News
Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort introduces refurbished overwater villas with new category
Set on a stunning natural island in the South Malé Atoll, surrounded by crystalline lagoon waters, Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort reintroduces its Over Water Villas with a full facelift following four months of extensive renovations. With an overhaul in the interiors, plus the installation of four new pools, the Maldivian playground is all set to cradle couples and families into vacation mode.
Drawing inspiration from the forms of a Maldivian boat and its journey over the serene Maldivian waters, the design concept for the over water villas revolves around the theme of “Sailboat Serenity”. Stephen O’Dell from the award-winning architecture and interior design firm, SODA (Thailand) Ltd., together with his team translated the concept into the interior design by reflecting the fluid lines and soothing ambiance of a boat journey, creating a space that blends the beauty of the surrounding water inside a villa that aims to offer relaxation and comfort to the guests.

Suspended over the crystal-clear lagoon surrounding a stunning natural island, the interior of the 40 over water villas is adorned in a colour scheme that creates a natural feel to the villas. Warm neutral tones used to set a soothing sense for guests are balanced with subtle accents of blue in the furnishing to reflect the water. On the outside, a fun yet clever play of space is defined with the addition of over water hammocks in the Sunrise and Sunset Over Water Villas.
Achieving a balance between functionality and design for a resort villa is a unique challenge for interior designers, but Stephen and his team have managed to provide spaces of practical comfort and ensure the villas serve as a Maldivian sanctuary for guests to unwind, unplug, relax, and rejuvenate in the island paradise.

The relaunch of Anantara Dhigu’s over water villas also sees the introduction of four new Deluxe Sunset Over Water Pool Villas. The transformation of the existing Sunset Over Water Villas with an addition of a much larger infinity pool increases the inventory of its much sought-after sunset-facing pool villas. The most exclusive of Anantara Dhigu’s over water villa categories, each of the villa offers 129 square metres of luxurious space, with direct access into the crystal blue waters of the lagoon.
Following the completion of the Over Water Villa refurbishments, Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort has several renovations in the pipeline for the year, including the addition of an exclusive bar, The Yellow Fin Club. The new bar will add to the resort’s numerous dining venues, where guests can enjoy the finest cuisines from across the globe while learning about old and new world wines from the resort’s Wine Guru. From expertly grilled meats, and fresh fish and seafood from the local waters at Sea.Fire.Salt. to a wholesome Italian fare at Aqua, as well as breakfast and themed dinner buffets at Fushi Café, guests are spoiled for choices.

On neighbouring sister island Anantara Veli Maldives Resort, Origami serves modern Japanese fare including teppanyaki and robatayaki, whilst Cumin offers dishes from Sri Lanka, India and Maldives, and Dhoni Bar specialises in Mediterranean tapas. Poised over water on the edge of a lagoon and outer reef, Baan Huraa delights with coconut curries from Thailand’s southern provinces and spicy dishes from the north.
Guests also have the freedom to dine outside the restaurants thanks to Anantara’s signature Designer Dining by Anantara experience with a private chef and sommelier.
Whether seeking serenity or reconnection, travellers will find a wide array of water- and land-based activities. Guests can enjoy the thrills of underwater discovery with Aquafanatics, the resort’s resident water sports partner, catch a wave during the surf season with resident experts Tropicsurf, and join the resort in its habitat preservation efforts by adopting a coral as part of Anantara’s sustainability programme with the resident marine biologist.
A tennis court and dedicated spaces for volleyball, badminton, table tennis, chess and Pétanque, plus a fully equipped fitness centre keeps guests occupied on land. Guests can also book fitness sessions with a personal trainer or try their hand in the boxing ring. Holidaymakers looking for quieter pursuits can book a Spice Spoons by Anantara cooking class, rejuvenate in the overwater Anantara Spa, or lounge by the infinity pool.
Located 21 kilometres south of Velana International airport, Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort is only 30 minutes by speedboat, available 24 hours a day. For more information or to make a reservation, call +960 664 4100, email dhigumaldives@anantara.com or visit here.
News
From Galaxy of Dreams to Beneath the Blue: Cinnamon Resorts reveal festive programmes
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives is preparing to trade winter chills for warm shores this festive season, with four distinctly themed celebrations unfolding across its island resorts. From evenings inspired by the stars and a festive journey around the world to a tropical wonderland and celebrations beneath the blue, each resort will put its own spin on Christmas and New Year in the Maldives. Across the islands, days will move between long lunches, ocean adventures and time on the beach, before evenings give way to festive dining, live entertainment and celebrations under the stars.

Cinnamon Velifushi Malives
At Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, Christmas looks to the stars with Galaxy of Dreams, a celestial-themed celebration made for the island’s wide-open skies. Sunset cruises, saxophone performances by the beach, intimate gourmet dinners and live music set the pace in the days leading up to Christmas, while younger guests can join their own Adventures Among the Stars. Christmas Eve brings a gala feast, the Velifushi Choir and Santa’s grand arrival before celebrations continue late into the night. The theme reaches its finale on New Year’s Eve, when DJs, a live band, dancers and a midnight countdown bring the Galaxy of Dreams to life one last time.

Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives
Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives will take the festive season Around the World, drawing inspiration from the food, music and traditions of different cultures while keeping the setting unmistakably Maldivian. Christmas Eve begins with a feast inspired by flavours from across the globe, followed by carols and live music, before the night shifts into dancing beside the ocean. The journey continues beyond Christmas with a celebration of Maldivian heritage during Spirit of the Islands, sunset cruises across the atoll and, as 2026 draws to a close, a New Year’s Eve filled with international music, live performances and dancing into the first hours of 2027.

Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives
At Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, Tropical Wonderland swaps snow-covered Christmas scenes for sunshine, sand and plenty of island energy. The season begins with the lighting of the Christmas tree and unfolds with experiences ranging from sunrise yoga and traditional coconut-leaf craftsmanship to festive activities for children. Christmas Eve brings everyone together for a Tropical Wonderland Gala Dinner, carols by the Dhonveli Choir and Santa’s arrival by the sea. And there is plenty still to come before New Year, including dolphin cruises, a neon beach party and a masquerade evening, culminating in a gala dinner and midnight fireworks over the Indian Ocean.

Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon
For Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon, the festive season goes Beneath the Blue, taking its cue from an island where some of the most memorable experiences begin at the water’s edge. Guests can head out across Ellaidhoo’s renowned house reef on a snorkel safari with the resort’s Marine Biologist, discover island-grown flavours through a garden-to-plate culinary experience, or settle in for festive dinners by the shore. Christmas brings carols, celebrations and time together by the ocean, while the final days of the year introduce a distinctly Maldivian beat with traditional Bodu Beru. On New Year’s Eve, one last golden-hour cruise leads into a grand gala dinner, music and a countdown to 2027 surrounded by the Indian Ocean.
For full festive programmes and further details for all four resorts, please visit the official website.
News
Centara unveils KSA National Day holiday offers across Maldives resorts
With KSA National Day approaching on 23 September, Saudi travellers looking to make the most of the holiday break can trade the city for the turquoise waters and white-sand beaches of the Maldives. Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives and Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection offer two distinct island experiences, from spacious stays and wellness to marine adventures, diving and memorable dining.
Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives
Located in the turquoise waters of North Malé Atoll, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives offers an elegant island oasis for families, couples and groups looking for space, privacy and a wide choice of experiences. The resort features spacious two- and three-bedroom overwater and beachfront residences, alongside six restaurants and four bars offering a variety of dining experiences.
Wellness also takes centre stage throughout the stay, with SPA Cenvaree Retreat offering holistic treatments inspired by Thai wellness traditions, complemented by a yoga pavilion and modern fitness centre. Guests can also explore the surrounding waters through diving, watersports and guided marine excursions, while the Kids’ Club and E Zone offer dedicated spaces for younger guests, alongside a range of recreational activities designed for all ages.
For those planning a longer National Day getaway, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives’ A Summer of Island Elegance offer makes the journey to paradise even more worthwhile. Guests staying four nights or more can enjoy complimentary round-trip luxury speedboat transfers for two adults, allowing more time to focus on the island experience from the moment they arrive. Combined with spacious residences, exceptional dining and access to the resort’s extensive leisure and wellness facilities, the offer provides an added-value way to experience the Maldives in comfort and style.
When: Valid on stays from now until October 15th
Offer Details: Complimentary round-trip speedboat transfers for two adults on stays of four nights or more.
Terms & Conditions:
- Applicable for new bookings only and subject to availability.
- This offer is non-transferable and cannot be used by or given to another person.
- This offer cannot be combined with any other promotions or partnership discounts.
- All reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card valid for the entire stay.
- Centara Hotels & Resorts reserves the right to change these terms and conditions without notice.
- In case of dispute, the company has the final decision.
For more information, click here.
For travellers who want their National Day escape to be as restorative as it is relaxing, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives offers complimentary spa credit to enhance selected meal-plan stays. Guests can enjoy up to USD 60 (SAR 225) per person per stay at SPA Cenvaree Retreat, where traditional Thai-inspired treatments, massages, body rituals and facials provide the perfect way to unwind after a day spent exploring the lagoon or simply relaxing on the island.
Booking Period: From now until September 30th
Stay Period: From now until December 31st
Offer Details: USD 60 (SAR 225) spa credit per person per stay for guests on Half Board Plus, Full Board Plus, All-Inclusive and Atollia Destination meal plans, as well as guests who book directly.
Terms & Conditions:
- Applicable for new bookings only and subject to availability.
- This offer is non-transferable and cannot be used by or given to another person.
- This offer cannot be combined with any other promotions or partnership discounts.
- All reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card valid for the entire stay.
- Centara Hotels & Resorts reserves the right to change these terms and conditions without notice.
- In case of dispute, the company has the final decision.
For more information, click here.
Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives
Located in South Ari Atoll, Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, presents a different side of the Maldives. Surrounded by an award-winning house reef, the resort offers an immersive island experience centred around marine adventures, pristine nature and relaxed island living.
The surrounding waters offer exceptional diving and snorkelling opportunities, centred around Machchafushi’s award-winning house reef, which is home to an extraordinary variety of coral and marine life. Guests can explore vibrant coral gardens and encounter turtles, reef sharks, stingrays, and thousands of species of tropical fish, while more than 50 dive sites across South Ari Atoll offer even more to discover. A particular highlight is the 52-metre Kudhi Maa shipwreck, which has transformed into a thriving artificial reef since sinking in 1999, attracting colourful marine life including glassfish, trevally, snapper, and reef sharks.
Away from the water, guests can take to the lagoon by kayak or paddleboard, explore the island at their own pace or retreat to the award-winning SPA Cenvaree, nestled beneath a 200-year-old banyan tree, offering a tranquil setting for Thai-inspired treatments and restorative rituals.
For families and groups seeking additional space, the Club Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villa is the pinnacle of both indoor and outdoor living, with two bedrooms, a private pool, sun loungers and direct access to the beach. Framed by uninterrupted sea views and a fresh, all-white interior, the villa creates a serene private retreat where days can be spent between the comfort of the villa, the pool, and the turquoise waters nearby.
Guests staying four nights or more can enjoy 25% savings on seaplane transfers, while those staying for nine nights or longer can save 50%, making it an ideal opportunity to turn the KSA National Day break into a longer Maldivian holiday filled with diving, snorkelling, nature and uninterrupted island time.
When: Valid on stays from now until October 15th
Offer Details:
- 25% savings on seaplane transfers with a four-night stay.
- 50% savings on seaplane transfers with a stay of nine nights or longer.
Terms & Conditions:
- Applicable for new bookings only and subject to availability.
- This offer is non-transferable and cannot be used by or given to another person.
- This offer cannot be combined with any other promotions or partnership discounts.
- All reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card valid for the entire stay.
- Centara Hotels & Resorts reserves the right to change these terms and conditions without notice.
- In case of dispute, the company has the final decision.
For more information, click here.
After a day spent exploring Machchafushi’s celebrated house reef, guests can retreat to SPA Cenvaree for a restorative treatment inspired by traditional Thai wellness. Guests staying on Half Board Plus can enjoy USD 30 (SAR 112.50) spa credit per person per stay, while Full Board Plus guests receive USD 40 (SAR 150) per person per stay, offering an opportunity to slow down, recharge and add a moment of calm to an adventure-filled island escape.
Booking Period: From now until December 31st
Stay Period: From now until June 30th, 2027
Offer Details:
- Half Board Plus: USD 30 (SAR 112.50) spa credit per person per stay.
- Full Board Plus: USD 40 (SAR 150) spa credit per person per stay.
Terms & Conditions:
- Applicable for new bookings only and subject to availability.
- This offer is non-transferable and cannot be used by or given to another person.
- This offer cannot be combined with any other promotions or partnership discounts.
- All reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card valid for the entire stay.
- Centara Hotels & Resorts reserves the right to change these terms and conditions without notice.
- In case of dispute, the company has the final decision.
For more information, click here.
Family
Kuda Villingili to host ‘Friendly Spirits & Ghosts After Dark’ this Halloween
This Halloween, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives invites families to reconnect over a week of island celebrations. From 28 October to 1 November 2026, Friendly Spirits & Ghosts After Dark brings together imaginative children’s activities, Halloween evenings and time shared in the Maldives.
Home to a 150-metre swimming pool—one of the largest in the country —Kuda Villingili is among the best places to stay in the Maldives for families seeking space, privacy and experiences to enjoy together. Spacious one- to four-bedroom private pool villas provide space and privacy for multi-generational stays, complemented by eight restaurants, a dedicated Kids Club, spa and wellness experiences, watersports, surfing, tennis and pickleball. The five-star luxury resort in the Maldives is located just 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport.

Designed for young explorers, this year’s celebration introduces Kuda Fiyo & the Friendly Ghosts, an original island story that brings Halloween to life through imagination and discovery. Throughout the week, children can follow Kuda Fiyo on an adventure featuring creative workshops, themed games, arts and crafts, treasure hunts, cookie and cupcake decorating, mocktail experiences and a Halloween Party— giving families a collection of family experiences in the Maldives to enjoy together.
As the sun sets, Ghosts After Dark takes over with Halloween-inspired experiences for families, couples and friends. Guests can enjoy haunted cocktails at sunset, set sail on a themed sunset cruise, explore the house reef during guided night snorkelling, try their hand at Halloween mixology or settle in beneath the stars for an open-air movie night. A Halloween Buffet Dinner with seasonal dishes and live entertainment anchors the celebrations, while themed cocktails and mocktails are served throughout the week.

Beyond Halloween, families have the freedom to shape each day around what they enjoy most. They can discover the marine world together, dine across the resort’s restaurants, retreat to the privacy of their villa or spend an afternoon beside the expansive pool. With experiences for different ages and interests, there is space to come together as well as time to enjoy the island individually.
This Halloween, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers families the chance to reconnect, create new traditions and experience the season differently. Friendly Spirits & Ghosts After Dark brings together children’s adventures, evenings by the sea and the freedom of an island holiday.
Because the best family traditions are not simply celebrated—they are created together.

View Kuda Villingili’s Halloween 2026 brochure here. For more information about Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, please visit www.kudavillingili.com.
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