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Barceló Nasandhura opens as Male’s largest hotel

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Barceló Hotel Group continues its international expansion with the opening of Barceló Nasandhura Malé, the first five-star hotel in the capital of the Maldives.

In the Indian Ocean, the Maldives are made up of 26 atolls and 1,200 small islands. With its year-round warm temperatures, crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches and rich marine biodiversity, the archipelago is a true paradise, and the perfect setting for swimming all year round.

With prime seafront location and unobstructed views of the turquoise Maldivian waters, the new Barceló Nasandhura Malé stands out both for its excellent location and original design, offering guests a holistic experience in a blissful destination. The hotel will have 136 rooms of various categories and 116 exclusive apartments, offering guests luxurious urban accommodation in the vibrant city of Malé.

Barceló Nasandhura Malé enjoys a prime location, directly opposite the Henveiru Ferry Terminal and just a 10-minute drive from Velana International Airport.

The culinary experience at the new Barceló Nasandhura Malé comprises three restaurants, a snack bar and a shisha lounge: Alimas, the lounge café located on the ground floor; Oivaru, an all-day buffet-style restaurant; Dons, specialising in Chinese cuisine; rooftop bar and lounge BHeaven, offering a variety of signature mocktails and shisha area; and finally, the Pool Bar, which gives guests the opportunity to relax by the city’s first and only oceanfront pool.

Barceló Nasandhura Malé also offers an extensive wellness area with a wide range of services including a spa and six luxurious treatment rooms. The hotel’s fully equipped fitness centre boasts unbeatable views of the sea, creating the perfect setting for guests to workout.

In addition, the new Barceló Nasandhura Malé hotel offers more than 1,000 m2 of spacious facilities for MICE events making it an ideal venue for hosting conferences, exhibitions or corporate conventions.

With this new opening, Barceló Hotel Group reaffirms its commitment to increasing its presence in Asia where it currently manages 11 hotels in six countries: Maldives, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, UAE and Oman.

Barceló Nasandhura Malé is the group’s second hotel in the Maldives, where just over a year ago it opened Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives, a 5-star resort comprising 100 luxury villas, 30 of which are overwater. This hotel is located on the Bodufinolhu island, in the South Ari Atoll, next to the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA), one of the world’s most renowned destinations for spotting whale sharks. This strategic location makes it one of the best resorts for diving enthusiasts.

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Halloween at Sun Siyam Iru Veli turns fantasy, not fright

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Sun Siyam Iru Veli marked Halloween with a one-day island celebration, “Whimsy Over Wicked,” reimagining the tradition of fright as a fairytale of fantasy on 31 October. The programme invited guests of all ages to immerse themselves in themed workshops, entertainment, and dining experiences designed to encourage creativity and the joy of make-believe.

At the Turtle Kidz Club, children joined a full-house Pumpkin Workshop, decorating pumpkins with gemstones, bright colours, and playful patterns. As the sun set over Fresh Water Beach, the festivities shifted to a Masquerade Evening, where guests enjoyed island beats and signature cocktails and mocktails against a golden horizon. The celebration continued at Turtle Beach with a Beach BBQ Dinner, presenting a Halloween-inspired menu in a storybook setting with live music by the sea.

The night concluded with a private “Cinema Under the Stars” screening, offering an open-air experience that captured the spirit of the occasion.

Through “Whimsy Over Wicked,” Sun Siyam Iru Veli highlighted creativity, connection, and the island’s natural setting. Guests departed with memories shaped by laughter, imagination, and a shared celebration under the Maldivian night sky.

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Drink

SO/ Maldives unveils Creation Wines five-course pairing evening

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SO/ Maldives will host an exclusive Wine Dinner in collaboration with Creation Wines, led by Carolyn and Glenn Martin, founders of the South African winery. The event will take place at Lazuli Beach Club on 5 November 2025, from 18:30 to 22:00, with a beachfront setting designed for an evening of fine wine, culinary craft and storytelling.

Guests will be served a five-course menu, each course created by the SO/ Maldives culinary team to complement selected vintages from Creation. From the first pour to the final course, the pairings highlight a shared commitment between SO/ Maldives and Creation Wines to creativity, authenticity and the art of living well.

Guided by Carolyn and Glenn Martin, the evening will explore the relationship between food and wine, with insights into their winemaking approach, the vineyard, and their journey from South Africa’s Hemel-en-Aarde Valley to the Maldives.

Creation Wines combines an ancient landscape with a modern estate driven by innovation. Its team draws on the Hemel-en-Aarde terroir to produce wines that aim to be vibrant and expressive, with each bottle telling a story of balance and harmony.

At SO/ Maldives, contemporary design and artistic sensibility provide the backdrop for imaginative experiences. The Creation Wine Dinner reflects this approach, bringing together gastronomy, style and narrative in a single event.

“This dinner is a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship and connection,” said Nyoman Suandari, Director of Culinary at SO/ Maldives. “Each pairing is designed not only to delight the palate but also to evoke emotion—to capture the essence of both land and sea, and of the artistry that unites us.”

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Awards

Amilla Maldives recognised for accessible travel at Travel for Every Body Awards

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Amilla Maldives has received further recognition for its dedication to inclusivity and accessibility, being Highly Commended in the ‘Accessible Travel Initiative – Accommodation’ category at the inaugural Travel for Every Body Awards by Selling Travel.

Launched this year, the Travel for Every Body Awards celebrates individuals, initiatives, organisations, and campaigns that are making a positive impact on the accessible travel industry, highlighting progress and inspiring further change.

As the world’s first IncluCare-certified resort, Amilla Maldives continues to enhance its facilities and services to meet the diverse accessibility needs of its guests. The resort goes beyond full wheelchair accessibility, offering features designed for guests who are hearing or visually impaired. Team members have also undertaken MyHappyMind training to better support guests with hidden disabilities such as autism and ADHD. In partnership with Dive Butler, Amilla has established an accessible dive centre, and introduced pool hoists, ramp access, and personal guides to facilitate inclusive participation in activities such as snorkelling, Dolphin Discovery, and fishing excursions. Within its dining venues, adaptive cutlery, tailored menus, and staff trained in supporting guests with dysphagia ensure a thoughtful and inclusive culinary experience.

This recognition joins Amilla Maldives’ growing list of accolades, including being named among the Best Resorts for Families in the Maldives at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025; and being one of only five Maldivian resorts featured in the FORBES Travel Guide VERIFIED™ Responsible Hospitality 2025 programme. Both the resort and its Javvu Spa were also honoured in the FORBES Travel Guide 2025 Star Awards, underscoring Amilla’s commitment to excellence and meaningful guest experiences.

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