Featured
Celebrate castaway Christmas, New Year at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives

Gili Lankanfushi Maldives, the pioneer of sustainable, barefoot luxury in the Maldives, unwraps its Christmas & New Year 2022/23 line up. From cricket on the beach to gingerbread water villa crafting and a series of festive feasts with all the trimmings, this island paradise is the ultimate location in which to spend the most wonderful time of the year.
The festive fun will centre around the theme ‘On the Borders of the Laccadive Sea’, drawing cultural inspiration from the Maldives and its neighbours India and Sri Lanka. Kicking off on the 22nd December 2022 all the way through to the 4th January 2023, the yuletide offerings include:
Festive fun in the Sun
Whether islanders prefer to get crafty or work up a sweat Santa-style, there’s fun in store for everyone at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives this season. Guests can sign up for a gingerbread house-making class with a difference as they recreate a Gili water villa in all its biscuity glory, whittle their own wooden decorations, and get into the festive mood with a special tree-lighting ceremony on the beach.
For those who favour active pursuits, a tennis match or a surf lesson with Santa Claus, cricket on the beach, snorkelling with turtles, a New Year’s Day dolphin cruise and a football tournament are all on offer. Little ones will revel in the opportunity to watch Christmas movies with their toes in the sand at Gili’s cinema under the stars, enjoy a spot of beachside story-telling and receive gifts delivered to their villa courtesy of Santa on a speedboat!
Cultural activities
Drawing on the rich culture of the three nations bordering the Laccadive Sea – the Maldives, India and Sri Lanka – Gili Lankanfushi will provide guests with the chance to fully immerse themselves in local customs.
Beginning with a Maldivian Maahifun tree-lighting ceremony traditionally used to mark the beginning of Ramadan, guests can also try their hand at Maldivian woodcraft, traditional fishing and rope macrame-making. Indian-inspired activities range from henna painting– a must for all celebrations! – to Kalaripayattu classes, one of the world’s oldest forms of martial arts, originating in Kerala. Little ones will love the Fenkulhi after-dinner experience, a playful activity in which water and coloured dye are thrown at one another.
Sri-Lankan influences include curry-making classes utilising homegrown spices from the island’s very own kitchen garden, a ‘Tea in Ceylon’ masterclass and a Sri Lankan wine-tasting session in Gili’s private wine cellar.
Christmas cocktails, culinary delights
Gili Lankanfushi will offer a range of very special ‘bucket list on the beach’ gastronomic experiences to help guests celebrate in style this Christmas. Foodies will be spoilt for choice with offerings ranging from a pan-Laccadive curry feast to a Mediterranean spice souk bazaar and, of course, a family-style Christmas feast with toes in the sand! And for the guest who has tasted it all (until now!) Gili Lankanfushi’s sensory supper will see diners transported to a secret island location for a blind-dining experience.
It wouldn’t be Christmastime at Gili without a captivating new cocktail menu from Gili’s leading mixologists and three new tipples promise to tantalise all tastebuds. These include:
- Ceylon Siyabala: Straight from the hills of Ceylon, the Sri Lankan-inspired ‘Ceylon Siyabala’ combines Arrack and Drambuie with zingy tamarind, lime and ginger to create the perfect refreshing sip – perfect for cooling down on hot beach days.
- Taj Mahal: Hailing from India, the ‘Taj Mahal’ blends curry leaf-infused gin with grand marnier, turmeric, ginger, lemon, apple and agave, providing a flavour sensation in a glass.
- Taaza Kurumba: Inspired by its Maldivian home turf, the ‘Taaza Kurumba’ is a creamy concoction of coconut rum, midori, Malibu, coconut and pineapple. If you could distill the essence of Gili Lankanfushi, this would be it!
Gili Lankanfushi enjoys an unspoilt island location in the Maldives’ North Malé Atoll, just 20 minutes by speedboat from Malé Airport. Perfectly suited for couples, families, solo travellers and groups alike, the resort combines rustic eco-design, unparalleled service and stunning natural scenery with a laid-back-luxury, ‘no news, no shoes’ philosophy. The award-winning eco-resort celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2022, following a complete refurbishment of all 45 villas in 2019.
Nightly rates at Gili Lankanfushi start from $1,397, based on two adults sharing a Villa Suite with breakfast included. For more information or to book please visit www.gili-lankanfushi.com
Featured
Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives unveils ‘Love in the Lagoon’ underwater proposal experience

Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives has introduced ‘Love in the Lagoon’, an exclusive underwater proposal experience that redefines romance in the Maldives. Designed to make life’s most significant moments truly unforgettable, the offering invites couples to declare their love beneath the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.
The experience features an underwater setting elegantly adorned to create the ideal backdrop for a proposal. Certified instructors guide couples through the dive, ensuring a safe and memorable experience suitable for both beginners and seasoned divers.
Adding a creative flourish, the ring presentation is thoughtfully arranged to enhance the occasion, while a professional photo and video team captures each moment, both above and below the surface.
The celebration continues with a private dinner for two — set either by the beach or pool — complemented by a bottle of sparkling wine to mark the beginning of a lifelong journey together.
Through ‘Love in the Lagoon’, Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives seamlessly blends adventure, sophistication, and romance to offer an extraordinary proposal experience unlike any other.
Drink
Liu Bolin and Maison Ruinart bring artistic alchemy to The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands has announced a landmark residency that brings together two cultural icons – acclaimed Chinese performance artist and photographer Liu Bolin, known as The Invisible Man, and Maison Ruinart, the world’s first established Champagne house and a long-standing patron of the arts. Taking place from 27 to 30 November, the collaboration will offer guests a rare opportunity to experience live performances, curated art exhibitions, exclusive Ruinart Champagne tastings, and immersive dining experiences, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Maldivian archipelago.
Renowned for his thought-provoking camouflage installations that explore humanity’s relationship with its surroundings, Liu Bolin will stage a live artistic performance on the shores of the Fari Islands. Continuing his creative partnership with Maison Ruinart, the collaboration reflects a shared dialogue between nature, culture, and craftsmanship, in harmony with The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands’ philosophy of meaningful connection through art and environment.
The residency opens on 27 November at the resort’s architectural showpiece, EAU Bar, with a Ruinart takeover featuring a bespoke bar installation and two large-scale artworks from Bolin’s Ruinart commission. The opening evening will include an intimate live rehearsal by the artist — a prelude to his main performance on 30 November — complemented by a Ruinart Hour Champagne reception with creatively paired canapés.
An immersive exhibition of ten artworks, including Bolin’s Reveal the Invisible series, will be unveiled at The Estate, the resort’s signature private villa. During the residency, guests will have the opportunity to join a salon-style conversation and participate in a creative workshop hosted by Bolin himself.
Across three days, the collaboration will present a series of champagne-led tastings and culinary pairings inspired by the intersection of art and gastronomy.
On 28 November, the Beach Shack restaurant will host an exclusive tasting of Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2010 and 2013, followed by a Ruinart Artist Dinner featuring dishes inspired by Bolin’s camouflage aesthetics. Menu highlights will include Fine De Claire oysters with salted cucumber and Oscietra caviar, paired with Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Second Skin; Maldivian octopus with roasted cauliflower purée and passion fruit reduction, paired with Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2010; and Sea Bass with Japanese sea urchin, accompanied by Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2009.
On 29 November, guests will join Bolin at The Estate for a hands-on workshop painting Ruinart’s eco-designed second skins, followed by a tasting of Ruinart Rosé and Dom Ruinart Rosé 2009. The evening will continue at Summer Pavilion, the resort’s Cantonese restaurant, featuring an exceptional pairing of Ruinart Champagnes with refined regional dishes such as Chaozhou-cured abalone and sea cucumber, Hong Kong-style king crab, and the ‘Big Red Robe’ soft serve with crème brûlée.
On 30 November, the final day of the residency, guests will be invited to a reflective dialogue and book signing with Liu Bolin, followed by a final Ruinart tasting exploring Dom Ruinart 2010 and Dom Rosé 2009. The series will culminate in Bolin’s live painted performance during the resort’s signature Defining Moment ritual at EAU Bar — a performance to be immortalised in a photographic artwork for future exhibitions.
EAU Bar, framed by the forces of wind and sea, provides a fitting setting for Liu Bolin’s concluding performance. As the sun dips below the horizon, the resort’s Defining Moment ritual — a daily celebration featuring traditional Maldivian Bodu Beru drums and a fire-lighting ceremony — will form the backdrop for Bolin’s act of disappearance. Painted to merge seamlessly with the surrounding seascape, the artist will dissolve into the colours of the Indian Ocean, embodying his central message about the fragile relationship between humanity and nature. The fleeting spectacle will capture a suspended moment where art, landscape, and identity converge.
“The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands has always stood as a destination for transformative experiences,” said Oscar Postma, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands. “Welcoming Liu Bolin and Maison Ruinart to our shores elevates this vision, uniting contemporary art, cultural dialogue, and exceptional gastronomy in one of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural settings.”
Awards
The Nautilus Maldives honoured in 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Awards

In an increasingly fast-paced world, The Nautilus Maldives stands as a sanctuary where time slows and moments linger — a place that continues to capture the attention of discerning travellers. This haven of unhurried living has once again been recognised in the 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, as voted by readers in both the United Kingdom and the United States.
The accolade reaffirms the island’s quiet ability to enchant. With just 26 exclusive ocean and beach houses, The Nautilus offers complete privacy and a philosophy built entirely around individual freedom. Dining is available whenever a guest desires, and experiences unfold as inspiration strikes. A secluded sandbank transforms into a private dining room, and the Maldivian night sky becomes a stage for endless wonder.
“To be recognised again by Condé Nast Traveler’s readers is deeply meaningful,” said Adan Gomez, General Manager of The Nautilus Maldives. “Our guests come seeking beauty, but what they discover and cherish is freedom — the freedom to design their own rhythm and to create moments that are theirs alone.”
At The Nautilus, luxury is defined as liberation. Guests may drift through the UNESCO-protected waters of Baa Atoll, indulge in a Solasta Spa ritual without time limits, or share vintage champagne beneath a canopy of stars. Each stay unfolds as a personal narrative — unscripted, unhurried, and unforgettable.
Now in its thirty-eighth year, the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards remain among the most respected distinctions in global travel. The results, drawn exclusively from readers’ experiences and opinions, continue to represent one of the industry’s most prestigious marks of excellence.
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