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Ananda in the Himalayas returns to The Nautilus Maldives for soulful healing residency

Published

1 year ago

April 2, 2025

At The Nautilus Maldives, wellness is more than a retreat – it is a deeply personal journey of realignment, restoration, and renewal. From 11th to 18th August 2025, The Nautilus welcomes back the globally acclaimed wellness experts from its esteemed partner, Ananda in the Himalayas, for an exclusive residency: “Holistic Healing for Balancing Energies”.

Rooted in the timeless principles of Ayurveda and energy healing, this immersive retreat invites seekers of well-being to recalibrate their inner rhythm. Guided by expert practitioners from Ananda in the Himalayas – the multi-award-winning, world-renowned holistic wellness retreat – the experience draws upon elemental balance to restore vitality, emotional harmony, and a profound sense of inner peace.

Guests will be in the care of Ms Sunita Kumari and Mr Sandarbh, each bringing a wealth of knowledge that blends Ayurvedic tradition with contemporary therapeutic insight. With over nine years of international experience, Sunita is renowned for her intuitive ability to enhance circulation, revitalise the body, and support long-term resilience. As a senior trainer at Ananda, she curates bespoke programmes that address the complexities of modern life, while honouring ancient healing philosophies. Sandarbh brings a serene presence and a personalised approach to each treatment, gently encouraging the body’s natural rhythm to restore itself. His thoughtful techniques foster a deep sense of calm and release, guiding guests into a state of profound rest and renewal.

This intimate residency invites guests to experience Ananda’s signature energy-balancing therapies, including Manipura and Kundalini Back Massage, the harmonising Tibetan Ku Nye Massage, and Ananda Moksha – a ritual of release inspired by the concept of liberation and the unimpeded flow of prana. To ensure the journey continues with intention, each guest will receive a complimentary follow-up consultation with Ananda’s Ayurvedic physician, offering personalised guidance to support everyday life and wellbeing throughout the year. For those wishing to deepen their journey, curated glimpses of Ananda’s Ayurvedic cuisine will be available anytime, anywhere across the island.

With just 26 private houses and residences, The Nautilus is a haven of freedom set within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll. Surrounded by ivory sands, vibrant coral reefs, and the tranquil waters of the Indian Ocean, this island sanctuary offers a space to breathe, to realign, and to simply be. Thoughtfully designed boho-chic interiors, exceptional spa rituals, and unscripted moments of stillness come together to create a true retreat for the soul.

Manipura Massage (85 mins)

Manipura means “beautiful, shining jewel” in Sanskrit. It refers to the solar plexus (navel) chakra, our centre of fire and sun energy that ignites our health and vitality. This transformative treatment is designed to stimulate and balance the solar ‘sun’ vitality within us through reflexology and Marma massage, lymphatic drainage, and the application of Himalayan herb poultices applied to the 10 petals of the solar plexus. This unique body ritual combines a Himalayan crystal scrub to purify, detox, and stimulate the lymphatic system with various techniques to harness and restore the energy of the body.

Kundalini Back Massage (85 mins)

Kundalini – a female goddess of awareness in the form of a coiled snake – is the dormant energy present at the base of the spine. When awakened, this powerful force travels up the spine to the third eye, leading to increased energy and spiritual enlightenment. This treatment begins with a Himalayan crystal scrub to purify, detox, and stimulate the lymphatic system, and also cleanse the energy body. This is followed by a back massage which is deeply soothing and relaxing, balancing the whole nervous system owing to the synergistic use of an essential oil blend combined with ancient techniques of massage and chakra healing.

Tibetan Ku Nye Massage (90 mins)

A Tibetan body massage designed to balance the five elements and restore a harmonious flow of energy and vitality in the body. A blend of five essential oils, chosen to balance the elements, is combined with traditional Tibetan techniques of cupping, kneading, and acupressure using hot Himalayan crystal salt poultices. The aim of this treatment is to restore the nervous system and stimulate a free flow of energy within the body.

Shiatsu (60/90 mins)

Ananda Shiatsu is a full-body pressure point experience involving the application of pressure with the thumbs, palms, elbows, and knees to specific points or areas on the body to maintain physical and mental wellbeing. Shiatsu is known for reducing stress, improving circulation, and boosting the immune system. It is also believed to have sedative effects and may alleviate insomnia. In a broader sense, Shiatsu is thought to enhance physical vitality and emotional wellbeing.

Deep Tissue Massage (85 mins)

Deep tissue massages involve an understanding of the different layers of the body and the ability to work with the tissues in these layers to relax, lengthen, and release holding patterns in the most effective and energy-efficient way possible. They are especially recommended for most forms of chronic muscle tension and are generally effective for individuals who experience overall body tension due to stress or overexertion.

Ananda Moksha (90 min)

The holistic therapy is inspired by the concept of Moksha, which signifies a liberation of the senses and a release for the free flow of prana, or energy. This treatment has been customised to work on different levels of the human body and consciousness to create a sense of overall physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Ananda Moksha is a full-body massage which uses traditional Ayurvedic therapeutic techniques practised for thousands of years in India. It begins with a traditional oil application using long strokes across the entire body, followed by the release of pressure points, thereby stimulating the musculoskeletal system and leaving you with increased energy and a heightened sense of vitality. This immediately eliminates sluggishness and simultaneously helps to ease discomfort, blockages, aches, and pain. The therapy continues with slow release along the spine, followed by abdominal circulation, and ends with relaxation, toning, and easing of muscle tension in the shoulders, neck, head, and scalp. The therapy works on the physical system, but its effects go deep into the recesses of the mind and emotions. The result is a feeling of complete rest, repair, and rejuvenation.

To learn more about the upcoming Ananda Wellness Residency at The Nautilus, visit https://www.thenautilusmaldives.com/ananda-wellness-residency. To reserve your place at the “Holistic Healing for Balancing Energies” retreat, please contact The Nautilus at hello@thenautilusmaldives.com.

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Adaaran Resorts brings ‘When the Island Blooms’ festive concept to Maldives

Published

12 hours ago

August 10, 2026

m@ldives

This festive season, Adaaran Resorts invites couples and friends to experience Christmas in the Maldives through a glowing new seasonal concept: When the Island Blooms. Across Adaaran Prestige Vadoo and Adaaran Prestige Water Villas, the islands will come alive with blooming lights, shimmering trees, ocean-inspired installations and evenings shaped by romance, celebration and tropical wonder.

By day, the season unfolds through ocean adventures, festive workshops, private dining experiences and slow moments above the lagoon. By night, pathways glow, beaches turn into celebration spaces and Christmas takes on a softer, warmer island rhythm.

At Adaaran Prestige Vadoo, the festive season begins with romance at the centre. Set above the lagoon and shaped around overwater privacy, the island transforms into an adults-only festive escape where every evening feels made for two. From cake mixing by the shoreline to cocktail soirées, fire performances, private beach dinners and New Year celebrations, Vadoo brings the bloom concept to life through intimacy, sparkle and island charm.

Highlights include:

The Grand Festive Formation Christmas Cake Mixing Ceremony by the lagoon
25 Days of Festive Moments, with daily games and seasonal surprises leading up to Christmas
Saint Nicholas Cocktail Soirée at Sky Bar with festive cocktails, gourmet tapas and live acoustic music
Romantic Sand Bench Dinners and Tropical Romance Dinners, both designed for couples by the beach
Interactive festive experiences including spice blending, smoked cocktail demonstrations, wine blind tasting, latte art, Thai cookery and molecular cocktail sessions
Christmas Tree Lighting & Cocktail Evening with carols, handcrafted cocktails, live music, fire performance and Tanoura dance
“Festive Paradise Glow” Christmas Eve Celebration with festive cocktails, Santa’s arrival, gala dining, raffles, live music and a Christmas party by the lagoon
Christmas Elegance Dinner, a romantic overwater dining experience with 360° ocean views
New Year’s Eve “The Majestic London”, featuring cocktails, gala dining, entertainment, fireworks, DJ celebrations and the crowning of the Vadoo Queen
Extraordinary New Year’s Dinner in the Tree House or Floating Deck, created for an intimate start to 2027
Orthodox Christmas Eve with gala dining, DJ entertainment, free-flow drinks, games and Santa’s arrival

Vadoo is where the island blooms with romance, celebration and the easy magic of overwater living.

At Adaaran Prestige Water Villas, the festive season takes on a quieter, more exclusive rhythm. Set within Meedhupparu’s glowing island landscape, this adults-only overwater enclave offers a private festive escape above the lagoon, with access to the wider celebrations unfolding across the island. Guests can step into beachfront festivities, ocean adventures and signature dining experiences, then return to the calm of their own overwater sanctuary.

Highlights include:

Christmas Tree Lighting by the beach as Meedhupparu begins to glow for the season
Christmas Eve Magic, a moonlit celebration inspired by Maldivian island legends, ocean journeys and festive island storytelling
Festive ocean adventures including dolphin cruises, snorkelling safaris, sunset jet ski experiences and sunset fishing by dhoni
Floating Champagne Breakfast served in the Water Villa lagoon for a refined festive morning
Private Sandbank Festive Lunch & High Tea surrounded by open ocean views
Signature dining experiences including Lobster Beach Barbecue, 21-Course Progressive Dinner, Seven-Course Modern Gastronomy Dinner, Tree House Dinner and Chef’s Table – Indian Ocean Edition
Private Cinema Under the Stars and Jungle-Themed Movie Night for couples seeking a quieter festive evening
New Year’s Eve Extravaganza, a beachfront celebration with cocktails, gala dining, DJ entertainment, countdown, fire show and fireworks
New Year’s Eve VIP Water Villa Dining Experience with champagne, seafood and premium countdown moments
New Year dining experiences including Fire & Flame Steak Dinner, Romantic Sandbench Dinner and Sunset Sushi & Sake Experience
Orthodox Festive Dinner with beachside grills, seafood, lobster and live duo music

Adaaran Prestige Water Villas is where the island blooms with stillness, privacy and beautifully crafted festive indulgence.

Together, Adaaran Prestige Vadoo and Adaaran Prestige Water Villas offer two adults-only ways to celebrate Christmas in the Maldives. One brings playful romance and festive energy close to Malé, while the other offers secluded overwater calm in the Raa Atoll. Across both, the season glows with ocean light, intimate dining, warm hospitality and memories made beneath a blooming island sky.

This Christmas, the islands do not simply celebrate. They bloom.

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First green sea turtle hatchlings of season emerge at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort

Published

1 day ago

August 9, 2026

m@ldives

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has recorded its first green sea turtle hatchlings of the season, marking another important milestone in the island’s ongoing marine conservation efforts.

Located in Raa Atoll, Maamunagau is recognised as an important sea turtle nesting site, with 6 nests recorded on the island so far this year. While sea turtles nest throughout the year in the Maldives, June and July typically mark the peak nesting period in Raa Atoll. This season, the recorded nests have primarily belonged to green sea turtles, a species that remains protected in the Maldives.

The first hatchlings of the season emerged naturally on the evening of 22 July, approximately two months after the eggs were laid. Throughout the nesting season, the resort’s Marine Biology team monitors each nest and conducts research activities under approved conservation protocols, collecting valuable data to better understand local sea turtle populations and nesting patterns.

Through its partnership with The Manta Trust and collaboration with conservation partners including the Olive Ridley Project, InterContinental Maldives continues to contribute to marine research and conservation efforts in the Maldives. Each recorded nest provides important insights that support the protection of sea turtles and their habitats for future generations.

Guests are encouraged to experience these special moments responsibly, with hatchlings observed from a dis tance and artificial lighting minimised to allow them to make their natural journey towards the ocean.

As part of its commitment to protecting the surrounding marine environment, InterContinental Maldives continues to support conservation through research, education and responsible wildlife experiences, helping guests connect with the unique ecosystems of the Maldives.

Cooking

Sun Siyam Iru Veli hosts Czech Chef Jan Punčochář for culinary residency

Published

2 days ago

August 8, 2026

m@ldives

Sun Siyam Iru Veli part of Sun Siyam’s Privé Collection, has concluded an exclusive culinary residency with celebrated Czech chef Jan Punčochář, held from 25 July to 1 August 2026. Hosted in partnership with Colours of Maldives, the collaboration brought Chef Jan’s distinctive culinary philosophy and international expertise to Roma, the resort’s signature overwater restaurant renowned for its contemporary Italian and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.

At the heart of the residency was an intimate Chef’s Table on 31 July, where Chef Jan presented a multi-course menu created exclusively for guests. The menu showcased Czech culinary traditions interpreted through Maldivian ingredients and island-inspired flavours, accompanied by carefully selected wine pairings designed to complement each course. Earlier in the week, a special cocktail evening on 28 July introduced Chef Jan to guests in a relaxed setting, offering them the opportunity to meet and interact with him ahead of the dinner. Throughout his residency, he also worked alongside Iru Veli’s culinary team, sharing techniques, ideas and expertise through hands-on sessions in the kitchen.

One of the Czech Republic’s most recognised culinary figures, Chef Jan is behind the acclaimed Prague restaurants U Matěje, Stůl and Šnycl. His career has been shaped by experience across leading European kitchens, including stages at Michelin-starred Hangar 7 in Austria and Tim Raue in Germany, followed by senior roles in Switzerland and Prague. Known for honest, seasonal cooking, meticulous technique and thoughtful wine pairing, he is also widely recognised as a judge on MasterChef Česko and as the host and judge of Hell’s Kitchen Česko.

“Exceptional dining is an important part of the Sun Siyam experience, and we are always looking at how we can continue to evolve it. Welcoming Chef Jan allowed us to introduce our guests to an entirely new culinary perspective while creating valuable opportunities for our own chefs to exchange ideas, techniques and inspiration. It is these meaningful collaborations that continue to elevate the experience we offer.” Remarked Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Vilu Reef.

As part of Sun Siyam Resorts’ signature chef residency programme, this collaboration held in partnership with Colours of Maldives, reflects the brand’s commitment to bringing respected culinary talent to the Maldives while creating meaningful opportunities for cultural exchange, team development and memorable guest experiences.

For more information and to book your island getaway, please visit Sun Siyam Iru Veli Offers page.