News
Get ready for spectacular New Year’s celebration at Lily Beach Resort
Prepare to be enchanted by the holiday spirit at Lily Beach Resort & Spa as the resort unveils a spectacular Festive Programme 2023. This year, the resort is set to create lasting memories for guests with a dazzling array of activities and events that promise to make this holiday season truly special.
The festivities commence on the 23rd of December, building an atmosphere of eager anticipation for the highly awaited arrival of Santa Claus on the 24th. Santa brings not only gifts but also an abundance of joy for everyone. Moreover, the resort’s esteemed Executive Chef Michele Antonio Totaro will curate an exquisite Christmas Eve Gala dinner on the 24th, promising an extraordinary culinary experience.
Throughout the holiday season, guests can look forward to a diverse array of experiences, including themed buffet nights, Gala dinners, and captivating live music performances. Adding an extra layer of enchantment to our celebration, the renowned magician Tommilusions will astound and mesmerise with jaw-dropping magic shows.
Christmas Day at Lily Beach promises to be a day of joy and togetherness. Activities abound for both children and adults, mesmerising magic shows, lantern releases with wishes that light up the night sky, and a lively Disco night with a live DJ, ensuring everyone can dance their way into the night.
Lily Beach Resort’s Festive Programme is designed to offer a wide array of health and wellness-inspired events for both children and adults. Families can come together to create precious memories through swimming activities, picnics, and local island visits to discover the rich culture and heritage of the Maldives. Gastronomical delights await, including Seafood extravaganzas, Asian Street Food nights, and much more to tantalise taste buds.
For the little ones, a very special and exciting programme awaits! One filled with colours, painting, swimming, treasure hunts and presents! Lily Beach’s very own Turtle Kids Club has prepared an exceptional programme for the children, ensuring that all the children have the best possible time this season.
As the resort bids farewell to the old year, it does so in style. New Year’s Eve at Lily Beach will be a grand celebration filled with thrilling activities, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display. Live band and DJ will provide the soundtrack to the night, ensuring guests can dance their way into the New Year with joy and enthusiasm.
On the eve of New Year, following the sumptuous Gala dinner, guests will have the opportunity to participate in the beloved annual Bon Voyage Bonfire event. This cherished tradition invites guests to pen their farewell letters to 2023, symbolising the act of bidding adieu to the past year, and as the embers of the bonfire flicker, Lily Beach warmly welcomes the dawn of the New Year, 2024.
Join the team at Lily Beach this holiday season for a magical and memorable experience. The team is dedicated to creating the perfect backdrop for your cherished moments, ensuring your festive season is filled with laughter, love, and lasting memories.
For the complete Festive Programme, please click here. For more information and reservations, please click here.
Awards
Kuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Cooking
Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Awards
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives earns TUI Global Hotel Award recognition
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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