Featured
Vakkaru Maldives joins exclusive Serandipians by Traveller Made portfolio
Vakkaru Maldives achieved another milestone this month. The timeless sanctuary nestled in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of the Baa Atoll was invited to join the prestigious travel network, Serandipians, as one of a few selected hotel partners in the Maldives.
Membership to Serandipians (a global network of luxury travel designers dedicated to providing unique and exclusive bespoke journeys to the most discerning travellers), is by invitation only. The network represents the finest in travel design and works with selected luxury travel and hospitality suppliers such as hotels and resorts, private villas and other exceptional experience or service providers.
Commenting on the new partnership, Iain McCormack, General Manager, Vakkaru Maldives, said, “We are delighted that Vakkaru Maldives has become the official hotel partner of Serandipians by Traveller Made for its Private Residences Collection. This network of luxury travel designers creates dream holidays for a clientele that appreciates the finer things in life. With the paradisiacal location of our luxurious resort, the exceptional experiences we create and the thoughtful service we provide, we are the perfect match for the Serandipians network. We look forward to working with Serandipians to create bespoke vacations and lifetime memories for our guests.”
Since opening in December 2017, Vakkaru Maldives has created world-class luxury experiences for travellers seeking the ultimate beach escape. Fringed by powder-soft white sand that gives way to a turquoise lagoon and several of the Baa atoll’s unique ‘blue holes’, the intimate hideaway offers guests luxurious accommodation in 113 well-appointed villas (where guests can choose from either Over Water or Beach locations), exceptional dining options, and a multitude of exceptional experiences.
Other facilities include the magnificent overwater Merana Spa, with its extensive menu of Western and Ayurvedic holistic treatments and a regular transitional residency of the world’s most inspiring wellness practitioners. The Parrotfish Club and Coconut Club cater to children and teens. At the same time, guests of all ages can play against world-famous pros from Tipsarevic Luxury Tennis on the resort’s iconic cobalt -blue tennis courts – or enjoy the brand new Padel Tennis court (one of the only Padel courts in the Maldives where Vakkaru is embracing the demand for one of the fastest-growing sports in the world). The range of exhilarating water sports available at Splash make the most of the Maldives’ exceptional opportunities and include luxury yacht excursions and world-class dive adventures.
All the services and facilities are bound together by a unique hospitality concept, Vakkare, which places a sincere, proactive commitment to care at the core of its operations.
For reservations and general information, visit vakkarumaldives.com or contact reservations@vakkarumaldives.com.
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
-
News7 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
-
News1 week agoCentara Mirage Lagoon Maldives celebrates one year of family-focused hospitality
-
Celebration1 week agoVilla Park sets holiday line-up with sunset welcome, Santa visit and NYE gala
-
Celebration1 week agoMindful festive escape: Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa focuses on connection and renewal


