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Create lasting memories this Valentine’s Day at Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa

At Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa, love fills the air as couples are invited to escape to a romantic island paradise and celebrate Valentine’s Day in an intimate and breathtaking setting. This year, the resort has curated a selection of exclusive experiences designed to create lasting memories, ranging from candlelit dinners on the beach to intimate moments under the stars. Whether couples are planning a surprise for their significant other or looking to rekindle their romance, Vilamendhoo offers the ultimate Valentine’s Day getaway.
On February 14th, couples can treat their beloved to an enchanting dining experience beneath a starlit sky, with the soft sounds of the waves as the perfect soundtrack. The Romantic Dinner Under the Stars features a four-course gourmet meal served on the powdery white sands of Ahima Beach, where the ambiance is as unforgettable as the cuisine. The evening begins with a special welcome, including a fresh rose for the lady, setting the tone for an intimate and cherished experience. From 19:00 hours onwards, couples can savour a delectable menu, expertly crafted by the chefs, designed to delight the senses and enhance the magic of the moment.
To end the night with luxury and romance, the Ultimate Good Night Finish offers couples a touch of elegance in the comfort of their private villa. A bottle of Prosecco (sparkling wine) awaits upon their return, complemented by fresh strawberries coated in dark and white chocolate, making for a decadent treat. The bed will also be adorned with a beautiful heart-shaped flower decoration, ensuring that the night is as dreamy as the island setting.
For those seeking to celebrate Valentine’s Day with elegance and sophistication, Vilamendhoo presents a Romantic Evening with Champagne at the Sunset Bar Beach. Couples can watch the sun dip below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold, while raising a toast to love with a bottle of chilled Champagne. This special evening includes a selection of delicious canapés, creating the perfect setting for couples to relax, unwind, and cherish the moment together. Whether celebrating a new love or reaffirming years of togetherness, this experience promises an evening of unparalleled romance.
No Valentine’s Day celebration is complete without a timeless symbol of love—roses. Couples can surprise their loved ones with a beautiful bouquet of fresh roses, carefully arranged to express deep emotions. Pre-booking is required at least 48 hours in advance, ensuring the perfect floral arrangement for the special person in their life. Whether given as a heartfelt surprise or alongside one of the resort’s exclusive experiences, a bouquet of roses will make the Valentine’s Day celebration even more meaningful.
This Valentine’s Day, love takes centre stage at Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa. From breathtaking beachfront dinners to luxurious in-villa surprises, every moment is designed to ignite passion and create cherished memories. Couples can stroll hand in hand along pristine shores, enjoy a sunset toast, or indulge in gourmet cuisine, all set against the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable celebration of love.
Couples seeking the ultimate romantic getaway are encouraged to book their experiences in advance to ensure availability. Escape to Vilamendhoo and make this Valentine’s Day the most magical one yet.
Excursions
Marine encounters: spinner dolphins at Canareef Resort Maldives

At Canareef Resort Maldives, one of the most popular experiences for guests is the dolphin tour. The abundant presence of dolphins in the surrounding waters ensures that each cruise offers a remarkable encounter with these marine creatures, creating lasting memories for visitors.
Every dolphin tour at Canareef provides an opportunity to observe pods of dolphins gliding and leaping across the waves. Guests often describe the sight of spinner dolphins darting through the clear ocean as a defining image of the Maldives’ natural marine beauty.
Morning cruises and sunset tours alike are guided by experienced staff, who share insights as dolphins appear in their natural environment. Many guests recount moments when dolphins swim alongside the boat, a spectacle that creates a unique sense of connection.
The activity is regarded as more than just an excursion; it is considered a celebration of nature and a highlight of a stay at Canareef. It allows guests to experience the Maldives in a way that underlines why dolphins are seen as ambassadors of the islands.
For travellers seeking encounters with dolphins amid turquoise waters, Canareef presents an ideal opportunity. The resort also offers seasonal promotions, including early booking discounts for the remainder of this summer, next winter, and summer 2026.
Featured
Maldives beaches rated among world’s best for rest and rejuvenation

Following a rise in searches for ‘calmcations’, long-haul travel specialists Travelbag have revealed the best destinations for a tranquil escape in 2025, with the Maldives named among the world’s most serene beachside getaways.
According to Travelbag, 72 per cent of British travellers go on holiday to relax and recharge, while 47 per cent seek experiences that help them feel more grounded and mindful. Searches for the term ‘calmcation’ – holidays focused on peace, quiet, and switching off – have doubled in the past three months, reflecting a growing shift away from busy itineraries towards more restorative travel.
To identify the most relaxing destinations, Travelbag analysed 36 global locations and ranked them against key serenity indicators, including noise and light pollution, cleanliness, the quality of green spaces, and local travel congestion.
Queenstown, New Zealand, secured first place as the world’s ultimate destination for tranquillity. Framed by the Southern Alps and Lake Wakatipu, the town recorded exceptionally high scores for cleanliness (91.7) and quality of green spaces (94.4), alongside low levels of travel congestion and minimal noise and light pollution.
The Seychelles followed in second position, celebrated for its unspoiled natural beauty and exceptionally low noise and light pollution score of 16.7. Its islands, including La Digue, Praslin and Silhouette, remain havens of peace and natural charm.
Cairns, Australia, rounded out the top three, combining tropical serenity with well-maintained green spaces and an impressive cleanliness score of 69.6.
Also ranking among the top global destinations is the Maldives, long regarded as one of the world’s premier escapes for those seeking peace and seclusion. With its iconic turquoise waters, pristine beaches, and private island resorts, the country continues to attract travellers in search of restorative experiences.
According to Travelbag’s analysis, the Maldives achieved an impressive average beach rating of 4.63, placing it alongside the world’s leading beachside destinations. Beaches such as Bikini Beach, Baros Beach, and Reethi Beach were highlighted as examples of the country’s serene appeal.
Danny Hugill, Destination Executive for the Maldives at Travelbag, commented: “The Maldives is one of our most cherished destinations – an idyllic collection of tiny islands that offer unmatched opportunities to unwind. Long celebrated as a top honeymoon destination, it remains the ultimate place to escape, slow down, and enjoy the tranquillity of nature.”
The findings underline the Maldives’ continued appeal in a market increasingly shaped by wellness, mindfulness, and relaxation. While destinations such as New Zealand and the Seychelles excel in specific indicators of serenity, the Maldives’ unique combination of luxurious seclusion, natural beauty, and consistently high-rated beaches ensures its position as a global ‘calmcation’ favourite for 2025.
Featured
October at Soneva: culinary journeys, wellness retreats and world-class guests

As the golden light softens the edges of the day and autumn arrives in the Maldives, Soneva’s resorts are inviting families to embrace a slower pace. Surrounded by settings where jungle meets shoreline and barefoot living is part of everyday life, October brings immersive experiences, diverse dining and guest appearances designed to create memorable moments.
Soneva is renowned for its sense of space – and this October, that space is offered as a place to connect, explore and dream. Guests are accommodated in expansive villas, whether set above the water or nestled within the forest, with each generation free to follow their own rhythm. Younger visitors are welcomed at The Den, where activities include chocolate-making, coral reef discovery and storytelling beneath the stars. Adults are offered opportunities such as sailing excursions, wine tastings by the beach and relaxed days defined by a tropical tempo.
The Soneva Stars programme in October features a notable guest line-up. Tennis player Andy Murray will lead sessions on the courts, Olympic swimmer Therese Alshammar will conduct family swimming classes, and British astronaut Tim Peake will introduce guests to stargazing alongside stories from his career in space. The atmosphere is intended to remain relaxed, with experiences that are both engaging and uncommon.
Culinary experiences remain central to the Soneva offering. October’s highlights include Michelin-starred chefs joining the Soneva Stars programme: Tim Siadatan of Trullo and Padella will appear at Soneva Fushi for the first time, while Chet Sharma of Bibi will prepare a Diwali dinner at both Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani. Dining venues range from Flying Sauces, a treetop experience reached by zipline, to So Hands On by Chef Akira, an intimate six-seat sushi counter crafted in sake-finished pine. At Soneva Secret, each villa includes a private chef, offering a personalised dining experience.
For guests seeking tranquillity, October also marks the return of the SOUL Festival at Soneva Fushi, taking place from 9 to 13 October. This retreat gathers global figures in wellness, movement and transformation, offering barefoot rituals, sunrise breathwork and reflective discussions.
October at Soneva is framed by golden hours and starlit nights, with experiences designed to be shared across generations.
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