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Celebrating International Environmental Education Day with Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon

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Sustainability has become the heart and soul of the hospitality industry and travel trade, especially with travellers being more concerned of the environment, climate change and well-being of local communities. Hospitality brands across the world are now opting for sustainable approaches to enable this mandate. This is further validated by the findings from the Sustainable Travel Report 2022 published by booking.com, where 78% of global travellers intend to stay in a sustainable property at least once during this year while 71% of travellers expect to put in more effort during the year to travel more sustainably.

Sustainability being the cornerstone of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts and across its properties in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, continuously redefines new benchmarks in terms of sustainability and inculcating its core values of compassion, inclusivity, empowerment, and diversity.

Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon, a property managed by Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, home to one of the best coral reefs in the Maldives has taken a step ahead in its sustainability endeavours. The resort focuses on several sustainable initiatives including minimising the usage of plastic, producing organic fruits and vegetables in-house and conservation of coral reefs.

Minimising waste and single use plastic

During the bygone year the resort was able to reduce its plastic usage simply by replacing plastic garbage bags with washable and re-usable garbage bags and plastic laundry bags has been replaced by hand-made paper bags which are mad out of magazines found in the property. Moreover, the resort has replaced its plastic water bottles by introducing refillable, customised drinking water bottles and has introduced wooden key cards, paper bags, wooden straws, and wooden bins with the objective of further reducing the usage of plastic within the property. Through all these efforts the property has been able to reduce the usage of over 11,500 KG of plastic material during 2021 and 2022.

Taking a step ahead, the resort has introduced tote bags which are purely made of damaged umbrellas found within the property. These bags have become a popular accessory among guests within the resort.

Farm to Plate

The resort has introduced a special initiative, ‘Farm to Plate’, an organic vegetable farm which focuses on producing fresh fruits and vegetables within the property. The farm has a dedicated composting area where dry leaves are converted to compost and wastewater is used as the main source to water the farm. The resort works closely with the local community to recycle coconut palm leaves to make roofing covers for public areas within the resort.

Conservation of Coral Reefs in the Maldives

As part of its marine life conversation programme, the resort has placed several artificial Reef Cubes made from crushed glass to increase fish population around the property. In addition, monthly reef & beach clean-ups are arranged by the resort where guests are encouraged to participate. In an effort to reduce its carbon footprint, the resort has introduced various initiatives including the use of solar power, reduction of Carbon Dioxide emission and water saving initiatives.

Sustainability, which is a driving force has been embedded into the DNA of Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts and is an ongoing pledge and Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon is dedicated to make a real difference by driving an eco-friendly change and delivering value to its guests, people, and planet. With a number of sustainability projects on the horizon, the resort remains well focussed on the current sustainability initiatives, and the future projects would draw more attention to the conservation of coral reefs, marine life, and ocean literacy, all while creating greater awareness on various issues related to sustainability and wellbeing. As a brand built on its core values and principles, Cinnamon Hotels & Resort is committed to creating a better tomorrow, both socially and environmentally.

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is a diverse chain of hotels spanning Sri Lanka and the Maldives and a member of John Keells Holdings PLC, one of the largest listed conglomerates in Sri Lanka, with diverse interests in sectors ranging from Leisure, Transportation, Property, Consumer Food & Retail, Financial Services, Information Technology, Business Process Operations to Plantations.

This pioneering hotel chain was launched at The World Travel Market in London on 14 November 2005. Since its launch, it has come to represent a uniquely Cinnamon experience and has steadily risen to become the leading choice for travellers in Sri Lanka. The Cinnamon brand boasts a portfolio of vibrant and modern hotels, colourful and inspiring, unswervingly hospitable and committed to satisfying our patrons’ varied and discerning needs.

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is the pinnacle of Sri Lankan hospitality through comfort, creativity, discovery, and inspired living. Each property is designed to showcase and complement the local environment, character, culture, and traditions of the area it serves. From Jungle cabanas to city luxury, water villas in the Maldives to beach chalets in Sri Lanka, each resort is designed to take you on a memorable journey into discovery. With three City properties in Colombo, eight Resort properties around Sri Lanka and four Resorts in the Maldives, and a host of new and exciting projects on the horizon, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is your partner and faithful guide to ‘The Jewel of the Indian Ocean and its timeless and fascinating ‘Emerald Isle’.

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‘Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom’ comes to Sun Siyam Vilu Reef this festive season

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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.

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Sun Siyam Iru Veli earns top wedding destination honour at TTM Awards

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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.

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Chef Jake Norman and Molly O’Donoghue join Niva Dhigali for November programme

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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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