Featured
Minor Hotels announces first Avani branded property in Maldives bringing laid-back luxury to Baa Atoll
Minor Hotels’ Avani brand will make its Maldives debut with the opening of Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort in early Q2 2023. Located in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the resort will be Minor’s sixth property in the country, increasing the hotel owner, operator and investors currently present in this paradisiacal setting.
The first hotel opening in this highly coveted area of the Maldives for more than three years, the arrival of Avani+ Fares in the ubiquitous Baa Atoll will shake up the hospitality landscape. A stunning new private island resort, Avani+ Fares will offer all the attention to detail, experiences and unparalleled service that one would expect of a premium Maldivian escape without the ostentation.
A new-build property on a natural tropical island showcasing the very best that Avani has to offer, Avani+ Fares will be home to a variety of accommodation options. From beach pool villas and four-bedroom beach pavilions to picture perfect three-bedroom over water villas sitting across the island’s large turquoise bay, the accommodation will offer a stylish modern sanctuary, maximising breezy spaces and ergonomic lighting, as well as tech focused amenities to suit the needs of the most discerning guest. Avani+ Fares will appeal to couples, families and friends with an array of dining, fitness, water sport recreation and pampering spa treatments.

Resting on a naturally protected island on the western edge of Baa Atoll, the resort will provide easy access to the world renowned Hanifaru Bay, home to what is regarded as the Indian Ocean’s best biodiversity and underwater ecosystem and one of the best places to see manta rays. With twelve individual dive sites off the beach at Fares, divers are spoilt for choice. In addition, guests will have access to the Avani house reef, a 220-metre reef teeming with marine life including turtles and dolphins and the nearby Fares reef which is 600 metres off the shore.
One of the stunning islands that make up the Maldivian archipelago, Fares boasts a 2.6-kilometre lagoon in front of the island, offering privacy and serenity as well as playing host to an abundance of reefs and marine life and of course serving as the backdrop for incredible sunsets. Due to the perfect positioning at the edge of the atoll, the resort enjoys zero light pollution for unforgettable stargazing. A picturesque paradise of stunning turquoise waters and white sandy beaches, Avani+ Fares Maldives is only a 35-minute journey by seaplane from Velana International Airport.

Throughout their stay, guests will be treated to a wide selection of Maldivian and international-inspired cuisines at each of the seven restaurants, in addition to private beach and in-villa dining. Each aims to expand guests’ taste horizons with a variety of choices to push the boundaries of island dining whilst minimising carbon footprint with seasonal ingredients. Organic produce will be sourced from the resort’s mini farm and catch of the day delivered daily by local fishermen. Young guests will have the run of the first kids-only restaurant in the Maldives serving nutritious, universally loved food.

AvaniFit’s new gym concept keeps guests in tip top condition offering fitness programmes designed in partnership with a high-performance coach. Those seeking to bliss out and indulge in some pampering can hide away from the world in style at AvaniSpa, which will offer various rejuvenating treatments alongside thoughtful wellness options. AvaniKids provides everything to keep children and teens happy and entertained so adult guests can enjoy some ‘me’ time.
“The arrival of Avani+ Fares in the Maldives meets a growing niche in demand for guests seeking alternatives to traditional luxury by providing a contemporary new offering, enabling a wider audience to experience one of the world’s most exclusive destinations,” said William Costley, Minor Hotels’ Senior Vice President of Operations for Asia. “Avani+ Fares will continue to highlight Avani as a trailblazing hotel brand, filling a gap in the Maldivian hotel landscape and delivering exceptional products in a fresh and accessible manner.”
Between swimming, snorkelling and diving at the protected house reef and discovering the island’s native flora, guests can fully enjoy a slice of paradise steeped in biodiversity and natural beauty.
Featured
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa unveils family-focused Family Fun Summer package
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa has introduced its Family Fun Summer offer, a family-focused package designed to encourage guests to spend time together through dining, leisure and recreational activities in a private island setting.
Located 15 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the resort is offering the package as a year-round experience, despite its summer branding. The programme is intended for families seeking a stay that combines accommodation, meals and activities in a single offering.
The experience includes daily breakfast at Feast, where guests can access buffet selections for adults and children. Lunch is served as a three-course beachside meal, while evenings include buffet dinners, à la carte options and access to the resort’s speciality restaurants.
As part of the package, adult guests receive a USD 45 dining credit per night, which can be used at selected outlets including Baan Thai and Sea Salt. The offer is designed to expand dining options within the resort’s full board arrangement.
The package also includes activities aimed at different age groups. Children have access to the Sheraton Adventure Club, while families can take part in pool activities, water sports, sunset dolphin cruises and guided snorkelling excursions.
For guests seeking wellness experiences, Shine Spa for Sheraton offers a range of treatments, with the package including 15 per cent savings on selected services. The resort has also introduced a spa experience designed for parent and child. Additional recreational options include sunrise beach yoga, as well as access to tennis and football facilities.
Other inclusions within the offer include a complimentary family photoshoot and dining benefits for children when eating with their parents.
Family Fun Summer is available for booking until 15 June 2026, for stays through to 20 December 2026. Through the package, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is presenting a family-oriented resort experience centred on dining, recreation and shared time together.
Featured
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau to mark Mother’s Day with wellness and dining offerings
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has announced a Mother’s Day programme centred on wellness, dining and family experiences, offering guests a range of activities designed to mark the occasion in Raa Atoll.
Set within the resort’s island setting, the programme will feature a series of experiences aimed at encouraging families to spend time together through relaxation, dining and shared activities.
At AVI Spa, the Mother’s Day offering will include signature treatments focused on rest and balance. Guests will also have access to holistic sessions led by visiting practitioner Dr Afsana Aradhana Ghyas, whose work focuses on integrative wellbeing and emotional balance.
Dining experiences will form a central part of the programme. These will include floating breakfasts served in private villas, interactive cooking sessions with the resort’s chefs, and private dining experiences ranging from sunset beach dinners to sandbank dining under the stars.
The resort will also offer family-focused activities for the occasion. These will include craft sessions for children, ocean-inspired guided art activities and a family photoshoot intended to capture the day’s experiences.
Through the Mother’s Day programme, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is presenting a combination of wellness, dining and family activities shaped around personal and shared experiences in a resort setting.
Drink
W Maldives unveils The Wavemaker Edit with global talent collaborations
W Maldives has launched The Wavemaker Edit, a new ongoing series of curated collaborations with international talent, aimed at introducing a range of guest experiences across mixology, wellness, cuisine and music.
The series is designed as a rotating programme, with each edition bringing a different creative perspective to the resort. According to W Maldives, the initiative is intended to create a continuing calendar of experiences that combine social, cultural and wellness-led elements.
The first edition of The Wavemaker Edit will run from 3 to 14 June 2026 and will feature two themed chapters, titled Island Alchemy and The Restore Ritual.
Island Alchemy will focus on mixology. On 3 June, Kwok will lead a guest shift at SIP, presenting three cocktails that explore contrast and balance, including a bespoke creation inspired by the Maldives. The collaboration will continue on 6 June at WET Deck, where a poolside day party will feature a curated cocktail menu.
The second chapter, The Restore Ritual, will centre on wellness and movement in recognition of Global Wellness Day. Led by Mumbai-based yoga and movement educator Samiksha Shetty, the programme will include sessions focused on breathwork, mindfulness and alignment-based practice.
The wellness programme will include Sunset Yoga sessions at FIRE Beach on 12 and 14 June, as well as a morning meditation session at AWAY Spa on 13 June. The main event within this chapter will take place on 13 June, when guests will be able to join a Sunset Yoga session aboard the Horizon Yacht. This bookable experience will also include healthy refreshments and a 60-minute massage at AWAY Spa.
W Maldives said future editions of The Wavemaker Edit will expand into culinary, music and art-led experiences under a number of themed series, including Flavors Unscripted, Sound Wave and Make A Scene.
Commenting on the launch, General Manager Amila Handunwala said the initiative reflects the resort’s approach to continuously evolving the guest experience through collaborations with international talent.
W Maldives is positioning the series as part of its broader effort to offer more structured and experience-led programming for guests. In addition, the resort is promoting its Original Wavemaker package, which includes seaplane transfers and a half-board meal plan for two adults with a minimum stay of four nights.
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