News
Vakkaru Maldives expands offering of luxury accommodation with launch of new Three, Four Bedroom Beach Pool Residence
Vakkaru Maldives continues to enhance its offerings by adding a new flexible-type Beach Pool Residence to the resort’s collection of luxury accommodations, making it more sought after than ever by luxury travellers seeking an elevated beach getaway.
Now available to book for stays from 1 December 2023 onwards, the adjoining Three and Four Bedroom Beach Pool Residence can be adapted to guests’ preferences, and offers flexibility for parties that require privacy whilst having a communal gathering space, making it perfect for families, several couples or groups of friends travelling together.
Surrounded by lush foliage and elegantly designed in keeping with the natural elements, the new Beach Pool Residence provides luxurious and spacious indoor-outdoor living spaces, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open out to a private sundeck and pool, with unparalleled views of the private beach and ocean beyond.
When booked as a three-bedroom residence, the whole space extends over 450sqm and can comfortably accommodate up to six adults and three children. The main residence is centred around a newly enhanced two-bedroom entity with a large 42sqm swimming pool and a spacious terrace with an outdoor gazebo. The third bedroom is in the Beach Villa with Plunge Pool adjacent to the main residence, and also home to a 12sqm whirlpool. Providing the perfect blend of privacy and flexibility, each of the three bedrooms has an ensuite bathroom, outdoor shower and private terrace with direct beach access.
Spanning 570sqm, the Four Bedroom Beach Pool Residence is the largest residence on the island and can accommodate up to eight adults and four children. Also centred around the newly enhanced Two Bedroom Beach Pool Residence, it is adjoined by two one-bedroom Beach Villas with Plunge Pool on each side. The Four Bedroom Beach Pool Residence enables guests to revel in the freedom of their own individual spaces whilst enjoying a vibrant gathering area in a spectacular beachfront setting.
Vakkaru Maldives’ new Beach Pool Residence is available for stays from 1 December 2023 and rates start from US$9,600 per night for three-bedrooms and US$12,500 per night for four-bedrooms. To make a reservation, please contact reservations@vakkarumaldives.com
News
Amilla Maldives unveils first dedicated pottery and ceramics studio on the island
Amilla Maldives has announced a groundbreaking partnership with The Clay Studio Maldives, introducing the island’s very first dedicated pottery and ceramic production space. This innovative studio will invite guests to embark on a grounding, tactile journey, deeply rooted in local artistry and mindfulness.
Set to provide an unhurried sensory experience, the upcoming studio aligns seamlessly with Amilla’s signature gentle rhythms and commitment to holistic well-being. Designed as a meditative retreat, this space will encourage guests to slow down, connect with the earth, and tap into the creative flow of working with clay.

Through this collaboration, the resort will further enrich its vibrant tapestry of cultural and artistic programming. The studio will offer a welcoming haven for all generations, featuring thoughtfully crafted workshops in wheel throwing, hand building, and pottery painting. Guided by skilled artisans, adults, couples, and inquisitive young minds from the Sultan’s Village kids club will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the quiet satisfaction of creation.
Each session will empower guests to transform raw clay into personal narratives, crafting authentic, locally fired keepsakes. These unique creations will serve as meaningful mementos of their time on the island, tangible souvenirs that are truly “Made in Maldives.”
This partnership with The Clay Studio Maldives beautifully reflects our commitment to celebrating local creativity. By bringing this contemporary ceramic tradition to our shores, we look forward to honoring homegrown talent and offering our guests an intimate, immersive way to engage with Maldivian creative culture.
The forthcoming clay studio will add a tactile dimension to Amilla’s carefully curated blend of wellness, nature-led experiences, and the serene ease of island life.
For more information about Amilla Maldives, please visit www.amilla.com.
News
InterContinental Maldives invites guests to reconnect through yoga and mindfulness
With International Yoga Day fast approaching, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort invites guests to reconnect the mind, body and spirit through a curated programme of new wellness focused experiences at its award-winning AVI Spa. Celebrating the global day of mindfulness and movement, the resort will introduce a series of restorative spa activities designed to inspire balance and relaxation, and allowing guests to find their inner calm amidst the serenity of the Indian Ocean.
Guests can begin their days with Aqua Yoga at The Retreat, available from 6am–11am. This gentle, water-based yoga practice combines mindful movement with the soothing support of water, helping to improve flexibility and enhance balance. Guests are encouraged to welcome deep relaxation in the tranquil overwater setting. As evening falls, the 60-minute Floating Sound Therapy session begins at AVI Spa, running from 6pm–8pm. Floating effortlessly on water, participants are immersed in a deeply calming sensory journey as the soothing vibrations of Tibetan singing bowls and delicate chimes create a calming atmosphere of relaxation and renewal.

Wellness and mindfulness are at the heart of the InterContinental Maldives experience. Inspired by the turquoise waters that surround the island, the overwater AVI Spa serves as a sanctuary for restoration and rejuvenation. The award-winning spa features six tranquil overwater treatment villas, each designed to harness natural light, ocean sounds and the calming rhythm of the sea. From holistic therapies to immersive wellness rituals, expert therapists guide guests through transformative experiences that nurture both physical wellbeing and emotional balance, making InterContinental Maldives an idyllic destination for wellness-focused escapes.
AVI Spa is hosting a full-day wellness experience dedicated to mindful movement and wellness. The day will begin at sunrise with an energising yoga session designed to awaken the body and mind. Guests will then enjoy a nourishing breakfast to support their wellness journey. Throughout the day, guests can firstly immerse themselves in Floating Yoga, balancing across calm waters. Guests will have the opportunity to explore their strength, balance, and flexibility through Aerial Yoga, using suspension techniques to deepen movement and core engagement. As the day unfolds, guests will reconnect through guided breathwork, and meditation practices focused on clarity and mindfulness. The day will conclude with a restorative Yoga Flow and Sound Healing session, offering the perfect opportunity to unwind and end the day in a state of balance and renewal.

Aqua Yoga (45 minutes) from $85++ per person, Floating Yoga (45 minutes) from $85++ per person, Floating Sound Therapy (60 minutes) from $170++ per person and Aerial Yoga (60 minutes) from $50 ++ per person. Breathwork & Meditation (60 minutes) from $45++ per person.
Overwater Pool Villa starting from $1,290++ per night with a variety of inclusions.
For more information, please visit www.maldives.intercontinental.com or email reservations.icmaldives@ihg.com.
Cooking
Kandolhu Maldives unveils exclusive dining collaboration with Chef Benjamin Peifer
This December, Kandolhu Maldives is set to host an extraordinary gastronomic event in collaboration with celebrated German Chef Benjamin Peifer. Recently named Chef of the Year 2025 by Gault & Millau, Peifer brings his highly distinctive culinary vision to the Maldives. His signature approach masterfully blends traditional Japanese techniques with carefully selected regional ingredients, with all dishes prepared over an open fire to create intense aromas and complex flavour profiles.
Benjamin Peifer’s journey from a baker’s apprentice to a two-star Michelin chef has forged a unique path in the world of high-end gastronomy. At his restaurant, Intense in Wachenheim, he creates an original fusion where traditional Palatinate pub fare meets Japanese haute cuisine. His goal is to deconstruct regional tastes into their core components and reimagine them, resulting in dishes that are both comforting and excitingly new.

Peifer’s culinary style is deeply connected to his personal history. After an unfulfilling start as a baker, he found his calling in the restaurant industry, drawn to its creativity and immediate feedback. He honed his skills at establishments like Zum Schwanen and Ketschauer Hof before opening Intense in 2017 with his wife, Bettina, who serves as the restaurant’s maître d’ and sommelier. He is known for reinterpreting everyday ingredients with exceptional technique and imagination, aiming to showcase the potential of what is readily available.

The collaboration features two distinct evenings of epicurean excellence, both beginning with a personal Meet & Greet. The first event on Saturday, 26 December, presents a bespoke four-course dinner, while the second evening on Tuesday, 29 December, offers an elevated five-course Wine & Dine experience. In keeping with Chef Peifer’s “no menu, trust the chef” philosophy, guests are invited to embrace a spontaneous and immersive culinary journey.

Discerning travellers and epicureans are encouraged to secure their reservations early to partake in this perfect blend of Maldives luxury and Michelin-starred artistry.
-
Cooking1 week agoBanyan Tree Vabbinfaru welcomes guest chef for Thai gastronomy experience
-
News1 week agoSirru Fen Fushi introduces immersive summer programme inspired by the ocean
-
Culture6 days agoMadifushi Private Island brings Maldivian Eid traditions to life with island-wide celebration
-
Cooking7 days agoInside Pâtissier Karim Bourgi’s Eid pastry residency at JOALI Maldives
-
News6 days agoMandara Spa brings ELEMIS skincare expertise to Maldives wellness experiences
-
News5 days agoBarceló Nasandhura unveils Wellness by Mandara membership programme
-
News2 days agoJW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa launches mindfulness and wellness experiences for Global Wellness Day
-
Awards5 days agoHideaway Beach Resort secures six major resort nominations and TTM sports award recognition


