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W Maldives Brings in the London Beats Duo

Maldives Promotion House – Surprisingly enough, it actually starts with your feet. You’re sitting down at a table, making small talk with your friends and before you know it, your fingers are moving. Then your hands slowly start drumming on the table. You start feeling hazy, and then the energy hits you. Just as you’re about to realise the motion of your head, the rhythms envelop you. The beats muffle out the voices of the excited crowd, and you lose control of your entire body. The flashing disco lights blind you, and you slip off your seat and the dance floor becomes the only world you exist in.
It is a very unique kind of music that can do that to you. Every DJ can’t do that, and every party can’t bring out that side of you that no one knew existed. But here are two DJs who can. Hailing from two very different parts of the world, DJ Klaus from Brazil and Ameet ‘El Bongo’ Jugnauth from the Mauritius are famously known as the London Beats. I was lucky enough to experience their vibes during their performance for the guests at W Retreat & Spa Maldives, earlier this week.
With a unique combination of traditional club DJ and raw live music, London Beats is one of London’s top act responsible for some of the wildest and craziest performances. The pair have played all over the world with a host of celebrity DJs and stars including Pete Tong, Shakira, Hot Chip and Bob Sinclair. Besides their London based residencies in Eclipse Bar and Boujis nightclubs, the duo also take London Beats abroad with regular performances at W Barcelona and W Doha. They have also performed in Taipei, St Petersburg, Barcelona, Doha, Hong Kong, Miami, and now Maldives
A DJ since 17, DJ Klaus spent half of his childhood in Brazil. He explained, “For me the whole DJ thing actually came from Brazil. My cousin was a DJ and that’s how I got into DJ. I did a lot of clubs in Brazil and then I moved to UK. Then back in London I did this gig in a club. The owners of the club also owned a couple of bars in London. So in 2008 for the 10th anniversary in one of the bars called Eclipse, they asked me to play.”
“Apparently Eclipse also had a guy who played percussion there. I had never heard of him or met him. So I was doing my set and he turned up, because he was going to play anyway. And the place just went wild, and I thought ‘wow’ this is actually pretty cool. So we ended up doing another gig together, and Eclipse wanted to use more DJs on the weekends so we started off playing regularly every Friday,” Klaus told me the story of how London Beats came to be.
“It was very unique and different because eclipse was very much a bar than a club, and unlike Europe, in London they’re both very different places. Klaus was very well known for what he was doing in the clubs and I was very well known for what I was doing in the bar. There were a lot of people who wanted to see the two of us come together. Everyone would talk about it, but they never really put us together until that day,” Ameet added.
In October 2009 when W Barcelona opened with an Eclipse bar, part owned by the W Brand, the duo was once again called to perform during the launch. That would be their first trip together and also the beginning of what is now known as London Beats. While most people would think that London beats started in London, it actually started in Barcelona. What kicked off as a theme night was named as London Beats to define where the beats of the duo come from.
The uniqueness and the sheer beauty of their performances, that has mesmerised audiences from all over the world, come from deep within their persona. “What we are actually trying to create is that fusion of live music and the DJ vibe. It’s a risky mix, because it either works really well, or it doesn’t work at all. And for us, the crowd speaks success,” says Ameet. “W has got a very strong brand so it’s relatively the same in every destination, but what’s interesting is that, it’s always a different crowd. Because the people are different, and that is our challenge.”
What DJ Klaus and Ameet ‘El Bongo’ Jugnauth performs is not just art. It’s not just music. It’s not just rhythms either. It goes far deeper than that. It mixes with the very essence of our inner child. The tunes reverberate through our body and mind and linger around us. It brings out the children in us, once again opening the flood gates to the innocence of youth. For a moment, everything stops, and the beats disappear into the night, along with the worries and stress of responsibilities. And all that is left is the floor, the lights and the energy that flows.
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Go behind scenes at Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives with new immersive tour

At Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, the allure of turquoise waters and golden sunsets is only part of the journey. As part of its Week in Paradise initiative, they have introduced a rare and eye-opening experience that takes guests behind the scenes—offering a deeper appreciation for what it truly takes to keep island life thriving.
Titled the Explore Our Resort Tour, this guided walkthrough is designed to go beyond the beach, spotlighting the systems, spaces, and people that quietly power of its island. It’s an invitation to witness the inner workings of paradise, where sustainability, efficiency, and teamwork come together in perfect harmony.

The tour begins at their Eco Park, where guests learn about our waste management operations—specifically the incinerator and digestor systems that play a critical role in reducing the resort’s environmental impact. From there, they visit the sewage treatment plant, where water is processed responsibly to maintain a clean and eco-conscious environment.
A stop at the diesel tanks and generator systems offers insight into the island’s energy supply, revealing how carefully calibrated operations ensure uninterrupted comfort for guests and colleagues alike. The RO (reverse osmosis) plant—another key highlight—demonstrates how seawater is converted into fresh, usable water through advanced desalination technology.

Guests also visit the laundry facilities, where mountains of linen are refreshed daily, and the often unseen administrative offices and associate accommodation units, which form the backbone of daily resort life. It’s a behind-the-curtain view of the dedication and effort that go into creating the effortless luxury that defines the Cinnamon experience.
More than just an operational tour, Explore Our Resort is about storytelling. It’s about giving guests a richer understanding of the care, coordination, and innovation that support each moment of their stay—from the spotless sheets to the lights that twinkle across the lagoon at night.

By launching this initiative, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives invites travellers to connect with the island on a deeper level—not just as guests, but as curious explorers of the world that quietly exists beyond the beach.
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Ocean, culture, community: sustainable celebrations at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru & Dhawa Ihuru

Single-use plastics continue to pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems, with over 11 million metric tonnes entering the oceans each year. Since the Banyan Group began its efforts to eliminate single-use plastics in 2018, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru have led the way within the group—achieving a 75% reduction in plastic use, the highest rate across all properties.
This July, guests are invited to participate in a series of sustainability-focused activities designed to create meaningful impact:
- 12 July: A community clean-up in Malé City in collaboration with CLEAN Maldives, bringing together locals, guests, and team members to reduce marine waste in urban environments.
- 19 & 26 July: Marine litter snorkelling clean-ups around the house reef, removing plastic debris while protecting marine life and habitats.
- 29 July: A recycled arts and crafts workshop at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru in partnership with Feyran Craft House, transforming collected plastic into handcrafted artworks.
These efforts support the Banyan Group’s ‘Brand for Good’ sustainability targets, which include the complete elimination of guest-facing single-use plastics by 2025 and full elimination across operations by 2030.
Taking place at Dhawa Ihuru—recognised for having one of the best house reefs in the Maldives (Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2025)—the Rannamaari Dive Fest invites divers and marine enthusiasts to explore the famed Rannamaari Shipwreck, located just metres from the shoreline.
This immersive day features:
- Guided dives to the shipwreck
- Underwater treasure hunts
- Marine conservation talks
- Cultural experiences including local arts and crafts, Maldivian cooking classes, and spa rituals
The event pays tribute to the vibrant marine ecosystem that defines Dhawa Ihuru as a premier dive destination.
Observed on 26 July, Maldivian Independence Day commemorates the country’s emergence as a sovereign island nation. In celebration of this historic occasion, both Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru have curated three days of experiences rooted in national pride, community, and tradition.
- 26 July: Guests may participate in a symbolic swim across the channel connecting the two islands, representing unity and freedom. The day continues with a Maldivian Culture Talk exploring traditions, language, and the significance of Independence Day, followed by a traditional Bodu Beru performance and beach bonfire under the stars.
- 26–28 July: Three days of beachside “Fun Olympic Games” celebrate island spirit through friendly competition and laughter.
- 25–31 July: Special dive and water sports promotions of up to 30% will be available. Offers include signature experiences such as diving the Rannamaari Shipwreck and snorkelling excursions with nurse sharks and stingrays.
The July programming forms part of the lead-up to Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru’s official 30th anniversary in September 2025. Each initiative reflects the resort’s founding philosophy: Embracing the Environment, Empowering People. Guests are invited to reconnect with nature, engage with Maldivian culture, and experience the true spirit of the Original Maldives.
Excursions
COMO Maalifushi and Cocoa Island join global tribute to women divers on 10th PADI Dive Day

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of PADI Women’s Dive Day, COMO Maalifushi and COMO Cocoa Island will host dedicated dive experiences in tribute to the passion, resilience, and adventurous spirit of women divers worldwide. Scheduled for Saturday, 19 July 2025, this global initiative brings together divers in a united effort to increase female participation in scuba diving, while also promoting marine conservation and inclusivity beneath the waves.
On this date, both COMO properties in the Maldives will organise specially guided dives exclusively for certified female guests. These experiences offer participants the chance to explore the region’s thriving marine ecosystems and connect with a broader movement that champions gender inclusivity and environmental stewardship in the diving community.
Situated in the unspoilt waters of the Maldives, COMO Maalifushi provides access to a range of renowned dive sites, including coral gardens and manta ray cleaning stations. These underwater landscapes are ideal for divers seeking meaningful interactions with marine life in a setting of natural splendour.
Peter Nilsson, Managing Director of COMO Hotels and Resorts in the Maldives, commented, “At COMO, we are committed to empowering women not only on land but also beneath the surface of the ocean. PADI Women’s Dive Day gives us a platform to honour values such as inclusivity, passion, and marine conservation — all of which resonate strongly with our brand ethos. We are proud to create experiences that allow our guests to forge lasting connections with the natural world in transformative and memorable ways.”
At COMO Cocoa Island, participants can expect similarly enriching experiences, with access to gentle reef slopes, crystal-clear lagoons, and a diversity of marine life. Supported by expert marine guides, the dives are designed to be both empowering and educational, fostering a deeper appreciation of the ocean’s delicate balance.
First launched in 2015, PADI Women’s Dive Day has grown into the world’s largest celebration of women in diving. This year, both COMO resorts aim to inspire a new wave of female divers while reinforcing the importance of sustainability and unity beneath the surface.
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