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‘All-inclusive’ stays most popular at Kandooma Maldives
While global cost of living pinches, ‘all-inclusive’ stays grow.
Award-winning Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has crunched the numbers and ‘All-inclusive’ stays are now at their most popular. The 15-hectare private island paradise in South Male Atoll, just a 40-minute boat ride from Velana International Airport has established itself with families, couples, and groups over several years. In Quarter 1 2024, the Resort says 32.19% of total stays booked an All-inclusive experience. At Kandooma guests can choose between a soft or alcohol All-inclusive stay, with the latter showing a whopping 40.9% growth since 1 January.
Regarding the growth of All-inclusive stays and customer preferences, Sharon Garrett, Director of Marketing shares, “Our guests are looking for value and our All-inclusive dining plan delivers in spades.”
So are we all drinking more, or is it just the comfort of knowing it’s all included?
“We are not necessarily drinking more, but I certainly do think many people like to enjoy a sundowner or a cocktail while on holiday, and a fancy coffee. In a remote location, those costs add up quickly and if there is a great drinks list and a mixologist on the bar with a bit of sparkle, you are more likely to indulge in more than just one on holiday.”
She adds that the All-inclusive offering has recently been upgraded.
“I think it’s fair to say that all of the resorts in the Maldives recognise that we can be perceived as a little pricey with everything being transported into the individual islands, most often from abroad. With that in mind and that people in many of our feeder markets are feeling the pinch with greater costs of living at the moment, travellers are becoming more savvy and want to budget their getaways. They are not necessarily cancelling a trip because of tighter budgets or reducing the number of nights, but rather, pricing it up and seeking greater value.”
“As a resort that sits in the mid-market, just beneath the five-star ranking, we are conscious now, as much as ever, that guests use all the digital tools at their disposal to compare the different offerings, and we work hard to remain competitive.”
Kandooma has just refreshed its All-inclusive offering. Though it seems like more of an overhaul than just a simple refresh, it includes everything from more discount privileges at the Spa and specialty dining to afternoon tea snacks, ice cream hours, and much more.
The refreshed All-inclusive plan at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives includes:
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets at Kandooma Cafe the resort’s all-day dining restaurant which showcases international favourites as well as Maldivian flavours
Option to enjoy an a la carte option for lunch or dinner at Bokkuraa Coffee Club on the pool deck
Afternoon tea snacks
Ice Cream hour
Unlimited Drinks including wines, beers, mixed drinks, cocktails and special coffees from 11am to 11pm daily (using quality brands); the soft option includes mocktails, smoothies, milkshakes and more.
20% discount privilege at Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala
50% discount privilege on Mini Bar
Welcome drink on Check-in
Complimentary non-motorised activities (excl Catamaran)
Coming second in the meal plan preference stakes (by less than a percentage point) is the Half Board option which includes buffet Breakfast and Dinner at the resort’s all-day dining international restaurant, Kandooma Cafe. With 31.42% of all stays opting for Half Board.
“The numbers revealed some interesting trends, even for us, with less than a quarter of all guests, 22.83% choosing bed and breakfast,”
2023 Winner of Leading Family Resort Maldives and Best Dive Resort Maldives, Kandooma is a private and natural island. White sandy beaches, swaying coconut palms and turquoise waters form the backdrop for a wide variety of leisure pursuits and some of the best diving in the Maldives. Guests can choose from Garden and Beach Villas, two-storey Beach Houses and the popular Overwater Villas for their stay. Families are well catered for with the Kandoo Kids’ Club and a full activities programme supported by the IHG Kids’ Stay & Eat Free initiative. Six food and beverage outlets ensure you’ll eat like a King and have the opportunity to not only indulge in your favourites from around the world but sample the flavours of the Maldives too. You might just be inspired to book one of the resort’s terrific cooking classes. For those guests who desire the ultimate in relaxation, sun loungers and hammocks are located around the island and the Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala offers the ultimate in tranquillity and escape for body and mind. Visit www.maldives.holidayinnresorts.com
Celebration
Finding your #JoyMagenta: Why the Maldives is the ultimate global capital for wellness
As the global community celebrates Global Wellness Day under the vibrant theme #JoyMagenta, the Maldives is cementing its status as the ultimate destination for ocean longevity and regenerative health. Beyond standard spa pampering, the archipelago’s unique “one island, one resort” blueprint offers a true sanctuary for nervous system restoration and mindful healing. Discover how cutting-edge cellular diagnostics, ancient Ayurvedic wisdom, and joyful, marine-based therapies are transforming the Maldivian luxury travel experience into a deeply personalized journey toward long-term vitality.
The definition of a wellness getaway has fundamentally shifted. It is no longer just about standard spa pampering or a brief escape from the grid. As the global community celebrates the 15th anniversary of Global Wellness Day under the vibrant theme #JoyMagenta, travelers are seeking long-term vitality, emotional resilience, and deep nervous system restoration.
There is perhaps no place on earth better equipped to deliver this than the Maldives. Once famed purely as a honeymoon haven, the archipelago has quietly transformed into the premier global capital for ocean longevity, regenerative health, and mindful sanctuary.

The Maldives Wellness Advantage
The geography of the Maldives inherently supports holistic healing. The “one island, one resort” blueprint offers an immediate antidote to modern sensory overload—providing natural isolation far from light and noise pollution. This unique setting allows the body’s circadian rhythms to reset naturally from the moment of arrival.
Beyond the setting, the country’s wellness economy has evolved into a sophisticated ecosystem where cutting-edge medical diagnostics seamlessly meet ancient healing wisdom. Discerning travelers now experience a multi-layered approach to well-being:
1. The Power of Thalassotherapy & Marine Longevity
Ocean-based therapies are a distinct hallmark of the Maldivian wellness landscape. Utilizing mineral-rich seawater and marine biotechnology, resorts are offering advanced cell-repair programs. From nutrient-dense, algae-based superfoods that boost immune resilience to localized marine collagen treatments that enhance joint mobility, the ocean itself is utilized as a primary source of healing.
2. Hyper-Personalized Regenerative Health
Instead of generic treatment menus, travelers are greeted by multi-disciplinary teams. A typical transformation journey begins with cellular health diagnostics:
- Advanced Biometric Scanning: Assessing metabolic rates, body composition, and cardiovascular biomarkers to establish a precise health baseline.
- Integrated Ancient Modalities: Overwater wellness pavilions host traditional Ayurvedic doctors who pair metabolic data with dosha assessments (the body’s constitutional types) to craft bespoke nutritional and therapeutic programs.
- Targeted Detoxification: Comprehensive panchakarma routines—spanning 14 to 21 days—focus on deep cellular cleansing and lasting habit resets.
3. Cultivating Joy Through Mindful Movement
Aligning perfectly with this year’s #JoyMagenta theme, wellness in the Maldives is celebrated for presence, not performance. Traditional fitness regimes are replaced with joyful, creative movement that anchors the mind in the present.
Imagine sunrise yoga sessions on an isolated sandbank surrounded only by the soft rhythm of the Indian Ocean, or paddleboard meditation over calm, translucent lagoons. These experiences go beyond physical exercise; they foster genuine emotional healing and connection with the natural world.
A Market on the Rise: According to recent data from Longevity Travel, the total wellness economy in the Maldives has expanded to represent roughly 24% of the national GDP. Wellness tourism revenue alone has surpassed $1 billion, with visitors dedicating nearly triple the average spending of standard leisure travelers toward personalized longevity and recovery programs.

Beyond the Individual: Generational & Global Health
True wellness cannot exist in isolation. Modern travelers increasingly realize that personal well-being is deeply connected to the health of our planet. Reflecting this, Maldivian retreats are pioneering eco-centric wellness experiences. Guests can engage in hands-on coral regeneration projects and marine conservation workshops.
Furthermore, this transformation has become generational. Multi-generational families can now participate together in emotional resilience workshops, youth-focused mindfulness, and tailored wellness rituals designed to build foundational healthy habits for younger minds.
This Global Wellness Day, as the global community embraces the spirit of #JoyMagenta, remember that a journey to the Maldives is no longer just an escape from daily life. It is an investment in a healthier, more balanced version of yourself that remains long after the sand leaves your feet.
Celebration
Sirru Fen Fushi to host Eid al-Adha celebration from 27–29 May
Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort has announced its “Eid in Harmony” programme for Eid al-Adha, scheduled from 27 to 29 May 2026, offering guests a series of curated experiences centred on dining, cultural elements and leisure activities.
The programme is designed to provide a structured yet relaxed approach to the celebration, with a focus on shared experiences and engagement with the island environment. According to the resort, the initiative aims to bring together cultural traditions and hospitality offerings within a resort setting.
A central feature of the programme will be the Eid al-Adha Feast, a dining experience presenting a selection of dishes prepared for the occasion. The event will be set in a themed environment reflecting elements associated with Eid.
The resort will also introduce an “Eid Gift with Purpose” initiative, positioned as a gesture aligned with the values of giving and reflection associated with the occasion.
In addition, guests will have the option to participate in a Guest Archery Competition, offering a recreational activity designed to complement the island setting and provide an alternative form of engagement during the celebration period.
Alongside the programme, the resort has launched an “Eid Island Escape” offer, which includes a range of inclusions for guests staying during the period. These include a 30-minute jet lag recovery massage, daily breakfast at Raha Market, dinner on a dine-around basis across selected restaurants, and a one-time floating breakfast experience.
In a statement, the resort’s management said the programme is intended to reflect the values of togetherness and reflection associated with Eid al-Adha, while offering guests opportunities to spend time with family and participate in shared experiences.
Through the three-day programme, Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort is presenting Eid al-Adha as a combination of dining, leisure and cultural activities within a resort environment.
Celebration
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives unveils Maldives Summer Escape for Eid al Adha
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives has introduced its Maldives Summer Escape offer as part of its positioning for Eid al Adha travel, combining accommodation benefits with seasonal dining and guest experiences for families, couples and small groups.
Available for stays through to 31 October 2026, the offer is designed to support longer stays and multigenerational travel, with a focus on dining flexibility and island-based experiences within a private resort setting.
To mark the Eid period, the resort will present a series of guest experiences linked to the occasion. On 27 May, guests will be offered an Eid breakfast at Seasalt Restaurant, featuring live Arabic cooking stations prepared by Egyptian chefs, alongside dishes such as foul medames, manakish and shakshuka.
An Eid-themed dinner buffet will also be held the same evening, with regional dishes and live cooking stations forming part of the dining programme. On other days, guests will also have the option of visiting a nearby local island to observe traditional Eid celebrations in a Maldivian community setting.
From 27 to 29 May, Mirus Bar will host a series of evening activations including a shisha lounge and DJ sets. The resort said the programme is intended to create a social setting suited to both couples and groups.
The Maldives Summer Escape offer includes daily breakfast and three-course à la carte dinners at selected venues, along with a USD 75 dining credit that can be used for alternative experiences such as Teppanyaki, The Shack or private dining.
Additional benefits include 15 per cent off treatments at Spa Alila, 20 per cent off food and beverage purchases, and 20 per cent off return seaplane transfers.
The resort said the offer is particularly suited to families and groups, with villa accommodation designed to provide both shared living space and privacy, while also appealing to couples through its more understated approach to island stays.
Thomas Weber, General Manager of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, said the resort had designed the offer around the significance of Eid and the expectations of guests travelling during the period.
“Eid is a deeply meaningful time, centred on togetherness, reflection, and shared moments,” he said. “For those choosing to celebrate away from home, we’ve curated an experience that feels both intimate and considered — where thoughtful dining, unhurried surroundings, and the natural beauty of the island come together to create something truly memorable.”
Through the combination of seasonal programming, dining inclusions and additional guest benefits, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is presenting the Maldives Summer Escape as an option for Eid travel in the Maldives.
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