News
Story of Maldivian elegance: Festive season to remember at Milaidhoo Maldives
Discover an elegant season of magic at Milaidhoo Maldives, inspired by the rituals, traditions and festive feasts of Christmas and New Year. The end of year season provides a cherished pocket of time where stories are shared, friendships are made and families are united.
Guests will enjoy a festive season full of Milaidhoo Moments that live forever. From 22 December and through the New Year, the resort has put together a festive programme that will delight every visitor.
The Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on 22 December marks the start of the resort’s festive celebrations. Guests are invited to join in this memorable occasion filled with twinkling lights, festive cheer and Christmas Carols.
Christmas Eve festivities on 24 December, begin with a celebratory cocktail reception at Compass Beach, followed by an elegant dinner with all the trimmings at Ocean Restaurant complete with live music. On Christmas Day, the morning begins with an indulgent champagne breakfast at Ocean Restaurant, while Santa’s arrival heralds the magic of the festive season.
Guests will experience the magic of New Year’s Eve under the stars with a beachside cocktail reception and lavish gala dinner featuring a live band and midnight fireworks at Ocean Restaurant. On New Year’s Day, a late brunch loaded with exquisite dishes will be available for a new beginning.
All the festive season feasts, created by the resort’s talented team of chefs led by Executive Chef Ken Gundu, are a regale of family, community and connection and are infused with modern twists on festive traditions. The culinary team has planned daily celebratory meals including wine pairing dinners, beach and sandbank barbeques, themed fiestas, and seafood and champagne dinners.
Couples and families can engage in a MasterChef Challenge, enjoy wine tastings from old and new worlds, join cocktail making classes and explore the unique flavours of Maldivian cuisine with a hands-on traditional cooking class, inspired by the spice route. Guests can also catch fish the traditional Maldivian way and enjoy their fresh catch at dinnertime served with the recommendation of the chef.
Milaidhoo is deeply rooted in its rich heritage and the festive season is opportune to immerse our guests in a variety of activities that highlight the local culture. From indulging in traditional afternoon tea to learning the rhythms of local music and listening to enchanting myths and legends, each experience is designed to connect guests with the soul of the Maldives. The island curates meaningful, culturally rich experiences, ensuring that guests leave not only rejuvenated but enriched by authentic connections to the local traditions.
Free from the hustle and bustle of their lives, guests are encouraged to spend time with loved ones over the holiday season. Milaidhoo’s Festive Programme embraces slow living which translates into a serene getaway, where time appears to stand still, allowing guests to truly savour the tranquillity of the present moment.
Mindful experiences include Detox Yoga; purifies the mind and body through mindful movements, breathwork, and relaxation techniques. Walking Meditation: a mindful practice that blends movement and awareness to cultivate inner peace. Candle Mediation; trataka practice boosts concentration and memory. Chakra Awakening: focused Root Chakra sessions enhance mental clarity. Pranayama Session: guided breathwork enhances vitality and well-being.
The rising sun symbolises new beginnings and, in this spirit of renewal, the resort has planned several experiences that begin at dawn. Guests can join the Milaidhoo Family for an invigorating sunrise jog, enjoy the tranquil waters with a guided kayak tour and set sail on a sunrise champagne cruise. Experienced yogis and beginners can enjoy Hatha yoga sessions combined with meditation which take place at first light to awaken energy and mental clarity. Early morning snorkelling excursions reveal the magical house reef, and for a special treat, guests can indulge in a sunrise breakfast on a sandbank.
Guests are encouraged to write their own stories forged through moments of discovery. There are numerous opportunities this festive season for guests to create personal memories that connect deeply with the marine environment. Ranging from first-time scuba dives, deep sea fishing adventures, bioluminescence night snorkelling excursions and swimming with turtles. Families can also plant a Christmas tree in our underwater coral garden and contribute to the thriving growth of marine life.
This festive season, guests are assured of a Maldivian elegant story at Milaidhoo.
Drink
Kuredhivaru Resort and Spa secures three Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence
Kuredhivaru Resort and Spa has been recognised by Wine Spectator with the 2026 Award of Excellence for all three of its dining venues: Oak Lounge Wine Cellar, Bodumas and Latitude 5.5.
The Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards recognise restaurants whose wine lists offer quality selections that complement their cuisine while meeting high standards for accuracy and presentation.The Award of Excellence is presented to restaurants whose wine lists feature at least 75 selections and provide guests with a well-balanced choice of producers, styles and price points.
Under the direction of Head Sommelier Sasho Petereski, the resort’s wine programme spans approximately more than 300 labels across the three restaurants. Each wine list has been carefully developed to complement the individual dining concept of each venue, while all wines are maintained in temperature-controlled storage to preserve their quality and character. The selections range from well-known international producers to rare vintages, offering choices for both casual wine enthusiasts and experienced collectors.
Each restaurant presents a distinct dining experience. Latitude 5.5 pairs Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with an extensive wine selection, Bodumas specialises in Japanese-inspired cuisine complemented by wines from renowned wine regions, while Oak Lounge WineCellar focuses on curated wine experiences, including wine pairing dinners.
Receiving the Award of Excellence for all three restaurants highlights the resort’s commitment to maintaining internationally recognised standards in wine selection, storage and food pairing, while providing guests with wine lists that complement the unique character of each dining venue.
News
NOOE Maldives Kunaavashi unveils new under-the-stars wellness ritual
Th.ari Spa at NOOE Maldives Kunaavashi has introduced Th.ari Under the Night Sky, a new signature outdoor wellness experience designed for couples seeking relaxation, connection, and memorable moments beneath the Maldivian stars.
Inspired by the serenity of the Maldives after sunset, the 90-minute experience invites guests to immerse themselves in a unique wellness journey surrounded by the sights and sounds of the island evening. Set on an open-air spa deck, the ritual combines soothing massage techniques, warm locally sourced Maldivian coconut oil, and the calming resonance of singing bowls to create an unforgettable experience of relaxation and wellbeing.
Set on an open-air spa deck, the ritual allows couples to relax beneath the stars while enjoying a thoughtfully curated wellness experience designed to calm the mind, ease physical tension, and encourage a deeper sense of wellbeing. As the day gives way to evening, the Maldives transforms into a peaceful sanctuary where gentle ocean breezes, starlit skies, and the calming rhythm of island life create the perfect setting for relaxation.
Th.ari Under the Night Sky was created to embrace this natural beauty, offering guests an opportunity to experience wellness in harmony with their surroundings. The experience begins with a welcoming foot ritual before continuing with a restorative full-body massage using nourishing Maldivian coconut oil. The journey concludes with the soothing vibrations of singing bowls, encouraging a deeper sense of calm, balance, and renewal.
By bringing wellness outdoors, the experience allows guests to fully connect with the atmosphere that makes the Maldives one of the world’s most sought-after destinations.
Modern luxury travellers are increasingly seeking meaningful experiences that create lasting memories alongside traditional resort offerings. Th.ari Under the Night Sky responds to this desire by offering couples a shared wellness journey designed to foster relaxation, presence, and connection.
Ideal for honeymooners, anniversary celebrations, romantic getaways, or simply quality time together, the experience encourages guests to slow down and appreciate the moment while enjoying the beauty of the Maldives after dark.
Combining wellness with the intimacy of a private outdoor setting, the ritual offers a memorable way for couples to celebrate special occasions or enhance their island escape.
Available exclusively at Th.ari Spa, Th.ari Under the Night Sky adds a distinctive dimension to the wellness and romance offering at NOOE Maldives Kunaavashi. Created specifically for the resort, the experience reflects the destination’s commitment to delivering memorable guest experiences inspired by the natural beauty and tranquillity of the Maldives.
More than a spa treatment, the experience has been thoughtfully designed to combine wellness, romance, and a strong sense of place. Whether celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, or romantic getaway, couples are invited to reconnect beneath the stars while enjoying a unique wellness journey inspired by the island’s enchanting evening atmosphere.
For travel partners and luxury travel advisors, Th.ari Under the Night Sky offers an additional point of differentiation for couples seeking meaningful, destination-inspired experiences during their stay. The experience is available exclusively at Th.ari Spa by Mandara Spa at NOOE Maldives Kunaavashi.
Awards
.Here Baa Atoll earns four AHEAD Asia 2026 finalist nominations
.Here Baa Atoll, the ultra-luxury private island retreat from Seaside Collection, has been named as a finalist at the AHEAD Asia 2026 Awards, earning recognition across four distinguished categories: Resort, Restaurant, Spa & Wellness and Suite.
The achievement places .Here Baa Atoll among Asia’s most exceptional hospitality design destinations and celebrates a project where architecture, interiors, landscape, and guest experience have been conceived as a singular, harmonious vision.
Nestled within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, .Here Baa Atoll presents a bold new interpretation of luxury in the Maldives. Comprising just nine extraordinary residences across two private natural islands, Somewhere and Nowhere. The retreat is defined by its commitment to privacy, spatial generosity, and an immersive connection with nature. Eschewing scale in favour of exclusivity, the resort offers an experience where tranquillity, design, and the natural environment exist in perfect balance.
At the heart of the project is a remarkable collaboration between internationally acclaimed architecture practice KulörGroup, London-based interior design studio Muza Lab and landscape architects Topo Design Studio. Together, they have created a destination that reimagines contemporary island living through thoughtful design and a profound sense of place.
KulörGroup’s architectural vision embraces the natural contours of the islands, positioning each residence to capture both sunrise and sunset while maximising uninterrupted views across the Indian Ocean. Designed with a strong commitment to environmental sensitivity, the architecture incorporates passive cooling strategies, responsibly sourced materials and a seamless integration between indoor and outdoor living. Expansive private residences, each complete with generous living spaces and infinity pools, are carefully situated to preserve the islands’ pristine beauty while offering unparalleled comfort and seclusion.
Inside, Muza Lab has crafted a sophisticated design narrative inspired by the Maldives’ rich maritime heritage. Through bespoke furnishings, artisanal craftsmanship, and a refined palette of natural textures, the interiors evoke the spirit of traditional dhonis, celestial navigation, and the ever-changing hues of the ocean. The result is an atmosphere that feels both contemporary and deeply connected to its surroundings.
Completing the vision, Topo Design Studio has seamlessly integrated landscape and architecture, preserving native vegetation while creating immersive outdoor environments that encourage meaningful engagement with the natural world. Every pathway, garden, and communal space has been carefully curated to strengthen the relationship between land, sea, and sky.
The AHEAD Asia 2026 finalist recognition reflects not only the excellence of the individual design elements, but also the strength of the collective vision that defines .Here Baa Atoll. From its expansive residential suites and transformative wellness offerings to SAFAR, the resort’s signature culinary destination, every aspect of the retreat has been thoughtfully designed to deliver a new benchmark in contemporary luxury hospitality.
As the newest addition to the Seaside Collection portfolio, .Here Baa Atoll represents a significant milestone in the evolution of ultra-luxury travel in the Maldives. This recognition celebrates the extraordinary collaboration between Seaside Collection and its creative partners, affirming a destination that continues to redefine luxury through exceptional design, immersive experiences, and a deep connection to place.
To learn more about .Here Baa Atoll, visit www.here-maldives.com.
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