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ELE|NA Spa celebrates World Environment Day with Gold, Silver awards for sustainable operations
ELE|NA Spa has announced its prestigious recognition by the Sustainable Wellness Organisation, receiving the Gold Award for Sustainable Spa Operations at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, OZEN LIFE MAADHOO, OBLU NATURE Helengeli By Sentido, OBLU SELECT Sangeli, and VARU By Atmosphere, along with the Silver Award for OBLU SELECT Lobigili and OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi.
This announcement comes on World Environment Day, a significant occasion spearheaded by the UN Environment Programme, one of Sustainable Wellness Partners. This year’s theme, “Ecosystem Restoration,” underscores the critical importance of environmental stewardship and sustainability, values that align perfectly with our ongoing initiatives.
Heidi Grimwood, Vice President of ELE|NA Spa, commented on the accolade: “This Gold Award is a testament to the unwavering dedication and tireless efforts of our team members across all properties. Each of our spas has appointed a Sustainable Ambassador who is constantly bringing new projects to life every month, ensuring that our sustainability efforts are continuously evolving and making a real impact. This recognition highlights our commitment to creating an eco-friendly and sustainable environment for our guests and staff alike.”
ELE|NA Spa’s recognition with the Gold and Silver Awards is a reflection of its comprehensive approach to sustainability. Each spa under the ELE|NA Spa brand has a dedicated Sustainable Ambassador responsible for introducing and overseeing new eco-friendly projects on a monthly basis. These initiatives include reducing waste, conserving water, and utilizing sustainable products and energy sources.
The Sustainable Ambassadors also conduct sustainable workshops for guests, teaching them how to make sustainable snacks, home essentials, and skincare products. These workshops provide valuable knowledge and practical skills, empowering guests to incorporate sustainable practices into their daily lives. By engaging guests in these hands-on activities, ELE|NA Spa extends its commitment to sustainability beyond its operational practices, fostering a culture of environmental responsibility among its clientele.
The efforts of ELE|NA Spa are not only limited to operational practices but also extend to educating guests and staff about the importance of sustainability. This dual approach ensures that everyone involved with ELE|NA Spa is part of the journey towards a greener future.
Heidi Grimwood highlighted the significant role that each team member plays in achieving these sustainability goals. The collaborative effort of staff, guests, and the broader community is essential in driving the positive changes needed to protect the environment. By continuously evolving their practices and setting new sustainability benchmarks, ELE|NA Spa is leading the way in the wellness industry.
The recognition from the Sustainable Wellness Organisation on World Environment Day serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that dedicated sustainability efforts can have. ELE|NA Spa remains committed to fostering a culture of environmental responsibility, ensuring that their operations contribute positively to the planet’s health and well-being.
ELE I NA is an acronym for Elements of Nature, which refers to the five elemental forces of nature – Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, helps in healing as these energies flow all around and within every individual. Offering bespoke wellness journeys under the “Wellness Your Way” program, itineraries are designed specifically for the guests’ individual needs, highlighting holistic treatments, alternative health therapies, and gourmet plant-based cuisine throughout the all-inclusive vacation. At ELE|NA, guests embark on a holistic journey of wellness, healing, and relaxation, feeling rejuvenated and refreshed as a result of life-changing experiences, where local healing traditions are combined with international beauty and spa treatments to provide a one-of-a-kind experience.
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Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa to stage 14th edition of Surfing Champions Trophy
The Indian Ocean provides consistent surf conditions throughout the year, but each September, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa hosts the Surfing Champions Trophy at the Sultans break. The event is scheduled to return from 4 to 11 September 2026, bringing together professional surfers, guests and spectators.
Now in its 14th edition, the Surfing Champions Trophy is an invitation-only event featuring professional surfers competing across three board disciplines: single fin, twin fin and thruster. The competition takes place at Sultans, a reef break in North Malé Atoll, with Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa serving as the base for participants, officials and attending guests.
The line-up for the 2026 edition will be announced in stages in the coming months.
The event was first held in 2011, with Mark Occhilupo winning all three divisions and the Grand Champions Final. Since then, previous winners have included Damien Hardman (2012), Taylor Knox (2013), Dave Rastovich (2014), Shane Dorian (2015), Taj Burrow (2016, 2017 and 2024), Josh Kerr (2018 and 2019), Kelly Slater (2022), and Joel Parkinson (2023).
Over the years, the competition has also featured a range of international surfers, including Carissa Moore, Maya Gabeira, Tom Curren, Rob Machado, Layne Beachley, Bethany Hamilton, Mikey February, Jeremy Flores and Jadson Andre.
The 2025 edition saw Tahitian surfer Michel Bourez secure victory despite sustaining a hamstring injury during the event. He won both the thruster division and the Grand Champions Final, achieving the only perfect score of the competition in the closing moments of the final. Other participants included Owen Wright, Jesse Mendes, Craig Anderson and Maldivian wildcard Ismail Rasheed.
In parallel with the event, the resort offers the “Surf’s Up” package, which includes coaching sessions with Tropicsurf professionals, guided surf trips, daily yoga sessions, spa treatments, and accommodation with transfers. The package is available to guests seeking to participate in surf-related activities during the event period.
Updates on the 2026 competition, including participant announcements, will be released through official channels of the Surfing Champions Trophy and Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa.
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JOALI brings England football legend Fara Williams to Maldives
JOALI has announced a partnership with retired footballer Fara Williams, who will visit JOALI Maldives and JOALI BEING this April to lead a series of football-related activities for guests and the local community.
Fara Williams is among the most capped players in English football history, with 172 international appearances for the England women’s national team. Over the course of her career, she represented clubs including Chelsea and Charlton Athletic, and captained Everton to victory in the Premier League Cup in 2008 and the FA Women’s Cup in 2010.
As part of the initiative, Williams will host a football workshop for girls from Dhuvaafaru Island on 11 April 2026. The session is intended to support the development of women’s football in the Maldives and reflects JOALI’s engagement with communities in Raa Atoll.
In addition, family-focused football sessions will be held for resort guests on 13 April at JOALI Maldives and on 17 April at JOALI BEING. These sessions will provide children and families with the opportunity to participate in football activities guided by Williams.
JOALI Maldives offers villas starting from USD 3,256 per night for two guests sharing a Water Villa with Pool on a bed and breakfast basis. At JOALI BEING, villas start from USD 3,162 per night for two guests sharing an Ocean Pool Villa on a bed and breakfast basis.
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Grand Park Kodhipparu to host lunar-themed experiences in May
Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives has unveiled Moon Over Kodhipparu, a month-long programme of curated lunar-inspired experiences scheduled to take place throughout May 2026. Drawing on the natural rhythm of the moon, the resort invites guests to experience the Maldives through a series of immersive activities designed to foster connection to self, others, and the surrounding island environment.
Set against the Indian Ocean, the programme structures each significant lunar phase as a distinct experiential segment. The Flower Full Moon at the beginning of the month introduces a theme of renewal, with activities including guided sound healing sessions, sunset cruises that extend into moonlit lagoon journeys, and oceanfront dining experiences.
Midway through the month, the Super New Moon presents a contrasting focus on stillness and reflection. Guests are invited to participate in beachside wellness sessions, starlit cruises under dark skies, and night fishing experiences guided by the natural rhythm of the sea.
The programme concludes with the Blue Moon on 31 May, marked by a series of experiences centred on celebration and connection, including couples’ spa treatments, lagoon cruises, and curated dining experiences under moonlight.
In addition to these key lunar events, the programme runs throughout May with a range of experiences integrated into the resort offering. Evening options include private beach lounge settings illuminated by lanterns, alongside a selection of botanical cocktails reflecting the changing tones of the night sky. The resort also offers tailored private dining and proposal arrangements, as well as a Mother’s Day concept that enables guests to arrange personalised experiences for travelling family members.
The programme reflects a broader trend in luxury travel towards experience-led stays. At Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives, this is reflected through the integration of wellness, dining, and ocean-based activities into a structured programme designed to create continuity across the guest experience.
Guests are able to access the programme through the resort’s “Night on Us” offer, available for bookings made until 30 April 2026. The offer includes two complimentary nights on a six-night stay, allowing guests additional time to engage with multiple phases of the programme. It is valid for stays through 31 October 2026.
Located approximately 20 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives offers overwater villas, a house reef, and a range of curated experiences that reflect the natural and cultural setting of the Maldives.
Through Moon Over Kodhipparu, the resort continues to expand its experience offering by aligning guest activities with natural cycles and structured programming.
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