Featured
All you need is love: Vakkaru Maldives unveils five romantic experiences for truly memorable Valentine’s Day
To celebrate the resort’s fifth anniversary and the Day of Love, Vakkaru Maldives has curated a dawn-to-dusk programme of its Top Five extraordinary experiences for those in love.
Start the day in your luxury villa, watching the sunrise as you enjoy a sumptuous floating breakfast in your private pool. Then head to the award-winning Merana Spa for a pampering His & Hers spa treatment. Your journey begins with an ultra-nourishing body scrub, followed by a blissful couple’s massage enhanced with essential aroma oils of your choice. At the end of the treatment, immerse yourselves in a silky milk bath as you enjoy a glass of Champagne and an exotic fruit platter. This is followed by a relaxing sound healing session, which helps create new neural pathways to build a stronger relationship and leave you and your partner with feelings of joy and gratitude for each other.
You and your loved one can spread your love and also do your bit for the environment by joining the resort’s coral propagation programme and adopting a coral frame. The frames are used to create artificial reefs for the myriad reef fish and invertebrate species that live around the island. Each couple will also receive an “adoption” certificate.
Before dinner, take in the magnificent Maldivian sunset aboard the Princess 54 luxury yacht as you cruise around the Baa Atoll while sipping Champagne and nibbling on delectable canapes.
Food is the definitely the way to the heart and to end your day of romance, Vakkaru has created five exceptional dining options to help you sweep your loved one of their feet.
Lovers can expect an impressive selection of international dishes at the live stations and buffet spread at Amaany’s Timeless Romance Buffet Dinner while enjoying live music by the beach. This special dinner is priced at US$145++ and guests on a Half Board or Full Board meal plan can enjoy it with a US$35++ food supplement.
Treat them to a movie and dinner date with a difference at the new Jungle Cinema. Sit back and savour the four-course Lobsterlicious menu paired with a bottle of premium Rose Champagne while enjoying your favourite stars on screen. Our Tryst in the Jungle experience is priced at US$1,200++ and also includes a unique floral setup at the cinema, one movie of your choice, a bouquet of roses and a romantic bed decoration in your villa on Valentine’s Day.
An exquisite feast awaits you on a secluded sandbank surrounded by the Indian Ocean. The Valentine’s Castaway Dinner, priced at US$2,500++ per couple, includes floral decoration on the private sandbank, a Mediterranean menu, a 12-rose bouquet, a bottle of premium Rose
Champagne, live music during the dinner, bed decoration in your villa and a 60-minute His & Hers spa treatment.
Enjoy an evening of love with the Romantic Seaside Rendezvous experience at Vakku beach for US$550++ per couple. The magical evening includes an oceanfront table setup with floral decoration, a lavish four-course set menu, a bottle of Rose Champagne, a red rose bouquet, and a romantic bed decoration in the villa on Valentine’s Day.
Or, sweep your loved one off their feet with the indulgent Suite Escape. Wow them with the award-winning four-bedroom Vakkaru Over Water Residence as the setting for your night of romance. Enjoy an hour of spa bliss, followed by an intimate candlelit dinner on the open-air deck overlooking the endless ocean views. The US$2,000++ per couple experience includes a four-course Mediterranean menu, a bottle of premium Rosé Champagne, a bouquet of 12 roses, a 60-minute His & Hers Spa treatment, and a romantic bed decoration in the villa.
Couples can also book the Idyllic Romance Package for an extended romantic Maldivian escape. Valid for a minimum stay of five nights, rates start from US$1,938++ per night in the Overwater Villa and include these top five benefits:
- One Floating Breakfast experience in the private pool for a couple / one time in-villa breakfast experience in Overwater Villa (without pool)
- Complimentary return seaplane/domestic transfers for the couple
- One Private Destination Dining Experience on the beach
- One 60-minute Signature Couple Massage at Merana Spa
- One 30-minute jet ski session by Splash Dive and Watersports Centre for a couple
For reservations and general information, visit vakkarumaldives.com or contact reservations@vakkarumaldives.com.
Featured
Kuramathi Maldives announces private wellness programmes with Imron Zulfikar
Kuramathi Maldives has announced the arrival of esteemed holistic wellness practitioner Imron Zulfikar, who will undertake an exclusive residency at the resort from 15 December 2025 to 3 January 2026. During this period, guests will have the opportunity to participate in bespoke wellness experiences crafted by a recognised expert in integrative health.
Throughout his residency, Imron will conduct a series of private wellness sessions designed to restore balance, promote renewal, and enhance long-term wellbeing. His practice brings together ancient therapeutic traditions and contemporary fitness science, resulting in personalised programmes that support harmony, mobility, and emotional resilience. Signature offerings include:
- Watsu Water Healing Journey: A restorative treatment conducted in warm water, combining elements of shiatsu, massage, and gentle movement to release deep tension, soothe the nervous system, and foster a sense of tranquillity.
- Chakra Balance Therapy: A holistic session that aligns mind and body through crystal healing, guided meditation, and calming massage techniques.
- Meridian Deep Release Massage: A therapeutic blend of deep tissue massage and acupressure aimed at easing chronic tension, improving flexibility, and stimulating energy flow.
- Accu Glow Facial: A rejuvenating facial incorporating acupuncture and customised skincare to activate collagen production, detoxify the skin, and enhance natural luminosity.
- Oriental Slim Detox Massage: A treatment grounded in Traditional Chinese Medicine, combining acupuncture and massage to promote lymphatic drainage and support detoxification.
Imron is an accomplished wellness lifestyle coach and holistic fitness specialist with more than ten years of experience in acupuncture, tension release therapies, yoga, Pilates, and personal training. His integrative methodology nurtures physical alignment, emotional balance, and overall vitality.
He has worked with numerous luxury resorts and an impressive roster of high-profile clients, including Serena Williams, Emma Watson, Richard Branson, and members of the UAE Royal Family. Celebrated for his intuitive approach and refined technique, Richard Branson has previously referred to Imron as having “golden hands.”
Kuramathi Maldives looks forward to offering guests this exceptional opportunity to engage in transformative, individually tailored wellness experiences during Imron’s residency.
Drink
Felice Capasso brings award-winning mixology to The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli this February
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort will host World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2025, Felice Capasso, for an exclusive Tastemaker Series collaboration from 4–5 February. The partnership further strengthens the resort’s position as a destination for discerning travellers seeking craftsmanship, cultural depth, and refined experiences.
Located on a private island in the Dhaalu Atoll, The St. Regis Maldives has established a contemporary interpretation of island glamour. Its signature villas include some of the most coveted accommodations in the Indian Ocean, notably the John Jacob Astor Estate—one of the Maldives’ largest overwater residences—and the tranquil, beachfront Caroline Astor Estate. Each estate offers generous living spaces, expansive pools, and panoramic views, reflecting the resort’s dedication to elevated, residential-style luxury.
Within this sophisticated environment, The Whale Bar—an iconic overwater structure—will serve as the setting for Capasso’s arrival. As evening falls, the venue will adopt a vibrant Latin-inspired ambience, where guests will enjoy family-style small plates, bespoke cocktails, and rare vintages on tap while the sunset illuminates the lagoon. In this atmospheric setting, Capasso will unveil an exclusive cocktail menu for his bar takeover, blending classical technique with modern creativity.
On the following day, the resort will host an intimate Masterclass led by Capasso, centred on rum. The session will explore the spirit’s history, its regional expressions, and the narrative approach that distinguishes exceptional mixology. His expertise—rooted in precision, intuition, and storytelling—offers guests a rare opportunity to engage with a leading figure in the global bar industry.
This collaboration forms part of the resort’s ongoing Tastemaker Series, which brings influential creators and innovators to the island. By welcoming talents such as Felice Capasso, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort continues to craft immersive, evocative experiences that embody the distinctive spirit of St. Regis.
Drink
Sun Siyam Olhuveli unveils Milano, Olive Bar and Crust & Flame on Dream Island
Sun Siyam Olhuveli has introduced three new dining and social venues on its Dream Island — Milano, Olive Bar, and Crust & Flame — each conceptualised by the award-winning Studio Sixty7. Together, the venues bring a contemporary expression of coastal European style to the Maldives, blending refined design, effortless island living, and a sense of community that positions Dream Island as the resort’s newest lifestyle and entertainment hub.
Milano – An Italian Soul with a Front-Row Kitchen
Milano celebrates the warmth and generosity of Italian dining, presented through a coastal aesthetic that feels both relaxed and refined. The open kitchen serves as the heart of the restaurant, where guests can watch chefs craft handmade pasta, simmer traditional sauces, and prepare wood-fired dishes. The experience is intimate and engaging, reflecting the sincerity of Italian cooking.
Studio Sixty7 designed the space with an olive-green palette, arched features, textured off-white plaster, linen drapery, and sculpted timber furnishings. Deep green crittall-style glazing adds a quiet elegance, while patterned floors create a gentle visual rhythm. As evening falls, woven pendant lights warm the room, making Milano ideal for leisurely lunches and romantic dinners. Every design detail balances Italian flair with Maldivian tranquillity.

Olive Bar – The New Entertainment Pulse
At the centre of Dream Island’s social energy, Olive Bar offers a refreshed take on family entertainment, hosting nightly performances from acoustic musicians and cultural acts to lively DJ sets. By day, it provides a relaxed lounge environment; by night, it transforms into a vibrant social hub.
The bar’s design embraces coastal openness, featuring timber shutters, adaptable lounge seating, abundant greenery, and natural textures that reflect Studio Sixty7’s craftsmanship-driven approach. Gentle ambient lighting completes the atmosphere, creating a welcoming setting for conversation, laughter, and shared experiences.

Crust & Flame – Casual, Beachside, and Comfort-Driven
Crust & Flame offers a relaxed beachside dining experience centred around artisanal brick-oven pizzas and contemporary light dishes. Its striking emerald-and-sage terrazzo pizza oven serves as the visual anchor of the venue, glowing subtly in natural light as chefs prepare fresh creations throughout the day.
Muted olive and white tiles, moss-toned upholstery, and dark timber seating create a coastal trattoria feel, while maintaining a distinctly Maldivian beach ambience — toes in the sand, ocean breeze drifting through the space, and a focus on simple, well-crafted comfort food.
Reflecting on the creative direction, Lee McNichol, Co-founder of Studio Sixty7, noted that the aim was to craft spaces that feel like a gentle exhale — warm, textured, softly lit, and subtly inspired by European coastal landscapes. Co-founder Jose Rivero added that the intention was to build venues that feel lived-in and soulful, where guests naturally settle into the experience rather than simply dine or watch a performance.
Hassan Adil, General Manager of Sun Siyam Olhuveli, commented: “Our vision for Dream Island was to create a place where guests immediately feel the rhythm of island life — relaxed, social, and full of positive energy. Milano, Olive Bar, and Crust & Flame each offer something distinct, yet together they form a cohesive atmosphere that encourages connection and enjoyment. It is Olhuveli at its most effortless and playful.”
With the launch of these venues, Dream Island evolves into a dynamic culinary and social destination where design, flavour, and ambience come together seamlessly. This development reflects Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s continued journey toward contemporary lifestyle hospitality, grounded in the warmth and authenticity of Maldivian service.
Sun Siyam Olhuveli now offers more than twenty restaurants and bars across its islands, ensuring an ever-diverse dining landscape shaped by creativity, global influence, and the joy of island living.
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