Celebration
Kuda Villingili Resort offers an unforgettable ‘East Meets West’ holiday experience
Kuda Villingili Resort, nestled in the pristine beauty of the Maldives, has announced its highly anticipated Festive 2024-2025 celebrations, themed “East Meets West.” This year’s festivities promise a harmonious blend of cultural refinement and exhilarating adventures, offering guests a truly immersive and unforgettable holiday experience.
Running from December 23, 2024, to January 7, 2025, the “East Meets West” celebrations will showcase the best of both worlds, combining the elegance of Eastern traditions with the vibrancy of Western culture. With a lineup of exciting events, the resort aims to create a unique experience for guests of all ages.
The celebrations will commence on December 23 with an enchanting tree-lighting ceremony. Guests are invited to gather for festive carols, marvel at a stunning island-style Christmas tree, and stroll along lantern-lit pathways to kick off the holiday season.
On Christmas Eve, the vibrant atmosphere at Kuda Villingili will take centre stage at Raalhu Bar with a lively cocktail party featuring festive beats from the resident DJ. This will be followed by a magnificent Christmas Eve Gala Dinner at The Restaurant Beach, where a live band will enhance the festive ambiance. December 25 will bring festive cheers, gifts, and the much-anticipated arrival of Santa Claus, ensuring a magical holiday experience for both children and adults.
The festive celebrations at Kuda Villingili Resort will continue to offer a diverse array of experiences that cater to every taste and preference. Guests can look forward to a magical Cinema Night under the stars, an Arabian Shisha Night, library wine dinners, karaoke nights, and more, providing a variety of engaging activities for all.
New Year’s Eve celebrations on December 31 will begin with a cocktail reception and a live band performance, setting the mood for an exciting evening. The highlight of the night will be the special East Meets West Gala Dinner, where guests will enjoy a spectacular fusion of Eastern and Western culinary delights, complemented by live entertainment featuring musicians and special performers. The evening will culminate in an unforgettable New Year Countdown and fireworks, as guests toast to 2025 with bubbles and new resolutions.
For young guests, the Kuda Fiyo Kids Club has curated a series of entertaining, educational, and memorable activities. From splashing pool parties and enriching nature walks to cultural immersion experiences and sunny beach days, children will have ample opportunities to make new friends and create unforgettable holiday memories.
Adventure-seekers can look forward to the resort’s extensive range of ocean activities. Whether seeking an adrenaline rush or a serene escape, guests can tailor their ocean adventures, from big game fishing and competitive water games to scuba diving for both adults and children. MSTS Watersports and Diving will lead these thrilling experiences, ensuring every guest finds their perfect balance of excitement and relaxation.
For those seeking fitness and wellness, Kuda Villingili offers a diverse range of sports and wellness activities. Guests can stay active with mat Pilates, aeroboxing, and aqua yoga, or unwind with meditative yoga and reflective painting sessions designed to nourish both the body and soul.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives invites guests to partake in an unforgettable festive holiday experience, where the stunning beauty of the Maldives harmonises with two culturally rich and distinctive realms: the refined elegance and mystique of the East alongside the rugged, adventurous spirit of the West. Guests can bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one with optimism and joy at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives.
Celebration
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives unveils Maldives Summer Escape for Eid al Adha
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives has introduced its Maldives Summer Escape offer as part of its positioning for Eid al Adha travel, combining accommodation benefits with seasonal dining and guest experiences for families, couples and small groups.
Available for stays through to 31 October 2026, the offer is designed to support longer stays and multigenerational travel, with a focus on dining flexibility and island-based experiences within a private resort setting.
To mark the Eid period, the resort will present a series of guest experiences linked to the occasion. On 27 May, guests will be offered an Eid breakfast at Seasalt Restaurant, featuring live Arabic cooking stations prepared by Egyptian chefs, alongside dishes such as foul medames, manakish and shakshuka.
An Eid-themed dinner buffet will also be held the same evening, with regional dishes and live cooking stations forming part of the dining programme. On other days, guests will also have the option of visiting a nearby local island to observe traditional Eid celebrations in a Maldivian community setting.
From 27 to 29 May, Mirus Bar will host a series of evening activations including a shisha lounge and DJ sets. The resort said the programme is intended to create a social setting suited to both couples and groups.
The Maldives Summer Escape offer includes daily breakfast and three-course à la carte dinners at selected venues, along with a USD 75 dining credit that can be used for alternative experiences such as Teppanyaki, The Shack or private dining.
Additional benefits include 15 per cent off treatments at Spa Alila, 20 per cent off food and beverage purchases, and 20 per cent off return seaplane transfers.
The resort said the offer is particularly suited to families and groups, with villa accommodation designed to provide both shared living space and privacy, while also appealing to couples through its more understated approach to island stays.
Thomas Weber, General Manager of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, said the resort had designed the offer around the significance of Eid and the expectations of guests travelling during the period.
“Eid is a deeply meaningful time, centred on togetherness, reflection, and shared moments,” he said. “For those choosing to celebrate away from home, we’ve curated an experience that feels both intimate and considered — where thoughtful dining, unhurried surroundings, and the natural beauty of the island come together to create something truly memorable.”
Through the combination of seasonal programming, dining inclusions and additional guest benefits, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is presenting the Maldives Summer Escape as an option for Eid travel in the Maldives.
Celebration
Centara Maldives resorts to mark Songkran with Thai-inspired celebrations
Centara Hotels & Resorts Maldives has invited guests to celebrate Songkran this April across its resorts in the Maldives, marking the Thai New Year through a series of experiences inspired by the brand’s Thai heritage.
The hotel group said the celebrations would reflect Thai culture and hospitality while adapting traditional Songkran elements to island settings in the Maldives. Across its resorts, the festival is being presented through activities centred on renewal, togetherness and shared experiences.
At Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, located within The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, the celebration is set to take place in a family-focused setting. The resort said guests could take part in water activities, beach games and poolside gatherings, followed by a Songkran carnival by the sea. Evening dining experiences will feature Thai flavours in a setting designed for families and groups.
At Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, part of The Centara Collection, the programme will include a beachfront parade and traditional Thai games. The resort said evening events would continue with a Thai-inspired dining experience, cultural performances and entertainment. Activities for younger guests will also be included as part of the celebrations.
Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, which caters to adults, is also marking Songkran with its own programme. The resort said guests could expect beachside activities, evening dining experiences and entertainment shaped around the festival’s themes of joy and togetherness.
Centara Hotels & Resorts Maldives said the Songkran celebrations across its properties are intended to give guests an opportunity to experience Thai-inspired traditions in the Maldives while creating shared holiday experiences during the festival period.
Celebration
Sun Siyam Olhuveli kicks off festive season with Charith N. Silva Cake Mixing
Sun Siyam Olhuveli has ushered in the holiday season with a new twist on its much-loved annual Festive Cake Mixing event, held on 23 November. This year, the celebration was led by acclaimed Sri Lankan chef and viral social media personality Charith N. Silva, the creative force behind @wildcookbook and one of South Asia’s most influential culinary storytellers.
Charith, a sensation across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram with an audience of several million, is widely recognised for his bold fire-cooking techniques, visually striking outdoor food rituals, and distinctive, high-energy narrative style. He recently secured a coveted place on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2025 list in the Arts (Art & Style, Food & Drink) category, underscoring his growing influence on contemporary food culture in the region. He is one of a new wave of young chefs blending local flavours with global inspiration and is the owner of the restaurant “Wildish” in Colombo.
Bringing his creative flair to Sun Siyam Olhuveli, Charith said, “Bringing my energy to Sun Siyam Olhuveli was surreal; the people, the Maldivian spirit, the flavour play, everything clicked into one unforgettable festive moment.”
This year’s cake mixing unfolded like an island celebration, complete with lively music, bursts of aromatic spices, and an energetic atmosphere. Resort teams and guests layered fruits, nuts, and spirits in a spirited display, with Charith driving the momentum through his trademark spontaneity. The result was a vibrant, social, and playful reimagining of a classic festive tradition.
Festivities continued on 24 November with an exclusive live cooking demonstration by Charith, giving guests the chance to experience his signature “wild” cooking style firsthand against the lagoon backdrop of the resort.
“This celebration reflects the new creative pulse of Sun Siyam Olhuveli. Charith brought an energy that aligns perfectly with our evolving lifestyle identity, making this year’s cake mixing one of our most memorable yet,” said Hassan Adil, General Manager at Sun Siyam Olhuveli.
With the festive season now in full swing, Sun Siyam Olhuveli invites guests to join MYSTIVAL 2025–2026, the resort’s year-end celebration taking place from 21 December 2025 to 8 January 2026, featuring hypnotic beats, immersive dining, playful rituals, and a series of kaleidoscopic island experiences designed to inspire connection and celebration.
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