News
Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi unveils tropical wonderland festive programme
This festive season, those dreaming of swapping snow and busy shopping streets for sugar white-sand and crystal-clear waters should look no further than Fairmont Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi. Nestled in the picturesque Shaviyani atoll, the luxury resort has unveiled a captivating calendar of festive Tropical Wonderland activations designed to showcase the destination’s natural splendour. Fun, family-friendly and full of festivities, the Tropical Wonderland programme promises an unforgettable escape, from ‘Santa’s Lab’ and eco-art workshops in the island Art Studio, to underwater adventures on the expansive house reef.
Sitting in one of the largest resort lagoons in the Maldives and surrounded by a reef of kaleidoscope colours, Fairmont Maldives houses a collection of sunrise and sunset beach or overwater villas, each with their own private pool and direct access to the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean, including 4, 5 and 7-Bedroom Deluxe Beach Villas, designed to accommodate groups of up to 20. Villas on the sunrise side of the island are particularly ideal for adventure-seeking travellers, with the best snorkelling spot on their doorstep – discover over 250 species of ocean life and join the resident marine biologist to track endangered local turtles. Eco-conscious travellers are invited to turn plastic waste into bespoke souvenirs and even create special gifts for local children at the resort’s Sustainability Lab – known as ‘Santa’s Lab’ during the festive season.
Carefully curated, the diverse Tropical Wonderland programme includes activities tailored to every guest – from tiny explorers to avid travellers. Alongside the rich underwater adventure programme, guests who prefer to stay on dry land can enjoy tennis lessons with renowned tennis coach Julian Hein, Christmas cake baking under the watchful eye of Fairmont Maldives’ chefs, dance classes and art workshops with resident local artists. Creative guests can craft their own Christmas cards, while younger travellers write a letter to Santa, who is set to make a special appearance on the island, equipped with a sleigh full of presents, after a unique tree lighting ceremony on December 20th.
A festive break calls for hearty and wholesome food, and Fairmont Maldives’ new all-inclusive offering offers access to all three restaurants and in-villa dining. Guests can dine at the recently refurbished Raha Market, with live cooking stations and cuisine from around the globe, or opt for an exquisite three-course meal at beachfront Azure and Japanese Kata restaurants, accompanied by cocktails, mocktails and expertly-crafted non-alcoholic drinks. In the spirit of the season, a Christmas Eve dinner at Raha will also be on the menu, while a New Year’s Eve extravaganza boasts an unforgettable culinary experience, perfectly paired with flowing wines and chilled Champagnes. The festive programme will be accompanied by world-class entertainment including live music by local artists, beachside beats by the resident DJ and a festive troop of multi-skilled circus performers.
Children up to 11 years old go free. For more information, please visit https://www.fairmont-maldives.com/festive-season/
Awards
Angsana Velavaru achieves 4.8 rating in British Airways Customer Awards
Angsana Velavaru has received the British Airways Holidays Customer Excellence Award 2025, recognising the resort for consistently high levels of guest satisfaction and service.
The award is based on verified customer feedback and reflects guest experiences at the resort. Angsana Velavaru achieved an overall score of 4.8 out of 5, with recognition given for service delivery, attention to detail and guest care throughout the stay.
Located within a lagoon in South Nilandhe Atoll, the resort offers a range of accommodation options, including beachfront villas with direct beach access and its InOcean Villas, situated approximately one kilometre from the main island. These overwater villas provide a more secluded setting with open ocean views.
The resort caters to a variety of travellers, including families, couples and individual guests. Family-oriented programmes and shared activities are available, while other guests can take part in leisure, wellness and exploration experiences. Through its 101 Things To Do programme, guests can engage in activities such as snorkelling, marine excursions, cultural experiences and wellness sessions.
The surrounding reef environment provides opportunities for marine exploration, while the resort’s service approach focuses on delivering personalised guest experiences. This combination of natural setting and service delivery forms a central part of the resort’s offering.
The British Airways Holidays Customer Excellence Award is presented to hotels that achieve high customer ratings, serving as an indicator of guest satisfaction within the travel sector. For Angsana Velavaru, the recognition reflects its continued focus on maintaining service standards and delivering consistent guest experiences.
The resort continues to position its offering around accessibility to nature, varied experiences and a service model aimed at supporting guest comfort and engagement throughout their stay.
Action
Eri Maldives offers accessible reef diving and snorkelling
Eri Maldives is located within the waters of North Malé Atoll and is surrounded by a house reef accessible to both beginner and experienced divers. With four direct reef entry points and shore access, the resort offers opportunities for snorkelling, introductory dives and certified diving.
The house reef supports a range of marine life, including white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, hawksbill turtles, mobula rays and spotted eagle rays, as well as schools of reef fish. The accessibility of the reef allows guests to explore the area over multiple days, providing opportunities to observe marine behaviour and habitats over time.
Turtle encounters
Hawksbill turtles are among the most frequently observed species on the reef. The resort’s dive team has identified 14 individual turtles, each recognised by shell patterns and physical features. These include turtles known as Rosie, Cara and Anna, which have been documented through repeated sightings.
The resort maintains records of these turtles, allowing returning guests to identify individuals over time. Guests may also contribute to this initiative by naming newly identified turtles that have not previously been recorded.
Manta ray season
From December to April, manta rays are known to visit cleaning stations at Bodu Hithi Thila, located approximately one hour by boat from the resort. During this period, ocean conditions support plankton flows that attract mantas to the area, where they can be observed feeding or visiting cleaning stations.
Night diving experiences
Night snorkelling and diving activities provide a different perspective on reef activity. Species such as reef sharks, trevallies, moray eels and nurse sharks become more active after dark, offering guests the opportunity to observe nocturnal marine behaviour.
At Eri Maldives, marine experiences form a central part of the guest offering, with the house reef providing consistent opportunities for exploration. The resort’s dive programme is designed to support repeated interaction with the marine environment, allowing guests to experience a range of underwater activity throughout their stay.
Accommodation is available in studio and beach villa categories, with full board packages offered for direct bookings, subject to availability.
Action
Sirru Fen Fushi hosts football programme with Marcus Allbäck
Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort has announced another successful edition of the Sirru Icon Series, a week-long programme that brought international sporting energy, youth inspiration, and meaningful community connection to this private lagoon paradise.
Held from 27 March to 3 April, the initiative welcomed former Swedish professional footballer Marcus Allbäck, whose presence made the week truly exceptional for guests, young aspiring players, and the neighbouring island community. Marcus Allbäck is a celebrated former Swedish international striker, having played 74 games for his country, scoring 30 goals. He represented Sweden in three European Championships and two World Cups, and enjoyed a distinguished club career across Europe, including the Bundesliga, Serie A, the English Premier League, the Dutch Eredivisie, and the UEFA Champions League. Following his retirement, Marcus served as assistant coach for the Swedish national team for six years. Today, he continues to inspire the next generation of footballers, working as a player agent and advisor to help aspiring players achieve their dreams. His visit highlighted the power of sport not only as entertainment, but as a bridge for cultural exchange and social impact. This reflected the resort’s ongoing commitment to purposeful, community-centred initiatives.

Throughout the week, Marcus led a line-up of engaging activities, including friendly football matches with guests, dedicated junior football camps that fostered confidence and skill-building among young participants, and a memorable visit to a nearby local island. This local-island match stood out as a meaningful moment of connection, bringing the resort and community together through shared passion and friendly competition.
Guests also enjoyed an intimate Sirru Signature Sunset Cocktail, where they had the rare opportunity to meet Marcus in person, hear stories from his international career, and enjoy a relaxed, uplifting atmosphere against the backdrop of the resort’s iconic sunsets.

Programme Highlights:
- Friendly Football Matches–A fun and energetic opportunity for guests to play alongside an international football figure.
- Junior Football Camps –Inspiring sessions focused on youth development, teamwork, and confidence-building.
- Local Island Football Match – A memorable moment on the local island Milandhoo, celebrating the power of sport to bring resort guests and the local community together.
- Meet & Greet Sunset Cocktail – An exclusive experience offering direct interaction with Marcus and inspiring conversation.
The Sirru Icon Series reflects the resort’s dedication to creating exceptional experiences that go beyond traditional hospitality, pairing luxury with purpose and offering guests opportunities to connect, learn, and create lifelong memories.

This remarkable week marked an inspiring chapter of the Sirru Icon Series, with more unique programmes planned for the future to continue delivering immersive guest experiences at Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort.
For further information and reservations, please visit sirrufenfushi.com or contact reservations@sirrufenfushi.com.
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