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Anantara Kihavah Maldives blends tradition with innovation to serve up sustainable tourism
Nestled in the pristine beauty of the Baa Atoll archipelago, Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas stands as a testament to the resort’s unwavering commitment to environmental preservation. From the very beginning of its construction, the resort embraced a unique approach: not a single tree was cut, and the villas were meticulously designed and built around them. Today, Anantara Kihavah continues to reinforce its dedication to environmental, social, and cultural conservation, striving to create an environmentally sustainable tourist destination while drawing inspiration from the island’s rich heritage and traditions.
The island’s history traces back to Arab traders and local fishermen seeking refuge. The resourcefulness of early fishermen is showcased through the traditional method of drawing fresh water from the ground, exemplified by the well discovered during the resort’s construction. Today, water management plays a crucial role in maintaining environmental sustainability. Through desalination and reverse osmosis, sea water is converted into potable water, while a sewage treatment plant processes wastewater into usable effluent for irrigation. Guests are encouraged to participate in water conservation by reusing their towels, thereby reducing unnecessary water consumption.
The resort’s commitment to the surrounding waters and marine life is reflected in its location within a UNESCO-protected biosphere reserve. Anantara Kihavah implements various measures and programmes to fulfil its environmental obligations. Guests can join reef cleaning efforts and participate in the Coral Adoption Programme, where they can plant coral in the resort’s reef nursery and follow its growth through photo updates. The resort also promotes the use of “reef-safe” sunscreen and provides educational signage on responsible behaviour in the water.
Anantara Kihavah also engages children in sustainable and responsible tourism through its Kids Marine Biology Programmes. These programmes introduce children from eight upwards to diving and snorkelling, teaching them about the reef ecosystem and biodiversity. In addition to Kids Marine Biology Programmes, the resort’s marine biologist conducts weekly presentations for kids and adults and takes young visitors to the underwater SEA restaurant to observe fish in their natural habitat.
The “Dollars for Deeds” initiative allows guests to contribute to the resort’s reef and CSR programmes. Guests can donate one dollar for each night of their stay or contribute through the purchase of Bon Aqua water, with the resort matching the donations. These funds support marine and coastal environment protection, environmental education, and community welfare.
On land, guests can engage in island cleaning activities and educational nature tours. The resort’s organic garden and orchid garden tours showcase sustainable practices, with the latter offering an opportunity to indulge in afternoon tea amidst the exquisite beauty of blooming orchids. Waste management is addressed through recycling programmes, with organic waste turned into compost and non-biodegradable waste carefully segregated and reused or provided to the local community.
Anantara Kihavah has also embraced a zero-plastic initiative, replacing single-use plastics with biodegradable alternatives. Refillable dispenser bottles are used for toiletries, and glass bottles are provided for water consumption. The resort generates its own distilled water and employs energy-efficient practices, such as invertor-type air-conditioning units, EcoGen boilers utilising waste heat, and motion sensor lighting. A solar energy system further reduces the reliance on diesel consumption.
It’s clear from the number of initiatives implemented that Anantara Kihavah Maldives takes its environmental obligations seriously. The resort has gone to great lengths in blending traditional wisdom with innovative ideas to create a resort that is fully committed to preserving its natural beauty and delivering sustainable tourism.
As multigenerational travel continues to influence the luxury hospitality sector, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa has reintroduced its Family Fun Summer programme, aimed at families seeking more time together through a combination of accommodation, activities and dining benefits.
Built around the brand’s “Stay in the Moment” philosophy, the programme includes a USD 300 resort credit that can be used across dining, spa and recreational experiences, allowing different generations to shape their stay according to their interests.
At the centre of the offer are the resort’s Overwater Duplex Villas and Two-Bedroom Duplex Beach Villas with Pool, which are designed to accommodate multigenerational travel through larger layouts and private space. These villas are supported by Thakuru service and complimentary bicycles, giving guests flexibility in how they move around and experience the island.
Beyond the villa, the programme includes a range of activities intended to support family engagement and shared experiences. Younger guests have access to the Family by JW™ Little Griffins Kids’ Club, one of the larger children’s clubs in the Maldives, with more than 100 programmes focused on play and discovery. Families can also take part in culinary classes at the JW Garden, where the resort offers a farm-to-table experience linked to the natural setting of the island.
Mohit Dembla, General Manager of JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, said the programme responds to changing guest expectations around luxury travel.
“Today’s luxury traveller isn’t just seeking a beautiful destination, they’re seeking time,” he said. “Time together, time to be present, time away from the noise. ‘Family Fun Summer’ is our answer to that, a sanctuary where every generation finds something meaningful.”
The Family Fun Summer package includes the USD 300 resort credit, which can be used for spa treatments, dining or island activities. It also includes daily breakfast, as well as three-course lunches and dinners for two adults and children under 12 at selected venues. Families will also receive a floating breakfast served in the privacy of their villa.
In addition, the package offers 60 per cent savings on dining at the resort’s signature restaurants, Hashi and Shio. Other inclusions include Thakuru service, complimentary use of non-motorised watersports equipment, and private bicycles for island use. The package also includes a 30-minute photography session and one printed photograph as a keepsake.
Through the relaunch of Family Fun Summer, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa is positioning itself within the growing multigenerational travel segment, combining larger villa accommodation with dining, leisure and family-focused experiences.
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives has introduced its Maldives Summer Escape offer as part of its positioning for Eid al Adha travel, combining accommodation benefits with seasonal dining and guest experiences for families, couples and small groups.
Available for stays through to 31 October 2026, the offer is designed to support longer stays and multigenerational travel, with a focus on dining flexibility and island-based experiences within a private resort setting.
To mark the Eid period, the resort will present a series of guest experiences linked to the occasion. On 27 May, guests will be offered an Eid breakfast at Seasalt Restaurant, featuring live Arabic cooking stations prepared by Egyptian chefs, alongside dishes such as foul medames, manakish and shakshuka.
An Eid-themed dinner buffet will also be held the same evening, with regional dishes and live cooking stations forming part of the dining programme. On other days, guests will also have the option of visiting a nearby local island to observe traditional Eid celebrations in a Maldivian community setting.
From 27 to 29 May, Mirus Bar will host a series of evening activations including a shisha lounge and DJ sets. The resort said the programme is intended to create a social setting suited to both couples and groups.
The Maldives Summer Escape offer includes daily breakfast and three-course à la carte dinners at selected venues, along with a USD 75 dining credit that can be used for alternative experiences such as Teppanyaki, The Shack or private dining.
Additional benefits include 15 per cent off treatments at Spa Alila, 20 per cent off food and beverage purchases, and 20 per cent off return seaplane transfers.
The resort said the offer is particularly suited to families and groups, with villa accommodation designed to provide both shared living space and privacy, while also appealing to couples through its more understated approach to island stays.
Thomas Weber, General Manager of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, said the resort had designed the offer around the significance of Eid and the expectations of guests travelling during the period.
“Eid is a deeply meaningful time, centred on togetherness, reflection, and shared moments,” he said. “For those choosing to celebrate away from home, we’ve curated an experience that feels both intimate and considered — where thoughtful dining, unhurried surroundings, and the natural beauty of the island come together to create something truly memorable.”
Through the combination of seasonal programming, dining inclusions and additional guest benefits, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is presenting the Maldives Summer Escape as an option for Eid travel in the Maldives.
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has been nominated in the “Resort” category of the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026, one of the travel industry’s recognised measures of guest preference and brand standing.
Located in Raa Atoll, the resort is continuing to build its profile through its all-Club concept, service model and guest experiences shaped by both location and programme. As the Maldives’ first all-Club InterContinental resort, the property includes a set of signature benefits with each stay, including daily breakfast, afternoon tea and evening aperitif.
The resort features 81 beach, lagoon and overwater villas and residences, along with seven restaurants and bars. Its guest offering combines private accommodation with a range of tailored experiences, including manta ray encounters in the Maamunagau lagoon, customised Dining by Design experiences, visiting wellness practitioners and its Artist in Residence programme.
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is also positioned to serve both couples and families, through its family offering and adults-only Retreat enclave.
The nomination reflects continued recognition for a resort that combines service, experience-led programming and a natural setting within one of the Maldives’ established tourism atolls.
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