Featured
Underwater fantasy world festive fun at Kandima Maldives
This Christmas the Maldives’ game-changing affordable lifestyle resort, Kandima Maldives, is making a splash with an anything-but-ordinary two-week-long programme of activities starting 22nd December under the theme “Aqua Fantasia”. Plunge into an underwater fantasy world where even the wildest imaginations are brought to life as the (desti)nation turns into a vibrant tropical paradise and ocean-inspired playground. Ring in the most wonderful time of the year the K’way with these festive activities promising fun for all ages!
Guests are invited to enjoy familiar holiday traditions from gingerbread house decorating to spectacular Christmas tree lighting all with a cool island twist. Complete with day-long activities for kids, including a stylish Santa arrival on Christmas day, a magic show, curated dinners, and an oh-so entertaining Christmas Eve party, the festive program is sure to sleigh your Christmas holiday.
Kandima invites those with adventure in their souls to splash into the New Year by indulging in a multitude of adrenaline-filled adventures. These active lifestyle experiences include a mind-boggling underwater-themed art exhibition, a thrilling aqua treasure hunt, and a playfully competitive paddle board and kayak race.
Ignite your inner aquaholic and discover the depths of the Indian Ocean with fun dives, night snorkelling, sea bob experiences and even coral adoption for nature lovers. This festive season will be like no other for maritime imaginers and adrenaline chasers at Kandima!
Kandima is reimagining festive fun in the K’way with an exciting series of immersive experiences and events for all ages! Be it spectacular dance performances from the renowned Optical Entertainment crew, complete with mermaids and a fire show, pool parties, art festival, beach barbecue or live entertainment performances, there is something lined up for every imaginative traveller! While you sit back, relax, and enjoy some alone time with your partner, Kandiland, the island resort’s dedicated zone for kids, has got you covered with a curated programme of playful adventures like no other. The line-up of activities includes a magic show by internationally acclaimed Mr. Marvel from the UK, themed mermaid and superhero parties, a scavenger hunt, and more!
Kandima is sure to delight everyone’s tastebuds with underwater-inspired gastronomy experiences across 10 dining options. During the festive season, all restaurants and bars will carry a simile of an underwater inspiration with fresh ingredients inspired by the ocean carefully crafted into mouth-watering dishes mimicking the underwater world. Whether you indulge in buffets, seafood popups, marine life-inspired desserts or hand-made ‘kocktails’, you’re in for a lip-smacking experience! Additionally, guests won’t want to miss the enchanting underwater New Years’ Eve gala which promises to WOW.
After getting your daily dose of vitamin sea, relax into an ocean-inspired wellness treatment at the award-winning esKape spa. Try the festive season outdoor aqua dome or warm lava shell massage, each personalised wellness experience will awaken your senses and rejuvenate your mind and body. Nestled in the tropical surroundings of the island, the esKape spa is the perfect place to detach from distractions and glow from the inside out.
Regardless of whether you’re travelling as a couple, with friends, solo, or as a family, there’s something for everyone this festive season at Kandima – the coolest and most stylish resort in the Maldives!
View the full programme of festive season events at Kandima Maldives here
Awards
Kuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Cooking
Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Awards
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives earns TUI Global Hotel Award recognition
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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