Connect with us

Featured

Expect unexpected at Finolhu Maldives: ‘Cabin by the sea-turned-carnival’ festive season

Published

on

With a full programme of activities and feasts to enjoy, Finolhu Baa Atoll invites guests to celebrate a “cabin by the sea-turned-carnival” festive season on the barefoot chic resort that puts a playful twist on luxury.

Festivities Begin

While Finolhu offers its guests a whole host of fun activities and culinary specials throughout the year, the festive season gets underway with a Celebration Cocktail and Festive Tree Lighting party on 21 December. The excitement starts to build on 24 December with a Festive Trivia Game. As the sun sets on Christmas Eve, a Festive Cocktail Party and Kids & Teens Fashion Show take place, followed by a Festive Gala Dinner featuring a special selection of traditional favourites, local specialities and festive treats.

On Christmas Day, guest can enjoy seasonal favourites at the Festive Day Special Lunch. Starting at 5:00 pm., the Santa Arrival Parade features music, food and Santa’s entrance along with his helpers, as they hand out gifts to all the children on the island. This special day ends with the must-not-miss Edible Cinema, where guests are invited to participate in a unique movie experience that includes aroma, texture and taste.

Festive Feast of Culinary Treats

Food plays an important role throughout the seasonal celebrations. Aside from Gala Dinners and special feasts for Christmas, Orthodox Christmas and New Year, Finolhu hosts a variety of culinary nights across the festive season. Each Tuesday, guests are invited to explore the exciting favours of the Middle East and North Africa on Arabian Night. Couples in particular should not miss the Caviar and Oyster Nights, when air-flown caviar is paired with luxurious champagne, carefully selected by the resort’s Sommelier.

For the young ones, too, there are plenty of food-based activities to keep their flavour buds excited and their minds stimulated with opportunities to learn how to make everything from holiday-themed pancakes, muffins and cookies to Italian pizza and even a traditional Maldivian dish.

Big Fun for the Little Ones

While the magic of the holiday season is felt by all, it is an especially delightful time for children. To ensure maximum enchantment and wonder for its young guests, Finolhu has arranged a stimulating variety of fun activities throughout the festive season. Under the fantaSEA theme, the Kid’s Mermaid Experience gives the little ones the chance to enter the fantaSEA world and become a mermaid. Young guests can also join the Treasure Hunt with the resident Marine Biologist, when they will seek out treasures hidden around the island, or take the Pirate Cruise and Treasure Hunt for more fun and adventure. Taking adventure to a new level, the Night Camping and Bonfire activity allows young guests to experience stargazing, participate in games and enjoy delicious snacks under the stars.

Family That Plays Together

Perhaps more than anything, the festive season is a time for family and there are lots of activities designed to keep families playing together at Finolhu. Watch out for the Family Fun Challenges and the chance to enjoy some fun in the sun in friendly competition. The resort lives up to its famous island playground reputation with Family Fun Pool Games and regular Family Beach Volley Competitions.

Friendly Competitions on the Island Playground

It’s not just families and kids who get to play at Finolhu. Everyone has the chance to join in the festive fun and games. From a Festive Triathlon and a High Intensity Workout for the more athletic guests to Fun Olympic Games, Aqua Aerobics, Stand Up Paddling Races, Balance Board Challenges, Kayak Competitions, Mini Golf Contests and even Kite Flying, there really is something to get everyone playing at Finolhu this festive season.

Wellness Retreat for Body, Mind and Soul

For those who like to take things at a slower pace, Finolhu offers a choice of wellness activities. Guests can join the regular Sun Salutations to awaken body, mind and soul, or learn how to cool the body and calm the mind during the Moon Salutations. The Pranayama and Cleansing Meditation sessions offer the chance to release muscle tension, reconnect body and mind, and find inner peace by combining physical poses, controlled breathing and meditation. Yoga enthusiasts are spoiled for choice with Hatha and Ashtanga Yoga sessions as well as Yogalates and Kids Yoga activities.

Carnival Countdown to New Year

The Countdown to the New Year begins with a Bubble Pool Party for the young ones, followed by a New Year’s Eve Cocktail Party for guests of all ages. The New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner and Countdown to 2023 combine great food with spectacular entertainment. As guests tuck into a sumptuous buffet of international delicacies, fresh seafood and festive favourites, world class performers provide the entertainment. While DJ Jorge Montiel keeps the party flowing all night, he is joined by international singer Andre Espeut and French pop band, the Gypsy Queens.

Finolhu is also delighted to welcome world-renowned event entertainers Area 51 as they create a carnival-inspired theme show of international artists performing fire shows, acrobatics, and circus acts that include the Viva Brazil Samba Show, and performer for the stars, Tibor, also known as Lord of Fire. The evening’s performance reaches its climax with a full cast show leading up to the highly anticipated Countdown.

As New Year’s Day dawns, guests are invited to enjoy a Recovery Brunch before joining the New Year Scavenger Hunt.

Inspired to book your festive holiday at Finolhu?  Click on www.finolhu.com or email stay@finolhu.mv.

Action

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island achieves PADI Eco Center Certification

Published

on

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has been officially certified as a PADI Eco Center, becoming one of only two resorts in the Maldives to receive this recognition in 2025. The certification is awarded to dive resorts that extend their efforts beyond standard operations, with a strong focus on protecting marine environments and raising awareness among future generations.

As part of the certification process, the resort’s team adopted the Conrad House Reef through PADI’s Adopt the Blue programme. A Dive Against Debris clean-up dive was conducted around the reef near Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, during which 10 kilograms of marine litter, primarily plastics and metal fragments, were collected.

The team also joined Green Fins in June 2025 and has since introduced a series of sustainable practices. These include paperless dive check-ins, eco-briefings before excursions, reduced use of plastics through the introduction of glass alternatives, and signage encouraging responsible snorkelling and diving across the dive centre.

Guests are also directly engaged in conservation activities through coral restoration initiatives. In 2025, the team has facilitated 17 coral line adoptions, where participants attend an educational session before attaching coral fragments to nursery lines and assisting with their placement underwater.

Jessica Miller, Marine Biologist at Conrad Maldives, commented: “This certification represents a milestone for us. It’s the result of dedicated teamwork and genuine care for the ocean. Watching our guests become part of the solution, whether through coral planting or learning about local marine life, is what makes this so special.”

Nick Flynn, General Manager of Conrad Maldives, added: “We’re incredibly proud of the team’s achievement in making Conrad Maldives a certified PADI Eco Center. This milestone is part of our long-term commitment to sustainability and a testament to how luxury and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.”

Ranjit Batra, Chief Executive Officer of Ventive Hospitality, the owning company of Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, highlighted the wider significance of the achievement. He said: “The PADI Eco Center recognition for Conrad Maldives Rangali Island underscores our commitment to protecting marine ecosystems while shaping the future of responsible travel. We are proud of Conrad for leading the way in sustainability across the Maldives.”

The certification strengthens Conrad Maldives’ broader sustainability objectives under Hilton’s Travel With Purpose programme. The resort will continue to offer educational dives, coral adoption opportunities, and conservation briefings, encouraging guests to actively participate in marine protection efforts during their stay.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island operates under Hilton and is part of Hilton Honors®, the global guest loyalty programme. Hilton Honors members booking directly through official Hilton channels receive a range of benefits, including exclusive discounts, free standard Wi-Fi, flexible payment options combining Points and money, and contactless technology via the Hilton Honors mobile app, which enables digital check-in, room selection, and access.

Continue Reading

Featured

Angsana Velavaru recognised as Best Water Villa Resort at TTM Awards 2025

Published

on

Angsana Velavaru has been named Best Water Villa Resort at the TTM Awards & Gala 2025, presented by Travel Trade Maldives, the country’s leading travel trade platform.

The award acknowledges the resort’s InOcean Pool Villas, the Maldives’ first standalone water villas located one kilometre from the main island. These villas have become a signature feature of Angsana Velavaru, designed to accommodate both couples and families, with private pools, direct access to the ocean, and spacious interiors.

Beyond the architectural concept, the villas are intended to provide guests with a personal and adventurous connection to the surrounding sea. The resort also offers a wide range of experiences through its ‘101 Things to Do’ programme, which includes marine exploration, wellness activities, and culinary experiences. Cultural engagement is a central element, with opportunities for guests to interact with local island communities and traditions. The resort further integrates sustainability through its ‘Stay for Good’ initiatives, which combine environmental care with community involvement.

Commenting on the award, General Manager Ahmed Zahir said: “We are truly honoured to receive this award from the TTM Awards, a platform that embodies the spirit of the Maldivian travel community. This accolade not only celebrates the uniqueness of our InOcean Pool Villas but also pays tribute to the dedication of our team, who work tirelessly to create moments of discovery, connection and meaning for our guests. At Angsana Velavaru, we believe a stay should be more than a holiday—it should become a journey that remains with our guests long after they return home.”

Angsana Velavaru continues to position itself as a destination offering immersive experiences. Guests are invited to explore coral reefs, engage in island life, and create enduring memories in harmony with the natural environment.

Continue Reading

Featured

Barceló Nasandhura Malé named Best City Hotel at TTM Awards 2025

Published

on

Barceló Nasandhura Malé has been awarded Best City Hotel at the TTM Awards 2025, held on 28 August at Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi.

The recognition reflects the passion, hard work, and dedication of the team at Barceló Nasandhura, whose commitment to excellence has been evident since the property opened earlier this year. The hotel has focused on creating memorable guest experiences and setting new standards for city hospitality, which contributed to this achievement.

The TTM Awards, part of the Maldives’ largest travel trade show, celebrates the country’s hospitality sector across 28 categories, bringing together leading travel and tourism professionals from the region.

As it marks this milestone, Barceló Hotel Group reaffirmed its dedication to shaping the future of city hospitality in Malé.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.