Featured
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives presents dream island escape for festive season

For those looking to embrace the holidays in a picturesque paradise, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands offers an ideal getaway nestled along white beach cove and set above azure waters in the North Malé Atoll. Located in the coveted Fari Islands, the Indian Ocean retreat is gifting guests with the perfect luxury experience for all the senses this festive season, from a gourmet trail through the holidays, luxurious villa living for both couples and families, to seasonal activities to suit every travel tribe such as diving, tennis, fly yoga, or celestial spa indulgence with Bamford.
For epicures, a journey of gourmet treats will include culinary offerings across the destination’s picturesque dining venues at the helm of Executive Chef Glen Cooper. On December 22, guests can sip on Sangu Sundowners for the lighting of the festive tree in the sleek setting of the Eau Bar. Celebratory gastronomy will mark the holiday season and will feature a decadent series of dining experiences, from lobster feasts under the stars, champagne and whisky dinners at the Tasting Room, Teppanyaki & Sake dinners at the IWAU Japanese restaurant, and a secluded dining experience on a nearby sandbank surrounded by the Indian Ocean.
For travelers looking to reset and recharge, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, features a holistic menu of treatments and speciality wellness offerings from Bamford. Guests can indulge during various workshops such as the power of crystal healing, facial Gua Sha and restorative massage techniques to realign this holiday season. While in the Mystique Garden, sunrise yoga can be practiced at the foot of the resort’s 98-foot-tall banyan tree or guests can participate in aerial yoga.
Immersing in nature is essential at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, and with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment programme, the resort’s marine naturalists will host an array of activities with the preservation of the planet at its core. From diving the reefs and seeing marine life surrounding the resort, activities are available for all levels and include night snorkelling and the unique opportunity to be part of a regional-first conservation technology project to monitor ocean plastics in the Maldives using drones.
For junior guests, Santa Claus will arrive in a festive surprise to greet families on Christmas Day, followed by a magical parade through the Mystique Garden. Daily festive workshops will include gingerbread house decorating, dream catcher making, and lively treasure hunts. Leaving his legacy for the holidays, Santa’s Workshop will keep children aged four to twelve entertained at the Indian Ocean’s first Ritz Kids as kids will love this futuristic indoor-outdoor space including playgrounds, napping pods, an area for video games and movies, and a pool with jets and slides.
The Embrace the Festive Season package starts from $5,100 USD + tax per night, valid from the 18th December 2022 – 9th January 2023 and includes:
- Luxury accommodation in a Villa category of choice for a minimum of seven nights
- Welcome amenities
- Daily breakfast at La Locanda
- 24-hour island butler service
- Festive Dining:
- Christmas Eve Dinner on December 24, 2022
- Christmas Day Brunch on December 25, 2022
- New Year’s Eve Dinner on December 31, 2022
- Orthodox Christmas Eve Dinner on January 6, 2023
- Festive season activities
- A selection of non-motorized water sports experiences including: SUP, Kayak, Windsurfing and Catamaran
- Return transfer by luxury speedboat
For more information on The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands and reservations enquiries, please visitritzcarlton.com/Maldives
Featured
SO/ Maldives unveils restorative wellness journey with Holistic Healer Karan Kumar

SO/ Maldives, the avant-garde private island retreat nestled in the Emboodhoo Lagoon, has announced a deeply restorative wellness journey for the wet season. This immersive experience is spearheaded by renowned Certified Holistic Healer, Karan Kumar, in collaboration with the resort’s resident wellness team.
Located just 15 minutes by speedboat from Malé International Airport, SO/ Maldives blends high fashion with holistic living, offering a bold and stylish take on island luxury. The resort comprises 80 individually designed villas—ranging from beachfront sanctuaries to overwater havens—all boasting panoramic views, complete privacy, and vibrant marine surroundings. Every element of the property is curated to appeal to modern travelers seeking indulgence, creativity, and connection.
At the heart of the resort lies the SO/ Wellness Camp, a sanctuary where cutting-edge design meets nature to provide a transformative escape. More than a traditional spa, this tranquil retreat delivers a full-body and mind experience. Guests are invited to unwind in contemporary, organic-inspired treatment rooms featuring amenities such as a Vichy rainforest shower, steam and sauna rooms, and a state-of-the-art fitness center with sweeping ocean views. The spa’s architectural design is inspired by the gentle movement of water and the island’s natural contours, creating a space that is simultaneously grounding and ethereal.
Central to the wellness offering is a curated selection of therapies that balance ancient practices with modern innovation. Programming includes sound therapy using full moon singing bowls, high-tech facials that combine astrology with skincare, and other bespoke rituals designed to restore and inspire. Whether seeking deep relaxation or a revitalizing boost, SO/ Spa offers guests a chance to reconnect with themselves in an environment that’s as stylish as it is serene.
As part of this season’s programming, guests can access personalised healing sessions at the SO/ Wellness Centre led by Karan Kumar. With over six years of experience, Kumar brings together Ayurveda, Reiki, Energy Healing, and mind-body therapies in a powerful integrative approach. His one-on-one sessions aim to address physical pain, emotional trauma, and energetic imbalances while unlocking each guest’s potential for joy, clarity, and inner strength.
Each session is intuitively tailored, creating a compassionate space for healing and introspection. Guests are encouraged to slow down, reconnect with their inner selves, and rediscover a vibrant sense of balance and wellness.
Featured
Yoga Day marked with soulful island practice at Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives

In honour of International Yoga Day, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives hosted a serene yoga session on its pool deck, inviting both in-house guests and resort colleagues to begin their day with mindfulness, movement, and meaning. Set against the tranquil backdrop of the Indian Ocean, the session offered participants a chance to embrace the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of yoga in a uniquely immersive natural setting.
Led by resident yoga instructor Malvika Pant, the morning session encouraged attendees to step away from their daily routines and reconnect with themselves through breathwork and gentle movement. “Yoga isn’t just a practice,” said Malvika. “It’s a way of returning to yourself. Here at Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, with the sea breeze in your hair and the sound of the waves close by, even a few mindful stretches can feel like a profound reset. Nature supports the journey inward.”
The session drew participants from around the world, including both seasoned yoga enthusiasts and first-time practitioners. One guest shared, “I’ve done yoga before, but this was different—more peaceful, more connected. Doing sun salutations with the ocean in front of you and no distractions around is something I’ll carry with me long after I leave.”
Beyond marking the global celebration of yoga, the event showcased the resort’s ongoing commitment to wellness. Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives offers a variety of well-being experiences throughout the year, from early morning yoga flows and sunset meditations to personalised one-on-one sessions tailored to individual needs.
As holistic wellness continues to shape global travel trends, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives provides a distinctive retreat where guests can reconnect with themselves and the natural world—one breath at a time.
Featured
Sun Siyam Iru Veli debuts Wellness in Motion Week with beach runs and expert-led yoga

Sun Siyam Iru Veli recently hosted its inaugural ‘Wellness in Motion Week,’ welcoming guests, local wellness leaders, and global experts for a curated celebration of movement, mindfulness, and holistic reconnection in the heart of the Maldives. The week-long programme attracted over 150 participants, offering a series of transformative events aimed at promoting deeper wellbeing in harmony with nature.
To commemorate Global Wellness Day, the island held the first-ever Maldives Wellness Run in partnership with iRunners Maldives on June 14th. Set against the stunning backdrop of the shoreline, the 4-kilometre beach run featured over 85 guests and team members, who completed an invigorating course around the island. Embracing the theme #ReconnectMagenta, participants were encouraged to connect with themselves, their community, and the surrounding environment through intentional movement and breath.
Central to the week were intimate Mind & Body sessions led by two international wellness experts. Marina Violinha, a holistic women’s health and fitness specialist, conducted a sunset yoga session and an interactive talk at Magoodhoo Beach, guiding attendees in exploring feminine strength and emotional balance. Meanwhile, Shane Seery, an award-winning executive health coach, offered functional movement coaching on the resort’s tennis courts, combining personalised support with outdoor flow.
On June 20th, 88 team members took part in a sunrise yoga session led by the resort’s spa team. This gathering aligned with the global theme ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health,’ highlighting the resort’s commitment to wellbeing as a shared value among both staff and guests.
The week concluded on International Yoga Day (June 21st) with a serene sunrise yoga and wellness ceremony at Turtle Beach. Facing the Indian Ocean, participants welcomed the day in stillness and unity.
Through Wellness in Motion Week, Sun Siyam Iru Veli underscored its dedication to offering meaningful, restorative experiences where nature, culture, and conscious living converge. From sunrise yoga sessions and barefoot beach runs to expert-led coaching and immersive spa rituals, the resort continues to redefine island wellness and rejuvenation.
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