Featured
Maamunagau’s secret garden: Festive season 2022 at Intercontinental Maldives

The most wonderful time of the year is knocking on our doors again, and guests can look forward to a plentiful festive season at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort. The resort’s festive programme is inspired by the idea of spending time together and stepping into a Secret Garden full of splendour and beautiful experiences.
This year’s festive season at Maamunagau Island is all about culinary heights led by a visiting Michelin star chef and award-winning flair bartender, time together as friends, family, and couples, and simply celebrating life. Guests get to retreat from their daily hustle and embrace nature, reconnect with what matters and soak in the serenity that only a tropical, remote island can host.

Enjoyment and adventures are on the list to participate for both children and adults, beginning from the moment the Christmas tree is lit up on 22nd December 2022 to welcome the festive spirit to the island and kick off the season for this year, all the way through to the New Year 2023.
With visiting celebrity chef Anita Lo from the USA and visiting Flair Bartender Anne-Lise Jouenne from Paris, the resort will elevate the extensive bespoke guest experience offers even further.

Having travelled the world, the US-based Michelin Star Chef Anita Lo loves to mix and fuse flavours, reflecting stories and secrets from her journey and different cultures to become one of the most sought-after chefs in America.
“For me, there is nothing better than discovering a new culture through its food. Ingredients tell stories, both personal and historical, about the people who cook it, about migration, strife, and the surrounding land. Food is identity, and I love nothing more than sharing what I’ve learned along the way,” says Anita Lo.

Anne-Lise Jouenne is an extremely talented flair bartender visiting the island’s shores from France. She is one of the very few flair bartenders in France and likely the reason for one or
the other broken spirit bottles in private homes as her fans express themselves in this skilful art inspired by her TikTok fame. As the best female participant of the prestigious Roadhouse competition in London in 2019, she will also present her unique creations to the extensive cocktail offering of the resort.

As well this festive season, guests can explore the wellness journeys visiting practitioners have prepared at AVI Spa, creating once-in-a-lifetime memories for the whole family or a romantic interlude for two to remember forever. With different healing techniques, guests can create their own spa journey, choosing from the diverse portfolio the wellness professionals offer.
For children and families, the Planet Trekkers team has put together quite a selection of exciting as well as creative and educational experiences. Kids and their families will have ample opportunities to create memories and spend meaningful days together, from the overwater to the beach to the sky.

This year’s festive season is welcoming guests to a Secret Garden, and to enter their curated, personal paradise, where they get to wander through the maze of tropical beauty that is the enchanting island and discover hidden pleasures like a Secret Pop-Up Bar.
Rates start from USD 2585++ per night in a Water Pool Villa including breakfast for two in December 2022. Compulsory Festive Gala Dinners on 24 and 31 December 2022 will be applicable to all guests. For more information, please visit www.maldives.intercontinental.com or contact the resort directly at reservations.icmaldives@ihg.com.
Featured
Experience timeless Maldivian elegance at Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa

Machchafushi, meaning ‘Fish Island’ in Dhivehi, encapsulates the essence of this serene retreat in South Ari Atoll. As part of The Centara Collection, Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa embodies the true spirit of the Maldives, offering guests an intimate connection with the ocean, marine life, and the island’s cultural heritage.
Situated within the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA), a UNESCO-recognised site, Machchafushi provides year-round access to remarkable marine experiences, vibrant coral ecosystems, and unforgettable underwater explorations, including the famous Kudhimaa shipwreck. Once a secluded, uninhabited island, Machchafushi holds a special place in the cultural landscape of the Maldives. Today, as part of this protected marine reserve, it continues to remain authentic, sustainable, and deeply rooted in its natural surroundings.
Marine life is at the heart of the Machchafushi experience. The island offers some of the world’s highest whale shark resighting rates, with encounters available throughout the year. Guests may also encounter graceful manta rays and a colourful abundance of tropical fish drifting through crystalline waters. Encircled by a renowned house reef—stretching nearly five times the island’s size—the area is home to over 1,000 species of fish and 200 varieties of coral, creating an underwater paradise.
South Ari Atoll is celebrated as one of the Maldives’ finest diving regions, featuring over fifty dive sites teeming with marine life. Kudarah Thila presents a UNESCO-protected labyrinth of overhangs and swim-throughs populated by fusiliers and snappers, while Broken Rock captivates divers with its dramatic canyon of corals and macro life, ideal for underwater photography. Dhigurah Beyru and Maamigili Corner are noted for encounters with whale sharks, manta rays, and occasionally dolphins. The 52-metre Kudhimaa Wreck has evolved into a thriving coral habitat, now home to lionfish, batfish, groupers, and the well-camouflaged stonefish and frogfish. Nearby, Anemone Alley flourishes beneath the seasonal seaplane platform, forming a vibrant ecosystem that draws snorkellers and divers alike. The house reef remains the beating heart of Machchafushi—a world-class natural wonder beneath the waves.
Beyond the ocean, the island tells a story of its own. At its centre stands a centuries-old Banyan Tree, known locally as the Ummeedhu Tree, or ‘Wish Fulfilment’. This living symbol invites guests to pause and reflect, taking part in the Sacred Thread Ceremony, where wishes and intentions are tied to the tree’s branches—creating a bond that endures long after their stay.
Sustainability is woven into every aspect of Machchafushi’s philosophy, ensuring the preservation of both its natural beauty and cultural legacy. Every sunrise, dive, and golden thread tied to the Ummeedhu Tree becomes part of a continuing narrative—one that celebrates the Maldives’ heritage and invites guests to create lasting memories in harmony with nature.
Entertainment
Spooky celebrations await at Sun Siyam Olhuveli with ‘The Return of the Mummy’

Sun Siyam Olhuveli will transform into a realm of ancient legends and eerie excitement this Halloween with its themed celebration, The Return of the Mummy. Guests of all ages will have the opportunity to take part in two days of themed activities, family games, and live entertainment throughout the resort.
The highlight of the celebration will be a beachfront performance by Swedish DJ and rising international talent Caroline Roxy. A multifaceted artist—DJ, singer-songwriter, producer, fashion designer, and former model—Caroline is known for fusing energetic electronic beats with pop-inspired rhythms. Drawing on her musical upbringing and experience performing at festivals in cities such as Stockholm and Los Angeles, she is set to deliver an electrifying performance that promises to bring a captivating energy to the shores of Sun Siyam Olhuveli.

The festivities will begin on 31 October 2025 with a Halloween Beach Fest, featuring mummy-themed games, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treat adventures, and the popular Mummy Dance Freeze for younger guests. As night falls, the Lagoon Bar will become the centre of the celebration, with flickering lights, pulsing music, and a much-anticipated DJ set by Caroline Roxy. Her performance will combine haunting melodies with powerful electronic rhythms, setting the tone for an unforgettable Halloween evening.
Celebrations will continue on 1 November 2025 with treasure hunts, themed cupcake and marshmallow workshops for children, and a sunset pirate cruise. Adults can take part in a Halloween boot camp before the evening concludes with a fire show and live music by Hightides at the Lagoon Bar.
Blending ancient Egyptian mystery with island charm, The Return of the Mummy at Sun Siyam Olhuveli invites guests to experience a unique Halloween adventure where the legends of the past meet the magic of the Maldives.
Excursions
From first visit to thousand dives: Love story anchored at Bandos Maldives

Bandos Maldives recently marked a significant milestone with two of its most loyal guests, Kate and Andy, who have shared a long-standing connection with the island.
Andy achieved an impressive feat by completing his 900th dive, all undertaken with Dive Bandos. His wife, Kate, surpassed this accomplishment by reaching her 1000th dive, with over 900 of those dives also completed alongside the Bandos team.
The Dive Bandos team joined the couple in celebrating this memorable occasion, recognising not only their dedication to diving but also the enduring bond they have formed with the resort over the years.
Kate and Andy’s relationship with Bandos extends far beyond statistics. Having first visited the island in 2006, they have returned every year since, making Bandos an integral part of their lives. In 2014, the couple even chose to exchange their wedding vows underwater at the resort — a unique moment that forever linked their love story with Bandos.
“Celebrating guests like Kate and Andy reminds us of what Bandos truly represents,” said Ismail Rasheed, General Manager of Bandos Maldives.
For Bandos Maldives, moments such as these exemplify why guests continue to choose the island for both adventure and a sense of belonging. With stories like Kate and Andy’s, Bandos stands not merely as a dive destination, but as a home — both beneath and above the waves.
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