News
LUX* South Ari Atoll unveils new Romantic Beach Pool Villas
LUX* South Ari Atoll, the award -winning resort of The Lux Collective and one of the largest resorts in the Maldives, has unveiled its newest accommodation – Romantic Beach Pool Villas.
Luxury meets elegance at LUX* South Ari Atoll. Thatched-roof beach bungalows and villas perched over the Maldivian waters create a stylish seaside haven. Ten one-bedroom Romantic Beach Pool Villas of 136m2 offer direct access to the beach and lagoon along with private swimming pools set in lush gardens. Ideal for couples and small families, they feature their own secluded beach spot and an infinity pool overlooking the panoramic ocean. Tropical indoor-outdoor bathrooms each with spacious bathtub elevate the island chic style of the villas.
The villas feature master bedrooms facing the ocean made to start every morning with a breathtaking view. The signature LUX* South Ari Atoll colour palette with the abundance of warm whites ensures the room captures maximum natural light. Designed in an elegant minimalistic style, the interiors feature soothing tones and natural materials chosen to ‘blend in’ with the environment.
To make every stay in the Romantic Beach Pool Villa truly extraordinary, the resort team has curated a collection of private experiences. A bikini lunch served in the pool, a dedicated in -villa mixology experience and an exclusive cinema screening on the beach await the guests. The new villas are available for bookings from 1 December 2023.
Voted The Best Resorts In The World for Indian Ocean 2022 by Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards, LUX* South Ari Atoll features a variety of activities full of fun and modern soul including bicycle rides along the jetty, swimming alongside whale sharks, dining at any of the eight restaurants for a culinary adventure and partaking in marine conservation. Its LUX* ME Spa offers curated wellness journeys.
To book the all-new Romantic Beach Pool Villa stay at LUX* South Ari Atoll, visit www.luxresorts.com, email the resort at stay@luxmaldivesresort.com, or call +960 668 0901.
News
Shangri-La Circle offers dining benefits at JEN Maldives Malé
JEN Maldives Malé has introduced the Shangri-La Circle (SLC) loyalty programme, offering dining benefits for guests from 1 April to 31 December 2026.
The programme provides free and instant membership, allowing guests to access discounts and earn reward points on dining experiences at the property. Members receive a 15 per cent discount on their first dining purchase upon joining, along with ongoing 15 per cent savings on food and beverage.
Guests can enrol in the programme through the Shangri-La Circle mobile application. Membership benefits include reward points on eligible spending, which can be redeemed for future dining and hotel experiences.
The offer applies to regular dining experiences and excludes tobacco, special theme buffet nights, and other ongoing promotions.
JEN Maldives Malé stated that the programme is designed to provide value to guests while enhancing dining experiences at the hotel. The initiative also reflects Shangri-La’s focus on strengthening guest engagement through loyalty-based offerings.
Members are required to present their digital membership card at the time of billing to access the benefits.
The hotel is promoting the programme through its social media channels, in-house displays, and digital platforms. Guests can download the Shangri-La Circle application or sign up at the hotel to begin using the programme.
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.
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