Featured
Velaa Private Island Maldives unveils December festivities
Velaa Private Island Maldives, nestled within the constellation of islands that form the Noonu Atoll in Maldives, is set to become a magical place in the Indian Ocean from December 20, with a range of festive activities and exciting events.
The season will kick off with Velaa’s 9th Birthday Gala Cocktail Party and Gala Dinner, as guests toast to the beautiful island’s birthday and celebrate the night away with an outstanding performance by renowned French group, Charly’s Angels.
Celebrate Christmas island style
To mark Santa’s arrival, the resort will be hosting a Gingerbread House Opening Ceremony, where guests can snack on gingerbread cookies and mulled wine. The festivities continue with a Christmas Eve Cocktail Party at Avi Bar with masterfully mixed cocktails and delicious canapes. Athiri Restaurant will host the Christmas Eve Gala Dinner offering culinary favourites from around the world and traditional dishes, while Maksym Shorenkov plays festive tunes on the piano.
Santa will make an appearance and stop off at the island – coming bearing gifts for younger guests, as celebratory drinks are served for the adults. Family photos are of course a must before Santa continues his journey through The Maldives and beyond.
Start 2023 with a bang
On December 31, the island embraces the end of year festivities island style with a New Year’s Eve Cocktail Party, Gala Dinner and After-Party. With drinks starting at 8pm at Avi Bar, a spectacular gala dinner will be held on the tennis court, filled with gourmet temptations and amazing performances. From a star-studded line-up of artists, theatrical performances and an amazing ‘Katya’ experience, guests will dance into the first hours of 2023.
To welcome the New Year, guests can enjoy a relaxed beachfront brunch and contemplate new beginnings with an extensive array of lavish dishes from around the world. A special dinner on the beach will mark the first night of 2023, featuring international pop-up stations and live music from French singer, Emji.
Variety is the spice of life and our talented chefs will be taking you around the world from the comfort and beauty of The Maldives. From Sri Lanka, Italy, and South America, to Thailand, Singapore and Japan, Athiri and Aragu Signature Restaurants will take turns in delighting guests with tantalising feasts from other continents.
To keep both little and big kids busy, activities will be held every day to explore the island and keep hearts racing. With snorkelling adventures, padel tennis lessons, reformer Pilates, boxing, yoga and jet ski expeditions, there’s plenty to do between festive occasions.
Little ones will be entertained at the LHA Velaa Kids Club with Christmas-themed activities such as tree decorating, winter wonderland themed Banangrams and more. Between sport and creativity, the Club has an exciting activity planned every day for young guests – a moment where parents can enjoy some kid-free time.
With world-class entertainment and warm island spirit, Velaa Private Island is the perfect place to enjoy the festive period, indulge in the luxurious Velaa Spa, romantic dining experiences, water sports and so much more.
Awards
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau secures Readers’ Choice Awards nomination
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.
Featured
Westin Maldives Miriandhoo introduces Family Fun Summer package
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.
Awards
Reethi Faru Resort recognised in four categories at 2026 Haute Grandeur Awards
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.
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