News
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives introduces transformative series of retreats in ‘Summer Of Renewal’
Those seeking a peaceful alternative to the bustle of Europe this Summer should have the Maldives firmly in their sights, and The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands introduces an unmissable choice of transformative retreats for the season! In a ‘Summer of Renewal’ the coveted Indian Ocean resort has collaborated with talented masters in wellness, food and adventure to curate a stellar line-up of experiences and restorative encounters for its guests.
In a Summer of Renewal, forming part of the resort’s established Masters of Crafts program, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is committed to ensuring that all guests ‘Leave Better’. A first for the resort, 2024 sees the introduction of two surf retreats partnering with championship surf heroes Nic von Rupp and Victor Bernardo. During the Maldives’ optimum surf season of June and July, the exhilarating escapes led by von Rupp and Bernardo will allow guests to ride and master the four most popular waves in the North Malé Atoll, comprising Chicken, Cokes Surf Break, Honkeys and Jailbreak. The retreat will also incorporate culinary trails across the local islands.
With his trademark Portuguese flair, Nic Von Rupp is one of the top ‘big wave’ surfers in the world. Two-time finalist of ‘World Surf League Big Wave Performance of the Year’, von Rupp spends his time in pursuit of the world’s largest swells and will take the helm at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands from 8th-11th June. Brazilian big wave surfer Victor Bernardo was born on a board, surfing from the age of four and with global accolades under his belt, he is one to watch on the free surfer circuit. Bernardo will lead his guest retreat from 3rd-6th July.
From 19th-23rd July, celebrity healer and founder of the sound healing school The Copper Vessel, Susy Markoe Schieffelin, will take residency with a soothing retreat guided by the moon. Under Maldivian skies guests will experience Susy’s practice enjoyed by millions worldwide, her clients including Google, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and solo artist LeAnn Rimes. The Summer retreat will include five days of serenity, with Susy’s signature sound baths complemented by crystal healing and meditation. Guests can expect a full moon release fire ceremony, a full moon dinner under the stars with a crystal-inspired menu, chakra balancing kundalini yoga, floating water practice and a meditative sleep session in suspended aerial hammocks.
Growing its stable of exceptional gastronomic experiences, 2024 will see pop-up residencies with an impressive circle of culinary friends, and from 10th-12th August, Chef Pam (Pichaya Soontornyanakij), newly crowned Asia’s Best Female Chef 2024, will bring her celebrated mastery from Bangkok’s Potong. The first and youngest female chef to receive both a Michelin Star and ‘Opening of the Year’ award from the Michelin guide in the same year, will present a bespoke menu of her progressive Thai-Chinese cuisine in an exclusive two-night residency at the resort’s Summer Pavilion restaurant. Diners will enjoy an eight-course tasting menu with dishes including; ‘Parts of Banana’, POTONG’s Pad Thai, Evolution of Crab, Yin Yang Noodle, Five-Spices Squab, Salak, Chocolate Sphere, with the final course of intricate feasting – Tangerine and Chocolate Bon Bon with Cantaloupe Pâte de Fruits and White Chocolate.
The Summer transformation concludes with two retreats offering practice based on ‘energy medicine’. From 14th-18th August, celebrated practitioner and founder of Project Woman, Abi Adams will take over one of the resort’s luxurious two-bedroom villas as her very own healing house and the setting for both. The first retreat, from the 14th-16th August, focuses on an emotional journey using breath, meridian dancing and yoga to enliven the body with movement, music and expression to explore emotion. Practices will include chakra work and creative writing, peppered with Bamford signature pampering at The Ritz-Carlton Spa – from B Vibrant and B Silent treatments to foot release massage.
The second retreat with Abi from the 17th-18th August, is for women-only and explores female health and hormonal balance with tools of meridian dance, music, yoga, spa and creative writing. Guests will channel hormonal flow and inner rhythm meditation connecting to their inner seasons of Summer and Autumn. The spa journey will include Bamford’s B Balanced and Wellness Facial treatments set in the design masterpiece spa, and halo of happiness, floating above the azure Indian Ocean waters.
Villas at The Ritz Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands offer one to four bedrooms, from the iconic Ocean Pool and Ocean Beach Villas to The Ritz-Carlton Estate. Each are complemented by the legendary 24-hour service of a dedicated Aris Meeha butler. From unadulterated wellness at the Indian Ocean’s first Ritz-Carlton Spa with Bamford, life-aquatic experiences with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program, innovative conservation research, to exquisite dining curated within an architectural masterpiece, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is the perfect long-haul escape this Summer.
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Maldives’ Dhigurah ranked among world’s 10 most valuable beaches
Dhigurah in Alifu Dhaalu Atoll has been ranked among the world’s 10 most valuable holiday beaches, with its stretch of sand assigned an estimated value of MVR 2.9 billion (€162.7 million) in a study by luxury villa holiday specialist CV Villas.
The island placed eighth in the global ranking, ahead of Seven Mile Beach in the Cayman Islands and Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The study calculated the hypothetical cost of owning some of the world’s best-known beaches by valuing the sand as coastal land. The figures do not represent sale prices or suggest that the beaches are available for private purchase.
Dhigurah was the only Maldivian beach included in the global top 15. Known for its long sandbank and proximity to whale shark habitats in South Ari Atoll, the inhabited island has become a destination for guesthouse tourism, diving and marine excursions.
Florida’s Siesta Beach topped the global ranking with an estimated value of €1.08 billion, followed by Pampelonne Beach in France at €843 million and Praia da Falésia in Portugal at €573.2 million.
Grace Bay in the Turks and Caicos Islands was ranked fourth at €376.4 million, while Bondi Beach in Sydney completed the top five with an estimated value of €365 million.
Hannah Marshall, luxury travel destination expert and marketing manager at CV Villas, said the research highlighted the role of location in determining coastal land values.
“Everyone has a beach that means something to them, so there’s something fun about seeing what those stretches of sand might be ‘worth’ if you valued them like the land behind them,” Marshall said.
“What comes through is how much location drives the figure: a beach in St-Tropez or on Siesta Key carries a value that a quieter shore — even just as beautiful — simply won’t.”
While Siesta Beach had the highest total estimated value, The Baths on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands recorded the highest value per square metre, at €8,846. Princess Diana Beach in Barbuda was the most affordable beach assessed, at approximately €199 per square metre.
News
Reiki Master Nikki begins August residency at Amilla Maldives’ Javvu Spa
Amilla Maldives is hosting holistic wellness practitioner Nongluck Chuaychuang, known as Nikki, for a month-long residency at the resort’s Javvu Spa.
Running from 2 to 30 August 2026, the residency offers guests a collection of treatments focused on physical relaxation, energy alignment and mental wellbeing.
A Reiki Master and sound healing specialist, Nikki has practised at luxury wellness destinations around the world. During her residency at Amilla, she is offering treatments tailored to guests’ individual needs, with sessions designed to release physical tension, support energy flow and encourage relaxation.
“True healing begins when we give ourselves the space to slow down, listen within, and return to our natural rhythm,” Nikki said.
The programme includes The Nikki Essence, her signature holistic massage, as well as Reiki Energy Healing, which focuses on subtle body alignment.
Guests can also take part in sound bath journeys using Tibetan and crystal bowls, or book intuitive bodywork sessions designed to provide restorative release.
The residency forms part of Javvu Spa’s wellness programme, which incorporates treatments and practices intended to support physical and emotional balance.
Sessions are available at Javvu Spa throughout the residency, with advance reservations recommended.
Meditation
Reconnect with nature at Milaidhoo Maldives this World Wellness Weekend
This September, Milaidhoo Maldives invites guests to press pause and reconnect with what matters most. From 18th to 20th September, the boutique island retreat in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, will mark World Wellness Weekend with a thoughtfully curated programme of experiences celebrating movement, mindfulness and the simple joy of being immersed in nature.
At Milaidhoo, wellbeing isn’t centred on strict routines or quick fixes. It comes naturally through the island’s slower pace, the restorative power of the ocean, time spent outdoors and fresh, nourishing cuisine inspired by the Maldives. On the small island, guests are gently encouraged to switch off, breathe deeply and savour each moment.
This philosophy is reflected at Serenity Spa, where a dedicated team of therapists and wellness practitioners share a deeply personal approach to wellbeing. Every treatment is thoughtfully tailored, blending time-honoured healing traditions with genuine care to help guests relax and restore themselves.
To celebrate World Wellness Weekend, Milaidhoo has created a three-day programme of complimentary and signature experiences, from sunrise yoga and aqua meditation to aerial wellness sessions and a workshop on mental wellbeing led by visiting practitioner Dr Lim Xiang Jun, who combines traditional healing wisdom with modern medical knowledge. Guests and the Milaidhoo Family members will also come together for Moving Together, a relaxed community jog along the Water Villa Jetty, celebrating the wellbeing that comes from sharing experiences with others.
Programme of activities as follows for the World Wellness Weekend:
Friday, 18th September 2026
08.00 – Complimentary Morning Yoga
Yoga Pavilion
Begin the day with a gentle yoga practice surrounded by the peaceful sounds of the ocean.
11.00 – Mental Wellbeing and Stress Management Workshop
Yoga Pavilion | Complimentary | 45 minutes
Led by Dr Lim Xiang Jun, visiting practitioner at Milaidhoo. A Modern Traditional Doctor, Dr. Lim combines traditional healing practices with modern medical knowledge, sharing practical approaches to managing stress and supporting mental wellbeing.
19.00 – Moonlit Sound Journey
Yoga Pavilion | $35++ per person (minimum of 4 guests)
A calming evening experience using sound and vibration to encourage deep relaxation beneath the Maldivian night sky.
Saturday, 19th September 2026
08.00 – Complimentary Aqua Workout
Compass Pool
A refreshing water-based workout to energise the body and mind.
11.00 – Group Aerial Yoga Flow
$35++ per person (minimum 4 guests)
A guided aerial yoga session combining movement, balance and mindful breathing.
16:30 – Moving Together
Water Villa Jetty | Complimentary
A one-hour relaxed jog along the Water Villa jetty, open to all guests and Milaidhoo Family members, celebrating movement and connection.
Sunday, 20th September 2026
08.00 – Complimentary Morning Yoga
Yoga Pavilion
11.00 – Aqua Sonic Meditation
Compass Pool | Complimentary
A unique meditation experience combining the calming environment of water with soothing sounds.
15.00 – Aerial Thai Wellness
Yoga Pavilion | $35++ per person (minimum of 4 guests)
A gentle wellness session inspired by Thai therapeutic movement techniques.
At Milaidhoo, wellbeing is not something to be added to island life, it is naturally part of it.
This World Wellness Weekend, guests are invited to take time for themselves, discover new ways to unwind and enjoy the simple pleasures of being fully present.
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