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Celebrate Lunar New Year and welcome Year of the Rabbit at Kandooma Maldives

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Chinese New Year marks the first day in the lunar calendar (which starts the day after the first new moon appears) and in 2023 it will be Sunday, 22nd January. Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is marking the Lunar New Year and welcoming the Year of the Rabbit with special celebrations at the island resort including accommodation packages and fun activities for the little ones.

In keeping with Chinese tradition, each new year is characterised by one of 12 Chinese zodiac animals. This year it will be the Rabbit, a symbol of good fortune, courage and kindness.

At Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives feasting is on the agenda, which is typically how the occasion is celebrated throughout Asia. On 21st January Chinese New Year’s Eve there will be a buffet dinner at Kandooma Cafe to kick off celebrations with some traditional favourites such as ‘Happiness throughout the Year’ a dish featuring Crispy Fried Prawns with Garlic Crumbs, ‘Surplus Year After Year’ Sweet and Sour Fish, and ‘Prosperity and Progress’ comprising Crispy Roasted Pork Belly and Roast Duck all served alongside the international offering.

Executive Chef Eddie Ng explains that in his home-country Singapore, his family would enjoy Pen Cai which is prepared in a single clay pot. He says guests can expect a Hot Pot Set Menu Promotion daily throughout the Lunar New Year at the resort’s beachfront a la carte restaurant, The Kitchen at US$150++ per person. The Hot Pot is a favourite to mark the reunion of family and friends and symbolises family unity, a prosperous and lively new year. The menu includes a choice of three broth bases – spicy Sichuan, hot and sour Tom Yum and Mushroom – and a selection of yummy additions from prawns, calamari, fish, chicken, beef and pork belly as well as vegetables such as bak choy, Chinese cabbage, Shitake mushrooms, wood mushrooms and potato. The dish is completed with a choice of Homemade spicy sauce and/or Supreme soya sauce.

“it is a celebration that brings all of the family together to welcome the new year. In my family we prepare dishes like ‘Pen Cai’ which is a combination of abalone and mushrooms. We also have traditional favourites such as a raw fish salad called Yu Sheng that all of the family participate in making and each ingredient has special significance,” shares Chef Eddie.

To mark Chinese New Year’s day, foodies will delight in a complimentary Dumpling Masterclass at The Kitchen on Sunday 22nd January. The class is followed by a sampling of your creations along side some especially prepared by the culinary team.

Activities on the island for the little ones will include Sandcastle-making with the theme of the Rabbit, Lion Mask-making, face painting with a bunny theme and more.

In keeping with the Lunar New Year tradition, all guests will receive a bright Red Packet known as Hóngbāo filled with a surprise to symbolise good wishes and luck for the new year ahead.

Throughout Lunar New Year special drinks the “Buzzed Rabbit” a gin-based cocktail and the “Fuzzy Rabbit” a mixed fruit juice Mocktail will be available at Bokkuraa Coffee Club & Bar, The Sunset Bar & Deck and Kandooma Cafe.

Lunar New Year Room packages are available for stays 21 January to 9 February inclusive and start from US$1,608* for a three night stay for two including:

  • 3 nights Accommodation in a Garden Villa for two
  • Daily Buffet Breakfast and Dinner at Kandooma Cafe
  • Snorkeling lesson per person
  • Choice of ONE “Buzzed Rabbit” a gin-based cocktail or the “Fuzzy Rabbit” a mixed fruit juice Mocktail, per person
  • Hóngbāo Red Packet

Located in the South Male atoll just 45 mins from the airport by boat, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is a beautiful island paradise. White sandy beaches, swaying coconut palms and turquoise waters form the backdrop for a wide variety of leisure pursuits and some of the best diving in the Maldives. Guests can choose from Garden and Beach Villas, two storey Beach Houses and the popular Overwater Villas for their stay. Families are well catered for with the Kandoo Kids’ Club and a full activities programme. Six food and beverage outlets ensure healthy appetites are satisfied and the flavours of the Maldives are explored. For those guests who desire the ultimate in relaxation, sun loungers and hammocks are located around the island and the Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala offers the utlimate in tranquility and escape for body and mind.

Rates are subject to 10% Service Charge and 16% Goods and Services Tax. Additional USD 6.00 per person, per night is applicable as mandatory Maldives government Green Tax. All offers are subject to availability. Package components are not exchangeable.

For information about the Lunar New Year celebrations at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives visit www.maldives.holidayinnresorts.com/hotel-offers/year-of-the-rabbit/

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Villa Nautica’s festive glow: Yoga at sunrise, fireworks at midnight

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Villa Nautica will embrace the festive spirit from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, offering guests an easy island rhythm that flows from bright mornings by the water to music-filled evenings on the sand. The season begins with illuminated beaches and relaxed barbecues, gradually building through creative afternoons and live performances. Christmas Eve will feature a gala dinner, followed by Santa’s arrival on 25 December. The celebrations will culminate in a vibrant New Year’s Eve countdown with fireworks, before settling into a calm reset on New Year’s Day and concluding with Orthodox Christmas.

The programme balances practicality with a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. Mornings will bring sunrise yoga, family pool activities, and interactive cooking sessions, while evenings will feature poolside soirées, wine-paired dinners, and sunset cruises. With simple yet photogenic settings, the lagoon and sky take centre stage in shaping the mood. Guests—whether couples, friends, or families—can participate freely without losing the island’s easy pace.

For younger visitors, the festivities will centre around the kids’ club, where cookie and cupcake decorating, beach games, origami and craft sessions, storytelling, and cosy movie nights will take place. Small groups and attentive care ensure that creativity and play remain the focus, allowing parents to enjoy uninterrupted moments around the island.

A highlight of the season will be the Champagne Lucky Draw & Disco. From 1 to 31 December, each bottle of champagne purchased at resort bars or restaurants will serve as an entry to the draw. Guests are advised to keep their entry stubs for the live draw, held at 01:00 during the New Year’s celebration, where the prize will be a seven-night stay in a Water Villa for two.

Throughout the festive period, private experiences will feel as memorable as the larger celebrations. Guests may enjoy candlelit dinners on the sand, floating breakfasts, or early morning snorkelling sessions to begin the year anew. Whether seeking a lively shoreline celebration or a quiet evening stroll beneath lanterns and palms, Villa Nautica offers an atmosphere where every festive moment can glow in its own way.

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JOALI BEING launches global campaign ‘Joyful Journeys of Well-Living’

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JOALI BEING, the world’s first well-being island, has announced the launch of its new global brand campaign titled “Joyful Journeys of Well-Living.” The campaign celebrates the art of self-discovery, inviting travellers to reconnect with their inner selves through bespoke and transformative experiences.

Building upon JOALI BEING’s core philosophy of the “Joy of Weightlessness,” the campaign embodies the essence of harmony between mind, body, and spirit. It encourages guests to explore holistic pathways designed to restore balance and inspire personal growth.

Joyful Journeys of Well-Living serves as an invitation to travellers seeking meaningful change and renewal. The campaign narrates stories of individuals discovering joy through purposeful living, mindful connection, and immersive well-being experiences at JOALI BEING.

The visuals capture the island’s tranquil landscapes and nurturing spaces — from oceanfront sanctuaries to treetop villas and transformative healing sessions led by resident experts. The campaign presents JOALI BEING as more than a destination; it is a journey towards well-being, creativity, and self-transformation.

Each guest journey at JOALI BEING is founded on the resort’s Four Pillars of Well-Being — Mind, Skin, Microbiome, and Energy. Through tailored programmes, guests can embark on integrative wellness experiences encompassing sound therapy, movement and fitness, hydrotherapy, nutritional guidance, and energy-healing sessions curated by specialists.

The island features a series of advanced well-being spaces, including:

  • CORE: a movement and fitness zone
  • AREKA: a transformative treatment centre
  • KAASHI: a hydrotherapy hall
  • SEDA: a sound-healing room
  • Ocean Sala: an open-air meditation and relaxation deck

Each space is designed to nurture a profound connection with nature and the self.

The Joyful Journeys of Well-Living campaign has been conceptualised and produced by JOALI BEING’s in-house team in collaboration with creative partners and visual storytellers from across the globe. The multi-platform campaign integrates film, digital, and print media to convey JOALI BEING’s ethos — a celebration of joy, transformation, and harmony.

The visual narrative draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the Maldives, reflecting JOALI BEING’s immersive design philosophy. The imagery captures the rhythm of the ocean, the play of light, and the flow of energy that define the spirit of the island.

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Coco Bodu Hithi wins Best Waterside Hotel at Condé Nast Johansens Awards 2026

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Coco Bodu Hithi has been recognised on the global stage, winning Best Waterside Hotel (Riverside, Lakeside, Seaside) at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2026, held on 3 November 2025 in the UK. It is the second consecutive year the resort has been honoured by the publication, following last year’s win for Best Service, reaffirming its focus on heartfelt Maldivian hospitality and refined island living.

Described by Condé Nast Johansens as an “over-water, over-indulgent Maldivian island outpost,” Coco Bodu Hithi offers an intimate retreat of comfort and calm. The resort’s 32 Water Villas and 24 Coco Residences, each measuring 184 square metres and featuring private pools, provide secluded spaces set above the lagoon, where nature, design, and comfort come together to reflect the island’s romantic ambience.

Known for contemporary design infused with Maldivian heritage, the resort continues to welcome travellers seeking time by the sea, complemented by culinary collaborations with celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs. The experience balances privacy and comfort throughout a guest’s stay. With turquoise waters, quiet spaces, and experiences designed for connection and shared discovery, the resort presents a considered take on island living.

Located 35 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the island combines accessibility with seclusion—close enough for convenience, yet removed for privacy and serenity. As part of Coco Collection, the resort offers bespoke experiences, attentive service, and sustainable practices, shaping stays that feel personal and reflective of relaxed, authentic island life.

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