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A blue ocean shift for Villa Resorts

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Leading Maldivian hotel brand Villa Hotels & Resorts has announced its transformation to Villa Resorts, debuting the refreshed brand at ILTM Cannes ahead of its official relaunch in April 2023.

Beyond a simplified name and new visual identity for the parent brand, each resort has been repositioned behind a unique Resort Concept, encompassing improved products, elevated service, innovative programming and brilliant communication to create real value for guests.

Since 1986, Villa Resorts has developed and successfully run more than 1,100 rooms distributed across its five private island resorts: 5* Sun Island, 5* Paradise Island, 5* Royal Island, 4* Holiday Island, and 3* Fun Island. Two brand new islands are also in development, expanding the group’s portfolio to seven properties.

Now, as the next generation of the family-owned and locally-run business takes the helm, Villa Resorts is making itself ready for the next generation of travellers.

Working in partnership with Luxury Branding, the leading luxury hospitality consultancy, Villa Resorts has undertaken a brand-led transformation of its entire company.

At the heart of the organisation, a new Vision, Purpose and Values serve as its guiding lights, ensuring that progress is rooted in a shared ideology.

As one of only a few brands in the Maldives that is owned, operated and wholly run by locals, Villa Resorts is driven by the personal vocation of returning its guests to a stronger place in their lives. This important purpose is accomplished through the natural beauty of the destination combined with the native warmth of its people.

The Villa Hotels & Resorts name has been simplified to Villa Resorts, with the new visual identity paying homage to the history and wonder of the islands.

At resort level, the ‘Villa’ prefix plays the role of parent brand and the suffix (e.g. Park, Nautica, Haven etc.) that follows represents the resort concept. The combined word marks provide a recognisable yet flexible framework for a growing a family of sub-brands.

Each of the resort sub-brands is invested with its own unique personality, reflected in bespoke typography, imagery, colour palettes and styles of communication. This approach allows each property to make the most of its distinct character and strengths while clearly belonging to the Villa family.

In April 2023, the Villa Resorts master brand will relaunch with a new website, designed and built by Journey, and the rebrand of two of its existing resorts. Paradise Island will transform into Villa Nautica, a maritime celebration of Quayside Life. Expressing refinement and exclusivity of taste, Villa Nautica’s polished environment brings to life a chic nautical experience through its modern, urban-style interiors. Complemented by exceptional scuba diving and other water sports, the resort embraces the seafarer lifestyle with a glamorous twist.

Simultaneously, Sun Island will transform into Villa Park, a lush and never-ending Lagoon Pleasureground teeming with experiences. Its refreshed design is anchored in bold colours that embrace the island’s vibrant jungle and azure lagoons. Recently named Maldives’ Leading Green Resort 2022 at the World Travel Awards, the team continues to spearhead sustainability efforts with new concepts such as ZERO – Villa Park’s hidden gem of a restaurant set amidst the palms, serving fresh produce grown in the island’s gardens.

Rooms, restaurants and public areas have been upgraded and refurbished with stunning interiors by London-based design studio, House Nine. Led by Jojo Barr, her team of trusted and skilled crafts and tradesmen have translated the new Resort Concepts for each island into beautiful and functioning physical environments.

F&B concepts have undergone comprehensive modernisation under the guidance and training of Food Concepts 360, led by Michelin-starred Irish chef Conrad Gallagher, who has collaborated with the Executive Chefs on each island to conceptualise and deliver refreshed dining experiences.

Sandstone, a label of award-winning South African wines and MCC exclusive to Villa Resorts, has been curated by world-renowned sommelier Kent Scheermeyer. The name, Sandstone, celebrates the merging of two countries and two landscapes, from the stone mountains of the Cape’s vineyards to the sandy shores of the Maldives. The Sandstone collection comprises two whites, a sauvignon blanc and chardonnay; two reds, a pinot noir and merlot; as well as a rosé. The collection also includes a Méthode Cap Classique and a rosé sparkling wine.

In collaboration with Cape Town coffee roastery, Deluxe Coffeeworks, Villa Resorts has developed its own coffee brand: Press & Pot. Villa Resorts ethically sources and imports its own green beans and roasts them on-site at Villa Nautica for distribution across all of the brand’s islands. On-site, Press & Pot coffee is served by expertly trained baristas, and sold through various retail channels for guests to enjoy at home.

In Q4 2023, Holiday Island will reopen as the group’s luxury flagship, Villa Haven, following a complete remodelling. Anchored in nature, this Humble Heaven transcends the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, with 68 sea-facing villas – all with private pools – creating an intimate and secluded island experience. The design is raw, resourceful and reserved, celebrating nature’s beautiful basics with extensive use of sustainable materials that showcase native Maldivian creativity.

At each resort, original and fresh local programming takes the form of exciting new signature experiences; distinct to each island and designed to activate the new Resort Concepts.

Service too has been an important focus, a process that commenced with a renewal of the brand’s vision, purpose and values. Villa Resorts is partnering with Forbes Travel Guide to translate this genuine ideology and service philosophy into world-class brand standards and quality assessments.

In late 2025, Royal Island will transform into Villa Village, a resort that celebrates authentic Maldivian culture.

Fun Island is scheduled to reopen in 2027, debuting a new luxury concept following a full renovation, and Villa Eden, a luxury eco resort, is being developed on the island of Maanenfushi.

Ibrahim Siyad Qasim, Group Managing Director, Villa Shipping and Trading Company, commented on the rebrand: “Today, we open a new chapter in the history of our proudly Maldivian resort company; a company that was founded by my father almost four decades ago. In 2019, with the guidance and support of our partner, Luxury Branding, we embarked on Project Blue Ocean, an ambitious top to bottom, inside to out transformation of our business. It represents a shift from competing towards creating, and signals my aspiration to lead our company to new levels of guest satisfaction and growth. I am honoured to be stewarding Villa Resorts through its next chapter of development and, together with my siblings, proud to introduce our company and welcome you into our family.”

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Milaidhoo Maldives introduces high-end wellness residency led by Dr Lim Xiang Jun

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Milaidhoo, an intimate island retreat located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, has announced a once-in-a-season wellness residency with internationally renowned integrative medicine specialist Dr Lim Xiang Jun, taking place from 22 to 28 February 2026.

For the first time, guests will have the opportunity to experience Dr Lim’s integrative approach to wellbeing in a private island setting. The founder of a leading modern Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice in Singapore, Dr Lim brings more than 20 years of experience and a rare mastery of both Eastern and Western healing traditions, including acupuncture, TCM, energy medicine, yoga, Ayurveda, meditation and metaphysics Bazi astrology.

During her residency, Dr Lim will offer bespoke one-on-one consultations and signature therapies aimed at restoring vitality, balancing energy and supporting transformation of mind, body and spirit. Guests will have access to her globally recognised treatments, including facial acupuncture, gua sha, reflexology and Chi Nei Tsang, as well as immersive sessions in meditation, qigong, yoga, sound healing and energy therapy. The residency’s distinctiveness lies in its integration of ancient wisdom, modern clinical practice and metaphysical insight, creating a personalised journey for every guest.

“Milaidhoo is an ideal sanctuary for guests seeking to reset, recharge and reconnect with themselves,” said Paul van Frank, General Manager of Milaidhoo. “By pairing the island’s serene, barefoot elegance with Dr Lim’s transformative expertise, this residency delivers an experience that is intimate, exceptional and truly unique.”

Dr Lim Xiang Jun added: “I am honoured to bring my holistic practices to Milaidhoo Maldives for the first time. The island’s natural tranquillity and energy provide an ideal environment for guests to embark on a personalised wellbeing journey. I look forward to guiding each guest through integrative traditional therapies, meditation and energy healing to help them reconnect with their vitality.”

With a limited number of consultations and treatments available, the residency is designed for guests seeking a holistic reset and a deeply personalised wellness experience within Milaidhoo’s peaceful island surroundings.

Guests wishing to secure their stay for this exclusive residency may visit the resort’s Special Offers page to reserve their wellness journey.

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Year of the Horse celebrated with island-inspired festivities at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort

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InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is inviting guests and visitors to welcome the Lunar New Year with a curated programme of celebrations from 16 to 19 February 2026, marking the Year of the Horse through cultural performances, signature dining experiences, wellness rituals and family-focused festivities.

Set against the natural beauty of Raa Atoll, the resort’s Lunar New Year programme blends cultural tradition with contemporary island living, offering moments of togetherness, creativity and indulgence across the four-day celebration.

Festivities begin on 16 February with a Lunar New Year Cocktail at Café Umi Beach, followed by the resort’s signature Lunar New Year Gala Beach Dinner. This elegant evening will include festive dishes, fresh seafood and live performances such as a Lion Dance and Fire Show under the Maldivian night sky.

Culinary experiences form the core of the programme, with themed dinners and tastings crafted to reflect the spirit of the season. Highlights include wine-led dining journeys, a reunion dinner, a seafood-focused evening at Fish Market and an Asian BBQ pop-up buffet, offering guests meaningful opportunities to come together and celebrate through food.

Wellness will also feature prominently, with restorative experiences encouraging balance and renewal. Guests may enjoy signature spa rituals inspired by local traditions, immersive sound healing sessions and energising fitness activities. A visiting integrative somatic practitioner will be present throughout the festive period to support mind-body wellbeing.

Daily entertainment and cultural performances will enrich the celebrations, including ribbon and fan dances, umbrella performances, fire shows and a full day dedicated to Olympic-style island games suitable for all ages. Younger guests will have access to creative workshops, festive crafts and outdoor activities, while art enthusiasts may join resin art sessions led by the resort’s resident artist.

In addition, the resort will offer relaxed seasonal experiences available throughout the festival period, such as a Lunar New Year signature cocktail and shisha offerings at select venues, allowing guests to enjoy the celebrations at a leisurely pace.

With its combination of cultural expression, refined dining, wellness and island-inspired entertainment, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort’s Lunar New Year celebrations promise a meaningful and memorable beginning to the Year of the Horse.

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New era in reef conservation: Six Senses Kanuhura launches data-led Coral Census

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Six Senses Kanuhura has announced a pioneering initiative that positions the resort at the forefront of marine conservation in the Maldives: the Kanuhura Coral Census, the world’s first long-term, 3D reef-monitoring programme implemented by a resort. Developed in collaboration with leading scientists from Newcastle University and University College London (UCL), this advanced methodology delivers an unprecedented level of accuracy, data integrity and ecological insight. The launch arrives at a critical moment, as global research indicates that up to 90% of the world’s coral reefs could be lost by 2050.

For decades, coral-reef monitoring worldwide has relied on clipboards, tape measures and diver observations—methods that, while valuable, only capture small portions of a reef and leave significant gaps. Traditional surveys remain slow, highly subjective and limited in scale, typically assessing less than 0.01% of any given site.

The Kanuhura Coral Census removes these long-standing limitations. Using 3D modelling and advanced AI analysis techniques, including Gaussian splatting, the system maps more than 100 square metres of reef at each site, capturing detail down to half a millimetre. The result is a hyper-accurate, fully repeatable digital reconstruction of the reef—something no other resort has achieved to date.

The new methodology resolves the constraints of conventional surveys in several transformative ways:

  • Large-scale digital reef mapping: Entire reef sections are recorded in ultra-high resolution instead of limited snapshots.
  • Rapid fieldwork: Only 20 minutes of diving is required to collect all images needed for each 3D model.
  • Removal of human bias: AI-driven analysis ensures consistent, objective coral data regardless of the researcher.
  • Unmatched ecological detail: Indicators such as rugosity, coral-canopy height, overhangs and habitat complexity—often overlooked in traditional surveys—are fully captured.
  • Perfect repeatability: The same reef sections can be re-surveyed every few months, producing the Maldives’ most accurate time-series coral dataset.
  • Visual storytelling: Immersive 3D models allow clear communication with guests, researchers and the public, transforming scientific data into intuitive visual insights.

Alicia Graham, General Manager of Six Senses Kanuhura, said: “The Kanuhura Coral Census represents a major step forward for reef science within the hospitality sector. By introducing advanced reef mapping, we are not only elevating how reefs are monitored but redefining what is possible. It allows us to track the smallest changes with scientific precision, share findings transparently and make data-driven decisions that directly support reef recovery. This project signals a new era of accountable and impact-driven conservation for the Maldives.”

The long-term objective of the Kanuhura Coral Census is to develop a next-generation restoration programme that moves away from traditional metal frames and towards sustainable, ecologically informed solutions. With highly detailed insights into which corals are thriving, struggling, recruiting or bleaching—and where—Six Senses Kanuhura will design a restoration blueprint that sets a new benchmark for the region.

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