Featured
Introducing Maamunagau Wellness Journeys

As an eventful year comes to an end, between New Year’s resolutions and tying up all ends for 2022, self-care and well-being are of the essence. InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has created a diverse offering of wellness journeys, evolving around their visiting wellness practitioners from December 2022 to April 2023.
Over the last few years, InterContinental Maldives has welcomed guests to the private island, not just to enjoy the tropical climate, excellent food, and guest service, but also to unwind, relax and centre. With an ever-changing offer of visiting practitioners, the resort’s wellness menu is extensive and diverse, answering to different guests’ preferences and needs.

Over this year’s Festive Season at Maamunagau and the beginning months of 2023, seven different Wellness Journeys are on offer, inviting guests on a holistic self-healing journey during their stay. From ‘De-Stress’ and mindful ‘Sleep Well’ journeys, more body focussed ‘Detox’ and ‘Metabolism Booster’ programmes, to a muscle relaxing and recovering ‘Sports Athletes’ programme, guests can choose their pace and individualise their journeys to their needs and focus points.

Starting from December 2022 until early 2023, Joao Santos and Rajeshwari Amol Nerukar will be on the island, to extend their practices to Maamunagau’s guests. Joao focusses on body treatments such as Dry Massages, which is a rather exquisite performance, that surpasses traditional massages. He will also be treating guests who choose to book the ‘Metabolism Booster’ or ‘Sports Athletes’ programme. Together with resident Fitness Trainer Rohit Vijay Tandel, they will take on guests who look for physical optimisation, body recovery, and mindful grounding.

Rajeshwari, focussing on the art of healing, bases her treatments on finding calm and peace within, aiming to heal emotional trauma and distress. She offers wellness journeys that focusses on de-stress and better sleep, through a combination of yoga, Ayurveda, sound healing and breathwork.
Sunitha Narayana is the resident Yoga, Reiki Master and Wellness Guru at Maamunagau, and will be one of the driving forces behind the programmes and fusing her yoga flows and breathwork with the visiting practitioners’ ways of wellness.
“A wellness journey is perceived differently by each individual and while we, the wellness practitioners, can give suggestions and guidance, every guest needs to have the space to find their way to mindfulness and wellbeing. Here at Maamunagau’s AVI Spa, we love to incorporate crystal and sound bowl healing in our treatments. This is of course not for everyone, but I love to introduce my guests to those alternative wellness techniques and be part of their journey to explore their bodies and mind. I am very excited to bring all our synergies together to curate unforgettable and beneficial wellness journeys for our guests and to accompany them on their path to wellness,” she says.

Picking up on the Crystal theme at AVI Spa, visiting practitioner Kanlayanee Marrthuean ‘Jang’ teams up with Sunitha to offer the ‘Crystal Wellness’ Journey, that includes everything from Gemstone Facials, to Chakra Balancing, Reiki and Crystal Sound healing to Crystal Foot Reflexology. Jang is in residence during March and April 2023, offering additional emotional release treatments for the whole body.
For guests who wish to start into the New Year refreshed and renewed, the AVI Spa team has also put together a thoughtful ‘Anti-Ageing’ programme, that encompasses the whole body, including facial and eye treatments. This programme is available throughout the year and can also be customised as required.

How to book
Guests staying at InterContinental Maldives can between December 2022 and April 2023 can embark on these different Wellness Journeys during the practitioners visit at the resort. Prices for the Wellness Journeys start from USD 850 ++. Rates for stays in December start from USD 2585 ++ per night in a Water Pool Villa, including breakfast for two. Compulsory Festive Gala Dinners on 24 and 31 December 2022 will be applicable to all guests.
For more information, please visit www.maldives.intercontinental.com or contact us directly at reservations.icmaldives@ihg.com.
All prices are quoted in USD, subject to a 10% Service Charge and 12% GST until 31 December 2022 and GST 16% from 1 January 2023. USD 6 Green Tax per person, per night, applies for stays.
Awards
Equator Village wins Indian Ocean’s Leading Airport Hotel 2025 at World Travel Awards

Equator Village has once again been honoured as the Indian Ocean’s Leading Airport Hotel at the World Travel Awards 2025, held on 28 June in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This marks the third consecutive year the resort has received this prestigious accolade, following earlier wins in 2023 and 2024, underscoring its commitment to service excellence and consistent guest satisfaction.
Mohamed Waheed, Resort Manager at Equator Village, expressed pride in the achievement, stating that the recognition reflects the dedication, creativity, and hard work of the entire team. He highlighted their commitment to delivering warm, personalised service and creating welcoming spaces that resonate with the charm and hospitality of the south. Waheed also extended gratitude to the resort’s guests and partners for their continued support and trust.
Celebrating over three decades of recognising hospitality excellence, the World Travel Awards is regarded as one of the most esteemed honours in global tourism. Winners are selected through a rigorous international voting process involving both travel professionals and the public.
Located just a five-minute drive from Gan International Airport, Equator Village offers exceptional convenience along with the relaxed charm of the southern Maldives. The resort features 78 spacious bungalows surrounded by lush flower gardens, alongside facilities including a beachfront restaurant, bar, pool, gym, and meeting spaces – all infused with tropical flair and heartfelt southern hospitality.
Awards
Dhawa Ihuru recognised among Maldives’ Best House Reefs by Travel + Leisure Asia

Dhawa Ihuru has been named one of the Best House Reefs in the Maldives by Travel + Leisure Asia in its esteemed Luxury Awards 2025. Renowned as a stylish retreat for diving enthusiasts, the resort’s house reef—home to reef sharks, turtles, eagle rays, and vibrant coral ecosystems—continues to attract and inspire travellers from across the globe.
This accolade goes beyond recognition, reflecting over two decades of steadfast dedication to marine conservation, scientific research, and coral restoration. These efforts have transformed the house reef into a living testament to sustainable tourism.
Since the establishment of the Banyan Group’s Marine Lab in 2004—the first resort-based conservation and research facility in the Maldives—Dhawa Ihuru has been at the forefront of environmental responsibility. Through long-term coral preservation projects and guest-focused educational initiatives, the resort has consistently promoted biodiversity and sustainability.
Guests at Dhawa Ihuru are invited to participate in a range of conservation efforts, including:
- Coral planting and reef regeneration
- Reef monitoring alongside marine biologists
- Turtle identification and tracking
- Sustainability workshops and marine talks
- Community engagement programmes
These hands-on experiences not only aid in ecosystem restoration but also nurture awareness and a sense of shared responsibility among travellers.
“This recognition is a reflection of our long-standing commitment to marine protection,” said Elias Pertoft, General Manager of Dhawa Ihuru and Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru. “What began as a vision nearly three decades ago has evolved into a living legacy of conservation. We are proud to continue nurturing one of the Maldives’ most biodiverse reefs—not only for our guests, but for future generations.”
Nick, Marine Lab Manager at the resort, added, “Over the past 20 years, our immersive marine biodiversity programmes, including hands-on conservation activities, have provided both educational and inspiring experiences. By involving our guests, we are enriching their stay and fostering a global community of marine stewards.”
To commemorate this achievement and celebrate the resort’s flourishing marine environment, Dhawa Ihuru will host the Rannamaari Dive Fest on 24 July 2025—a full-day celebration running from 10 AM to 10 PM. Inspired by the legendary Rannamaari shipwreck, the event will showcase the vibrancy of island life both above and below the waterline.
Event highlights include:
- Underwater treasure hunts for divers and non-divers
- Marine conservation talks and activities with the resort’s Marine Lab team
- Cultural and creative island experiences, such as Maldivian arts & crafts with local artists, a Maldivian cooking class, a DIY wellbeing workshop, and family-friendly activities
- A sunset cocktail celebration at Velavani Bar, followed by a beachfront DJ night
Travellers are invited to take part in this unique celebration that blends adventure, culture, and conservation—honouring one of the Maldives’ most iconic house reefs and contributing to its protection for generations to come.
Awards
Atmosphere Kanifushi named Best Family Resort in Indian Ocean for sixth consecutive year

Atmosphere Kanifushi has once again been recognised as the ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Family Resort’ at the World Travel Awards 2025, marking the sixth consecutive year the island has received this prestigious accolade. This continued recognition highlights the resort’s unique appeal to both romantic couples and adventure-seeking families.
Commenting on the achievement, Ram Bhoyroo, General Manager of Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives, noted that the island’s charm lies in its ability to strike a harmonious balance between tranquillity and excitement. “While some Maldivian resorts cater to serenity and others to a more vibrant, active scene, Atmosphere Kanifushi is all about equilibrium—offering peace and relaxation alongside engaging, family-friendly experiences,” he shared.
Nestled on a long, naturally beautiful island with lush vegetation and surrounded by a stunning turquoise seascape, Atmosphere Kanifushi owes its success not only to its natural setting but also to the dedication of its team. According to Bhoyroo, the recognition is a result of the team’s relentless commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for guests of all ages. “By intuitively understanding the needs of each guest, we ensure a seamless blend of high-touch service, relaxation, and fun, all while offering the true feeling of a castaway escape in paradise,” he said.
With one of the highest guest repeater rates in the Maldives, the resort continues to innovate in order to surprise and delight returning visitors. From refreshed culinary offerings to vibrant live entertainment, there is always something new to discover.
Most recently, Atmosphere Kanifushi unveiled its new Essens Spa, a concept that redefines relaxation and wellbeing. The spa features immersive wellness journeys, yoga and detox sessions, traditional healing rituals, and a full suite of salon services. In keeping with the resort’s inclusive approach to family wellness, the spa also offers a Kids Spa Experience, complete with playful treatments for children and specialised teen wellness rituals that nurture growing bodies, youthful skin, and emotional balance.
This latest award reinforces Atmosphere Kanifushi’s reputation as a premier destination for families seeking both luxury and adventure in the heart of the Indian Ocean.
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