Featured
Enchanting festive voyages at Villa Hotels & Resorts
The adventurous collection of Maldives resorts has unveiled a host of spectacular festive and new year’s brochures for the joyous season. Against the mesmerising backdrop of the Indian Ocean, Villa Hotels & Resorts properties will immerse guests in a myriad of magical experiences and unrivalled celebrations in spectacular settings as the beach resorts transform into glittering festive playgrounds.
A bespoke collection of magical experiences awaits the wanderlust traveler; gastronomical feasts from around the globe, cultural Maldivian experiences, creative workshops, aqua-themed parties and the anticipated New Year’s Eve night where an electric line up of live sets by world renowned DJ’s Olly Esse, DJ Friktion and DJ Balzar will ensure the energy is kept on a high throughout the impressive line up of events. From December 20th until January 6th a cornucopia of vibrant events is set to create an unforgettable season at the Villa Hotels & Resorts Maldives properties.

The luxury eco-conscious resorts will kick-start the wondrous Christmas celebrations at the resorts with traditional Christmas tree lighting ceremonies followed by an assembly of sparkling parties leading up to Christmas Day. Highlights include the glamorous White Party held at the iconic Club Nautica on the opulent shores of the chic island retreat, Paradise Island Resort & Spa and the fluorescent colour party held at Sun Island Resort & Spa’s Mekunu Bar with a live DJ and vibrant tropical ambiance setting the scene for an exciting night.
Exhilarating experiences on the line up at Sun Island Resort & Spa include expert mixology classes, fashion shows, a pool party with live DJ and performances, and an off the hock seafood island BBQ to name a few. While at Paradise Island Resort & Spa, remarkable experiences include an Olympics themed activity, kite festival, treasure hunts, Bachata lesson and a Maldivian cultural show. At Royal Island Resort & Spa, be immersed in a variety of authentic Maldivian experiences designed to offer unparalleled connections with nature. A traditional Maala Fai, Bodu Mas Mali Parade and Bodu Beru performances craft an authentic festive season like no other.
Usher in the New Year 2023 with unforgettable glitz and glamour as the collection of resorts will prepare for an incredible night to remember with a Gala feast of seasonal favourites, epicurean delights and flowing champagne, a countdown and an inspiring show of fireworks followed by live DJ sets by DJ Olly Esse at Paradise Island Resort and DJ’s Friktion and Balzar at Sun Island Resort. Royal Island Resort will hold a spectacular masquerade party complete with fireworks and a live band followed by in house DJ. After a night of partying, what better way to dive into 2023 than with a decadent brunch? Indulge in a champagne buffet filled with international cuisines and nutritious options for those commencing the new year with a detox resolution. In the theme of wellbeing, join a sunrise yoga session on the beach or ignite your competitive spirit in Olympic themed activities.

For ocean lovers, this festive season will be an enlightening and educational insight with the opportunity to join the resorts conservation and sustainable initiatives and even take part in planting coral in the Paradise Island house reef. A plethora of experiences immersed in nature invite in the Maldives UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, home to Royal Island and South Ari Marine Protected Area, home to Sun Island Resort. Guests will reconnect with nature during unforgettable encounters with the local marine and wildlife, with a mirage of opportunities for the young ones to be educated on the importance of caring for the natural environment for the future.
Awards
Family Fun Summer returns to JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa
As multigenerational travel continues to influence the luxury hospitality sector, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa has reintroduced its Family Fun Summer programme, aimed at families seeking more time together through a combination of accommodation, activities and dining benefits.
Built around the brand’s “Stay in the Moment” philosophy, the programme includes a USD 300 resort credit that can be used across dining, spa and recreational experiences, allowing different generations to shape their stay according to their interests.
At the centre of the offer are the resort’s Overwater Duplex Villas and Two-Bedroom Duplex Beach Villas with Pool, which are designed to accommodate multigenerational travel through larger layouts and private space. These villas are supported by Thakuru service and complimentary bicycles, giving guests flexibility in how they move around and experience the island.
Beyond the villa, the programme includes a range of activities intended to support family engagement and shared experiences. Younger guests have access to the Family by JW™ Little Griffins Kids’ Club, one of the larger children’s clubs in the Maldives, with more than 100 programmes focused on play and discovery. Families can also take part in culinary classes at the JW Garden, where the resort offers a farm-to-table experience linked to the natural setting of the island.
Mohit Dembla, General Manager of JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, said the programme responds to changing guest expectations around luxury travel.
“Today’s luxury traveller isn’t just seeking a beautiful destination, they’re seeking time,” he said. “Time together, time to be present, time away from the noise. ‘Family Fun Summer’ is our answer to that, a sanctuary where every generation finds something meaningful.”
The Family Fun Summer package includes the USD 300 resort credit, which can be used for spa treatments, dining or island activities. It also includes daily breakfast, as well as three-course lunches and dinners for two adults and children under 12 at selected venues. Families will also receive a floating breakfast served in the privacy of their villa.
In addition, the package offers 60 per cent savings on dining at the resort’s signature restaurants, Hashi and Shio. Other inclusions include Thakuru service, complimentary use of non-motorised watersports equipment, and private bicycles for island use. The package also includes a 30-minute photography session and one printed photograph as a keepsake.
Through the relaunch of Family Fun Summer, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa is positioning itself within the growing multigenerational travel segment, combining larger villa accommodation with dining, leisure and family-focused experiences.
Celebration
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives unveils Maldives Summer Escape for Eid al Adha
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives has introduced its Maldives Summer Escape offer as part of its positioning for Eid al Adha travel, combining accommodation benefits with seasonal dining and guest experiences for families, couples and small groups.
Available for stays through to 31 October 2026, the offer is designed to support longer stays and multigenerational travel, with a focus on dining flexibility and island-based experiences within a private resort setting.
To mark the Eid period, the resort will present a series of guest experiences linked to the occasion. On 27 May, guests will be offered an Eid breakfast at Seasalt Restaurant, featuring live Arabic cooking stations prepared by Egyptian chefs, alongside dishes such as foul medames, manakish and shakshuka.
An Eid-themed dinner buffet will also be held the same evening, with regional dishes and live cooking stations forming part of the dining programme. On other days, guests will also have the option of visiting a nearby local island to observe traditional Eid celebrations in a Maldivian community setting.
From 27 to 29 May, Mirus Bar will host a series of evening activations including a shisha lounge and DJ sets. The resort said the programme is intended to create a social setting suited to both couples and groups.
The Maldives Summer Escape offer includes daily breakfast and three-course à la carte dinners at selected venues, along with a USD 75 dining credit that can be used for alternative experiences such as Teppanyaki, The Shack or private dining.
Additional benefits include 15 per cent off treatments at Spa Alila, 20 per cent off food and beverage purchases, and 20 per cent off return seaplane transfers.
The resort said the offer is particularly suited to families and groups, with villa accommodation designed to provide both shared living space and privacy, while also appealing to couples through its more understated approach to island stays.
Thomas Weber, General Manager of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, said the resort had designed the offer around the significance of Eid and the expectations of guests travelling during the period.
“Eid is a deeply meaningful time, centred on togetherness, reflection, and shared moments,” he said. “For those choosing to celebrate away from home, we’ve curated an experience that feels both intimate and considered — where thoughtful dining, unhurried surroundings, and the natural beauty of the island come together to create something truly memorable.”
Through the combination of seasonal programming, dining inclusions and additional guest benefits, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is presenting the Maldives Summer Escape as an option for Eid travel in the Maldives.
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.
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