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Marriott inspires families to discover Maldives with new Family Summer Packages
The Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of luxury resorts invites families to embark on an unforgettable journey of discovery in the breathtaking paradise of the Maldives. With these exclusive ‘Ultimate Family Summer Getaway’ packages, families can immerse themselves in the harmonious blend of opulence and natural beauty at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, and JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa. Embrace luxury island living in any of the resorts two or three-bedroom overwater and beach pool villas, providing guests with 24-hour personalized signature ‘Aris Meeha’, St. Regis Butlers, and ‘Thakuru’ butler services that cater to their every needs.
Guests can reserve their extraordinary summer retreat before May 31, 2024, for stays until September 30, 2024, where kids under 12 can dine and stay for free. Benefits include daily breakfasts and dinners, a welcome amenity for kids, complimentary access to the kids club, and a host of specially curated experiences to create cherished memories for a lifetime.
Family Fun Getaway at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands unveils its exclusive summer program, inviting families to embrace the island life against the backdrop of the mesmerizing Indian Ocean. The resort’s thoughtful curation entices guests with transformative travel experiences, from epicurean journeys with Michelin-starred guest chefs to wellness retreats guided by leading names, and adventurous surfing retreats with surf icons.
Families can embark on a gastronomic journey, enjoying a Michelin-starred dining experience at the resort. From July 31 to August 1, Chef Bruno Verjus will bring a taste of his two-star Michelin Parisian restaurant Table by Bruno Verjus to the Beach Shack, and offer an exclusive masterclass for guests. From August 10 to 11, Chef Pam Soontornyanakij, Asia’s Best Female Chef 2024 and chef-patron of the one-Michelin-star Restaurant Potong, will present a bespoke menu of her progressive Thai-Chinese cuisine at Summer Pavilion.
In a ‘Summer of Renewal,’ celebrity healer Susy Markoe Schieffelin will lead her signature sound baths for guests under the Maldivian skies from July 19 to 23. Renowned practitioner Abi Adams will guide guests through emotional and hormonal balance journeys using breath, meridian dancing and yoga from August 15 to 19. Surf enthusiasts can learn to master the four most popular waves in the North Malé Atoll with championship surf heroes Nic von Rupp from June 8 to 11 and Victor Bernardo from July 3 to 6.
Young explorers from ages 4 to 12 can ignite their imaginations at Ritz Kids and learn about marine life, nature and sustainability from the Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program. Children can dive into the action at Ritz Kids, a futuristic indoor-outdoor haven filled with interactive playgrounds, napping pods, cinematic movie experiences, and an adrenaline-pumping pool complete with slides and jets.
With the ‘Family Fun Summer’ Package, guests can savor daily breakfasts at La Locanda, dinners at Summer Pavilion, Arabesque, Beach Shack, or EAU Bar, and a special welcome amenity for kids. Families can choose from elegantly designed villas including Two Bedroom Water or Beach Pool Villas, or elevate their stay at The Ritz-Carlton Estate, a private beach residence with its own exclusive cove and sunset views.
Visit the website at ritzcarlton.com/maldives or book your stay here.
Ultimate Family Summer Escape at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, situated on a private natural island in one of the destination’s most exclusive atolls, welcomes families for a luxurious summer getaway in the Maldives. Guests can explore the breathtaking surroundings, complemented by the resort’s distinctive design inspired by nearby marine life, including the atoll’s own house reef. Along with The St. Regis Butler Service – a hallmark of the brand’s commitment to excellence – a dedicated St. Regis Butler is available to curate tailored experiences and meet every need of the guests.
Families can delve into local culture with thrilling expeditions on a traditional Maldivian Dhoni, from dolphin sightings to sunset fishing. The resort also offers marine conservation experiences through unique interactive classes and activities for both children and adults with the resident Marine Biologist. Adults can revel in luxurious amenities and exquisite dining experiences, while young travelers will find an abundance of excitement on the island. At the resort’s dedicated Children’s Club, children aged 4 to 12 can partake in yoga classes, painting, origami, and other creative crafts. Kid-friendly snacks and refreshing juices are available from the private dining menu. For teens ages 16 and older, the Socialite Club boasts an open-door recreation area with a variety of entertainment, including table tennis, foosball, billiards, and air hockey, as well as video and board games.
Families booking the ‘Ultimate Family Summer Escape’ package will enjoy a range of exclusive benefits, including a special welcome amenity for kids, daily breakfasts at ALBA, dinners at select restaurants, kid-sized luxuries like robes and treats, and complimentary access to the resort’s dedicated Children’s Club. Guests can choose from a variety of elegantly designed villas set amidst lush forest surroundings or with breathtaking ocean views, including the award-winning John Jacob Astor Estate, Caroline Astor Estate, Knickerbocker Villa, or Cesar Balsa Villa each featuring family-friendly amenities such as private plunge pools and state-of-the-art entertainment systems.
For more information, visit the website at stregismaldives.com or book your stay here.
Tropical Family Summer Fun at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa
Nestled on Vagaru Island overlooking the azure waters of Shaviyani Atoll in the Maldives, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa invites guests to its multi-generational luxury resort for an immersive and eco-friendly holiday experience. Families can bask in the unspoiled beauty of the island’s pristine white beach, savor diverse dining experiences, and embark on daily excursions for diving, snorkeling, dolphin watching, and sunset fishing to explore the vibrant marine life.
Traveling with children is now even easier with FAMiLY by JW Little Griffins Kids Club, providing a captivating and educational environment for young adventurers on Vagaru Island. The club runs over 100 activities, ranging from arts and crafts to cooking classes, some of which are specially designed for the whole family to enjoy. Among the best kids clubs in the Maldives, the club features a 13-meter-long pirate ship, a separate children’s swimming pool, interactive activities, and child-friendly amenities. Additionally, its educational programs, such as ‘Marine Talk’ sessions led by resident marine biologist Jessica Rose-Innes, focus on coral preservation and island biodiversity.
Fine-dining experiences can be elevated through bespoke destination dining services, ranging from in-villa barbecue dinners and traditional Maldivian Malafaaiy dinners on the beach to a sublime eight-course interactive Indian fusion dinner in the hidden oasis of RIHA. The resort’s sustainability efforts are centered on the vibrant JW Garden, which sources fresh produce for creative cuisine. The JW Garden to Table concept celebrates locally sourced ingredients, ensuring a farm-to-table experience for eco-conscious travelers. This summer, guests can delight in a new vegan menu with innovative plant-based dishes crafted from homegrown JW Garden ingredients, emphasizing sustainability and wellness.
With the ‘Family Fun Summer’ package, guests can immerse themselves in luxurious island living amidst the modern and spacious Duplex Overwater or Beach Pool Villa, each featuring private pools and personalized Thakuru butler service. The package includes daily breakfasts at Aailaa, a choice between daily lunches or dinners at select restaurants. Additionally, guests will receive a welcome amenity for kids, a one-time 30-minute complimentary photography session with one printed photo, and complimentary usage of non-motorized watersports throughout their stay.
For more information, visit the website at jwmarriottmaldives.com or book your stay here.
This World Earth Day, ELE|NA is placing sustainability at the centre of its wellness approach through a programme led by Sustainability Ambassadors across its spa network. Through a set of circular practices and guest-facing initiatives, the brand is linking environmental responsibility with the spa experience.
At the centre of the programme are ELE|NA’s Sustainability Ambassadors, team members based in each resort spa who promote environmentally conscious practices. These ambassadors support both staff and guests in adopting sustainable actions, from daily operations to workshops designed to encourage participation and awareness.
Guests are invited to join hands-on sustainability workshops that combine learning with practical activities. These include the Juice Bike, sessions on making natural haircare products, the preparation of coconut and coffee scrubs and oils, and the making of coconut candy. Guests can also take part in a sand bundle workshop, where used spa linen is repurposed into handmade sand bundles later used in spa treatments.
ELE|NA’s sustainability model also extends to resource use within spa and hospitality operations. Apples previously used in infused water are turned into apple chips, while orange peel waste from the kitchen is made into sweets served to guests after treatments. Used herbal tea is repurposed as fertiliser for spa gardens, supporting a circular approach to materials and waste.
The brand is also aligning its Earth Day programming with the 2026 global theme, “Our Power, Our Planet”, by focusing on nature-based healing practices. ELE|NA says this includes reducing the use of synthetic tools and instead incorporating natural materials such as bamboo and coconut shells into treatments. The approach is intended to reflect a model of wellness built around renewal and lower-impact resource use.
This philosophy is also reflected in wellness experiences including Ocean Flow, Reiki, Sunrise Yoga and Floating Sound Bath sessions, which are designed to connect guests more closely with the natural environment. Through these programmes, ELE|NA is positioning wellbeing and environmental awareness as part of the same experience.
ELE|NA has also received Gold Standard accreditation from Sustainable Wellness, a non-profit organisation established in 2020 to provide independent sustainability guidance and benchmarking for the wellness sector. The accreditation marks a step in the brand’s sustainability programme and reflects its stated focus on responsible wellness practices.
Beyond its own spas, ELE|NA is presenting sustainable wellness as an operational model that can be applied across resort and spa settings. The brand says the framework is designed to support guest engagement, brand positioning and service delivery, while also being scalable for hospitality operators seeking to integrate sustainability standards, staff training and wellness programming into their own operations.
The Nautilus Maldives will host Ocean Discovery Week from 2 to 8 August 2026, offering guests a closer exploration of the marine environment in Baa Atoll’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Set around the rhythms of the sea, the programme is designed to bring together ocean discovery, photography, storytelling and family participation.
This year’s edition will feature underwater photographer Tobias Friedrich, who will be joined by his wife Isidora and their two sons, Kian and Dorian. Together, they bring a family-based perspective to the programme, shaped by diving, marine advocacy and shared experience.
Tobias Friedrich is known for his underwater photography and his role as a jury member for the Underwater Photographer of the Year. His work has documented marine environments ranging from tropical reefs to Arctic waters. Isidora, a PADI AmbassaDiver, contributes through storytelling linked to ocean exploration, diving safety and conservation. Kian and Dorian, both certified junior divers, add a younger perspective to the programme through their own connection with the sea.
Throughout the week, guests will be able to take part in a range of activities including manta ray encounters in Hanifaru Bay, night dives and guided snorkelling on the house reef. The programme also includes photography sessions led by Tobias Friedrich, covering underwater composition, storytelling and image-making. These sessions will range from introductory poolside workshops to more advanced guidance.
Alongside this, Isidora will lead storytelling and engagement sessions, while also guiding children’s activities. Evening events will include outdoor cinema screenings focused on underwater phenomena, as well as talks aimed at giving guests a wider understanding of the marine world.
At Naiboli, an Ocean Gallery will display Tobias Friedrich’s work through books, calendars and selected pieces, some of which will be available for purchase. A portion of proceeds will go towards marine conservation initiatives.
For younger guests, Ocean Discovery Week will also be reflected in the Young Wonderers programme. Activities will include coral planting sessions with the resort’s resident marine biologist, along with ocean-themed art, storytelling and reef exploration.
The Nautilus Maldives is presenting Ocean Discovery Week as a programme shaped less by fixed schedules than by shared experiences in and around the sea. Through diving, photography, storytelling and conservation-based activities, the week is intended to deepen guests’ understanding of the marine environment while creating opportunities for connection across age groups.
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is offering guests the opportunity to extend their stays through a promotional campaign in which every third night is complimentary across selected premium villa categories.
The offer applies to Beach Houses and Overwater Villas and extends beyond a standard Stay 3 Pay 2 structure. Guests can also book under Stay 6 Pay 4, Stay 9 Pay 6, and longer-stay formats, with every third night free for stays of up to 30 nights.
Available exclusively to IHG One Rewards members, the promotion forms part of IHG’s Asia Pacific “One More Moment” campaign. It is valid for bookings made before 1 May 2026, with travel available through to the end of the year, subject to blackout dates.
The offer also includes no upfront payment and free cancellation up to three days before arrival, giving travellers added flexibility when planning future stays.
Sharon Garrett, Director of Marketing & Sustainability at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, said the offer builds on the appeal of a familiar stay incentive while giving guests more scope to extend their time at the resort.
“Our members really value the simplicity of a Stay 3 Pay 2 offer, but what makes this particularly appealing is the ability to extend that benefit across longer stays,” she said.
“It is about giving guests the freedom to enjoy one more dive, one more spa treatment, or simply one more unhurried day on the island.”
Located in South Malé Atoll, around 45 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is positioned as a private island resort with a focus on diving, family-friendly facilities and accessible Maldives holidays. The resort offers a range of accommodation categories, several dining venues, the Kandoo Kids’ Club, and Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala.
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