Featured
Banyan Tree Group announces ‘Your Story, Our Stage’ campaign for couples
Whether you are celebrating your honeymoon and beginning a new chapter of life or rekindling the passion with a nostalgic epilogue, the Banyan Tree Group is ushering in the winter season of 2022 with an irresistible offer for couples across its diverse portfolio of brands.
The “Your Story, Our Stage” campaign launching on November 8 2022, offers 25% off best available rates and Food & Beverage, savings of up to 20% on A La Carte Spa treatments and complimentary amenities and a bottle of wine in your villa upon arrival. This romantic promotion will be offered by all 3 resorts of the Banyan Tree Group in Maldives, each island lending its distinctive atmosphere and experiences to truly elevate your stay.
Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, one of the group’s pioneer properties is also home to the very first resort based marine conservation lab in the Maldives. Located only 25 minutes from the Velana International Airport by speedboat, Vabbinfaru is comprised of 48 charming villas, each equipped with a private pool and jacuzzi. Ignite your passion during your stay with a romantic destination dinner or pamper yourself with an invigorating yoga session guided by our expert well-being practitioners.
Although Angsana Ihuru is a mere 2 minutes away by speedboat from Vabbinfaru, this All-Inclusive resort is worlds apart in terms of ambiance and spirit. All 45 of the stylish villas have direct access to the beach and the house reef which lies only 10 meters from the shore. Blessed with a phenomenal house reef and their own shipwreck ‘Rannamaari’, Ihuru is a true paradise for avid divers and snorkelers to kickstart their adrenaline. For an uplifting end to the day, recharge yourself with a signature couple massage at the world-renowned Angsana Spa. Guests are encouraged to utilise the complimentary ferry between the islands to appreciate the unique offerings of both Angsana Ihuru and Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru.
Perched on a private lagoon in the South Nilandhe Atoll and just a 40-minute seaplane journey from Velana International Airport, Angsana Velavaru is a perfect island destination playground – offering a variety of All-Inclusive Packages, designed to cater for different characters of holiday makers. You are spoiled for choice at Velavaru, with 101 activities available to partake in. Must have experiences include the enchanting sunset cruise and a romantic dinner at signature over water restaurant Funa where you can savour delectable Pan-Asian cuisine with a stunning view of the lagoon. A stay in the In-Ocean Pool Villas located separately from the main island is perfect for a truly unique intimate getaway.
The “Your Story, Our Stage” offer will run through November 8 to December 9 2022 and stays at the resorts can be taken any time until November 30 2023.
For reservations and more information about the offers, please visit:
Your Story, Our Stage | Banyan Tree
Action
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa to stage 14th edition of Surfing Champions Trophy
The Indian Ocean provides consistent surf conditions throughout the year, but each September, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa hosts the Surfing Champions Trophy at the Sultans break. The event is scheduled to return from 4 to 11 September 2026, bringing together professional surfers, guests and spectators.
Now in its 14th edition, the Surfing Champions Trophy is an invitation-only event featuring professional surfers competing across three board disciplines: single fin, twin fin and thruster. The competition takes place at Sultans, a reef break in North Malé Atoll, with Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa serving as the base for participants, officials and attending guests.
The line-up for the 2026 edition will be announced in stages in the coming months.
The event was first held in 2011, with Mark Occhilupo winning all three divisions and the Grand Champions Final. Since then, previous winners have included Damien Hardman (2012), Taylor Knox (2013), Dave Rastovich (2014), Shane Dorian (2015), Taj Burrow (2016, 2017 and 2024), Josh Kerr (2018 and 2019), Kelly Slater (2022), and Joel Parkinson (2023).
Over the years, the competition has also featured a range of international surfers, including Carissa Moore, Maya Gabeira, Tom Curren, Rob Machado, Layne Beachley, Bethany Hamilton, Mikey February, Jeremy Flores and Jadson Andre.
The 2025 edition saw Tahitian surfer Michel Bourez secure victory despite sustaining a hamstring injury during the event. He won both the thruster division and the Grand Champions Final, achieving the only perfect score of the competition in the closing moments of the final. Other participants included Owen Wright, Jesse Mendes, Craig Anderson and Maldivian wildcard Ismail Rasheed.
In parallel with the event, the resort offers the “Surf’s Up” package, which includes coaching sessions with Tropicsurf professionals, guided surf trips, daily yoga sessions, spa treatments, and accommodation with transfers. The package is available to guests seeking to participate in surf-related activities during the event period.
Updates on the 2026 competition, including participant announcements, will be released through official channels of the Surfing Champions Trophy and Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa.
Action
JOALI brings England football legend Fara Williams to Maldives
JOALI has announced a partnership with retired footballer Fara Williams, who will visit JOALI Maldives and JOALI BEING this April to lead a series of football-related activities for guests and the local community.
Fara Williams is among the most capped players in English football history, with 172 international appearances for the England women’s national team. Over the course of her career, she represented clubs including Chelsea and Charlton Athletic, and captained Everton to victory in the Premier League Cup in 2008 and the FA Women’s Cup in 2010.
As part of the initiative, Williams will host a football workshop for girls from Dhuvaafaru Island on 11 April 2026. The session is intended to support the development of women’s football in the Maldives and reflects JOALI’s engagement with communities in Raa Atoll.
In addition, family-focused football sessions will be held for resort guests on 13 April at JOALI Maldives and on 17 April at JOALI BEING. These sessions will provide children and families with the opportunity to participate in football activities guided by Williams.
JOALI Maldives offers villas starting from USD 3,256 per night for two guests sharing a Water Villa with Pool on a bed and breakfast basis. At JOALI BEING, villas start from USD 3,162 per night for two guests sharing an Ocean Pool Villa on a bed and breakfast basis.
Featured
Grand Park Kodhipparu to host lunar-themed experiences in May
Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives has unveiled Moon Over Kodhipparu, a month-long programme of curated lunar-inspired experiences scheduled to take place throughout May 2026. Drawing on the natural rhythm of the moon, the resort invites guests to experience the Maldives through a series of immersive activities designed to foster connection to self, others, and the surrounding island environment.
Set against the Indian Ocean, the programme structures each significant lunar phase as a distinct experiential segment. The Flower Full Moon at the beginning of the month introduces a theme of renewal, with activities including guided sound healing sessions, sunset cruises that extend into moonlit lagoon journeys, and oceanfront dining experiences.
Midway through the month, the Super New Moon presents a contrasting focus on stillness and reflection. Guests are invited to participate in beachside wellness sessions, starlit cruises under dark skies, and night fishing experiences guided by the natural rhythm of the sea.
The programme concludes with the Blue Moon on 31 May, marked by a series of experiences centred on celebration and connection, including couples’ spa treatments, lagoon cruises, and curated dining experiences under moonlight.
In addition to these key lunar events, the programme runs throughout May with a range of experiences integrated into the resort offering. Evening options include private beach lounge settings illuminated by lanterns, alongside a selection of botanical cocktails reflecting the changing tones of the night sky. The resort also offers tailored private dining and proposal arrangements, as well as a Mother’s Day concept that enables guests to arrange personalised experiences for travelling family members.
The programme reflects a broader trend in luxury travel towards experience-led stays. At Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives, this is reflected through the integration of wellness, dining, and ocean-based activities into a structured programme designed to create continuity across the guest experience.
Guests are able to access the programme through the resort’s “Night on Us” offer, available for bookings made until 30 April 2026. The offer includes two complimentary nights on a six-night stay, allowing guests additional time to engage with multiple phases of the programme. It is valid for stays through 31 October 2026.
Located approximately 20 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives offers overwater villas, a house reef, and a range of curated experiences that reflect the natural and cultural setting of the Maldives.
Through Moon Over Kodhipparu, the resort continues to expand its experience offering by aligning guest activities with natural cycles and structured programming.
-
Action1 week agoSix Senses Kanuhura participates in international COASTS Project on blue carbon ecosystems
-
Cooking1 week agoAnantara Veli Maldives continues Michelin guest chef series with female lineup
-
Action1 week agoBaros Maldives introduces ‘Lines of Respect’ fishing programme
-
News1 week agoSun Siyam Iru Veli introduces new treatments at Ocean Spa
-
News1 week agoReethi Faru Resort joins global Earth Hour campaign with conservation efforts
-
Awards1 week agoVilla Park recognised with CHECK24 Top Hotel Award
-
Cooking1 week agoNH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort launches Caravela dining concept
-
News1 week agodusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives observes Earth Hour with sustainability efforts


