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The Nautilus Maldives, Ananda in The Himalayas announce well-being partnership
Highly bespoke bohemian hideaway and private island resort, The Nautilus Maldives, and the world’s top ranked destination spa and wellness retreat, Ananda in The Himalayas, have partnered to offer a first of its kind wellbeing experience that is personalised, luxurious and truly one of a kind.
Similar in ethos, yet different in their unique offerings, this collaboration kicking off in January 2022 offers the best of both worlds: the confluence of the majestic Himalayas and the expansive Indian Ocean, where the luxury of space and time become infinite. Two places where one can recharge, rejuvenate, and enjoy nature at its best.
Ananda, located in the tranquil Himalayan foothills, is renowned for its traditional Ayurveda, Yoga, Meditation and Vedanta with transformational wellness programmes, guided by leading experts in these fields.
The Nautilus is known as the most bespoke private island experience and its “anytime, anywhere, as you please” concept of hospitality, set against the magical backdrop of the Baa Atoll in the Maldives, beckons guests to come as they are.
Ananda and The Nautilus commence this partnership with a series of curated experiences starting in January
2022.
- Guests at The Nautilus will be able to experience signature Ananda Meditation and Breathwork practices through guided audio sessions as part of the daily schedule at the Solasta Spa overwater yoga pavilion to enhance its extensive spa offerings. The Ananda Dhyana meditation and breathwork series is specially designed for guests at The Nautilus to recharge themselves by enhancing clarity of thought and achieving a heightened sense of balance.
- From January to March 2022, guests at The Nautilus will be invited to experience a selection of signature Ananda gourmet wellness cuisine as part of the culinary offerings at The Nautilus. Ananda’s signature wellness cuisine incorporates key Ayurvedic principles, with natural foods low in fat and calories, emphasising whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, low-fat dairy products, and the avoidance of added or artificial salts, colours, flavours, or preservatives.
- Simultaneously, Ananda guests can savour signature dishes from the three gourmet restaurants of The Nautilus: Zeytoun, focusing on intriguing infusions of Mediterranean and Arabic cuisine; Ocaso, celebrating simplicity with Japanese and Latin-American creations; and Thyme, known for its island-inspired tropical cuisine.
- In addition, a unique multi-day Ananda Wellness Retreat at The Nautilus is already in the works for April. The retreat will introduce Ananda experts in residence at The Nautilus from April 7 to 11, 2022, conducting daily classes, workshops and guided sessions in yoga, meditation and presenting Ananda’s gourmet wellness cuisine.
“With the recent events and changed life circumstances, health awareness and a sustainable lifestyle are becoming increasingly important for our guests. Therefore, we are delighted to have found such a strong partner in the field of holistic wellbeing and to further enhance the wellness journey of our guests together with the strong expertise of Ananda”, says Mohamed Ashraf, General Manager of The Nautilus Maldives.
“The concept of Ananda is a journey towards discovering the inner self aided by ancient wellness practices and a retreat to places of solace where tranquil nature and nurturing care create lasting transformations. The partnering of Ananda’s wellness expertise with bespoke luxury from The Nautilus across two magical destinations presents a unique and immersive opportunity to our global patrons”, says Mahesh Natarajan, Chief Operating Officer, Ananda in the Himalayas.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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