Featured
Hat-trick win for Vakkaru Maldives at World Travel Awards for third consecutive year
Christmas came early to Vakkaru Maldives as the luxury resort added multiple award titles from the World Travel Awards 2022 to its growing list of accolades. For the third consecutive year, its outstanding location, luxurious accommodation, first-class facilities and exceptional service have won global recognition at the 29th annual World Travel Awards. The luxury paradise island was crowned winner in the Indian Ocean category for Leading Resort and Leading Hotel Suite (Vakkaru Overwater Residence), and in the Maldives category for Leading Hotel Suite (Vakkaru Overwater Residence).
Vakkaru Maldives has also been shortlisted in the World category for World’s Leading Hotel Suite 2022 (Vakkaru Overwater Residence), World’s Leading Luxury Honeymoon Resort 2022, and World’s Leading Resort 2022: Vakkaru Maldives. Voting in the World categories is now open and runs until midnight on Thursday, 20 October 2022.
Located in the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve renowned for its spectacular sea life, Vakkaru Maldives is set on a secluded reef island with 113 elegant, palm-thatched Overwater and Beach Villas pitched over the ocean or shaded by coconut trees. The resort’s most extravagant villa is the award-winning four-bedroom, sunset-facing Vakkaru Overwater Residence, which comes with its own infinity pool and spa pavilion, confirming its position as the Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel Suite.
When it comes to indulgent and relaxing vacations for both couples and families, Vakkaru is at the top of its game. The resort offers a wide array of activities and amenities, including five restaurants, two bars, an award-winning wine cellar and bespoke destination dining experiences; the luxurious overwater Merana Spa featuring 12 treatment rooms and a dedicated Ayurvedic treatment room; a 24-hour gym; beach volleyball and badminton courts; two tennis courts where guests can take on resident tennis pros; a padel tennis court; extensive water activities; and the Parrotfish Club and Coconut Club designed to keep younger guests entertained throughout their stay.
Iain McCormack, General Manager of Vakkaru Maldives, said he was thrilled about the three-years-in-row win and that it was proof of their commitment to ensuring every guest stay at the timeless sanctuary was as special as can be.
“Winning these awards is indeed an honour, but winning them for three years in a row is a true testament to our excellent services and the complete dedication of each team member to deliver the best and exceed guests’ expectations. It also puts the spotlight on our commitment and continuous efforts to become the leading resort in the Maldives through the enhancements we have done and have planned for the coming months. We now look forward to welcoming guests to our island hideaway for the festive season extravaganza we have planned for this year,” he said.
Established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries, the World Travel Awards is recognised internationally as an arbiter of excellence in the luxury travel sector. These latest accolades consolidate Vakkaru Maldives’ position as one of the most exciting and inviting luxury resorts in the Indian Ocean.
For reservations and general information, visit vakkarumaldives.com or contact reservations@vakkarumaldives.com. For real-time updates, follow the resort on Facebook at facebook.com/vakkarumaldives, Instagram @vakkarumaldives and Twitter @vakkarumaldives.
Featured
Villa Nautica’s festive glow: Yoga at sunrise, fireworks at midnight
Villa Nautica will embrace the festive spirit from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, offering guests an easy island rhythm that flows from bright mornings by the water to music-filled evenings on the sand. The season begins with illuminated beaches and relaxed barbecues, gradually building through creative afternoons and live performances. Christmas Eve will feature a gala dinner, followed by Santa’s arrival on 25 December. The celebrations will culminate in a vibrant New Year’s Eve countdown with fireworks, before settling into a calm reset on New Year’s Day and concluding with Orthodox Christmas.
The programme balances practicality with a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. Mornings will bring sunrise yoga, family pool activities, and interactive cooking sessions, while evenings will feature poolside soirées, wine-paired dinners, and sunset cruises. With simple yet photogenic settings, the lagoon and sky take centre stage in shaping the mood. Guests—whether couples, friends, or families—can participate freely without losing the island’s easy pace.
For younger visitors, the festivities will centre around the kids’ club, where cookie and cupcake decorating, beach games, origami and craft sessions, storytelling, and cosy movie nights will take place. Small groups and attentive care ensure that creativity and play remain the focus, allowing parents to enjoy uninterrupted moments around the island.
A highlight of the season will be the Champagne Lucky Draw & Disco. From 1 to 31 December, each bottle of champagne purchased at resort bars or restaurants will serve as an entry to the draw. Guests are advised to keep their entry stubs for the live draw, held at 01:00 during the New Year’s celebration, where the prize will be a seven-night stay in a Water Villa for two.
Throughout the festive period, private experiences will feel as memorable as the larger celebrations. Guests may enjoy candlelit dinners on the sand, floating breakfasts, or early morning snorkelling sessions to begin the year anew. Whether seeking a lively shoreline celebration or a quiet evening stroll beneath lanterns and palms, Villa Nautica offers an atmosphere where every festive moment can glow in its own way.
Featured
JOALI BEING launches global campaign ‘Joyful Journeys of Well-Living’
JOALI BEING, the world’s first well-being island, has announced the launch of its new global brand campaign titled “Joyful Journeys of Well-Living.” The campaign celebrates the art of self-discovery, inviting travellers to reconnect with their inner selves through bespoke and transformative experiences.
Building upon JOALI BEING’s core philosophy of the “Joy of Weightlessness,” the campaign embodies the essence of harmony between mind, body, and spirit. It encourages guests to explore holistic pathways designed to restore balance and inspire personal growth.
Joyful Journeys of Well-Living serves as an invitation to travellers seeking meaningful change and renewal. The campaign narrates stories of individuals discovering joy through purposeful living, mindful connection, and immersive well-being experiences at JOALI BEING.
The visuals capture the island’s tranquil landscapes and nurturing spaces — from oceanfront sanctuaries to treetop villas and transformative healing sessions led by resident experts. The campaign presents JOALI BEING as more than a destination; it is a journey towards well-being, creativity, and self-transformation.
Each guest journey at JOALI BEING is founded on the resort’s Four Pillars of Well-Being — Mind, Skin, Microbiome, and Energy. Through tailored programmes, guests can embark on integrative wellness experiences encompassing sound therapy, movement and fitness, hydrotherapy, nutritional guidance, and energy-healing sessions curated by specialists.
The island features a series of advanced well-being spaces, including:
- CORE: a movement and fitness zone
- AREKA: a transformative treatment centre
- KAASHI: a hydrotherapy hall
- SEDA: a sound-healing room
- Ocean Sala: an open-air meditation and relaxation deck
Each space is designed to nurture a profound connection with nature and the self.
The Joyful Journeys of Well-Living campaign has been conceptualised and produced by JOALI BEING’s in-house team in collaboration with creative partners and visual storytellers from across the globe. The multi-platform campaign integrates film, digital, and print media to convey JOALI BEING’s ethos — a celebration of joy, transformation, and harmony.
The visual narrative draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the Maldives, reflecting JOALI BEING’s immersive design philosophy. The imagery captures the rhythm of the ocean, the play of light, and the flow of energy that define the spirit of the island.
Awards
Coco Bodu Hithi wins Best Waterside Hotel at Condé Nast Johansens Awards 2026
Coco Bodu Hithi has been recognised on the global stage, winning Best Waterside Hotel (Riverside, Lakeside, Seaside) at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2026, held on 3 November 2025 in the UK. It is the second consecutive year the resort has been honoured by the publication, following last year’s win for Best Service, reaffirming its focus on heartfelt Maldivian hospitality and refined island living.
Described by Condé Nast Johansens as an “over-water, over-indulgent Maldivian island outpost,” Coco Bodu Hithi offers an intimate retreat of comfort and calm. The resort’s 32 Water Villas and 24 Coco Residences, each measuring 184 square metres and featuring private pools, provide secluded spaces set above the lagoon, where nature, design, and comfort come together to reflect the island’s romantic ambience.
Known for contemporary design infused with Maldivian heritage, the resort continues to welcome travellers seeking time by the sea, complemented by culinary collaborations with celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs. The experience balances privacy and comfort throughout a guest’s stay. With turquoise waters, quiet spaces, and experiences designed for connection and shared discovery, the resort presents a considered take on island living.
Located 35 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the island combines accessibility with seclusion—close enough for convenience, yet removed for privacy and serenity. As part of Coco Collection, the resort offers bespoke experiences, attentive service, and sustainable practices, shaping stays that feel personal and reflective of relaxed, authentic island life.
-
Action1 week agoSheraton Maldives partners with tennis pro Jackson Withrow, yoga expert Dawn Sim for guest experiences
-
News5 days agoKandolhu Maldives introduces revamped Deluxe Ocean Pool Villas
-
Meditation1 week agoJourney to restorative wellness: Amilla Maldives hosts renowned visiting practitioners
-
Drink1 week agoMidweek sundowners: Canareef Resort Maldives’ ‘Sunset Cocktails’ light up Wednesday evenings
-
Awards1 week agoMultiple wins for JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll at World Luxury Travel Awards 2025
-
Celebration1 week agoMindful festive escape: Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa focuses on connection and renewal
-
News6 days agoCentara Mirage Lagoon Maldives celebrates one year of family-focused hospitality
-
Celebration6 days agoVilla Park sets holiday line-up with sunset welcome, Santa visit and NYE gala


