Featured
Celebrate love in paradise: enchanting Valentine’s Day experiences at Veligandu Maldives
Romance, seclusion, and luxury converge this Valentine’s Day at Veligandu Maldives Resort Island. Offering an enchanting selection of intimate dining experiences set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Indian Ocean, the resort invites couples to celebrate love in a truly magical way. This February 14, guests can indulge in curated moments designed to create lifelong memories.
For those seeking the pinnacle of exclusivity, the Cristal Dinner provides an unparalleled dining experience. Limited to just two couples, this unique evening features a five-course gourmet menu served in one of two breathtaking locations. At Raalhu Beach, diners can feel the soft sand beneath their feet while enjoying the soothing sounds of the ocean waves. Alternatively, at the Champagne Pavilion, an intimate setting surrounded by endless blue horizons sets the stage for a romantic evening. This experience includes a bottle of Cristal Champagne to create the perfect celebratory atmosphere, a beautifully arranged flower bouquet symbolising love and admiration, a framed romantic picture capturing the essence of the evening, and a selection of assorted Valentine chocolates to enhance the occasion.
Set in the tranquil Yoga Pavilion, the Seaside Serenity Dinner is available for just one couple, offering an extraordinary blend of romance and serenity. Overlooking the vast ocean, this candlelit affair provides an ideal setting to celebrate love. The experience includes a refined five-course set menu curated by Veligandu’s master chefs, complemented by a bottle of Dom Pérignon Champagne to elevate the evening. A hand-picked flower bouquet serves as a token of affection, while a framed romantic picture ensures a cherished memory. To indulge the senses, a selection of assorted Valentine chocolates completes the night.
For those who appreciate a starlit dinner by the sea, the Intimate Beach Dinner at Madivaru Beach offers an exquisite culinary experience in a breathtaking beachfront setting. With limited seating available, this elegant dining option ensures an unforgettable evening. The experience features a four-course gourmet meal, expertly prepared for an intimate celebration. A single rose for the lady adds a classic romantic touch, while a glass of sparkling rosé provides the perfect accompaniment to the meal, making for an enchanting evening by the shore.
For guests looking to make their Valentine’s celebration even more special, thoughtful enhancements can be added to the evening. A framed romantic picture serves as a timeless keepsake, preserving the memories of the night. A spa massage for two offers deep relaxation and blissful indulgence, ensuring complete tranquility. Additionally, romantic bed decorations set the scene for an unforgettable night, creating the perfect ambiance for love and connection.
At Veligandu Maldives Resort Island, love is celebrated in its most exquisite form, where natural beauty meets the height of luxury. Whether guests choose the unmatched exclusivity of Cristal Dinner, the tranquil elegance of Seaside Serenity, or the charming intimacy of a beachside meal, this Valentine’s Day promises to be nothing short of spectacular.
Featured
Reethi Faru Resort reveals festive line-up of dining, entertainment and island experiences
Reethi Faru Resort has welcomed the festive season with its annual Fruit Mixing Ceremony, marking the beginning of a programme of celebrations, activities and experiences for guests visiting the resort during the Christmas and New Year period.
The resort has prepared a series of festive events and activities catering to guests of different ages and interests. Families will have the opportunity to participate in Christmas tree decorating, creative workshops and gingerbread house making, while couples can enjoy evening walks along beaches decorated with festive lights.
The festive programme will include a Christmas dinner and a New Year’s Eve gala, followed by a DJ party to welcome 2027. Guests will also be able to participate in coral planting activities alongside a marine biologist, providing an opportunity to learn about the island’s marine ecosystem and contribute to conservation efforts.
For guests seeking relaxation, the resort will offer yoga sessions and spa treatments, while those interested in outdoor activities can participate in water sports, island excursions, sports challenges and PADI diving experiences conducted by certified instructors.
Other events scheduled during the festive period include Reethi Faru Resort’s anniversary celebration, a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and the arrival of Santa Claus. The programme will also feature live music, Maldivian cultural performances, outdoor movie nights and a selection of dining experiences.
According to the resort, the festive programme has been designed to bring together traditional Christmas and New Year celebrations with activities that highlight the Maldives’ natural environment and cultural heritage.
Through its combination of festive events, recreational activities, marine conservation initiatives and dining experiences, Reethi Faru Resort aims to provide guests with opportunities to celebrate the holiday season while experiencing island life in the Maldives.
Awards
Condé Nast Traveler names .Here Baa Atoll among Indian Ocean’s top resorts
.Here Baa Atoll, a private island retreat in the Maldives, has been named the No. 6 Resort in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026.
The annual Readers’ Choice Awards recognise hotels, resorts, destinations, airlines and other travel experiences based on votes submitted by Condé Nast Traveler readers.
The recognition places .Here Baa Atoll among the highest-ranked resorts in the Indian Ocean and comes during a milestone year for the property.
Located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, .Here Baa Atoll comprises nine residences spread across two natural islands, Somewhere and Nowhere.
Somewhere features seven three- and four-bedroom residences extending from the beach towards the lagoon and designed for families and groups travelling together. Each residence offers indoor and outdoor living spaces, multiple pools, private dining and personalised Roohu service. Guests are transferred directly to their residence by private speedboat, avoiding a conventional lobby and check-in process.
Condé Nast Traveler has previously highlighted the resort for its emphasis on privacy, its beach-to-lagoon residences and its discreet approach to luxury.
The resort experience also includes Nowhere Private Island, which is reserved exclusively for a single group at a time. The island features a five-bedroom Presidential Residence and a three-bedroom Lagoon Residence, providing eight bedrooms and 3,329 square metres of private living space, supported by dedicated service and individually curated experiences.
The Readers’ Choice Award follows several other recognitions received by .Here Baa Atoll during 2026. The resort was included in the Condé Nast Traveler Hot List 2026, with the publication highlighting its residences and design. It has also received international recognition for its architecture and design, alongside creative collaborators Kulör Group, Muza Lab and Topo Design Studio.
Elina Adiyan, Resident Manager of .Here Baa Atoll, said: “To be recognised by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler so early in our journey is incredibly meaningful. .Here was created around a simple idea: to give guests extraordinary space, genuine privacy and the freedom to experience the Maldives entirely on their own terms. This recognition belongs equally to our team, whose care and dedication bring that vision to life every day. We are deeply grateful to everyone who voted for us.”
The latest recognition adds to .Here Baa Atoll’s growing international profile within the luxury travel sector, with the resort positioning privacy, spacious accommodation, design and personalised service at the centre of its guest experience.
Awards
Reethi Faru Resort celebrates culinary team’s success at Hotel Asia and FHAM
Reethi Faru Resort has announced three medal wins by members of its culinary team at the Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge and the FHAM Global Culinary Challenge.
At the Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge, Chef Rohit Kabdal received a Gold Medal in the Decorated Cake category, recognising his work in cake design, presentation and technical execution.
Chef Abhishek Sharma also represented Reethi Faru Resort at the competition, earning a Bronze Medal in the Hot Cooking Fish category.
At the FHAM Global Culinary Challenge, Chef Mayank Bijalwan secured a Silver Medal in the Dress the Cake category, adding a third medal to the resort’s recent culinary achievements.
The results highlight the range of skills within Reethi Faru Resort’s culinary team, spanning pastry, cake presentation and hot kitchen techniques.
According to the resort, participation in professional culinary competitions provides its chefs with opportunities to develop their skills, exchange knowledge and test their abilities alongside other industry professionals.
The achievements also form part of Reethi Faru Resort’s wider focus on dining and guest experience, with its culinary team involved across the resort’s restaurants and food and beverage offerings.
Reethi Faru Resort congratulated Kabdal, Bijalwan and Sharma on their respective achievements, describing the results as recognition of their commitment, technical ability and creativity.
The three medals add to the resort’s recent culinary accolades and reflect its continued emphasis on professional development within its kitchen team.
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