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Kandooma Maldives celebrates 40 years of hospitality with special events

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Kandooma Island marks a significant milestone this year as it celebrates 40 years of unforgettable experiences, warm hospitality, and cherished memories. Since opening in 1985, it has become a destination where guests return time and again to explore, connect, and create lasting moments.

To honour this incredible journey, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives will host a series of special events leading up to the official 40th Anniversary Celebration on 19 March 2025. Guests can participate in exciting festivities and sustainability initiatives, with exclusive surprises for those checking in and staying on the day.

Reflecting on this historic occasion, Mark Eletr, General Manager of Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, shared his thoughts on the resort’s legacy and future: “Celebrating four decades of Kandooma is a testament to the passion, dedication, and warm hospitality that have defined this island. From its very first guests in 1985 to those who continue to return, we are honoured to be part of so many cherished memories. Looking ahead, we will continue our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and providing truly unforgettable experiences for everyone who visits our shores.”

The day’s highlight will be an Anniversary Gala Dinner on 19 March at Kandooma Café, featuring a live DJ and singers. As a special thank-you to its loyal guests, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives will give away up to 40,000 IHG Rewards Points to lucky guests dining at the gala.

Furthering its environmental conservation efforts, 40 of Kandooma Maldives’ longest-serving team members will plant 40 coconut palms, each named in their honour as a tribute to their invaluable contributions. This initiative celebrates their lasting impact on the island while reinforcing the resort’s dedication to preserving its natural beauty. Leading this meaningful tree-planting ceremony are Zakariyya Mahmood, who has been part of the island since 1982, even before it welcomed guests and now serves as Crew Leader for Plant Maintenance, and Mohamed Hashim, who started as a gardener in 1986 and is now Housekeeping Manager. Alongside their fellow tenured colleagues, they have left an enduring mark on Kandooma Maldives, shaping its legacy over the years.

Mark Eletr, General Manager of Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, expressed his pride in the resort’s long-serving employees: “Our people are the heart of Kandooma, and it is truly inspiring to see individuals like Zakariyya and Hashim, who have dedicated decades of their lives to this island. Their unwavering commitment makes Kandooma a home away from home for so many guests, and we are proud to celebrate their contributions as part of this special milestone.”

Another legacy project is the Underwater Time Capsule, a sealed waterproof container filled with guest wishes, employee letters, and memorabilia, which will be placed at a dive site. This capsule will be retrieved 10 years later for the island’s 50th anniversary in 2035.

From its beginnings as a tranquil private island retreat to its current status as a cherished destination, Kandooma Maldives continues to evolve while preserving its authentic charm and commitment to hospitality. As the island moves forward, it remains dedicated to offering exceptional experiences, sustainable initiatives, and meaningful connections for every guest who visits.

Located in the South Male Atoll, just 45 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kandooma Maldives is a tropical escape with pristine white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and spacious overwater and beachfront villas. The resort also boasts seven dining venues, a world-class spa, and a range of activities for both divers and non-divers alike.

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The Nautilus Maldives’ unscripted dining: A revolution in ultra-luxury hospitality

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Luxury travel is moving beyond service—it’s moving toward liberation. The Nautilus Maldives pioneers culinary freedom and is the world’s first resort without meal times, where chefs co-create indulgence with guests, anything, anytime, anywhere.

A Pioneer of schedule-free, personality-driven dining

The Nautilus is not just another luxury resort in the Maldives; it is rewriting the rules of fine dining. Its “Unscripted Dining” concept makes it the most liberated, guest-centric culinary experience in the world.

The Nautilus’s Chefs Are Always In

Unlike traditional luxury resorts, dining at The Nautilus isn’t bound by restaurant hours, menus or venues. Chefs serve as co-creators of indulgence, working with guests to turn moods, whims, or even Instagram posts into one-of-a-kind culinary experiences. Haute cuisine at 2 a.m., ramen by the beach at sunset, or a Michelin-style degustation menu on a private sandbank — The Nautilus chefs deliver, as at The Nautilus, the kitchen never closes. For jet-lagged travellers, this means ultimate convenience and comfort: breakfast at dusk, dinner at dawn, or spontaneous midnight feasts.

Why Plan a Meal When You Can Invent It?

Culinary freedom defines The Nautilus. Guests aren’t simply dining – they are designing their own experience in real time. From lobster benedict in bed at midnight to cocktail-paired tasting menus under the stars, everything is on the table – literally. It’s a rejection of routine and predictability, elevating emotional dining as the new luxury. Guests are invited to experience food as emotional expression, with each dish crafted in the moment and shaped by imagination.

An Island Without Meal Times – Radical Hospitality for the Ultra-Individual

The Nautilus rebels against hospitality norms: no schedules, no restrictions, no compromises.

Its philosophy embodies the future of ultra-luxury hospitality: total guest freedom, spontaneity, and personalised indulgence.

A Shared Vision of Culinary Freedom

“True luxury is freedom,” says Adan Gomez, General Manager of The Nautilus. “Our Unscripted Dining concept is a direct reflection of that belief. By removing the limits of time and menus, we invite our guests to experience food not as routine, but as a deeply personal journey of indulgence and expression. Today’s ultra-luxury travellers seek authenticity and individuality above all else. The Nautilus leads this shift, offering a radical departure from scripted hospitality. Every meal becomes a story co-created with the guest, a promise of spontaneity and soulful connection.”

To find out more about The Nautilus visit www.thenautilusmaldives.com

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Halloween and Autumn celebrations at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

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The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, is preparing to welcome guests to a week-long Autumn Festival with Halloween-themed celebrations running from 30 October to 5 November. The programme features a variety of activities designed for families, couples, and individual travellers, with events ranging from treasure hunts and creative workshops to wellness sessions and exclusive dining experiences.

The celebrations begin on 30 October with a beachside Tabata workout followed by a pumpkin carving workshop at La Locanda. Activities for children and teens include the Magic of Mantas virtual reality exploration, Haunted Brick Builders, and the Autumn Costume Fashion Show. Parents are invited to a cocktail gathering on the shore before the evening concludes with a Culinary Maestro dinner by Michelin-starred Chef Max Strohe, as part of the resort’s Masters of Crafts series.

On 31 October, guests may join a morning Dynamic Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden or take part in a turtle snorkelling excursion. Children between four and twelve are encouraged to join the Flying Fox Quest, a Halloween-themed nature walk, while older children embark on an Island Treasure Quest. Seasonal workshops such as wreath decoration and creative pumpkin carving are available, and the day concludes with a Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt across the island and a Halloween Feast at La Locanda.

As the week progresses, the festival highlights wellness and creativity. Under the Masters of Crafts programme, mobility coach Anthony Green will host sessions on posture, flexibility, and spinal health. Seasonal crafts for younger guests include galaxy-themed pumpkin art, Halloween decorations, wand-making, and mask workshops. Family activities extend to Autumn Carnival Stalls, Magic Hat bowling, and themed cooking sessions. Evening entertainment includes a magic show, a piñata party, and further culinary experiences led by Chef Max Strohe.

The festival concludes on 5 November with a Vinsaya Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden, an art class featuring batfish designs on tote bags, and a children’s treasure hunt. Families are invited to join the Boos and Brews Halloween Dhoni Cruise before the celebrations end with a Luxury Sunset Cruise.

Through this programme, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, combines seasonal festivities with wellness, creativity, and gastronomy, offering guests a diverse celebration of autumn and Halloween in the Maldives.

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A quiet force for sustainability: Island produce at Ayada Maldives

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Set within the vibrant Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Ayada Maldives continues to set itself apart, not just as a destination for discerning travellers, but as a resort committed to responsible luxury. Beyond the palm-fringed villas and crystal-clear lagoons, there is a quiet but powerful movement taking place behind the scenes: one that embraces island farming, sustainable operations, and meaningful community partnerships.

At the heart of this vision is Ayada’s flourishing “Secret Garden”, an expansive green haven where herbs, vegetables, and tropical fruits are grown using eco-conscious techniques. From fragrant basil and lemongrass to nutrient-rich leafy greens, the garden supplies the resort’s kitchens with hyper-local ingredients, ensuring that guests experience fresh, flavourful dishes that reflect the richness of the Maldives.

The resort also works hand-in-hand with farmers from nearby islands, offering support and guidance in organic farming practices, composting, and water-efficient growing methods. This collaboration not only enhances the culinary offering at Ayada but also strengthens local island economies and food security across the region.

Sustainability at Ayada is holistic. Energy is managed with precision, wastewater is treated and repurposed for irrigation, and organic kitchen waste is composted. Even the design of villas takes inspiration from natural Maldivian architecture, using locally sourced materials to blend seamlessly with the island’s surroundings.

What sets Ayada apart is the seamless integration of sustainability with the guest experience. Whether strolling through the garden, enjoying a farm-to-table meal, or simply knowing that their stay supports environmental stewardship, guests walk away with more than memories, they become part of a broader story of conservation and care.

In a world where sustainability is becoming essential, Ayada Maldives continues to lead with purpose, proving that true luxury can and should leave a lighter footprint.

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