News
Exceptional festive moments await at Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island
Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island invites guests to embrace the magic of the festive season in a palm-fringed haven. From 22 December 2023 to 7 January 2024, this tranquil all-villa resort, a proud member of the Jumeirah Group, will be adorned with the spirit of Christmas and New Year, creating an unforgettable holiday escape.
Mohamed Ashraf, the resort’s General Manager, shared his excitement, stating, “We are genuinely thrilled to welcome guests to celebrate this magical season in our blissful island retreat. Our curated festive experiences are designed to ensure your time here is exceptionally well spent.”
“The most anticipated dates of the year – Christmas and New Year’s Eve – bring an air of excitement as we host Gala Cocktail Parties and Dinners filled with sumptuous delights, an array of live performances, and cherished moments. Our island will transform into a tropical wonderland, and we invite our guests to ring in 2024 with the ‘Nature’s Symphony’ New Years Party, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display.”
Seasonal Family Bliss
The joyous moments of togetherness are celebrated through a host of time-honoured festive activities designed for families to relish. The sparkling Christmas tree lighting ceremony on the beach beckons families to gather and delve into the joy of carols and delectable treats. Unleash their creative flair with gingerbread decoration, and witness Santa Claus himself make a grand entrance to the resort’s arrival jetty. For an immersive taste of Maldivian culture, families can savour authentic local flavours with the “Taste of Maldives” experience, explore local islands guided by experienced Maldivian guides, and partake in the beloved traditional activity of the island – the Olhahali Kite Festival, on 26 December 2023. Guests can also enjoy educational yet enjoyable experiences with a range of masterclasses, including sushi or pizza making, ceviche or cocktail crafting. Fun-filled activities over and under the sea include turtle or dolphin quests, private sandbank retreats by yacht, and nurse shark snorkellings.
Culinary Delights to Savour
Embarking on a gastronomic journey with Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island’s culinary offerings, guests can indulge in Indian Thali Nights, wine and cheese tastings, a lagoon-side champagne tasting paired with oysters, and chef’s degustation dinners. Boxing Day brings a beachside lunch, and the evenings are set aglow with Wine and Dine under the starlit Maldivian sky. For an exclusive experience, the resort offers a Chef’s Table dinner at its signature Japanese-Peruvian restaurant, Kayto, featuring Executive Chef Taylor Shearman’s exquisite creations.
Immerse in Artistic Inspiration
Guests can experience the island’s new addition to this holiday season, the MURACA Art Studio, a playful space inspired by the mesmerising coral reefs of the Maldives. Activities range from watercolour workshops to seashell jewellery making, suitable for kids and adults alike. The resident artist at MURACA will guide the visitors in creating seashell Christmas ornaments, expressive clay pottery arts, coffee canvases, tote bag fabric paintings, coconut shell candles, and even sunset painting on the beach. The highlight is the local artisan’s street market on 5 January 2024, showcasing one-of-a-kind artworks, handcrafted treasures, and artisanal crafts from local talents at the heart of the island.
Wellness and Holistic Retreat
Those seeking wellness and rejuvenation can enjoy a variety of activities at the resort’s beloved Talise Spa, including Sooryaast Yoga, beachside tennis, dance-fit aqua Zumba by the Shimmers pool, Tibetan singing bowls sound healing, family fun stretching classes, and Trataka Meditation. This year’s festive season also features visiting practitioner Dr. Syed Afzal, the Wellness Guide skilled in holistic therapies. Dr. Syed specialises in stress relief, pain management, nurturing emotional balance, and fostering overall mind-body well-being. Guests can anticipate a series of exclusive wellness experiences tailored to their needs, including one-on-one sessions in Pranic Healing, Traditional Chinese Acupuncture, Hijama Wet Cupping Therapy, and Cosmetic Acupuncture & Rejuvenation, ensuring they feel their absolute best and making their wellness journey a truly transformative experience.
Discover Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island’s festive wonderland here, and bookings with exclusive perks from the resort’s festive offer can be made here.
Awards
Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives secures nine accolades at World Luxury Awards 2026
Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives is celebrating nine accolades at the 2026 World Luxury Awards, including two prestigious Global Winner titles, recognising excellence across resort hospitality, leadership, wellness and gastronomy.
The awards reflect the resort’s philosophy of Connected Island Luxury, where personalised hospitality, restorative wellness, exceptional dining and meaningful encounters with nature come together to create memorable island experiences.
Among the highlights, The Spa at Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives was named Global Winner for Best Luxury Island Resort Spa, while signature fine-dining restaurant FireDOOR received the Global Winner title for Best Sunset Views.
The resort also received recognition as Best Luxury Boutique Resort and Best Luxury Lifestyle Resort in the Indian Ocean, alongside Best General Manager for Raffaele Solferino.

Global Recognition for Wellness and Gastronomy
Perched above the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, the resort’s overwater Spa offers a tranquil sanctuary for relaxation and restoration. In addition to its global title, it received two Indian Ocean awards: Best Luxury Boutique Spa and Best Luxury Oceanview Spa.
Meanwhile, FireDOOR’s global recognition celebrates its spectacular sunset setting overlooking the island’s house reef. Combining intimate fine dining with distinctive glass-floor features and panoramic ocean views, the restaurant also received Indian Ocean titles for Best Luxury Boutique Resort Restaurant and Best Luxury Waterside Restaurant.
Together, these achievements highlight the breadth of experiences that define Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives, from restorative wellness to memorable moments shared over exceptional cuisine.

Celebrating the People Behind the Experience
For General Manager Raffaele Solferino, who has been part of the resort’s journey since pre-opening, the awards are a testament to the dedication of the island team.
“To receive nine World Luxury Awards, including two Global Winner titles, is an extraordinary honour and a wonderful recognition of our team’s passion and commitment,” said Raffaele Solferino, General Manager of Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives.
“What makes this achievement particularly meaningful is that it celebrates the complete guest experience. We believe true luxury goes beyond beautiful surroundings; it is about genuine connections, thoughtful hospitality and creating moments that stay with our guests long after they leave. As we approach our tenth anniversary in 2027, these awards are both a celebration of our journey and an inspiration for the next chapter.”

A Decade of Island Hospitality
Since opening in 2017, Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives has established a distinctive identity built around contemporary island luxury, personalised service and a deep connection with its natural surroundings.
As the resort prepares to celebrate ten years of welcoming guests in 2027, the nine World Luxury Awards provide a fitting recognition of its achievements and continued commitment to creating extraordinary island experiences.
News
ananea Madivaru Maldives unveils personalised island concierge experience
From 1 November 2026, ananea Madivaru Maldives will introduce its new Island Concierge Programme. A more personal and relaxed approach to island hospitality built around one simple idea: Here, you’re never just a villa number.
Rather than adopting the formality of a traditional butler service, the Island Concierge becomes each guest’s personal connection to the island, someone who knows their journey, remembers their preferences, anticipates their needs and helps them discover the resort naturally.

From the moment guests arrive, their Island Concierge becomes a familiar face throughout their stay. They personally welcome guests on arrival, connect with them over breakfast, assist with plans and experiences throughout the day, and return for a personal farewell at departure.

The concept is intentionally uncomplicated.
Less formality. More connection.

Island Concierges spend their time where guests are rather than behind a desk, around the beaches, pools, restaurants, bars and pathways of the resort. Whenever possible, they may even personally drive guests to dinner, spa appointments or activities, turning a simple buggy journey into another opportunity to connect.
They can assist with everything from restaurant recommendations and spa treatments to watersports, excursions, celebrations and the spontaneous island moments that often become the most memorable parts of a holiday.

The Island Concierge is also there to share the story of the island itself, its people, Maldivian culture, marine life and the fascinating realities of island living, from producing fresh water and electricity to caring for the beaches and surrounding environment.

“We don’t want to create another traditional butler or host concept,” says Pierre Edlund, General Manager of ananea Madivaru Maldives.
“We want something more natural and more human. Your Island Concierge is someone who gets to know you, remembers what you enjoy and helps make things happen without unnecessary formality. But ultimately, every colleague on our islands is part of the experience. The Island Concierge may be your personal connection, but the whole island is looking after you.”

Importantly, the philosophy extends far beyond the Island Concierge team.
At ananea Madivaru Maldives, every guest belongs to everyone. Whether a guest meets a chef, engineer, bartender, housekeeper, watersports colleague or leader, the philosophy remains the same.
Awards
Wellness by Mandara at Barceló Nasandhura named among world’s top 100 spas
Wellness by Mandara at Barceló Nasandhura has been named among the Top 100 Spas of the World 2026 by Luxury Lifestyle Awards, recognising the spa’s wellness services in Malé.
Located on Level 3 of Barceló Nasandhura, Wellness by Mandara caters to both international visitors and local residents, offering spa treatments and wellness services within the capital. Unlike spas located at island resorts, the facility provides an urban wellness option for guests seeking relaxation, physical recovery and regular self-care.
The spa draws on traditional Eastern healing practices and offers a range of treatments, including Mandara’s signature multi-hand massage therapies, ELEMIS facials, body treatments and specialised nail care packages.
Treatments are tailored to individual requirements by the spa’s therapists, with services designed to relieve muscle tension, support physical recovery and promote relaxation.
Trent Munday of Mandara Spa said the recognition reflected the team’s commitment to providing Asian spa therapies in Malé while serving both hotel guests and the local community.
Wellness by Mandara operates daily, offering treatments and spa packages to Barceló Nasandhura guests, Malé residents and day visitors.
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