News

Unwrap enchantment of Maldives this festive season with unbeatable stay at Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives

Published

7 months ago

December 10, 2024

The festive season is just around the corner, and there has never been a better time to dive into the adventure at the newly opened Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives. To ensure your festive getaway is nothing short of legendary, this breathtaking underwater-themed paradise will present an action-packed lineup of activities to keep the whole family feeling jolly. Promising a series of unmissable adventures like engaging crafts and scavenger hunts for young guests and elegant sunset cocktails for adults, all set against the glistening sea views, now is the perfect opportunity to book your dream holiday getaway.

December 22^nd

Kick off the festivities in style at the Kids’ Club from 11am where young guests will have the chance to make their very own holiday ornaments, the perfect souvenir to remind you of your family getaway. Alternatively, venture to the Sailhouse for an afternoon of crafting delicious gingerbread houses, followed by a magnificent tree decorating and lighting ceremony at Mirage Bridge to finish the day on an extra merry note.

Holiday Ornament Making: 11am to 12pm at Kids’ Club
Festive Gingerbread House Making: 3pm to 4pm at Sailhouse’
Festive Tree Decorating & Tree Lighting Ceremony: 30pm to 7.30pm at Mirage Bridge

December 23^rd

Promising a splash of adventure from dawn till dusk, kick off the day with the Beach & Sand ‘Snowman’ Challenge and sculpt your own sandy masterpiece. Stick around as the whole family dives into the fun with the Pirates of the Sea treasure hunt, where mysteries of the Mirage await to be uncovered. Finally, join the fun with Uncle Octopus’ Lazy River Race, bringing the island community together for waves of laughter and celebration.

Beach & Sand ‘Snowman’ Challenge: 10am to 11pm at the Beach
Family Fun Day/Pirates of the Sea: 3pm to 4pm at the Beach
Uncle Octopus’ Lazy River Race: 4pm to 5pm at the Lazy River

December 24^th

This festive eve, there will be an extra sprinkling of magic in the air at Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives as Santa makes his way to the island to deliver toys to all the children. As the excitement builds, gather the gang for a special holiday scavenger hunt to find things left by Madame Stingray on her first visit to the Mirage or let your little ones show off their skills at the Seaside Strikers Beach Football Match. To finish the day off, kids can unleash their creativity with a festive eve art activity at the Kids’ Corner, where they can count down to the big day with paint, glitter, and plenty of holiday cheer.

Magical Island Scavenger Hunt – Festive Edition: 10am to 11am at the Kids’ Club
Seaside Strikers – a Beach Football Match: 4pm to 5pm at the Kids’ Club
Christmas Eve Kids’ Art Corner: 6pm to 9.30pm at the Kids’ Corner at the Main Pool
Festive Eve Cocktail & Gala Dinner: 6pm to 9.30pm at the Sailhouse and Main Pool

December 25^th

On December 25^th, the elves at Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives will be pulling out all the stops to ensure your holiday is anything but ordinary. Begin the big day at the Kids’ Club where young guests will have one more chance to get a good word in with the big man with a Letter to Santa & Santa’s Arts & Crafts session. Next up, head to the Sailhouse to tuck into a festive day brunch packed with all your favourite holiday goodies before enjoying a special appearance from Santa on the beach. Once the sun has set, treat the kids to a fun-filled evening at Madame Stingray’s Pyjama Party.

Letter to Santa & Santa’s Arts & Craft: 11am to 12pm at the Kids’ Club
Festive Day Brunch: 30pm to 3pm at the Sailhouse
Santa’s Arrival: 3pm to 4pm at the Beach
Madame Stingray’s Pyjama Party: 7pm to 9pm at the Beach/ Main Pool

December 26^th

Still got some holiday spirit left in you? Dive into a day packed with fun, starting with Jellyfish Limbo and Shark Attack Tag at the Kids’ Club. Then, embark on an Underwater Treasure Hunt with Papa Turtle before he returns, and wrap up the day with a beach volleyball match for the whole family at the E-Zone – because nothing screams the holidays quite like some friendly competition!

Jellyfish Limbo & Shark Attack Tag: 11am to 12pm at the Kids’ Club
Underwater Treasure Hunt: 2pm to 3pm at the Kids’ Club
Block Busters – A Friendly Volleyball Match: 4pm to 5pm at the E-Zone

December 27^th

Prepare to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the Maldives as you explore the pristine beaches as a family with a seashell hunting and crafts activity or take the plunge with guided lagoon snorkelling and an underwater scavenger hunt. For something a little more chill, make yourself cosy at the Kids’ Club for a festive movie night under the stars.

Down by the Sea – Seashell Hunting & Crafts: 10am to 11pm at the Beach
Under the Sea Scavenger Hunt – A Guided Lagoon Snorkeling: 3pm to 4pm at the E-Zone
Kids’ Movie Night: 7pm to 9pm at the Kids’ Club

December 28^th

Soar into the holiday spirit with an exhilarating kite challenge on the beach, testing how long your kites can dance in the breeze. After conquering the skies, gather your crew for a game of frisbee in the ‘Game of Throws,’ soaking up the sun and island vibes. When it’s time to cool down, head to the Dolphin Pool Bar for BLU! SPLASH, where the beats are fresh, the cocktails are chilled, and the laughter flows as freely as the island breeze.

Up Up and Away – A Kite Flying Challenge: 10am to 11am at the Beach
Game of Throws – A Frisbee Friendly Match: 1pm to 2pm at Teens
BLU! SPLASH by the Pool: 3pm to 5pm at the Dolphin Pool Bar

December 29^th

Keep the festive buzz alive and freshen up your mocktail-making skills as you mix, stir, muddle, and shake up sparkling holiday concoctions at the E-Zone. Meanwhile, young adventurers are invited to step up to the challenge at Papa Turtle’s epic Sea Creature Obstacle race. Finally, reunite the whole family with a blissful ‘It’s a Sunset Affair’, serving plenty of refreshing beverages and mesmerising island views, followed by a spectacular kids’ talent show to mark the end of another day in paradise.

Bubbly Blast – Holiday Mocktail Making: 11am to 12pm at the E-Zone
Sea Creature Obstacle Race: 4pm to 5pm at the Kids’ Club
It’s a Sunset Affair: 30 to 7pm at Mirage Beach
Get your Sparkle On – Kids’ Spectacular Talent Show: 7pm to 9pm at Mirage Beach

December 30^th

Let the countdown to the new year begin with a morning of sea creature-themed arts and crafts at the Kids’ Club or dive into an afternoon of discovery with the Island Sea Creatures Hunt, where little adventurers can uncover the secrets of the Mirage. As the day turns to night, gather at the Amphitheatre for a magical movie experience under a starlit sky, the perfect way to wind down after a day of sandy escapades.

Create Your Own Sea Creature Crafts: 11am to 12pm at the Kids’ Club
Discover the Mirage Underwater World Themed Island Playground – Island Sea Creatures Hunt: 4pm to 5pm at the Kids’ Club
A Theatre Under the Stars: 9pm to 11pm at the Amphitheater

December 31^st

Allow your little explorers to bid farewell to 2024 at the Kids’ Club with a DIY Memoir session, capturing all their favourite moments of the year with drawings, photos, and stories. For something more high-energy, head to the E-zone to battle it out in a beach badminton match.

As the countdown approaches, make your first toast with a refreshing pre-dinner cocktail on the beach before heading to the New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner for an unforgettable bash. While the kids let their imaginations run wild at the Kid’s Art Corner, adults are invited to ring in the new year in style with a dazzling poolside party packed with live music and a DJ spinning the freshest beats – make sure to reserve your bottle of sparkling in advance!

DIY Year 2024 Memoir: 11am to 12pm at the Kids’ Club
Island Smashers – A Beach Badminton Match: 4pm to 5pm at the E-Zone
The last day of 2024: 6pm to 7pm at the beach
New Year’s Eve – Kids’ Art Corner: 7pm to 11pm at the Kids’ Club
New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner: 7pm to 9.30pm at the Sailhouse
The New Year’s Eve Party: 10pm until late at the Poolside

January 1^st

Kick off 2025 with a touch of magic as young adventurers at the Kids’ Club create their own time capsules, filled with dreams and memories, and bury them in the enchanted sands of Mirage Beach. After the little ones have sealed their wishes for the year ahead, the whole family is invited to a flavourful New Year’s Day brunch at the oceanfront Sailhouse. To wash down all the delicious food, continue the festivities with a lavish sunset cocktail on Mirage Beach.

Make a Special Time Capsule Project: 11am to 12pm at the Kids’ Club
New Year’s Day Brunch: 7am to 2.30pm at the Sailhouse
First Toast of the Year – Sunset Cocktail: 6pm to 7pm at Mirage Beach

January 2^nd

Continue the underwater-themed adventure at the Kids’ Club where young guests can unleash their inner artist with a unique Stained Glass crafting session. Next, get the whole family involved with an afternoon of unmissable games, crafts, delicious food, and special surprises by the beach or let the little ones loose with a fun-packed Kids’ Night Out at the Kids’ Club.

Stained Glass Under the Sea: 10am to 11am at the Kids’ Club
Family Fun Day: 4pm to 5pm at the Beach
Kids’ Night Out: 7pm to 9pm at the Kids’ Club

January 3^rd

Your festive trip to the Maldives would not be complete without exploring its vibrant marine life and the Guided Lagoon Snorkelling and Under the Sea Scavenger Hunt is the perfect option. Follow Papa Turtle’s trail to uncover hidden treasures beneath the waves, then head to the beach for a lively Crab Hunt & Crab Race. To end the day, get comfy with loved ones for a magical family movie night under the open Maldivian sky.

Under the Sea Scavenger Hunt – A Guided Lagoon Snorkeling: 10am to 11am at the E-Zone
We are going on a Crab Hunt & Crab Race: 4pm to 5pm at the E-Zone
Under the Stars Family Movie Night: 8pm to 10pm at the Kids’ Club

January 4^th

Step up to the challenge as Papa Turtle invites young guests to the Waves of Fun Obstacle Race, promising to be an absolute whale of a time. Additionally, stick around the Kids’ Club for a friendly water balloon fight.

Waves of Fun Obstacle Race: 10am to 11am at the Kids’ Club
Jellyfish Races – A Water Balloon Friendly Fight: 4pm to 5pm at the Kids’ Club

January 5^th

Let the spirit of adventure continue well into the new year at the Kid’s Club. On January 5^th, kids can test their wits with a series of mind-bending puzzles at the Might Mind Ocean Adventure or take the fun to new heights with an exciting kite flying challenge.

Mighty Mind Ocean Adventure: 11am to 12pm at the Kids’ Club
Up Up and Away – A Kite Flying Challenge: 4pm to 5pm at the Kids’ Club

January 6^th

Wrap up your festive island escape with activities to enchant the whole family. Beginning at the Kids’ Club, youngsters are welcomed to a sandcastle-building competition followed by a beach football match. Finally, promising the perfect ending to an unforgettable trip, gather your nearest and dearest for an evening of dazzling festive colours, scrumptious food, and live music at Suan Bua Beach.

Build Your Own Sand Castle Challenge: 10am to 11am at the Kids’ Club
Seaside Strikers – A Beach Football Match: 4pm to 5pm at the E-Zone
An Orthodox Christmas Evening with Traditions & Toasts: 7pm to 11pm at Suan Bua Beach

For bookings and more information, please call +960 401 5555 or email cmlm@chr.co.th

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Dive for free at Kandooma, just named Maldives’ leading dive resort

Published

8 hours ago

June 30, 2025

m@ldives

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has been crowned ‘Maldives Leading Dive Resort 2025’ at the prestigious World Travel Awards, marking a major milestone as the inaugural winner of this newly introduced category.

The announcement was made at a glittering gala ceremony held on 29 June in Tanzania, attended by tourism and hospitality leaders from across Africa and the Indian Ocean. The accolade honours Kandooma’s commitment to exceptional diving experiences and innovation in accessible underwater tourism.

“We’re surrounded by some of the most awe-inspiring marine life in the Maldives – it’s truly like diving in a living aquarium,” said Mark Eletr, General Manager of Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives. “From graceful manta rays and reef sharks to turtles, moray eels, and vast schools of tropical fish, our waters are teeming with life.”

Just minutes from the resort are world-class dive sites including Kandooma Thila, a renowned cleaning station for grey reef sharks; Guraidhoo Corner, famous for its strong currents and pelagic encounters; and Medhu Faru, where divers drift alongside vibrant coral walls. The close proximity of these sites allows for up to three dives a day – ideal for enthusiasts chasing underwater thrills.

Central to Kandooma’s diving success is its bold ‘Dive Free’ initiative – a game-changer for the scuba community. Guests who stay three nights or more and are certified divers receive two complimentary boat dives per day, including equipment and professional guidance.

“Diving can be an expensive pursuit, so we decided to flip the script,” Eletr added. “Our ‘Dive Free’ program removes the barriers and makes the underwater magic of the Maldives accessible to more people than ever.”

Kandooma’s on-site 5-star PADI dive centre offers courses for beginners through to advanced, specialty certifications and refreshers, as well as private excursions for underwater photography, night dives, and wreck explorations.

With its commitment to sustainability, marine preservation, and guest experience, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has proven that world-class diving doesn’t have to come with a luxury price tag – just a sense of adventure.

For more information or to book a diving escape, visit: www.maldives.holidayinnresorts.com

Business

BBM, Mamee Food Services partner to elevate Maldivian dining with Asian Cuisine Engagement Week

Published

13 hours ago

June 30, 2025

m@ldives

Bestbuy Maldives (BBM), a key supplier to the Maldives’ hospitality industry, in partnership with Mamee Food Services, has launched the Asian Cuisine Engagement Week. The programme, running from 29th June to 4th July 2025, is designed to introduce premium Asian sauces to the Maldives foodservice sector and upskill culinary professionals.

The official launch was held on Monday at BBM’s venue partner, the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies (FHTS) at The Maldives National University (MNU). FHTS continues to be a key collaborator with BBM on industry events and culinary development. The event was attended by over 40 chefs from leading hotels and restaurants in Malé. Representatives from Mamee Food Services travelled to the Maldives to lead the session, which included live product demonstrations and technical training.

The focus of the initiative is the introduction of Mamee’s premium Asian sauces, including the Daebak range, which features a variety of Korean and East Asian flavours. The programme aims to support chefs in incorporating these new products into their menus, fostering innovation within commercial kitchens.

AVS Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer of Bestbuy Maldives, commented on the initiative, stating, “Our goal is to be a strategic partner for the culinary community in the Maldives. This collaboration with Mamee Food Services is a direct reflection of that commitment. By providing access to new products and facilitating hands-on training, we are investing in the skills of chefs and supporting the evolution of menu offerings across the country. This initiative aligns with our broader strategy to continuously elevate the culinary standards in the Maldives.”

He added, “We believe that introducing high-quality, authentic Asian flavours through our partnership with a globally recognised brand like Mamee will provide a new dimension to the dining experience for tourists and locals alike. This reinforces BBM’s role as a trusted partner for global F&B brands seeking to make a mark in the Maldivian market.”

Jennifer Chee, Director of Food Service at Mamee Food Service, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “We are incredibly excited to partner with Bestbuy Maldives to bring Mamee’s authentic Asian flavours to the vibrant culinary scene of the Maldives. This engagement week is a fantastic opportunity to showcase how our premium sauces, particularly the Daebak range, can inspire creativity and elevate dishes in professional kitchens.”

“We believe that by working directly with chefs and providing hands-on training, we can truly empower them to explore new culinary possibilities and deliver exceptional dining experiences to their guests. We look forward to seeing the innovative ways Maldivian chefs will incorporate our products.”

Following the launch in Malé, a dedicated follow-up session will be held at OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi for resort-based chefs. This session will include participation from properties within the Atmosphere Core group, providing hands-on training focused on the scalable integration of Mamee products into commercial resort kitchens.

Throughout the week, the culinary team from BBM and Mamee will conduct on-site visits and tastings at selected restaurants in Malé, offering further technical support and guidance.

This joint initiative between BBM and Mamee Food Services is set to drive menu innovation and provide culinary professionals in the Maldives with the tools and skills needed to meet evolving consumer tastes.

Awards

Atmosphere Kanifushi named Best Family Resort in Indian Ocean for sixth consecutive year

Published

1 day ago

June 29, 2025

m@ldives

Atmosphere Kanifushi has once again been recognised as the ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Family Resort’ at the World Travel Awards 2025, marking the sixth consecutive year the island has received this prestigious accolade. This continued recognition highlights the resort’s unique appeal to both romantic couples and adventure-seeking families.

Commenting on the achievement, Ram Bhoyroo, General Manager of Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives, noted that the island’s charm lies in its ability to strike a harmonious balance between tranquillity and excitement. “While some Maldivian resorts cater to serenity and others to a more vibrant, active scene, Atmosphere Kanifushi is all about equilibrium—offering peace and relaxation alongside engaging, family-friendly experiences,” he shared.

Nestled on a long, naturally beautiful island with lush vegetation and surrounded by a stunning turquoise seascape, Atmosphere Kanifushi owes its success not only to its natural setting but also to the dedication of its team. According to Bhoyroo, the recognition is a result of the team’s relentless commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for guests of all ages. “By intuitively understanding the needs of each guest, we ensure a seamless blend of high-touch service, relaxation, and fun, all while offering the true feeling of a castaway escape in paradise,” he said.

With one of the highest guest repeater rates in the Maldives, the resort continues to innovate in order to surprise and delight returning visitors. From refreshed culinary offerings to vibrant live entertainment, there is always something new to discover.

Most recently, Atmosphere Kanifushi unveiled its new Essens Spa, a concept that redefines relaxation and wellbeing. The spa features immersive wellness journeys, yoga and detox sessions, traditional healing rituals, and a full suite of salon services. In keeping with the resort’s inclusive approach to family wellness, the spa also offers a Kids Spa Experience, complete with playful treatments for children and specialised teen wellness rituals that nurture growing bodies, youthful skin, and emotional balance.

This latest award reinforces Atmosphere Kanifushi’s reputation as a premier destination for families seeking both luxury and adventure in the heart of the Indian Ocean.