Featured
Experience family time exceptionally well spent at Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island
Tucked away in the crystalline turquoise waters of the North Malé Atoll, easily reachable by speedboat and seaplane, Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island is the perfect family getaway. From exceptional dining experiences, tranquil spa facilities and awe-inspiring underwater adventures to a splash waterpark, indoor play area and family-friendly cinema, the luxurious all-villa resort offers something for everyone.
With 67 beach and over-water villas in one-, two- and three-bedroom configurations, Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island provides luxurious accommodation to suit families of all sizes. Boasting the largest villas in the North Male Atoll, featuring spacious living area and expansive outdoor spaces with private pool and rooftop terrace, the contemporary resort is the perfect property to enjoy time exceptionally well spent with your loved ones this summer.
Families can choose from a wide array of activities on offer to ensure guests of all ages will be well entertained. Complimentary family activities on offer include:
- Kayak Race at Dive Centre: Participate in this challenge and see if you have what it takes to be the Olhahali Kayaking Champion. Suitable for children 4 and above if accompanied by an adult. Children 10 and above can ride the kayak on their own.
- Cocktail Party with Maldivian Cultural Show at Coconut Beach: Join us as we introduce ourselves and indulge in an evening of fine cocktails and local ‘Bodu Beru’ music on the coconut beach. Suitable for children of all ages, they will be exposed to the culture of Maldives through performance arts. The cocktail reception has a variety of non-alcoholic mocktails for the children to enjoy as well.
- Nature Walk at Fini Maizan: Take a stroll around the island with our gardening chief, as he takes you on an informative journey through the flora and fauna. Suitable for children of all ages.
- Arts & Crafts at Island Studio: Get creative in this session filled with colour and imagination, brush up on your artistic skills and create a masterpiece to take home. Family activity, suitable for children 4 and above.
- Learn Dhivehi at Café Lounge: Only spoken in the small nation of Maldives, Dhivehi is a rare language and learning the basics is quite easy. Family activity, suitable for children 6 and above.
- Beach Volleyball at Water Sports Beach: Let’s get active in a fun-filled session of Beach Volleyball with the beautiful backdrop of the island lagoon. Suitable for older children and teens 12 and above, and adults.
- Marine Talk at Dive Centre: Take part in a lecture with our in-house Marine Biologist, who will take you on a journey through the secrets of the underwater world. Suitable for older children and teens 12 and above, and adults.
- Football for Teens and Adults at Team’s Football Ground: Join in for a game of the internationally loved sport where you will play with & against others in a friendly match. Suitable for teens 14 and above, and adults.
- Children’s Swimming Lessons at Shimmers Pool: Swimming is an important skill for any child visiting or living near the shores. They will learn basic swimming strokes in this session. Suitable for children 6 and above, and adults.
- Coral Planting at Dive Centre: Take part in our sustainability initiative and participate in the coral planting activity where you will make an active impact on the reefs. Suitable for children of all ages and parents. A good activity to introduce them to marine conservation and coral restoration.
- Little Guest’s Cinema Under the Stars: Watch a movie under the glimmering stars of the Maldivian night sky. Suitable for children of all ages.
- Stand-up Paddle Board Race at Water Sports Beach: Take part in this challenge and see if you can beat all the paddle-boarders of the island and become the island champion. Suitable for children 4 and above if accompanied by an adult. Children 10 and above can ride the paddle board on their own.
- Towel Art Class at Kayto: Have you ever wondered how the beautiful & creative towel set-ups are done in hotels around the world? Take this chance to find out. Family activity, suitable for children 5 and above.
- Treasure Hunt at Fini Maizan: Legends say that the pirates visited Olhahali Island eons ago and buried treasure in the island. Let’s go on an adventure to find it all. Kids Club activity, suitable for children 3 and above.
- Children’s Marine Talk at PLAY Kids Club: Take part in a lecture with our in-house Marine Biologist, who will take you on a journey through the secrets of the underwater world. Kids Club activity, suitable for children 3 and above.
- ‘Bodu Beru’ Session at Island Studio: Find your Maldivian rhythm with our champion Bodu Beru drummers and brush up on your musical abilities. Suitable for older children and teens 12 and above, and adults.
Additionally, families can also enhance their stay with a wide range of add-on watersports and culinary activities to keep little ones entertained:
- Semi Submarine at Dive Center: An experience that takes you underneath the waves to view the aqua-scapes and the colourful life through large viewing windows. Suitable for children of all ages, should be accompanied by an adult. This experience is a great way for them to marvel at the underwater world without having to snorkel/get wet.
- Kids’ Banana Boat Ride or Fun Toy Ride at Dive Centre: Take part in this thrill-filled water sports activity as you get dragged around in a fun inflatable toy on the waves around the island. Suitable for children 6 and above, must know how to swim and should be accompanied by an adult.
- Traditional Sunset Fishing at Dive Centre: Throw in your fishing line and watch the sunset as you wait for fish to nibble on your bait. Suitable for children 6 and above, must be accompanied by an adult.
- Pizza Making Class at Shimmers on the Beach: Our masterful chefs will teach you on the best practices & secrets to the perfect pizza in this culinary learning session. Suitable for older children and teens 12 and above, and adults.
- Latte Art Class at Café Lounge: Find out how the baristas make your cup of coffee look deliciously enticing in this latte class and learn the secrets to the perfect cup. Suitable for older children and teens 12 and above, and adults.
Families looking for the ultimate getaway can take advantage of Jumeirah’s Exceptional Summer Escapes offer for bookings made before 31st August 2022 for stays up until 30th September 2023. The offer includes 20% off the Jumeirah Flexible Rate when staying from three nights or more, plus USD 300 resort credit and complimentary 30-minute spa treatment when booking a 60-minute treatment session. In addition, Jumeirah One members can avail an additional exclusive 5% saving.
Please visit Jumeirah.com/Maldives for more information or contact us on reservations.jmh@jumeirah.com for bookings. In the meantime, stay connected via our social media channels and don’t forget to tag us in your posts with #TimeExceptionallyWellSpent.
Featured
Worldwide Kids accreditation highlights Dhigali Maldives’ commitment to exceptional childcare
Dhigali Maldives has announced that its “Play” Kids Club has been accredited by Worldwide Kids, becoming one of only nine such facilities in the Maldives. This recognition underscores Dhigali’s commitment to providing high-quality and inclusive childcare services.
Christian Szabo, the General Manager of Dhigali Maldives, described the accreditation as a significant milestone, emphasising that it affirms the resort’s dedication to offering exceptional and inclusive childcare programs. He expressed pride in joining a network that shares the vision of nurturing young minds.
The “Play” Kids Club caters to children aged 4-12, providing a vibrant array of activities facilitated by certified childcare professionals. This accreditation further solidifies Dhigali’s focus on delivering exceptional family experiences in a safe and stimulating environment.
With this accomplishment, Dhigali Maldives continues to set a high standard for family-friendly luxury, ensuring parents can relax with the confidence that their children are engaged in fun and enriching activities during their stay.
Celebration
VARU by Atmosphere marks five years of unmatched hospitality
VARU by Atmosphere, an iconic private island resort in the Maldives, celebrated its five-year anniversary this week, marking five years of hospitality, culture, and luxury inspired by the core philosophy of the Joy of Giving. The Naturally Maldivian resort hosted key stakeholders, including the island’s owners, corporate leadership, and colleagues, for an evening of grand celebrations featuring cultural performances, awards, and diverse culinary experiences.
Since its opening in 2019, VARU by Atmosphere has established itself as a sanctuary for travellers seeking to explore the Maldives’ rich cultural heritage while enjoying heartfelt hospitality. Guests at the resort experience the beauty of the turquoise lagoon and immerse themselves in the relaxed island lifestyle of this picturesque Indian Ocean destination. A standout feature of the resort is the award-winning Kaagé restaurant, which highlights authentic Maldivian cuisine, celebrating local ingredients, flavors, and culinary traditions.
Reflecting on the milestone, Mei P. Pun, General Manager of VARU by Atmosphere, noted the significance of the resort’s name, saying, “In Dhivehi, the Maldivian dialect, VARU translates to living life in abundance, strength, resilience, and above all, authenticity. For us, hospitality is about sharing the soul of the Maldives with every visitor, a mission made possible by the dedicated team. Their passion, warm smiles, and unwavering energy resonate with guests, many of whom return time and again.”
Part of the Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts brand, VARU by Atmosphere is a contemporary 5-star resort offering a luxurious island experience with 108 villas situated along white sandy beaches, crystal-clear turquoise lagoons, and three jetties featuring spacious over-water accommodations. Guests benefit from the exclusive VARU Plan™, a comprehensive holiday package that includes diverse dining options, spa experiences, daily activities, and excursions designed to enrich their stay.
Situated on the North-West edge of Malé Atoll, the resort is easily accessible via a 40-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport. It boasts four restaurants and two bars, ensuring a wide range of culinary options, alongside premium facilities such as a dive school, water sports centre, overwater ELE|NA spa complex, gym, kids’ club, ocean excursions, and daily complimentary snorkelling trips to explore the vibrant underwater world.
Celebration
JOALI Maldives celebrates six years of art and luxury with Maison Ruinart
JOALI Maldives, the first and only art-immersive resort in the Maldives, will commemorate its sixth anniversary on November 15, 2024, with a special event that highlights its dedication to art, sustainability, and nature. For this milestone celebration, the resort is collaborating with Ruinart, the world’s oldest Champagne house. Founded in 1729 in Reims, France, and currently owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy, Ruinart has a long-standing connection to art, dating back to 1895 when Andre Ruinart commissioned Czech artist Alphonse Mucha to design a poster for the brand. Similarly, since its launch in 2018, JOALI has redefined the role of art in luxury hospitality by showcasing works from international artists. Renowned for its vibrant joie de vivre lifestyle, JOALI aligns with Maison Ruinart’s savoir-vivre philosophy, sharing values rooted in art and luxury.
As part of the celebration, British-French artist Sophie Kitching will present an ethereal art display during a cocktail event at Mura Bar, the heart of the resort. A graduate of the École nationale supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and the School of Visual Arts in New York, Kitching is acclaimed for her installations, paintings, sculptures, and works on paper. She frequently employs oils, watercolours, and gold leaves on natural materials. Having collaborated with Maison Ruinart for events such as Frieze NY 2022 and the “Maison 1729” exhibition, Kitching will create bespoke eco-designed second skins and coasters for JOALI’s sixth anniversary. Drawing inspiration from the island’s native flora and fauna, including grey herons, sea birds, vibrant corals, and marine life, her creations incorporate vivid colours and copper-zinc leaves to adorn Ruinart bottles. These pieces reflect both JOALI’s and Ruinart’s shared commitment to art and sustainability.
During the event, guests will savour Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Cuvées while admiring Kitching’s ‘Invisible Green Art XXX, 2024’, an abstract masterpiece featuring a distinctive green tone originally developed during England’s Georgian and Regency eras. Transported from Ruinart’s archives in Reims, this artwork will remain on display at JOALI Maldives for over six months. Art and wine enthusiasts will also have the opportunity to purchase limited-edition hand-painted second skins by Kitching during the cocktail event or until the pieces are sold out.
On November 16, 2024, guests can further indulge in an exclusive champagne-pairing dinner hosted by Fabien Vallérian, International Director of Arts & Culture at Ruinart. This gastronomic experience will pair Maison Ruinart’s champagnes with a meticulously curated menu, with each plate and glass weaving a narrative of art and flavour.
Fabien Vallérian praised the partnership, stating: “At Maison Ruinart, the protection of nature is central to our values. We are dedicated to supporting artists who foster a dialogue between humanity and nature through their creativity and craftsmanship. Since 2022, we have collaborated with Sophie Kitching on various artistic commissions, and this project with JOALI provides an incredible opportunity for her to explore and celebrate the ecosystems of the Maldives.”
These celebratory events mark the beginning of a promising partnership, with future activations planned both in the Maldives and globally.
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