Connect with us

News

‘A Moment in Time’ festivities for Christmas, New Year at Oaga Art Resort

Published

on

In a blend of artistic talent and tropical splendour, Oaga Art Resort, located in the heart of the Maldives, is gearing up to host a series of festive activities under the theme “A Moment in Time.” It promises a celebration that transcends the ordinary, offering guests an immersive experience that combines the beauty of the Maldives with the allure of art.

Warming up to Christmas Eve

As the sun sets over turquoise waters, the festivities kick off with the Liquid Groove DJ Pool Party on the 20th of December. The Christmas spirit continues to infuse the atmosphere with the Christmas Tree Toast on the 21st, marked by a Tree Lighting Ceremony to the serene sound of the harp played by Saif, and followed by live music at Raa Baa, the main bar, courtesy of the local talent named Naail Trio. The 22nd of December brings a flurry of activities, starting with the Merry Market opening at the main restaurant, Kaa Kada, followed by the Garden of Gingerbread, where guests can display their creativity in decorating gingerbread men. The night concludes with the Mix & Mingle Soiree at Sobi Bar, the beer and gin garden, featuring live music by our very own Vibe Director, Shiuz.

Artistic Vibes and Christmas Feasts

On Christmas Eve, from noon onwards, Raa Baa transforms into a local artist pop-up exhibition. From the 24th to the 29th, this Veyoge Caravan exhibition by Suvāsthi will feature “Of the Palm”, a selection of artwork that explore the sacred language between man and craft by local artist Hassan Niyaz. The evening continues with a festive feast later on in the night at Kaa Kada, followed by a Christmas Movie Night and live music by the talented local artist Shiuz.

Christmas Day itself promises a cheery brunch at Kaa Kada, complemented later on by the arrival of Santa Claus to Oaga. The festivities continue with live music by Dupa Trio during Christmas brunch, a Christmas show by Valerie Sealey (Solstix), and a beach party with DJ Afruh.

The last Full Moon of the Year

As the year draws to a close, the resort’s vibrant energy continues. On the 26th of December, guests can enjoy sun-kissed beats with DJ Afruh, live music by Naffah, and an O-Fire bonfire with live music by Zaki at Raa Baa Beach. The 27th brings the full moon ritual with Hoba Spa to celebrate the final full moon of the year, followed by a Handhuvaru Sound Healing Concert at Hoba Deck beach and culminating in a Moonlit full moon afterparty.

Warming up for New Year’s Eve

Jewellery-making sessions with the multi-talented Cinta Damerell will be held from the 27th to the 29th. On the 28th, guests can savour Maldivian cuisine at Kaa Kada, followed by live music by Dupa Trio at Raa Baa. On the 29th, the golden hour evening cocktail party is to be made extra special accompanied with flyboard performances, with the local talent Amruh serenading with the violin later on in the night.

New Year’s Eve – A Moment to Ash

New Year’s Eve at Oaga Art Resort promises to be an unforgettable night of cherished moments. The evening begins with a gala dinner at Kaa Kada, followed by a DJ party at Raa Baa Beach featuring DJ Afruh. As the clock strikes 11:45 PM, travellers will participate in the “Moment to Ash” ceremony, symbolising the burning away of the past year’s moments with fireworks lighting up the sky afterwards in celebration.

Welcoming the New Year 2024

The first day of 2024 begins with a rejuvenating New Year’s brunch, followed by a New Year ritual at Hoba Deck, live music by Dupa Trio and an outdoor movie night at Raa Baa. The festivities continue in the days that follow with a sculpting workshop by Cinta Damerell alongside a pool party, live music by local duo Something Lovely, a Boduberu pool party with Harubee, and a bonfire art exhibition with live music at Raa Baa.

On the 5th of January, guests can experience a Galactic Gallery – a bonfire art exhibition at night with live music at Raa Baa. Simultaneously, an immersive sound installation inside Samaasaa, based on the Maldivian musical giant Zero Degree Atoll’s “Dhoni” Album, awaits at the other end of the island.

The celebration comes to a grand finale on the 6th of January with live music by local talents Yani & Iqyan, followed by the Wave Rave – a beach party with DJ Afruh.

Featured artists at a glance:

  • Hassan Niyaz: A graphic designer and self-taught artist from Male’, Maldives. His debut solo exhibition was recently showcased at Art Gallery Male’, and is now exploring new terrain with his second solo showcase ‘Of the Palm’ at Oaga Art Resort.
  • Dupa Trio: A unique jazz band creating a dynamic and colourful musical environment reminiscent of the golden age of jazz music.
  • Valery Sealey (Solstix): A highly skilled circus and fire performer, specialising in object manipulation and captivating audiences with staff manipulation, fire spinning, and contact juggling.
  • Cinta Damerell: A multi-disciplinary creative whose aim is to create art and experience which encourages a utopian paradise, whether this be through film, exploring the wonders of the natural world or creating safe communities for arts to thrive.
  • Alikko (Aleef): A curious creative exploring the vast world of art. With experience in music, design and performance arts, he loves to find the connections between these different forms and combine them. You will be seeing him play various instruments in his musical showcases aside from his fire poi and other object manipulation performances.
  • DJ Afruh (Ali Afruh): A processional DJ / musician and multi-instrumentalist with influences rooted in blues, jazz, reggae, and world music.
  • Ismail Affan: A talented musician and a performer famously known for his unique voice and vocal range.
  • Something Lovely: An acoustic duo from the Maldives comprising childhood friends and musicians Shafyau Rameez (Thappu) and Dhifla Ahmed (Dhifoo).
  • Harubee Boduberu Group: A group of young men passionate about traditional Maldivian music, Boduberu, who have won the hearts of Maldivians with their beats.
  • Yani & Iqyan: two passionate musicians on a lifelong journey with music. As a dynamic duo, they bring a harmonious fusion of talent, creativity, and a shared dream to blossom into full-fledged musicians.
  • Naail Trio: Naail Trio unites three prominent music talents from the Maldives, Naanu, Amir and Inan coming together to present an assorted blend of music deeply rooted in Jazz and Maldivian traditions.
  • Shiuz: Oaga’s irreplaceable Director for all things vibe, a powerhouse performer with a charismatic career spotlighting the best of the Maldives’ musical arts.
  • Naffah: An in-house musician, a soul-soothing busker, and a solo artist extraordinaire capable of serenading troubles away with his soothing voice.
  • Zaki: A musician, singer, entertainer, host, surfer, and more, contributing to the Maldivian tourism industry with creativity and talent.
  • Dumb & Dumber: An in-house collaboration of musicians Naffah and Humam, providing a perfect fusion of acoustic soulful music.
  • Special features by local talents: Samooh Thaufeeq the saxophonist, Amru on violin, Husen Thaufeeq on keys & saxophone, Saif the harpist, Shaman the magician and more.

Oaga invites you to join in this momentous celebration with an unbeatable offer, where time stands still and memories are etched in the heart forever.

For Maldives lovers searching for an all-inclusive holiday, Oaga Art Resort’s Greatest All-Inclusive plan re-defines the limits of what All-Inclusive is all about; with inclusions such as Creative Expression (art) classes, Take Notes (music) experiences, In-Villa Dining to floating meal, choices of excursions, motorised watersports and many more.

Situated in North Malé Atoll, Oaga Art Resort is 45 minutes by speedboat from Malé International Airport. A small island with 60 villas with beach and over water options, 5 dining venues and a spa inspired by Maldivian traditional healing practices, Oaga Art Resort’s artistic and creative spaces offer an immersive experience curated by local and visiting artists, and craftsmen from the Maldives.

Guests looking to book the resort can visit the website, www.oagaresorts.com to book your stay, don’t miss out!

News

Vanessa Goodman joins Pullman Maldives Maamutaa for Vibrance Week

Published

on

Pullman Maldives Maamutaa has announced wellness expert Vanessa Goodman as its resident practitioner for Vibrance Week, a six-day wellness programme taking place from 21 to 26 September 2026.

Held under the theme “Relax, Restore, Revive”, the programme will introduce guests to a series of experiences centred on movement, recovery, mindfulness and personal wellbeing.

According to the resort, Vibrance Week reflects its approach to wellness as an ongoing, holistic practice rather than an experience limited to a holiday. The programme is intended to help guests reconnect, recharge and develop practices that can support balance in their personal and professional lives.

Goodman brings 14 years of practice and research into the relationship between movement, breath, emotions and the nervous system. Her approach considers movement not only as physical exercise, but also as a tool for developing strength, confidence, self-awareness and a deeper connection between physical and mental wellbeing.

During the week, Goodman will guide guests through a framework built around three areas: purposeful movement, safe physical challenge, and the balance between performance and recovery.

The resort said the programme will encourage participants to work towards physical goals while remaining mindful of their individual limits, with recovery and restoration incorporated alongside more active sessions.

“Vanessa’s philosophy aligns perfectly with this vision. For her, movement goes far beyond physical exercise — it is a strategic pathway to building inner strength, confidence, self-awareness and deeper cognitive connection,” Pullman Maldives Maamutaa said in announcing the programme.

Vibrance Week forms part of the resort’s wider focus on experiences designed around wellbeing and lifestyle, combining guided activities with its island setting in Gaafu Alifu Atoll.

The programme will run at Pullman Maldives Maamutaa from 21 to 26 September 2026.

Continue Reading

Awards

Finolhu wins Best Design Resort in Maldives at Global Destination Awards

Published

on

Finolhu, a Seaside Collection Resort, has been named Best Design Resort in the Maldives at the Global Destination Awards by World Fashion Channel, celebrating the resort’s distinctive approach to design, creativity and contemporary island living.

The award was announced at the Global Destination Awards ceremony in Moscow, an international luxury travel event bringing together leading hospitality professionals, international hotel brands, travel experts, celebrities and prominent travellers. The awards recognise outstanding destinations, hotels, resorts, restaurants and personalities shaping the global luxury travel landscape.

Located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, Finolhu is known for an aesthetic that deliberately departs from conventional interpretations of Maldivian luxury. The resort’s design, conceived by London-based design studio Muza Lab, brings together bold colours, expressive patterns, natural textures and playful details to create a contemporary interpretation of island life.

Across its 125 villas, restaurants, bars and social spaces, Finolhu’s visual identity is characterised by an eclectic mix of influences and a sense of individuality. From beachfront and overwater villas to the resort’s celebrated two-kilometre sandbank and the barefoot setting of Crab Shack, design is woven throughout the guest experience.

The recognition also reflects Finolhu’s wider identity as the Island Playground, where design is complemented by a year-round programme spanning art, gastronomy, wellness, sport and entertainment. Visiting artists and creative collaborations form an important part of this approach, allowing guests to engage with creativity through immersive experiences and encounters throughout their stay.

World Fashion Channel is an international lifestyle television network covering fashion, beauty, travel and luxury lifestyle, with an audience of more than 30 million viewers. The channel is distributed through major Russian cable and satellite operators, including MTS, Beeline and NTV-Plus, as well as across premium hotels, shopping destinations, luxury boutiques, restaurants, beauty salons and wellness clubs. It is also an official media partner of Moscow Fashion Week, Sochi Fashion Week and other major fashion and lifestyle events.

The Best Design Resort in the Maldives title adds to Finolhu’s growing portfolio of international recognition and reinforces the resort’s position as one of the Maldives’ most distinctive design-led destinations, where creativity, individuality and the natural beauty of Baa Atoll come together in an unmistakably playful island experience.

For more information and to learn more, visit finolhu.com.

Continue Reading

News

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives welcomes Golden Week with dining, tea and island experiences

Published

on

This Chinese National Day holiday, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives invites all guests to embrace the natural rhythm of island life in the serene surroundings of Raa Atoll. From 1 to 7 October 2026, the resort will celebrate the season with a thoughtfully curated programme of dining and cultural experiences, complemented by its Half Board Special and the privacy of its signature Overwater Pool Villas.

Set within a naturally lush island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the resort offers the freedom to experience the holiday entirely at one’s own pace. Days might begin with breakfast overlooking the sea, continue with time in the lagoon or a quiet afternoon beside a private pool, and end over dinner beneath tropical skies.

The setting itself has earned international recognition for its distinctive design and visual appeal. Alila Kothaifaru Maldives was named among Trip.com’s Asia 100 – Instagrammable Hotels in both 2025 and 2026, while Trip.com’s 2026 ranking of Instagrammable Hotels in the Maldives places the resort at No. 3.

Overwater Living, the Alila Way

For travellers dreaming of the quintessential Maldives experience, the resort’s Overwater Pool Villas extend above the lagoon with uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean.

The Lagoon Overwater Pool Villa, Ocean Overwater Pool Villa and Sunset Overwater Pool Villa each offer 125 square metres of contemporary indoor-outdoor living, with a private pool and the water always within sight. Whether waking to the changing colours of the lagoon or watching the sun descend from the privacy of the villa, the experience places the landscape at the centre of the stay.

For larger families and multi-generational groups, the resort also offers spacious multi-bedroom accommodation, including the Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villa and Boduge Residence, allowing extended families and friends to stay together while retaining their own sense of space.

“Golden Week is an occasion to come together, and we wanted the celebration on the island to feel both familiar and distinctly Alila. Guests can gather over steamed local reef fish with ginger and scallion, share the warmth of a hot pot evening, learn the art of dumpling making with Chef Amrit, or slow down over tea masterclasses and pairing rituals with Dilmah Tea. These experiences bring the spirit of the celebration into the rhythm of island life, while giving families and friends the freedom to enjoy their time together in their own way,” says Thomas Weber, General Manager of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives.

A Celebration Around the Table

Dining takes a central place in the celebrations, with a programme created especially for the week.

The programme begins on 1 October with a Dumpling Making Class with Chef Amrit, followed on 2 October by Flavors of the Golden Week, featuring steamed local reef fish with ginger and scallion. The weekend brings convivial Flavors of the East Hot Pot Nights, while Chinese-Flavored BBQ Skewer Night at Yakitori Bar adds another celebratory evening on 6 October. The programme culminates on 7 October with the Golden Week “Seasalt Night” Buffet Dinner.

Throughout the week, guests can also discover a series of tea experiences presented in collaboration with Dilmah Tea, including Tea Mini-Classes exploring wellness and health tips, Tea Masterclasses and Tastings, and evening Tea-Pairing Rituals — introducing a quieter ritual to the island celebrations.

Half Board, with the Freedom to Explore

Adding ease and flexibility to the stay, the resort’s Half Board Special brings breakfast and dinner into the rhythm of each day while leaving guests free to explore Alila Kothaifaru Maldives’ wider culinary landscape.

The plan includes daily breakfast at Seasalt and dinner at Seasalt, Pibati, Yakitori Bar or Umami, served as a three-course à la carte menu, excluding Teppanyaki. Guests wishing to dine at another venue receive a USD 75 food credit, applicable at participating experiences including Teppanyaki, The Shack and Dining Experiences, subject to availability. Premium and signature items may carry an additional charge.

This flexibility means no two evenings need feel the same: dinner might unfold over Japanese flavours at Umami, around the table at Seasalt, or somewhere entirely more secluded at The Shack, the resort’s private sand cay.

The Half Board Special is complemented by a collection of Alila Hospitalities, including welcome amenities, Spa Alila wellness activities, complimentary use of snorkelling equipment, daily poolside refreshments and access to Play Alila, the 24-hour Fitness Centre and Library. In-room reusable water bottles, Alila Living bath amenities, Villa Host service and resort-wide Wi-Fi are also included.

Island Days, Made Personal

Beyond the celebrations, the island invites guests to find their own rhythm. Snorkelling and diving reveal the marine environment of Raa Atoll, while Play Alila, outdoor games and padel tennis offer easy ways for families to spend time together.

For something slower, Spa Alila and island wellness experiences create space to reset, while Alila Moments connect guests more closely with Maldivian culture, nature and local traditions.

The programme has deliberately been designed with room for spontaneity. Complimentary experiences are woven between the culinary events, including dumpling making and scheduled tea activities, allowing guests to participate as much — or as little — as they wish. Selected activities require advance reservations, while dine-around credit is applicable to certain dining experiences.

An Island Celebration, Shaped Around You

From overwater mornings and private-pool afternoons to dumpling making, tea rituals and dinners overlooking the Indian Ocean, the week celebrates a simple luxury: time together, with the freedom to choose how it is spent.

For more information or to plan a Golden Week escape, visit www.alilakothaifarumaldives.com.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.