Featured
Vakkaru Maldives named World’s Leading Luxury Honeymoon Resort for third consecutive year
Multi-award-winning island sanctuary, Vakkaru Maldives, was recently named the World’s Leading Luxury Honeymoon Resort at the 29th World Travel Awards for the third consecutive year. Ever since it opened, it has become the romantic escape every honeymooner dreams off – a private island paradise where you can swim in turquoise waters, lounge on powdery-soft white sand beaches and sip a cocktail while looking out over the horizon. The latest accolade only proves that the resort has all the right ingredients for a dreamy honeymoon, a destination wedding, or even a renewal of vows.
You get the first glimpse of your romantic getaway as the seaplane descends towards “island of coconuts” in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Tiffany-blue waters gently lap at soft diamond-white sands. Groves of coconut trees surrounded by verdant tropical foliage form the core of this reef island. At the western end, a half-moon of thatched villas juts into the shallow lagoon, curving around one of the blue holes. It truly is heaven on earth.
The 113 villas and residences, whether on the beach or over the water, all offer complete privacy. For honeymooners, the One Bedroom Overwater Pool Residence designed for next-level indulgence is the perfect choice with its private infinity pool with splendid views of the endless ocean and sunset, separate living room and luxurious space for rest and relaxation. It is stocked with all the requisites for a luxe vacay, from an espresso machine, luxury bath amenities, bicycles, and yoga mats. A private butler takes care of any whims and fancies.
The resort has five alfresco restaurants, two bars, a wine cellar, and Merana, the opulent overwater spa, because you have to eat, drink and spa in between looking into each other’s eyes. Additionally, other romantic dining experiences can be customised as per the couple’s request – by the beach, on the secluded sandbank, in your villa, on a luxury yacht, or even in the middle of the jungle and in the Organic Garden.
The luxurious overwater Merana Spa with its extensive menu of pampering treatments is the ideal place for couples to refresh and rejuvenate. Spa time can also be combined with a relaxing sound healing session or just unwinding in the outdoor relaxation area.
While leaving your luxury villa might be hard, the extensive list of experiences the resort offers is hard to ignore. Couples can team to take on the resort tennis pro on the iconic cobalt-blue courts or enjoy the exhilarating options available at Splash water sports centre, including parasailing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, PADI dive excursions and a discovery tour of the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, aboard a luxury yacht.
Elated at the hat trick win this year, Iain McCormack, General Manager, Vakkaru Maldives, said: “We are honoured to be named the world’s leading resorts for honeymooning couples for the third consecutive year. This award adds to our long list of accolades at World Travel Awards, including Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort and Indian Ocean’s and Maldives’ Leading Suite for the Vakkaru Overwater Residence. It’s a recognition that affirms our status and position in the industry, which means so much to us because it’s a direct reflection of our dedication to creating exceptional experiences for our guests.”
“To celebrate this great milestone, we invite all our in-house guests to join our awards party and share in our immense joy and gratitude for all the support we have received from our loyal guests over the years,” he added.
Experience timeless romance on this island paradise with our special “Idyllic Romance Package” designed for honeymooners or couples seeking to reconnect. Starting from US$1,322++ per night for a minimum stay of five nights, you can enjoy heavenly culinary experiences, adventurous excursions and pampering spa treatments designed for you and your loved one.
For more information, contact reservations@vakkarumaldives.com or visit vakkarumaldives.com.
Action
Eri Maldives offers accessible reef diving and snorkelling
Eri Maldives is located within the waters of North Malé Atoll and is surrounded by a house reef accessible to both beginner and experienced divers. With four direct reef entry points and shore access, the resort offers opportunities for snorkelling, introductory dives and certified diving.
The house reef supports a range of marine life, including white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, hawksbill turtles, mobula rays and spotted eagle rays, as well as schools of reef fish. The accessibility of the reef allows guests to explore the area over multiple days, providing opportunities to observe marine behaviour and habitats over time.
Turtle encounters
Hawksbill turtles are among the most frequently observed species on the reef. The resort’s dive team has identified 14 individual turtles, each recognised by shell patterns and physical features. These include turtles known as Rosie, Cara and Anna, which have been documented through repeated sightings.
The resort maintains records of these turtles, allowing returning guests to identify individuals over time. Guests may also contribute to this initiative by naming newly identified turtles that have not previously been recorded.
Manta ray season
From December to April, manta rays are known to visit cleaning stations at Bodu Hithi Thila, located approximately one hour by boat from the resort. During this period, ocean conditions support plankton flows that attract mantas to the area, where they can be observed feeding or visiting cleaning stations.
Night diving experiences
Night snorkelling and diving activities provide a different perspective on reef activity. Species such as reef sharks, trevallies, moray eels and nurse sharks become more active after dark, offering guests the opportunity to observe nocturnal marine behaviour.
At Eri Maldives, marine experiences form a central part of the guest offering, with the house reef providing consistent opportunities for exploration. The resort’s dive programme is designed to support repeated interaction with the marine environment, allowing guests to experience a range of underwater activity throughout their stay.
Accommodation is available in studio and beach villa categories, with full board packages offered for direct bookings, subject to availability.
Featured
The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives collaborates with Maldivian artist Ahmed Aleem
The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives, Autograph Collection has announced a collaboration with Ahmed Aleem Shakoor, who is currently in residence at the resort, introducing a creative element to the guest experience.
Aleem, a self-taught artist, is known for work that combines maritime themes, surrealism and symbolism. His practice spans watercolours, acrylics and mixed media, drawing inspiration from the Maldives’ history and ocean landscapes, often expressed through the use of light, depth and narrative.
During his residency, Aleem is working with the resort to develop a series of artistic and cultural experiences aimed at engaging guests. These include live painting sessions, informal interactions with the artist and workshops designed to encourage creative participation.
The programme forms part of the resort’s wider activities, with offerings such as mini canvas painting, coconut painting and creative art sessions available to guests. In addition, Tales Painted in Sunlight combines elements of Maldivian folklore, storytelling and visual art, providing further insight into local culture.
The collaboration reflects the resort’s approach to incorporating local artistic talent into its programming, while offering guests opportunities to engage with creative activities in a relaxed setting. The residency is designed to allow guests to explore artistic expression as part of their island experience.
As part of its seasonal programme, selected artistic activities are also included in the resort’s Easter offerings, providing additional opportunities for guests to take part in creative experiences during their stay.
Awards
Amilla Maldives wins ‘Most OutThere Initiative’ award for Inclusive Travel
Amilla Maldives has been named a joint winner in the Most OutThere Initiative in Inclusive Travel category at the Experientialist Awards 2026, following a Highly Commended recognition in the same category in 2025.
The Experientialist Awards recognise organisations shaping travel through inclusivity, individuality and design, with the inclusive travel category highlighting initiatives that address not only accessibility, but also how journeys are experienced by guests.
At Amilla Maldives, accessibility is integrated into the overall guest experience. The resort adopts an approach that begins at the planning stage and continues throughout the stay, with a focus on understanding individual guest needs and adapting experiences accordingly.
Aligned with its In Harmony with Purpose philosophy, the resort has introduced a range of measures aimed at improving accessibility. These include villa features designed for ease of use, accessible pathways across the island and adaptive experiences such as inclusive snorkelling and wellness sessions.
As an IncluCare Verified resort, Amilla Maldives continues to develop its offering through feedback and collaboration, with the aim of enhancing inclusivity across its operations.
Commenting on the recognition, Morgan Martinello said the resort remains focused on creating travel experiences that feel natural and accessible. He noted that the continued recognition reflects the resort’s ongoing efforts to improve inclusivity.
The award from OutThere, a platform focused on diversity and inclusion in travel, marks a further step in the resort’s efforts to create accessible and inclusive guest experiences.
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