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.
Action
Across Maldives: Shaff Naeem embarks on record-breaking dive expedition
Shaff Naeem, the Asian record holder for the 50-hour dive in 2022, has announced his next ambitious endeavour: Across Maldives. This unprecedented long-distance dive will span the length of the Maldives, starting from the northernmost tip of Haa Alif Atoll and ending at the southern edge of Seenu Atoll. Officially unveiled at the Malaysia Dive Expo in June 2024, the event will unfold in two phases over the next two years.
Phase 1: Malé Region World Record Event (February 2025)
The first milestone in Shaff’s journey will be a world record attempt in the Malé region. He and his team will embark on a single dive from Hulhumalé to Malé, covering a minimum distance of 14 kilometres underwater. This event aims to set a new world record while garnering global attention for the Across Maldives expedition.
Phase 2: Main Across Maldives Event (2026)
The main event will see Shaff dive across the entire Maldivian archipelago, covering 460 kilometres in a month. This ambitious journey will require meticulous planning and execution, supported by a technical team comprising local and international experts.
A Scientific and Community-Focused Expedition
The Across Maldives expedition is not just a test of endurance but also a platform for meaningful contributions to science and community engagement. The team will collect vital environmental data, including information on underwater terrain, the impact of climate change, and the presence of microplastics in Maldivian waters.
The expedition will also feature workshops and events on local islands, aimed at raising awareness about ocean conservation and sharing findings from the journey. By connecting with local communities, the initiative hopes to inspire Maldivians to engage deeply with their marine environment.
With the backing of local and international partners, Shaff’s team is working closely with the Maldives’ Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Defence, and Maldives Police Services to ensure a safe and secure dive route. The Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation (MMPRC) is promoting the event globally, showcasing the country’s unparalleled beauty and diving opportunities. International dive magazines have also spotlighted the project, amplifying its reach and significance.
Support and Fundraising Goals
Fundraising efforts are currently underway for Phase 1 of the project. Donations will support the organisation of world record dives, scientific research, and community engagement sessions. In addition, a documentary chronicling the journey is in production, slated for release in 2026.
Key areas of fund utilisation include:
- World Record Attempts: Organising logistics and acquiring gear for the dives.
- Research Expedition: Collecting open-access data on environmental DNA, microplastics, and coral reef health.
- Community Engagement: Conducting educational and awareness events across Maldivian islands.
- Documentary Production: Capturing the historic expedition for a global audience.
Supporters of the expedition can choose from various tiers of rewards, ranging from on-screen credits in the documentary to exclusive memorabilia like event keychains, t-shirts, personalised underwater photos, and a limited-edition coffee table photobook.
For Shaff, Across Maldives is more than a record-breaking attempt—it’s a tribute to his late father. Reflecting on his father’s words of encouragement, Shaff shared: “One of the last things my father said to me before he passed was that he wouldn’t be surprised if I dived all across the Maldives. This attempt is something I am dedicating to him. I sincerely thank you all for your support in making this journey a reality.”
To learn more or contribute to this groundbreaking project, visit the official event website at www.acrossmaldives.org. For details on Shaff Naeem’s previous achievements and ongoing efforts, visit www.oceansixfifty.org.
Awards
Atmosphere Core celebrates multiple wins at NSURE Safety and Sustainability Awards
International hospitality company Atmosphere Core achieved significant recognition at the prestigious Recognition of Safety and Sustainability Achievements Awards 2023-2024, organised by NSURE, a leading authority in Food Safety, Health and Safety, and Sustainability in the Maldives.
Atmosphere Core received the prestigious ‘Outstanding Overall Performance Award for Resort Group 2023-2024’ award for the unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest food safety standards across its properties and setting a benchmark in the hospitality industry. Anupam Banerjee, Vice President Food & Beverage at Atmosphere Core, accepted the accolade on behalf of the company, reflecting the collective drive across the portfolio of nine resorts to ensure excellence in food safety.
OBLU SELECT Sangeli received the ‘Innovative Sustainability Project 2023-2024’ award, which acknowledges the resort’s exceptional contributions to sustainability and its dedication to preserving the pristine ecosystem it calls home. Representing the OBLU SELECT Sangeli team, Marine Biologist Giorgia Maggioni and Executive Assistant Manager Sribanta Kumar Acharya accepted the awards.
The awards also honoured outstanding individual contributions. Sourish Bishnu Jana, Learning and Development Manager from Atmosphere Kanifushi was celebrated for his dedication, receiving the award for ‘Outstanding Commitment by an L&D Manager in Food Safety 2023-2024’. His efforts in leading food safety training have been pivotal in maintaining high standards within the resort.
Mei P. Pun, General Manager at VARU by Atmosphere, was honoured as the 1st Runner-up for the ‘Outstanding Leadership by a General Manager in Food Safety’ award. The 1st Runner-up accolades also included Ravikant Reddy, from VARU by Atmosphere, for ‘Outstanding Commitment by an L&D Manager in Food Safety’ and Chef Chaitanya Sharma from OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI for ‘Exceptional Leadership by An Executive Chef in Food Safety’.
The award ceremony was also attended by four nominees from Atmosphere Core. Chef Sandeep Kumar from OBLU SELECT Sangeli and Chef Ajay Sahoo from OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO, who were both were nominated for ‘Exceptional Leadership by an Executive Chef in Food Safety’ award. Baiju Asokan from OBLU SELECT Sangeli and Rahul Pillai from VARU by Atmosphere were nominated for ‘Outstanding Leadership in Engineering for Safety Excellence’ award.
Ashwin Handa, Senior Vice President of Operations at Atmosphere Core, said “I am immensely proud of our team’s dedication to upholding the highest standards across our resorts, ensuring exceptional experiences for our guests while staying true to our ethos of Joy of Giving. This philosophy drives us to create meaningful and memorable moments for our guests, teams, and communities alike, while fostering a culture of responsibility and innovation. These accolades reflect our unwavering commitment to safety, sustainability, and excellence”.
NSURE, renowned for its rigorous evaluation and high standards, acknowledged Atmosphere Core’s ongoing efforts in integrating sustainability and safety into its operations while delivering exceptional guest experiences. These accolades serve as a reflection of the company’s unwavering dedication to leading by example in the hospitality sector.
News
Bandos Maldives marks 52nd anniversary
This year, Bandos Maldives marks its 52nd anniversary, celebrating over five decades of excellence as the iconic Island of Hospitality. This milestone is not just a reflection of the resort’s enduring legacy but a celebration of growth, transformation, and unwavering dedication to creating unforgettable moments for cherished guests.
Nestled just 10 minutes from Velana International Airport, Bandos Maldives has been a sanctuary for travellers seeking tranquility, peace, and authentic Maldivian charm. For 52 years, Bandos welcomed families, friends, and couples from around the world, becoming a beloved destination where traditions are formed, and memories are etched in the sands of idyllic shores.
This year, Bandos has embarked on exciting projects to enhance the guest experience. From the launch of a brand-new website in November to the ongoing renovations of resort facilities, Bandos remains committed to evolving while preserving the warmth and authenticity that define the brand. The resort’s solar power projects further reflect its dedication to sustainability, ensuring Bandos remains a leader in responsible tourism.
Bandos legacy would not be complete without loyal guests, many of whom return year after year, becoming an integral part of the Bandos family. Equally, the team of talented individuals—many hailing from the Maldives— has been the backbone of the resort’s success, representing the essence of true Maldivian hospitality.
As Bandos celebrates this momentous occasion, General Manager Ismail Rasheed reflects on the journey with gratitude: “Bandos Maldives has grown and evolved over the years, yet our heart remains the same. We owe our success to the loyal guests who continually choose Bandos as their home away from home and to our team, who embody the spirit of hospitality every day.”
Join Bandos in celebrating 52 years of remarkable hospitality, cherished traditions, and exciting transformations. Bandos Maldives—where every guest is family, and every moment is a celebration.
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