News
Mercure Maldives Kooddoo offers rich culture, vibrant traditions this Eid-al-Fitr

This Eid-al-Fitr, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo invites guests to immerse themselves in the rich culture and vibrant traditions of the Maldives with a specially curated lineup of festive experiences. Taking place amidst the breathtaking beauty of the Indian Ocean, the resort’s Eid celebrations will feature a harmonious blend of authentic Maldivian customs and modern luxury, offering guests an unforgettable island escape.
Kick off the Eid festivities with a lively and colorful parade featuring traditional Maldivian music, dance, and costumes. This joyful procession will bring together guests and locals, creating an atmosphere of unity and celebration.
Guests can experience the art of Maldivian cuisine with an interactive cooking class as well. Led by expert chefs, participants will learn to create authentic Eid dishes, uncovering the unique flavors and ingredients that define Maldivian gastronomy.
Later in the day, connect with the heritage of the Maldives through a traditional palm weaving class. Guests will have the opportunity to craft intricate items from palm leaves, guided by skilled artisans.
Conclude the celebrations with a lavish buffet at Alita, showcasing a range of Maldivian specialties. Guests can savor an exquisite dining experience inspired by the rich culinary traditions of the Maldives.
Family
Oaga Art Resort’s Easter celebration: Case of Detective Kuku

Oaga Art Resort is set to transform the Easter holiday into an extraordinary artistic and cultural experience with Easter Week taking place from April 15th to 22nd, 2025. This meticulously crafted event promises a fusion of traditional Easter festivities with the resort’s signature artistic and musical flair, creating a unique and unforgettable island escape, centred around the “Detective Kuku” mystery.
Adding an element of playful intrigue to your Easter getaway is the unfolding case of “Detective Kuku” and the missing eggs. Families are specially invited to become sleuths in this island-wide whodunit, collaborating to decipher clues strategically scattered across the resort. The investigation officially commences with “The Sundown Brief” cocktail soirée on April 19th, where the puzzling details of the Easter Bunny’s disappearance will be unveiled. The following day, the hunt intensifies as families embark on a trail of riddles and engaging challenges, interacting with a cast of quirky characters who may hold the key to solving the mystery. This collaborative adventure promises fun and excitement for guests of all ages, culminating in “The Debrief” Easter pool party where the truth behind the missing eggs will finally be revealed.
Beyond the captivating mystery, the resort’s Suvasthi Art Studio will be a hub of creativity, hosting daily “Free Flow” sessions where guests can explore various artistic mediums. From crafting bunny ears and Easter sun-catchers to exploring watercolour techniques with local artists, these sessions offer a unique opportunity for artistic exploration. The “Roots in Motion – Easter Edition” dance program will provide a dynamic range of dance styles, including Tutting, Dancehall, and House, catering to all skill levels and ages, with dedicated sessions for beginners, intermediate, and advanced dancers.
Evenings will be alive with music and entertainment, featuring performances by local bands like Vaguthee Trio, Affan and the King Coconuts, and Sandpaper, as well as solo acts like Naffah and Isse. The “O’Fire Night” and “Breeze & Bass” beach party will provide vibrant nightlife experiences, while the “Starlit Cinema” offers a more relaxed evening under the stars.
For families, the Fiyoh Club will offer a dedicated program of Easter-themed activities, including arts and crafts sessions, while children and teens can participate in the 10-day “Roots in Motion” dance program.
Oaga Art Resort warmly invites guests to partake in an Easter celebration like no other. Easter Week at Oaga guarantees a week of artistic immersion, cultural exploration, and joyful festivities in the breathtaking Maldivian islands.
Don’t miss out! Book your stay at Oaga Art Resort and experience the redefined limits of all-inclusive with the Greatest All-Inclusive plan. Enjoy Free Flow (art) sessions, Take Notes (music) experiences, Floating meals, excursions, motorised watersports, and more.
Visit www.oagaresorts.com to book your stay.
Fitness
‘F45 Festival’ added to 2025 event line-up at Kandooma Maldives

The private island Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives welcomes the return of Active Escapes fitness retreats 27 April to 4 May, with the 2025 F45 Festival added to the annual event line-up. Running 22-29 September 2025, the F45 Festival at Kandooma Maldives is a highlight on the Active Escapes event calendar, and perfect for those who like to combine fitness with their vacation.
“Everyone’s idea of the perfect holiday is different. For some of our guests, it’s all about soaking up the sun, taking ocean dips, and sipping cocktails until sunset – and that sounds pretty amazing. But for others, it is about staying active, trying new things and connecting with like-minded people. That’s where Active Escapes shine – creating unforgettable getaways tailored for those who want more than just a holiday in the sun. We are thrilled to welcome Active Escapes back to Kandooma again this year offering the ultimate balance of fitness, adventure and relaxation in our tropical island paradise.” said Sharon Garrett, Director of Marketing, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives.
Active Escapes curates experiences that cater to diverse preferences. From water-based activities like snorkelling and kayaking to scuba-diving and more. Beyond the aqua-centric pursuits, there is time for holistic well-being too. Think yoga sessions against the backdrop of a breathtaking sunrise or sunset. A visit to the Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala in the resort gardens or just taking a moment to breathe and reflect by the beach with the sounds of the waves enveloping you. Active Escapes emphasises not only the thrill of leisure pursuits and group fitness activities but also the tranquillity and grounding that can be attained by embracing nature’s beauty and being in the present at this island paradise.
F45 workouts combine elements of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), circuit training, and functional training aiming to achieve real and noticeable change. An F45 workout can burn 400-600 calories, delivering an amazing, post-workout euphoria, in 45-minutes.
Joining an Active Escapes Retreat or the F45 Festival isn’t about going without. Guests are welcomed with mouthwatering cuisine crafted by the resort’s culinary team led by Chef Eddie Ng complemented by an impressive selection of drinks. The philosophy is simple: train hard by day while having fun and indulge guilt-free at night.
The Active Escapes getaways are all about having fun with other like-minded people from around the globe. It’s a welcoming environment where the hope is you will leave a bit fitter than when you arrived in the Maldives, but the ultimate decision is yours. You can participate in everything and go hard-core or pick and choose. There are varying degrees of difficulty in the programme to ensure those seeking to work out super hard feel challenged and those who need to be a little less intense in their workouts feel well catered for.
Active Escapes are particularly popular with solo-travellers, who make up half of their bookings globally. The main age-group is 20-40 years, however on occasion there have been guests in their late 50s.
The seven-night Active Escapes F45 Festival 2025 hosts have been confirmed as Alice Evans, Cristina Chan and John Karpathakis.
Packages start from US$2,800 per person twin share (excluding flights) and US$3,700 for a single room. Packages include:
- 7 Nights accommodation
- Day 1 is arrival day and boat transfers are included at any time from Male Airport
- Brunch and dinner included daily (except arrival day)
- All fitness workouts
- Yoga sessions
- Choose your activity (Surfing, SUP, Shark Snorkeling)
- Snorkel Maldives Reef Boat Trip
- Free scuba diving
- Breath work and Ice baths
- Live music and DJ’s
- Open Mic Night
- Themed Party Day
- Reverse Raffle – Lots of prizes to be won!
- Photo Package
- Active Escapes Welcome Pack
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has a variety of different room types. Ask about upgrading to a Beach House or Overwater Villa – upgrade charges apply. Payment plans are also available taking the US$400 deposit now and the remaining amount split into regular payments up until the retreat. Note that package prices quoted are likely to increase as the event draws closer. All prices are quoted in US dollars and subject to local taxes and Maldives mandatory green fees.
Active Escapes operates fitness retreats year-round in locations all over the world – Bali, Maldives, Noosa, Byron Bay, South Africa, Greece, Thailand, New Zealand and more!
Family
Refined island Easter celebration at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Dhawa Ihuru

This Easter, guests at Dhawa Ihuru and Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru are invited to celebrate the season with a curated mix of seaside tradition and tropical charm.
At Dhawa Ihuru, families can enjoy relaxed beachfront festivities including egg hunts, face painting, interactive cooking for little ones, and more.
Across the lagoon, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru offers understated elegance with Easter-themed beachfront barbecues, Maldivian traditions and a seasonal culinary Sakura Signature Omakase at its award-winning overwater restaurant, Madi Hiyaa.
From playful mornings to candlelit dinners by the sea, Easter is reimagined in a setting that is both vibrant and serene.
Experience the Original Maldives in barefoot eco-luxury at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, a secluded tropical sanctuary for the senses in North Malé Atoll, just 25 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport. Its 48 newly refurbished all-pool villas blend Maldivian heritage with sustainable design. At the heart of its sustainability commitment, the Marine Lab has been a pioneer of ocean stewardship since 2004. Savour a Dine-Around gourmet experience across three exceptional restaurants: Sangu Garden, Saffron, award-winning Madi Hiyaa, elevated by the beachfront Naiboli bar. Vabbinfaru is also home to the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa and offers the exclusive Twin-Island experience at sister property Dhawa Ihuru.
Unwind in style at the all-inclusive Dhawa Ihuru in the Maldives. Set on North Malé Atoll, just a swift 25 minutes complimentary speedboat ride from Velana International Airport, Dhawa Ihuru is a distinct island retreat of its own, where abundant nature, local culture and warm hospitality meet with stylish comfort and modern design, ideal for the new generation of independent travellers.
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