Kandooma Maldives has introduced a new pickleball court, expanding its recreational facilities as the paddle sport continues to gain popularity worldwide.

Combining elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, pickleball is a sport that is relatively easy to learn and suitable for players of different ages and abilities. The new facility allows guests to participate in singles or doubles matches, offering an additional recreational activity for families, couples and groups staying at the resort.

The pickleball court is open daily from 6am to 6pm, with paddles and balls available for guests to borrow from Reception.

Court reservations can be made through the resort’s Recreation or Front Office team. Each villa is entitled to one complimentary hour of court use per day.

The introduction of pickleball forms part of Kandooma Maldives’ efforts to expand its recreational offerings and provide guests with more opportunities to participate in sports and group activities during their stay.

JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort has announced a three-night bar takeover in collaboration with RED Bar, New Delhi, from 25 to 27 November 2026, featuring mixologist Virender Singh.

Titled The Craft of the Cocktail, the collaboration will bring RED Bar’s approach to mixology to three venues across the resort, offering guests a series of cocktail experiences in different island settings.

Located in Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, RED Bar is recognised for its approach to contemporary cocktail creation, incorporating a range of ingredients, flavours and techniques. The venue was featured on the 2025 list of India’s 30 Best Bars and has participated in guest shifts and bar takeovers internationally.

Leading the collaboration will be Virender Singh, who has eight years of experience in beverage creation. His approach to mixology focuses on ingredient combinations, flavour pairings and experimentation with cocktail-making techniques.

“At JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort, we believe that exceptional experiences are shaped by creativity, craftsmanship, and a sense of discovery,” said Arup Chakraborty, Director of Food & Beverage.

“This collaboration offers our guests the opportunity to experience RED Bar’s approach to cocktails across three distinctive settings on the island. We look forward to welcoming Virender Singh and sharing these experiences with our guests.”

The takeover will take place across three evenings, beginning at Nikkei Bar, where guests can sample signature cocktails at the resort’s overwater bar while overlooking the Indian Ocean.

The second evening will be hosted at JW Garden, featuring a garden-to-glass concept incorporating fresh ingredients and tropical flavours.

The collaboration will conclude at Wahoo Bar, where the cocktail experience will move to a beachfront setting.

The event forms part of JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort’s efforts to introduce international culinary and beverage talent to the Maldives through guest collaborations and dining experiences.

COMO Hotels and Resorts has announced its festive programmes for 2026 at COMO Cocoa Island and COMO Maalifushi in the Maldives, featuring Christmas and New Year celebrations, dining experiences, wellness activities, marine excursions and family programmes.

The two resorts will offer a series of events throughout December and into January 2027, with each property introducing its own programme of culinary experiences, outdoor activities and celebrations to mark the festive season.

At COMO Cocoa Island, located in South Malé Atoll, the celebrations will include themed dinners, cooking classes, sunset cruises and wellness sessions.

The culinary programme at the resort’s Ufaa restaurant will begin with a five-course Italian Christmas Eve dinner on 24 December, accompanied by live music. A Christmas Day dinner under the stars will follow on 25 December, while a steak and seafood barbecue is scheduled for 29 December.

Guests will also have opportunities to participate in Italian cooking classes featuring pasta and risotto, afternoon high tea at Faru Bar, and an Indian thali dining experience. Sunrise fishing excursions on 20 and 27 December will allow participants to catch fish that the resort’s chefs will prepare as a four-course meal, incorporating sashimi, Maldivian-style soup and coconut curry.

The resort will welcome 2027 with a White Soirée on 31 December at Ufaa, featuring live cooking stations, entertainment and a live band.

Beyond dining, COMO Cocoa Island will offer sunset cruises, guided house reef snorkelling, nurse shark excursions, night snorkelling and turtle expeditions. Family activities will include treasure hunts, coconut painting, island races and other beachside competitions.

Wellness will form part of the programme through COMO Shambhala, with visiting Japanese healing practitioner Yuki Nishikubo offering treatments incorporating acupuncture and Shiatsu from 16 November to 27 December. Additional activities will include yoga, Pilates, meditation, sound baths and breathwork sessions.

Guests will also be able to participate in sustainability activities, including guided tree planting, alongside kayaking, sunset fishing and outdoor cinema screenings.

At COMO Maalifushi, located in Thaa Atoll, the festive programme will focus on culinary experiences, family activities, marine exploration and wellness, culminating in a Tropical Gatsby-themed New Year’s Eve celebration.

The resort’s Christmas dining programme includes a Christmas Around the World five-course dinner across Madi, Thila and the poolside, accompanied by live music and entertainment.

Other culinary experiences will include a Noble Vines wine dinner on 27 December, featuring wines from several French regions paired with a four-course menu, as well as Japanese dining events involving sushi, nigiri, temaki, sake pairings and yakiniku.

The resort will also introduce a Fisherman’s Table experience on selected dates, allowing guests to visit a local fish market with a fisherman before having their catch prepared by the resort’s chefs. Champagne breakfasts, seafood dining experiences and a New Year’s Day beachfront lunch are also included in the programme.

On 31 December, COMO Maalifushi will host its Tropical Gatsby Gala Dinner on Madi Beach, beginning with cocktails and canapés before dinner, live music and dancing. A DJ performance and fireworks display over the water will mark the arrival of 2027.

For families, the resort’s Play by COMO programme will offer children’s activities, crafts, games, yoga and outdoor entertainment. Other experiences will include snorkelling excursions, sunset cruises, kayaking, water sports and family marine safaris led by the resort’s resident marine biologist.

Guests can also participate in coral planting activities on 27 December, while a padel tournament, traditional fishing excursions and water sports sessions will take place during the festive period.

COMO Maalifushi’s wellness programme will feature visiting practitioner Kimberly Rose Kneier from 1 December 2026 to 10 January 2027. Her sessions will incorporate acupuncture, Qi Gong, breathwork and traditional Chinese medicine. The programme will also feature sound healing, family wellness treatments and a complimentary yoga session on New Year’s Day.

Both resorts are offering festive accommodation promotions with savings of up to 25 per cent on room rates, subject to applicable booking conditions. Further details on the festive activities, dining experiences and reservations are available through the official websites of COMO Cocoa Island and COMO Maalifushi.