News
Celebrate Chinese New Year charm at Bandos Maldives

Bandos Maldives invites guests to ring in the Year of the Snake with a captivating blend of cultural festivities, outdoor adventures, and gourmet delights. From 28th to 29th January 2025, the resort will come alive with vibrant celebrations and specially curated experiences designed to create cherished memories during this auspicious season.
Immerse yourself in the flavours of fortune with exclusive dining experiences. The Feast of Fortune promises a delectable array of Chinese-inspired dishes, while Wok & Wonder invites guests to master the art of Chinese cooking under the guidance of expert chefs. Witness the energetic Dragon Parade, a symbol of strength and good luck, as it winds its way through the resort.
Thrilling adventures with turtle snorkelling or encounter gentle giants during Nurse Shark Snorkeling. For evening enchantment, join a Night Fishing Adventure under the stars, or stay dry and marvel at marine life through a Glass Bottom Boat Exploration. Adventure awaits at every turn!
Little ones can immerse themselves in the festivities with a variety of exciting activities designed just for them. Unleash creativity with Lunar Coconut Canvas, a fun craft activity blending Maldivian and Chinese traditions, or join Light Up the New Year, where kids can create vibrant crafts to welcome prosperity. Add a splash of colour with New Year Face Art, ensuring children enjoy a magical celebration filled with joy and creativity.
Ismail Rasheed, General Manager of Bandos Maldives, shares: “Chinese New Year is a time to celebrate new beginnings, shared happiness, and cultural richness. At Bandos Maldives, we are delighted to offer our guests a unique fusion of traditions and tropical experiences, ensuring a memorable start to the Year of the Snake.”
Join Bandos Maldives this Chinese New Year, where moments of joy, exploration, and togetherness await in the heart of paradise. Reserve your experience today and be part of this unforgettable celebration!
Family
Celebrate togetherness with bespoke family escape at The Nautilus Maldives

The Nautilus Maldives, an ultra-luxury bohemian private island hideaway, unveils its Family Bonding Booklet, a carefully curated collection of bespoke experiences designed to foster deeper connections and create cherished moments together, launching in celebration of International Family Day this May.
Embracing the growing trend of multi-generational travel, this exclusive collection of ultra-luxury holiday experiences is thoughtfully crafted for families seeking meaningful connections through shared moments in absolute privacy and unscripted luxury. Designed for those eager to escape daily routines, this offering invites families to disconnect from the ordinary and reconnect with loved ones within the serene embrace of an intimate island sanctuary.
Set within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, The Nautilus offers an idyllic haven where grandparents, parents, and children can enjoy bespoke experiences tailored to their desires. With spacious two- and three-bedroom beach and ocean residences, world-class service, and a collection of immersive, family-focused experiences, The Nautilus provides the perfect setting for celebrating togetherness.
From the pristine coral reefs of Hanifaru Bay to the island’s bohemian spirit of unstructured freedom, The Nautilus sets the stage for families to create once-in-a-lifetime moments—at their own pace, in their own way.
Ahead of International Family Day 2025, The Nautilus’s Multi-Generational Family Escape invites families to reconnect in absolute freedom, with an extraordinary stay in the island’s most spacious residences—including the 2-Bedroom Beach Residence, The Nautilus Retreat (2-Bedroom Overwater Residence), or the grand The Nautilus Mansion (3-Bedroom Beachfront Residence). This ultra-luxe family escape caters to all ages, from infants to grandparents, blending adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion. Families can unwind with wellness offerings such as the Family Indulgence Spa Package, sunrise yoga, or sound healing sessions. Ocean enthusiasts can explore private snorkelling and diving excursions with the resident marine biologist, participate in coral adoption programmes, and learn about manta rays and whale sharks.
For a touch of local culture, The Nautilus offers Maldivian language classes, guided island explorations, and creative art workshops with local artists. Culinary bonding experiences include private sandbank family feasts, floating breakfasts, and interactive cooking classes.
Preserving precious moments is an essential part of any family holiday, and The Nautilus ensures this with a private cinema under the stars and a professional family photoshoot to capture lasting memories. Additional family services include a dedicated House Master (personal butler) for every residence, bespoke children’s amenities, strollers and toys upon request, and private babysitting services during dinner.
From milestone celebrations and family reunions to intimate bonding moments, The Nautilus offers families a fully tailored escape, meticulously curated to create the perfect once-in-a-lifetime journey. For ultimate exclusivity, the entire private island is available for full buyouts, transforming The Nautilus into a personal island paradise.
All details of the offering can be found in the dedicated Family Bonding Booklet—a carefully curated guide filled with bespoke experiences designed to foster deeper connections and create cherished moments together.
“At The Nautilus, we embrace the art of togetherness, where time slows down, and families can celebrate in a sanctuary of boundless freedom,” says Adan Gomez, General Manager of The Nautilus Maldives. “This offering is a tribute to the joy of reconnection, the beauty of shared adventures, and the luxury of experiencing life on your own terms.”
To book, contact The Nautilus at hello@thenautilusmaldives.com and for more information, visit our website here.
Awards
Villa Resorts’ properties get triple nominations in T+L Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025

Villa Resorts has been recognized with three nominations in the T+L Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, highlighting the strength of its locally rooted hospitality. Villa Park is in the running for the Resort for Families and Resort Spa, while Villa Nautica has earned a spot in the Resort Pool category.
These nominations reflect what Villa Resorts has always done best, creating spaces that feel effortless yet considered, where service is warm, and the setting does most of the talking. With a deep connection to the Maldives, the brand continues to evolve while staying true to the essence of island life.
Villa Park’s nomination for the Resort for Families is a nod to the way the resort has perfected the art of multigenerational travel. Its expansive natural island setting allows children to explore freely, whether cycling through coconut groves, spotting baby reef sharks in the shallows, or making new friends at the Park Players Kids Club. Meanwhile, parents can unwind knowing they have access to everything from world-class snorkeling to intimate treetop dining at ZERO.
The resort’s second nomination, for the Resort Spa, highlights the reputation of Araamu Spa, a lush sanctuary known for its deeply restorative treatments. Among its standout experiences is the Pot Tub, an open-air soaking ritual that combines Maldivian traditions with modern wellness. It’s a place where time slows and relaxation takes on a new meaning.
Over at Villa Nautica, the Resort Pool nomination recognizes what has become one of the most photographed infinity pools in the Maldives. Positioned at the edge of the ocean, the pool’s sleek design and panoramic views make it a natural gathering place, whether for a lazy afternoon in the sun or a sunset swim with a cocktail in hand. It embodies the resort’s energetic, yacht-inspired aesthetic—sophisticated, stylish, and effortlessly inviting.
As voting opens for the T+L Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, Villa Resorts stands alongside some of the region’s most celebrated properties. These nominations are a reflection of the guests who return year after year, the dedicated teams who bring each experience to life, and the Maldivian spirit at the heart of it all.
Food
Savour extraordinary with Chef Ollie Dabbous at Coco Bodu Hithi

Coco Bodu Hithi, a serene island escape where elegant design meets natural beauty, is set to welcome Britain’s most wanted Chef Ollie Dabbous to share his culinary excellence from 10 to 12 April.
A distinguished name in the culinary world, Chef Ollie Dabbous was the co-founder and executive chef of Hide restaurant in Piccadilly. Hide was awarded a coveted five stars in the Evening Standard, GQ restaurant of the year, as well as a Michelin star, all within six months of opening. He is also the former Michelin-starred chef/owner of the highly esteemed restaurant Dabbous, and author to ‘Essential’ and ‘Dabbous: The Cookbook’, which was titled as the Best Chef Cookbook in the 2015 World Gourmand Cookbook Awards. After years of honing his craft in some of the world’s top kitchens such as Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Hibiscus, Mugaritz, Noma, L’Astrance, and Pierre Gagnaire, Chef Ollie also appeared as a chef mentor on BBC1’s MasterChef: The Professionals in 2019.
Coco Bodu Hithi, proud recipient of the ‘Best Service’ award by Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2025, invites guests to indulge in an extraordinary dining experience with Chef Ollie Dabbous, as he presents his signature ingredient-led cuisine. The island will carefully source premium ingredients to complement his exquisite six-course dinner, perfectly paired with fine wines. Chef Ollie will craft unforgettable dining experiences, blending creativity with his avant-garde culinary creations.
Dubbed as a “gourmet getaway” in the Maldives, the resort regularly hosts Michelin Star Chefs who craft extraordinary dining moments, further elevating the culinary journey curated by Group Culinary Director and Michelin Star-awarded Chef, Martin Cahill.
To take advantage of this once in a lifetime experience, reserve you dream vacation in the Maldives with Coco Summer Escape offer and enjoy 40% savings along with a complimentary meal plan upgrade for an even more indulgent stay at Coco Bodu Hithi. For further queries and reservations, contact reservations@cococollection.com or visit www.cococollection.com.
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