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Vacay while the sun shines this summer in Maldives

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Visiting the Maldives is always a good idea, particularly in the summer. One can soak in sunny blue skies and picture-perfect views with the many curated experiences by hotels across the islands. With alluring beaches, painted landscapes and tranquil shores it provides the space for a perfect summer vacation as one relaxes to the sound of the waves. Maldives is an ideal retreat in the summer with water sports activities that travelers of varied skill levels can enjoy such as snorkeling, parasailing, scuba diving, surfing and much more.

These resorts from Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio in Maldives are offering deals and experiences allowing travellers to choose from a variety of options between the curated multi-generational holiday packages at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, the luxury epic stay at W Maldives with one of the best house reefs in the Maldives, the family-friendly Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, and the wellness retreat at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort located at BAA Atoll – a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve site, as they step onto this secluded haven, surrounded by the endless blue of the Indian Ocean. Whether one is looking for the thrill of jetting underwater with a Seabob, snorkelling with the gentle giants of the sea, dining in unique settings or simply soaking up the sun and sand with endless shades of blue, these resorts all have something in store.   

Savour the Endless at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa

Located on Vagaru Island, Shaviyani Atoll, the luxurious five-star resort makes for a mesmerizing destination that focuses on holistic well-being and enriching, thoughtfully curated experiences. The resort features 60 beach and overwater villas, all with private pools, spacious wooden decks and a wide array of amenities with personalized Thakuru (Butler) service. Eclectic dining experiences are offered throughout the resort’s five dining venues, three full service bars, a wine room, which boasts of an impressive collection of 1,200 labels and private beach dinners. Traveling with children is now even easier with the FAMILY BY JW™ – Little Griffins Kids Club where the children can enjoy 100 exciting activities. As one of the largest kids club in the Maldives, the FAMILY BY JW™ – Little Griffins Kids Club has much to offer.

For this summer, guests can combine their getaway with a gastronomy adventure by opting for the all-inclusive package “Savour the Endless” and enjoy all the benefits of a luxury island stay, without a worry in the world. The indulgent package includes three meals a day, with unlimited beverages from the resort’s all-inclusive beverage list, served in all restaurants and bars. Dinner can be upgraded to a private dinner experience, set on the hotel’s stunning private beach, once during the stay and the package also offers discounts on the food bill when dining at signature restaurants, Hashi, which serves fine Japanese cuisine, and Shio, an overwater grill. The resort also features a wide variety of non-motorised water sports on offer included complimentary with the package, from Glass Kayaks for the ones who like to stay above the water, to snorkelling for those looking to explore the world below.

DETOX. RETOX. REPEAT. at W Maldives

Located in North Ari Atoll, W Maldives is a luxury private island resort, setting the stage to fuel the guests’ lust for life. The five-star resort is available for complete island buyout, allowing a group access to 77 private Escapes (Villas) located both on the beach and overwater – each with its own plunge pool and sundeck; six creative gourmet dining venues and lounge bars, overwater treatment rooms at AWAY ®️ Spa, and the world beneath the waves at DOWN UNDER with reef sharks, in one of  the best house reefs in the Maldives for a quintessential escape. For those who would like to get the best of both island and ocean life, the luxurious two-cabin ESCAPE yacht is ready to sail for day-long adventures, private dive trips, sunset proposals, overnight excursions, or even for exclusive airport transfers. Whether one is overworked, under-slept or partied out, AWAY® Spa promises the outcome needed, in the time available, with the perks to get that glow on. The resort invites guests to keep their healthy routine or indulge as they have the option to do both and DETOX. RETOX. REPEAT.

W Maldives invites guests to an unforgettable adventure at sea with an exciting menu of experiences on offer above and below the azure blue waters of the Indian Ocean this summer.  From big game fishing and night fishing to a unique night diving or night snorkelling experience, guests can explore the mesmerizing marine life.  Giving visitors an aerial view of the island, taking off from the state-of-the-art parasailing boat, DREAM, guests can take to the skies and enjoy all the views.  Additionally, perfect for the summer months, W Maldives invites guests to GET WET and cool down at their pool parties, with frozen cocktails at WET with DJ tracks to keep the beat up. The experience also includes a live grill and bites, along with the free flow of frozen cocktails, the ideal way to beat the heat!

W Maldives has your back with their all-inclusive package, WE GOT YOU COVERED! – the resort’s all-inclusive package that will take care of meal and beverage needs, breakfast through dinner, along with complimentary in-room W MIXBAR for non-alcoholic beverages, non-motorised activities and snorkelling gear, valid until January 10, 2023. 

Break Away at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa

Located in North Male Atoll on the private Furanafushi Island, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa pays tribute to the island’s opulent and lush vegetation. The island is a haven, a hideout, enriched by private nooks, enchanting views, and manicured gardens. Easily accessible by a 15-minute scenic speedboat journey from Velana International Airport in Male, the resort is a preferred choice for those who favor convenient travel. Featuring seven restaurants and bars, two freshwater pools, a tennis court, a 24-hour gym and plenty of on-island activities including Sheraton’s signature Side-by-Side Family Program, the resort is the picturesque destination for honeymooners, families with young children or teens, and solo travellers alike.

This summer, guests can avail the all-inclusive offer which includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and select beverages, daily use of snorkelling gear, paddleboards, kayaks and use of the tennis courts, along with complimentary round-trip speed boat transfers to Velana Airport and free Wi-Fi across the resort. One of many unique and thrilling watersports experiences offered at the resort includes Flyboarding that lets you experience the thrill of flying using jet propulsion powered by a watercraft. The resort  also offers  unique destination dining including Lagoon Lunch experiences, an ideal combination of sun & sea where guests can enjoy a hearty three-course lunch, barefoot in the calm, turquoise blue waters of the lagoon, and feel the water beneath their feet as they feast on sumptuous treats, and soak in the scenic views of their natural surroundings. The lunch on a sandbank is a quintessentially Maldivian, iconic experience, and by far one of the most popular dining excursions. Often featured on the covers of glossy editorials, this highly personalized trip is known to be the epitome of a true Maldivian vacation. The resort also welcomes guests to spend their afternoon with a long and relaxing picnic in a secluded location on the island, in their villa or on one of the lagoon islets.

Discover diverse Nature and Wildlife at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort

Nestled on a beautiful coral island of the BAA Atoll, the first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve site in the Maldives, the five-star wellness resort is designed by award-winning architects PEIA Association from Italy, featuring 70 spacious villas, four restaurants and bars, the Heavenly Spa by Westin, the 24-hour WestinWORKOUT fitness center and the Westin Family. BAA Atoll is home to a handful of extraordinary and thriving reefs; home to no less than 250 species of vibrant coral and over 1,200 fish species; a bucket-list dream for diving and snorkelling enthusiasts.

This summer, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, located in Baa Atoll, offers guests the chance to get up-close-and-personal with manta rays at the world’s largest natural manta feeding destination with their Rendezvous with Manta Rays package which includes a Manta Ray snorkel trip, a turtle snorkel trip, one time scuba dive in the house reef and one time scuba dive in open water. Guests will have the rare opportunity to snorkel with the gentle giants at the protected site of Hanifaru Bay just 18 kms from the resort, which can attract more than 100 rays around the time of the full moon. With the season underway, guests can witness the spectacle first hand before the end of November or to plan ahead for the next season. Whilst guests regularly spot energetic and acrobatic spinner dolphins, particularly during cruises, there are also around 1,200 species of reef and reef-associated multi-coloured fish in the Baa Atoll region alone. Up to seven species of turtles can also be found nesting along the island’s pristine sandy beaches at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort and may, at times, include threatened and critically endangered species such as the green turtle and hawksbill turtle and leatherback turtle.

To know more about the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of resorts in Maldives click here. For more information, please visit www.marriott.com

Featured

Huvafen Fushi partners with Forbes Travel Guide in pursuit of five-star status

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Huvafen Fushi, the resort internationally recognised for pioneering signature Maldivian luxury, has announced its official association with Forbes Travel Guide (FTG), the only independent global rating system dedicated to luxury hospitality.

The decision marks a deliberate step for the resort, underscoring its commitment to meeting the gold standard of intuitive service on an international scale. After two decades of setting architectural and experiential milestones—such as unveiling the world’s first underwater spa and introducing the Maldives’ first underground wine cellar, Vinum—Huvafen Fushi is now focused on demonstrating its exceptional service culture against the industry’s most rigorous and objective criteria.

The resort’s ultimate aim is to attain the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating in 2026.

General Manager Noel Cameron stated, “For Huvafen, luxury is effortless and authenticity shines through. Our brand has always been about trailblazing and crafting moments that transcend the ordinary. Now, we’re putting our confidence to the test by inviting the global authority on luxury to evaluate the very core of our offering: the quality and consistency of how we make our guests feel.”

Unlike rating systems that rely on volume or guest reviews, the FTG evaluation process is entirely independent, with anonymous professional inspectors assessing properties based on up to 900 stringent standards. The criteria place significant weight on emotional connection and anticipatory service—the subtle, intuitive gestures that have long defined Huvafen’s approach.

This partnership marks a new chapter for Huvafen Fushi, reflecting its evolution towards uncompromising, verified excellence. It positions the resort to resonate even more strongly with discerning, forward-thinking travellers seeking authentic connection and meaningful transformation.

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Celebration

Sun Siyam Olhuveli kicks off festive season with Charith N. Silva Cake Mixing

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Sun Siyam Olhuveli has ushered in the holiday season with a new twist on its much-loved annual Festive Cake Mixing event, held on 23 November. This year, the celebration was led by acclaimed Sri Lankan chef and viral social media personality Charith N. Silva, the creative force behind @wildcookbook and one of South Asia’s most influential culinary storytellers.

Charith, a sensation across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram with an audience of several million, is widely recognised for his bold fire-cooking techniques, visually striking outdoor food rituals, and distinctive, high-energy narrative style. He recently secured a coveted place on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2025 list in the Arts (Art & Style, Food & Drink) category, underscoring his growing influence on contemporary food culture in the region. He is one of a new wave of young chefs blending local flavours with global inspiration and is the owner of the restaurant “Wildish” in Colombo.

Bringing his creative flair to Sun Siyam Olhuveli, Charith said, “Bringing my energy to Sun Siyam Olhuveli was surreal; the people, the Maldivian spirit, the flavour play, everything clicked into one unforgettable festive moment.”

This year’s cake mixing unfolded like an island celebration, complete with lively music, bursts of aromatic spices, and an energetic atmosphere. Resort teams and guests layered fruits, nuts, and spirits in a spirited display, with Charith driving the momentum through his trademark spontaneity. The result was a vibrant, social, and playful reimagining of a classic festive tradition.

Festivities continued on 24 November with an exclusive live cooking demonstration by Charith, giving guests the chance to experience his signature “wild” cooking style firsthand against the lagoon backdrop of the resort.

“This celebration reflects the new creative pulse of Sun Siyam Olhuveli. Charith brought an energy that aligns perfectly with our evolving lifestyle identity, making this year’s cake mixing one of our most memorable yet,” said Hassan Adil, General Manager at Sun Siyam Olhuveli.

With the festive season now in full swing, Sun Siyam Olhuveli invites guests to join MYSTIVAL 2025–2026, the resort’s year-end celebration taking place from 21 December 2025 to 8 January 2026, featuring hypnotic beats, immersive dining, playful rituals, and a series of kaleidoscopic island experiences designed to inspire connection and celebration.

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Cooking

Cooking with culture: Maldivian Kandu Kukulhu at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef

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At Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, Maldivian cuisine is celebrated not simply as nourishment but as an expression of island heritage and identity. Among its most significant traditions is the preparation of Kandu Kukulhu, the Maldives’ signature rolled tuna curry. Rooted in local custom and passed down through generations, the dish forms the centrepiece of the resort’s weekly Maldivian cooking classes, offering guests an intimate introduction to the flavours, techniques, and narratives that shape the islands. As part of the resort’s signature culinary journey, it brings Maldivian culture to life through authentic tastes and thoughtful storytelling.

Deeply embedded in local tradition, Kandu Kukulhu reflects centuries of craftsmanship and care. At Vilu Reef, the cooking class is led by the resort’s Maldivian chefs, who demonstrate each stage with the precision and intuition inherited through long-standing practice. Guests learn how to slice the tuna, layer it with aromatic spices, and bind the rolls with coconut or pandan leaf. As the curry gently simmers in coconut milk, its aroma fills the air, offering a vivid portrayal of everyday island cooking—an experience that resonates long after the final tasting.

Kandu Kukulhu, which translates to “chicken of the sea,” is a quintessential Maldivian tuna curry and a powerful tribute to the nation’s enduring connection to the ocean.

“Sun Siyam Vilu Reef’s culinary story celebrates Maldivian heritage, moving beyond simply serving fresh seafood,” said Chef de Cuisine Mohamed Hameed, known as Chef Printey. “It is a connection to our islands, our people, and the traditions that shaped Maldivian cuisine. By sharing these methods, we bring our cultural narrative to life in the most sincere way.”

The cooking class forms a key part of the Maldivian Roots Signature Experience, which highlights the flavours, crafts, and cultural expressions that define the Maldives. It reflects Sun Siyam’s philosophy of celebrating island life through meaningful encounters and genuine Maldivian spirit. The experience is available to all guests at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef and can be booked in advance during their stay.

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