Featured
Sip, sway, savour this festive season at Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa
This winter, mark the holidays in style and celebrate the art of travel, in the most extraordinary resort of the Maldives. Inspired by the timeless glamour of European holiday traditions, Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa has curated a festive calendar filled with unforgettable experiences for families to make the most wonderful time of the year even more magical.
Nestled between the mesmerising Indian Ocean, embrace the vibrant culture and the picturesque beauty of the Maldives. Decked out with joyful touches of holiday décor, be enchanted in the seasonal spirit with a range of culinary journeys to entertain your palate in across the resort’s six restaurants and bars. From traditional to stargazing, cooking classes, sommelier appreciation and a 1960s era of glamorous travel inspired New Year’s Eve party, to 6-course Omakase dinners, Maldivian Night, Orthodox Christmas dinner, Au Soleil sessions in the resort’s very own private island Bodu Finolhu, sushi masterclasses and many more perfectly befitting the occasion.
To relax and reconnect during the day, choose from various activities to enrich the body and mind including: the resort’s wellbeing collective Waves Lifestyle Hub, which offers yoga and fitness classes to keep guests active during their stay, Waves Art Jam, featuring a range of art classes including coffee painting and more and Explore Spa by Le Méridien (which fuses Ayurvedic principles with modern practices) where guests are invited to re-invigorate their senses and achieve balance in a haven of natural beauty.
The adventurous can experiences the best water activities with friends, family or even alone! The resort features a marine conservation hub, a house reef brimming with green and hawksbill turtles, and shoals of marine life. The Discover Scuba diving is a perfect entry to one of the Maldives’ best-known treasures, the underwater kingdom full of a colourful coral garden filled with rich marine life of all shapes and sizes. Perfect for beginners, both adults and children alike can take part and explore the true beauty of Maldives.
Little ones can enjoy a specialised programme of festive fun-filled activities that include folklore storytelling, art classes, sunset dolphin cruises, turtle quests and marine conservation. Le Méridien Family and Kids’ Hub will keep kids engaged day and night with fun-filled experiences and a visit from Santa Claus.
Encounter the unexpected while you sip, sway and savour under the Maldivian sun and make Thilamaafushi island home for the holidays.
To make a booking or to simply find out more, visit marriott.com.
Those looking to have a tropical winter, can take advantage of the early bird special for the season, which includes discounted room rates, delectable daily breakfast and the glitz and glam of a new year gala dinner, visit marriott.com/earlybirdfestive
Featured
Coco Collection brings conservation and low-waste living into resort experience
Coco Collection, a Maldivian-owned resort brand, has invited guests to experience a more conscious approach to luxury at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu and Coco Bodu Hithi.
Across its two island resorts, Coco Collection has incorporated environmental responsibility into the guest experience through its Coco Cares philosophy. From nature-led experiences inspired by the islands’ ecosystems to culinary offerings based on fresh, locally grown ingredients, the resorts have been designed to reflect the natural setting of the Maldives while integrating sustainability into daily operations.
At Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, this commitment is reflected in the Maldives’ veterinary-led Marine Turtle Rescue Centre, which is operated in partnership with the Olive Ridley Project. As a founding partner of the facility, the resort provides care for injured sea turtles and supports marine conservation awareness. Since its establishment, the centre has treated and released 152 injured turtles, with a rehabilitation success rate of 60%. The resort also continues seagrass preservation efforts aimed at protecting marine habitats and supporting biodiversity in the surrounding waters.
Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu also applies low-waste practices, mindful sourcing, and resource-conscious operations across the resort. This approach extends to Coco Farm, where homegrown produce, handcrafted preserves, and garden-to-table dining experiences are used to bring local flavour and seasonality to the table.
At Coco Bodu Hithi, the same approach is reflected in its food and beverage offerings. To mark Earth Day, the resort has introduced a green-inspired cocktail experience focused on eco-conscious mixology, using fresh ingredients grown on the island.
The resort said its low-waste approach informs all aspects of the guest experience, with attention given to responsible resource use. From the choice of herbs and fruits to preparation and presentation, the offering is intended to reflect respect for the natural environment.
This approach also extends across the resort’s wider culinary programme, which focuses on locally sourced ingredients, house-made preserves, and dishes inspired by the Maldives’ natural produce. Through seasonal menus, conscious sourcing, and resource management, Coco Bodu Hithi aims to offer an experience that combines hospitality with environmental responsibility.
Awards
Kuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Cooking
Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
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