News
Fall in love with Maldives this summer with tailored escapes at Centara resorts
Summer is almost here, and these four stunning Centara properties in the Maldives make the perfect escape for GCC travellers. Just a short flight from the UAE, each resort – Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, and Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection – offers a unique, immersive experience to suit every kind of guest. Set against a backdrop of turquoise waters and soft sandy beaches, and combining Centara’s signature Thai hospitality with authentic Maldivian charm, your unforgettable summer getaway awaits.
Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives
As the newest addition to Centara’s Maldivian properties, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives completes The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, a multi-island destination that creates a truly unique holiday experience. Home to a variety of elegantly designed accommodations, this serene sanctuary seamlessly blends Thai-inspired hospitality with the stunning natural beauty of the Indian Ocean. Guests can indulge in world-class dining, experience holistic wellness at SPA Cenvaree Retreat, and enjoy a wealth of activities, making it a haven for those seeking both serenity and adventure.
To celebrate the resort’s official opening, Centara invites guests to secure their next escape with its Grand Island Indulgence: Exclusive Introductory Offer. Available on bookings made until 30th June 2025 for stays between now and 15th October 2025, enjoy a relaxing 4-night stay while only paying for 3, or extend your escape with Stay 7, Pay 5. To make your stay that extra bit special, this incredible offer also includes meal plan upgrades, complimentary bubbly and couples’ massages, exclusive access to The Club, a choice of an ocean excursion, plus extra perks for CentaraThe1 members and more.
Booking dates: From now until June 30th
Stay dates: From now until October 15th, 2025
Offer: Pay for 3 nights and stay for 4 OR pay for 5 and stay for 7
Additional benefits:
- Complimentary meal plan upgrade
- Club access
- Complimentary bubbly and couples’ massages
- Choice of stunning ocean excursion
For bookings and more information, please click here.
Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives
Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives is also situated within The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, completing this multi-island wonderland. In contrast with its sister property, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives offers a vibrant and lively family-centric destination. This, underwater-themed resort marks Centara’s fourth resort in its renowned family-focused Mirage brand, promising a fun and engaging experience for guests of all ages.
Experience an unforgettable family escape this summer with a special introductory offer at Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives. Enjoy up to 25% off best available rates and settle into one of 145 stylish, beach-inspired rooms, each featuring a dining table and a private outdoor bathtub, jacuzzi, or pool. Dive into non-stop fun with thrilling activities, an exciting kids club, a tropical lazy river, and relaxing treatments at the world-class SPA Cenvaree, plus playful mini treatments for little ones at the colourful Candy Spa.
Adding to the family fun, up to 2 kids aged 11 and under can stay, play, and dine for free. What’s more, to ensure a seamless summer getaway from arrival to departure, enjoy complimentary airport transfers. On top of this, CentaraThe1 Members will receive X3 CentaraThe1 points on their stay.
Don’t miss out – beat the heat, Maldivian style, with boundless fun and adventure for guests of all ages at Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives.
Booking dates: From now until April 30th
Stay dates: From now until October 31st, 2025
Offer:
- Special room rates
- Up to 2 children aged 11 and under stay, play, and eat for free
- Free roundtrip transfers*
- An additional 15% discount for CentaraThe1 Members with X3 CentaraThe1 points
- Access to an array of family-centric attractions, restaurants, and more
For bookings and more information, please click here.
Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives
Accessible by a short speedboat ride, this idyllic island retreat is an adults-only haven, blending indulgence and tranquillity in equal measure. Reconnect, and rejuvenate in a private beachfront villa, savour a romantic candlelit dinner on the beach, or simply soak up the summer sun beside the sparkling lagoon. Guests can also explore vibrant marine life through snorkelling, or enjoy resort-wide activities, beach games, and water sports.
Cool off this summer season as you reboot, recharge, and rejuvenate with a one-of-a-kind getaway at Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives. This adults-only island paradise invites guests to bask in the Maldivian sunshine with 30% off on all villas and 45% off for CentaraThe1 Members. To begin your summer sojourn in style, guests can enjoy 50% off on transfers for stays of 2 to 4 nights, plus guests staying in an opulent Overwater Villa will be treated to a bottle of sparkling grape and a fruit basket upon arrival.
To make your escape even more unforgettable, savour the resort’s world-class dining experiences with 20% off food and drinks throughout your stay or savour a succulent 3-course poolside dinner, available for guests on Half Board and above. Additionally, take advantage of 10% off water sports and excursions alongside complimentary snorkelling, pedalo, and kayaking, allowing you to make cherished memories with loved ones. Finally, a visit to Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives would not be complete without a pampering session at SPA Cenvaree, where guests can enjoy buy one, get one on select treatments.
Book now and spoil yourself and a loved one with an unparalleled summer sojourn at Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives.
Booking dates: From now until January 10th, 2026
Stay dates: From now until January 10th, 2026
Offer:
- 45% off on all villas for CentaraThe1 Members
- 30% off for non-members
- 50% off on transfers with a minimum 2 nights to a maximum 4 nights
- Sparkling grape & fruit basket upon arrival in Overwater villas
- One 3-course poolside dinner under the stars for Half Board Plus and above
- Buy one and get one on select spa treatments
- Special evening turndown service with bed decoration on arrival night
- 20% discount on Food & Beverage from all outlets’ a la carte menu
- 10% discount on water sports and excursions
- Complimentary use of Snorkelling gear, pedalo, and kayak
For bookings and more information, please click here.
Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection
Embark on a summer escape like no other at Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection, where Maldivian charm meets Thai-inspired hospitality in a setting of natural beauty and award-winning house reef . Choose from 112 spacious beachfront and overwater villas, each offering panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and a serene space to unwind. From colourful house reef snorkelling to a fascinating shipwreck dive site, this resort offers unforgettable experiences for couples, families, and adventure seekers alike.
Escape the ordinary with an unforgettable stay at Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection, with 40% off villas for CentaraThe1 members, 30% off for non-members, and an additional 30% off seaplane transfers, as well as endless perks and exciting experiences around every corner. From the moment you arrive to find handmade chocolates and fresh tropical fruit in your villa, you’ll know you’re somewhere special. Spend your days snorkelling vibrant reefs, paddling through crystal-clear waters, or exploring the island’s lush surroundings, then unwind with a buy-one-get-one spa treatment or sip cocktails with 20% off across all à la carte dining venues.
Families can look forward to a complimentary picnic lunch, while couples enjoy an intimate three-course dinner under the stars. Alternatively, enhance your stay further with floating breakfasts served in your private pool, beautifully decorated beds on arrival night, and generous savings on water sports, and more. With free stays and meals for little ones aged 6 and under, and complimentary access to snorkelling gear, kayaks, and pedalos, this island retreat offers everything you need for a truly magical Maldivian escape.
Booking dates: From now until January 10th, 2026
Stay dates: From now until January 10th, 2026
Offer:
- 45% off for CentaraThe1 Member on all villas
- 30% off on all villas for non-members
- 30% discount on seaplane transfers for all guests with a minimum stay of 2 to 6 nights
- Homemade chocolates & fruit basket upon arrival in Overwater and Club Pool Villas
- One free picnic lunch – for the whole family (Half Board Plus and above) or one 3-course private beach dinner under the stars for couples (Half Board Plus and above)
- Buy one and get one on select spa treatments
- Kids 6 years and below Stay & Eat for Free as per the meal plan booked by parents
- 20% special discount on indulging floating breakfast (Only in Club pool villas)
- Special evening turn-down service with bed decoration on arrival night
- 20% discount on Food & Beverages in all outlets on the à la carte menu
- 10% discount on Water Sports and Excursions
- Complimentary use of Snorkeling gear, pedalo and Kayak
For bookings and more information, please click here.
Featured
Ancient banyan tree anchors spiritual experiences at Machchafushi Island Resort
Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa, part of The Centara Collection, offers an island experience shaped by the rhythm of the ocean in the heart of South Ari Atoll. While the resort is widely recognised for its celebrated dive sites, award-winning house reef and rich marine life, another presence quietly anchors the spirit of the island.
Within the peaceful grounds of SPA Cenvaree stands a centuries-old banyan tree known locally as the Ummeedhu Tree, meaning Wish Fulfilment. With its expansive canopy and cascading aerial roots, the tree is regarded as more than a natural landmark. It is a symbol of continuity and reflection, standing as a silent witness to the island’s past and present.
Long before the island became a resort destination, the banyan tree stood rooted in the sands of Machchafushi. Today, the resort honours it as the spiritual heart of the island, inviting guests to pause beneath its branches and engage in moments of reflection and reconnection.
This connection is expressed through the Sacred Thread Ceremony, a contemplative ritual designed to offer guests a personal and meaningful experience. The ceremony begins with a quiet walk through the spa gardens, encouraging stillness and intention. Guests select a delicate golden leaf to represent a personal wish—whether for love, wellbeing, success, abundance or inner peace—and hold it alongside a wish card while visualising that intention fulfilled. The golden leaf is then tied to the banyan’s ancient branches, symbolising the offering of the wish to the tree’s enduring presence. The leaf remains there, carrying the quiet energy of the intention until the guest’s return.
Beyond the banyan, the island continues its natural rhythm. The surrounding waters form part of one of the Maldives’ most significant marine environments, known for year-round whale shark encounters and an extensive house reef that stretches beyond the shoreline. Yet amid the movement of the sea and the vibrancy of coral life, it is often the stillness beneath the banyan tree that leaves the most lasting impression.
Sustainability and heritage are integral to life on Machchafushi Island. Located within the South Ari Marine Protected Area, the island is committed to safeguarding both its marine ecosystems and its cultural identity. The banyan tree stands as a reminder that preservation extends beyond the natural environment to include traditions, stories and the deeper connections between people and place.
At Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa, each day unfolds with moments shaped by nature and intention. From golden sunrises over the lagoon to wishes entrusted to ancient branches, experiences on the island are designed not only to be remembered, but to take root.
Entertainment
‘One festival, every sense’: Fari Islands Festival announces August 2026 return
The Fari Islands Festival is set to return from 13 to 15 August 2026, bringing together Patina Maldives, Fari Islands and The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands for a three-day celebration of creativity, culture, wellbeing and nature across the Fari Islands archipelago.
Following the success of its inaugural edition in September 2025, the festival will once again transform the two resorts into a shared platform for artistic expression, culinary exploration and holistic experiences. Designed as an immersive gathering rather than a conventional event, the festival invites guests to slow down, connect and engage with the islands through carefully curated moments shaped by place, people and creative exchange.
Conceived under the philosophy of The Home of Island Artistry, Fari Islands represents a vision where luxury, nature, craft and community coexist in balance. This ethos continues to underpin the 2026 edition of the festival, which blends cultural curiosity, environmental stewardship and mindful wellbeing into a programme that celebrates creativity in all its forms.
Guided by its defining motto, “One Festival, Every Sense,” the Fari Islands Festival unfolds across five interconnected pillars: Culinary Exploration, Creative Artistry, Body, Mind and Soul, Sonic Immersion, and Nature Amplified. Together, these pillars shape a journey that engages guests through taste, sound, movement, conversation and connection to the natural environment.
The 2025 edition established the festival’s scope and ambition, featuring poetry and spoken-word gatherings, live music performances, chef-led dining experiences, wellness rituals and guided encounters with the marine environment. Artists, chefs and collaborators from across disciplines activated spaces throughout the islands, creating a fluid programme that moved seamlessly from day into night.
Building on this foundation, the 2026 festival will continue to favour flow over fixed schedules. Guests can expect a balance of structured moments and open exploration, with experiences revealed progressively across multiple settings and times of day. This approach allows participants to move freely between moments of participation, observation and discovery, fostering a sense of personal connection and shared experience.
One of the highlights of the festival will once again be its concluding celebration at Fari Marina Village, where the closing night brings together flavour, sound and community. The marina will host a curated gathering of culinary expressions from both resorts, alongside local vendors and pop-up concepts, accompanied by live music that carries through the evening as guests move between kitchens, conversations and communal tables.
Reserve a stay at Fari Islands Festival at The Ritz Carlton Maldives or Patina Maldives.
Action
Atmosphere Foundation launches annual dive training scholarship for Maldivians
Atmosphere Foundation has launched a new annual scholarship programme that will sponsor 10 Maldivians each year to complete internationally recognised scuba diving training and professional development pathways, supporting youth career growth while strengthening the Maldivian workforce in tourism.
Designed to create clearer entry points into the industry and help Maldivians advance from foundational training to professional roles, the programme will provide sponsored candidates with access to a structured set of certifications that can lead to employment opportunities in resort dive centres, watersports operations, and marine excursions across the country.
The programme will support both beginners and those already working in the sector who want to progress further. By sponsoring these certifications, the initiative aims to help participants develop technical competence, safety capabilities and professional readiness—skills that are essential for career progression in dive and marine-related roles within the tourism industry.
To ensure the programme delivers direct long-term value to the Maldives, successful candidates will be required to work in the Maldives for a specified period after completing their course. This service commitment is intended to strengthen local capacity within the tourism workforce, help resorts access qualified Maldivian professionals, and support career continuity for young people entering the sector.
“Tourism is the Maldives’ greatest economic mainstay, and our future depends on ensuring Maldivians are represented across the industry—not only at entry level, but in specialist and leadership positions as well,” said Abdul Azeez Abdul Hakeem, Vice President of Atmosphere Foundation. “This programme is designed to remove barriers to training, equip young people with globally recognised qualifications, and support them to progress from the beginning of their careers to new heights. The service component also ensures that the skills gained remain in the Maldives and contribute to the development of our tourism workforce.”
Atmosphere Foundation continues to develop and support initiatives that contribute to community wellbeing and opportunity, with a focus on empowering youth, building skills, and creating sustainable pathways for Maldivians. The annual dive training sponsorship programme builds on the Foundation’s broader mission to deliver meaningful, practical support that helps individuals and communities thrive—while contributing to the long-term resilience of the national economy.
Further information on how to apply, programme partners and timelines will be announced soon through Atmosphere Foundation’s official channels.
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