InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has unveiled its new padel court, adding a fresh dimension to island wellness and offering guests a dynamic new way to stay active in paradise.

Now with over 30 million players worldwide, padel is one of the fastest growing sports, offering a fun and inclusive activity for beginners and experts alike. The brand new court is framed by Maldivian palm trees and white sand, creating a striking backdrop for both leisurely matches and spirited competition.

Complimentary for all guests, the court includes the use of premium rackets and balls, allowing guests to discover a new skill in a tropical island setting. Families are invited to enjoy dedicated on-court sessions designed for all ages to create memorable, shared experiences. Benches line the court, creating a comfortable space for spectators to watch and support friends and family.

Located beside InterContinental Maldives’ fitness centre with its state-of-the-art gym, personal training programmes, and aerobic workout sessions, the new padel court aims to enhance the resort’s distinctive approach to luxury, wellbeing and curated guest experiences.

Overwater Pool Villa starting from $1,290++ per night with a variety of inclusions. The padel court is complimentary
for guests.

For more information, please visit www.maldives.intercontinental.com or email reservations.icmaldives@ihg.com.

This festive season, Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives invites guests to step away from the noise of the world and into a more intimate celebration of togetherness, unveiling its 2026/27 festive programme, A Celebration of Light & Lagoon, a season shaped not by spectacle, but by connection.

Running from Thanksgiving through to Orthodox Christmas, the boutique private island resort’s festive offering has been designed for travellers seeking something increasingly rare at this time of year: space to breathe, time to reconnect, and traditions shared in a setting of calm natural beauty. The programme centres around family, friendship, reflection and joyful celebration, all framed by the island’s turquoise lagoon, star-filled skies and the gentle rhythm of Maldivian life.

Unlike the grand fanfare of city festivities or the high-energy extravagance of larger resorts, Grand Park Kodhipparu offers something more personal—a luxury private island escape where festive moments unfold with ease and meaning.

“We wanted to create a festive season that feels both celebratory and restorative,” says Raffaele Solferino, General Manager of Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives.

“At Kodhipparu, luxury is about how you feel. During the festive season especially, guests are looking for quality time—with family, with loved ones, and with themselves. Our programme reflects that: light-filled, thoughtful, and grounded in togetherness.”

At the heart of this year’s storytelling is the resort’s signature Heron protagonist—a whimsical character woven throughout the festive journey, reappearing across illustrations, island moments and guest experiences as a gentle guide through the season. Symbolising grace, patience and connection to the lagoon, the heron brings a playful thread of continuity to the celebration.

The festive calendar begins with a Thanksgiving dinner at Firedoor, the resort’s signature overwater grill restaurant, before moving into December with the island’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony—a warm gathering of festive cocktails, carols and beachside BBQ beneath the stars.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day bring a series of intimate traditions including degustation dinners, family brunches, carol singing, children’s festive adventures and the much-loved arrival of Santa by sea, a Kodhipparu tradition that swaps snow for soft white sand and turquoise waters.

For New Year’s Eve, the island transforms into Midnight in White—an elegant lagoon-side celebration inspired by moonlight over the Indian Ocean. Guests dress in white for an evening of live DJ performances, dancing beneath the stars, fireworks over the lagoon and the countdown into 2027.

The season continues into January with a quieter Orthodox Festive programme, embracing wellness, reflection and slower island rhythms—extending the celebration for those who seek a more peaceful beginning to the new year.

Beyond the festivities, guests can immerse themselves in the resort’s award-winning house reef, guided snorkelling with the marine biologist, overwater spa rituals, lantern-lit pathways, sunset dhoni cruises and private dining experiences designed for couples and families alike.

As Grand Park Kodhipparu approaches its 10th anniversary in 2027, this festive season reflects the essence of what has made it a favourite among returning guests: a boutique island resort where luxury is not about excess, but about feeling deeply connected—to nature, to loved ones, and to the moment itself.

Festive season stays are now open for booking. For more information on the festive programme and to download the full brochure, please visit the resort’s website.

Ralu Overwater Restaurant and Baani at Heritance Aarah have both earned Wine Spectator’s 2026 Award of Excellence, recognising the strength, quality and depth of their wine programmes.

The Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards, launched in 1981, celebrate excellence in restaurant wine service across three categories: Award of Excellence, Best of Award of Excellence and Grand Award. In 2026, a total of 4,012 restaurants around the world were recognised, with 2,083 receiving the Award of Excellence.

Ralu Overwater Restaurant and Baani received the Award of Excellence, which recognises restaurants whose wine lists offer at least 75 selections, with a well-chosen assortment of quality producers and a thoughtful match to the menu in both price and style.

“Congratulations to the restaurants that earned a Restaurant Award and continue to elevate the wine experience for guests around the world,” said Marvin R. Shanken, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Wine Spectator.

“We are delighted to see Ralu Overwater Restaurant and Baani recognised by Wine Spectator, a global authority in wine,” said Upul Gedarakumbura, General Manager of Heritance Aarah. “These awards reflect the care, knowledge and passion behind our wine programmes, as well as our commitment to creating dining experiences where cuisine, wine and setting come together beautifully. At Ralu, every bottle is selected with purpose, complementing our Mediterranean-inspired menus and the relaxed elegance of our overwater island setting, while at Baani, the wine programme enhances an intimate fine dining experience shaped by modern global gastronomy, personalised service and refined lagoon views.”

Set above the Indian Ocean at Heritance Aarah, Ralu Overwater Restaurant draws inspiration from the relaxed elegance of French and Italian Mediterranean brasseries along the Riviera coast. The restaurant offers an inviting yet refined dining experience, where Mediterranean cuisine, considered wine pairings and panoramic lagoon views come together in an overwater setting.

Baani, located within the resort’s overwater enclave, represents one of the most intimate and refined dining experiences at Heritance Aarah. Designed for guests seeking thoughtful gastronomy and attentive personalised service, Baani presents modern global cuisine through a five-course dinner menu that evolves daily, with each evening offering a singular menu concept shaped by contemporary techniques, clarity of flavour and harmony at the table.

Ralu’s and Baani’s wine programmes feature 175 premium wine labels sourced from 12 leading wine-producing countries, with vintages ranging from 1990 to 2025. The selections have been curated to complement each restaurant’s culinary identity, from Ralu’s Mediterranean classics and contemporary interpretations to Baani’s modern fine dining approach, while offering versatility across styles, regions and guest preferences. The wines are stored in Vinocave and Tecno temperature-controlled cellars and served in Spiegelau crystal, supporting careful preservation, presentation and service.

Highlights at Ralu include Armand de Brignac ‘Ace of Spades’ Gold among its Champagnes, Chavy-Chouet Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes from Burgundy among its whites, and Tenuta San Guido, ‘Sassicaia’, DOC, Super Tuscan, Tuscany Italy among its reds.

At Baani, the cellar includes Louis Roederer Cristal Millésime Brut among its Champagnes, Chavy-Chouet Puligny-Montrachet Les Enseignières among its whites, and Château Mouton Rothschild Grand Cru Classé among its reds.

Wine Spectator’s special Restaurant Awards issue will be available on newsstands on July 21. This year’s winners will also be featured through Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Search and Restaurant Awards app, where restaurants can be explored by name, location, award level, cuisine, wine specialties and pricing.