Featured
Nova Maldives launches ‘Slow Itinerary’ and exciting offer for sustainable summer getaway

Summer is approaching, and many people share the desire to spend their vacation in a sustainable way. Right in time, Nova, the bright new star resort in the Maldives, launches an unbeatable discount on villa rates and its all-inclusive supplement for stays from May up to and including July 2023. But that’s not all – Nova is also introducing its “Slow Itinerary”, a programme that allows guests to engage in sustainable activities. Guests can learn new skills, support the local community and environment with meaningful projects, reconnect with nature and feel its beneficial effects while reducing environmental impacts.
Guests on Nova can enjoy organic and local dining experiences at Soul Kitchen and Flames, its signature restaurant that now offers new vegan and vegetarian dishes. During the authentic “Holhuashi” event, culture enthusiasts can integrate with local life and learn about Maldivian customs and lifestyles, taste local products and learn to prepare Maldivian “Hedikaa Tea”, traditional savoury and sweet bites from a Maldivian housewife. Guests taking part in the Maldivian coconut oil workshop can find out more about the diverse applications of coconut oil, not only in Maldivian cuisine but also in “Dhivehi Beys”, the traditional Medicine of the Maldives and islanders’ system of herbal medicine.
For those who prefer educational workshops, Nova offers “Basmagu”, an introductory Dhivehi language class, a Boduberu workshop and Maldivian Flora and Fauna workshops.
Guests’ inner well-being is not neglected either, with complimentary yoga and gratitude meditation sessions amidst the sounds of nature, guests can find harmony and embark on a rejuvenating vacation dedicated to inner wellbeing and relaxation.
What sets Nova’s “Slow Itinerary” apart is its regenerative activities, such as the coral aquaculture workshop or the Nova house reef cleaning. Guests can make an active contribution and positive impact on the environment by e. g. liberating the Nova house reef from crown of thorns and as such leave the place they visit in a better state than when they arrived.
During the coral gardening workshop, guests can help the resident marine biologist plant young corals grown in a protected nursery until adulthood back into the natural environment of the Nova house reef. What better way to experience the dazzling coral reefs surrounding Nova than to actively help protect them?
With participation in these activities, Nova enables guests to give back to the community during their vacation, immersing themselves in and experiencing the local culture and environment while making a difference.
In addition, Nova guests can enjoy the following benefits from May up to and including July 2023:
- Up to 52% discount on all room types and meal plans
- A 30-minute photo shoot session with a printed photo (6×8) per villa per stay
- Daily complimentary group Sunrise Yoga
- Complimentary use of snorkelling fins and masks during the stay (applicable for all-inclusive only)
- Complimentary rental of standard kayaks and paddleboards (non-guided) once per stay (applicable for all-inclusive only)
- 20% discount on food at the a’ la carte restaurants
Nova is the bright new star among resorts in the Maldives, as it believes in a greater calling than simply a lifestyle holiday destination. It’s where people can live in the moment and immerse themselves into the spirit of the Maldives and the vibrant Nova community. Smart, playful, rooted and responsible, Nova embodies the very essence of the Pulse Hotels & Resorts brand. It’s a refreshing take on the all-inclusive concept that extends beyond the meals and services, welcoming everyone to enjoy what Nova offers. This 76- villa island is in South Ari Atoll and is reached by seaplane and guests of all ages are welcome at Nova, as we are a truly inclusive community. From beach volleyball and diving to local art and culture, from the stylish, laid-back land and over-water villas to deliciously fresh dining, Nova is about people taking the time to do what makes their soul happy.
For more information on the Nova summer offer, please visit: https://nova-maldives.com/offers/slow-itinerary-special-summer-offer/
Entertainment
Halloween and Autumn celebrations at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, is preparing to welcome guests to a week-long Autumn Festival with Halloween-themed celebrations running from 30 October to 5 November. The programme features a variety of activities designed for families, couples, and individual travellers, with events ranging from treasure hunts and creative workshops to wellness sessions and exclusive dining experiences.
The celebrations begin on 30 October with a beachside Tabata workout followed by a pumpkin carving workshop at La Locanda. Activities for children and teens include the Magic of Mantas virtual reality exploration, Haunted Brick Builders, and the Autumn Costume Fashion Show. Parents are invited to a cocktail gathering on the shore before the evening concludes with a Culinary Maestro dinner by Michelin-starred Chef Max Strohe, as part of the resort’s Masters of Crafts series.
On 31 October, guests may join a morning Dynamic Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden or take part in a turtle snorkelling excursion. Children between four and twelve are encouraged to join the Flying Fox Quest, a Halloween-themed nature walk, while older children embark on an Island Treasure Quest. Seasonal workshops such as wreath decoration and creative pumpkin carving are available, and the day concludes with a Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt across the island and a Halloween Feast at La Locanda.
As the week progresses, the festival highlights wellness and creativity. Under the Masters of Crafts programme, mobility coach Anthony Green will host sessions on posture, flexibility, and spinal health. Seasonal crafts for younger guests include galaxy-themed pumpkin art, Halloween decorations, wand-making, and mask workshops. Family activities extend to Autumn Carnival Stalls, Magic Hat bowling, and themed cooking sessions. Evening entertainment includes a magic show, a piñata party, and further culinary experiences led by Chef Max Strohe.
The festival concludes on 5 November with a Vinsaya Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden, an art class featuring batfish designs on tote bags, and a children’s treasure hunt. Families are invited to join the Boos and Brews Halloween Dhoni Cruise before the celebrations end with a Luxury Sunset Cruise.
Through this programme, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, combines seasonal festivities with wellness, creativity, and gastronomy, offering guests a diverse celebration of autumn and Halloween in the Maldives.
Featured
Soneva Fushi awarded SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality 2025

Soneva Fushi, situated within the Maldives’ Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, has been named winner of the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award as part of The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025. The accolade is one of two special awards announced ahead of the official ceremony on 30 October. The award is based on votes from more than 800 members of the Academy, who were asked to identify the hotel where they experienced their single-best hospitality moment within the two-year voting period.
The award recognises the quality of service that ensures guests feel cared for throughout their stay. It celebrates the work of a property and its entire team, acknowledging excellence in areas ranging from reception and housekeeping to amenities and food and beverage services. Voters were asked to consider ambience, unique experiential elements, and the warmth of the hospitality on offer.
Soneva Fushi, the original Soneva resort and regarded as the model for barefoot luxury, is located on one of the Maldives’ largest and least developed islands. The resort comprises 71 private villas, either set amidst dense jungle or positioned above the ocean. Guests are invited to embrace a slower pace of life, with experiences ranging from deserted island picnics and wellness treatments at Soneva Soul to curated events under the Soneva Stars calendar.
Emma Sleight, Head of Content for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, said: “This award celebrates the foundation of hospitality and honours the emotional connection that guests have with a hotel and its team. For three decades, Soneva Fushi has been delivering memorable service at the highest level that puts the guest at the heart of every interaction. A mainstay of The World’s 50 Best Hotels list since the awards’ inception, Soneva Fushi is a worthy winner of the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award, setting a benchmark of all-encompassing excellence one stay at a time.”
Each villa offers extensive indoor and outdoor living space, private pools and ocean views. A distinctive feature of the resort is its Barefoot Guardians – dedicated butlers assigned to each villa to provide personalised service. Available at all times, they arrange every aspect of the guest experience, from zipline adventures and snorkelling at Hanifaru Bay to stargazing at the observatory or dining in one of 14 restaurants. The Barefoot Guardians also manage the Soneva Stars calendar, which hosts international chefs, wellness specialists and sporting figures.
Antony Paton, General Manager of Soneva Fushi, said: “This award belongs to the entire team at Soneva Fushi. It is a reflection of our shared purpose to create moments of joy, connection and wonder every single day. Being recognised by The World’s 50 Best Hotels affirms that the quiet magic we strive for is not only felt by our guests, but remembered. And that, to us, is the greatest reward.”
Giancarlo Mancino, Chief Executive Officer of SeiBellissimi, added: “At Soneva Fushi, hospitality is a seamless extension of a lifestyle deeply rooted in sustainability, wellness and mindful luxury. Founded with a slow life philosophy, every experience here is a tribute to living in harmony with nature, honouring health-conscious principles, and crafting each moment with genuine care. This devotion to sustainable elegance and the art of well-being is the perfect mirror of SeiBellissimi’s own values: Italian craftsmanship, conviviality, and a respect for quality that goes beyond the ordinary.”
The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025 ceremony will take place at Old Billingsgate in London on Thursday 30 October, where Soneva Fushi will formally receive the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award.
Awards
Minor Hotels celebrates multiple wins at TTM Awards 2025

Minor Hotels, a global hospitality group operating nine resorts in the Maldives, has announced that three of its properties were recognised at the Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) Awards 2025. The annual awards celebrate achievements across 28 categories, with winners selected through votes cast by guests and travel partners.
Niyama Private Islands Maldives received the award for Best Family Resort. The property is known for offering experiences for all ages, with facilities including a playground, splash park, and gourmet kitchen at its children’s club, alongside an extensive schedule of activities. Young guests are provided with age-appropriate experiences such as snorkelling safaris, cooking classes, surf lessons, and outdoor cinema evenings.
Accommodation includes a variety of spacious villas and pavilions, such as the newly renovated Deluxe Family Beach Pool Villa. Combined with diverse dining options, recreational activities, and personalised service, the resort seeks to provide both adventure and relaxation for families.
Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort was named Best Beach Resort, reflecting its setting of white sands, turquoise lagoons, and coconut groves within Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The resort offers contemporary villas, including Beach Pool Villas and Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villas, with direct beach access.
Since opening in 2023, Avani+ Fares has aimed to introduce a laid-back approach to Maldivian holidays, combining modern design with the natural environment. Guests can participate in activities ranging from water sports and wellness to dining and cultural programmes.
NH Collection Maldives Havodda Resort was awarded Best Dive Resort, recognised for its accessible house reef and marine biodiversity. Located close to the shoreline, the reef offers opportunities for snorkellers and divers of all levels, with frequent encounters with species such as reef sharks, turtles, rays, and tropical fish.
The resort also provides access to the dive sites of Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, where PADI-certified instructors guide guests through channels, thilas, and reef walls.
In addition to these three awards, Minor Hotels’ properties received 12 finalist nominations across seven categories. These included its newest addition, NH Maldives Kuda Rah Resort, which was shortlisted in three categories.
The group’s nominations at the TTM Awards 2025 were:
- Best Beach Resort: Avani+ Fares and NH Collection Maldives Havodda
- Best Family Resort: Niyama, Avani+ Fares, and NH Maldives Kuda Rah
- Best Boutique Resort: NH Maldives Kuda Rah
- Best Culinary Resort: Niyama
- Most Picturesque Resort: NH Collection Maldives Havodda
- Best Surf Resort: Niyama
- Best Dive Resort: Avani+ Fares, NH Collection Maldives Havodda, and NH Maldives Kuda Rah
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