Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, the original Banyan Tree resort in the Maldives and a pioneer in holistic wellbeing, has announced an exclusive visiting practitioner residency with Consuelo Saroyan, Founder of Marea Wellness, arriving in January 25 until February 21 2027. Bringing 18 years of international experience in luxury wellness, Consuelo will introduce a distinctive collection of therapeutic experiences, mindful practices and ancient healing rituals, inviting travellers to embark on a journey of self-discovery and inner balance.

Since opening the Maldives’ first resort spa in 1995, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru has embraced wellbeing as an integral part of its philosophy. This upcoming residency continues that heritage, bringing together traditional healing wisdom and contemporary therapeutic practices in an intimate island setting surrounded by the Indian Ocean.

A New Chapter in Personalised Wellbeing

With an approach that recognises the connection between body, mind and emotions, Consuelo draws on Traditional Chinese Medicine, somatic therapies, yoga, meditation and creative rituals to create meaningful wellbeing experiences.

At the heart of her residency will be the Individual Therapeutic Reset, a personalised journey combining mindful consultation, movement and Conscious Body Therapy. Drawing on traditional techniques such as Tui Na, gua sha and meridian stimulation, the experience is designed to encourage physical relaxation, emotional awareness and a renewed sense of balance.

For couples, the Couples Connection Experience will offer an opportunity to reconnect through guided movement, meditation and shared rituals, creating space for presence, understanding and deeper connection.

Discover the Art of Healing and Connection

Beyond individual therapies, Consuelo will introduce immersive experiences inspired by ancient traditions and the natural world. From the rhythmic sounds of a Shamanic Drum Journey to the mindful creativity of Mandala & Altar Art Creation, each experience invites participants to explore new dimensions of awareness and personal discovery.

A curated programme of intimate group sessions will also feature Ocean Connection Meditation & Sound Healing, Five Elements Nature Connection Meditation, and Yin Yoga & Mindful Movement, encouraging moments of reflection and connection with the surrounding island environment.

An Invitation to Begin Your Journey Within

Set within the natural beauty of Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Consuelo’s residency reflects the resort’s enduring commitment to nurturing wellbeing through experiences that extend beyond the spa.

January 25 until February 21 2027, this limited-time residency invites travellers to make wellbeing a meaningful part of their Maldives journey, whether through individual therapeutic sessions, shared experiences or mindful rituals inspired by nature.

Advance enquiries and pre-bookings are now invited, allowing travellers to plan their preferred experiences ahead of their stay.

To discover more about Consuelo Saroyan’s upcoming residency and register your interest, visit here.

This Valentine’s, The Nautilus Maldives invites guests to embrace Love Freely, a celebration centred on freedom, presence, connection and time for one another. On this ultra-luxury bohemian private island hideaway, love finds its own rhythm through quiet mornings, shared discoveries and intimate evenings that invite you to linger.

Time to Rediscover One Another

Set sail as the sun goes down, sipping champagne as live music accompanies your journey and your private chef prepares a bespoke five-course dinner. Beneath the stars, linger over each course, with time for conversation, laughter and quiet moments together as the evening unfolds at your own pace. Beneath the Surface, Together invites beginners to discover scuba diving as a couple, followed by an unhurried dinner. With Roots of Our Story, coral or coconut-tree planting offers a living expression of a journey shared. These experiences, along with the specially curated rituals at Solasta Spa, are available from 11 to 17 February 2027.

Stillness and Connection at Solasta Spa

Solasta Spa embraces the spirit of Healing Unscripted. An Unhurried Embrace pairs a couples massage with a hibiscus milk bath, champagne and chocolate-dipped tropical fruits. Stillness, Shared brings together a body scrub, Tao’an tea bath and sound healing, while Love in Bloom combines Balinese massage and a nourishing facial. Enjoyed together or individually, each ritual invites a gentle return to yourself.

A Table for Two, A Moment to Keep

On 14 February, A Horizon for Two brings a secluded sandbank dinner with sunset cocktails, five courses and a live serenade, followed by floating breakfast the next morning. A Moment in Thyme pairs beachside dining with breakfast in bed, while Together Beneath the Stars offers a champagne dinner at Zeytoun. At Naiboli, Nautilus Rising: A Toast to Connection welcomes guests to share cocktails, canapés and easy conversation.

Love, at Your Own Pace

At The Nautilus, Love Freely is an invitation to reconnect through shared discoveries, thoughtful gestures and the pleasure of simply being together.

To discover Love Freely: Valentine’s 2027 and begin crafting your own romantic escape to The Nautilus, visit the resort’s website or contact hello@thenautilusmaldives.com.

At Kandooma Maldives, the adventures don’t necessarily end when the sun goes down. As part of the resort’s continued focus on creating memorable family holidays, Kandooma Maldives has introduced a new series of seven original bedtime stories for younger guests, inspired by the creatures, characters and experiences children might encounter during a holiday on the Maldivian private island.

The seven original stories were created especially for Kandooma by the Resort’s Director of Marketing & Sustainability, Sharon Garrett. The Kandooma bedtime stories feature a cast of island characters, turning familiar holiday discoveries into imaginative adventures that can be enjoyed at bedtime.

Inspired by the island’s wildlife, marine life and natural surroundings, the stories introduce young readers to colourful characters, combining imagination, adventure and gentle messages about caring for the environment.

Among them is Barnaby the Hermit Crab, a determined little island resident whose search for a roomier shell turns into an adventure along Kandooma’s shoreline. Other stories introduce children to characters inspired by the marine life, wildlife and natural environment surrounding the resort, each with their own personality and tale to tell.

The series is designed to create a simple nightly ritual for families; a chance to wind down together after a busy day of swimming, snorkelling, exploring, playing and discovering the South Malé atoll.

For Kandooma Maldives Director of Marketing & Sustainability Sharon Garrett, the idea is another example of how the resort’s positioning as a welcoming family destination can translate into small, tangible guest experiences.

“Families have always been an important part of Kandooma, and we want children to feel that this is their island too,” says Garrett.

“A family holiday is made up of hundreds of little moments. It might be seeing your child snorkel for the first time, spotting a hermit crab on the beach, learning about a turtle, making a new friend at the Kids’ Club, or simply climbing into bed at the end of the day and sharing a story.”

Rather than creating generic children’s stories that could belong to any tropical resort, the Kandooma series draws its inspiration from the island itself.

“I intentionally use the story format to communicate some key messages to encourage positive behaviours. In the case of Barnaby, we talk about the importance of his shell as his home.”

The characters, locations and adventures encourage young guests to notice the world around them and make connections between the stories they hear at night and what they might discover around Kandooma the following day.

The bedtime story series complements Kandooma Maldives’ broader family offering, which combines time together with opportunities for children to have adventures of their own. From days spent at Kandoo Kids’ Club and playing in the splash pool to discovering the lagoon, learning about marine life and trying new island experiences, the emphasis is on participation, curiosity and creating memories.

The stories add another layer by carrying some of those experiences back to the villa at the end of the day on the easy-to-use island App.

Garrett says the intention is not simply to keep children entertained, but to create experiences they associate specifically with Kandooma.

“We talk a lot about creating memorable holidays, but memories aren’t necessarily created by the biggest or most expensive things,” she says.

“Sometimes it is the little ritual that becomes part of the holiday. If a child goes home remembering Barnaby, looks for hermit crabs on their next beach holiday or asks Mum or Dad to read their Kandooma story one more time, then we’ve created another connection with the island.”

And with an entire island, lagoon and the surrounding ocean providing inspiration, Barnaby and his friends may have plenty more stories still to tell.

For more information, please visit the resort’s website.