News
Marriott Bonvoy unveils ‘Beyond Ordinary’ with luxury getaways to Maldives
Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of luxury resorts in the Maldives presents ‘Beyond Ordinary’ suite package, inviting guests to embark on an unparalleled journey of discovery amidst the enchanting allure of the Indian Ocean. Guests can experience the epitome of opulence at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort and JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa.
Ideal for families or a group of friends traveling together, the ‘Beyond Ordinary’ package inspires travelers to experience the ultimate blend of luxury and space with a variety of exquisite suite and multi-bedroom collections, specially curated resort experiences, and the opportunity to earn 20,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Experience Beyond Ordinary at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
Families are invited to immerse themselves in the unique island life at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, where the legendary Ritz-Carlton service of its distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen and cherished moments await. Guests will begin their journey with the traditional Sangu shell blowing upon arrival, evoking ancient Maldivian traditions. An ‘Aris Meeha’, inspired by royal court traditions, provides dedicated island butler service, ensuring every need is seamlessly met. As the sun sets, guests can enjoy the Defining Moment with a traditional Bodu Beru drum performance and a flaming ceremony marking the transition from day to night.
The ‘Beyond Ordinary’ package offers exceptional inclusions for two adults and two children, including half-board dining featuring exquisite flavors at select restaurants, a bespoke wellness experience with a family aerial yoga session, a private Maldivian cooking class, and a ‘Cities Under The Sea’ snorkeling trip guided by Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment Program Naturalists. Families can choose from elegantly designed Two Bedroom Water or Beach Pool Villas, which feature separate living and dining areas with kitchenettes, two full bathrooms, and breathtaking infinity pools with integrated sundecks. For a truly extravagant getaway, guests can elevate their stay at The Ritz-Carlton Estate, a private beach residence offering exclusive cove access and stunning sunset views.
Visit the website at ritzcarlton.com/maldives or book your stay here.
Escape to Paradise at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort invites guests to indulge in luxury beyond the ordinary with the ‘Summer Escape to Paradise’ package at the Maldives’ finest address. Set against the backdrop of the alluring turquoise waters and pristine white sands, its premium two to three-bedroom villas offer an eco-conscious sanctuary of elegance and tranquility for groups and families. Each villa features private pools, panoramic beach views, state-of-the-art entertainment and luxurious amenities. The two-bedroom Knickerbocker and Cesar Balsa villas, perched elegantly on the white-sand beach, provide seclusion amidst natural island surroundings. The beachfront three-bedroom Caroline Astor Estate boasts a 67-square-metre private pool and floor-to-ceiling glass doors, with a terrace adjoining an ethereal living room. For the pinnacle of luxury, the John Jacob Astor Estate, one of the Maldives’ largest overwater villas, accommodates up to 10 guests with a private gym, cinema room, spa suites, infinity pool, and expansive outdoor terrace, ensuring unparalleled group comfort and relaxation.
The ‘Summer Escape to Paradise’ package encompasses full-board dining, an intimate private cooking class, personalized wellness screening, exclusive access to the Blue Hole Pool for hydrotherapy at the award-winning Iridium Spa, family movie nights under the stars, an educational dolphin exploration, a professional family photography session, complimentary creative arts and eco-adventure activities for kids, and a full range of complimentary services for guests. Along with the quintessential St. Regis Butler Service – a hallmark of the brand’s commitment to excellence – a dedicated St. Regis Butler is available to curate tailored experiences and meet every need of the guests.
For more information, visit the website at stregismaldives.com or book your stay here.
A Moment to Treasure at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa
Edging the azure waters of Shaviyani Atoll, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa welcomes families to its natural island paradise with stylish duplex villas featuring private pools, expansive decks, uninterrupted ocean views, and private ‘Thakuru’ butler service. A multigenerational luxury family retreat, the resort boasts Two-Bedroom Duplex Beach Pool Villas spanning 285sqm, among the Maldives’ most spacious accommodations, perfect for a family of five. Each villa offers secluded beachfront serenity amidst lush foliage, where parents can relax poolside while children play on the soft white sand washed by the Indian Ocean’s gentle surf. For smaller families, its Duplex Overwater Pool Villas offer 274sqm of contemporary design, providing ultimate privacy and tranquility with direct access into the crystal blue lagoon.
Families can choose from a variety of half-board culinary options: international cuisine at Aailaa for all-day dining, alfresco Italian dining by the pool at Fiamma, or authentic Thai treetop dining at Kaashi. Young guests can enjoy over 100 activities at FAMiLY by JW™ Little Griffins Kids Club, one of the biggest kids clubs in the Maldives. The ‘Beyond Ordinary’ package also includes a 50-minute Ultimate Aromatherapy signature treatment at the award-winning Spa by JW for two guests. A highlight of the inclusion is a unique destination dining experience around a sunken outdoor Tandoor & Tawa at RIHA, offered once during their stay. Families can indulge in a private eight-course menu that blends Indian and Western flavors, taking them on a culinary journey from Kashmir to Madurai, Goa, Rajasthan, and Bengal.
For more information, visit the website at jwmarriottmaldives.com or book your stay here.
Book your four-night stay in any one of the three resorts in the Maldives by August 17, 2024, to enjoy daily sumptuous breakfasts and dinners, alongside rejuvenating wellness journeys. What’s more, 20,000 bonus points will be credited to your Marriott Bonvoy account. Valid for stays until June 30, 2025.
Cooking
International Chefs’ Day: Kabita Singh to cook live at Sun Siyam Olhuveli
Sun Siyam Olhuveli Maldives will welcome award-winning food creator Kabita Singh, the personality behind Kabita’s Kitchen, for a special culinary residency in October to mark International Chefs’ Day on 20 October 2026.
Known for making everyday Indian cooking accessible to a wide audience, Singh will move from her digital kitchen to the Maldives, joining the resort’s culinary team for a live cooking experience created for guests.
The collaboration will bring together Singh’s approach to Indian cuisine — centred on familiar flavours, accessible recipes and an increasing focus on wholesome cooking — with Sun Siyam’s Plant Based Bliss philosophy, which promotes the nutritional and holistic benefits of plant-forward dining.
As part of the International Chefs’ Day celebrations, Singh will cook alongside Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s culinary team during a live session in front of resort guests. The experience will feature a specially curated selection of vegetarian, vegan and health-conscious dishes developed in collaboration with the resort’s chefs and inspired by Singh’s own cooking philosophy.
Guests will have the opportunity to watch Singh prepare the dishes, learn about the techniques and stories behind them, and sample her interpretation of plant-forward Indian cuisine in a Maldivian island setting.
Kabita’s Kitchen has grown from a home-cooking channel into one of India’s most widely followed food platforms, with approximately 14.6 million subscribers on YouTube alone. Singh has built her audience through content ranging from regional favourites and vegetarian staples to festive dishes, street-food classics and everyday family recipes.
Her influence within India’s food and digital content sector was recognised at the inaugural National Creators Award in 2024, where she received the Best Creator in Food Category award, presented by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“We are really excited to welcome Kabita to Olhuveli and bring a taste of Kabita’s Kitchen to the Maldives,” said Hassan Adil, General Manager of Sun Siyam Olhuveli.
“Food is such an important part of the way people connect, and this is about bringing our guests closer to the experience, watching Kabita cook, discovering the flavours and stories behind her dishes, and of course tasting them together. Her fresh, approachable style is a great match for our Plant Based Bliss philosophy, and celebrating International Chefs’ Day together with our own culinary team makes it even more special. We want dining at Olhuveli to be fun, social and full of moments that guests remember long after they leave the island.”
Located in South Malé Atoll, Sun Siyam Olhuveli is part of Sun Siyam’s Lifestyle Collection. The resort combines beach experiences, dining, entertainment, wellness and other activities within its broader island offering.
Awards
Madifushi Private Island wins ‘Sensation of the Year’ at Global Destination Awards
Madifushi Private Island has been named “Sensation of the Year” at the Global Destination Awards 2026, marking a proud milestone for the resort and its team. The award was presented during a gala ceremony held in Moscow, bringing together leading hospitality professionals, international brands, travel experts, celebrities, and media representatives.
Established by World Fashion Channel and Global Destination Group, the awards recognise achievements across the luxury travel and hospitality industry, with a focus on service, innovation, architecture, and distinctive guest experiences. This year’s ceremony honoured winners across 33 categories, spanning Russian and international hotels, resorts, destinations, and tourism businesses.
The evening provided Madifushi Private Island with an opportunity to showcase its identity and guest experiences to an audience of industry leaders and travel and lifestyle media.

“Anyone who has experienced Madifushi Private Island will understand why ‘Sensation of the Year’ feels so fitting,” said Mohamed Hilmy, General Manager of Madifushi Private Island. “There is something truly special about the island—the colours of the lagoon, the beauty of its beaches, and the sense of tranquility that invites you to slow down and take it all in. The island leaves an impression that stays with you long after you leave, and we are delighted to see it recognised in this way.”
For Madifushi Private Island, the award is a moment to celebrate the people behind the guest experience, from the teams welcoming visitors to those working behind the scenes. It also provides an opportunity to strengthen connections with travel partners and introduce the resort to travellers seeking their next true Maldivian escape.
Madifushi Private Island extends its appreciation to the award organisers, its guests, travel partners, and colleagues for their continued support. As the resort celebrates this achievement, its focus remains on thoughtful hospitality and creating memorable island experiences for every guest.
Awards
JOALI BEING elevates to Three MICHELIN Keys for its island-wide well-living experience
JOALI BEING, the transformative well-living island in the Maldives, celebrates a defining milestone as it is awarded Three MICHELIN Keys, progressing from Two Keys to the MICHELIN Guide’s highest hotel distinction.
The recognition marks an important moment in the evolution of JOALI BEING and celebrates its distinctive philosophy of the Joy of Well-Living, an invitation to experience wellbeing not as a temporary retreat, but as a more joyful, conscious and meaningful way of living.
More than a resort with a wellness offering, JOALI BEING was conceived as an entire island dedicated to well-living. Ancient wisdom and modern science, nature and biophilic design, nourishment, movement, mindfulness and meaningful connection come together to create an immersive environment where guests are invited to reconnect, discover and build a more conscious relationship with themselves.
At the heart of this journey is the pursuit of Weightlessness – a sense of freedom, lightness, energy and wonder – with experiences designed not only for the time spent on the island, but to inspire positive and sustainable changes that can continue beyond it.
A singular approach to the Joy of Well-Living
JOALI BEING approaches wellbeing as something deeply personal and interconnected. Its philosophy is centred around Four Pillars – Mind, Skin, Microbiome and Energy – creating a framework through which guests can explore their individual needs and aspirations.
Rather than following a predetermined definition of wellness, each journey is shaped around the individual. Personalised wellbeing programmes bring together expert guidance, ancient healing traditions and modern science, spanning movement, nutrition, mindfulness, restoration and holistic therapies. This integrative approach encourages guests to understand themselves more deeply, explore new practices and discover what well-living can mean within their own lives.
An entire island designed around transformation
At JOALI BEING, wellbeing extends far beyond the traditional boundaries of a spa. It is embedded into the architecture, landscape and rhythm of the island, with dedicated Transformational Spaces offering different pathways towards discovery and reconnection.
AREKA, the island’s wellbeing centre, brings together personalised experiences and specialised therapies. KAASHI Hydrotherapy Hall explores the restorative qualities of water and heat, while AKTAR, the herbology centre, invites guests to discover the properties and uses of herbs and essential oils. Sound becomes another pathway through SEDA and the Discovery Sound Path, while CORE creates an energising environment for fitness and movement.
Together, these spaces create a complete ecosystem for well-living, transforming the island itself into part of the guest’s personal journey of renewal and transformation.
Where nature and design become part of wellbeing
Nature is fundamental to the JOALI BEING experience. Conceived according to biophilic design principles, the island creates a continuous relationship between architecture and the natural environment. Across its 68 beachfront and overwater villas, wellbeing spaces and pathways, indoor and outdoor environments flow together with tropical greenery, water, light and open horizons.
Here, nature is not simply a backdrop. It becomes an active part of the journey, creating opportunities to slow down, reconnect and experience a deeper sense of presence.
Nourishment with joy at its heart
The philosophy of the Joy of Well-Living extends naturally to gastronomy, where mindful cuisine brings together nourishment, creativity and pleasure. Connected to the Microbiome pillar, the culinary experience encourages a greater understanding of the relationship between food and wellbeing while preserving the flavour, craftsmanship and social connection that make dining joyful.
Rather than defining wellbeing through restriction, JOALI BEING celebrates nourishment as a source of discovery and pleasure – reflecting the belief that meaningful change becomes more sustainable when joy remains at its centre.
Well-living for every generation
At JOALI BEING, wellbeing also unfolds through connection, curiosity, movement and play. B’Kidult welcomes younger guests and families with meaningful experiences that encourage shared well-living, allowing children and adults to explore nature, creativity, movement and discovery together.
This multigenerational approach expands the traditional idea of a wellbeing destination, creating an environment where the Joy of Well-Living can be explored at every stage of life.
From Two to Three MICHELIN Keys
The progression from Two to Three MICHELIN Keys represents a defining milestone in the journey of JOALI BEING and its continued evolution as a transformative well-living destination.
From its Four Pillars and personalised wellbeing journeys to its Transformational Spaces, biophilic design, mindful cuisine and multigenerational experiences, every dimension of JOALI BEING contributes to an environment where wellbeing is not treated as one element of the stay – it is the experience itself.
The achievement celebrates a philosophy that has guided JOALI BEING from the beginning: that well-living should feel inspiring rather than prescriptive, personal rather than predetermined, and joyful rather than restrictive.
Through the Joy of Well-Living, JOALI BEING continues to create a place where guests can feel lighter, happier and more energised, returning home with renewed perspective and meaningful practices to carry into everyday life.
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