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.
Featured
‘Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom’ comes to Sun Siyam Vilu Reef this festive season
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Privé Collection within the House of Siyam, has announced its festive programme, “Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom”, which will run from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.
The seasonal programme features activities and experiences for guests of all ages. Dining will take centre stage with Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve gala dinners by the water, exclusive Chef’s Table experiences and seafood barbecues on the beach.
The evening entertainment programme will include live acoustic performances, island DJ sets, aerial dance shows and Maldivian cultural performances.
During the day, guests will be able to explore the resort’s lagoon through activities such as house reef snorkelling, sunset Jet Car rides and sandbank excursions. The Spa will offer wellness rituals and couples’ therapies, while younger guests can take part in gingerbread decorating, a fashion show and Santa’s arrival on the beach.
“Eutopia is our invitation to celebrate and embrace nature, meaningful moments, and the relaxed luxury that defines Sun Siyam Vilu Reef through our festivities,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager.
“From unforgettable ocean adventures to starlit beach celebrations, every experience has been thoughtfully designed to create lasting memories that will continue to flourish long after the season ends.”
The programme will culminate with a New Year’s Eve celebration on the beach on 31 December, featuring live music, midnight toasts and a fireworks display over the water.
The resort’s festive programme is available to view online, with bookings open for stays between 22 December 2026 and 7 January 2027.
Awards
Sun Siyam Iru Veli earns top wedding destination honour at TTM Awards
Fresh from being named Best Honeymoon Destination in 2025, Sun Siyam Iru Veli was recognised as Best Wedding Destination at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards & Gala 2026, held at Crossroads Maldives on 27 August. The award further reinforces the resort’s commitment to celebrating romance in all its forms.
Surrounded by turquoise lagoons and white-sand beaches, Iru Veli provides a natural setting for couples seeking an intimate island retreat. Every villa features a private pool, while secluded beaches, private sandbanks and a 24-hour all-inclusive dine-around experience offer guests privacy and flexibility throughout their stay.
The resort hosts celebrations of different scales, ranging from barefoot ceremonies by the ocean to larger events encompassing the entire island. Dedicated wedding planners work closely with each couple to personalise every element, ensuring that both the ceremony and the wider stay reflect their individual story.
This flexibility extends beyond the resort’s wedding packages. Simple Romance, Grand Gesture and Sandbank Magic provide couples with a starting point, with each celebration customisable through décor, dining, wellness, entertainment and island experiences. For occasions requiring complete exclusivity, full-island buyouts allow the resort experience to be tailored around the couple and their guests.
The celebrations can continue beyond the ceremony through candlelit dinners beneath the stars, spa rituals for two, sunset cruises and time spent together across the island. These experiences enable couples to shape the occasion around their preferences, with personal moments unfolding throughout their stay.
“Every couple arrives with a different story and a different vision for their celebration. There is no template here. From intimate ceremonies for two to full-island celebrations with family and friends, our role is to create moments that feel completely personal. That is exactly what our team does. They listen first and then create a ceremony that truly reflects the couple. This award is a testament to the dedication and care they put into making every moment memorable,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.
The annual TTM Awards & Gala brings together travel professionals and hoteliers to recognise achievements across the Maldivian hospitality industry. Iru Veli’s latest award further strengthens its position among the Maldives’ leading destinations for weddings and romantic escapes.
Action
Chef Jake Norman and Molly O’Donoghue join Niva Dhigali for November programme
Niva Dhigali Maldives will welcome visiting chef Jake Norman and British pickleball champion Molly O’Donoghue for a curated programme of island experiences this November, bringing together dining and active wellbeing in the Maldives.
Norman began his culinary career making pizza in the markets of Guadalajara, Mexico, before working in several London restaurants, including St John, Ottolenghi and Sabor. He now leads the kitchen at Updown Farmhouse in Kent, where his cooking focuses on seasonal ingredients, live-fire techniques and Mediterranean influences.
On 18 November, Norman will host an exclusive dinner at Faru, presenting a menu that combines Mediterranean flavours with influences from Mexico and the Middle East, while incorporating ingredients sourced from the Maldives.
The shared dining experience will feature Indian Ocean produce, grilled dishes and smoky flavours, with a menu designed to reflect the setting and encourage guests to dine at a relaxed pace.
The programme will also include pickleball sessions hosted by British champion Molly O’Donoghue. A national champion in mixed and women’s doubles, as well as a European champion in mixed doubles, O’Donoghue first discovered the sport while studying in Australia. She has since competed internationally and worked to introduce the sport to players around the world.
At Niva Dhigali, O’Donoghue will conduct beginner sessions and advanced coaching, giving guests of different skill levels the opportunity to learn, play and develop their technique.
Located in Raa Atoll, Niva Dhigali Maldives is surrounded by tropical vegetation, a lagoon and the Indian Ocean. The November programme, featuring Norman’s dining experience and O’Donoghue’s pickleball sessions, forms part of the resort’s approach to offering guest experiences centred on food, wellbeing and the island environment.
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