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Maldivian-Indian fusion takes centre stage at LUX* South Ari Atoll with Chef Avinash Martins

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LUX* South Ari Atoll, a beloved resort from The Lux Collective in the Maldives, is set to host a unique culinary event in partnership with renowned Indian celebrity chef Avinash Martins. This exclusive three-day event will take place from 14 to 16 November 2024, right after the Diwali celebrations.

Chef Avinash Martins, known for his innovative and sustainable approach to cuisine, will bring his culinary expertise to the resort, blending Maldivian and Indian flavours. Named one of India’s Top Chefs 2023 by Culinary Culture and awarded Sustainable Chef of the Year at the Travel+Leisure India Delicious Dining Awards, Chef Avinash is celebrated for his creative use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients. His restaurant, Cavatina by Avinash Martins, ranked #12 in Condé Nast Traveller India’s Top Restaurant Awards 2023, while C’est L’avi – Table in the Hills was recognised as Best Emerging Restaurant at the Travel+Leisure India Delicious Dining Awards 2024.

LUX* South Ari Atoll, an award-winning resort recently named Leading Food & Beverage Resort at the South Asian Travel Awards, is renowned for its diverse culinary offerings across eight restaurants. The collaboration between Chef Avinash and the resort’s culinary team promises an unforgettable gastronomic experience.

Guests can enjoy a five-course chef’s table featuring a fusion of Maldivian and Indian cuisine at Senses, the resort’s open-air Indian restaurant, on 14 and 16 November. This fine-dining experience will include Goan-inspired dishes paired with select beverages. On 15 November, Chef Avinash will lead a masterclass at Amaa’s Kitchen, offering participants the opportunity to learn from the celebrity chef and take home valuable cooking tips.

In addition to its exceptional dining experiences, LUX* South Ari Atoll offers guests the chance to relax on a 1.8 km palm-lined beach with a variety of accommodations, including Beach Pavilions and the LUX* Villa. The resort features wellness activities like yoga, pilates, and fitness training, as well as water sports such as snorkelling, kayaking, and kite surfing. Two swimming pools and the LUX* ME Spa, which combines Eastern and Western treatments, further enhance the relaxation experience.

Located within the South Ari Marine Protected Area, the resort provides opportunities to explore marine life like sea turtles, manta rays, and whale sharks through guided tours, or experience underwater adventures with VR technology. Additional amenities include a Junk Art Studio, curated library, and a range of activities for all ages. The resort’s LUX* Keen On Green concept offers vegan-friendly dining options, while destination-inspired experiences like the Maldivian Night buffet and Amaa’s Kitchen provide a taste of local culture.

This collaboration highlights the shared dedication of Chef Avinash and LUX* South Ari Atoll to delivering culinary excellence and extraordinary guest experiences.

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Villa Nautica’s festive glow: Yoga at sunrise, fireworks at midnight

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Villa Nautica will embrace the festive spirit from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, offering guests an easy island rhythm that flows from bright mornings by the water to music-filled evenings on the sand. The season begins with illuminated beaches and relaxed barbecues, gradually building through creative afternoons and live performances. Christmas Eve will feature a gala dinner, followed by Santa’s arrival on 25 December. The celebrations will culminate in a vibrant New Year’s Eve countdown with fireworks, before settling into a calm reset on New Year’s Day and concluding with Orthodox Christmas.

The programme balances practicality with a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. Mornings will bring sunrise yoga, family pool activities, and interactive cooking sessions, while evenings will feature poolside soirées, wine-paired dinners, and sunset cruises. With simple yet photogenic settings, the lagoon and sky take centre stage in shaping the mood. Guests—whether couples, friends, or families—can participate freely without losing the island’s easy pace.

For younger visitors, the festivities will centre around the kids’ club, where cookie and cupcake decorating, beach games, origami and craft sessions, storytelling, and cosy movie nights will take place. Small groups and attentive care ensure that creativity and play remain the focus, allowing parents to enjoy uninterrupted moments around the island.

A highlight of the season will be the Champagne Lucky Draw & Disco. From 1 to 31 December, each bottle of champagne purchased at resort bars or restaurants will serve as an entry to the draw. Guests are advised to keep their entry stubs for the live draw, held at 01:00 during the New Year’s celebration, where the prize will be a seven-night stay in a Water Villa for two.

Throughout the festive period, private experiences will feel as memorable as the larger celebrations. Guests may enjoy candlelit dinners on the sand, floating breakfasts, or early morning snorkelling sessions to begin the year anew. Whether seeking a lively shoreline celebration or a quiet evening stroll beneath lanterns and palms, Villa Nautica offers an atmosphere where every festive moment can glow in its own way.

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JOALI BEING launches global campaign ‘Joyful Journeys of Well-Living’

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JOALI BEING, the world’s first well-being island, has announced the launch of its new global brand campaign titled “Joyful Journeys of Well-Living.” The campaign celebrates the art of self-discovery, inviting travellers to reconnect with their inner selves through bespoke and transformative experiences.

Building upon JOALI BEING’s core philosophy of the “Joy of Weightlessness,” the campaign embodies the essence of harmony between mind, body, and spirit. It encourages guests to explore holistic pathways designed to restore balance and inspire personal growth.

Joyful Journeys of Well-Living serves as an invitation to travellers seeking meaningful change and renewal. The campaign narrates stories of individuals discovering joy through purposeful living, mindful connection, and immersive well-being experiences at JOALI BEING.

The visuals capture the island’s tranquil landscapes and nurturing spaces — from oceanfront sanctuaries to treetop villas and transformative healing sessions led by resident experts. The campaign presents JOALI BEING as more than a destination; it is a journey towards well-being, creativity, and self-transformation.

Each guest journey at JOALI BEING is founded on the resort’s Four Pillars of Well-Being — Mind, Skin, Microbiome, and Energy. Through tailored programmes, guests can embark on integrative wellness experiences encompassing sound therapy, movement and fitness, hydrotherapy, nutritional guidance, and energy-healing sessions curated by specialists.

The island features a series of advanced well-being spaces, including:

  • CORE: a movement and fitness zone
  • AREKA: a transformative treatment centre
  • KAASHI: a hydrotherapy hall
  • SEDA: a sound-healing room
  • Ocean Sala: an open-air meditation and relaxation deck

Each space is designed to nurture a profound connection with nature and the self.

The Joyful Journeys of Well-Living campaign has been conceptualised and produced by JOALI BEING’s in-house team in collaboration with creative partners and visual storytellers from across the globe. The multi-platform campaign integrates film, digital, and print media to convey JOALI BEING’s ethos — a celebration of joy, transformation, and harmony.

The visual narrative draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the Maldives, reflecting JOALI BEING’s immersive design philosophy. The imagery captures the rhythm of the ocean, the play of light, and the flow of energy that define the spirit of the island.

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Coco Bodu Hithi wins Best Waterside Hotel at Condé Nast Johansens Awards 2026

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Coco Bodu Hithi has been recognised on the global stage, winning Best Waterside Hotel (Riverside, Lakeside, Seaside) at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2026, held on 3 November 2025 in the UK. It is the second consecutive year the resort has been honoured by the publication, following last year’s win for Best Service, reaffirming its focus on heartfelt Maldivian hospitality and refined island living.

Described by Condé Nast Johansens as an “over-water, over-indulgent Maldivian island outpost,” Coco Bodu Hithi offers an intimate retreat of comfort and calm. The resort’s 32 Water Villas and 24 Coco Residences, each measuring 184 square metres and featuring private pools, provide secluded spaces set above the lagoon, where nature, design, and comfort come together to reflect the island’s romantic ambience.

Known for contemporary design infused with Maldivian heritage, the resort continues to welcome travellers seeking time by the sea, complemented by culinary collaborations with celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs. The experience balances privacy and comfort throughout a guest’s stay. With turquoise waters, quiet spaces, and experiences designed for connection and shared discovery, the resort presents a considered take on island living.

Located 35 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the island combines accessibility with seclusion—close enough for convenience, yet removed for privacy and serenity. As part of Coco Collection, the resort offers bespoke experiences, attentive service, and sustainable practices, shaping stays that feel personal and reflective of relaxed, authentic island life.

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