Featured
JOALI Maldives donates to Raa Dhuvaafaru

Located on the island of Muravandhoo in the unspoilt Raa Atoll, JOALI Maldives donates $30,000 and two eight-seater buggies worth $14,900 to the Raa Dhuvaafaru Council. JOALI Maldives believes that this latest donation will help support the neighbouring communities. Dhuvaafaru is the most populous island in Raa Atoll with over 5,000 inhabitants, including over 2,500 women, some of whom are currently employed at JOALI Maldives.
“At JOALI Maldives, we are all deeply committed to active involvement in supporting the communities in Raa Atoll. We continue to work together with the local communities, supporting in different areas of need and focusing particularly on remote islands here in Raa Atoll,” says Enver Arslan, General Manager at JOALI Maldives.

JOALI Maldives is proud of the meaningful community and environmental changes that the resort has been able to create since its inception in 2018. The immersive-art resort holistically ingrains social and environmental responsibility through its deep-rooted ‘Joy of Caring’ CSR strategy which focuses on four key CSR aspects including:
- ‘Joy of Preserving’ – promoting environmental initiatives on the island
- ‘Joy of Supporting’, which fosters community engagement within Raa atoll
- ‘Joy of Empowering’, supporting gender equality and women empowerment
- ‘Joy of Conserving’, which focuses on driving operational sustainability
JOALI Maldives has always been dedicated to supporting the local communities in Raa Atoll, with the resort being particularly passionate in advocating female empowerment. In December 2021, JOALI was delighted to donate funds to support three Women’s Development Committees in the Raa Atoll; Raa Innamaadhoo WDC, Raa Maakurathu WDC and Raa Rasmaadhoo WDC. The funds will help to support community development and female empowerment projects in these islands and will reach over 3,000 residents.

In January 2022, JOALI Maldives also made a donation to three Non-Governmental Organisations working in the Maldives including Women In Tech Maldives with funds raised as part of a collaborative art project. The organisation is using the funds to inspire, empower and celebrate women in science and technology, including an initiative to teach coding skills to school students.

JOALI Maldives is the country’s first and only immersive art resort, located on the island of Muravandhoo in the unspoilt Raa Atoll just 45 minutes away from Male by private seaplane. Launched in late 2018, JOALI Maldives truly embodies the joys of life that are woven through its focus on art and sustainable luxury, gastronomy, family and wellbeing. JOALI Maldives stands out from the crowd of luxury resorts in the region with its focus on the human story and nature, preserving and protecting the place that the team love the most by shining the spotlight on sustainability. JOALI Maldives’ experiential works of art and dynamic design, including a Manta Ray Treehouse and underwater coral reef sculpture, all reflect the beauty of nature with sustainability at their core.dynamic design, including a Manta Ray Treehouse and underwater coral reef sculpture, all reflect the beauty of nature with sustainability at their core.
Awards
The Nautilus Maldives honoured in 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Awards

In an increasingly fast-paced world, The Nautilus Maldives stands as a sanctuary where time slows and moments linger — a place that continues to capture the attention of discerning travellers. This haven of unhurried living has once again been recognised in the 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, as voted by readers in both the United Kingdom and the United States.
The accolade reaffirms the island’s quiet ability to enchant. With just 26 exclusive ocean and beach houses, The Nautilus offers complete privacy and a philosophy built entirely around individual freedom. Dining is available whenever a guest desires, and experiences unfold as inspiration strikes. A secluded sandbank transforms into a private dining room, and the Maldivian night sky becomes a stage for endless wonder.
“To be recognised again by Condé Nast Traveler’s readers is deeply meaningful,” said Adan Gomez, General Manager of The Nautilus Maldives. “Our guests come seeking beauty, but what they discover and cherish is freedom — the freedom to design their own rhythm and to create moments that are theirs alone.”
At The Nautilus, luxury is defined as liberation. Guests may drift through the UNESCO-protected waters of Baa Atoll, indulge in a Solasta Spa ritual without time limits, or share vintage champagne beneath a canopy of stars. Each stay unfolds as a personal narrative — unscripted, unhurried, and unforgettable.
Now in its thirty-eighth year, the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards remain among the most respected distinctions in global travel. The results, drawn exclusively from readers’ experiences and opinions, continue to represent one of the industry’s most prestigious marks of excellence.
Entertainment
Amilla Maldives embarks on ‘Around the World in Wonder’ festive journey

Amilla Maldives will host a festive season celebration titled ‘Around the World in Wonder’ from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, inviting guests to experience a colourful exploration of global culture, curiosity, and joy.
Drawing inspiration from Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days, the celebration takes guests on a journey across continents, with each day dedicated to a different country and its unique flavours, music, and traditions. The journey begins and concludes in the United Kingdom, tracing a route through the Maldives, Spain, Italy, France, Argentina, Japan, China, India, Egypt, Brazil, the United States, and Singapore, culminating in a grand finale on New Year’s Eve.
Amilla’s 11th anniversary on 21 December will feature island-wide festivities, including guided tours, tree planting, coconut painting, Maldivian cooking demonstrations, and a cocktail and cake-cutting ceremony. On 23 December, the Tree Lighting Ceremony will adopt an Italian flair with a Venetian-themed celebration, complete with mask-making workshops, Viennese waltz, wine tasting, the Venetian Masquerade Ball, and a special ‘Treasure of the Sea’ dinner.
France will take centre stage on 24 December, featuring the Dance of the Can Can, gingerbread house making, mime face painting, a Christmas Eve buffet, and an aerial hoop performance. The following day, 25 December, will celebrate Argentina with the arrival of Santa Claus, a festive brunch infused with tango rhythms, dance workshops, magic shows, and a lively tango dinner performance.
The festivities will reach their climax on 31 December, with the Around the World in a Cocktail party leading into the spectacular Global Carnival Event. The evening will feature live performances by the Hamilton Band, complemented by bongo drummers, saxophonists, acrobats, and fire dancers. The grand countdown and after party will usher in 2026 with music, energy, and celebration.
Awards
Lily Beach Resort & Spa wins Leading F&B Resort at South Asian Travel Awards 2025

Lily Beach Resort & Spa has been recognised as the Leading F&B Resort at the South Asian Travel Awards 2025, held in Colombo. The accolade reinforces the resort’s position as a destination where culinary excellence is at the heart of every guest experience.
Central to the resort’s success is its renowned Platinum All-Inclusive Plan, a comprehensive concept that offers guests access to a range of premium experiences. The plan includes à la carte dining across several speciality restaurants, unlimited premium wines and spirits, French Champagne such as Taittinger, themed buffets, private dining experiences, and selected excursions. Designed to elevate each stay, it allows guests to indulge fully without additional charges.
Lily Beach offers an array of distinctive restaurants and bars:
- Lily Maa, the main restaurant, features extensive buffets and live cooking stations.
- Tamarind presents refined Indian-Thai fusion cuisine in an elegant overwater setting.
- AQVA serves light fare and cocktails in a relaxed beachfront atmosphere.
- Teppanyaki delivers interactive Japanese dining, combining artistry and theatre.
- Les Turquoise d’Aqua provides a fine dining experience under the stars.
- The Spirit Bar, set beside the ocean, offers a tranquil space for sundowners and late-night drinks.
- Vibes combines a family-friendly pool, games area, and evening entertainment.
The resort’s culinary achievements have earned it continued recognition. In 2024, Lily Beach received the Wine Spectator Award for its exceptional wine cellar and sommelier programme, further affirming its place among the world’s leading resort dining destinations.
General Manager Laurent Driole expressed pride in the achievement, noting: “This award is a tribute to the vision, dedication, and artistry of our F&B team. Every menu, drink, and moment is crafted to delight, and to offer our guests a culinary journey as exceptional as the Maldives itself.”
The award for Leading Food & Beverage Resort is seen as a reflection of the passion and commitment of Lily Beach’s entire culinary team. Under the leadership of Executive Chef Alessio Biondi and F&B Director Adam Shareef, dishes are prepared using the finest ingredients sourced globally, ensuring guests enjoy the highest standards of quality. Their commitment to creativity and innovation means that every visit offers something new—both for first-time guests and returning visitors.
Equally vital to this success are the service teams who bring warmth and personality to each dining experience. Their genuine care and hospitality create a relaxed, homely atmosphere that embodies the essence of Lily Beach—a place where guests feel welcomed as part of a community.
With this latest recognition, Lily Beach continues to define the all-inclusive luxury segment in the Maldives, combining world-class gastronomy, seamless inclusions, and authentic Maldivian hospitality to deliver experiences that remain both refined and heartfelt.
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