News
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives unveils enhancements, milestones of achievement in third successful year
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.
Culture
Sirru Fen Fushi celebrates Eid with focus on heritage and guest experiences
Eid at Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort unfolded this year as a heartfelt celebration of connection, reflection, and Maldivian heritage, bringing guests together through two days of meaningful experiences designed to honour the spirit of the holiday.
From the first morning of Eid, families gathered over generous breakfast spreads and continued to reconnect throughout the day with celebratory dining offerings that wove together shared traditions and island flavours. As evening arrived, the resort invited guests to slow down under the open sky–stargazing by the shoreline, floating sound- healing sessions by the lagoon, and gentle sunrise and sunset yoga created quiet spaces for gratitude and presence.
The festivities continued across the island with immersive activities for all ages. Guests joined friendly football matches and a junior football camp, explored new skills in hands-on cooking classes, centred mind and body through Muay Thai practice, and took part in light-hearted competitions such as kayaking and archery. Beyond the resort, those eager to discover local life ventured on guided island visits, while evenings resonated with Maldivian folklore storytelling and the rhythm of the traditional Boduberu performance, bringing the cultural heartbeat of Eid to life.
Honouring Maldivian Heritage
A highlight of this year’s celebrations was the Eid cultural showcase at Raha Market on the 20th of March. The space was transformed into a traditional Fange, a handcrafted palm-thatched hut, where guests could explore skills and tools that once formed the backbone of daily life across the Maldives.

Artisans demonstrated Hanu lathe, how it is used in the sharpening of the Kathivalhi chopping blade, and the versatile Furoa axe, offering insight into craftsmanship passed down through generations. Guests observed the intricate Roanu Veshun technique of coir rope braiding and the delicate Fangi Vinun craft of weaving coconut fronds into kajan roofing, a once-essential, fully renewable building material.
The experience continued with traditional hand-milling of grains–wheat, finger millet, and rice, recalling a time before modern conveniences. The hut glowed with the warm flicker of Faanoozu oil lamps, a reminder of the simplicity of island life before the arrival of electricity.
No Maldivian celebration is complete without hedhika, and guests enjoyed freshly prepared favourites such as gulha, bajiya, masroshi, and keemiya, each carrying the flavours of home kitchens and long-held family recipes.
A Night to Remember
Children brought joyful energy to the festivities with a special Eid parade, filling the island with colour and excitement. As the evening closed, guests gathered along the shoreline to watch the Eid moon rise over the ocean–a quiet, luminous moment that captured the essence of the celebration: gratitude, unity and the timeless beauty of island life.
This year’s Eid at Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort was more than an event, it was a shared experience woven from culture, community, and the simple joy of being together. The resort looks forward to welcoming guests again next year to continue this cherished tradition.
For further information and reservations, please visit https://sirrufenfushi.com/ or contact reservations@sirrufenfushi.com.
Culture
Sun Siyam Olhuveli celebrates Eid with beach fiesta and cultural performances
Sun Siyam Olhuveli marked the joyous occasion of Eid Al Fitr on 20th March 2026 with a spirited celebration that brought team members together in a lively showcase of unity, culture, and camaraderie. Set against the backdrop of the resort’s sun-drenched shores, the Eid Beach Fiesta transformed the Water Sports Beach into a lively hub of laughter, friendly competition, and shared moments, reinforcing the strong sense of community that defines the resort.
The celebration featured a series of engaging activities including classic beach games such as the wheelbarrow race, three-legged race, water bucket challenge, and the playful “Kukudu Koo” catch-the-chicken challenge, as highlighted in the event programme. These light-hearted competitions encouraged collaboration across departments, breaking routines and fostering meaningful connections beyond the workplace.

Eid in the Maldives is a time of togetherness and celebration, marked by communal prayers, festive meals, and gatherings with family and friends. Inspired by these traditions, Sun Siyam Olhuveli embraced the spirit of Eid through shared joy, cultural moments, and meaningful connections.

As part of the evening festivities, key team members took to the stage at the Lagoon to perform traditional Boduberu, offering guests an authentic cultural experience and marking the celebration with rhythm, energy, and island spirit.

“At Sun Siyam Olhuveli, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Celebrations like Eid Al Fitr are not only about honoring tradition but also about nurturing the connections that make our workplace feel like a community,” said Ahmed Shazeen, Director of Human Resource at Sun Siyam Olhuveli. “It is these shared experiences that elevate team spirit and create a positive environment where everyone thrives.”

As part of the Lifestyle Collection under the House of Siyam, Sun Siyam Olhuveli continues to champion a culture where meaningful experiences extend beyond guests to include its dedicated team members. The Eid celebration stands as a reflection of this ethos, where culture, connection, and a touch of playful energy come together seamlessly on island time.

To discover more upcoming events and experiences at Sun Siyam Olhuveli, please visit the resort’s website.
Culture
Fushifaru Maldives showcases Maldivian culture through Eid celebrations
Fushifaru Maldives marked Eid al-Fitr with a series of cultural experiences aimed at showcasing Maldivian heritage and community values, as part of its “Moments of Kindness” initiative.
The resort organised activities designed to reconnect guests with traditional island life, placing a focus on cultural authenticity and community engagement. According to the resort, the initiative sought to revive elements of Maldivian traditions and present them in an interactive format for both international visitors and the local community.

A key highlight of the celebrations was a dedicated Maldivian Night, which featured a live demonstration of Malayfaiy, a traditional communal cooking practice. The experience was complemented by shisha offerings and cooking demonstrations, providing guests with insight into historical culinary techniques and social customs in the Maldives.

The evening also included a Maldivian buffet showcasing a range of local dishes, giving guests the opportunity to experience traditional flavours in a curated setting.

Fushifaru Maldives stated that the programme aimed to create meaningful connections through shared cultural experiences, while preserving and promoting local traditions within a resort environment.

The Eid celebrations form part of the resort’s broader efforts to incorporate elements of Maldivian identity into guest experiences, aligning with growing industry emphasis on cultural sustainability and community-oriented tourism.
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