News
The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort Partners with Savvy Sleep to Encourage Guests to Sleep Better

The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, situated in Baa Atoll, the first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve site in the Maldives, partners with Savvy Sleep to introduce ‘The Westin Maldives Kids Sleep Manual.’ This manual is designed to guide families through every step to ensure they get the restful and rejuvenating sleep they deserve while enjoying quality time in the Maldives.
Vacations often symbolize rest and rejuvenation, promising cherished memories. However for children, travel may pose unique challenges when it comes time to fall asleep at night. Designed to provide parents with expert guidance and essential amenities to help the children and babies sleep better, the manual will assist children in drifting off into dreamland through a trove of innovative sleep-inducing activities. Crafted by the team at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, part of Westin Hotels & Resorts, a global leader in hospitality wellness, and pediatric sleep specialists from Savvy Sleep, the dreamy sleep-recommended activities span from beachfront bedtime stories and stargazing to yoga nidra, encouraging children to create dream journals.

Savvy Sleep is led by Isabel and Sara, two passionate pediatric sleep specialists who are dedicated to helping families worldwide achieve the restful and rejuvenating sleep they deserve. Their methods are based on research-backed techniques that encourage positive sleep associations and help children fall asleep and stay asleep on their own.
“Empowering travelers to sleep well reinforces our commitment to guest well-being and the growing understanding that sleep impacts everything from productivity to overall happiness. From our Heavenly® Bed, lavender balm bedside amenities to the addition of our Sleep Well Menu, we believe nothing restores your mind and body like restful sleep,” said Vijay Kumar, General Manager of The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort. “We are thrilled to have partners like Savvy Sleep who share our commitment and can amplify our mission to raise awareness about the benefits of a better sleep during and after their stay with us,” he added.
“At Savvy Sleep, we believe that parents should have access to the methods necessary to enhance their child’s sleep quality, and we are committed to helping you and your family get the restful and rejuvenating sleep you deserve,” said Isabel and Sara, founders and pediatric sleep experts from Savvy Sleep. “We are delighted to partner with The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, providing support as you work towards your sleep goals to meet the unique needs of each family,” they added.
Travelers may visit westin-maldives.com for further information on the five-star family resort, and bookings can be made at mlewi.reservation@westinhotels.com.
Featured
Bavarian traditions meet island living at Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s Oktoberfest

Sun Siyam Olhuveli has announced that it will host its own take on Oktoberfest from 1 to 5 October 2025, bringing one of the world’s most recognised celebrations to a tropical island setting. The resort will combine Bavarian traditions with Maldivian hospitality, offering guests a week-long programme of music, food, and festivities.
A highlight of the event will be a performance by international DJ twins Kristina and Anna Grushina. With a strong global following of more than two million on social media and chart-topping success on Spotify, the sisters are renowned for their high-energy sets that transform any stage into a vibrant dance floor. Their performance on the resort’s beachfront is expected to be a key feature of this year’s festival.
Alongside live music, the festival will present German brews and themed culinary experiences inspired by Oktoberfest. Guests will be able to enjoy Bavarian-style dishes alongside a selection of hops and lagers served beachside. To add to the atmosphere, family-friendly activities and games will be organised throughout the resort, creating a spirit of connection and celebration in an island environment.
“We are excited to bring together international music talent, authentic gastronomy, and our island’s natural beauty in this celebration,” said Hassan Adil, General Manager of Sun Siyam Olhuveli. “Every year, Oktoberfest and many other celebrations at Sun Siyam Olhuveli continue to highlight culture, community, and entertainment in a way that is unique to our resort and to the Maldives.”
The five-day festival will not only celebrate Oktoberfest but also demonstrate Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s ability to host immersive experiences that blend international entertainment with the relaxed lifestyle of the Maldives. Guests staying at the resort during this period will experience a beachfront festival of music, cuisine, and festivities designed to leave a lasting impression.
Local
MU Maniku, key architect of Maldives tourism industry, dies

Mohamed Umar Maniku (MU Maniku), a key figure in the establishment and growth of the Maldives tourism industry, has died in Singapore. He passed away on Saturday while in intensive care at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, where he had been receiving medical treatment for about a month.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Universal Enterprises announced:
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Mohamed Umar ‘M.U.’ Maniku on 30th August 2025 at 0630 hrs Singapore time in Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore. As Chairman of Universal Enterprises, he will forever be remembered as a pioneer whose vision, loyalty and integrity were felt by generations of industry professionals, who will remember him with deep affection and respect. He had been an integral part of the inception and growth of the tourism industry in the Maldives. We remember a man whose legacy cannot be confined to a date or a place.”
“To those close to him, M.U. Maniku was a guiding light. He was the steady hand that led Universal Enterprises through decades of change, and a mentor for many. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and extended family. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to all who have offered support and condolences during this difficult time.”
Maniku was part of the group that opened Kurumba Maldives in 1972, the country’s first resort, widely regarded as the starting point of the modern tourism industry in the Maldives.
As Chairman and a principal shareholder of Universal Enterprises/Universal Resorts, Maniku oversaw the development of a portfolio that has included properties such as Kurumba, Kuramathi, Baros, Velassaru, Kandolhu, Milaidhoo and Huvafen Fushi.
Beyond the Maldives, he also served as Chairman of Mahaweli Reach Hotels PLC in Sri Lanka from 2012, reflecting the group’s cross-border hospitality interests.
Maniku chaired the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI), which was formed in 1982 to represent resort owners and operators and to engage with government on policy and sector development. Under his leadership, MATI became a key platform for industry coordination and dialogue.
Contributions and legacy:
- Pioneering market entry (1972): Helped establish Kurumba and proved the commercial viability of resort tourism in the country.
- Resort development: Guided Universal’s expansion into multiple resort segments, supporting destination diversification and supply growth.
- Institution-building: Long-time chairmanship of MATI, fostering private-sector collaboration on standards, training and policy.
- Regional footprint: Leadership roles in hospitality ventures beyond the Maldives, including Mahaweli Reach Hotels.
Maniku had been hospitalised in Singapore for several weeks prior to his passing; local media had reported his transfer to intensive care at Mount Elizabeth Hospital.
Featured
W Maldives to host ‘The Joy Rituals’ wellness programme in September 2025

W Maldives will introduce The Joy Rituals, a two-week wellbeing programme in collaboration with Happy Hormones Yoga founders Rajendra Kumar and Katrin Berger. Scheduled from 15 to 27 September 2025, the initiative will feature yoga, meditation, laughter, and sound healing sessions designed to encourage guests to reconnect with their inner energy while experiencing the natural surroundings of the Maldives.
The programme includes sunrise and sunset yoga, breathwork and meditation, laughter yoga, immersive sound healing, and lectures on health and happiness. Aqua Yoga in the lagoon and evening meditations under the stars will provide distinctive experiences. The schedule coincides with World Wellness Weekend, held from 19 to 21 September 2025, aligning the resort’s programme with global wellbeing initiatives.
Rajendra Kumar, a two-time world record holder and gold medallist in yoga, is recognised for his focus on laughter and presence in practice. His record for continuous laughter lasting three hours and 47 minutes reflects his approach to joy as a form of self-discovery. Katrin Berger, a certified yoga teacher, sound healer, and molecular biologist, integrates science and spiritual practice in her sessions, combining sound healing with yoga to encourage balance and connection.
Commenting on the collaboration, Amila Handunwala, General Manager of W Maldives, said, “At W Maldives, we are constantly looking for bold and inspiring ways to elevate the guest experience. The Joy Rituals with Happy Hormones Yoga brings a fresh dimension to wellness, blending the playful spirit of W with transformative practices. It is a chance for our guests to find balance, energy, and joy in one of the world’s most breathtaking settings.”
Rajendra Kumar added, “Yoga is not only about physical postures, it is about living fully, freely, and with a smile. Through The Joy Rituals, we want to remind people that laughter and joy are powerful tools for healing and awakening. Bringing this philosophy to W Maldives feels like the perfect match of spirit and setting.”
Katrin Berger also shared, “Our work is about creating harmony in both body and mind. With sound healing and yoga, guests can release tension, restore balance, and feel more present in their lives. At W Maldives, surrounded by nature and beauty, this experience becomes even more profound. We are thrilled to share The Joy Rituals with guests from around the world.”
Guests may book the Stay, Dine, and Fly package, which includes daily breakfast, a three-course dinner, and roundtrip seaplane transfers. The programme offers visitors an opportunity to engage in two weeks of movement, laughter, and wellness in a Maldivian island setting.yog
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