to the children on the 30th of December. Russian pop star, Dima Bilan, will perform on the main stage on Christmas Eve on the 6th of January, supported by his band and DJ Alex Fresh. The party will continue with the local Limestone Band into the small hours.
A limited number of villas are still available for last-minute bookings for anyone who doesn’t want to miss the star-studded celebrations. Contact stay@amilla.com or ask your travel agent for more information.
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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