Bandos Maldives continues to strengthen its commitment to responsible hospitality, quality and excellence with Food Safety Management System complaint with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) standards, and the achievement of its Green Globe Certification.

These accomplishments reflect the resort’s ongoing dedication to providing exceptional guest experiences while upholding high standards of food safety, environmental responsibility and sustainable operations.

The HACCP recognition reflects the resort’s dedication to maintaining high food safety and quality standards across its food and beverage operations, ensuring guests enjoy safe and quality dining experiences. It also recognises the collective efforts of the culinary, food and beverage, and stewarding teams in upholding these standards.

Complementing this commitment to quality, the resort’s Green Globe recertification marks another important milestone in its sustainability journey. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Maldives, Bandos Maldives recognises its responsibility to protect its island environment and the marine ecosystem that makes the destination so unique. With 1,330 solar panels generating 744.8 kWp of electricity and meeting approximately 30% of daily energy requirements, Bandos Maldives continues to invest in more sustainable operations. Through its desalination plants and refillable glass bottle initiative, the resort has also eliminated more than 250,000 single-use plastic water bottles annually. Marine conservation also remains another important focus.

Commenting on these achievements, General Manager Ismail Rasheed said: “We are delighted to achieve these important milestones, which reflect our team’s dedication to quality, guest wellbeing and environmental sustainability. While we are proud of our progress, we recognise that responsible hospitality is an ongoing journey. We remain committed to continuously improving our practices and protecting our island environment for future generations.”

Guided by its Island of Hospitality brand promise, Bandos Maldives believes that exceptional guest experiences go beyond warm service and comfortable accommodation. They also mean ensuring guest safety, maintaining quality and protecting the natural beauty of the island and its surrounding marine environment.

Travel’s new benchmark for luxury isn’t showing off, but showing up rested, with KAYAK’s global travel forecast calling this shift the pursuit of “Headspace Holidays” and “Wellth trips,” where next-gen travellers measure a good trip by how recovered they feel, not how much they were able to cram into an itinerary.

Here’s our take on how you could build an escape around a Dopamine Menu at Nova Maldives, sampling little nuggets of joy daily rather than having one big thing to cross off and nothing left to anticipate afterwards, to suit your appetite for happiness.

Starters — Dipping into Softness

• Grounding Steps: Barefoot strolls around the island at mornings and sunsets, with group yoga sessions to drop into as they suit: Inner Strength for gentle asanas and breathwork, Hatha Yoga for an alignment-focused practice, and Surya Namaskar for building flexibility.
• House Reef Exploration: Snorkel alongside baby reef sharks in the shallows for a quiet, close-up glimpse of Nova’s underwater world just steps from shore.
• Breakfast, Two Ways: A Lagoon floating breakfast enjoyed within the villa, followed by an easy swim, or a buffet spread stocked with ‘Maldivian Flavours’ special small-bites, nourishing juices and smoothies at Soul Kitchen.

Mains — Gentle Landings for the Day

• The Deep Blue Plate: Embark on whale shark encounters within the waters of the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA), and dive with turtles and sharks at Broken Rock’s natural canyon, the sunken cargo ship turned artificial reef at Kudhi Maa wreck, and Madivaru Rangali’s Manta Point, one of the Maldives’ best-known manta cleaning stations
• Social Circles at Holhuashi: Held every Friday, gather beneath the banyan tree for Maldivian food pop-up stalls, bodu beru drumming, a Basmagu-Dhivehi language class, and a coconut harvesting demonstration.
• Soothing Island Remedies: Block time-off for Maldivian treatments that nourish the body and soul from within, choosing between the ‘Ruhgalu’ Herbal Bolus Therapy that makes use of heated herbal poultices to soothe the body, the Kaashi Naashi Ritual, using gliding warm coconut oil and shells across the body for deep relaxation, and the ‘Unbuli Veyo’ Island Healing Ritual, which melts tension away with a warm herbal leaf compress and full-body massage.

Sides & Specials — Curious Additions

• Coral & Reef Meanderings: Help plant your own coral frame on Nova’s house reef, with the option to name it, and join a guided reef clean-up alongside the resort’s marine team, leaving a small, lasting mark on the island long after checkout.
• Cooking on the Atolls: Learn to cook with the island’s own pantry, working hands-on with local ingredients like breadfruit, green mango, plantain, cassava, bitter gourd, coconut, wax gourd and banana blossom, guided by Nova’s culinary team.
• Sensual Frequencies: Sink into a guided sound bath using singing bowls, gongs, chimes, rain sticks and ocean drums, or crystal reiki healing session, channelling the cleansing energies of crystals for chakra alignment, both echoing the island’s own natural stillness.
• A Surprise Getaway: Reach a private sandbank by boat, left completely undisturbed, and watch the sunset melt into the horizon in total solitude, or share an intimate evening as a couple beneath an open, star-filled sky.

Specials — A Little Indulgence

• The Weightless Hour: For a softer introduction to diving, Nova’s signature Wellness Diving experience blends underwater yoga, floating meditation, buoyancy and breathwork sessions, a house reef exploration, and a PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty certification.
• Mizu Overwater Evenings: Dine above the water at Nova’s overwater pavilion, choosing from five multi-course sets (Umi Kara Shinsen, Nojo Shinsende Oishi, Kaiso and more) built around farm and ocean freshness, from sushi, temaki and teppanyaki grill to seaweed and vegetarian options.

Dessert — Sweet Endings

• Nightcap at Wink: Settle in at Wink Bar as live acoustic and jazz performances from the house bands set the mood, choosing from timeless classics to contemporary favourites, including a Peach & Rosemary Blossom (bourbon whisky, peach syrup, lemon wedges, rosemary syrup) and an Espresso Martini (vodka, Kahlúa, espresso shot, sugar).

Build a stay entirely to taste, with your own made-to-order holiday at Nova. With villas from £314/night on Full Board, and soulcation and advance-purchase offers available when booking direct at www.nova-maldives.com.

This UAE National Day, step away from everyday life and embark on an unforgettable island adventure. Centara Hotels & Resorts in the Maldives are the ideal destinations to do just that, combining turquoise lagoons, pristine beaches, exceptional hospitality, and a wealth of experiences above and below the water. Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives and Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection, offer two distinctive settings for a well-deserved holiday, where guests can enjoy the beauty of the Maldives at their own pace, with a selection of Full Board accommodation options designed to elevate their stay.

UAE National Day at Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives

Nestled within The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts in the North Malé Atoll, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives is an elegant island retreat for travellers seeking privacy, sophistication, and exceptional comfort. Just a short Luxury speedboat journey away from Malé International Airport, the resort features an impressive collection of beachfront and overwater villas and residences, each offering a unique sense of seclusion. With private pools, Jacuzzis, and sweeping views of the turquoise lagoon, it provides an idyllic setting to celebrate UAE National Day in style.

Beyond the comfort of the villas, the resort’s diverse culinary offering spans international favourites, contemporary Mediterranean cuisine, and Asian-inspired dining, while SPA Cenvaree Retreat provides a tranquil setting for restorative treatments inspired by traditional Thai wellness. There is also ample opportunity to discover the surrounding marine environment through snorkelling, diving, and water sports, or enjoy the additional dining and leisure facilities available at neighbouring Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives.

This UAE National Day, make the most of the occasion with a stay in one of the resort’s exceptional private pool villas, where relaxed mornings, sun-drenched afternoons, and evenings overlooking the lagoon create the perfect rhythm for an island holiday. With Full Board dining included, it leaves plenty of time to reconnect with loved ones and embrace the serenity of this paradisiacal oasis. 

When: Available on stays from 1st until 7th December 2026

Offer Inclusions:

• Accommodation in the selected villa category for two adults

• Full Board meal plan

Price:

• One-Bedroom Overwater Pool Villa, from USD 870++ per couple, per night

• One-Bedroom Sunset Beach Pool Villa, from USD 992++ per couple, per night

Terms & Conditions:

• Rates are subject to availability and applicable taxes and service charges

• Rates are quoted for two adults, per night, on a Full Board basis.

• Rates are excluding speedboat transfers, taxes and experiences

• Booking and cancellation conditions are subject to the resort’s applicable policies.

• Centara Hotels & Resorts reserves the right to amend the offer and its terms and conditions without prior notice.

For bookings and more information, please click here.

UAE National Day at Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection

For travellers seeking a more nature and marine inspired island experience, Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection, is an enchanting retreat in the South Ari Atoll. Surrounded by the remarkable beauty of the Indian Ocean and situated within a UNESCO-recognised marine protected area, the resort is an inviting destination for those looking to slow down and reconnect with nature. With 112 beachfront and overwater villas, the island combines contemporary comfort with a relaxed tropical atmosphere. 

The surrounding waters are a highlight of any stay, boasting an award-winning house reef and more than 50 dive sites across the South Ari Atoll providing exceptional opportunities to discover the Maldives’ underwater world. Snorkel among vibrant coral gardens, encounter an array of marine life, or explore the iconic Kudhi Maa shipwreck, which has developed into a thriving artificial reef. Above the water, kayaking, paddleboarding, and excursions offer further opportunities to appreciate the island’s natural surroundings, while SPA Cenvaree provides a welcome retreat for moments of relaxation and rejuvenation.

Machchafushi promises a holiday defined by nature, tranquillity, and discovery, and this UAE National Day, its relaxed island atmosphere and exceptional marine experiences make it the ultimate choice for those looking to exchange the everyday for a few days of tropical serenity.

When: Available on stays from 1st until 7th December 2026

Offer Inclusions:

• Accommodation in the selected villa category for two adults

• Full Board meal plan

Price:

• Duplex Beach Villa, from USD 510++ per couple, per night

• Sunrise Overwater Villa, from USD 745++ per couple, per night

Terms & Conditions:

• Rates are subject to availability and applicable taxes and service charges.

• Rates are quoted for two adults, per night, on a Full Board basis.

• Rates are excluding sea plane transfers, taxes and experiences

• Booking and cancellation conditions are subject to the resort’s applicable policies.

• Centara Hotels & Resorts reserves the right to amend the offer and its terms and conditions without prior notice.

For bookings and more information, please click here.