Connect with us

Featured

Fitness expert Domingos Folgado returns to Vakkaru Maldives this Spring with new holistic programmes

Published

on

Renowned wellness consultant and personal trainer Domingos Folgado returns to Vakkaru Maldives for another residency from 23 March to 18 April, covering the Easter and Spring break. With a loyal following of repeat guests at the resort, Domingos is highly regarded for his exceptional treatments and personal training sessions customised to each guest’s individual needs.

During his upcoming residency, Domingos will introduce five new treatments in keeping with current wellness trends and guests’ demands.

Wellness Massage

Moving from the soles of the feet to the crown of your head, this tailored treatment combines premium aromatherapy oils with ancient techniques to deeply heal your mind, body, and soul.

Muscle Release Massage

Using warm aromatherapy oil and deep tissue techniques to relax muscles, drain the lymphatic system, increase circulation, and improve energy levels, this treatment is customised to your preferences and combined with a healing music playlist to relax the brain.

Himalayan Salt Stone Massage

This therapeutic massage uses salt stones to decrease stress levels and increase relaxation, which can alleviate anxiety and promote deeper, rejuvenating sleep.

Mind Body Massage

This tailored dynamic massage therapy uses cranial balance, trigger point therapy, breath work, vagus nerve stimulation, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to help alleviate frozen shoulder, sciatic pain, neck pain, and facial paralysis, among others.

European Swedish Massage

Designed to invigorate the body and promote better overall health using techniques such as percussion, kneading, vibration, tapping, and rolling, this treatment is ideal for relieving aches and pains or for simply unwinding and relaxing.

In addition to these new therapies, Domingos’ signature treatments, including the popular Amno Fu and Gua Sha Facial, will also be on the menu during the residency. Guests can also consult him for tailored personal training sessions for weight loss, gaining strength, core conditioning, muscle toning, increasing flexibility and postural analysis.

A graduate of the Instituto Medico Naturista de Lisboa in his native Portugal, the wellness consultant, therapist, acupuncture expert and qualified personal trainer uses his diverse skill set to work with an impressive black book of celebrity and high-end clients. During his 20-year career in the health and fitness industry, Domingos has also gained expertise in naturopathy, therapeutic massage, sports techniques, and KORE therapy, and can meld different treatments and disciplines according to a client’s needs and wishes.

To celebrate Domingos’ return, Vakkaru Maldives is offering all guests up to 20% off their bookings if they pre-book any treatment or personal training programme by 15 March 2023.

For reservations and general information, visit vakkarumaldives.com or contact reservations@vakkarumaldives.com.

Featured

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

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Awards

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

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Action

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

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.