Lifestyle
SO/ Maldives redefines luxury island living with avant-garde design, culinary delights, and unparalleled wellness experiences

SO/, the esteemed collection of fashion-forward hotels is reshaping the luxury island experience with the debut of its latest venture, SO/ Maldives. Situated in the heart of the Maldives, this vibrant private-island destination is a fusion of fashion, art, and design.
Guests embarking on a swift, 15-minute speedboat journey from Malé Velana International Airport are transported to SO/ Maldives’ opulent 15-acre haven. Nestled along the turquoise waters of Emboodhoo Lagoon, the resort boasts overwater and beachfront villas, unique dining experiences, and a wellness camp. The arrival is nothing short of spectacular, with guests welcomed at the beautiful Arrival Pavilion, setting the stage for a red carpet-worthy experience.
Runway-Worthy Villas
SO/ Maldives showcases a curated collection of 80 beachfront and overwater villas, each a testament to modern luxury and avant-garde design. Ranging from one to three bedrooms and spanning eight categories, these villas embrace open-plan living, complete with private pools and decks for savoring ocean views. The accommodation options include the 120 sqm. Lagoon Water Pool Villa Collection, the expansive 410 sqm. Three-Bedroom Ocean Water Pool Atelier, and the innovative 238 sqm. Family Beach Pool Villa with Capsule, featuring adjoining “sleep pods” for younger travelers. Every villa envelops guests in sartorial luxury, offering Maison CODAGE toiletries, sustainably-sourced vegan ingredients, plush robes, slippers, and personalized concierge service.

Feasts for the Senses
SO/ Maldives elevates the culinary experience with innovative and diverse restaurant and bar offerings. The Citronelle Club, an all-day dining destination, weaves flavors into a menu of Pan-Asian cuisine. Meanwhile, Lazuli Beach Club, a French Riviera-inspired day-to-night beach bar, offers creative and healthy Mediterranean fare alongside vibrant cocktails and tunes spun by visiting DJs. Hadaba, situated in the Arrival Pavilion, transports guests to Arabian nights with Levantine slow-cooked dishes and smoked delicacies. Private in-villa dining and off-resort culinary experiences are also available.
A World of Wellness
The resort’s Wellness Camp, blending East-meets-West concepts, provides unlimited access to fitness and relaxation in an unparalleled setting. The spa menu, curated alongside Salon C. Stellar, features renowned brands like Maison CODAGE, Comfort Zone, and Odacité. Treatments, including “The Best Facial” and the personalized “Astro Facial,” offer cutting-edge relaxation with carefully selected ingredients. State-of-the-art facilities include steam and sauna rooms, a Vichy Rainforest Shower, and a revitalizing vitality pool. Complimentary classes such as yoga, meditation, sound healing, and personalized training sessions round out the wellness offerings.

Water Adventures & Excursions
SO/ Maldives presents a plethora of water-based adventures, both paid and complimentary, including kayaking, parasailing, snorkeling, jet ski, and stand-up paddleboarding. Diving enthusiasts can explore curated dives, turtle expeditions, and traditional Maldivian fishing excursions. Lessons and rentals for windsurfing, kitesurfing, catamaran courses, surfing, and more are available. Private boats and yachts can be chartered for exclusive exploration.
Friends, Families Welcome
Younger guests have dedicated spaces at The Zone (Teen’s Club for ages 12-16) and The Nest (Kids Club for ages 4-11), equipped with toys, games, and activities. Family-forward programming includes beach volleyball, bocce ball, soccer, and watersports. Babysitting services are available for children under 4 years of age.
Island Takeover
From dawn to dusk, SO/ Maldives sets the stage for glamorous events. Oceanfront venues, including the Arrival Pavilion, Lazuli Beach Club, and Hadaba, along with two- and three-bedroom villas, offer a picturesque backdrop for various occasions. Island privatization is also a possibility.
Opening Offers
Guests can immerse themselves in the allure of SO/ Maldives with The Castaway Escape opening offer, featuring room rates starting from $750+ per night. For those seeking an exceptionally sweet deal, Dis-loyalty, Ennismore’s innovative travel and food membership, presents a remarkable 50% discount on all accommodations at SO/ Maldives. This exclusive offer is available for bookings made via the Dis-loyalty website on stays through April 30, 2024.
Entertainment
Halloween and Autumn celebrations at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, is preparing to welcome guests to a week-long Autumn Festival with Halloween-themed celebrations running from 30 October to 5 November. The programme features a variety of activities designed for families, couples, and individual travellers, with events ranging from treasure hunts and creative workshops to wellness sessions and exclusive dining experiences.
The celebrations begin on 30 October with a beachside Tabata workout followed by a pumpkin carving workshop at La Locanda. Activities for children and teens include the Magic of Mantas virtual reality exploration, Haunted Brick Builders, and the Autumn Costume Fashion Show. Parents are invited to a cocktail gathering on the shore before the evening concludes with a Culinary Maestro dinner by Michelin-starred Chef Max Strohe, as part of the resort’s Masters of Crafts series.
On 31 October, guests may join a morning Dynamic Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden or take part in a turtle snorkelling excursion. Children between four and twelve are encouraged to join the Flying Fox Quest, a Halloween-themed nature walk, while older children embark on an Island Treasure Quest. Seasonal workshops such as wreath decoration and creative pumpkin carving are available, and the day concludes with a Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt across the island and a Halloween Feast at La Locanda.
As the week progresses, the festival highlights wellness and creativity. Under the Masters of Crafts programme, mobility coach Anthony Green will host sessions on posture, flexibility, and spinal health. Seasonal crafts for younger guests include galaxy-themed pumpkin art, Halloween decorations, wand-making, and mask workshops. Family activities extend to Autumn Carnival Stalls, Magic Hat bowling, and themed cooking sessions. Evening entertainment includes a magic show, a piñata party, and further culinary experiences led by Chef Max Strohe.
The festival concludes on 5 November with a Vinsaya Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden, an art class featuring batfish designs on tote bags, and a children’s treasure hunt. Families are invited to join the Boos and Brews Halloween Dhoni Cruise before the celebrations end with a Luxury Sunset Cruise.
Through this programme, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, combines seasonal festivities with wellness, creativity, and gastronomy, offering guests a diverse celebration of autumn and Halloween in the Maldives.
Entertainment
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives to stage ICEHOUSE sunset performances in 2026

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, in collaboration with Music in Paradise, has announced that ICEHOUSE — one of Australia’s most iconic and internationally acclaimed bands — will perform live on its private island from 5 to 12 September 2026.
For the first time in the Maldives, guests will be able to enjoy two intimate sunset beach concerts by ICEHOUSE, with attendance limited to just 250 fans. The week-long celebration will combine the experience of a tropical island escape with exclusive music moments, including a special fan Q&A with frontman and creative visionary Iva Davies.
Formed and led by Iva Davies, ICEHOUSE rose to prominence in the late 1970s and 1980s, establishing itself as one of Australia’s defining rock bands. With 28 Platinum albums, eight Top 10 albums, and more than 30 Top 40 singles, the band’s music has continued to resonate across generations.
Their 1982 anthem Great Southern Land is regarded as a cultural landmark, widely acknowledged as an unofficial Australian anthem and permanently preserved in the National Film and Sound Archives’ Sounds of Australia registry. Fans attending the concerts can expect to hear this and other timeless tracks, including We Can Get Together, Can’t Help Myself, and Hey Little Girl.
For more than 45 years, ICEHOUSE has captivated global audiences with sell-out performances, uniting music lovers across age groups. Their blend of rock, new wave and electronic influences, coupled with distinctive songwriting, has secured their reputation as one of Australia’s most enduring musical exports.
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives General Manager, Mark Eletr, reflected on the announcement: “I remember when the band was known as Flowers in the late 70s. I grew up in Australia listening to them, and for me, Great Southern Land is the unofficial Aussie anthem, but my favourite would have to be Walls or Can’t Help Myself. To hear these songs performed live on our beach at sunset will be an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience for our guests.”
The Gold Experience Package is now available at a special launch rate of A$3,990 per person twin share (regular price A$4,290). The package includes:
- Seven nights in a Beach View Villa (5–12 September 2026)
- Entry to two exclusive ICEHOUSE beach concerts
- Q&A session with Iva Davies
- Music in Paradise welcome bag, commemorative event poster and t-shirt
- Return shared speedboat airport transfers
- Daily buffet breakfast at Kandooma Café
- Complimentary snorkel trip and use of snorkelling equipment
- Two scuba dives per day for two (terms and conditions apply; licensed divers only)
- Music in Paradise Traveller Care Guarantee
Entertainment
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort unveils ocean-themed festive programme

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has announced its festive programme for the upcoming season, themed around ‘A Celebration for the Oceans’. Drawing inspiration from the Indian Ocean, the programme will transport guests into the mythical world of Atlantis: The Lost Kingdom, offering a range of cultural, culinary, artistic and wellness experiences. Highlights include a culinary residency by Tom Aikens, art classes and exhibitions led by UK artist Florence Super, physiotherapy sessions with Emma Diani, and entertainment for younger guests provided by Sharky & George. A series of gala dinners, live musical performances, and festive traditions will also form part of the celebrations.
The resort’s calendar of activities is designed to appeal to a wide audience, including families, food enthusiasts, creatives and those seeking wellness. Guests will be able to enjoy themed gala dinners, musical entertainment, Santa appearances, and New Year’s Eve celebrations, alongside time for relaxation at AVI Spa, which will feature holistic treatments and visiting practitioner sessions. The resort’s Resident Astronomer, Aleks, will also offer stargazing sessions.
Situated on the southern tip of Raa Atoll, at the edge of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and near a juvenile manta ray aggregation site, the resort supports manta ray research and has introduced sustainable waste and recycling initiatives. Ocean-focused activities such as diving, seabobbing and coral adoption will also be incorporated into the programme.
Michelin-starred Chef Tom Aikens will take up a 12-day residency at the resort, curating exclusive tasting menus at The Lighthouse restaurant across several gala evenings. His residency will also feature a cooking class, a private yacht dinner for two, and a finale beachside buffet. The programme offers guests the opportunity to combine fine dining with the resort’s island setting.
Florence Super will debut her ocean-inspired art at the resort, delivering five creative sessions for guests. Her work, which often utilises recycled materials, will culminate in an exhibition with select pieces available for purchase. This collaboration complements the resort’s sustainability initiatives and partnership with The Manta Trust.
Wellness practitioner Emma Diani, an experienced physiotherapist, will be in residence from mid-December 2025 to mid-February 2026, offering treatments designed to improve posture, ease chronic pain and restore mobility. The resort’s AVI Spa will also provide a range of therapies, including Maldivian-inspired treatments and specialised body sculpting.
Family entertainment will be provided by Sharky & George, who will return to host activities at the Planet Trekkers Kids Club. Their programme includes treasure hunts, games, cooking classes, gingerbread house making, pirate cruises and mini expeditions, encouraging children to explore the island and its marine life.
Music and live entertainment will play a central role, with Jazzubeat The Band and DJ Levi set to perform. Traditional Christmas elements such as a tree lighting ceremony and Santa visits will accompany the festivities. On Christmas Eve, guests will gather for cocktails and a gala dinner, while New Year’s Eve will be marked with a gala celebration, ballet performances, fireworks and dancing on the oceanfront.
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