News
Celebrate castaway Christmas, New Year at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives, the pioneer of sustainable, barefoot luxury in the Maldives, has unwrapped its Christmas & New Year 2024/25 line up. From a shark snorkel to crafting gingerbread water villas, a series of festive feasts with a twist, this island paradise is the ultimate location in which to spend the most wonderful time of the year.
The festive fun will centre around the theme ‘Tree of Life’, drawing inspiration from the timeless symbol: celebrating nature’s rhythms, the fresh energy of new beginnings and the strength of deep roots, growth and connection. Kicking off on the 22nd December 2024 all the way through to the 7th January 2025, the yuletide offerings include the below activities.
Whether islanders prefer to get crafty or ground themselves with yoga, meditation and a hypnotherapy workshop, there’s seasonal serenity in store for everyone at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives. Guests can sign up for a gingerbread house making class, create wooden Christmas decorations using recycled wood and get into the festive mood with a special tree-lighting ceremony on the beach to the sound of the Gili Christmas Choir.
For those in favour of active pursuits, a tennis match or surf lesson with Santa Claus, a beach volleyball tournament, shark snorkel, and a dolphin cruise are all on offer. Little ones will revel in the opportunity to watch Christmas movies with their toes in the sand at Gili’s cinema under the stars, enjoy coconut shell dreamcatcher making, and receive gifts delivered to their villa courtesy of Santa on a speedboat!
Guests will have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in educational experiences and excursions that honour and celebrate the incredible natural wonders of the world.
Join the island’s marine biologists in crafting the Gili Coral Tree, head on a Gili Water Plant Tour, where guests can explore how the island turns ocean water into clean drinking water or opt for the Tree Expedition and Tree Grafting workshop where nature lovers will discover the fascinating technique of grafting (creating new trees by combining different parts from different plants). Little ones will love playful activities such as branch decoration class and gardening with the island’s head organic gardener.
Sustainability and conservation are at the heart of Gili Lankanfushi’s vision, with an emphasis on preserving the natural environment, protecting the fragile marine ecosystem and leaving only footprints behind. Thanks to the island’s Coral Lines project, guests can now get involved in the island’s sustainability initiatives during their stay.
An array of very special ‘bucket list on the beach’ gastronomic experiences will be on offer to guests. Foodies will be spoilt for choice with culinary offerings ranging from an Indian Tandoor feast and a Brazilian barbeque served churrascaria-style to a Mediterranean spice souk bazaar and a “Roots” wine dinner, where the chef and sommelier will curate a paired dinner inspired by a tree’s life-giving and anchoring root.
Gili Lankanfushi enjoys an unspoilt island location in the Maldives’ North Malé Atoll, just 20 minutes by speedboat from Malé Airport. Perfectly suited for couples, families, solo travellers and groups alike, the resort combines rustic eco-design, unparalleled service and stunning natural scenery with a laid-back-luxury, ‘no news, no shoes’ philosophy.
Nightly rates at Gili Lankanfushi start from £1,070/$1,440, based on two adults sharing a Villa with breakfast included. For more information or to book please visit www.gili-lankanfushi.com.
Awards
Hideaway Beach Resort secures six major resort nominations and TTM sports award recognition
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa has received a series of prestigious nominations across the World Travel Awards (WTA) 2026, South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, and Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) Awards 2026, recognising the resort’s excellence in luxury hospitality, romance, wellness, sports, and family travel.
This year, Hideaway has been shortlisted for Maldives’ Leading Beach Resort, Maldives’ Leading Honeymoon Resort, and Maldives’ Leading Luxury Island Resort at the World Travel Awards; Leading Beach Resort, Leading Family Resort, and Leading Wellness & Spa Resort at the South Asian Travel Awards; and Best Resort for Sports & Fitness at the TTM Awards.
Nestled on the naturally lush island of Dhonakulhi in Haa Alifu Atoll, Hideaway is renowned for its expansive white-sand beaches, including the iconic North Beach, spacious villas and luxury residences, and exceptional levels of privacy served impeccably by the resort’s Butlers. Set amidst tropical vegetation and crystal-clear waters, the resort offers a distinctive blend of natural beauty, personalised service, and authentic island experiences that continue to resonate with discerning travellers and industry partners alike.
These nominations reflect the breadth of the Hideaway experience: secluded villa concepts and bespoke romantic moments for couples; warm, intuitive hospitality and space for multi-generational family travel; restorative spa and wellness journeys; and a dynamic sports and fitness offering that includes tennis, Padel, badminton, pickleball, golf, cycling, jogging and running trails, football, beach volleyball, basketball, foosball, billiards, snorkelling, diving, water sports, and a fully equipped fitness centre. The resort has also introduced special sporting experiences, including the first-ever Maldives Hideaway Resort Run, a luxury running event launched last year in the Maldives amidst World Wellness Weekend.
“We are incredibly proud to see Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa recognised across such a diverse and prestigious set of awards in 2026. These nominations reflect the passion of our team and the strength of the experience we have built at Hideaway – one that brings together privacy, natural beauty, heartfelt service and a rich lifestyle offering for today’s active luxury traveller. It is a wonderful honour for us, and we are deeply grateful for the continued support of our guests, partners and industry community,” said Desislav Gospodinov, Group Director of Sales & Marketing at Lily Hotels.
Together, these nominations highlight Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa’s defining strengths – privacy, space, natural beauty, wellness, recreation, and personalised luxury, reinforcing its standing as one of the Maldives’ most distinctive private island destinations.
Guests, partners, and supporters are invited to cast their vote for Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa here. For reservations and further information, please visit the resort’s website.
Action
Eri Maldives marks global marine awareness days with immersive ocean experiences
With a full calendar of ocean awareness moments running from June through to mid-July, Eri Maldives, a resort in the North Malé Atoll, is where marine stewardship isn’t a seasonal campaign, it’s baked into the everyday.
For anyone covering upcoming marine awareness days, Eri has activations tied to each for a full month of ocean-focused programming, running from 1 June through to mid-July:
- Reef Awareness Day (1 June): Eri’s Reef Guardians Experience takes guests on morning and afternoon snorkelling safaris across some of the atoll’s most pristine coral, with conservation briefings focused on coral life and a complimentary Marine Life Quiz at the Sip&Dip bar in the evening.
- World Oceans Day (8 June): Guided snorkelling safaris and marine ecosystem adventures, continuing the resort’s thread of ocean education and wonder throughout the month.
- World Sea Turtle Day (16 June): A Turtley Awesome afternoon programme, with the headline activation being a Turtle Search Snorkel (14:15–16:30), opening with an educational briefing on turtle behaviour, ecology and conservation.
- Shark Awareness Day (14 July): Beyond the Myth invites guests on a complimentary Shark Trivia at Sip&Dip (20:30–21:30, plus an after-dark Night Snorkel and Night Dive with sharks for those who want to go further (18:00–20:00, reservations needed at an additional cost)
- PADI Women’s Dive Day (from 18 July): Aspiring dive learners can join a women-only breathwork and free dive introduction session in the morning (09:00–10:30, cheageable), followed by a sunset gathering at Sip&Dip (18:00–19:30, complimentary).

Meet the 14 resident turtles of Eri
The resort is also home to a thriving turtle community, with 14 individually identified turtles, each logged by the resident dive team through distinctive shell markings, flipper formations and carapace patterns.

There’s Miss Torti, recognised by her saw-like shell margins and split rear scutes; Hank, whose right hind flipper never fully developed; and Farfalle, whose spotted shell reads like a constellation map. One of the newest addition to the records is Otto, Eri’s first-ever green sea turtle sighting, and a quietly significant milestone for the reef’s biodiversity story.
Several turtles have been named by guests themselves, and the invitation remains open: any guest who spots an undocumented turtle is welcome to name it.
Meet the full turtle family here. For reservations, please visit the resort’s website.
News
Mandara Spa brings ELEMIS skincare expertise to Maldives wellness experiences
Mandara Spa in the Maldives continues to elevate its wellness offering through its longstanding collaboration with ELEMIS, the globally recognised British skincare brand known for combining advanced skincare science with indulgent spa experiences.
In an era where discerning travellers seek more than traditional luxury, Mandara Spa continues to align with globally recognised wellness brands such as ELEMIS, known for its leadership in advanced skincare innovation, spa expertise, and premium wellness experiences. ELEMIS’s global partnership with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team reflects the brand’s positioning within the world of luxury, performance, and innovation, values that also resonate with Mandara Spa’s commitment to elevated wellness experiences across Maldives.
As ELEMIS continues to expand its presence through Formula One™ activations and premium global initiatives, Mandara Spa brings this same spirit of modern luxury and performance led wellness to its spa destinations in the Maldives, where advanced skincare expertise meets the tranquillity of island wellbeing.
As wellness continues to evolve beyond traditional spa experiences, Mandara Spa in the Maldives remains focused on delivering elevated wellness experiences through globally trusted brands such as ELEMIS, renowned for its science led formulations, naturally derived ingredients, and decades of spa expertise. Today’s discerning travellers increasingly seek treatments that combine relaxation with visible results and advanced skincare innovation.
Through this longstanding collaboration, guests can experience a curated collection of ELEMIS face and body treatments, delivered by expertly trained Mandara therapists in tranquil island settings designed for restoration and renewal, where luxury, efficacy, and holistic wellbeing come together seamlessly.
This is not a short-term alliance. Mandara Spa’s ongoing partnership with ELEMIS reflects a long-term, strategic relationship built on mutual benefit — ensuring that guests, wellness professionals, investors, and business partners alike can trust in the stability and quality of the Mandara Spa experience. For investors and business stakeholders, this alignment with a globally recognized, B Corp-certified brand with distribution across 110 countries is a powerful indicator of Mandara Spa’s ambition and trajectory in the luxury wellness market.
For more than 30 years, Mandara Spa has partnered with leading wellness and hospitality brands to deliver thoughtfully curated spa experiences across the globe. The continued collaboration with ELEMIS reflects Mandara Spa’s commitment to aligning with globally recognised partners that share the same standards of excellence, guest care, and innovation.
As luxury travellers continue to prioritise wellbeing as part of the travel experience, Mandara Spa in the Maldives remains focused on delivering meaningful wellness journeys through exceptional service, highly trained therapists, and partnerships with premium wellness brands trusted around the world. ELEMIS treatments are available across all Mandara Spa locations in the Maldives, bringing the brand’s world-renowned formulations to every guest, at every property.
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