Featured
JLF Soneva Fushi returns to Maldives in 2023 with star-studded author line-up
World-renowned resorts operator Soneva and Teamwork Arts, producer of the annual Jaipur Literature Festival and its international JLF extensions, have joined forces once more to launch the second edition of JLF Soneva Fushi. Taking place on the sands of Kunfunadhoo in the Maldives’ breath-taking Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the arts and literary festival will be returning to the award – winning barefoot luxury resort from May 12 to 21, 2023. Over the course of ten days and two weekends, the festival will host an unforgettable programme, with live performances of art, music and literature.
Each weekend, there will be flagship events, including keynote addresses, gala dinners on the sand, live music performances, and film screenings at the outdoor Cinema Paradiso. The festival will offer delectable international food from a specially curated menu prepared by Soneva Fushi’s award-winning chefs. Weekdays at JLF Soneva Fushi will focus on close-knit sessions and author discussions, as well as a range of engaging workshops. Every morning, the festival will offer sessions focused on yoga and meditation, dance workshops, guided snorkelling with Soneva Fushi’s resident Ocean Guardians, and glassblowing at Soneva Art & Glass, the Maldives’ first hot glass studio.

“A truly bespoke experience, JLF Soneva Fushi’s remarkable programme is an opportunity to reconnect with the pure joy of literature and the arts”, said Sonu Shivdasani, CEO and Co-Founder of Soneva. “The exceptional setting of our barefoot island in the Maldives, coupled with our contributors and guests staying with us for at least a weekend makes JLF Soneva Fushi unlike any other literature festival. It’s this greater, intimate access to authors, deeper understanding, new friendships and stronger bonds that make this barefoot festival so unique. I cannot wait to welcome a line-up of outstanding international authors to our shores once again.”
Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, producer of the iconic Jaipur Literature Festival, said, “JLF Soneva Fushi is food for the mind, body and soul. An exceptional gathering of collective wisdom and expertise from across the world, set in the most idyllic setting of the Baa Atoll, with delectable fare, exhilarating conversations and spectacular vistas.”

The 2023 edition will also see a line-up of world-renowned authors, including British novelist, broadcaster and Man Booker Prize winner, Howard Jacobson; Booker Prize-winning novelist and playwright, Damon Galgut; Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Jaipur Literature Festival and author of 20 books, Namita Gokhale; British historian, television presenter and author of popular history books, Simon Sebag Montefiore; best-selling historian, and Festival Co-Director, William Dalrymple; and professor in the departments of astronomy and physics at Yale University, Priyamvada Natarajan, who is well-known for her work in mapping dark matter and dark energy.
Throughout each day during their stay, guests will be able to explore and indulge in everything that Soneva Fushi has to offer: miles of pristine sandy beaches edged by tranquil turquoise waters; exquisite private villa accommodation, with Barefoot Guardians on hand 24/7 to anticipate every request; healing rituals and innovative wellness treatments at Soneva Soul; exceptional dining destinations serving the finest cuisine from across the world; and rare, one-of-a-kind experiences that create memories to last a lifetime.
The inaugural JLF Soneva Fushi brought with it a global line-up of critically acclaimed authors, thinkers and cultural leaders to the Maldives from May 13 to 22, 2022, and the sessions covered a fascinating spectrum of topics. The stand-out sessions included keynote addresses by best-selling author Peter Frankopan and New York Magazine deputy editor David Wallace-Wells; musical performances by Grammy-nominated singer Shilpa Rao and The Sufi Gospel Project; a free-flowing discussion with director Mira Nair and Festival Producer Sanjoy K. Roy, followed by a screening of her award-winning film Monsoon Wedding; sunset dolphin cruises; and an intimate author session on the power of diverse thinking with best -selling author Matthew Syed and mathematician extraordinaire Marcus du Sautoy.

The 2022 edition of the festival also held a special one-day event in Malé, featuring live Q&As with guest speakers and book signings in the Maldives’ capital city. The event was held at Salt Cafe, with participation from the Speaker of Parliament, former President Mohamed Nasheed, and world-renowned authors Shobhaa De and Marcus du Sautoy. Prominent local architect and academic Mauroof Jameel, illustrator and author Zaahie Saeed, and comic writer and expert Ahmed Mauroof Jameel also took part in the pop-up event.
For those wanting to attend JLF Soneva Fushi 2023, Soneva’s exclusive festival offer includes full access to the entire festival programme, with luxurious private villa accommodation, alongside daily full board at selected dining destinations and complimentary round–trip wheeled plane domestic transfers, priced from USD 8,100 for two guests for a minimum four-night stay. Those who book before November 30, 2022, will also benefit from an additional 10 per cent JLF Early Bird reduction on their stay.
Featured
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa unveils family-focused Family Fun Summer package
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa has introduced its Family Fun Summer offer, a family-focused package designed to encourage guests to spend time together through dining, leisure and recreational activities in a private island setting.
Located 15 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the resort is offering the package as a year-round experience, despite its summer branding. The programme is intended for families seeking a stay that combines accommodation, meals and activities in a single offering.
The experience includes daily breakfast at Feast, where guests can access buffet selections for adults and children. Lunch is served as a three-course beachside meal, while evenings include buffet dinners, à la carte options and access to the resort’s speciality restaurants.
As part of the package, adult guests receive a USD 45 dining credit per night, which can be used at selected outlets including Baan Thai and Sea Salt. The offer is designed to expand dining options within the resort’s full board arrangement.
The package also includes activities aimed at different age groups. Children have access to the Sheraton Adventure Club, while families can take part in pool activities, water sports, sunset dolphin cruises and guided snorkelling excursions.
For guests seeking wellness experiences, Shine Spa for Sheraton offers a range of treatments, with the package including 15 per cent savings on selected services. The resort has also introduced a spa experience designed for parent and child. Additional recreational options include sunrise beach yoga, as well as access to tennis and football facilities.
Other inclusions within the offer include a complimentary family photoshoot and dining benefits for children when eating with their parents.
Family Fun Summer is available for booking until 15 June 2026, for stays through to 20 December 2026. Through the package, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is presenting a family-oriented resort experience centred on dining, recreation and shared time together.
Featured
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau to mark Mother’s Day with wellness and dining offerings
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has announced a Mother’s Day programme centred on wellness, dining and family experiences, offering guests a range of activities designed to mark the occasion in Raa Atoll.
Set within the resort’s island setting, the programme will feature a series of experiences aimed at encouraging families to spend time together through relaxation, dining and shared activities.
At AVI Spa, the Mother’s Day offering will include signature treatments focused on rest and balance. Guests will also have access to holistic sessions led by visiting practitioner Dr Afsana Aradhana Ghyas, whose work focuses on integrative wellbeing and emotional balance.
Dining experiences will form a central part of the programme. These will include floating breakfasts served in private villas, interactive cooking sessions with the resort’s chefs, and private dining experiences ranging from sunset beach dinners to sandbank dining under the stars.
The resort will also offer family-focused activities for the occasion. These will include craft sessions for children, ocean-inspired guided art activities and a family photoshoot intended to capture the day’s experiences.
Through the Mother’s Day programme, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is presenting a combination of wellness, dining and family activities shaped around personal and shared experiences in a resort setting.
Drink
W Maldives unveils The Wavemaker Edit with global talent collaborations
W Maldives has launched The Wavemaker Edit, a new ongoing series of curated collaborations with international talent, aimed at introducing a range of guest experiences across mixology, wellness, cuisine and music.
The series is designed as a rotating programme, with each edition bringing a different creative perspective to the resort. According to W Maldives, the initiative is intended to create a continuing calendar of experiences that combine social, cultural and wellness-led elements.
The first edition of The Wavemaker Edit will run from 3 to 14 June 2026 and will feature two themed chapters, titled Island Alchemy and The Restore Ritual.
Island Alchemy will focus on mixology. On 3 June, Kwok will lead a guest shift at SIP, presenting three cocktails that explore contrast and balance, including a bespoke creation inspired by the Maldives. The collaboration will continue on 6 June at WET Deck, where a poolside day party will feature a curated cocktail menu.
The second chapter, The Restore Ritual, will centre on wellness and movement in recognition of Global Wellness Day. Led by Mumbai-based yoga and movement educator Samiksha Shetty, the programme will include sessions focused on breathwork, mindfulness and alignment-based practice.
The wellness programme will include Sunset Yoga sessions at FIRE Beach on 12 and 14 June, as well as a morning meditation session at AWAY Spa on 13 June. The main event within this chapter will take place on 13 June, when guests will be able to join a Sunset Yoga session aboard the Horizon Yacht. This bookable experience will also include healthy refreshments and a 60-minute massage at AWAY Spa.
W Maldives said future editions of The Wavemaker Edit will expand into culinary, music and art-led experiences under a number of themed series, including Flavors Unscripted, Sound Wave and Make A Scene.
Commenting on the launch, General Manager Amila Handunwala said the initiative reflects the resort’s approach to continuously evolving the guest experience through collaborations with international talent.
W Maldives is positioning the series as part of its broader effort to offer more structured and experience-led programming for guests. In addition, the resort is promoting its Original Wavemaker package, which includes seaplane transfers and a half-board meal plan for two adults with a minimum stay of four nights.
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