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

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.
Awards
Kudadoo Maldives crowned Best All-Inclusive Hotel by Condé Nast Traveler

Kudadoo Maldives Private Island, the ultra-luxury retreat renowned for redefining indulgence and privacy, has been named Best All-Inclusive Hotel by Condé Nast Traveler, one of the world’s most esteemed travel publications.
This prestigious recognition celebrates Kudadoo’s signature “Anything, Anywhere, Anytime” concept — a philosophy that allows guests to design entirely bespoke experiences tailored to their desires.
Part of the esteemed Crown & Champa Resorts (CCR) portfolio, Kudadoo combines cutting-edge architectural design, pristine natural beauty, and an unwavering guest-first approach to create stays that are both intimate and extraordinary. Guests can savour private sandbank dinners under starlit skies, bespoke underwater dining, serene sunset cruises, and curated wellness journeys, all orchestrated to perfection.
The resort’s all-inclusive model transcends conventional definitions, removing boundaries for those seeking freedom, privacy, and absolute indulgence. Every detail — from world-class gastronomy and curated excursions to on-demand personal experiences — reflects Kudadoo’s commitment to limitless luxury. Whether it is a spontaneous snorkelling trip, a private cinema night on the deck, or a cultural discovery across the atoll, every moment is crafted with precision and heartfelt care.
“This recognition from Condé Nast Traveler is a proud moment for the entire Kudadoo team,” said Akira Shiota, General Manager of Kudadoo Maldives. “Our ‘Anything, Anywhere, Anytime’ philosophy enables us to deliver a level of personalisation rarely found in the world of luxury travel. Each guest enjoys a truly unique experience, and this award is a tribute to the dedication, creativity, and passion of our team in bringing these experiences to life.”
Ahmed Shaheen, Chief Commercial Leader of CCR, added, “Kudadoo continues to set new benchmarks for luxury hospitality in the Maldives. Being named the world’s best all-inclusive hotel by Condé Nast Traveler underscores not only the excellence of our service but also the success of our pioneering concept. We are immensely proud to provide experiences that guests will treasure for a lifetime.”
By earning this accolade, Kudadoo Maldives reinforces its status as a world-class resort and demonstrates how the notion of all-inclusive luxury can evolve to meet the expectations of today’s experience-driven traveller. The recognition stands as a testament to Kudadoo’s pursuit of perfection and its dedication to delivering the highest standard of personalised service in one of the world’s most breathtaking destinations.
Earlier this year, Kudadoo Maldives Private Island was also featured among Condé Nast Traveler’s “16 Best Private Island Resorts in the World” for 2025 — further cementing its reputation as one of the planet’s most exceptional and exclusive escapes.
Awards
Condé Nast Traveler honours Kuramathi Maldives among region’s best resorts

Kuramathi Maldives has been recognised among the Top 20 Indian Ocean Resorts, securing the 18th position with a score of 93.54 in the Condé Nast Traveler 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, as voted by travellers from around the world.
Renowned as one of the Maldives’ most cherished island escapes for both couples and families, Kuramathi offers a wealth of experiences across its expansive setting. The island features a diverse collection of villas, restaurants, bars, and leisure facilities that blend luxury with natural beauty. From infinity pools overlooking the Indian Ocean to its famed mile-long sandbank, lush tropical gardens, vibrant house reef, and world-class diving, the resort provides countless opportunities for exploration and relaxation.
Guests can spend their days paddleboarding across the crystal lagoon, snorkelling among marine life, or enjoying restorative treatments at the Kuramathi Spa. The resort’s accommodation options include beach villas seamlessly integrated into the landscape and over-water villas suspended above turquoise waters. For families or groups, the spacious Two Bedroom Beach Houses offer generous living spaces close to the reef or lagoon, while Bageecha Kids Club provides complimentary activities such as outdoor playgrounds, splash pads, football pitches, indoor play areas, and special excursions, including a hermit crab trail through the island’s jungle.
Kuramathi is also a destination for culinary exploration, with 12 restaurants serving an impressive range of cuisines—from continental buffets to Indian, Thai, French, barbecue, and seafood specialities. The signature restaurant, The Reef, presents freshly caught fish and premium cuts of meat, while the Laguna Bar and Champagne Loft offer panoramic sunset views paired with handcrafted cocktails. Flexible All-Inclusive packages allow guests to tailor their stay to their preferences.
Whether guests choose to unwind in the spa, explore the marine world, enjoy fine dining, or simply bask in the Maldivian sun, each stay at Kuramathi promises moments that endure long after departure.
This latest recognition from Condé Nast Traveler underscores the enduring appeal of Kuramathi Maldives—a place where guests can relax, reconnect, and rediscover the beauty of island living.
Commenting on the award, Bertrand Margerie, General Manager of Kuramathi Maldives, stated: “Kuramathi Maldives – where real nature meets true quality and genuine service. We are incredibly honoured to be recognised by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler. This award is a testament to the hard work of our dedicated team and the unforgettable experiences we strive to create for every guest.”
The 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards received over 750,000 votes. The Maldives as a destination also achieved the top position in the Top Islands: Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 – Africa & The Indian Ocean category, securing 92.31 per cent of the votes, reaffirming its status as one of the world’s leading island destinations.
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.
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