Connect with us

Featured

Soneva partners with iChild to introduce free experiential eco-learning resources for UK classrooms, schooling at home

Published

on

Bringing the magic of the Maldives and the Soneva Academy into UK classrooms: sustainable resort brand Soneva have partnered with iChild to support the KS2 and KS3 science and geography curriculum. Each lesson has an editable PowerPoint classroom presentation with spectacular photography, animations and video clips, while accompanying teachers’ notes provide useful guidance and supporting resources.

Engaging with the Environment

Since its launch 26 years ago, Soneva has been at the forefront of the Maldives’ effort to create a more sustainable future, in the face of climate change. Through initiatives such as eliminating single-use plastics, moving towards a zero-waste philosophy, using solar power and reducing its carbon footprint, preserving the Maldives’ native biodiversity is at the heart of Soneva’s Slow Life purpose. The aim of the environmental education from the Soneva Academy is to inspire the next generation to conserve and protect the planet for the future.

Magic of the Maldives and Soneva Academy in the classroom

iChild and Soneva Academy will provide free resources to support KS2 and KS3 science and geography. Teachers and parents will have access to three real-world lessons: Explore the Coral Reefs, Plastic in our Lives and Mosquitoes.

  • Lesson 1, Explore the Coral Reefs: Students will explore the coral reefs in the Maldives and discover their importance and the threats they face. They will also see how Soneva is setting up the world’s biggest coral restoration project on Soneva Fushi. School’s will also have the opportunity to adopt a coral nursery structure and will receive updates throughout the year.
  • Lesson 2, Mosquitoes: Soneva has tackled the problem of mosquitoes, eliminated insecticides and increased bio-diversity in the process. In this fascinating lesson, students will gain a full understanding of one of the deadliest animals on earth.
  • Lesson 3, Plastic in our Lives: Students will learn about single-use plastic and its negative impact on the environment. Plus, they will learn about the zero-waste initiatives at Soneva Fushi and how they can adopt these initiatives at home.

Special offer from Soneva and iChild

They will also extend a special offer code to parents, teachers and their school community to book a Soneva holiday and receive one complimentary Soneva Academy course per child. As part of the offer, families will enjoy complimentary daily breakfast, unlimited access to the cheese and chocolate rooms, snorkelling, movie screenings at Cinema Paradiso and one signature Soneva experience during their stay.

Haven of wonder and adventure for young guests

Soneva Jani and Soneva Fushi in the Maldives are a haven of wonder and adventure for young guests and their families, where rare experiences and enthralling activities take place in awe-inspiring natural surroundings. From the Den, which is the largest children’s club (for under 12s) in the Maldives and South Asia, through to the Soneva Academy’s educational courses (for teens), with unforgettable hands-on experiences, which will add an exciting new dimension to children’s schooling.

Founded in 1995, Soneva is an award-winning sustainable luxury resorts operator. At Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva in Aqua in the Maldives, and Soneva Kiri in Thailand, true ‘luxury’ is defined by peace, time and space. Each day, guests are encouraged to discover the SLOW LIFE, reconnecting with themselves and the natural world through rare, unforgettable experiences that inspire and enthral.

Soneva is a pioneer for responsible tourism, combining a conscientious, proactive approach to sustainability with exquisite luxury and intuitive personalised service. Carbon neutral since 2012, Soneva launched its Total Impact Assessment in 2016, a first for the hospitality industry, measuring its social and environmental impacts. A mandatory 2% environmental levy is added to every Soneva stay, with proceeds going towards the not-for-profit Soneva Foundation to offset both direct and indirect carbon emissions from resort activities and guest flights. The Foundation funds a range of global projects that have a positive environmental, social and economic impact.

Featured

‘Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom’ comes to Sun Siyam Vilu Reef this festive season

Published

on

Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Privé Collection within the House of Siyam, has announced its festive programme, “Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom”, which will run from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.

The seasonal programme features activities and experiences for guests of all ages. Dining will take centre stage with Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve gala dinners by the water, exclusive Chef’s Table experiences and seafood barbecues on the beach.

The evening entertainment programme will include live acoustic performances, island DJ sets, aerial dance shows and Maldivian cultural performances.

During the day, guests will be able to explore the resort’s lagoon through activities such as house reef snorkelling, sunset Jet Car rides and sandbank excursions. The Spa will offer wellness rituals and couples’ therapies, while younger guests can take part in gingerbread decorating, a fashion show and Santa’s arrival on the beach.

“Eutopia is our invitation to celebrate and embrace nature, meaningful moments, and the relaxed luxury that defines Sun Siyam Vilu Reef through our festivities,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager.

“From unforgettable ocean adventures to starlit beach celebrations, every experience has been thoughtfully designed to create lasting memories that will continue to flourish long after the season ends.”

The programme will culminate with a New Year’s Eve celebration on the beach on 31 December, featuring live music, midnight toasts and a fireworks display over the water.

The resort’s festive programme is available to view online, with bookings open for stays between 22 December 2026 and 7 January 2027.

Continue Reading

Awards

Sun Siyam Iru Veli earns top wedding destination honour at TTM Awards

Published

on

Fresh from being named Best Honeymoon Destination in 2025, Sun Siyam Iru Veli was recognised as Best Wedding Destination at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards & Gala 2026, held at Crossroads Maldives on 27 August. The award further reinforces the resort’s commitment to celebrating romance in all its forms.

Surrounded by turquoise lagoons and white-sand beaches, Iru Veli provides a natural setting for couples seeking an intimate island retreat. Every villa features a private pool, while secluded beaches, private sandbanks and a 24-hour all-inclusive dine-around experience offer guests privacy and flexibility throughout their stay.

The resort hosts celebrations of different scales, ranging from barefoot ceremonies by the ocean to larger events encompassing the entire island. Dedicated wedding planners work closely with each couple to personalise every element, ensuring that both the ceremony and the wider stay reflect their individual story.

This flexibility extends beyond the resort’s wedding packages. Simple Romance, Grand Gesture and Sandbank Magic provide couples with a starting point, with each celebration customisable through décor, dining, wellness, entertainment and island experiences. For occasions requiring complete exclusivity, full-island buyouts allow the resort experience to be tailored around the couple and their guests.

The celebrations can continue beyond the ceremony through candlelit dinners beneath the stars, spa rituals for two, sunset cruises and time spent together across the island. These experiences enable couples to shape the occasion around their preferences, with personal moments unfolding throughout their stay.

“Every couple arrives with a different story and a different vision for their celebration. There is no template here. From intimate ceremonies for two to full-island celebrations with family and friends, our role is to create moments that feel completely personal. That is exactly what our team does. They listen first and then create a ceremony that truly reflects the couple. This award is a testament to the dedication and care they put into making every moment memorable,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.

The annual TTM Awards & Gala brings together travel professionals and hoteliers to recognise achievements across the Maldivian hospitality industry. Iru Veli’s latest award further strengthens its position among the Maldives’ leading destinations for weddings and romantic escapes.

Continue Reading

Action

Chef Jake Norman and Molly O’Donoghue join Niva Dhigali for November programme

Published

on

Niva Dhigali Maldives will welcome visiting chef Jake Norman and British pickleball champion Molly O’Donoghue for a curated programme of island experiences this November, bringing together dining and active wellbeing in the Maldives.

Norman began his culinary career making pizza in the markets of Guadalajara, Mexico, before working in several London restaurants, including St John, Ottolenghi and Sabor. He now leads the kitchen at Updown Farmhouse in Kent, where his cooking focuses on seasonal ingredients, live-fire techniques and Mediterranean influences.

On 18 November, Norman will host an exclusive dinner at Faru, presenting a menu that combines Mediterranean flavours with influences from Mexico and the Middle East, while incorporating ingredients sourced from the Maldives.

The shared dining experience will feature Indian Ocean produce, grilled dishes and smoky flavours, with a menu designed to reflect the setting and encourage guests to dine at a relaxed pace.

The programme will also include pickleball sessions hosted by British champion Molly O’Donoghue. A national champion in mixed and women’s doubles, as well as a European champion in mixed doubles, O’Donoghue first discovered the sport while studying in Australia. She has since competed internationally and worked to introduce the sport to players around the world.

At Niva Dhigali, O’Donoghue will conduct beginner sessions and advanced coaching, giving guests of different skill levels the opportunity to learn, play and develop their technique.

Located in Raa Atoll, Niva Dhigali Maldives is surrounded by tropical vegetation, a lagoon and the Indian Ocean. The November programme, featuring Norman’s dining experience and O’Donoghue’s pickleball sessions, forms part of the resort’s approach to offering guest experiences centred on food, wellbeing and the island environment.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.