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The Ritz-Carlton Maldives celebrates autumn festival with array of festive programming
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, invites guests to immerse themselves in a week-long celebration during the resort’s Autumn Festival.
From October 25th to November 1st, this year’s celebration draws inspiration from the vibrant traditions of Dia de Los Muertos, a vibrant Mexican holiday traditionally known for embracing family and teaching that life is not a line but a circle – a sentiment seen reflected within the resort’s scenography; embrace the circle of island life.
The festival will present a mosaic of authentic holiday offerings on property through an array of curated, engaging activities suitable for all ages. Guests are invited to embrace the spirit of Autumn by embarking on an island adventure, infusing the spirit of Mexico into an idyllic Maldivian setting.
Festivities begin on October 25th, with events such as the Marigold Magic Creation workshop, which evokes creativity through the crafting of beautiful Paper Marigold Flowers – a nod to the marigold’s significance in the annual Dia de Los Muertos festival. Celebrations continue with a Maldivian dinner under the stars where guests can immerse themselves in the rich flavors of the Indian Ocean, indulge in traditional delicacies, and engage with the cultural heritage of the Maldives.
The events take a delightful turn on October 27th with a Dia de Los Muertos Cookie Decoration Workshop hosted at the resort’s Italian eatery, La Locanda. Families are invited to unleash their creativity as they decorate delectable sugar cookies with colourful icing and vibrant designs. On the same evening, the resort’s diverse offerings also include an elegant Lobster Dinner Under the Stars, offering travelers a romantic ambiance beneath the stunning Maldivian sky. The excitement continues in the following days, when on October 28th guests can look forward to a Pan de Muerto Decoration activity, where they can embrace the festive spirit by decorating the traditional Mexican sweet bread in honor of Dia de Los Muertos. This is followed by a lively Piñata Pool Party, where they can take playful swings at vibrant piñatas filled with delightful surprises.
On October 29th, an unmissable beachside fiesta takes place at La Plaza’s recreation beach, featuring authentic Mexican food trucks serving a diverse array of mouth-watering dishes. Simultaneously, young aspiring pastry chefs can learn the art of creating choux pastries, such as cream puffs and éclairs at the Children’s Choux Masterclass.
On October 30th, guests can explore their creativity with the Pumpkin Artistry Workshop, where the art of pumpkin carving takes centre stage, or the Sugar Skull Art Crafts Workshop tailored for kids to form their own festive sugar skull creations. As the evening unfolds, parents can enjoy a Cocktail & Kids Halloween Costume Show, where they can watch their little ones showcase their costumes while savouring delicious drinks.
On October 31st, travelers are treated to an Iluminación Feast, where guests can embrace the Halloween spirit as they indulge in savory dishes and immerse themselves in the mystical atmosphere. The evening continues with a Cocktail Party at Beach Shack, followed by a spooktacular Trick or Treat event, allowing participants to dress up, collect treats, and enjoy a night of frightful delights.
Throughout the week, various spa treatment workshops are also available to guests. On November 1st, guests will be given the opportunity to participate in the Spa Alchemist Scrub Workshop, during which they are granted access to a diverse selection of natural ingredients, encompassing fragrant flowers, aromatic herbs, and common kitchen staples. This hands-on experience enables them to create their custom body scrub, gifting participants with the knowledge needed to replicate the indulgence in the comfort of their own homes.
For those seeking the pinnacle of luxury, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands offers luxurious and prestigious packages, such as the exclusive “Embrace Island Life” package. The custom-tailored package includes luxury accommodation in the Villa category of choice, seamless round-trip transportation in the resort’s luxury shared speedboat, daily half-board for dining experiences, welcome amenities, and dedicated 24-hour Aris Meeha or island butler service. Through the “Embrace Island life’ package travellers can experience the epitome of luxury and relaxation in the heart of the Maldives.
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands provides an enchanting retreat that caters to the desires of every traveler, guaranteeing a truly remarkable experience for all. For further details about the resort, please visit The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands website.
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands has unveiled an updated schedule for its 2026 Masters of Crafts programme, introducing new visiting experts and revised dates for several experiences as part of the resort’s fifth anniversary celebrations and Summer Collective programme.
The year-long programme brings together specialists across culinary arts, wellness, music, sustainability, astronomy, mixology and surfing through a series of residencies and retreats scheduled throughout 2026.
Among the newly announced additions is environmentalist Sarah Roberts, who will join the resort from 10 to 14 June as a Visiting Hero. Roberts will lead sustainability-focused experiences as part of the anniversary celebrations.
The updated programme also introduces yoga instructor Anabella Landa, who will host a yoga retreat from 20 to 22 June under the resort’s “Essence of Balance” wellness series.
The resort has also revised the dates for Portuguese surfer Nic von Rupp’s surfing retreat, which is now scheduled from 1 to 11 July as part of “The Summer Collective”. The Connected Collective Retreat with Harriet Mandak has been updated to take place from 19 to 22 November.
Other experiences in the 2026 calendar include movement therapist Jacy Cunningham and singer-songwriter Madison McFerrin in January, culinary collaborations with Chef Maurizio Bufi and mixologist Rama Redzepi in February, floral artist Harijanto Setiawan in March, and astronomer Tom Kerss in April.
In June, the resort will also host a Marriott International 50 Best Asia Bars showcase featuring The St. Regis Bar Jakarta, Punch Room Tokyo and Bar Sathorn Bangkok.
Additional residencies later in the year include Chef Jean-Philippe Blondet of Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester in October, culinary creator Alexis Goertz in November, and Moebius bartenders Lorenzo Querci and Giovanni Allario in December. Mindfulness advocate Virginia Gambardella will conclude the programme with a wellness session in December.
The Masters of Crafts programme is designed as “a year-long celebration of artistry and innovation”, offering guests opportunities to engage with visiting experts through curated experiences across wellness, gastronomy, culture and adventure.
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is offering guests access to a range of dive sites in South Malé Atoll through its Dive Free programme, aimed at divers seeking structured and accessible diving experiences during their stay.
Located approximately 45 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the resort provides proximity to multiple dive sites within a 10 to 30-minute boat radius. The surrounding waters are known for varied reef structures, current-driven channels and regular marine life encounters, allowing for multiple dives per day.
The Dive Free programme is available to guests staying three nights or more, offering up to two complimentary scuba dives per day for up to two certified divers per villa.
According to Dive Centre Manager Ibrahim Shaan, the location enables access to a range of dive environments within a short distance, including reef and channel dives. He noted that sites such as Kandooma Thila can be reached within minutes, while additional sites offering different conditions are accessible within half an hour.
Director of Marketing and Sustainability Sharon Garrett stated that the programme is designed to integrate diving into the overall guest experience, reducing both time and cost considerations for certified divers.
Water conditions in the area remain suitable for diving throughout the year, with visibility often exceeding 20 metres. The dive sites accessible from the resort include:
- Kandooma Thila, a coral-covered pinnacle known for sightings of reef sharks and eagle rays
- Guraidhoo Corner, a channel dive site with strong currents attracting schools of fish and larger species
- Cocoa Corner, featuring reef walls and drop-offs with occasional pelagic encounters
- Kuda Giri Wreck, a sheltered site with a wreck and reef supporting reef fish and macro life
- Kandooma Caves, characterised by overhangs and reef formations with diverse marine species
Additional nearby sites include Manta Point, Lhosfushi, Medhu Faru and Waggiri, offering a mix of reef and channel diving, with seasonal manta ray sightings.
The resort operates a PADI five-star dive centre with guided excursions and access to multiple sites within short travel distances. The Dive Free programme is positioned as an option for divers seeking to maximise time in the water without the need for domestic transfers, providing direct access to dive locations from a single island base.
Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives has introduced a curated Eid al-Adha offering aimed at travellers seeking a structured yet flexible way to mark the occasion in a resort setting.
Branded “Island Celebrations: Eid – Connect in Paradise”, the experience is positioned for guests from the Middle East, North Africa and Asia, with a focus on shared experiences, personal time and engagement with the surrounding environment.
Located approximately 20 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the resort is accessible for short-stay and family travel during peak holiday periods. The property features 120 beach and overwater villas, alongside an overwater spa, house reef and multiple dining outlets.
The Eid experience will begin with an in-villa welcome offering, including Arabic sweets, dates and fruit. The programme is structured around a series of optional activities rather than a fixed schedule. These include lagoon-based experiences, daily yoga sessions at sunrise and sunset, spa treatments, sunset cruises and dining options designed for private or shared settings.
The resort has indicated that the programme is intended to allow guests to engage with activities at their own pace, rather than follow a defined itinerary.
In line with the preferences of Muslim travellers, the resort has incorporated halal-friendly dining options, flexible meal arrangements and an expanded range of non-alcoholic beverages. Villa layouts are also designed to support privacy.
Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives has reported guest ratings of 9.2 out of 10 on halal travel platforms, reflecting demand within this segment.
The introduction of the Eid programme aligns with broader trends in the Maldives tourism sector, where travel experiences are increasingly structured around personalisation, cultural considerations and smaller-scale experiences.
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