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Anantara Kihavah Maldives opens new villas

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Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas has launched new family-style villas for travelers. Adding to the resort’s collection of multi-bedroom private pool residences introduced earlier this year, these new accommodation options consist of four Two Bedroom Family Beach Pool Villas and eight One Bedroom Family Beach Pool Villas.

Each of the Two Bedroom Family Beach Pool Villas offer 4,435 square feet of space, and is steps from a white sand beach. A 40-foot swimming pool runs alongside an extensive outdoor sun terrace and offers massage jets and submerged seating. There is also a shaded dining sala and outdoor barbecue pit complete with a sunken dining lounge.

The villa comprises two separate bedrooms—one king and one twin—both of which include a day bed, a fully equipped refreshment center and wine fridge, and an en-suite bathroom. There is an outdoor shower as well as an oversized bathtub, along with a waterfall feature in the bathroom. An additional sleeping room suitable for one adult is located within the interconnecting space between both bedrooms, ensuring convenience for parents traveling with children or additional family members.

The Two Bedroom Family Beach Pool Villa can accommodate three adults and two children, or five adults.

The One Bedroom Family Beach Pool Villas offer 2,777 square feet of space. These villas sit amongst natural foliage and coconut palms on the 30-acre island, with direct access onto powdery sands and into ultramarine waters. Ideally suited for families with young children, the villas have separate sleeping quarters suitable for children under 12 years old. The rooms have calming white walls and natural teak wood furnishings, while outdoors, guests can find sun loungers or swing beds.

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas – Exterior of One-Bedroom Family Beach Pool Villa
Exterior of a One-Bedroom Family Beach Pool Villa (Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas)
Anantara Kihavah’s collection has two-, three- and four-bedroom pool residences. Each residence has Kajan thatched palm roofs and Balau hardwood flooring on its outdoor decks. Floor-to-ceiling doors of the living and dining room slide open for ocean or jungle views. Each residence is also fitted with its own working kitchen, double-bed spa treatment room and gym with a range of fitness equipment. The resort offers a dedicated Villa Host to attend to every need, and a Wine Sommelier and Personal Chef service on request.

For activities, guests can snorkel or dive at the house reef, home to hundreds of tropical fish, Hawksbill Turtles, Nurse and Reef Sharks, Spotted Eagle Rays, and Jacks. Experienced instructors, rental equipment, dhonis and reef dive sites cater for both beginners and experienced explorers. In glass-bottomed kayaks, guests can follow the edge of the reef fringing the island for some of the best over water views of the oceanic life in their natural habitat. If staying dry is preferred, guests can choose to hop onboard the Ocean Whisperer for a sunset cruise or dolphin discovery excursion.

Good to know: Catering for children aged six to 11 years old, a trio of marine biology programs is available. Designed to provide an educational holiday, young explorers can join the resident marine biologist on a turtle quest or manta snorkeling excursion or take part in coral transplanting and essential research snorkeling adventures. In addition, named after the beautiful found on the beach, ‘Thiththi Boli Kids Club’ offers complimentary daily supervised programs, fun arts and crafts activities, indoor and outdoor sports, and games for younger guests between four to 12 years old.

There are six restaurants and bars, including SEA, the resort’s signature underwater restaurant and wine cellar. Whether at breakfast, lunch or dinner, all the family will be entranced and entertained by the diverse marine life playing hide-and-seek amongst the coral reefs.

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Angsana Velavaru shines in T+L Luxury Awards 2025 with top pool and GM honours

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Angsana Velavaru, part of the esteemed Banyan Group, has secured prestigious placements in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, ranking #8 for Best Resort Pool and #3 for Best General Manager in the Maldives. These accolades underscore the resort’s dedication to outstanding service, thoughtfully crafted accommodations, and guest-centric innovation.

Located in the unspoiled South Nilandhe Atoll, Angsana Velavaru features 113 villas—79 of which are equipped with private infinity pools. Among them are the celebrated Beach Villas and the signature InOcean Pool Villas, which extend elegantly over the lagoon’s turquoise expanse. Each villa is designed to offer a harmonious blend of sophistication and comfort, enabling guests to immerse themselves in nature with both privacy and style.

Central to the resort’s social ambiance is the Kuredhi Pool Bar, a lively and inviting venue that offers more than just refreshments. It serves as a communal hub where guests can enjoy curated experiences such as DJ nights, aqua aerobics, and wellness sessions. This programming reflects the resort’s vision of merging serenity with social vibrancy.

Spearheading this success is General Manager Ahmed Zahir, who was recognised as the #3 Best General Manager in the Maldives. Zahir’s inspiring career began three decades ago as a Laundry Supervisor and has since evolved into a historic milestone—becoming the first Maldivian General Manager within the Banyan Group. His leadership is characterised by a deep understanding of local culture, empathy, and hands-on experience across resort operations.

“This recognition is not only an honour—it’s a reflection of how far we’ve come as a team and as an industry,” Zahir shared. “I’m proud to lead with values shaped by the Maldives itself: resilience, hospitality, and heart. At Angsana Velavaru, we aim to deliver something genuine and lasting—for our guests, our people, and our community.”

Under Zahir’s stewardship, Angsana Velavaru has fostered a culture rooted in authenticity, local empowerment, and purposeful guest engagement. The resort remains committed to evolving as a destination that honours tradition while embracing forward-thinking experiences.

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Oaga Art Resort’s Samaasaa takes centre stage in Dubai’s art scene

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Under the desert sky of Dubai, Oaga Art Resort made its international debut with a striking performance by Raai Badeeu at the closing night of renowned light calligrapher Karim Jabbari’s exhibition, Vertical Horizon / 361 Degrees, held at Inloco Gallery. The performance introduced audiences to Samaasaa, the resort’s original theatrical dining concept where storytelling intertwines with seasonal cuisine, and folklore comes alive through immersive performance.

Samaasaa represents a distinctive fusion of art and gastronomy, with each course unfolding as an edible chapter of a story. The concept invites guests into a world where tradition meets innovation, rooted deeply in Maldivian heritage.

The venue for the performance, Inloco Gallery, is an emerging boutique art space in Dubai known for pushing creative boundaries. Its third season was dedicated to ‘vanishing urban landscapes’—a reflection on the echoes of fading cityscapes. Central to this season was the work of Karim Jabbari, whose intricate light calligraphy transforms traditional Arabic script into contemporary expressions of cultural memory. His Vertical Horizon / 361 Degrees exhibition explored the theme of ‘Lost Tradition,’ featuring a collaborative project with artist Khalil Abdulwahid that documented Al Satwa’s disappearing historic fabric and reclaimed calligraphy’s original role as a vehicle for communication and preservation.

In collaboration with Inloco Gallery and Karim Jabbari, Oaga Art Resort presented Raai Badeeu as part of the finissage—a moving farewell performance that seamlessly blended calligraphy, choreography, and storytelling. The immersive show transformed the gallery into a space of ancestral memory, myth, and poetic expression, embodying the artistic ethos of Oaga.

The performance also offered audiences an exclusive preview of Samaasaa Presents: The First Coconuts, Oaga’s upcoming theatrical dining experience. A specially curated segment from the show was performed, offering a glimpse into the mythical origins of island life through expressive movement and narrative.

As Oaga Art Resort expands its creative reach beyond the Maldives, this performance in Dubai marks the beginning of a broader journey. Guided by a spirit that is playful, poetic, and deeply rooted in island culture, Oaga is poised to share its unique stories with the world.

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JOALI Maldives welcomes FIX’s iconic chocolate in first-ever global expansion

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Dubai-based artisanal brand FIX Dessert Chocolatier, renowned for its viral chocolate creations, has partnered with JOALI Maldives – the Indian Ocean’s first art-immersive luxury island resort. Starting 2 July 2025, guests at JOALI Maldives will have the exclusive opportunity to indulge in FIX’s signature creation, The Original Dubai Chocolate, marking the first time the coveted dessert will be available outside the UAE.

Famed for its bold creativity, intricate layering, and unforgettable textures, FIX has redefined the modern dessert experience. This collaboration brings together two worlds of sensory delight – the imaginative world of FIX and the refined, story-driven luxury of JOALI Maldives.

As part of this partnership, FIX introduces Time To Mango, a brand-new chocolate bar inspired by tropical fruits, warm breezes, and the playful spirit of summer. Blending mango-forward flavours with nostalgic childhood treats and a whimsical touch of popping candy, the creation delivers a multi-sensory experience wrapped in rich chocolate.

FIX Dessert Chocolatier’s signature artistry and innovative flavour combinations align seamlessly with the philosophy of JOALI Maldives, a resort celebrated for its immersive art, sublime design, and curated experiences. According to FIX co-founder Sarah Hamouda, “This collaboration is about more than flavour – it’s about sparking wonder and delivering delight in unexpected ways. Seeing our creation featured at JOALI Maldives feels like the perfect match of storytelling and indulgence.”

Guests at JOALI Maldives will encounter FIX’s chocolates across various curated settings – from the private airport lounge and the resort’s artisanal ice cream shop to bespoke in-villa amenities and select evening turndown rituals. Every piece is hand-crafted in Dubai, carefully transported, and presented under the Maldivian sun as a true edible work of art.

Commenting on the partnership, Semiha Askin, Global Director of Sales and Marketing at JOALI, stated, “At JOALI, we embrace art in all its forms – from visual and spatial to culinary. Partnering with FIX Dessert Chocolatier allows us to extend that ethos into the realm of artisanal sweets. Their chocolate is more than a dessert – it’s an immersive experience our guests will remember, one bite at a time.”

This marks FIX’s first international placement, making JOALI Maldives the only destination outside of the UAE to offer the brand’s signature chocolate. The collaboration exemplifies a shared dedication to luxury, creativity, and culinary innovation.

Located in one of the largest and deepest atolls in the world, JOALI Maldives offers 73 elegantly appointed beach and over-water villas, each accompanied by a personal Jadugar (meaning “skilled magician” in Dhivehi). The resort is a sanctuary of sustainability, immersive programming, and next-level wellbeing offerings, including the JOALI BEING Cure – the first outpost of sister retreat JOALI BEING, the Maldives’ pioneering wellness island.

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