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Anantara Veli Maldives Resort launches artist in residence programme with Cambodia-based artist FONKi

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The endless blue horizon, sun-kissed shores and kaleidoscopic underwater world at Anantara Veli Maldives Resort sparked a creative awakening for Cambodian-based artist, FONKi as the adult-only resort hosts its first Artist in Residence.

Born in Paris to Khmer refugee parents and raised in Montreal, FONKi is a dynamic artist renowned for blending contemporary street art with traditional Cambodian influences. He is also the curator and owner of FT Gallery in Phnom Penh and the founder of Murals for Cambodia Festival, fostering local talents and elevating Phnom Penh as a thriving art hub in Southeast Asia.

As an avid comic book and graphic novel fan, FONKi started his artistic journey in graffiti at age 15. “I remember in school, I would volunteer to do murals around the school grounds in hopes of getting the funds to buy the best spray paints to practice and get better,” FONKi reminisces.

A turning point in his artistic approach happened in 2012, when then a film student FONKi embarked on the making of an award-winning documentary ‘The Roots Remain’, which follows his journey back to Cambodia to paint a mural honouring his relatives killed in the genocide. This experience led to an immersion in his heritage and the discovery of an artistic renaissance happening in post-genocide Cambodia.

From walls to canvas, FONKi has produced over a hundred creative projects, including murals admired across America, Europe and Asia. At Anantara Veli Maldives Resort, he transformed the guest lounge into his creative space for a week, where he created an exclusive artwork titled ‘Enlightenment’ as a tribute to ancient Maldivian relics and nature. The artwork is part of a diptych inspired by a 10th-century Buddha statue made of coral stone, excavated in Thodoo Island in North Ari Atoll.

Statues have been a significant subject in FONKi’s body of work, he regards them as opening doors to the complex history and culture of the place. “Statues are testimony to time. I resonate with the story of the artifact that even destroyed, its energy still endures, and I wanted to represent that,” explained FONKi.

Titled ‘Enlightenment’, one side of the painting features half of the statue’s face, while the other captures the vibrant hues of the coral reefs, expressed in a burst of colours and fluid lines inspired by the lively underwater ecosystem.

“I’ve filtered my experience here in paradise and translated the colours into my piece. During my time here, I learned about the sustainable practices to rehabilitate the coral reefs, and in some ways, the artwork talks about the revival of nature to its true form after it’s been destroyed.”

“It’s been six years since I last painted for myself. In terms of art therapy, I’m more relaxed here and it’s influenced by the brush strokes, colour choices, movement, and it all feels organic. I was able to explore a watercolour effect in my piece and created a scene like that of a dreamscape,” he reflects.

Committed to paying it forward, full proceeds from the sale of ‘Enlightenment’ will benefit the Granny Programme of the Cambodia Children’s Fund (CCF), a non-profit organisation that provides education, safe housing and care to vulnerable communities. The support towards the Granny Programme is a continuation of his previous project, ‘Apsara Grannies’, where he collaborated with photographer, Raphaël Pech and fellow artist, TONES, featuring a mural of the grannies dressed in traditional Apsara attire. This was commissioned by the Royal Government of Cambodia last New Year.

In addition to his original masterpiece, FONKi also featured his limited-edition art prints ‘Behind The Smile’ and ‘King Creator’ from a triptych series he created in 2019 based on King Jayavaraman VII one of the powerful monarchs of the Khmer empire, whose serene face is seen around Bayon Temple in Angkor. During the residency, guests not only had the opportunity to witness FONKi’s creative process up close, but they also collaborated with him by embellishing the prints with their personal touch before bringing the limited edition prints home.

FONKi’s exhibition is open to view from today until 31 December at Anantara Veli. The Artist in Residence programme of Anantara Veli Maldives Resort adds another artistic dimension to the adults-only hideaway, gathering talents around the world to express their creativity and channel inspiration in a surreal setting.

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Sun Siyam Iru Fushi earns nomination in Condé Nast Traveller 2026 awards

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Sun Siyam Iru Fushi has been nominated for the Condé Nast Traveller 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, one of the travel industry’s most respected accolades.

The nomination comes on the back of a comprehensive evolution of the resort, from newly transformed overwater villas, enhanced dining experiences and a more personalised guest journey at every touchpoint. Guests can enjoy a 24-Hour Premium All Inclusive Dine Around concept designed to offer both variety and ease, delivered with signature Maldivian hospitality.

“We have been very intentional in redefining the feel of contemporary Maldivian luxury for today’s travellers. Our overwater villas, inspired by elegance and a natural ethos, truly reflect our direction as an effortless take on island living,”  says Pasan Wijewardana, Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing.

“Across the resort, we have also put a strong focus on the overall experience, from our restaurants introducing a more lifestyle driven culinary approach, with menus curated by Michelin starred chefs and a curated selection of wines, to a spa that blends Maldivian traditions, Ayurveda and more creative wellness journeys for all ages. What matters most to us is that this feels accessible and genuine. Families can enjoy real value through our children stay and eat free offering, while guests looking for something more personalised benefit from our multilingual butler service. It is about creating a stay that feels thoughtful, high quality and seamless at the same time, which is why being recognised in this way means a lot to us.” 

To cast your vote for Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, please visit the Condé Nast Traveller voting site. Voting remains open until 30 June 2026.

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Night snorkelling reveals hidden underwater world at Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon

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There’s something quietly thrilling about stepping into the ocean after sunset. At Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon, when daylight fade and the reef slips into darkness, a completely different world begins to stir. What feels familiar by day transforms into something far more mysterious and far more alive.

Night snorkelling at Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon begins at around 6:30pm, when guests gather with the experienced team from Dive & Sail Maldives. Equipped with underwater torches, snorkellers ease into the slighly cooler waters surrounding the island, where every beam of light reveals a new discovery hidden within the reef.

What makes night snorkelling so fascinating is the dramatic shift in marine behaviour after sunset. Species that remain tucked away during the day begin to emerge from coral crevices and sandy seabeds. Moray eels weave through the reef in search of prey, octopuses glide silently across the ocean floor, and crustaceans slowly crawl out from their hiding places.

One guest described one of the most unforgettable moments of the experience as watching a group of reef sharks glide past in near-perfect formation. According to the guest, the sudden appearance of six to eight sharks emerging from the darkness was initially startling, but the feeling quickly shifted to awe as they moved calmly and effortlessly through the water, illuminated only by torchlight. The encounter, they shared, felt both thrilling and surreal in the stillness of the night reef.

Beyond the larger marine life, the reef reveals countless smaller details at night that are often missed during daytime snorkelling. Brightly coloured reef crabs, lobster-like crustaceans believed to be spiny lobsters, sleeping parrotfish hidden within the coral, and lionfish hovering near the reef edge all become part of the experience.

The corals themselves also appear remarkably different after dark. Under torchlight, sections of the reef glow with deeper shades of orange, gold, and crimson, while certain soft corals and coral polyps extend outward to feed in the currents.

The house reef at Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon is widely regarded as one of the Maldives’ most vibrant reefs, celebrated for its rich biodiversity and easy accessibility from the shoreline. Guests planning their next island escape can also take advantage of the resort’s ongoing summer offer, which includes complimentary roundtrip speedboat transfers for stays of seven nights or more along with added benefits through Cinnamon DISCOVERY, the loyalty programme by Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts.

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Mandara Spa and Chavana Spa unveil family-focused wellness concept

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Mandara Spa and Chavana Spa has introduced Little Wellness Rituals, a dedicated spa programme thoughtfully created for young guests aged 4 to 17 years. Now available at selected hotel and resort partners across the Maldives, the programme offers gentle, age appropriate wellness experiences designed to encourage relaxation, mindfulness, and meaningful family connection from an early age.

Developed with care and guided by the brands’ signature Asian wellness philosophies, Little Wellness Rituals creates a welcoming spa environment where children and teenagers can experience wellness rituals tailored specifically to them, always accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Wellness Designed for Every Age

Rooted in the belief that wellbeing can be nurtured from an early age, the programme introduces younger guests to spa and wellness experiences within a safe, calming, and welcoming environment. Thoughtfully created for children and teenagers, Little Wellness Rituals embraces gentle relaxation, playful sensory experiences, and meaningful family connection inspired by island living.

From soothing wellness rituals to shared parent and child experiences, the collection encourages moments of comfort, care, and togetherness while introducing young travellers to the world of wellness in a warm and approachable way.

Signature Experiences

The Little Wellness Rituals collection features a range of thoughtfully curated experiences inspired by relaxation, connection, and playful island wellness. Signature highlights include:

  • Mother and Daughter Moment: A gentle wellness experience designed to encourage meaningful bonding and shared relaxation.
  • Father and Son Timeout: A calming ritual created to inspire quality time and moments of reconnection.
  • Little Star Journey: A soothing head to toe spa experience combining relaxation and tropical inspired care.
  • Island Fruity Glow: A sensory wellness ritual inspired by fun, freshness, and island indulgence.
  • Tropical Toes: A comforting foot care experience designed to refresh and restore little travellers.
  • Heavenly Hands: A nurturing hand ritual focused on gentle care and relaxation.

Selected experiences and treatment elements may differ across participating resort locations.

Little Wellness Rituals is currently available at selected Mandara Spa and Chavana Spa locations within participating hotel and resort partners across the Maldives, including:

  • Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives
  • Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi
  • Adaaran Select Meedhupparu
  • Adaaran Club Rannalhi
  • Barceló Nasandhura Malé
  • NOOE Maldives Kunaavashi
  • Melia Whale Lagoon Maldives

The programme reflects the continued commitment of Mandara Spa and Chavana Spa to creating inclusive wellness experiences that cater to today’s evolving family travel landscape.

Supporting Meaningful Family Wellness Experiences

The introduction of Little Wellness Rituals reflects the continued commitment of Mandara Spa and Chavana Spa to developing thoughtful wellness concepts that evolve alongside the changing expectations of today’s luxury traveller. As family-focused travel experiences continue to grow within the hospitality landscape, wellness has become an increasingly meaningful part of how resorts engage guests across all generations.

With decades of experience operating spa and wellness facilities across internationally recognised resort destinations, Mandara Spa and Chavana Spa continue to collaborate closely with hotel and resort partners to create wellness experiences that align with each property’s identity, guest profile, and service philosophy.

Hospitality partners and media representatives interested in learning more about the programme or the brands’ wellness approach are warmly invited to connect with the team for further information.

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