Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has completed its first quarterly waste collection of the year in partnership with Secure Bag Maldives, as part of the resort’s sustainability programme.

The resort said the latest weigh-in and collection reflected the progress of a partnership launched in August last year, under which discarded materials are recovered, processed and returned to the supply chain as new products.

Secure Bag Maldives operates with a focus on repurposing, reusing and reselling materials through sustainable lifecycle solutions. Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives said the partnership supports its environmental goals and aligns with IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Journey to Tomorrow framework.

Sharon Garrett, director of marketing and sustainability at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, said both Secure Bag and the resort’s team believed that most resources retained value beyond their initial use. She said materials that might otherwise be discarded were being transformed through recovery methods into sustainable products.

Garrett said that while receiving payment for waste might appear unusual, the model was widely used internationally and reflected a shift towards circular resource management. She added that the resort was encouraged to see the approach gaining ground in the Maldives.

Through the partnership, the resort said it is able to manage a range of materials including metals, baled paper, batteries, motors, crushed glass, aluminium cans, air-conditioning components, used lubricants and cooking oils. These materials are sorted on the island before collection, with returns based on volume and category.

Garrett said she and the resort’s sustainability officer, Krisel, were encouraged by the volume of waste being diverted from landfill.

Over the past three months, the resort collected 3.7 tonnes of iron scrap, 1.4 tonnes of motor and compressor components, 544 kilograms of aluminium cans, 565 kilograms of air-conditioning parts, and 3,200 litres of used lubricants and cooking oils.

The resort said the initiative helps reduce environmental impact while supporting a circular economy in which materials are reused and assigned further value. Funds generated during the quarter totalled US$1,700, or MVR 26,592, and will be reinvested in sustainability initiatives on the island.

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives also encouraged guests and partners to learn more about its environmental work through the Kandooma Green Book, which is available online.

At JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, the natural world is never far away. The ocean is always visible. The garden is always in season. And the belief that true well-being begins with a deeper connection to the environment around us is woven into everything the resort does.

This Earth Day, that commitment finds a natural expression in two of the resort’s most beloved spaces: Spa by JW and the JW Garden. Together, they offer guests an unhurried opportunity to slow down, engage the senses, and spend the day in closer conversation with the island around them, through the quiet ritual of a hand-blended skincare masque and the grounded pleasure of cooking with ingredients gathered from the garden

Both experiences are guided by the same philosophy that underpins everything at JW Marriott: that genuine well-being is holistic, intentional and deeply connected to the world we inhabit.

Earth’ Radiance

Held within the serene surroundings of the Wellness Pavilion, Earth’s Radiance is a two-hour workshop that guides guests through the creation of their own bespoke skincare masque, blended by hand, using Earth’s finest natural ingredients, and tailored entirely to their skin and wellness needs.

Guided by the gentle expertise of Spa by JW artisans, guests are invited to pause and reconnect through a purposeful beauty ritual. This experience goes beyond the treatment room, offering a deep dive into the origins and skin-loving benefits of each hand-selected botanical. From the initial blending session to the restorative application in the Wellness Pavilion, every step is designed to foster a sense of quiet renewal. The ritual concludes with a gift, a take-home recipe and natural ingredients, allowing the tranquility of the Maldives to linger in the guest’s daily life.

From the Garden

The JW Garden stands as a flourishing heart at the centre of the island. From the peppery depths of Holy Basil to the bright, citrus notes of Lemon Basil, these botanicals form the soul of our garden-to-table philosophy, offering guests a fragrant journey through nature’s diverse palate. This Earth Day, the garden offers two experiences that together tell the full story of what it means to eat and drink with intention.

“These wellness-focused dishes are carefully crafted with local ingredients sourced within a zero-kilometre radius, highlighting the freshness of the Maldives and our passion for food and nature,” Executive Chef Bir Yadav said.

The Garden to Table experience begins with a guided walk through the JW Garden, led by Executive Chef Bir Yadav and the resort’s dedicated Herb Gardeners. Guests hand-pick the freshest herbs, fruits and vegetables of the season before moving to Aailaa restaurant, where Chef Bir leads a hands-on cooking class built entirely around what has just been gathered — paired with sustainably sourced seafood from the surrounding Indian Ocean waters.

Alongside Garden to Table, the resort introduces Garden to Glass, a natural extension of the JW Garden’s philosophy into the world of beverages. Led by the resort’s bar teams, this program invites guests to discover how the same herbs, fruits and botanicals growing in the garden can be transformed into nourishing garden tonics, botanical infusions, and thoughtfully crafted cocktails and mocktails.

Guests learn the techniques of cold pressing, botanical extraction and flavour pairing, working with lemongrass, passionfruit, tamarind, mango and other island-grown ingredients to create drinks that carry the story in every sip.

Earth Day is a moment to honour that connection in a more deliberate way. Through the Spa by JW workshop and the JW Garden experiences, guests are invited not simply to enjoy the island, but to engage with it. The reef, the garden, the ocean beyond: everything here is connected. Every experience curated at the resort is shaped by this awareness—a gentle, enduring commitment to living well and moving in harmony with the world around us.

For more information, visit the resort’s website.

At Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, wellness continues to evolve with intention and care. At the heart of this journey is Chootima Losakul (Joy), Spa Manager, whose thoughtful approach has been quietly shaping the island’s wellness experience.

With over two decades of international experience in luxury spa and wellness, Joy brings an intuitive philosophy that blends traditional healing with modern wellbeing. Originally from Thailand, her career spans guest relations to spa leadership, shaping a perspective rooted in cultural sensitivity, personalised care, and meaningful connection.

At Spa Alila, her influence is reflected in a renewed vision where wellness extends beyond treatments into a curated rhythm of daily practices inspired by the island.

“Wellness, to me, is about creating space for stillness, movement, and reconnection,” said Joy. “Here, we invite guests to slow down and experience wellbeing in a way that feels natural and unforced.”

A Curated Wellness Programme in the Maldives

Under her guidance, the resort’s wellness programme has expanded to include daily complimentary activities that balance movement and mindfulness. Guests can enjoy:

• Sunrise yoga overlooking the Indian Ocean
• Guided walks around the island
• Tai Chi breathing sessions
• Bodyweight and core training
• Yin and Hatha Yoga
• Meditation for stress relief

Each experience complements the pace of island life, encouraging a restorative and intuitive approach to wellbeing.

Recognised Wellness Excellence

This evolution builds on a strong foundation of excellence. The resort’s signature Maldives Indulgence treatment was recognised as Eco & Green Treatment of the Year at the SpaChina Wellness and Spa Awards 2024, highlighting its authentic approach to locally inspired wellness. Behind this achievement is a dedicated spa team whose care and attention ensure every guest experience feels personal and meaningful.

Wellness Rooted in Nature

A defining element of Spa Alila is its connection to nature. From ocean-facing yoga sessions to open-air meditation spaces, wellness is shaped by the surrounding environment, encouraging presence, simplicity, and balance.

This holistic philosophy reflects a growing shift in wellness travel in the Maldives, where guests seek experiences that are both grounding and meaningful.

Introducing Mandala Meditation Ink Drawing

Adding a creative dimension, the resort offers a Mandala Meditation Ink Drawing Class on selected occasions. This guided practice combines mindfulness with artistic expression, allowing guests to slow down, focus, and reconnect through creativity.

Wellness Focus: A Monthly Ritual of Renewal

At Spa Alila, wellness is approached as an evolving journey. Each month, we introduce a unique offering, featuring thoughtfully curated rituals that intuitively respond to the rhythms of travel, rest, and restoration.

Wellness continues to evolve through curated monthly rituals. The current highlight, the Alila De-Stress Package, is designed to ease travel fatigue and tension through a 30-minute facial and 45-minute targeted massage, with personalised options such as back and neck, head and scalp, or leg and foot therapies. The experience is subtle, restorative, and deeply calming.

A Thoughtful Evolution of the Spa Experience

“Joy has brought a quiet yet impactful energy to our wellness offering,” said Thomas Weber, General Manager. “Her approach feels authentic to both the island and the Alila philosophy.”

Wellness as a Way of Being

At Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, wellness is not defined by a single moment, but by a series of experiences that unfold naturally—inviting guests to embrace a slower, more intentional way of being.

Visit the resort’s website to discover the island’s holistic wellness offerings and start envisioning your next restorative escape in the Maldives.