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Enjoy unforgettable October in Maldives with Soneva

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Pioneering hospitality group Soneva has announced its spectacular October programme across its award-winning resorts.

At Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani in the Maldives, the exceptional holiday line-up is designed to delight guests of all ages – with one-of-a-kind family experiences, Michelin-starred guest chefs, rejuvenating wellness treatments, and a star-studded line-up of visiting experts through the ever-evolving Soneva Stars calendar.

As part of their dazzling October programmes, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani will also be celebrating 2022’s Diwali with unique festival of light-themed experiences for the whole family and special guest appearances – including renowned ‘curry queen’ Dipna Anand.

Soneva Fushi

Guests at Soneva Fushi this summer can dine with six exceptional visiting chefs from around the world as part of the Soneva Stars roster.

German chef Sascha Stemberg has been at the helm of his family’s Michelin-starred Haus Stemberg in Velbert, Germany, since 2015. Winner of the 2013 World Sushi Cup and ‘World’s Most Creative Sushi Master’, Pepi Aneveski, will be showcasing his refined sushi mastery.

Curry queen of the Indian cookery world and co-owner of the famous Brilliant Restaurant in West London’s Southall, Dipna Anand will be showcasing some of her grandfather’s Punjabi recipes during unforgettable Diwali dinners.

Lisa Goodwin-Allen is the executive chef of the Michelin-starred Northcote restaurant in Lancashire, England, while Chantelle Nicholson is one of the leading female voices in the UK’s hospitality industry.

Viktor Beley, brand chef of Moscow’s Uhvat restaurant, will be showcasing his original interpretation of traditional Russian cuisine.

In the realm of sports and fitness, six-time NFL Pro-Bowl player Terrel Owens will be hosting a series of workshops for Young Sonevians.

Former English professional rugby player Ben Cohen and his wife Kristina Rihanoff, a world finalist professional ballroom dancer, instructor, choreographer and author, will be helping guests stay in shape with their renowned fitness programmes.

The man behind the global fitness brand The Body Coach and ‘The Body Coach TV’ YouTube channel, Joe Wicks will be conducting workshops and training sessions for guests.

Todd Woodbridge is best known as one of the world’s greatest doubles players in history, while Brazilian former professional footballer ‘Naldo’ was named the best Bundesliga player in 2017 and was the first defender in Bundesliga history to top this category.

Olympic Swedish swimmer Therese Alshammar will be helping Young Sonevians perfect their stroke while having fun in the water.

With more than two decades’ experience as a fitness coach and therapeutic masseur, life-long ultra-endurance athlete Eduardo Sierra will be approaching acute and chronic pain conditions from a multifaceted toolbox combining acupuncture, soft tissue work, osteopathy and the latest functional neurology research at Soneva Soul.

At Soneva Fushi’s island observatory, guests can take a fascinating voyage across the heavens with visiting astronomer Dr James O’Donoghue. A planetary astronomer at the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), he’ll be hosting after-dinner stargazing sessions along with fascinating talks about astronomy throughout the day.

The Den at Soneva Fushi also has a fun-packed programme daily of experiences and activities for younger guests, including eco-friendly arts and crafts workshops, a range of water sports, DJing and mocktail-making classes for teens, movie nights and stargazing workshops, as well as special cooking classes for Diwali celebrations. Older children are also invited to connect with the world around them with the Soneva Academy’s immersive modular courses, from exploring the stars to learning about sustainability and the Maldives’ marine realm.

View the Soneva Fushi October Programme

Soneva Jani

Soneva’s exceptional line-up of visiting chefs will also be going to Soneva Jani in the Maldives’ Noonu Atoll.

Sascha Stemberg, Pepi Aneveski, Dipna Anand, Lisa Goodwin-Allen, Chantelle Nicholson and Viktor Beley will all be hosting exclusive dinners at the resort, including at So Engaging, the intimate chef’s table that seats just five guests.

Other unforgettable dining experiences during the October calendar include a Champagne sunrise breakfast on the sands of North Beach and a selection of succulent crabs and seafood at our award-winning, open-aired Crab Shack.

A mouth-watering selection of themed dinners showcasing the continent’s eclectic cuisine can be found at Asian Kitchen, while diners can explore the heavens with astronomer Dr James O’Donoghue at So Starstruck, the Maldives’ only overwater telescope.

A special Diwali celebration dinner with live entertainment will also be taking place on Soneva Jani’s South Beach during the festival of lights.

Helping guests stay active this October, fitness experts Joe Wicks, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff will be conducting their renowned workshops and training sessions.

Former professional football player Ibrahim ‘Ibou’ Ba will be hosting a Young Sonevians’ Football Club, while former professional tennis player Agnieszka Radwańska, known for making intelligent use of the court, will be teaching a series of tennis camps.

Younger guests can also make a splash with Olympic Swedish swimmer Therese Alshammar during a series of swimming sessions.

At Soneva Soul, visiting therapist and clinical chiro practitioner Dr Chet Collins, whose record for relieving and correcting persistent physical pain has resulted in an international reputation as ‘Dr Magic Hands’, will be helping guests find immediate relief and long-term solutions for their physical needs through a range of treatments.

Guests can also join Soneva Jani’s own yoga and meditation masters, Justin and Kamal, for yoga and meditation sessions and learn how to enhance overall wellbeing, stretch and strengthen the body, focus the mind and balance emotions.

The playful escapism of Soneva Jani’s luxurious 5.6-kilometre lagoon makes the resort irresistible to experience seekers. A range of complimentary non-motorised water sports, including kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and snorkelling at the house reef are on offer. Or experience the ocean with complete freedom with some of the latest motorised tech, including eSurfboards and Flyboards, and learn to move through the water like a fish, on the surface and beneath the waves.

A haven for families, The Den at Soneva Jani features a daily roster of exciting, educational and engaging opportunities for both young children and teenagers to create meaningful moments at the barefoot hideaway. Inspired by childhood wonder, The Den is a two-storey awe-inspiring playground for the imagination – and now one of the largest children’s clubs in Asia. Featuring a zipline through a cascading waterfall; areas for music, Lego, dressing up and creativity; a soothing sensory room for toddlers and a hidden hangout for teens where mocktails and music set the scene; plus so much more – there’s something for all Young Sonevians, both large and small.

Older children and teens can also join the Soneva Academy, which takes learning outside of the classroom with a selection of fascinating immersive courses, including the Marine Life of the Maldives, Mosquitoes and the Adventure of the Corbin, which follows the voyage of an ancient treasure galleon.

View the Soneva Jani Summer Programme

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Barceló Nasandhura celebrates World Chocolate Day with sweet surprises in Malé

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This July, Barceló Nasandhura is offering guests a taste of the sweeter side of life through a series of limited-time dessert experiences in the heart of Malé.

In celebration of World Chocolate Day, the hotel hosted a Chocolate Indulgence Station in the Nasandhura Lobby on 7th July. Held from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, the event featured handcrafted chocolate desserts and tastings led by Head Pastry Chef Mohammed, a certified Continental Judge in Pastry Arts. The occasion attracted a delightful mix of in-house guests and walk-in visitors, who also enjoyed a specially curated photo setup and the opportunity to purchase exclusive, limited-edition treats.

Additionally, from 4th to 7th July, a dedicated Chocolate Dessert Station was presented at the Oivaru dinner buffet, located on the hotel’s third floor, offering a decadent addition to the evening dining experience.

To conclude the month’s celebrations, guests will be able to enjoy a 10% discount on all ice creams at Alimas Coffee Lounge from 20th to 26th July. Featuring house-made flavours, this offering provides the ideal way to cool off and indulge during the warm island afternoons.

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Dive into sustainable luxury at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, Baa Atoll

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Surrounded by flourishing reefs and pristine islands with the whitest of soft sands and crystal-clear waters, Coco Collection – a leading resort brand in the Maldives – invites guests to delve into the extraordinary underwater world of Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu.

Nestled within the crown jewel of the Maldives, the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is renowned for its commitment to everyday sustainability. Setting the standard for sustainable luxury, the resort has once again been recognised as the Maldives’ Leading Green Resort 2025, marking its third consecutive win at the prestigious World Travel Awards.

While the resort continues its efforts to protect and preserve a thriving marine ecosystem, it also encourages guests to immerse themselves in a range of signature marine experiences, all guided by resident Marine Educator Rosalie Bailie and supported by its long-standing partnership with the Olive Ridley Project.

The signature marine experiences include:

  • Guided Snorkelling – Guests may explore the house reef or venture to nearby coral gardens with expert guides. These excursions cater to all skill levels and often include sightings of green sea turtles, parrotfish, and, depending on the season, manta rays and eagle rays. Guests may also encounter hawksbill turtles grazing on coral at nearby turtle points.
  • Coral Planting & Restoration Workshop – Conscious travellers are invited to participate in meaningful conservation work through coral planting. With the guidance of the Marine Educator, guests can affix coral fragments onto reef frames which are then placed on the seabed, helping to regenerate damaged reefs and enhance marine biodiversity.
  • Discover Scuba Diving – From beginners to advanced divers, the island provides access to over 30 dive sites across the region, led by certified PADI instructors. Guests may dive among coral pinnacles, explore historic wrecks, and visit iconic spots such as Hanifaru Bay, famous for sightings of manta rays and whale sharks.
  • ORP Marine Turtle Rescue Centre Tour – Home to the Maldives’ first fully equipped, veterinary-run sea turtle rescue centre, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu offers guests the chance to engage with rescued turtles recovering from injuries or entanglements. Through this partnership with the Olive Ridley Project, guests can feed turtles, learn about conservation challenges, adopt a turtle, and contribute to protecting this endangered species.
  • Night Snorkelling – For a truly unique underwater adventure, the resort offers night snorkelling excursions led by the Marine Educator. As the reef transforms after sunset, guests will discover a different side of marine life, spotting lionfish, resting parrotfish, and other nocturnal sea creatures illuminated by torchlight.

Located in one of the world’s most spectacular hubs of marine biodiversity, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu promises an unforgettable escape. With the Discover Coco offers, travellers can enjoy 35% savings on their villa stay, making it the perfect time to plan an extraordinary Maldivian getaway.

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Timeless romance awaits at award-winning Coco Bodu Hithi

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Nestled in the heart of the Malé Atoll, the Maldivian-owned resort Coco Bodu Hithi warmly welcomes couples to embrace romance and tranquillity this summer in one of the world’s most idyllic island getaways.

Far removed from the bustle of city life, Coco Bodu Hithi serves as a sanctuary where intimacy, nature, and luxury coexist in perfect harmony. Designed for couples in search of meaningful moments, the island offers a captivating escape – from peaceful barefoot strolls and shared experiences to thrilling adventures.

Recently named the Indian Ocean’s Most Romantic Resort at the 2025 World Travel Awards for the third consecutive year, Coco Bodu Hithi artfully blends modern comforts with traditional Maldivian charm. The resort boasts 98 expansive villas, each offering direct access to either the beach or lagoon. Thoughtfully designed to ensure privacy and relaxation, every villa promises a sense of seclusion and serenity.

Amongst the resort’s most celebrated accommodations are the Beach Villa with Pool and the iconic Coco Residence, both of which offer sweeping, uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean. These settings provide a picture-perfect backdrop for couples to reconnect, with each moment shaped by a spirit of warm island hospitality that is both personal and unmistakably Maldivian.

Honoured as the Best Service Resort at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2025, Coco Bodu Hithi presents a carefully curated selection of personalised romantic experiences. Guests may begin the day with a floating breakfast in their private pool, enjoy a five-course candlelit dinner beneath the stars at Pergola, or embark on a serene sunset cruise – each moment tailored to celebrate connection in the most memorable ways.

Celebrated by Weddings & Honeymoons magazine as one of the Top 50 Honeymoon Resorts in the World, Coco Bodu Hithi offers an exquisite backdrop for couples to honour their love. The thoughtfully designed Forever Yours Package delivers a romantic destination wedding experience in the Maldives, with a dedicated team attending to every detail. The package seamlessly blends the island’s natural beauty with traditional elements, all personalised to reflect the couple’s unique story, style, and preferences.

With its heartfelt hospitality, refined elegance, and awe-inspiring surroundings, Coco Bodu Hithi offers the ideal setting to begin a new chapter of togetherness – a private Maldivian paradise where timeless romance truly comes to life.

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