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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.
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Angsana Velavaru shines in T+L Luxury Awards 2025 with top pool and GM honours

Angsana Velavaru, part of the esteemed Banyan Group, has secured prestigious placements in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, ranking #8 for Best Resort Pool and #3 for Best General Manager in the Maldives. These accolades underscore the resort’s dedication to outstanding service, thoughtfully crafted accommodations, and guest-centric innovation.
Located in the unspoiled South Nilandhe Atoll, Angsana Velavaru features 113 villas—79 of which are equipped with private infinity pools. Among them are the celebrated Beach Villas and the signature InOcean Pool Villas, which extend elegantly over the lagoon’s turquoise expanse. Each villa is designed to offer a harmonious blend of sophistication and comfort, enabling guests to immerse themselves in nature with both privacy and style.
Central to the resort’s social ambiance is the Kuredhi Pool Bar, a lively and inviting venue that offers more than just refreshments. It serves as a communal hub where guests can enjoy curated experiences such as DJ nights, aqua aerobics, and wellness sessions. This programming reflects the resort’s vision of merging serenity with social vibrancy.
Spearheading this success is General Manager Ahmed Zahir, who was recognised as the #3 Best General Manager in the Maldives. Zahir’s inspiring career began three decades ago as a Laundry Supervisor and has since evolved into a historic milestone—becoming the first Maldivian General Manager within the Banyan Group. His leadership is characterised by a deep understanding of local culture, empathy, and hands-on experience across resort operations.
“This recognition is not only an honour—it’s a reflection of how far we’ve come as a team and as an industry,” Zahir shared. “I’m proud to lead with values shaped by the Maldives itself: resilience, hospitality, and heart. At Angsana Velavaru, we aim to deliver something genuine and lasting—for our guests, our people, and our community.”
Under Zahir’s stewardship, Angsana Velavaru has fostered a culture rooted in authenticity, local empowerment, and purposeful guest engagement. The resort remains committed to evolving as a destination that honours tradition while embracing forward-thinking experiences.
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Oaga Art Resort’s Samaasaa takes centre stage in Dubai’s art scene

Under the desert sky of Dubai, Oaga Art Resort made its international debut with a striking performance by Raai Badeeu at the closing night of renowned light calligrapher Karim Jabbari’s exhibition, Vertical Horizon / 361 Degrees, held at Inloco Gallery. The performance introduced audiences to Samaasaa, the resort’s original theatrical dining concept where storytelling intertwines with seasonal cuisine, and folklore comes alive through immersive performance.
Samaasaa represents a distinctive fusion of art and gastronomy, with each course unfolding as an edible chapter of a story. The concept invites guests into a world where tradition meets innovation, rooted deeply in Maldivian heritage.
The venue for the performance, Inloco Gallery, is an emerging boutique art space in Dubai known for pushing creative boundaries. Its third season was dedicated to ‘vanishing urban landscapes’—a reflection on the echoes of fading cityscapes. Central to this season was the work of Karim Jabbari, whose intricate light calligraphy transforms traditional Arabic script into contemporary expressions of cultural memory. His Vertical Horizon / 361 Degrees exhibition explored the theme of ‘Lost Tradition,’ featuring a collaborative project with artist Khalil Abdulwahid that documented Al Satwa’s disappearing historic fabric and reclaimed calligraphy’s original role as a vehicle for communication and preservation.
In collaboration with Inloco Gallery and Karim Jabbari, Oaga Art Resort presented Raai Badeeu as part of the finissage—a moving farewell performance that seamlessly blended calligraphy, choreography, and storytelling. The immersive show transformed the gallery into a space of ancestral memory, myth, and poetic expression, embodying the artistic ethos of Oaga.
The performance also offered audiences an exclusive preview of Samaasaa Presents: The First Coconuts, Oaga’s upcoming theatrical dining experience. A specially curated segment from the show was performed, offering a glimpse into the mythical origins of island life through expressive movement and narrative.
As Oaga Art Resort expands its creative reach beyond the Maldives, this performance in Dubai marks the beginning of a broader journey. Guided by a spirit that is playful, poetic, and deeply rooted in island culture, Oaga is poised to share its unique stories with the world.
Featured
JOALI Maldives welcomes FIX’s iconic chocolate in first-ever global expansion

Dubai-based artisanal brand FIX Dessert Chocolatier, renowned for its viral chocolate creations, has partnered with JOALI Maldives – the Indian Ocean’s first art-immersive luxury island resort. Starting 2 July 2025, guests at JOALI Maldives will have the exclusive opportunity to indulge in FIX’s signature creation, The Original Dubai Chocolate, marking the first time the coveted dessert will be available outside the UAE.
Famed for its bold creativity, intricate layering, and unforgettable textures, FIX has redefined the modern dessert experience. This collaboration brings together two worlds of sensory delight – the imaginative world of FIX and the refined, story-driven luxury of JOALI Maldives.
As part of this partnership, FIX introduces Time To Mango, a brand-new chocolate bar inspired by tropical fruits, warm breezes, and the playful spirit of summer. Blending mango-forward flavours with nostalgic childhood treats and a whimsical touch of popping candy, the creation delivers a multi-sensory experience wrapped in rich chocolate.
FIX Dessert Chocolatier’s signature artistry and innovative flavour combinations align seamlessly with the philosophy of JOALI Maldives, a resort celebrated for its immersive art, sublime design, and curated experiences. According to FIX co-founder Sarah Hamouda, “This collaboration is about more than flavour – it’s about sparking wonder and delivering delight in unexpected ways. Seeing our creation featured at JOALI Maldives feels like the perfect match of storytelling and indulgence.”
Guests at JOALI Maldives will encounter FIX’s chocolates across various curated settings – from the private airport lounge and the resort’s artisanal ice cream shop to bespoke in-villa amenities and select evening turndown rituals. Every piece is hand-crafted in Dubai, carefully transported, and presented under the Maldivian sun as a true edible work of art.
Commenting on the partnership, Semiha Askin, Global Director of Sales and Marketing at JOALI, stated, “At JOALI, we embrace art in all its forms – from visual and spatial to culinary. Partnering with FIX Dessert Chocolatier allows us to extend that ethos into the realm of artisanal sweets. Their chocolate is more than a dessert – it’s an immersive experience our guests will remember, one bite at a time.”
This marks FIX’s first international placement, making JOALI Maldives the only destination outside of the UAE to offer the brand’s signature chocolate. The collaboration exemplifies a shared dedication to luxury, creativity, and culinary innovation.
Located in one of the largest and deepest atolls in the world, JOALI Maldives offers 73 elegantly appointed beach and over-water villas, each accompanied by a personal Jadugar (meaning “skilled magician” in Dhivehi). The resort is a sanctuary of sustainability, immersive programming, and next-level wellbeing offerings, including the JOALI BEING Cure – the first outpost of sister retreat JOALI BEING, the Maldives’ pioneering wellness island.
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