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Maldivian food festival at Amilla celebrates sustainable Local Cuisine

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World Food Day on October 16th was marked at Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences with a Maldivian Food Festival showcasing 50 delicious menu items in homage to the 50 years of tourism celebrations in 2022.

The cuisine was freshly prepared by chefs from the neighbouring island community of Kendhoo, an island in Baa Atoll renowned for its cuisine. Amilla Maldives Resort’s Commis Chef, Naf (who is one of just a handful of female Maldivian chefs working at a resort in the tropical archipelago) took great pride in coordinating the event and introducing guests to such a wide array of authentic dishes. Each dish was made from locally-grown seasonal ingredients as well as sustainable pole and line-caught fish.

Menu highlights included a light ‘boashi satani’ (banana blossom salad), as well as popular Maldivian classics such as the velvety smooth ‘mas riha’ (fish curry) and a hearty ‘kukulhu riha’ (chicken curry) with red rice and roshi (thin flatbread). There was also a wide range of ‘hedika’ (Maldivian tapas, commonly featuring tuna and coconut as the main ingredients).

As a standalone Maldivian-owned resort, Amilla Maldives frequently celebrates its roots by hosting local artists, performers and other special guests from the South Asian island nation. Maldivian cuisine and ingredients regularly feature on the breakfast menu and once a week at Maldivian theme nights, but the local cuisine has never been showcased before on this scale. Guests were invited to make a donation for attending the resort’s inaugural Maldivian Food Festival, with profits going towards supporting the local island community. Amilla Resort also donated 50 bicycles to Kendhoo to reduce the need for petrol-powered motorbikes. Another environmental boost came in the form of coral planting. Amilla’s Marine Biologist went to Kendhoo to demonstrate to local children how to help regenerate reefs with coral propagation techniques.

The coral planting project was organised in partnership with the Biosphere Reserve Office, Baa Council, Amilla Maldives, Four Seasons Resort and Soneva Fushi Resort. One coral frame was planted for every school in Baa Atoll – 13 in total.

The Maldivian Food Festival is a key event in Amilla Maldives Resort’s 2022 calendar of events celebrating the 50th anniversary of the beginning of tourism in the Maldives. The coral planting event was also a significant part of the celebrations. Following hot on its heels is a series of pop-up events organised by renowned British restauranteur and owner of JÖRO, Luke French. Luke, who is inspired by locally grown and foraged produce, will treat guests to two gala dinners with a focus on farm-to-table and ‘eating lifestyle’ dishes, as well as two cooking masterclasses.

Luke’s residency at Amilla also coincides with the resort’s Festival of Life celebrations which include Halloween, Thanksgiving, Diwali and more. Pandora Christie from Heart FM in the UK will be at Amilla to show off her DJ skills as well as host an event in aid of the Maldives Cat Charity. Her colleague, Tom Green, will join Pandora on the decks on Halloween, as well as host a ‘Dangerous Dinners event during his stay’. For more information click here.

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Villa Nautica’s festive glow: Yoga at sunrise, fireworks at midnight

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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.

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JOALI BEING launches global campaign ‘Joyful Journeys of Well-Living’

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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.

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Coco Bodu Hithi wins Best Waterside Hotel at Condé Nast Johansens Awards 2026

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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.

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