Featured
5 reasons why Maldives checks all your 2022 getaway list
Far stretched white sandy beaches flanking the turquoise blue Indian Ocean, stilted waterside villas, a romantic candlelit dinner against the sounds of the sea – Maldives is all about luxury and a tryst with nature.
With more than a thousand splendid islands and the 26 coral atolls brimming with marine life, be it a dive into the unfathomable sea or sprawling across the sun-lounger on the powdery sand, the reasons to visit Maldives are unending. And if the beauty and charm of the Maldives by itself weren’t enough to get one packing, these resorts from Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio in the Maldives are reasons why 2022 should be the year you check Maldives off the bucket-list!
One-island-one-resort
After a prolonged stretch of time at home, with restrictions on movement and travel, one can break-away and say hello to the sunny side of life at the naturally social-distanced nation of picturesque islands.
Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of resorts in the Maldives, ranging from the luxurious JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa and W Maldives, to the five-star Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa and The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, all lend themselves seamlessly to provide the mental comfort of a safe haven, following the one-island-one-resort concept in this secluded haven, surrounded by the endless blue of the Indian Ocean.

Take Your Pick of Seaside Solitude
A stylish tropical retreat, the Duplex Beach Pool 2-Bedroom Villas at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa are bright and airy inside, colored in beachy hues and accented with lighting inspired by the beguiling coral that surrounds the atoll. The Duplex Overwater Pool 1-Bedroom Villas are the ideal option for smaller families or couples seeking to mark a special occasion with a remarkable stay.
W Maldives invites guests on a journey to a playful two-storey beach resort escape, while enjoying a lap of luxury at the one-of-a-kind two bedroom WOW Ocean Haven and the breath-taking WOW Ocean Escape. Both suite categories boast of the most exceptional 5-star experiences that set these over water villas apart from others in the most daring of ways.
At The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, the generously sized Two-Bedroom Beach Villa with Pool is popular for its beachfront location and ocean views. The private deck and plunge pool serves as a secluded ground for children to enjoy the outdoors whilst guests can relax from the comfort of the suite.
For those who prefer brief travel, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa serves as an idyllic sanctuary featuring effortless elegance in relaxing spaces. The resort offers a wide range of rooms, from understated deluxe rooms to charming cottages, boastful villas, and indulging water bungalows and suites.

A Whole New World
W Maldives sits above one of the best house reefs in the Maldives. The heart-shaped luxury playground is home to hundreds of species of marine life ready to be explored. Accessible from anywhere on the resort, one can jump in with snorkeling gear at any time and have the adventure of a lifetime by swimming with reef sharks and turtles just outside their villas, an experience they will never forget.
The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo resort, located in Baa Atoll, the first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives, offers guests the chance to get up-close-and-personal with manta rays at the world’s largest natural manta feeding destination. Guests have the rare opportunity to snorkel with the gentle giants at the protected site of Hanifaru Bay just 18 kilometres from the resort, which can attract more than 100 rays around the time of the full moon, between June to October. Up to seven species of turtles can also be found nesting along the island’s pristine sandy beaches and may, at times, include threatened and critically endangered species such as the green turtle, hawksbill turtle and leatherback turtle.

Gastronomical Delights
With each resort offering a unique setting and a wide array of destination dining experiences curated based on cuisines, locations and occasions, one can prepare to sink their feet into pristine sand and relish a romantic private barbecue dinner on the beach, or enjoy a family movie night under the stars by the ocean or even sail out and escape on a boat for sunset cocktails.
At JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, eclectic dining experiences are offered throughout the resort’s five dining venues, three full service bars, a wine room, which boasts of an impressive collection of 1,200 labels and private beach dinners. Another unique and culturally significant experience offered at the resort includes a private ‘Malafaaiy Dinner’ served on a stunning beach location where signature Maldivian dishes are carried to the table along with local drummers, singing, dancing and clapping to native songs, guests are also invited to join in the fun.
Apart from six creative gourmet dining venues and lounge bars, the Destination Dining options at W Maldives range from a private dinner at the beach or coral terrace and barbecue dinners with a private chef, to experiences aboard the yacht, ESCAPE, or at Gaathafushi, a private castaway island that’s just a stone’s throw away from the resort.
Family First
Traveling with children is now even easier with the FAMiLY BY JW™ Little Griffins Kids Club at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa where children can enjoy 100 exciting activities. Families can partake in activities such as FAMiLY Pizza Making, Scavenger Hunt & Treasure Opening, Hide & Seek, Movie Nights at the Pirate Ship, and many more such weekly activities, which feature both indoor and outdoor options.
Family vacation goals are all about creating memories and the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa makes them easier than ever with the paradise island’s own Sheraton Side by Side Family Programme. Activities such as Adopt a Coral invite guests to include a purpose in their travels by joining a coral conservation tour where a coral fragment planting activity helps to restore the reef habitat. After the fun and interactive experience, the resort’s marine biologist places them in the water so they can have their growth monitored. Kids then get a coral frame tagged with a unique serial number that is displayed on the dedicated website so they can follow its’ progress.

To know more about the Marriott Bonvoy Portfolio of resorts in Maldives click here.
Awards
Angsana Velavaru achieves 4.8 rating in British Airways Customer Awards
Angsana Velavaru has received the British Airways Holidays Customer Excellence Award 2025, recognising the resort for consistently high levels of guest satisfaction and service.
The award is based on verified customer feedback and reflects guest experiences at the resort. Angsana Velavaru achieved an overall score of 4.8 out of 5, with recognition given for service delivery, attention to detail and guest care throughout the stay.
Located within a lagoon in South Nilandhe Atoll, the resort offers a range of accommodation options, including beachfront villas with direct beach access and its InOcean Villas, situated approximately one kilometre from the main island. These overwater villas provide a more secluded setting with open ocean views.
The resort caters to a variety of travellers, including families, couples and individual guests. Family-oriented programmes and shared activities are available, while other guests can take part in leisure, wellness and exploration experiences. Through its 101 Things To Do programme, guests can engage in activities such as snorkelling, marine excursions, cultural experiences and wellness sessions.
The surrounding reef environment provides opportunities for marine exploration, while the resort’s service approach focuses on delivering personalised guest experiences. This combination of natural setting and service delivery forms a central part of the resort’s offering.
The British Airways Holidays Customer Excellence Award is presented to hotels that achieve high customer ratings, serving as an indicator of guest satisfaction within the travel sector. For Angsana Velavaru, the recognition reflects its continued focus on maintaining service standards and delivering consistent guest experiences.
The resort continues to position its offering around accessibility to nature, varied experiences and a service model aimed at supporting guest comfort and engagement throughout their stay.
Action
Eri Maldives offers accessible reef diving and snorkelling
Eri Maldives is located within the waters of North Malé Atoll and is surrounded by a house reef accessible to both beginner and experienced divers. With four direct reef entry points and shore access, the resort offers opportunities for snorkelling, introductory dives and certified diving.
The house reef supports a range of marine life, including white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, hawksbill turtles, mobula rays and spotted eagle rays, as well as schools of reef fish. The accessibility of the reef allows guests to explore the area over multiple days, providing opportunities to observe marine behaviour and habitats over time.
Turtle encounters
Hawksbill turtles are among the most frequently observed species on the reef. The resort’s dive team has identified 14 individual turtles, each recognised by shell patterns and physical features. These include turtles known as Rosie, Cara and Anna, which have been documented through repeated sightings.
The resort maintains records of these turtles, allowing returning guests to identify individuals over time. Guests may also contribute to this initiative by naming newly identified turtles that have not previously been recorded.
Manta ray season
From December to April, manta rays are known to visit cleaning stations at Bodu Hithi Thila, located approximately one hour by boat from the resort. During this period, ocean conditions support plankton flows that attract mantas to the area, where they can be observed feeding or visiting cleaning stations.
Night diving experiences
Night snorkelling and diving activities provide a different perspective on reef activity. Species such as reef sharks, trevallies, moray eels and nurse sharks become more active after dark, offering guests the opportunity to observe nocturnal marine behaviour.
At Eri Maldives, marine experiences form a central part of the guest offering, with the house reef providing consistent opportunities for exploration. The resort’s dive programme is designed to support repeated interaction with the marine environment, allowing guests to experience a range of underwater activity throughout their stay.
Accommodation is available in studio and beach villa categories, with full board packages offered for direct bookings, subject to availability.
Featured
The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives collaborates with Maldivian artist Ahmed Aleem
The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives, Autograph Collection has announced a collaboration with Ahmed Aleem Shakoor, who is currently in residence at the resort, introducing a creative element to the guest experience.
Aleem, a self-taught artist, is known for work that combines maritime themes, surrealism and symbolism. His practice spans watercolours, acrylics and mixed media, drawing inspiration from the Maldives’ history and ocean landscapes, often expressed through the use of light, depth and narrative.
During his residency, Aleem is working with the resort to develop a series of artistic and cultural experiences aimed at engaging guests. These include live painting sessions, informal interactions with the artist and workshops designed to encourage creative participation.
The programme forms part of the resort’s wider activities, with offerings such as mini canvas painting, coconut painting and creative art sessions available to guests. In addition, Tales Painted in Sunlight combines elements of Maldivian folklore, storytelling and visual art, providing further insight into local culture.
The collaboration reflects the resort’s approach to incorporating local artistic talent into its programming, while offering guests opportunities to engage with creative activities in a relaxed setting. The residency is designed to allow guests to explore artistic expression as part of their island experience.
As part of its seasonal programme, selected artistic activities are also included in the resort’s Easter offerings, providing additional opportunities for guests to take part in creative experiences during their stay.
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