News
JA Manafaru celebrates World Sustainability Day with engaging eco-friendly activities and innovative culinary experience
																								
												
												
											To mark ‘World Sustainability Day’ on the 26th October, the team at JA Manafaru hosted a series of engaging and fun environmentally-friendly themed activities for guests and staff.
The day started with a short boat ride to the picturesque uninhabited island of Medhafushi, a popular castaway destination for guests who wish to slip off the resort and enjoy a real castaway experience. Guests and staff teamed-up and collected the flotsam and jetsam rubbish JA Manafaru uses to recycle through its ‘Ocean Bound Plastic’ program, making bags and other items for guests from such waste material.
Next was the island team artistic ‘Upcycling Competition’. Sculptures and fascinating creations were made from waste that would normally end up in land fill. With huge number of amazing concepts from each of the departments, winning designs were awarded from Landscaping, Front Office and Kitchen departments.
Following the competition guests were invited to an educational Walking Tour to learn about all JA Manafaru’s sustainability initiatives. Part of this was the usable gardens as part of the Homegrown program. Growing produce helps the team reach its sustainability goals by decreasing packaging waste, reducing air miles and of course providing guests with the most nutritious food. JA Manafaru’s gardens grow different types of salad leaves, bananas, oyster mushrooms and other herbs. Guests were also welcomed to the newly opened Cluckingham Palace, where the Maldives happiest hens provide the freshest eggs for guests to enjoy for breakfast.
The day concluded in a unique ‘Zero Waste Menu’ experience laid on by Executive Chef Moosa Nazeeh and his team, who were recently awarded ‘Best Culinary Resort’ in the Maldives. Key items from the menu included broccoli & cauliflower stem crudo with dehydrated tomato skins, Hainan chicken rice using crispy chicken skin or guests could opt for a vegetable peel lasagna. A lemon peel and mint stem sorbet refreshed between courses and guests indulged at the end with a carrot cake made from juice pulp that also featured coconut cream cheese, bread end crisp and carrot jelly.
This creative menu is just one of the highlights from the resorts recent Wellness Your Way launch, held on World Food Day. Key to this launch was the WYW menus that offer dedicated dishes to cater to variety of different eating lifestyles. Each of the resorts five restaurants now offer menus dedicated to vegan/vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free and low carb. Sustainability Advisor, Victoria Kruse said, “In the Maldives the actions we take daily have an immediate effect on our natural environment. The whole team at JA Manafaru is committed to reducing the island’s carbon footprint as well as educating our guests on being mindful and how we all can take small steps to protecting our planet.”
Awards
Amilla Maldives recognised for accessible travel at Travel for Every Body Awards
														Amilla Maldives has received further recognition for its dedication to inclusivity and accessibility, being Highly Commended in the ‘Accessible Travel Initiative – Accommodation’ category at the inaugural Travel for Every Body Awards by Selling Travel.
Launched this year, the Travel for Every Body Awards celebrates individuals, initiatives, organisations, and campaigns that are making a positive impact on the accessible travel industry, highlighting progress and inspiring further change.
As the world’s first IncluCare-certified resort, Amilla Maldives continues to enhance its facilities and services to meet the diverse accessibility needs of its guests. The resort goes beyond full wheelchair accessibility, offering features designed for guests who are hearing or visually impaired. Team members have also undertaken MyHappyMind training to better support guests with hidden disabilities such as autism and ADHD. In partnership with Dive Butler, Amilla has established an accessible dive centre, and introduced pool hoists, ramp access, and personal guides to facilitate inclusive participation in activities such as snorkelling, Dolphin Discovery, and fishing excursions. Within its dining venues, adaptive cutlery, tailored menus, and staff trained in supporting guests with dysphagia ensure a thoughtful and inclusive culinary experience.
This recognition joins Amilla Maldives’ growing list of accolades, including being named among the Best Resorts for Families in the Maldives at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025; and being one of only five Maldivian resorts featured in the FORBES Travel Guide VERIFIED™ Responsible Hospitality 2025 programme. Both the resort and its Javvu Spa were also honoured in the FORBES Travel Guide 2025 Star Awards, underscoring Amilla’s commitment to excellence and meaningful guest experiences.
News
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives launches biggest 11.11 offer yet
														This 11.11, the award-winning Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives introduces its most generous direct booking offer to date. Guests who book directly from 1 to 14 November 2025, for stays until 31 March 2026, will receive complimentary one-way transfers and enjoy all Book Direct benefits. From four-course beachfront dinners and rejuvenating spa sessions to island-hopping excursions, dolphin safaris, and resort credits, guests can experience up to USD 500 in added value across the collection’s four distinctive Maldivian resorts.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, the Gold Award winner for Leading Surf Resort, offers the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation for families seeking a fun-filled island escape which is a 20-minute speedboat ride away from Malé. With 152 rooms across seven diverse categories, the resort caters to every family’s preference. Younger guests can enjoy splashing about in the pool, while adults unwind with soothing spa treatments or cocktails by the Rayvilla bar to catch the best sunset.
Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives
Located in the untouched Vaavu Atoll, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives is the recipient of the Gold Award for Leading Beach Resort. Its distinctive manta ray-inspired design gracefully extends over the lagoon, creating one of the most visually striking settings in the Maldives. With 90 stylish rooms and a comprehensive all-inclusive offering, guests can savour world-class dining at Marlin, where each dish is thoughtfully paired with fine wines in an intimate setting of just ten tables.
Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives
Recognised as the Leading Adults-Only Resort, Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives redefines serenity and seclusion. From 1 November onwards, the resort welcomes guests to an exclusive haven designed for couples and honeymooners. Enhancing the guest experience even further, Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives will soon unveil a series of new additions, including two exciting restaurants, a sports and recreation hub with padel ball, and a relaxing waiting lounge designed for guests to unwind in comfort between arrivals and departures.
Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon
For those who dream beneath the surface, Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon reveals an underwater world unlike any other. Celebrated by Lonely Planet for having one of the best house reefs in the Maldives, the island is a haven for divers and snorkellers of all levels, from curious beginners to seasoned adventurers. With dive sites encircling the island and effortless ocean access, guests can experience the thrill of exploring vibrant coral gardens, spotting graceful reef sharks, and even embarking on mesmerising night dives that bring the reef’s nocturnal life to light.
This 11.11, give yourself the gift of an island escape unlike any other and one where every sunrise feels new, every meal tastes of the sea breeze, and every resort at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts tells a story of its own. Whether you’re a solo traveller in search of tranquillity, a couple seeking a romantic retreat, or a family looking to create lasting memories, this offer invites you to discover four distinct Cinnamon island resorts, each with its own character and charm.
Book now via www.cinnamonhotels.com and let your next Maldivian adventure begin.
News
IHG launches Vignette Collection in Maldives with Noku Maldives
														IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection, marking the debut of the Vignette Collection brand in the Maldives. The addition of Noku Maldives to IHG’s fast-growing Vignette Collection, a family of one-of-a-kind hotels in destinations to remember.
Set within the pristine waters of Noonu Atoll, Noku Maldives offers 50 private beach and overwater villas, many with pools, surrounded by powder-soft sands and turquoise lagoons. Each villa blends contemporary comfort with natural island materials, creating a serene retreat that captures the essence of barefoot luxury.
“We are thrilled to introduce Noku Maldives now as part of IHG’s Vignette Collection – a brand that celebrates individuality and authentic connection,” said Hussain Shahid, General Manager, Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection. “Over the past year, our team has been refining every touchpoint of the guest journey – from refreshed culinary concepts and immersive experiences to new signature rituals – to ensure our guests continue to experience the heartfelt Maldivian warmth that defines the resort experience.”
At the heart of the island’s hospitality are distinctive dining experiences that highlight regional flavours and fresh island ingredients. Palms Restaurant and Bar offers a relaxed beachfront setting where fire-grilled dishes and ocean views create an atmosphere of effortless indulgence, inspired by the day’s freshest catch. Thari blends the vibrant flavours of the Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka, complemented by tropical cocktails in an inviting poolside setting. Guests may also enjoy private dining under the stars, castaway picnics on secluded sandbanks, romantic dinners on their villa decks, or floating breakfasts in the privacy of their pools — each moment designed to capture the intimacy and natural beauty of the island.
Noku Spa, set within a tranquil garden sanctuary, invites guests to embrace holistic wellness through treatments inspired by Maldivian healing traditions. Using natural ingredients such as coconut oil and local botanicals, each therapy is crafted to restore balance, relax the body, and uplift the spirit in harmony with the island’s serene surroundings.
Vignette Collection combines each property’s individual identity with the brand’s collective vision to offer a more authentic travel experience. Each property is unique, yet united through key hallmarks Memorable Rituals and ‘A Means For Good’.
Memorable Rituals – bespoke to each Vignette Collection property – connect guests with the hotel’s unique identity, locality, and cultural landscape. Guests of the resort are invited to Island Echoes, where they gather barefoot by a bonfire at dusk for a storytelling experience where legends of seafarers and island spirits come alive beneath the stars.
Means For Good initiatives weaved throughout all Vignette Collection properties represent each hotel’s commitment to responsibility, community engagement, and local culture. With a commitment to tailoring initiatives to suit the unique character of each hotel, they partner with non-profit organizations to contribute positively to the local ecosystem.
At Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection the resort’s commitment to community and environment is reflected through initiatives such as the weekly Fisherman’s Visit, where a local fisherman shares his daily catch to support nearby schools and women’s committees. The philosophy extends beneath the waves through coral regeneration and sea turtle rescue projects, in partnership with local NGOs, allowing guests to adopt coral fragments and contribute to reef preservation.
Since its launch in 2021, Vignette Collection has become one of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ fastest-growing luxury and lifestyle brands, offering purpose-led stays in distinctive destinations around the world. With 19 hotels open and 34 more in the pipeline, the brand continues to expand its presence in key markets including Japan and China.
Now open for stays, room rates at Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection start from USD 613++ per night, inclusive of breakfast.
For more information and reservations, please visit the hotel website or email us at noku.reservations@ihg.com.
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