Featured
LUX* South Ari Atoll is calling for Ed-Ventures
From Easter fun to exciting workshops: there are fun activities for everyone on the island.
Maldives is no longer a destination for honeymoon and weddings only. LUX* South Ari Atoll, located in a magnificent preserved marine area, opens doors to a world of educational adventures for travellers of all ages and interests. Guests are invited to stay, play, and learn to take home not only happy memories but great lifestyle tips and family fun ideas.
This year’s Easter programme offered eight days of an exciting journey. Traditional festive treats and egg hunt were accompanied by an array of games, workshops, and culinary experiences to remember. The Pirate Cruise and Sandcastle competition revived childhood memories gathering all the family for hours of amusement. Super Quiz was there to tickle brain ‘muscles’ for an opportunity to win a great prize. And the traditional kids fashion show is already a regular beloved event of all LUX* South Ari Atoll guests.

The ‘icing on the cake’ was a set of engaging workshops with resort’s visiting artists: Jeaninne Platz, Maryam Barsha Mohamed, and Hassan Raaif Siraj, who hosted complimentary classes at the resort throughout the third week of April. Known for their unorthodox approach to painting, the invited talents turned canvas, postcards, and even coconuts into art pieces. There was also a special master class dedicated to the World Art Day and an Easter egg decorating workshop. For kids and adults staying at LUX* South Ari Atoll, this was a unique opportunity to turn their traditional painted eggs into masterpieces, guided by renowned artists. Certainly, a family experience to remember.
Ed-ventures at LUX* South Ari Atoll do not end with the Easter holiday. Foodies of the island are treated with chef’s specials, lavish garden barbecues, and themed buffet nights. To make the most out of the culinary experiences, guests are welcome to book a personalised Master Chef class, which can be also turned into another family ed-venture to remember, combined with a sunrise fishing trip.
Wellness and fitness enthusiasts are not forgotten. Apart from traditional yoga and functional trainings, guests can also book the much-awaited Reiki healing and massage sessions. The last one is not only a relaxing experience but also a learning takeaway. Those eager for something more heart-thumping are invited for aqua boot camp, Jungle Gym workouts, and the Iron Man triathlon competition.

Children are always welcome to enjoy the Grain to Cookie class – a great activity for little chefs. Gathered at the PLAY kids club, they will be milling organic wheat into flour to bake delicious whole grain cookies. The Ice Cream Lab is another opportunity to learn while having fun. Using ice cream makers, kids will make their very own healthy frozen delights with the resort’s chef.
The rich underwater world of the South Ari Atoll offers wonderful learning opportunities for kids and grownups alike. Swimming along the whale sharks, manta rays, and turtles is as exciting as attending a Marine Biology class, hosted at the Cinema Paradiso every week. The resident Marine Biologist will make sure no secrets and fun facts are left undiscovered.
Adults will also appreciate a guided wine tasting with the resort’s sommelier, who will pass the knowledge of perfect pairing, selecting, and storing wines of different vintages. Later, the breezy setting at Beach Rouge invites for a sunset live DJ outing, turning into a party under the stars.
Promising a lighter and brighter experience, LUX* South Ari Atoll is all about enjoying vacation days to the fullest and will keep helping guests Celebrate Life in a tropical island setting.
For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.luxresorts.com, contact stay@luxmaldivesresort.com or call +960 668 0901.
Awards
Kuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
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.
Cooking
Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day
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.
Awards
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives earns TUI Global Hotel Award recognition
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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