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Investing in tomorrow: Celebrating Four Seasons Resorts Maldives Hospitality Apprentices graduating in 2022, welcoming class of 2023

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A country’s youth are its future and this year, the Four Seasons Resorts Maldives Hospitality Apprenticeship program saw 40 young Maldivians graduate towards brighter horizons. The Apprenticeship has been the longest running and most successful of its kind in the Indian Ocean since its inception in 2001, and celebrated its latest graduates – and inaugurating its new learners – at a special ceremony at 9:30 am on Saturday, at Maldives National University Auditorium, Malé.

Now in its 21st year, the programme has supported a total of 697 youngsters to date, setting them up for an exciting hospitality career not only in the Maldives, but potentially world-wide. The Class of 2022 graduate in disciplines including: Food & Beverage Service; Food & Beverage Preparation; Housekeeping & Guest Services; Retail; Front Office & Recreation; PADI Dive Master; Safe Maritime Transport (SMT); Engineering and Watersports Attendant.

“Investing in people is the cornerstone of great hospitality,” comments Four Seasons Resorts Maldives Regional Vice President Armando Kraenzlin. “And helping local youth achieve their potential and create empowered futures is very much a part of that. Their enthusiasm, talent, energy, and focus amaze us year on year, but the resilience shown by our current graduates, in the face of such unprecedented challenges, is particularly commendable.”

Celebrating their achievements at the graduation ceremony was Chief Guest of Honour and First Lady of the Maldives, Madam Fazna Ahmed. Inspiring young minds to dream big, she addressed both the incoming and outgoing students, as well as presenting certificates.

Despite uncertain times for the hospitality industry, the 2022 programme managed to take in 40 apprentices, with the Safe Maritime Transport module upgraded with Niyami 1 Certification and Marine Mechanic Level 3 Certifications.

The future looks bright too, with the 2023 intake welcoming 65 hopeful students from across 30 islands, and the introduction of a new third year module, Advanced Engineering.

The Four Seasons Hospitality Apprenticeship – accredited by the Government of Maldives since 2010 – is open to all young Maldivians, aged 17-20, who meet a number of entry criteria including O-Level certifications and fluency in both written and spoken English. No previous work experience is required and apprentices are fully supported to both live and work at Four Seasons Resorts Maldives, training in Resort operations five days a week, with theory classes one day a week. Performance appraisals and tests are taken at regular intervals.

At its heart, the apprenticeship programme is about learning on the job, with classes conducted by professionals with many years of international experience in the luxury hotel, dive and marine industries. Recognising the need for encouragement and guidance along the way, each apprentice is assigned a buddy and mentor. Learning to work hard within an ambitious team builds stamina and character, and strengthens the apprentice’s sense of professionalism, discipline, teamwork and perseverance.

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World-first overwater padel tennis court launched at Meyyafushi Maldives

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Meyyafushi Maldives, a new five-star premium all-inclusive boutique resort, has introduced what it describes as a world-first in resort recreation: a fixed overwater padel tennis court. Positioned above clear lagoons and framed by sweeping sunset views, the court offers guests an opportunity to play and unwind in a distinctive setting surrounded by panoramic ocean vistas.

Located in the Lhaviyani Atoll, the overwater court allows players to take part in a match while immersed in the natural calm of the surrounding seascape. Guests staying at the resort are offered one hour of complimentary padel tennis as part of the premium all-inclusive package. The setting provides a secluded and tranquil space for both beginners and experienced players to practise with the sound of the ocean beneath.

“Padel tennis has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and we wanted to bring it to life in the most spectacular way possible,” said Ahmed Siaar, Cluster General Manager of BeKind Hotels & Resorts. “Playing on water, surrounded by endless blues, transforms the game into something transcendent – it’s active luxury at its finest.”

The overwater court forms part of Meyyafushi’s wider range of facilities, which include an underwater dining restaurant, an overwater wine cellar, water pool suites with slides, a mini bowling lane, and an adults-only sky bar featuring a glass-bottom infinity pool. Each facility has been created to offer experiences that encourage connection, exploration and wellbeing.

With uninterrupted sunset views and a distinctive overwater location, Meyyafushi Maldives’ padel tennis court marks a global first for the sport, bringing together physical activity, landscape and design in a single setting.

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Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa unveils ‘White Shores & Golden Lights’ festive season

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This festive season, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa invites guests to rediscover the joy of togetherness in what it calls the world’s gathering place. From 1 December 2025 to 7 January 2026, the resort will transform into a luminous sanctuary under its signature theme, White Shores & Golden Lights – a palette of shimmering whites and sunlit gold inspired by the purity of the season and the golden glow of new beginnings.

The festive spirit officially begins on 1 December with a Tree Lighting Ceremony, setting the tone for a season of warmth, celebration, and community. Following a period of serene island relaxation, the programme resumes in full from 21 December onwards, offering a vibrant calendar of curated experiences that continues until the Orthodox Beach Buffet Dinner on 7 January.

Guests are welcomed into an atmosphere where refined island living meets festive cheer. The line-up includes festive aqua aerobics, barefoot beach games, Gingerbread House Decorating, and the energetic Colour Run & Paint Me Wall Marathon along the shoreline. Younger guests can enjoy themed pyjama parties, while those seeking adventure may explore a variety of water sports and wellbeing rituals.

The highlight of the season is the Christmas Eve Gala Dinner, presented along the oceanfront where waves meet the shore and golden lights illuminate the evening. With live music, seasonal cuisine, and candlelit elegance, the event combines the island’s natural beauty with cherished festive traditions.

On Christmas Day, Santa makes a memorable arrival at Kakuni Beach, delighting guests of all ages. Throughout the festive period, in collaboration with Reefscapers, the resort offers coral frame-building workshops, giving guests the opportunity to support reef restoration efforts and contribute to the preservation of the Maldives’ marine environment.

As the year comes to a close, guests are invited to welcome 2026 beneath the stars. Night Under the Stars, the resort’s New Year’s Eve celebration, features a coastal gala with champagne, gourmet dining, fireworks, and live entertainment that continues well past midnight.

From peaceful mornings at Shine Spa to evenings sampling global flavours accented with Maldivian character, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa offers an elevated festive experience. Whether travelling as a family, as a couple, or alone, guests will find each day filled with moments to remember and each evening touched with a sense of magic.

“We are thrilled to welcome guests to experience the magic of the festive season with us,” says Greg Allan, General Manager of Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa. “Each moment of our festive programme has been thoughtfully designed to reflect Sheraton’s ethos of heartfelt hospitality – bringing people together through meaningful experiences in one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations.”

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is also presenting a Festive Special Offer for this season. Guests may enjoy exclusive savings on beach or overwater accommodation, along with daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner, return speedboat transfers, and access to selected festive events and activities. Bookings made before 30 November 2025 will be eligible for stays between 20 December 2025 and 10 January 2026.

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Villa Nautica’s festive glow: Yoga at sunrise, fireworks at midnight

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Villa Nautica will embrace the festive spirit from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, offering guests an easy island rhythm that flows from bright mornings by the water to music-filled evenings on the sand. The season begins with illuminated beaches and relaxed barbecues, gradually building through creative afternoons and live performances. Christmas Eve will feature a gala dinner, followed by Santa’s arrival on 25 December. The celebrations will culminate in a vibrant New Year’s Eve countdown with fireworks, before settling into a calm reset on New Year’s Day and concluding with Orthodox Christmas.

The programme balances practicality with a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. Mornings will bring sunrise yoga, family pool activities, and interactive cooking sessions, while evenings will feature poolside soirées, wine-paired dinners, and sunset cruises. With simple yet photogenic settings, the lagoon and sky take centre stage in shaping the mood. Guests—whether couples, friends, or families—can participate freely without losing the island’s easy pace.

For younger visitors, the festivities will centre around the kids’ club, where cookie and cupcake decorating, beach games, origami and craft sessions, storytelling, and cosy movie nights will take place. Small groups and attentive care ensure that creativity and play remain the focus, allowing parents to enjoy uninterrupted moments around the island.

A highlight of the season will be the Champagne Lucky Draw & Disco. From 1 to 31 December, each bottle of champagne purchased at resort bars or restaurants will serve as an entry to the draw. Guests are advised to keep their entry stubs for the live draw, held at 01:00 during the New Year’s celebration, where the prize will be a seven-night stay in a Water Villa for two.

Throughout the festive period, private experiences will feel as memorable as the larger celebrations. Guests may enjoy candlelit dinners on the sand, floating breakfasts, or early morning snorkelling sessions to begin the year anew. Whether seeking a lively shoreline celebration or a quiet evening stroll beneath lanterns and palms, Villa Nautica offers an atmosphere where every festive moment can glow in its own way.

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