Featured
The Nautilus Foundation: Supporting Maldives’ growth, development
In remembrance of Dr Ibrahim Umar Maniku’s passing two years ago, The Nautilus Maldives has announced the launch of The Nautilus Foundation – an independent public charity dedicated to building paths for a better future by providing opportunities for education, growth and development.
This philanthropic initiative aims to create the scope for the people of the Maldives to reach their full potential, with innovative strategies that promote social development and leave lasting impacts.
Established in partnership with other companies created by Dr Maniku, the foundation supports the development of creative and brilliant minds. It will provide various scholarship and grant programmes for those seeking to excel in their fields. The charity organisation aims to expand economic opportunity, improve public health and inspire community engagement through fostering partnerships and building relationships.
The Nautilus Foundation honours the legacy of Dr Ibrahim Umar Maniku, a leader and pioneer. Dr Maniku was a mentor, a teacher, a father figure to many in the country, and a visionary who had the confidence and wherewithal to build what most would say is impossible. Never wavering from his vision of continuous development, Dr Maniku devoted much of his life to creating better opportunities in the Maldives. The foundation follows in his footsteps as they develop relationships with world-leading organisations, societal influencers and pioneering community groups who share the vision for continuous development.
The foundation’s focus lies in sectors that add value to the economy and will contribute to the societal development of the country, with a particular focus on the medical, education, hospitality, engineering, journalism and aviation sectors. In addition to providing financial assistance through scholarships and interest-free loans, the foundation will also provide beneficiaries with mentoring to allow beneficiaries to unleash their full potential.
With the ambition to develop both the existing fields in the country as well as the new areas, the foundation provides aid to those seeking further development, without any restriction based on their gender, age or background. The grantees are, in return, expected to add value to the economy by working within the Maldives and thus contributing to the country’s development.
Read more about The Nautilus Foundation and their philanthropy via thenautilusfoundation.mv
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has been nominated in the “Resort” category of the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026, one of the travel industry’s recognised measures of guest preference and brand standing.
Located in Raa Atoll, the resort is continuing to build its profile through its all-Club concept, service model and guest experiences shaped by both location and programme. As the Maldives’ first all-Club InterContinental resort, the property includes a set of signature benefits with each stay, including daily breakfast, afternoon tea and evening aperitif.
The resort features 81 beach, lagoon and overwater villas and residences, along with seven restaurants and bars. Its guest offering combines private accommodation with a range of tailored experiences, including manta ray encounters in the Maamunagau lagoon, customised Dining by Design experiences, visiting wellness practitioners and its Artist in Residence programme.
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is also positioned to serve both couples and families, through its family offering and adults-only Retreat enclave.
The nomination reflects continued recognition for a resort that combines service, experience-led programming and a natural setting within one of the Maldives’ established tourism atolls.
The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort has introduced its Family Fun Summer offer, aimed at families seeking longer island stays built around shared activities and rest. The offer is available for booking from 15 April to 15 June 2026, with a minimum stay of four nights for travel through to 20 December 2026.
Located within Baa Atoll, the Maldives’ first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort is positioning the offer around family wellness, marine experiences and time spent together in a natural island setting. Seasonal snorkelling with manta rays in Hanifaru Bay remains one of the area’s key attractions, while the resort’s collection of beach and overwater villas is designed to accommodate families looking for space and flexibility during their stay.
For larger families and groups, the resort also offers the two-bedroom Heavenly Beach Residence, which includes a living room, kitchen and dining area intended to support longer and more relaxed island stays.
The resort says the guest experience can be shaped around both activity and downtime, supported by Westin’s Sleep Well concept and Heavenly Bed. Children have access to the Westin Family Kids Club, which includes a children’s pool and pirate ship, while parents can make use of Heavenly Spa by Westin.
Away from the villa, the resort is also promoting shared family experiences through Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy activities focused on the culture and environment of Baa Atoll. These include traditional lacquer craft workshops, visits to local islands and guided marine activities in surrounding waters.
The Family Fun Summer package includes three meals per day, with children under 12 dining free of charge. It also includes a one-time dolphin cruise for two adults and two children, a 30-minute photography session with one printed photo, and a USD 150 resort credit.
Reethi Faru Resort has been recognised at the 2026 Haute Grandeur Global Excellence Awards, receiving honours in four categories: Best Beach Villa in Indian Ocean, Best Pool Villa in Indian Ocean, Best Eco-Friendly Resort in Maldives, and Best Sustainable Hotel in Maldives.
The awards recognise performance across villa accommodation and environmentally focused hospitality, reflecting the resort’s emphasis on guest experience alongside sustainability and environmental stewardship.
According to the resort, the recognition supports its positioning within the Maldives market as a property that combines natural surroundings, accommodation standards and responsible hospitality practices.
Located on Filaidhoo in Raa Atoll, Reethi Faru Resort features 145 villas, including beachfront and overwater accommodation designed in a style that combines Maldivian elements with contemporary comfort.
The resort’s food and beverage offering includes six restaurants and six bars, while its leisure facilities cover watersports, diving, yoga, spa treatments and fitness activities. Surrounded by coral reefs, the resort also offers guests access to marine-based experiences in the Indian Ocean.
Sustainability remains a central part of the resort’s operations, with initiatives that include coral reef restoration and guest experiences linked to environmental awareness.
Through its recognition at the 2026 Haute Grandeur Global Excellence Awards, Reethi Faru Resort has added to its profile as a Maldives resort with a focus on both accommodation standards and sustainability.
-
Featured1 week agoFour Seasons Resorts Maldives blend family travel with marine discovery
-
News1 week agoMandara Spa celebrates 30th anniversary with focus on Maldives growth
-
Featured1 week agoELE|NA expands sustainable wellness approach for World Earth Day
-
Featured1 week agoThe Nautilus Maldives brings back Ocean Discovery Week
-
News6 days agoRAH GILI MALDIVES secures EarthCheck Bronze Benchmark following opening
-
Featured3 days agoWestin Maldives Miriandhoo introduces Family Fun Summer package
-
News4 days agoThe Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands expands Summer Collective programme for 2026
-
Awards6 days agoGrand Park Kodhipparu retains Green Globe Certification for seventh year