Featured
Vakkaru Maldives celebrates wellness with appointment of new resident yoga, fitness instructor

Island sanctuary Vakkaru Maldives celebrates wellness with the appointment of Anju Rathi as the new resident yoga and fitness instructor tasked with enhancing the island resort’s fitness and wellness programmes. The resort’s serene setting and an experienced yoga practitioner are just what guests need to harmonise mind, body and soul on their break from the outside world.
A Master in Naturopathy and Yoga Science, Anju Rathi brings eight years of yoga experience and expertise in various yoga practices and techniques. Expanding on her role, Anju said, “The ancient practices of yoga help to restore mind and body. My job is to use yoga and its philosophy to develop body-mind-spirit awareness, physical flexibility and strength. In addition, I adopt a holistic approach to fitness training and strongly focus on execution to improve overall health and well-being in a calming and encouraging environment.”

Anju, a former athlete and natural born-teacher, is passionate about all kinds of yoga, from Ashtanga, Yin, Hatha and Restorative Yoga to Therapeutic Yoga. She is a specialist in ensuring the programmatic delivery of all yoga therapy and wellness programmes for experienced practitioners and beginners. She views yoga as a means to a healthy lifestyle and has created several transformational mind and body yoga programmes for guests at Vakkaru Maldives, including therapeutic Yoga and Prenatal Yoga.
Therapeutic yoga is a one-on-one Yoga session that takes a whole body or holistic approach to alleviating pain, arthritis or dealing with other health issues. During the session, Anju guides guests through specific yoga postures and techniques to get pain relief and enhance health. While during prenatal yoga, she helps mom-to-be prepare for childbirth by relaxing the body and focusing on safe techniques and poses through all stages of pregnancy. A multi-faceted approach to exercise, prenatal yoga encourages stretching and mental centring with many benefits for both mother and child, including increasing strength, flexibility, and endurance.

As the resort’s fitness instructor, Anju brings a holistic approach to fitness training and creates personalised fitness and physical therapy programmes for guests based on their physical conditions and fitness goals. The training includes cardio and core training, pilates, High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), weight lifting and barefoot beach workout.
Speaking about Anju’s appointment, Iain McCormack, General Manager, Vakkaru Maldives said: “Well-being is now at the heart of our lives. At Vakkaru, we are committed to enhancing the guest experience by continually responding to guests’ rising demand for experiences that speak to their overall well- being. With Anju’s transformational yoga, meditation and fitness programmes, we continue to deliver experiences that positively impact our guests’ lifestyles.”
For more information visit vakkarumaldives.com.
Featured
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau unveils Spooktacular Halloween celebration

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is set to transform into a realm of moonlit enchantment this October, unveiling a Spooktacular line-up of Halloween-inspired experiences for guests of all ages. From imaginative family activities to elegant soirées, each detail has been meticulously curated to reflect the spirit of the season in true InterContinental style.
From 29 to 31 October 2025, the resort will come alive with immersive entertainment, themed dining, and creative experiences that blend playful charm with refined sophistication.
At Planet Trekkers, younger guests will enjoy a series of interactive and artistic workshops, including Creepy House Decorations, Pirate Sword-Making, T-Shirt Painting, and Pumpkin Carving — designed to inspire creativity and family connection. As night falls, the fun continues with Kids’ Movie Nights, trick-or-treat adventures, and a lively Spooktacular Kids’ Disco under the island’s starry sky.
For adults, the celebrations take on an air of indulgent elegance. Spooky Mixology Hours at the Pool Bar will offer hauntingly beautiful cocktails accompanied by chilled island rhythms. Culinary experiences reach new heights with The Dark Harvest: A Zombie-Inspired Dinner at The Lighthouse Beach and Secrets of the Cellar: A Wine Pairing Dinner at The Retreat — both five-course affairs that reinterpret Halloween dining through refined artistry and flavour.
The festivities culminate on 31 October with an all-day celebration, beginning with a vibrant Pool Party and leading into Feast of the Shadows: Beach BBQ, where guests can dine by firelight and the ocean breeze. The evening concludes with the Halloween DJ Party at Café Umi Beach, where guests are invited to dance beneath the stars as the rhythm of the waves meets the beat of the night.
Through this curated collection of events, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort captures the true essence of Halloween — a seamless blend of mystery, sophistication, and wonder.
Featured
Intimate, infinite, unscripted: Valentine’s at The Nautilus Maldives

This Valentine’s Day, The Nautilus Maldives invites guests to immerse themselves in Unwritten Nights — a celebration of love that unfolds freely, without schedules or scripts. At this ultra-luxury bohemian private island retreat, romance flows at its own pace: barefoot dinners beneath a canopy of stars, candlelight shimmering across the lagoon, and timeless moments that belong entirely to those who share them.
At the heart of Unwritten Nights lies a one-of-a-kind experience designed for a single couple. From sunrise yoga and sound healing on a secluded sandbank to an intimate art of chocolate alchemy workshop and a private starlit yacht dinner curated by a personal chef, each element is shaped by spontaneity and personal expression — a love story written only once.
As evening descends, Solasta Spa transforms into a sanctuary of stillness and connection. Signature rituals such as Unison Flow and Whispers of Harmony blend touch, aroma, and sound in perfect synchrony, while Eternal Embrace and Moonlit Renewal offer sensual, candlelit journeys of renewal and intimacy.
Dining at The Nautilus redefines freedom, with no menus or fixed hours. Each meal becomes a surprise — from champagne degustation menus at Zeytoun to barefoot dinners on Thyme Beach or secluded sandbank feasts beneath the brilliance of the Milky Way.
While couples embrace tranquillity, young guests are invited to explore Young Wonderers — a world of discovery, creativity, and island adventure designed to ignite imagination and joy.
At The Nautilus, Valentine’s is not bound by time or convention; it is a feeling — a celebration of love, freedom, and connection in all its forms.
Cooking
Flavours of Japan light up Maldives: Sun Siyam Iru Fushi’s International Chefs Day experience

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi will mark International Chefs Day with a week-long celebration of Japanese artistry and flavour from 20th to 25th October 2025. The resort will host acclaimed Japanese Chef Junichi “JT” Tanaka, owner of Binchō Tanaka, and Sake Sommelier Yasuyuki “Sakeyasu” Suzuki for an exclusive series of culinary experiences.
Originating from Japan’s Izu Peninsula, Binchō Tanaka reflects the quiet philosophy of Sumibi Kappo—a charcoal-inspired cuisine that embodies harmony with nature. At Iru Fushi, Chef JT and Sommelier Sakeyasu will present an immersive omakase experience where Japanese sake and tea converge with fire and fermentation beneath the Maldivian sky.
Chef JT, whose career spans Japan, Jamaica, New York, and Australia, is recognised for his soulful omakase creations that blend tradition, wellness, and artistry. Joining him, Sommelier Sakeyasu—America’s first certified sake sommelier and a prominent figure in New York’s dining scene—will curate refined pairings showcasing precision, balance, and craftsmanship.
Guests will enjoy two signature events: an Artisanal Sake and Craft Brew Tea Pairing Dinner at Islander’s Grill, and an intimate beachside dinner under the stars. Each will celebrate the essence of Japanese culinary mastery in a Maldivian island setting.
The collaboration will feature Binchō Tanaka’s refined dishes paired with the renowned sake of Tanaka Shuzo—who recently revived the traditional kimoto fermentation method after 67 years—and the innovative craft brew teas of Marushichi Seicha. Together, they will capture the spirit of Izu in the Maldives through a fusion of fire, fermentation, and leaf.
To commemorate International Chefs Day, Chef JT will also conduct an exclusive workshop for Iru Fushi’s culinary team, offering hands-on training and sharing his culinary philosophy to inspire creativity and elevate the resort’s gastronomic craft.
“At Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, we are proud to celebrate International Chefs Day not only by delighting our guests but also by investing in the growth and creativity of our culinary team,” said Abdulla Atham, Resort Manager at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi. “Welcoming Chef JT and Yasuyuki Suzuki to share their expertise is a true honour. Their passion for Japanese gastronomy perfectly complements our vision of delivering experiences that are authentic, inspiring, and crafted with heart.”
Part of Sun Siyam Resorts’ (r)evolution, Iru Fushi stands as the only resort within The Luxury Collection—a portfolio inspired by the elements and dedicated to delivering exceptional guest experiences.
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