Celebration
Gourmet delights and magical moments: One&Only Reethi Rah’s festive holiday lineup
The iconic One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives invites guests to experience a Magical Season of Wonder on the renowned island of Reethi Rah. The resort has curated a variety of exciting Christmas and New Year’s events, including the arrival of Santa Claus, a lavish Christmas Day Brunch, and an exquisite New Year’s gala night, all designed to complement family traditions.
This year’s celebrations are themed around the beautiful festive illuminations that reflect in the calm lagoon waters of the island. For those seeking to celebrate the holidays in a warm, tropical location, the resort offers a sensory feast, featuring gourmet culinary pop-ups, immersive spa rituals, and magical sunset performances.
The Festive Season begins on 20 December with a pool-side Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, transforming the Rah Bar into a magical setting for the season. As the Christmas tree is illuminated, guests are invited to enjoy cocktails, canapés, and traditional carols, setting the stage for a radiant lineup of events running until 14 January 2025. On Christmas Eve, guests can indulge in a sumptuous feast at the lavish Gala Buffet Dinner at Reethi Restaurant.
For younger guests, Santa Claus will make a festive surprise visit on Christmas Day, greeting families with a magical meet-and-greet on the beach. On 26 December, Santa’s Arts and Crafts Workshop at the Art Studio will entertain children, while teens can enjoy football matches on 27 December and 4 January.
As 2024 comes to a close, One&Only Reethi Rah invites guests to participate in their spectacular New Year’s Eve events. Held on the shores of Sunrise Beach, the evening begins with a New Year’s Cocktail Party, followed by a grand Gala Dinner featuring award-winning entertainment by international bands, an epicurean feast paired with the finest Champagnes and world-class wines, and a stunning fireworks display to welcome 2024.
For guests following the Orthodox calendar, the resort offers special celebrations, including an Orthodox Christmas Eve Cocktail Party and Gala Dinner at Sunrise Beach, a joyous Brunch the following day, and an Orthodox New Year’s Dinner on 14 January to conclude the magical season.
A highlight of the season is a series of culinary pop-ups by Italo-Argentinian Chef Mauro Colagreco, chef patron of the three-star Michelin restaurant Mirazur in Menton, Côte D’Azur. From 21 to 28 December, Chef Colagreco will present culinary creations inspired by the festive season and crafted with ingredients sourced from Reethi Rah’s tropical gardens. His dishes are prepared according to the phases of the moon, following the principles of biodynamic agriculture, which allows him to make the most of the resort’s vegetable gardens and locally sourced fish, shellfish, and meat. While showcasing technical finesse, Chef Colagreco’s dishes remain approachable, emphasising harmonious flavours.
Chef Mauro Colagreco explains: “Promoting meaningful gastronomy in the heart of our land is the challenge we try to take up every day. You will therefore be able to savour the essence of the produce we grow in our two hectares of permaculture vegetable gardens, but also the fruits of wild picking, fishing, and local breeding. We also aim for zero waste, which allows us to return to the land what we have borrowed from it.”
Celebration
Celebrate prosperity and joy: Angsana Velavaru’s Lunar New Year extravaganza
As the Lunar New Year approaches, Angsana Velavaru invites guests to celebrate the Year of the Snake with a curated two-day experience blending tradition, adventure, and festive spirit. On January 28-29, the resort will host a series of unique activities and exclusive culinary offerings to honour the season’s spirit while immersing visitors in its vibrant atmosphere.
On the eve of the Lunar New Year, attendees can participate in a hands-on Dumpling Workshop at Kaani Restaurant. This activity is followed by the ‘Flavours of Asia and Chinese Feast Buffet’, featuring a variety of regional delicacies thoughtfully prepared for the occasion. The evening culminates with the Chunwan New Year’s Eve Gala, an event filled with captivating entertainment that ushers in the new year with unforgettable flair.
For those seeking excitement, the resort provides a range of diving and snorkelling activities suitable for both experts and beginners. Visitors can explore the vibrant house reef through the Citizen Science Snorkelling experience, an initiative that allows participants to contribute to ocean conservation, making their holiday both memorable and meaningful. As night falls, the resort hosts a Caribbean-themed DJ party, where the lively rhythms of the islands set the tone for an energetic evening. A variety of cocktail stations with eclectic drink options further enhances the celebratory atmosphere.
Families are also well catered for, with activities such as friendly Beach Volleyball matches, invigorating Water Aerobics sessions, and a heartwarming Love Bird Feeding experience, ensuring fun-filled moments for guests of all ages.
The first day of the New Year features a Kite Flying Festival—a joyous celebration of the winds, skies, and the endless possibilities of the year ahead. Guests can also embark on a Dolphin Cruise, where serene Maldivian waters meet playful pods of dolphins. For those interested in mixology, the Mojito Mixology Bar at Kuredhi Pool Bar offers an interactive and refreshing take on the classic cocktail. The festivities conclude with a Lunar New Year Banquet at Funa, providing a grand setting for visitors to enjoy a delectable array of dishes, symbolizing prosperity and joy for the year to come.
Angsana Velavaru presents an idyllic setting for an unforgettable Lunar New Year celebration—a serene island retreat where adventure, culture, and tradition converge to create exceptional memories.
Celebration
From Atlantis to new beginnings: Mercure Maldives Kooddoo’s spectacular festive program
Mercure Maldives Kooddoo has announced an enchanting Christmas season program themed ‘Atlantis and the Underwater World.’ Running from December 22, 2024, to January 7, 2025, the resort will transform into the mythical city of Atlantis, offering guests a magical underwater adventure.
The island resort will feature a variety of festive delights, including bountiful breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets designed to bring holiday cheer to visitors’ Maldivian getaway. Guests will experience stunning underwater-themed decor and a mesmerising ambiance that perfectly complements the island’s natural beauty.
The resort’s culinary team has curated a series of special dining experiences throughout the season, highlighting both local Maldivian flavours and international delicacies.
The festivities begin on December 22nd with a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Pool Bar Deck, accompanied by a special dinner buffet and live holiday music. On December 25th, an opulent Christmas Eve Gala Dinner will be held at the Alita Deck, featuring live Christmas carols, a visit from Santa Claus, and an opportunity to dance the night away to live music while indulging in a sumptuous feast.
The New Year will be welcomed with an electrifying glow-in-the-dark party featuring a live DJ, delectable appetisers, and signature cocktails. On New Year’s Day, celebrations continue with a Bubbly Brunch at Alita, a vibrant pool party at the Main Pool with live DJ music, and a Mediterranean dinner buffet in the Alita restaurant. Guests can enjoy a variety of dishes, from savoury mezze platters to succulent grilled seafood, crafted with the freshest ingredients.
As the new year begins, the resort has planned a range of recreational activities, including Aqua fitness sessions, sunset gatherings, and Pilates classes. Relaxation seekers can participate in sound healing and meditation sessions or take advantage of significant discounts on rejuvenating treatments at the Suvadiva Spa.
Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort aims to create magical moments and cherished memories for all its guests. This festive season offers a unique blend of the enchantment of Atlantis and the natural beauty of the Maldives, where every day is a celebration of joy, wonder, and togetherness.
Celebration
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives welcomes Santa on scooters for festive island Christmas
The festive spirit came alive at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives, where all four resorts—Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, and Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon—lit up with joyous Christmas celebrations. Guests were immersed in the magic of the season, with each resort adding its own unique flair to the timeless tradition of tree lighting ceremonies against the breathtaking backdrop of the Indian Ocean.
A highlight of the celebrations was Santa Claus’s unconventional arrival—not by sleigh, but on a scooter! Led by a cheerful parade of team members riding decorated scooters, Santa’s island-style entrance was met with applause and laughter. The vibrant procession, complete with festive ribbons, twinkling lights, and plenty of holiday cheer, brought smiles to guests of all ages as Santa waved his way into the celebrations.
At each resort, the ceremonial lighting of the Christmas tree brought families, couples, and friends together in a moment of enchantment. The joyful sounds of carollers filled the evening air, adding a harmonious touch to the festivities. Guests were treated to a selection of seasonal goodies, including freshly baked cookies and other festive delights. Children revelled in Santa’s arrival, receiving special treats while families captured precious memories against the twinkling backdrop of the decorated trees.
With more celebrations planned over Christmas and the New Year, guests can look forward to a holiday filled with memorable moments at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives.
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