Featured
The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives announces wellness star programme; offers traditional Chinese medicine treatments
The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives has welcomed world-renowned specialist in traditional Chinese Medicine, Dr. Rui Pedro Loureiro, who brings to the island alternative healing therapies from acupuncture to epigenetics.
Dr. Rui Loureiro received his Bachelor’s Degree from Chengdu’s University of Chinese Medicine in China, postgraduate in Cosmetic Acupuncture from CMIR/ACUMEDIC – London and Beijing’s University of Chinese Medicine.
Expert in diagnosis, he has worked in a hospital in China and clinics in London and Portugal, where he currently is responsible for the Chinese Medicine Department of St. Louis Hospital in Lisbon and Clinical Director of Clinica Cura Pura in Aveiro – Portugal.
Ancient wisdom and contemporary diagnostics meet. With over 20 years of clinical practice, he is a passionate, dedicated, and lifetime student and researcher of the knowledge of Chinese Medicine.

Primary Treatments
Acupuncture
During your consultation, a full history of your general health and details of your current symptoms and lifestyle are taken into account – this helps to establish a clear picture and understanding of the underlying causes of disease and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Acupuncture diagnosis focuses on the individual and not just his/her illness – all symptoms are seen in relation to each other, so two people with the same Western diagnosis may be treated differently.
60 minutes │ USD 308
Quit Smoking for Life
You may have tried to quit smoking before but the withdrawal symptoms caused anxiety and the fight became too difficult. There is a more natural, painless and effective solution – with Auricular Therapy – a proven, effective tool to help you quit smoking by minimising cravings and calming the nervous system. Dr. Rui’s treatment uses mild electrical stimulation on the outside of both ears. It is similar to ear acupuncture but without the use of needles. His average success rate is 85% percent and there is no need for patches, gum or pills afterwards.
30 minutes │ USD 432
Holistic Facial Rejuvenation Programme The “natural facelift” – cosmetic acupuncture for wrinkles and sagging. 24-carat gold needles will be applied to specific acupressure points on your face and body to help nourish the skin. The gold-plated composition of the acupuncture needles is singularly significant as it produces measurable results by visibly enhancing the volume and tone of facial muscles, so improving the skin’s circulation, collagen, and elastic fibre network which activates the fibroblastic cells and increases hyaluronic acid production. Experience sleeker, plumper, more youthful skin.
60 minutes │ USD 364
Anti-Cellulite Treatment
This method gives excellent results in modulation of different parts of the body– abdomen, buttocks, lower and upper limbs – for conditions such as cellulite, sagging, localised fat deposits and excessive weight. Anti-cellulite acupuncture helps the whole body both look and feel younger, rejuvenating and revitalising.
60 minutes │ USD 339
Full Epigenetic Test
Dig deeper into your genetic data. Undergo an epigenetic hair test, through a bio profiler, which gives information about your levels of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids, fatty acids, antioxidants and contaminants. Analysing the 15 most common vitamins, 23 major groups of antioxidants, 16 everyday minerals, 115 food restrictions and food additives, immune stressors, all 23 amino acids, and omega 3, 6 and 9, the epigenetic test gives you lifestyle and diet recommendations to optimise your health.
45 minutes │ USD 487
Complimentary Session
Lifestyle Consultation
Dr. Rui’s treatments will take place at The Standard Spa with ocean views from one of the nine private rooms, along with an indoor hydrotherapy playground boasting a traditional communal Hamman, cypress aroma steam room and contract plunge shower. The Standard Spa sitting over the pristine water of Huravalhi Island also has a yoga studio hosting daily wellness classes and Tonic, an adults-only pool and swim-up bar perfect for relaxing post treatment or splashing around. The perfect place to recover, play, chill and explore.
Treatment prices are in USD inclusive of service and GST. For more information please visit https://www.standardhotels.com/maldives.
Awards
Kuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Cooking
Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Awards
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives earns TUI Global Hotel Award recognition
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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