Connect with us

Featured

S Hotels & Resorts create major public park in Maldives

Published

on

S Hotels and Resorts PCL, the global hospitality company from Singha Estate PCL, has signed an agreement with the Maldivian government’s Ministry of National Planning, Housing & Infrastructure to develop a new public recreational area for the residents of Malé, as it continues to give back to the communities in which it operates, in line with its deep commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The new Picnic Park will be located at CROSSROADS Maldives, the Indian Ocean’s first multi-island leisure destination. Nestled in the Embhoodoo Lagoon, just 15 minutes from the Maldives’ congested capital city, this inviting waterfront area will feature three hectares of open space and fantastic facilities for up to 500 people, including 200 metres of public beach, a mosque, large gardens, multiple barbecue areas and beach huts. Visitors will also be able to unwind and take part in a range of beach games, such as football and volleyball. Set to be opened in Q4 2022, the park will be accessible for everyone, including local people young and old, families, visiting guests and people with limited mobility.

Easily accessible from Malé via ferry, this impressive park will enable local residents to enjoy family days out and interact in a lively, social setting. They can also combine their day of relaxation with a stroll around The Marina CROSSROADS, an 800-metre lifestyle area and beach walk that features a wealth of world-class facilities, including diverse dining options, retail stores, wellness centres, water sports, diving, kids’ clubs, and a 30-berth yacht marina.

At CROSSROADS Maldives, visitors can learn all about the heritage of the archipelago, above and beneath the waves. The Maldives Discovery Centre, which is located close to the Picnic Park, allows all ages to uncover the country’s rich culture through interactive displays, and see how local arts and crafts have shaped its unique identity. The Marine Discovery Centre meanwhile, is dedicated to protecting the Maldives’ precious underwater ecosystems through important initiatives such as coral propagation and breeding programmes. Following the completion of the Picnic Park, the centre’s marine biologist will host regular talks on key issues such as climate change and zero waste to educate society about the importance of conservation.

The Picnic Park reflects S Hotels & Resorts’ deep commitment to improving the lives of people in the destinations in which it operates. Malé is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, and its limited space means that there are few public places for residents to relax. The Picnic Park will alleviate this problem and create an important new social hub for families and friends to relax together and mingle with tourists.

This is an excellent example of S Hotels & Resorts’ pledge to integrate the UN’s SDGs into every aspect of its operations, including SDG11, “Sustainable Cities & Communities” and SDG14, “Life Below Water”. By incorporating social projects into its developments, the company believes that it can spread the benefits of tourism even wider. Previous initiatives have included donating medical supplies and electric vehicles to support the fight against the global pandemic in the Maldives, supporting waste management in southern Thailand by collecting over 8,000kg of marine debris in Koh Phi Phi in 2021, and supporting over 30 local families who provide longtail boat services at SAii Phi Phi Island Village.

“We are delighted to start work on the Picnic Park, which will become an important recreational facility for the people of Malé. All too often, local people do not feel the benefits of tourism. This problem is especially common in island resort areas, where visitors are often separated from their hosts. At S Hotels & Resorts, we want to do things a little differently. CROSSROADS Maldives is a fully-integrated lifestyle destination where guests can enjoy world-class tourism experiences while also connecting with the Maldivian population and learning about their culture. By weaving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals into our operations, we strive to make a real difference to people’s lives and have a long-term positive impact wherever we do business,” said Dirk De Cuyper, CEO, S Hotels & Resorts.

The winner of the “Best Leisure Development Maldives (Five-Star)” title at the Asia Pacific Property Awards 2021-2022, CROSSROADS Maldives is home to The Marina CROSSROADS, Picnic Park and two exceptional resorts: SAii Lagoon Maldives, a five-star lifestyle retreat, and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, the iconic music-themed brand’s first Maldivian property. Construction work recently commenced on the project’s third island, which will be home to SO/ Maldives, a brand-new luxury resort.

Awards

Ifuru Island Maldives wins Best Premium All-Inclusive Resort at Golden Travel Awards 2025

Published

on

Ifuru Island Maldives has been officially named Best Premium All-Inclusive Resort Maldives 2025 by the prestigious Golden Travel Award, recognising the resort’s exceptional guest experience and innovative all-inclusive offering. The resort distinguished itself through its commitment to redefining the premium all-inclusive concept with a bold combination of curated adventures, gourmet dining, and a true sense of luxury.

Marcel Sawyer, General Manager of Ifuru Island Maldives, expressed pride in the recognition, noting that it celebrates the dedication and passion the team invests in creating unforgettable moments for every guest. He emphasised that the resort’s experience is designed to offer guests the freedom to relax, explore, and feel truly at home, all within the comforts of a premium all-inclusive package.

Ifuru Island Maldives has quickly established a strong reputation with its thoughtfully crafted ‘Exclusively Yours’ Premium All-Inclusive package. With a fresh approach to luxury and authenticity, the resort continues to resonate with modern travellers who seek both comfort and meaningful connections.

This acknowledgment from the Golden Travel Award further solidifies Ifuru Island’s growing reputation as one of the Maldives’ most distinctive and experience-driven destinations.

Continue Reading

Featured

Float & Flow Yoga debuts at Holiday Inn Kandooma Maldives

Published

on

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives now offers guests a unique wellness activity: Float & Flow Yoga. Set amidst the picturesque surroundings of crystal-clear waters, this innovative session blends balance, movement, and mindfulness on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), fostering a joyful connection with nature.

Designed to accommodate both experienced yogis and beginners, Float & Flow Yoga provides a 60-minute session on the resort’s SUP Yoga Dock. This specially designed floating platform, shaped like a flower, features eight “petals,” each securing a SUP board around a central space designated for the instructor. Participants are guided through gentle yoga sequences that emphasise balance, breath, and flow.

Courtney Chambers, the resident Yoga Instructor at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, describes the activity as a joyful and liberating experience. She notes that SUP yoga encourages participants to embrace the playful side of the practice while reconnecting with nature.

Classes take place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 10:00 am, with a maximum of eight participants per session to maintain an intimate and supportive atmosphere. A minimum of three guests is required for each session. The class fee is priced at US$45 per person, inclusive of taxes and service charges.

Additionally, a professional drone photo and video package is available for US$25 per person, providing guests with a memorable keepsake of their experience.

Participants are advised to wear comfortable swimwear or yoga attire and to arrive 10 minutes early at the Perfect Wave Surf Shop for a pre-session briefing.

Whether the goal is mindfulness, gentle movement, or simply a splash of fun, Float & Flow Yoga at Kandooma offers an unforgettable opportunity to reconnect with both self and sea.

Continue Reading

Featured

Five-course Indian fine dining by Atrangi to feature at Jumeirah Olhahali Island’s June pop-up

Published

on

Jumeirah Olhahali Island has announced an exclusive culinary pop-up in collaboration with Atrangi by Ritu Dalmia, the renowned Indian restaurant located at Jumeirah Al Qasr in Dubai. Scheduled from 7 to 12 June 2025, this special event will feature Atrangi’s Head Chef, Aniket Chatterjee, who will partner with the resort’s culinary team to present a refined five-course dining experience. This unique collaboration aims to reinterpret regional Indian dishes through a contemporary perspective.

Atrangi, inspired by the vision of acclaimed chef and restaurateur Ritu Dalmia, is celebrated for its bold and eclectic approach to Indian cuisine. Ritu Dalmia, a self-taught chef, began her culinary journey by launching Delhi’s first standalone Italian restaurant at just twenty-two. Over the years, she has established a portfolio of acclaimed restaurants across India and Europe, earning her widespread recognition in the culinary world. Representing her creative vision in the Maldives, Chef Aniket Chatterjee brings a modern sensibility and a profound respect for Indian culinary traditions, promising a dining experience that is both sophisticated and soulful.

For this special occasion, Chef Aniket has curated a bespoke menu that masterfully blends traditional Indian techniques with global influences. Guests will be treated to intimate oceanfront dinners and relaxed beach grills under the stars, with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian tasting menus available.

The dining journey will commence with a playful twist on the nostalgic chilli cheese toast, followed by pickled doodhi and smoked dahi. Main course offerings include Malvani chicken tikka with confit garlic, or for vegetarians, paneer peeli mirch tikka accompanied by spring onion curry. A whipped butter board will serve as a palate cleanser before guests savour dishes such as kappa meen curry or satu pulao with dalma, parwal, and burnt tomato chutney, celebrating the rich diversity of Indian flavours. The meal will conclude with an indulgent Indian sweet, followed by mignardise featuring pistachio soan papdi and a mini jalebi with rabri.

Chef Ritu Dalmia expressed her excitement about the event, stating, “The Maldives has always been a special country for me, having visited several times. It is a thrill to bring Atrangi to Jumeirah Olhahali Island, where we can showcase community-inspired dishes while celebrating the best produce the Maldives has to offer.”

The beach grill dinner at Shimmers Beach on 10 June will be priced at USD 225 plus taxes per person. On other evenings, the five-course set menu will be served at a designated ocean-view location for USD 195 plus taxes per person.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.