News
Discover endless Maldivian, Thai authenticity at Centara’s Maldives resort

Looking for your next escape? Embark on an unforgettable journey to explore Maldivian Thai experiences immersed in unique underwater treasures at Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa. Alternatively, explore the vibrance of Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa and discover an adults-only playground of alluring exclusivity with exclusive discounts up to 35%.
Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa: Where Authenticity Meets Marine Marvels
Discover a captivating marine paradise at Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa, nestled within the enchanting South Ari Atoll. Your journey to this tropical haven begins with a mesmerising seaplane ride from Male, revealing pristine turquoise waters that invite exploration. Here, a healthy marine life thrives, and the resort boasts the acclaimed 2nd Best House Reef in Maldives, as honoured by the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards for Asia Pacific 2023, which is located right on the doorstep of the resort.
Immerse yourself in the heart of this aquatic sanctuary, where coral-rich depths promise exhilarating experiences for divers and snorkellers. Explore underwater realm adorned with lively corals and exotic marine species, offering an unmatched encounter with the ocean’s captivating denizens. Dive into adventure with accredited Maldivian dive masters, exploring a historic shipwreck. The PADI Dive & Experience Course Centre caters to divers of all levels, offering learning programs and certification opportunities.
Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa, a five-star retreat, offers a range of accommodations seamlessly integrated with nature’s beauty. From Duplex Beach Villas to Premier Overwater Villas, and Premium Deluxe Sunset Overwater Villas to Two-bedroom Beach Villas with private pools, ideal for families, each design complements the stunning surroundings.
Savour an array of flavours at diverse dining establishments, from authentic Thai cuisine at Suan Bua to dreamy Italian creations at Azzuri Mare. Aqua Bar offers classic cocktails and sunset views, while our exclusive The Club elevates your stay experience of a resort within a resort. Complete your stay with wellness experiences at Spa Cenvaree, offering soothing treatments and beachfront yoga. With a commitment to environmental sustainability, Centara’s Coral Restoration Programs and with initiatives to preserve the pristine marine ecosystem, you can enjoy spectacular views and crystal-clear waters all year-round.
Paradise Found: Maldives Exclusive
For a limited time, seize the opportunity to save 35% on the Best Available Rates*, and if you’re a CentaraThe1 member, enjoy an additional 15% discount along with the extraordinary perk of earning triple points on all bookings.
Unwind and rejuvenate with a generous 20% discount on spa treatments and dining, while you can also relish the convenience of a 25% discount on Return Seaplane transfers. As the sun sets over the azure horizon, embark on a complimentary sunset boat excursion, a voyage that encapsulates the magic of the Maldives.
CentaraThe1 members can also earn triple points on bookings made between now and September 30th for stays until December 20th, 2023
When: Available for booking made from now till 30th September 2023 and stays from now until December 20th 2023.
Offer:
- 35% discount on best available rates
- 20% discount on spa treatments and dining
- 25% discount on return seaplane transfers
- CentaraThe1 members receive an additional 15% discount on their stay plus triple points on all bookings
- Complimentary sunset boat excursion
Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa: A Vibrant Adult Only Playground
Indulge in the allure of exclusivity and passion at the Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa, a vibrant adults-only playground for indulgence, connection, and rejuvenation. An escape offering a world tailored to their desires.
Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa transcends the ordinary, inviting you to embrace the extraordinary. It’s a place where you can rediscover the joy of spontaneity, create bonds with your partner that last a lifetime, make new friend and immerse yourself in an environment dedicated to your happiness. If you’re seeking a true escape, look no further, this is your ultimate canvas upon which to paint your story.
Surrounded by like-minded souls, the opportunities to connect are endless. Share stories over delectable culinary experiences, from contemporary Thai delicacies to Arabic specialities and Italian feasts, all meticulously prepared to tantalise your taste buds. For the playful evenings, enjoy exciting refreshments, cocktails and afternoon tea in a laid-back setting overlooking the oceanic blues.
Accessed by speedboat, this idyllic island retreat offers an intimate private villa experience complemented by tantalising culinary delights, while immaculate white sand beaches and a sparkling lagoon teeming with magnificent marine life lay the perfect setting for resort-wide activities, beach games, snorkelling, water sports, and some of the top dive sites in the Maldives.
To rekindle the flame of connection, whether you are newlyweds or long-time partners, unwind at the award-winning SPA Cenvaree.
Paradise Found: Maldives Exclusive
Experience a romantic getaway like no other at the enchanting Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives. With an enticing 35% discount on Best Available Rates, this offer promises an unforgettable getaway that blends tranquillity and indulgence. For CentaraThe1 members, the allure deepens with an additional 15% savings on their stay along with earning triple points for every booking.
Guests can also delight their senses with a 20% discount on both revitalising spa treatments and delectable dining experiences, allowing you to savour the most tempting flavours and rejuvenate your spirit. With complimentary return transfers for guests staying a minimum stay of three nights, whether you’re yearning for a romantic escape, an unforgettable honeymoon, or simply a serene retreat, this is the perfect excuse to book your next escape today.
CentaraThe1 members can also earn triple points on bookings made between now and September 30th for stays until December 20th, 2023
When: Available for booking made from now till 30th September 2023 and stays from now until December 20th 2023.
Offer:
- 35% discount on best available rates
- 20% discount on spa treatments and dining
- Complimentary return seaplane transfers (3-night stay minimum)
- CentaraThe1 members receive an additional 15% discount on their stay plus triple points on all bookings
For more information, please visit https://www.centarahotelsresorts.com.
Cooking
W Maldives welcomes acclaimed ‘Dessert King’ Reynold Poernomo for Flavours Unscripted culinary takeover

W Maldives is turning up the flavor dial this August with a high-profile culinary collaboration that is equal parts bold, artful, and wildly indulgent. As part of the resort’s Dare To Taste programming under the Flavors Unscripted series, W Maldives will welcome acclaimed chef and culinary creative Reynold Poernomo for a two-part takeover on August 10 and 12, 2025. This exclusive collaboration is set to redefine island dining—one plate at a time.
Born in Indonesia and raised in Sydney, Chef Reynold is no stranger to pushing culinary boundaries. A self-taught prodigy who rose to fame as a finalist on MasterChef Australia, he quickly became known as the nation’s “Dessert King” for his intricate, art-driven creations. In 2016, he co-founded KOI Dessert Bar with his family, which has since become one of Sydney’s most iconic culinary destinations with a cult following. The brand expanded in 2017 with KOI Dessert Kitchen, a production space that also hosts exclusive masterclasses and guest chef collaborations. Reynold’s approach to food is anything but ordinary—his plates are immersive, imaginative, and unapologetically bold. This August, he brings that same creative fire to W Maldives.
The main event unfolds on August 12, when guests will have the rare opportunity to experience Chef Reynold’s culinary artistry firsthand at FISH, the resort’s signature overwater venue renowned for its sustainable ocean-to-table fine dining. For one night only, Chef Reynold will present a specially curated three-course dinner inspired by island ingredients, global technique, and his unmistakable visual flair. Guests can expect bold plating, layered flavors, and a few unexpected turns—this is Reynold unleashed, Maldives-style.
As part of this exclusive collaboration, W Maldives presents Marriott Bonvoy Moments–a once-in-a-lifetime experience for members to bid on a Private Castaway Dining Experience with Chef Reynold, paired with a luxurious four-night villa stay in a Premier Overwater One-Bedroom Villa from August 9 to 13, 2025. The package includes roundtrip shared seaplane transfers from Velana International Airport, daily breakfast, and a one-time signature treatment at AWAY Spa for the bid winner and their guest.
The highlight of the stay begins on August 10, with an intimate starlit dinner on Gaathafushi, W Maldives’ private castaway island, where Chef Reynold will personally host and curate a bespoke tasting menu. On August 12, the duo will receive front-row seats to his culinary showcase at FISH. With only one package available, anticipation is high and competition will be fierce.
To mark the collaboration, Chef Reynold will also unveil an exclusive signature dessert, created just for W Maldives and available on the menu for six months following his visit. Daring, decadent, and destined to be the most photographed dish on the island, it is a lasting tribute to this unforgettable partnership.
“There’s something electric about the Maldives—its textures, its moods, its light,” said Chef Reynold Poernomo. “This menu is my response to that. A dreamscape of flavor brought to life through technique, imagination, and a little island heat.”
Amila Handunwala, General Manager of W Maldives, added, “At W Maldives, we’re all about pushing boundaries—on the plate, behind the bar, and in the guest experience. Reynold brings a daring, creative energy that aligns perfectly with our vision. This isn’t just a dinner; it’s a story told in flavor.”
This collaboration is part of Flavors Unscripted, W Maldives’ platform for culinary expression where global tastemakers meet untamed island creativity and nothing is ever scripted. It is food without rules. Flavor without borders.
Tucked away in the heart of the North Ari Atoll and a 25-minute scenic seaplane journey from Velana International Airport, W Maldives is a bold luxury escape featuring 77 private villas—each with a plunge pool and unobstructed access to the Indian Ocean. Following a recent design refresh, the resort seamlessly blends contemporary luxury with the island’s raw natural beauty.
Members can now bid for a Private Castaway Dining Experience with Chef Reynold Poernomo and a four-night stay at W Maldives until July 21, 2025 through Marriott Bonvoy Moments.
Guests looking to stir things up in paradise can book the Stay, Dine, and Fly package, which includes daily breakfast, a three-course dinner, and roundtrip seaplane transfers. For more information, visit www.wmaldives.com or contact reservations.wmaldives@whotels.com.
Awards
JOALI Maldives ranked Asia’s best and No. 7 in world’s top 100

JOALI Maldives has been named the #1 Resort in Asia and #7 Resort in the World in the prestigious Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2025, reaffirming its place as one of the leading luxury destinations globally and the hallmark of excellence of the Maldives.
Each year, Travel + Leisure readers rate the world’s most exceptional hotels based on rooms and facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. JOALI Maldives’ consistently high ratings reflect an enduring commitment to thoughtful luxury and heartfelt guest experiences.
With an outstanding score of 99.46 this year, the resort stands among the highest-rated properties in the world in this year’s Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. Guests praised every element of the experience, from the design of the villas to the warmth of the service, with one reader declaring Saoke, the resort’s signature Japanese restaurant, as “the best food in the world.” This level of acclaim reflects not only exceptional facilities, but also the resort’s unwavering commitment to curating personalised, soulful journeys for every guest.
This award adds to an ever-growing list of honours for the resort. JOALI Maldives has proudly upheld Forbes Five-Star status consecutively, has been celebrated in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards most recently as the #1 Resort in the Indian Ocean, and continues to earn praise in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards and previous editions of Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best.
“We are truly humbled by this recognition from Travel + Leisure readers,” says Shifaz Hassan, General Manager of JOALI Maldives. “It’s especially meaningful because it comes from our guests — many of whom return year after year, sharing heartfelt feedback about our island. Our team works with quiet dedication to anticipate needs, honour privacy, and create moments of true joy. The recognition reflects the connections we have built with our guests, and I am immensely proud of this achievement”
A beacon of creativity and conscious living in the Maldives, JOALI continues to elevate luxury hospitality by meaningfulness, beauty, and soul.
Awards
Villa Park, Villa Nautica crowned among world’s top 100 hotels

Villa Resorts has been recognised in the TopHotels “Top 100 Hotels of the Year 2024” list, with two of its properties, Villa Park and Villa Nautica, featured among the highest-rated hotels based on guest reviews from Russia and the CIS.
TopHotels is one of the most widely used hotel review platforms among Russian-speaking travellers, and its annual ranking reflects feedback from thousands of verified guests. Earning a place in this list highlights the strong appeal of Villa Resorts’ offerings in these markets and the high level of satisfaction experienced by guests throughout the year.
Villa Park, located in South Ari Atoll, is well known for its lush landscapes, vibrant marine life, and wide range of activities suited for families, couples, and nature enthusiasts. Villa Nautica, situated near Malé, offers a more energetic island setting with beachfront villas, lively experiences, and a relaxed yet refined atmosphere.
While each resort offers something unique, both share the brand’s signature focus on heartfelt service, comfortable luxury, and a strong sense of place inspired by the Maldives.
This recognition reflects Villa Resorts’ longstanding relationship with guests from Russia and the CIS. The brand has continually invested in understanding the needs of these travellers, offering multilingual support and culturally considerate service across its properties.
With roots in the Maldives since the early 1980s, Villa Resorts remains one of the country’s most established hospitality brands. This recent acknowledgment from TopHotels reinforces its position as a trusted choice for international travellers seeking authentic island experiences grounded in comfort, care, and connection.
-
Action1 week ago
Netflix’s ‘All the Sharks’ puts global spotlight on tiger shark paradise in Maldives’ Fuvahmulah
-
Featured1 week ago
Dusit launches second Maldivian property with all-inclusive dusitD2 Feydhoo
-
Featured1 week ago
JOALI Maldives welcomes FIX’s iconic chocolate in first-ever global expansion
-
Featured1 week ago
Angsana Velavaru shines in T+L Luxury Awards 2025 with top pool and GM honours
-
Featured1 week ago
Oaga Art Resort’s Samaasaa takes centre stage in Dubai’s art scene
-
News1 week ago
Niyama Private Islands Maldives unveils transformed resort
-
Cooking1 week ago
Savour July: Exceptional dining awaits at Barceló Nasandhura Male
-
News1 week ago
RAAYA by Atmosphere: Celebrating a year of castaway adventures