News
Embrace wellness in paradise: Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives hosts World Wellness Weekend
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives is set to participate in the 8th annual World Wellness Weekend from September 20th to September 22nd, 2024. This global event, celebrated across 8,000 venues in 160 countries, invites wellness enthusiasts worldwide to treat September as a new beginning for transformation and rejuvenation after the summer season.
The weekend’s program has been carefully designed to reflect the core pillars of wellness: Sleep & Creativity, Nutrition & Immunity, Movement & Vitality, Mindfulness & Serenity, and Purpose & Solidarity. Each activity is crafted to promote balance and overall well-being, providing guests with a holistic rejuvenation experience.
At The Restaurant, a special Health Haven breakfast buffet will be served each morning, featuring a selection of nutritious foods and beverages. The thoughtfully curated menu will include fresh, wholesome options aimed at boosting immunity and energising the body, setting the tone for the day’s wellness-focused activities.
The weekend will kick off with a 5K walkathon, welcoming participants of all ages to get active and enjoy the outdoors. Following the walk, a recovery zone will be set up offering wellness treatments such as M2D Blading, Massage Therapy, and an insightful session led by a speaker who will emphasise the importance of self-care. This talk aims to inspire guests to prioritise their health and nurture both body and mind.
As the first day comes to a close, guests will partake in a gratitude exercise and journaling session designed to encourage reflection on the things they are thankful for, fostering a positive mindset and a deeper sense of fulfillment.
Jonathan Dungog, a highly accomplished fitness professional and wellness advocate, will lead the sessions. With extensive certifications in Yoga, HIIT, TRX, and OCR training, Jonathan is recognised for his expertise in a wide array of disciplines. As a seasoned triathlete, ultra-marathoner, and adventure enthusiast, he brings years of personal training experience to the resort. Jonathan’s dedication to holistic health is evident through his work at Fit and Flow Gym, where he empowers individuals on their wellness journeys. At Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, he will share his knowledge and enthusiasm, encouraging guests to embrace lasting well-being and vitality.
Day 2 of World Wellness Weekend will feature an energetic Aero Boxing class, offering fitness and fun for participants of all skill levels. Fitness consultations will also be available, where attendees can receive personalised advice on exercise routines, nutrition, and setting achievable wellness goals, ensuring a sustainable approach to health and fitness.
In addition, guests can take part in a unique gardening and hydration station, where they will have the opportunity to plant and nurture their plants, fostering a connection with the environment. Refreshing drinks and energy bars will be provided to keep participants energised throughout the day. A restorative yoga session will follow, helping guests relax and unwind.
On Sunday, September 22nd, the day will begin with a Mat Pilates class, a low-impact workout focusing on core strength, flexibility, and alignment, suitable for all fitness levels and aimed at improving posture and overall body awareness.
After Pilates, a functional training session for adults will concentrate on exercises that enhance strength, balance, and flexibility. A cooking demonstration by The Restaurant’s culinary team will teach guests how to prepare delicious and healthy meals for themselves and their families.
The day will conclude with an aqua aerobics class, accompanied by energising music, designed to improve strength, balance, and flexibility. The exercises will focus on movements that enhance daily activities, ensuring practical benefits beyond the workout.
Children will also have their own fun-filled schedule at the Kuda Fiyo Kids Club, featuring activities such as Dance Yoga, Aero Kickboxing, Balloon Tennis, Aqua Zumba Marathon, Gratitude Jars, Mini Olympics, Nature Walk, Fun Run, and a Kids Beach Clean-up Day. These activities are both enjoyable and educational, fostering a love for wellness and nature in a playful environment.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives invites guests to join this extraordinary World Wellness Weekend and embrace September as a fresh start. The event offers a unique blend of relaxation, rejuvenation, and holistic health in the stunning surroundings of the Maldives.
News
Vanessa Goodman joins Pullman Maldives Maamutaa for Vibrance Week
Pullman Maldives Maamutaa has announced wellness expert Vanessa Goodman as its resident practitioner for Vibrance Week, a six-day wellness programme taking place from 21 to 26 September 2026.

Held under the theme “Relax, Restore, Revive”, the programme will introduce guests to a series of experiences centred on movement, recovery, mindfulness and personal wellbeing.
According to the resort, Vibrance Week reflects its approach to wellness as an ongoing, holistic practice rather than an experience limited to a holiday. The programme is intended to help guests reconnect, recharge and develop practices that can support balance in their personal and professional lives.

Goodman brings 14 years of practice and research into the relationship between movement, breath, emotions and the nervous system. Her approach considers movement not only as physical exercise, but also as a tool for developing strength, confidence, self-awareness and a deeper connection between physical and mental wellbeing.
During the week, Goodman will guide guests through a framework built around three areas: purposeful movement, safe physical challenge, and the balance between performance and recovery.

The resort said the programme will encourage participants to work towards physical goals while remaining mindful of their individual limits, with recovery and restoration incorporated alongside more active sessions.
“Vanessa’s philosophy aligns perfectly with this vision. For her, movement goes far beyond physical exercise — it is a strategic pathway to building inner strength, confidence, self-awareness and deeper cognitive connection,” Pullman Maldives Maamutaa said in announcing the programme.

Vibrance Week forms part of the resort’s wider focus on experiences designed around wellbeing and lifestyle, combining guided activities with its island setting in Gaafu Alifu Atoll.
The programme will run at Pullman Maldives Maamutaa from 21 to 26 September 2026.

Awards
Finolhu wins Best Design Resort in Maldives at Global Destination Awards
Finolhu, a Seaside Collection Resort, has been named Best Design Resort in the Maldives at the Global Destination Awards by World Fashion Channel, celebrating the resort’s distinctive approach to design, creativity and contemporary island living.
The award was announced at the Global Destination Awards ceremony in Moscow, an international luxury travel event bringing together leading hospitality professionals, international hotel brands, travel experts, celebrities and prominent travellers. The awards recognise outstanding destinations, hotels, resorts, restaurants and personalities shaping the global luxury travel landscape.

Located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, Finolhu is known for an aesthetic that deliberately departs from conventional interpretations of Maldivian luxury. The resort’s design, conceived by London-based design studio Muza Lab, brings together bold colours, expressive patterns, natural textures and playful details to create a contemporary interpretation of island life.

Across its 125 villas, restaurants, bars and social spaces, Finolhu’s visual identity is characterised by an eclectic mix of influences and a sense of individuality. From beachfront and overwater villas to the resort’s celebrated two-kilometre sandbank and the barefoot setting of Crab Shack, design is woven throughout the guest experience.
The recognition also reflects Finolhu’s wider identity as the Island Playground, where design is complemented by a year-round programme spanning art, gastronomy, wellness, sport and entertainment. Visiting artists and creative collaborations form an important part of this approach, allowing guests to engage with creativity through immersive experiences and encounters throughout their stay.

World Fashion Channel is an international lifestyle television network covering fashion, beauty, travel and luxury lifestyle, with an audience of more than 30 million viewers. The channel is distributed through major Russian cable and satellite operators, including MTS, Beeline and NTV-Plus, as well as across premium hotels, shopping destinations, luxury boutiques, restaurants, beauty salons and wellness clubs. It is also an official media partner of Moscow Fashion Week, Sochi Fashion Week and other major fashion and lifestyle events.
The Best Design Resort in the Maldives title adds to Finolhu’s growing portfolio of international recognition and reinforces the resort’s position as one of the Maldives’ most distinctive design-led destinations, where creativity, individuality and the natural beauty of Baa Atoll come together in an unmistakably playful island experience.
For more information and to learn more, visit finolhu.com.
News
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives welcomes Golden Week with dining, tea and island experiences
This Chinese National Day holiday, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives invites all guests to embrace the natural rhythm of island life in the serene surroundings of Raa Atoll. From 1 to 7 October 2026, the resort will celebrate the season with a thoughtfully curated programme of dining and cultural experiences, complemented by its Half Board Special and the privacy of its signature Overwater Pool Villas.
Set within a naturally lush island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the resort offers the freedom to experience the holiday entirely at one’s own pace. Days might begin with breakfast overlooking the sea, continue with time in the lagoon or a quiet afternoon beside a private pool, and end over dinner beneath tropical skies.
The setting itself has earned international recognition for its distinctive design and visual appeal. Alila Kothaifaru Maldives was named among Trip.com’s Asia 100 – Instagrammable Hotels in both 2025 and 2026, while Trip.com’s 2026 ranking of Instagrammable Hotels in the Maldives places the resort at No. 3.

Overwater Living, the Alila Way
For travellers dreaming of the quintessential Maldives experience, the resort’s Overwater Pool Villas extend above the lagoon with uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean.
The Lagoon Overwater Pool Villa, Ocean Overwater Pool Villa and Sunset Overwater Pool Villa each offer 125 square metres of contemporary indoor-outdoor living, with a private pool and the water always within sight. Whether waking to the changing colours of the lagoon or watching the sun descend from the privacy of the villa, the experience places the landscape at the centre of the stay.
For larger families and multi-generational groups, the resort also offers spacious multi-bedroom accommodation, including the Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villa and Boduge Residence, allowing extended families and friends to stay together while retaining their own sense of space.
“Golden Week is an occasion to come together, and we wanted the celebration on the island to feel both familiar and distinctly Alila. Guests can gather over steamed local reef fish with ginger and scallion, share the warmth of a hot pot evening, learn the art of dumpling making with Chef Amrit, or slow down over tea masterclasses and pairing rituals with Dilmah Tea. These experiences bring the spirit of the celebration into the rhythm of island life, while giving families and friends the freedom to enjoy their time together in their own way,” says Thomas Weber, General Manager of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives.

A Celebration Around the Table
Dining takes a central place in the celebrations, with a programme created especially for the week.
The programme begins on 1 October with a Dumpling Making Class with Chef Amrit, followed on 2 October by Flavors of the Golden Week, featuring steamed local reef fish with ginger and scallion. The weekend brings convivial Flavors of the East Hot Pot Nights, while Chinese-Flavored BBQ Skewer Night at Yakitori Bar adds another celebratory evening on 6 October. The programme culminates on 7 October with the Golden Week “Seasalt Night” Buffet Dinner.
Throughout the week, guests can also discover a series of tea experiences presented in collaboration with Dilmah Tea, including Tea Mini-Classes exploring wellness and health tips, Tea Masterclasses and Tastings, and evening Tea-Pairing Rituals — introducing a quieter ritual to the island celebrations.

Half Board, with the Freedom to Explore
Adding ease and flexibility to the stay, the resort’s Half Board Special brings breakfast and dinner into the rhythm of each day while leaving guests free to explore Alila Kothaifaru Maldives’ wider culinary landscape.
The plan includes daily breakfast at Seasalt and dinner at Seasalt, Pibati, Yakitori Bar or Umami, served as a three-course à la carte menu, excluding Teppanyaki. Guests wishing to dine at another venue receive a USD 75 food credit, applicable at participating experiences including Teppanyaki, The Shack and Dining Experiences, subject to availability. Premium and signature items may carry an additional charge.
This flexibility means no two evenings need feel the same: dinner might unfold over Japanese flavours at Umami, around the table at Seasalt, or somewhere entirely more secluded at The Shack, the resort’s private sand cay.
The Half Board Special is complemented by a collection of Alila Hospitalities, including welcome amenities, Spa Alila wellness activities, complimentary use of snorkelling equipment, daily poolside refreshments and access to Play Alila, the 24-hour Fitness Centre and Library. In-room reusable water bottles, Alila Living bath amenities, Villa Host service and resort-wide Wi-Fi are also included.

Island Days, Made Personal
Beyond the celebrations, the island invites guests to find their own rhythm. Snorkelling and diving reveal the marine environment of Raa Atoll, while Play Alila, outdoor games and padel tennis offer easy ways for families to spend time together.
For something slower, Spa Alila and island wellness experiences create space to reset, while Alila Moments connect guests more closely with Maldivian culture, nature and local traditions.
The programme has deliberately been designed with room for spontaneity. Complimentary experiences are woven between the culinary events, including dumpling making and scheduled tea activities, allowing guests to participate as much — or as little — as they wish. Selected activities require advance reservations, while dine-around credit is applicable to certain dining experiences.

An Island Celebration, Shaped Around You
From overwater mornings and private-pool afternoons to dumpling making, tea rituals and dinners overlooking the Indian Ocean, the week celebrates a simple luxury: time together, with the freedom to choose how it is spent.

For more information or to plan a Golden Week escape, visit www.alilakothaifarumaldives.com.
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