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Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives unveils enhancements, milestones of achievement in third successful year

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Kuda Villingili Resort, an award-winning luxury resort and home to the largest pool in the Maldives, has once again enhanced its already opulent offerings. These new features, which include adding pools to the sunset water villas, transforming the resort into an all-pool destination, introducing Teppanyaki dining to its diverse gourmet offerings, and unveiling a brand new padel tennis court, are part of the resort’s vision to continuously enhance the guest experience on the private island.

As Kuda Villingili celebrates three years of luxury hospitality, the resort has redefined time and space for discerning guests with its meticulously designed accommodations, seven exclusive dining options, a world-class surf break and unforgettable guest experiences.

With these exciting upgrades, a stunning 10-meter infinity-edge pool has been added to the existing 16 sunset water villas, offering guests an idyllic spot to relax and take in uninterrupted vistas of the sunset across the Indian Ocean.

Praised for exceptional and diverse culinary experiences, Kuda Villingili Resort is among the handful of resorts offering Nikkei cuisine in the Maldives. The private island’s signature restaurant, Mar-Umi, proudly showcases the exquisite flavours of the Japanese and Peruvian cultural exchange. This year’s enhancements also bring more flavour and sizzle to Mar-Umi, with the addition of a new teppanyaki table accommodating up to eight guests. The menu features sustainably and locally sourced ingredients, ensuring a dining experience that is not only ethically responsible but also incredibly delicious. The resort’s signature restaurant, Mar-Umi, offers a carefully curated Sake collection that perfectly pairs with every dish. The Teppanyaki experience is available for lunch and dinner, offering thoughtfully created set menus.

Sports and recreational enthusiasts will be thrilled to discover a newly added padel tennis court along with the two floodlit tennis courts, volleyball, futsal ground, state-of-the-art gym and an Olympic size pool —an already extensive collection of recreational and wellness options in Kuda Villingili. As a racket sport increasingly popular among luxury travellers, padel tennis offers a comprehensive physical challenge, ideal for a serious two-person workout or an enjoyable family bonding activity.

“At Kuda Villingili, we are committed to enhancing the guest experience by continually responding to ever-changing industry trends and consumer demands, with the goal of exceeding expectations of our discerning guests. By adding spacious outdoor pools to our Sunset Water Villas, we aim to offer guests the ultimate in luxury and privacy,” said Amjad Thaufeeq, Commercial Director of Kuda Villingili Resort, Maldives.

“Additionally, the new Teppanyaki experience provides a uniquely interactive and delectable dining option, making our gastronomic offerings even more exciting than it already is. We look forward to welcoming guests to our island paradise to experience these new redefined facilities creating once in a lifetime memories with their loved ones.”

Reflecting on Kuda Villingili’s remarkable achievements and unwavering commitment to excellence, in early 2024 the resort earned the prestigious Green Globe Certification, underscoring its dedication to sustainability practices and community engagement while preserving the natural beauty of the Maldives for generations to come.

In addition to this significant accomplishment, The Fire Restaurant at Kuda Villingili has been honoured with The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. With the title in hand, it demonstrates Kuda Villingili’s commitment to providing a premium dining experience for guests, as well as the extensive wine options available. Additionally, Kuda Villingili received a nomination for the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2024, highlighting its reputation as a top destination for luxury travellers.

Kuda Villingili Resort consistently surpasses expectations and eagerly awaits the arrival of guests to discover an ever-evolving island paradise, whether it is to relax in private infinity pools with dreamy views, or to venture on a gourmet journey while sipping on award-winning wine collections or to simply rejuvenate on a private island spa.

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Easter in Maldives: COMO Cocoa Island and Maalifushi launch curated festivities

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This Easter, COMO Hotels and Resorts invites guests to celebrate the season of renewal with a week of curated island experiences at COMO Cocoa Island and COMO Maalifushi. Set across two distinctive Maldivian islands, the Easter programmes combine family traditions, culinary highlights, ocean exploration and wellness experiences in some of the Indian Ocean’s most beautiful settings.

Running from March 30 to April 5, 2026, both resorts present Easter celebrations designed to bring families and couples together through meaningful experiences inspired by nature and the ocean.

At COMO Cocoa Island, the Easter Escape programme celebrates springtime with a series of relaxed island traditions and immersive experiences. Guests can enjoy Easter-themed breakfasts, creative workshops, family egg hunts and outdoor cinema evenings beneath the stars. The week culminates with a traditional Easter Roast Dinner featuring classic trimmings and seasonal desserts, while Ocean’s Harvest Seafood Market on Good Friday showcases the freshest daily catches in a vibrant ocean-inspired feast.

The celebrations are further enriched by a special COMO Journey in partnership with Ocean Culture Life, led by renowned photographer Matt Porteous and environmental advocate Tamsin Raine. Through storytelling sessions, ocean film nights and photography workshops, the residency invites guests to deepen their connection with the marine world and explore the power of ocean conservation through art and storytelling.

Further south in the pristine Thaa Atoll, COMO Maalifushi presents A Maldivian Easter Escape, blending ocean adventures, culinary experiences and wellness. Families can join themed activities hosted by Play by COMO, including island picnics, colourful crafts and Easter egg hunts designed especially for younger guests.

Dining highlights throughout the week include special culinary events such as a Japanese Omakase dinner at Tai, while guests seeking relaxation can take part in wellness experiences at COMO Shambhala Retreat, including family spa treatments and holistic therapies.

The programme also features the Guardians of the Reef COMO Journey, led by Sharks4Kids founder and marine biologist Jillian Morris alongside Emmy Award-winning cinematographer Duncan Brake. This hands-on marine education experience introduces families to the fascinating world of sharks through guided reef explorations and conservation storytelling.

Peter Nilsson, Managing Director of COMO Cocoa Island and COMO Maalifushi, says: “Easter is a special time on our islands, when guests can slow down, reconnect with nature and spend meaningful time together. Across both resorts, we have created programmes that celebrate the ocean, creativity and family traditions—allowing guests to experience the Maldives in ways that are both joyful and enriching.”

Together, COMO Cocoa Island and COMO Maalifushi offer two distinct yet complementary ways to experience Easter in the Maldives—whether through ocean storytelling and intimate island traditions in South Malé Atoll, or through adventure, wellness and marine discovery in the untouched waters of Thaa Atoll.

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Conrad Maldives Rangali Island introduces Roarsome-themed adventure programme

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Ventive Hospitality has announced a pioneering collaboration between Conrad Maldives Rangali Island and Roarsome Outdoor Kidswear, marking what is believed to be the first partnership of its kind between a luxury resort and a purpose-driven children’s outdoor apparel brand.

The initiative brings Roarsome’s adventure-led philosophy to one of the world’s most iconic island destinations, creating immersive outdoor experiences designed to encourage children to step away from screens and reconnect with nature.

Set against the extraordinary natural backdrop of the Maldives, the collaboration will introduce Roarsome-themed adventure experiences for young guests, including interactive treasure hunts across the island, imaginative exploration trails, and nature-inspired outdoor activities designed to spark curiosity about the ocean and the environment.

Children visiting the resort will be invited to participate in Roarsome Adventure Quests, using bespoke illustrated maps and storytelling-driven challenges that guide them across the island while discovering marine life, natural habitats and sustainability initiatives. The partnership also introduces exclusive Roarsome merchandise and adventure gear available at the resort, allowing families to bring a piece of the experience home.

“Hospitality has the power to shape experiences that stay with people for life especially young minds” said Ranjit Batra. “Roarsome’s mission to get kids off screens and back into the outdoors is both timely and important. Through Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, we are bringing that mission to life in one of the most extraordinary natural environments in the world. This first-of-its-kind collaboration shows how hospitality and purpose-driven brands can come together to shape a future rooted in purpose and sustainability, where we constantly strive to create a better world for the next generation’

Roarsome creates durable outdoor adventure clothing for children aged 1–10, with 90% of its products made from recycled plastic bottles using innovative textile technologies such as REPREVE® and FENC® TopGreen®.

Recognised among the BE100 2025 list of the world’s most innovative purpose-led brands, Roarsome has embedded sustainability across every aspect of its operations, from manufacturing and materials to packaging, fulfilment and resale.

For Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, the partnership enhances its reputation as a destination where families can experience the wonders of the natural world — from vibrant coral reefs to unique island ecosystems — while inspiring young travellers to become future stewards of the planet.

For Ventive Hospitality, the initiative reflects a broader commitment to supporting brands and collaborations that combine innovation, sustainability and meaningful global impact.

As Roarsome continues its international expansion, the collaboration at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island marks a significant step in bringing its spirit of adventure to families visiting one of the world’s most remarkable destinations.Located in the South Ari Atoll, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is globally recognised for its distinctive experiences, including the iconic Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, the world’s first all-glass underwater dining venue, as well as its award-winning culinary offerings and immersive marine experiences.

The Easter takeover will further enhance the resort’s family offerings, bringing together adventure, storytelling and island discovery to create a memorable holiday experience for guests of all ages.

The Roarsome Treasure Hunt will be available to all guests on a complimentary basis from 2nd April 2026.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island and Roarsome are offering each family visiting between 31st March – 7th April 2026 a GBP 60 voucher for the Roarsome website to purchase a swimwear outfit to use at the Roarsome Runway show. They’ll also receive FREE accessories and goodies during the Roarsome Runway fashion show.

Little explorers stay and dine FREE (for up to two children under 12), with complimentary access to the Kid’s Club and family cooking classes. Includes 25% savings on return seaplane transfers, complimentary snorkelling and non-motorised watersports, a lagoon tour and a visit to Ithaa Undersea Restaurant for canapés.

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Anantara Veli unveils all-female Michelin guest chef series

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An adult-only sanctuary set amid crystalline lagoon waters, Anantara Veli Maldives Resort unveils an inspired celebration of culinary artistry with its fourth Michelin Star Guest Chef Series, featuring an exceptional all-female lineup. Set within the tranquil beauty of the Maldives, acclaimed chefs from around the world bring their distinctive perspectives and Michelin-starred mastery to the island for a series of exclusive dining experiences.

From the sun-soaked coasts of Italy to the vibrant streets of Bombay and the refined ateliers of Paris, each residency offers guests the opportunity to savour refined flavours, creative expression and the evolving voice of women in global gastronomy, thoughtfully curated in Anantara Style.

Kick-starting the series back in January was Chef Caterina Ceraudo, whose Calabrian-rooted cuisine reflects the landscapes and traditions of Southern Italy through a contemporary lens. Known for her thoughtful approach to ingredients and refined techniques, her dishes honoured the connection between land, heritage and modern Italian creativity.

Chef Gabriela Chamorro brought the vibrant spirit of Dubai’s cosmopolitan dining scene to the island last February. Her residency showcased bold flavours and contemporary flair, with standout dishes such as a Buñuelo with tuna tartare, guava jam and black garlic aioli, balancing sweetness, richness and bright coastal notes in a single elegant creation.

Looking ahead, the series continues with an inspiring lineup of female chefs from around the world, each bringing their own perspective and culinary artistry to the island.

Among them is Chef Kelly Rangama, a Michelin-starred chef and winner of Top Chef France, known for weaving her Creole heritage into refined French cuisine. Her signature Rougail Saucisse elevates the beloved Réunion Island classic of smoky sausage, tomato and aromatic spices with contemporary finesse.

Also joining the series is Michelin-starred Chef Emily Roux, of the legendary Roux family. Known for her elegant and inventive French-inspired cuisine, Chef Emily has earned the recognition through her restaurant Caractère in London and her place within one of Britain’s most iconic culinary dynasties. Her Seared John Dory with beurre blanc and seasonal vegetables showcases her refined technique and mastery of balanced, expressive flavours.

From the land of the rising sun, Chef Nao Motohashi of Restaurant JULIA brings the precision and quiet elegance of Japanese cuisine to the series. Known for her refined approach to seasonal ingredients and meticulous technique, Chef Nao creates dishes that balance purity, harmony and visual artistry. Her cooking reflects the philosophy of Japanese gastronomy, where flavour, texture and presentation come together in thoughtful simplicity, offering guests a dining experience that is both delicate and deeply expressive.

Expanding the chef list from its usual Michelin-starred lineup, visiting chefs for the rest of the year include Chef Iris Jordan Martin of Restaurant Ansils in Aragon, Spain, winner of the 2025 Michelin Guide Young Chef Award, Chef Ash Valenzuela-Heeger of Riverine Rabbit in Birmingham, UK and Chef Niyati Rao of Ekaa in Bombay, India.

“We’re excited to have an all-female lineup this year. The culinary scene is a male-dominated industry, but there are many female chefs out there whom we believe deserves the same recognition and our team of chefs would benefit tremendously from this experience,” said Culinary Director, Chef Francis Purification.

He added, “Each residency features collaborative dinners with our chefs, cooking classes and a long table dinner, hosted by a member of our family, allowing guests to engage not only with delicious food but with the stories and inspirations behind it.”

For more information on the dinner, visit www.anantara.com or email fbcoordinator.amd@anantara.com.

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