Milaidhoo Maldives has been ranked 10th in the Indian Ocean in the Resorts category of the Condé Nast Traveller 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, with the recognition coinciding with the resort’s 10th anniversary.

Opened with the concept of creating an intimate island retreat where guests could slow down, feel at home and experience the Maldives in a more personal way, Milaidhoo said its decade-long journey has been shaped as much by its people as by the island itself.

Over the past 10 years, the resort’s team, known as the Milaidhoo Family, has grown alongside the property. A number of colleagues have been with the resort since its early days, while others have joined throughout its journey, contributing to the personalised service that forms a central part of the Milaidhoo experience.

According to the resort, this approach is reflected in details such as remembering returning guests’ preferred tables and coffee choices, reconnecting with familiar visitors after several years and attending to individual preferences throughout their stay.

Milaidhoo has also welcomed a growing number of repeat guests over the years, many returning with family and friends or choosing the island to mark personal milestones and celebrations.

The resort said the Readers’ Choice recognition carries particular significance as it is based on the experiences and votes of travellers who have stayed at Milaidhoo.

For the resort, the accolade reflects the experiences of guests who have spent time on the island, from walking its beaches and watching sunsets from their villas to dining and interacting with members of the Milaidhoo team.

As Milaidhoo marks its 10th anniversary, the resort expressed gratitude to its team and guests for contributing to its development over the past decade, particularly those who have returned, recommended the resort to others and continued to be part of its story.

Milaidhoo Maldives is located in Baa Atoll and can be reached by a 35-minute seaplane journey from Velana International Airport. Alternatively, guests can take a 15-minute domestic flight to Dharavandhoo Airport, followed by a 15-minute speedboat transfer to the private island resort.

.Here Baa Atoll, a private island retreat in the Maldives, has been named the No. 6 Resort in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026.

The annual Readers’ Choice Awards recognise hotels, resorts, destinations, airlines and other travel experiences based on votes submitted by Condé Nast Traveler readers.

The recognition places .Here Baa Atoll among the highest-ranked resorts in the Indian Ocean and comes during a milestone year for the property.

Located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, .Here Baa Atoll comprises nine residences spread across two natural islands, Somewhere and Nowhere.

Somewhere features seven three- and four-bedroom residences extending from the beach towards the lagoon and designed for families and groups travelling together. Each residence offers indoor and outdoor living spaces, multiple pools, private dining and personalised Roohu service. Guests are transferred directly to their residence by private speedboat, avoiding a conventional lobby and check-in process.

Condé Nast Traveler has previously highlighted the resort for its emphasis on privacy, its beach-to-lagoon residences and its discreet approach to luxury.

The resort experience also includes Nowhere Private Island, which is reserved exclusively for a single group at a time. The island features a five-bedroom Presidential Residence and a three-bedroom Lagoon Residence, providing eight bedrooms and 3,329 square metres of private living space, supported by dedicated service and individually curated experiences.

The Readers’ Choice Award follows several other recognitions received by .Here Baa Atoll during 2026. The resort was included in the Condé Nast Traveler Hot List 2026, with the publication highlighting its residences and design. It has also received international recognition for its architecture and design, alongside creative collaborators Kulör Group, Muza Lab and Topo Design Studio.

Elina Adiyan, Resident Manager of .Here Baa Atoll, said: “To be recognised by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler so early in our journey is incredibly meaningful. .Here was created around a simple idea: to give guests extraordinary space, genuine privacy and the freedom to experience the Maldives entirely on their own terms. This recognition belongs equally to our team, whose care and dedication bring that vision to life every day. We are deeply grateful to everyone who voted for us.”

The latest recognition adds to .Here Baa Atoll’s growing international profile within the luxury travel sector, with the resort positioning privacy, spacious accommodation, design and personalised service at the centre of its guest experience.

Festive season in the Maldives is getting a sporting upgrade, as Kandima Maldives welcomes some of the most acclaimed names in women’s football to its three-kilometre island this festive season, giving guests the chance to get closer to the game through coaching, matches, challenges and beachside experiences.

The active lifestyle resort’s festive season will unfold in two chapters: Christmas in Paradise, from 20–25 December, followed by Showtime Fairground from 26–31 December, before culminating in a spectacular Kandima-style New Year’s Eve celebration.

The appetite for swapping the traditional festive break for sunshine continues to grow among British and Irish travellers, with Thomas Cook reporting a 20% year-on-year increase in overseas holidays last season. Kandima offers an active take on the tropical Christmas, with music, sport and adventure at the heart of the programme.

Christmas in Paradise

From 20 December until Christmas Day, Kandima will embrace the magic of a Christmas in paradise, with the island brought to life through festive dining, family experiences, live entertainment and Maldivian celebrations. The festivities begin with Kandima’s Festive Tree Lighting and Welcome Sundowner, followed by a programme of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day experiences including a gala dinner, festive harmonies, Santa’s arrival on the beach, Christmas Day brunch, family activities and the annual Christmas Day Run. Families can also get involved with festive workshops, scavenger hunts and creative activities at Kandiland, while live music, local performances and beachside entertainment keep the celebrations going across the island.

Meet the Game Changers

Taking centre stage are Lucy Bronze MBE and Ona Batlle, who will spend some of their downtime at Kandima between Christmas and New Year amid the WSL season, and ahead of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Bronze, a five-time UEFA Women’s Champions League winner and England international, and Spanish international Batlle will bring their world-class experience from the highest level of the women’s game to the island. Guests of all ages will have the opportunity to learn from the pair, with family friendly beach games and a festive penalty shootout on the programme.

They will be joined by viral British football family, The Wingroves, who will host a large-scale family adventure game on 15 December, while former professional tennis player Dustin Brown will run daily tennis clinics, one-to-one coaching and the Dustin Brown Festive Cup from 17 – 27 December.

Adding to the island line-up, DJ Giulia Siegel will soundtrack festive sundowners, while Chef Ludwig Heer will create playful culinary experiences and guest-facing dining moments throughout the festive period. Magician Mr Marvel will add a sprinkle of festive mischief from 23–26 December.

The Showtime Fairground

Between Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve, Showtime Fairground will turn Kandima into a playful celebration of sport, entertainment, creativity and adventure.

The programme includes Krew vs Guests Beach Olympics, Fast Track e-go-kart racing, the KULA Fun Run, a mini-island tri-challenge, football, watersports and beach games, alongside live music, roaming entertainment, Maldivian performances, art workshops and festive dining.

For families, Kandiland will host festive workshops, scavenger hunts, glow parties and Christmas cinema, while PlaySpace offers bowling, arcade games, escape rooms and karaoke. Adults can head to Forbidden Bar for DJ sessions and an adults-only White Party.

The island will also spotlight the Maldives itself, with the KULA Art Festival showcasing local artists and craftspeople across digital art, coffee art, acrylic, henna, spray paint and traditional crafts, alongside Maldivian street food, artisan markets and local performances. The KULA Art Initiative operates a dedicated non-profit fund to support local creatives and community projects, and just this summer, held its first UNDP BIOFIN-backed Art for Biodiversity Exhibition on Kandima’s shores.

The Grand Showtime Finale

The festive season reaches its peak on New Year’s Eve with The Showtime Fairground Grand Finale, bringing together the island’s main entertainment and performances for one final celebration. The celebrations culminate in the Kandima Showtime Celebration, welcoming in the New Year with fire, beats and percussion, live performances from DC2 Entertainment and a show-stopping fireworks celebration on Smoked Beach. The action continues into 2027 with Kandima Running Club’s first run of the year, a Fast Track Grand Prix, island challenges, Maldivian performances and an adults-only DJ White Party.

At Kandima, the festive season is less about sitting still and more about getting involved, with guests invited to make the island their playground.

For more information, download the full festive programme on the website here. Kandima’s Festive Season runs from 20 December 2026 to 7 January 2027, with The Showtime Fairground taking over the island from 26–31 December. Kandima is offering up to 45% off direct room rates between 24 December and 10 January. For more information and to book direct, visit kandima.com, with prices starting at £360 per villa per night on a B&B basis based on two adults sharing before offers.