Featured
Soneva Fushi to host exclusive Aequi Mental Resilience Retreat

Soneva, the world-leading luxury resorts group, has partnered with Aequi to host an exclusive Mental Resilience Retreat. This inaugural retreat takes place during September 23-30, 2022, as an eight-day residential retreat and will be held at Soneva Fushi, the award-winning resort in the Maldives’ Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Led by Aequi’s team of expert practitioners, the retreat is open to just six guests and will integrate psychological and holistic approaches to wellbeing through a fully personalised, one-to-one service.
Aequi’s founder, Dr Shaazneen Ali, a Maldivian British consultant psychiatrist and mental well-being coach, based and practicing in London, wished to combine her worlds; several years of experience working in mental health and a personal knowledge of the Maldivian hospitality industry to create a unique, bespoke mental well-being retreat in the Maldives.
Along with co-founders; Dr Soumitra Burman-Roy, another well-established British consultant psychiatrist practicing in London, who enjoys working with people to help them identify their psychological and social assets promoting personal resilience and supporting them to live with the sense of purpose they aspire to, and Ms Nazeeha Ahmed, a Maldivian from a hospitality background, with experience in several establishments, local and international, and a strong advocate for healthy living, together have created Aequi.
Aequi’s team of independent practitioners have been hand-picked for their positive, inspiring personalities and expertise across a variety of disciplines, including medicine, psychology, nutrition and yoga. Their clinically informed approach focuses on developing mental resilience for future challenges and to embrace opportunities to one’s best, reducing the impact of past stressors and helping participants prepare themselves for future challenges and opportunities.
Retreat participants will stay at a choice of private villas at Soneva Fushi, which range from one to nine-bedroom island villas, with private gardens, pools and direct beach access, or the resort’s new one and two-bedroom Water Retreats, the largest of their kind in the world, with spectacular views over the ocean. The wide selection of one-of-a-kind dining destinations cater to every appetite, including the plant-based menu at Shades of Green, exquisite Japanese cuisine at the So Hands On Sushi counter, and a bountiful buffet at Mihiree Mithaa. During their downtime, they can also indulge in Soneva Fushi’s unforgettable experiences, from a sunset dolphin cruise or a guided snorkelling tour at the house reef to a private picnic on a deserted sandbank.
Before the retreat, participants undergo a pre-assessment including mental, physical and nutritional assessment, with Aequi’s London team, to ensure their suitability for the retreat and to enable Aequi to create a fully personalised retreat plan, including nutritional recommendations for their stay.
During the event, participants will be guided by the on-site team to explore their individual strengths and weaknesses and learn personalised wellbeing techniques. Aequi’s process encourages participants to develop an understanding of the psychological concepts that are relevant to their own particular situation and integrate this with other aspects of self-care. The on-site experts include a psychiatrist, a psychotherapist and a yoga teacher, while the rest of the team will be available for additional virtual support, if required. Taking place over eight days, the retreat includes three days of retreat work, one day of rest, and a further four days of retreat work. Additional days and other dates are also available on advance request.
Retreat participants must be 18 or over, although they are most welcome to bring other guests to the resort during their stay. Following the retreat, all participants have the option to follow-up with Aequi’s London team to continue their wellness journey.
The Aequi Soneva Fushi Mental Resilience Retreat is priced at GBP 8,500. Flights and accommodation are charged separately, according to Aequi’s special rates.
The retreat will be hosted by Aequi’s accomplished team. For more information on Aequi’s qualified practitioners visit www.aequi.co.uk.
Awards
Ifuru Island Maldives wins Best Premium All-Inclusive Resort at Golden Travel Awards 2025

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.
Featured
Float & Flow Yoga debuts at Holiday Inn Kandooma Maldives

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

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.
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