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Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort introduces refurbished overwater villas with new category

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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.

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COMO Cocoa Island blends wellness and ocean experiences for guests

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There is a moment, just after arrival at COMO Cocoa Island, when everything softens. Time loosens its grip. The horizon stretches and the only sound is the tide shifting gently beneath your villa.

At COMO Cocoa Island, experiences are not designed to impress, but to unfold. Each one invites guests to rediscover a slower rhythm—guided by water, light, and instinct.

Where the Ocean Becomes the Guide

The island’s house reef lies just steps from each villa—a living, breathing ecosystem that reveals itself gradually. Slip into the water, and the world shifts: parrotfish flicker past, reef sharks glide at a distance, and turtles move with unhurried grace.

Further afield, journeys into deeper waters bring guests face-to-face with nurse sharks in the nearby atolls—encounters that feel both grounding and quietly exhilarating.

For those who choose to dive, the surrounding sites offer dramatic topographies—caves, channels, and coral walls—each shaped by currents that have moved through these waters long before the first footprints touched the island.

Drifting Towards Stillness

Back above the surface, experiences take on a different pace.

A private sandbank emerges from the horizon—untouched, impossibly white. Here, lunch is served with nothing but the gentle rhythm of waves in the background. There are no interruptions, no schedules. Just a sense of being suspended between sea and open sky.

As the day fades, traditional dhoni boats set out across the lagoon. The light softens. The ocean reflects gold, then amber, then deep blue. Sometimes, dolphins appear—not as spectacle, but as part of the natural rhythm of the place.

Wellbeing, Without Boundaries

At COMO Cocoa Island, wellness is not confined within walls. It exists in the spaces between. Morning yoga unfolds overlooking the ocean. Breathing slows in time with the tide and sandbank meditation becomes instinctive—guided by wind, warmth, and the steady presence of the sea.

The COMO Shambhala Retreat complements this with therapies that are precise yet intuitive—designed not to transform, but to restore.

A Philosophy of Less, Perfected

“Cocoa Island has never been about doing more—it’s about feeling more, with less,”says Peter Nilsson, Managing Director, COMO Maldives. “What makes this island special is its restraint. We don’t try to fill every moment—we allow space for the ocean, for stillness, for genuine connection. Guests leave not because they’ve done everything, but because they’ve experienced something real.”

An Island That Stays With You

There are no grand gestures here. No overstatement.

Instead, COMO Cocoa Island offers something increasingly rare—an experience that lingers quietly, long after departure. Not defined by what you did, but by how it made you feel. Because here, in this small corner of the Maldives, the most meaningful moments are often the simplest ones.

For more information, please visit the resort’s website

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Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives introduces indoor mini golf experience

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Resort experiences are increasingly shaped by the need for flexibility, with guests seeking activities that can be enjoyed beyond peak sun hours, creating a natural demand for engaging indoor spaces and particularly in tropical destinations where brief, seasonal rain showers are part of the island rhythm.

Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives builds on this evolving guest preference with the introduction of its new 8-hole Indoor Mini Golf Centre, adding a playful and interactive dimension to the island’s leisure offering. The space was officially unveiled at a recent opening, where a guest was invited to mark the occasion, setting the tone for an experience centred around shared enjoyment and light-hearted moments.

The indoor mini golf course offers a relaxed, air-conditioned space where guests of all ages can take part, whether as a casual game between families, a friendly challenge among couples, or a fun addition to group stays. It provides a comfortable alternative to outdoor activities while maintaining the sense of energy and connection that defines time on the island, regardless of the weather.

The addition builds on the resort’s existing indoor facilities, including billiards, table tennis, and a dedicated kids’ playroom, creating a more rounded leisure experience that caters to different moods and moments. Outdoors, guests can continue to explore a wide range of activities, from beach volleyball and futsal to badminton, diving, and both motorised and non-motorised water sports.

As one of the first resorts in the area to introduce an indoor mini golf experience, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives continues to evolve its offerings in line with how guests choose to travel today, blending activity, comfort, and shared experiences in a setting designed for both relaxation and discovery.

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InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort hosts Earth Day experiences

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In celebration of Earth Day, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort invites guests to reconnect with nature through a carefully curated programme of experiences taking place on 22 April 2026.

Set within the natural beauty of Raa Atoll, the resort’s Earth Day programme reflects its ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, offering guests meaningful ways to engage with the surrounding marine and island ecosystem.

Throughout the day, guests are invited to explore sustainability through immersive experiences designed to inspire awareness and connection. A guided snorkelling experience with the resort’s Marine Biologist introduces coral restoration efforts within the Maamunagau Lagoon, offering insight into reef rehabilitation and the marine life it supports.

A dedicated coral workshop, alongside a manta ray session led by the Manta Trust team, further highlights the importance of marine conservation in the Maldives, sharing knowledge on the protection and preservation of these remarkable species.

On land, the resort offers a behind-the-scenes sustainability tour, showcasing operational practices that support island life, from renewable energy systems to waste reduction initiatives. Younger guests are engaged through an interactive bottling plant tour, encouraging environmentally conscious habits from an early age.

Wellbeing remains an integral part of the experience, with a digital detox offering at AVI Spa designed to encourage disconnection from screens and reconnection with the present moment. Complementing this, a plant-based breakfast and zero-waste cooking class highlight simple, mindful approaches to sustainable living.

As the day unfolds, guests are invited to participate in a tree planting activity within the resort’s greenhouse, contributing to the growth of native vegetation and supporting long-term biodiversity on the island.

The celebration concludes with a relaxed beachfront evening, featuring a curated BBQ dining experience complemented by live music and a traditional Maldivian Bodu Beru performance, bringing together culture, community, and connection.

Through initiatives that blend conservation, education, and wellbeing, InterContinental Maldives continues to champion responsible luxury, where every experience is thoughtfully designed with both people and planet in mind.

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