News
Reimagined paradise: New era for W Maldives
Nestled on the picturesque, heart-shaped Fesdu Island in North Ari Atoll, W Maldives is just a 25-minute seaplane journey from Malé. The resort offers an idyllic escape from the everyday, inviting guests to immerse themselves in lush greenery, the vibrant hues of the Indian Ocean, and pristine white-sand beaches.
With its turquoise lagoons, powdery beaches, and a renowned house reef, W Maldives epitomises luxury and natural wonder. Now, following an extensive renovation, the resort has elevated its offerings to provide an even more memorable experience for guests.
As the first W Hotel to embrace the brand’s global rebranding initiative, W Maldives has redefined its 77 overwater and beach villas with a “bio-boho” design philosophy. This approach seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor spaces, creating a harmonious connection with the island’s natural surroundings.

Guests can choose from one-bedroom overwater villas with private pools or opt for two-bedroom overwater villas, ideal for larger groups. On the beach, the redesigned villas include one-bedroom options and the newly introduced Oasis Beach two-bedroom villas, catering to families who prefer direct beach access.

The transformation extends to the resort’s culinary and social spaces. Guests can savour a variety of cuisines:
- Fish: An overwater restaurant specialising in fresh, ocean-to-table dining.
- Sip: Offering Nikkei cuisine and Latin American-inspired cocktails.
- Fire: A beachside barbecue haven.
- Kitchen: An all-day dining bistro with live cooking stations for a casual yet immersive experience.
Public areas have also been reimagined, blending playfulness and sophistication to reflect the resort’s vibrant personality.

W Maldives is committed to sustainability, introducing initiatives such as eliminating single-use plastics, utilising a biogas plant to recycle food waste, and planning an in-house herb and fruit plantation by 2025. These efforts align with the resort’s vision of reducing its environmental footprint while enhancing self-sufficiency.
While W Maldives doesn’t feature traditional children’s facilities, the resort offers a wealth of family-friendly activities. Families can enjoy water sports, private yacht excursions, or exploring the house reef together. For adults, facilities like the Away Spa, fitness centre, and private escapes to the nearby Gaathafushi Island offer unparalleled relaxation and indulgence.
The house reef at W Maldives is a diver’s dream, located just a short swim from the villas. From encounters with reef sharks and rays to glimpses of the resident turtle, Bob, the underwater world here is truly captivating. Guests can snorkel, dive with the guidance of the Down Under Dive Centre, or embark on night snorkelling adventures for a unique perspective of marine life.
Whether seeking adventure, tranquility, or a mix of both, W Maldives is ready to welcome guests to its reimagined paradise. With its vibrant transformation, this luxurious escape promises to create cherished memories in the stunning Maldivian setting.
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Eri Maldives offers accessible reef diving and snorkelling
Eri Maldives is located within the waters of North Malé Atoll and is surrounded by a house reef accessible to both beginner and experienced divers. With four direct reef entry points and shore access, the resort offers opportunities for snorkelling, introductory dives and certified diving.
The house reef supports a range of marine life, including white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, hawksbill turtles, mobula rays and spotted eagle rays, as well as schools of reef fish. The accessibility of the reef allows guests to explore the area over multiple days, providing opportunities to observe marine behaviour and habitats over time.
Turtle encounters
Hawksbill turtles are among the most frequently observed species on the reef. The resort’s dive team has identified 14 individual turtles, each recognised by shell patterns and physical features. These include turtles known as Rosie, Cara and Anna, which have been documented through repeated sightings.
The resort maintains records of these turtles, allowing returning guests to identify individuals over time. Guests may also contribute to this initiative by naming newly identified turtles that have not previously been recorded.
Manta ray season
From December to April, manta rays are known to visit cleaning stations at Bodu Hithi Thila, located approximately one hour by boat from the resort. During this period, ocean conditions support plankton flows that attract mantas to the area, where they can be observed feeding or visiting cleaning stations.
Night diving experiences
Night snorkelling and diving activities provide a different perspective on reef activity. Species such as reef sharks, trevallies, moray eels and nurse sharks become more active after dark, offering guests the opportunity to observe nocturnal marine behaviour.
At Eri Maldives, marine experiences form a central part of the guest offering, with the house reef providing consistent opportunities for exploration. The resort’s dive programme is designed to support repeated interaction with the marine environment, allowing guests to experience a range of underwater activity throughout their stay.
Accommodation is available in studio and beach villa categories, with full board packages offered for direct bookings, subject to availability.
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Sirru Fen Fushi hosts football programme with Marcus Allbäck
Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort has announced another successful edition of the Sirru Icon Series, a week-long programme that brought international sporting energy, youth inspiration, and meaningful community connection to this private lagoon paradise.
Held from 27 March to 3 April, the initiative welcomed former Swedish professional footballer Marcus Allbäck, whose presence made the week truly exceptional for guests, young aspiring players, and the neighbouring island community. Marcus Allbäck is a celebrated former Swedish international striker, having played 74 games for his country, scoring 30 goals. He represented Sweden in three European Championships and two World Cups, and enjoyed a distinguished club career across Europe, including the Bundesliga, Serie A, the English Premier League, the Dutch Eredivisie, and the UEFA Champions League. Following his retirement, Marcus served as assistant coach for the Swedish national team for six years. Today, he continues to inspire the next generation of footballers, working as a player agent and advisor to help aspiring players achieve their dreams. His visit highlighted the power of sport not only as entertainment, but as a bridge for cultural exchange and social impact. This reflected the resort’s ongoing commitment to purposeful, community-centred initiatives.

Throughout the week, Marcus led a line-up of engaging activities, including friendly football matches with guests, dedicated junior football camps that fostered confidence and skill-building among young participants, and a memorable visit to a nearby local island. This local-island match stood out as a meaningful moment of connection, bringing the resort and community together through shared passion and friendly competition.
Guests also enjoyed an intimate Sirru Signature Sunset Cocktail, where they had the rare opportunity to meet Marcus in person, hear stories from his international career, and enjoy a relaxed, uplifting atmosphere against the backdrop of the resort’s iconic sunsets.

Programme Highlights:
- Friendly Football Matches–A fun and energetic opportunity for guests to play alongside an international football figure.
- Junior Football Camps –Inspiring sessions focused on youth development, teamwork, and confidence-building.
- Local Island Football Match – A memorable moment on the local island Milandhoo, celebrating the power of sport to bring resort guests and the local community together.
- Meet & Greet Sunset Cocktail – An exclusive experience offering direct interaction with Marcus and inspiring conversation.
The Sirru Icon Series reflects the resort’s dedication to creating exceptional experiences that go beyond traditional hospitality, pairing luxury with purpose and offering guests opportunities to connect, learn, and create lifelong memories.

This remarkable week marked an inspiring chapter of the Sirru Icon Series, with more unique programmes planned for the future to continue delivering immersive guest experiences at Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort.
For further information and reservations, please visit sirrufenfushi.com or contact reservations@sirrufenfushi.com.
Cooking
Kuredhivaru Resort & Spa introduces Secret Garden private dining concept
Kuredhivaru Resort & Spa presents a new chapter in destination dining with the launch of its Secret Garden concept, a thoughtfully designed experience that brings guests into a secluded setting surrounded by nature, soft lighting, and carefully curated details.
Tucked away in a quiet corner of the island, Secret Garden is created for those moments that deserve more than a traditional dinner. The space is styled with flowing drapes, warm candlelight, and natural greenery, creating a calm and intimate atmosphere that feels both personal and special. It is a setting that invites guests to slow down, connect, and enjoy the evening at their own pace.
At the centre of the experience is a seven-course menu, crafted to guide guests through a balanced journey of flavours. Each course is presented with care, with live cooking moments adding a sense of theatre and interaction throughout the evening. The service remains attentive yet discreet, allowing the experience to feel seamless and uninterrupted.
Guests can choose between two tailored offerings. The Romantic Escape focuses on the dining experience itself, complemented by a beautifully arranged setup and personalised service. For those looking to extend the evening, the Ultimate Romance Experience adds thoughtful touches such as a welcome glass of champagne, a private cinema moment under the open sky, in-villa breakfast the next day, and special bed decoration to complete the occasion.
The concept also allows for additional customisation, from floral arrangements to bespoke messages and decorative details, giving guests the flexibility to shape the evening around their celebration, whether it is a birthday, proposal, or simply a meaningful time together.
With Secret Garden, Kuredhivaru continues to expand its dining experiences beyond traditional venues, offering guests something more personal and immersive. It reflects the resort’s approach to hospitality, where every detail is considered, and each experience is designed to feel natural, effortless, and quietly memorable.
For any reservations or inquiries, guests are encouraged to contact the resort at Resort.Kuredhivaru.Reservations@ennismore.com or +960 6563000.
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