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Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives wins Best Diving Resort Award

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Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has been awarded ‘Best Diving Resort’ in the Maldives at the 2023 TTM Awards. Located in the South Male atoll, the natural, private island resort is well known for its easy access to some of the Top 10 dive sites in the Maldives just minutes away. Among them, the famous Kandooma Thila, is just 5 minutes away from the island.

“We are thrilled and this is a great achievement for our amazing dive team and the resort. Our team is passionate about sharing the wonders of the underwater world with our guests, both experienced and those new to scuba diving,” says Mark Eletr, General Manager of Holiday Inn Resort

The fully-fledged five star PADI accredited Kandooma Dive Centre is located on the island providing qualified and experienced diving guides and instructors. The Dive Centre also has its own fleet of dive boats and offers the opportunity for guests to take courses to become licensed or advance their open-water skills. Memorable scuba diving experiences aren’t just for adults. The Kandooma Dive Centre also provides confidence building experiences for the little ones in the swimming pool with the PADI Bubblemaker programme.

“We are very lucky to have such a wonderful purpose-built dive facility. I’m a keen scuba diver myself and we have the full range of PADI programmes, a great equipment selection, and offer dive activities that promote aquatic environmental responsibility. We are particularly proud of having saved a Giant Oceanic Manta Ray earlier this month and a new association with the Manta Trust,” said Mark.

Starting from 1 September, 2023 Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives will introduce ‘DIVE FREE’ which offers guests staying 3 nights or longer, up to two free scuba dives per day including boat, equipment, air/enriched air and Guide.

“When guests see the marine life, whether that be vibrant coral reefs, Sharks, Manta Rays, Sea Turtles and a variety of fish, which are easily accessible from Kandooma they are blown away. To be able to offer free diving to our guests sets us apart from competitors. We’re pretty excited about it and there is no better time to promote this than after being named Best Dive Resort in the Maldives,” he added.

Located in the South Male Atoll just 40 minutes from the airport by boat, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is a beautiful island paradise. White sand beaches, swaying coconut palms and turquoise waters form the exquisite backdrop for a wide variety of leisure pursuits and some of the best diving in the Maldives. Guests can choose from Garden and Beach Villas, two-storey Beach Houses, the three-bedroom Beach Pool Villa and the popular Overwater Villas with direct ladder access to the water below. Families are well catered for with the Kandoo Kids’ Club and a full activities programme. Six food and beverage outlets ensure healthy appetites are satisfied and the flavours of the Maldives explored. For those guests who desire the ultimate in relaxation, sun loungers and hammocks are located around the island and the Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala is the ideal place to unwind.

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Elevated wellness: Aerial Yoga launches at Sun Siyam Olhuveli Maldives

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In celebration of International Yoga Day and the 2025 theme, ‘One Earth, One Health,’ Sun Siyam Olhuveli Maldives expanded its wellness offerings with the introduction of Aerial Yoga. Launched on 21 June 2025, this new activity is now available at the resort’s open-air Blue Fit Platform.

The launch event brought together resort guests, wellness enthusiasts, and team members in a shared experience that emphasised the connection between movement, mindfulness, and nature. Aerial Yoga allows participants to perform yoga while suspended in high-density tricot fabric hammocks, offering support through a combination of balance, breath, and flow.

Designed to provide more than just physical lightness and support, Aerial Yoga helps decompress the spine, improve circulation, and build core strength—all while overlooking the serene waters of the Indian Ocean. Sessions are offered as private or group classes, conducted by certified instructors and tailored to suit both beginners and experienced practitioners.

Hassan Adil, General Manager at Sun Siyam Olhuveli, described the initiative as a meaningful addition to the resort’s wellness programs. He noted that the introduction of Aerial Yoga goes beyond being a new class, representing a celebration of holistic living in harmony with nature. Adil emphasised the aim of fostering deeper connections between the body and the earth, offering guests the chance to explore inner wellness from a unique vantage point—suspended, supported, and surrounded by the tranquility of the Indian Ocean.

Sun Siyam Olhuveli remains committed to holistic living, continuously enhancing its wellness experiences to align with global health awareness. By creating spaces where guests can recharge, move freely, and reconnect with themselves, the resort encourages natural, mindful living.

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JW Marriott Maldives & Resort, Korres launch sustainable summer

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This July, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa invites guests to reconnect with the ocean through mindful travel as it launches a meaningful new collaboration with Greek skincare brand KORRES. Set on the secluded island of Vagaru in Shaviyani Atoll, the multigenerational retreat continues its commitment to sustainability with reef-safe sun care and immersive, conservation-led experiences—extending the spirit of World Oceans Day and its 2025 theme, “Wonder: Sustaining what sustains us.”

A Mindful Partnership for Skin and Sea

In partnership with KORRES, renowned for its natural formulations and sustainability ethos, JW Marriott Maldives will provide guests with reef-safe sun protection thoughtfully curated for both personal wellness and environmental care. Upon arrival, guests will receive a complimentary KORRES Yoghurt Sunscreen Emulsion SPF 50 and Yoghurt Sun Care for the Face SPF 30s. These formulations are free of reef-damaging chemicals such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, known contributors to coral bleaching.

Infused with natural Greek yoghurt and crafted for sensitive skin under the tropical sun, these products reflect a mindful approach to sun care. Through engaging touchpoints, ranging from educational displays and hands-on product stations to guided exchanges with resort staff, families are invited to learn, explore, and make informed, gentle choices for both skin and sea.

Elevated Experiences, Grounded in Purpose

To encourage island-wide participation, KORRES testers will be available at key guest areas including Horizon Pool, Pool 18, and the beach cabanas. Guests may also exchange their personal chemical-based sunscreens for a complimentary KORRES alternative. This initiative seamlessly blends elevated guest service with a commitment to environmental responsibility.

For Elite members, a thoughtful surprise awaits during evening turndown service with curated KORRES sun care products, offering guests a subtle touch of conscious luxury, woven into the resort’s intuitive guest experience.

Guests joining the resort’s House Reef Snorkeling Excursion, guided by the resident marine biologist, will explore the breathtaking biodiversity of Shaviyani Atoll while engaging in meaningful conversations around reef preservation and responsible ocean practices. As a token of the experience, participants will receive a KORRES sunscreen to continue their journey with intention.

“Protecting What Sustains Us”

“We are proud to partner with KORRES this summer to offer our guests a reef-safe sun care solution that protects both their skin and the ocean that surrounds us,” says Mohit Dembla, General Manager of JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa. “At JW Marriott Maldives, caring for families and the environment go hand in hand. Whether guests are snorkelling along vibrant coral reefs, unwinding by the water, or simply reconnecting with one another, these shared moments deepen their connection to nature and inspire a collective responsibility to safeguard our precious marine environment.”

This limited-time initiative, available throughout July while supplies last, builds upon the resort’s broader sustainability commitment. From incorporating organic, locally grown produce in its culinary offerings to implementing eco-friendly practices across all guest touchpoints, JW Marriott Maldives continues to set a benchmark of conscious luxury.

Guests are also encouraged to explore the JW Garden, cultivated with 100% organic fertilizer and maintained through a manual irrigation system. More than a source of fresh ingredients, the garden is a symbol of resort’s dedication to mindful living and stewardship of its natural surroundings.

As families create lasting summer memories on the island, they are invited to pause, engage, and wonder—sustaining what sustains us.

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Honeymoon

Sun, sand, searches: Maldives tops charts for 2025 newlyweds

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In an era where the quest for the perfect “romantic getaway” has surged by 83% in global Google searches year-on-year, the Maldives has been unequivocally named the top destination for newlyweds. According to new UK search and booking data from travel experts Travelbag, the island nation remains the most coveted long-haul honeymoon spot for 2025.

To determine where couples are heading to celebrate their nuptials, Travelbag’s specialists analyzed average UK Google search volumes alongside year-on-year booking trends from April 2024 to April 2025. The results highlight a clear winner, with the Maldives’ enduring popularity shining through.

Despite fierce competition from other idyllic locations, the Maldives holds the top rank with a staggering 19,200 average UK annual searches and a steady 5% year-on-year growth in bookings. This demonstrates the nation’s unshakable position as the quintessential honeymoon paradise in the minds of couples.

Here are the top long-haul honeymoon destinations according to Travelbag’s data:

  1. Maldives: 19,200 annual searches; 5% booking change
  2. Seychelles: 10,560 annual searches; 50% booking change
  3. Bali: 12,000 annual searches; 0% booking change
  4. Zanzibar: 8,640 annual searches; 86% booking change
  5. Costa Rica: 5,760 annual searches; 10% booking change
  6. St Lucia: 5,760 annual searches; -20% booking change
  7. Dubai: 3,840 annual searches; 30% booking change
  8. Antigua and Barbuda: 2,040 annual searches; 75% booking change
  9. Banff: 360 annual searches; 100% booking change
  10. Kyoto: 240 annual searches; 400% booking change

While destinations like Kyoto and Banff show remarkable growth in booking percentages, their search volumes indicate they remain niche choices compared to the mainstream appeal of the Maldives.

Danny Hugill, the designated Maldives destination expert at Travelbag, shared his advice for couples planning their romantic escape.

“The Maldives is the ultimate honeymoon destination, offering a mix of luxury, seclusion, and natural beauty,” he stated. “For a truly romantic and peaceful honeymoon, consider visiting between December and April, when there is plenty of sunshine and crystal-clear waters, perfect for relaxing on white-sand beaches and exploring vibrant coral reefs. At this time of year, temperatures range between 24°C and 31°C, so you’ll need to make sure you pack your sunscreen.”

Hugill also highlighted the diverse activities that await newlyweds: “Relaxation and romance take centre stage here. You can enjoy day-diving trips or head out on a glass-bottomed kayak together. But if you’re looking for something more exciting, there are plenty of watersports available on the islands, including water skiing and parasailing. You could even try a Maldivian cooking class to take some culinary skills back home with you.”

This latest data from Travelbag solidifies the Maldives’ esteemed status, proving that its unique blend of breathtaking scenery and luxurious intimacy continues to capture the hearts of couples worldwide, setting the standard for honeymoon destinations in 2025 and beyond.

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