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

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.
News
Summer of connection, discovery at Jumeirah Olhahali Island

Jumeirah Olhahali Island invites guests to experience a summer unlike any other – one that celebrates connection, creativity, and discovery across the shores of North Malé Atoll in the Maldives. From May through August, the all-villa retreat introduces an inspired seasonal programme where every generation can create lasting memories through immersive dining, shared adventures, and revitalising wellness rituals.
A Season of Flavour
A highlight of the summer season, the resort will host an exclusive culinary residency from 7 to 12 June in collaboration with restaurant Atrangi by Ritu Dalmia, the celebrated Indian dining destination from Jumeirah Al Qasr in Dubai. For six evenings, 35 guests can enjoy an intimate, flavour-rich tasting experience spotlighting both beloved and lesser-known regional Indian dishes, reimagined with a modern twist.
The summer calendar continues with vibrant dining occasions, including the Eid International Market Night on 6 June and an Omakase Coffee Series from 6 to 10 June.
Beyond these highlights, guests can also embrace the island’s broader dining journey, whether savouring wood-fired pizzas with toes in the sand at Shimmers, discovering Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei plates at Kayto, or indulging in destination dining with beach barbecues, floating breakfasts, and private sandbank picnics.
Adventures for Every Generation
Families are at the heart of the island’s summer programming with a joyful mix of opportunities to reconnect through movement, exploration, and play. Returning favourites include the Olhahali kite festival (9 June, 15 July, 6 August), which fills the skies with colour and delight, and Kids’ Summer Olympics (6 June, 4 July, 21 July, 11 August), adding a playful sense of camaraderie with water polo in the Shimmers pool. New additions like the mini badminton tournament (3 June, 18 June, 8 July, 20 August) and weekly penalty shoot-outs (Tuesdays in June) bring plenty of friendly competition.
Younger guests can take part in lifeguard-led swimming classes throughout August from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, providing a fun way to build confidence and skills in the water. Meanwhile, teens and adults can opt for guided watersport camps led by seasoned instructors, mastering the waves with knee boarding, water skiing, and wakeboarding lessons.
Evenings unfold under the stars with beach cinema nights, where families gather for outdoor movies, camp-style snacks, and laughter shared on the shores of the island’s pristine beaches.
Wellness in Rhythm with Nature
From sunrise yoga to curated spa journeys, the season also offers a renewed focus on well-being at the resort’s Talise Spa. From 16 May to 30 June, visiting practitioner Dr. Aradhana offers therapies rooted in naturopathy, including Chi Nei Tsang abdominal massage, shamanic cleansing, yogic detox, and therapeutic sound healing. Her approach blends ancient practices with modern healing techniques, guiding guests into deeper awareness and balance.
Daily movement is encouraged with 1-hour Technogym Bootcamps on Mondays and Thursdays, where panoramic views energise high-impact sessions.
Artful Moments Inspired by the Sea
At MURACA Art Studio, named after the Maldivian word for coral, families are invited to express their creativity in a wide collection of immersive art sessions. In August, a resident ceramicist will lead hands-on pottery workshops, inspiring creativity and mindfulness through tactile expression.
Bringing added ease to summer travels, the resort offers a collection of tailored savings and privileges for villa stays. The Jumeirah Escapes Offer includes up to 20% off private villas, with an additional 5% savings for Jumeirah One members, plus a perk of added benefits. For larger families, the Jumeirah Signature Escapes Offer features hotel credit of USD 200 or USD 400 when booking the resort’s two- or three-bedroom retreats. For more information or to reserve a summer escape, visit here.
Meditation
Angsana Velavaru unveils new wellness journeys with Shubhangi Chauhan

Angsana Velavaru, a secluded island retreat in the South Nilandhe Atoll, unveils a new chapter in its guest experience this May with the launch of a curated wellness yoga programme – a purposeful and poised invitation to return to the essential of wellbeing. Rooted in the resort’s ongoing commitment to mindful, holistic travel, the offering marks a quiet evolution that creates spaces not only to unwind, but to reconnect with oneself in meaningful, grounded ways.
Designed with quiet intention, the new yoga programme blends classical techniques with contemporary needs. Complimentary morning and afternoon sessions guide guests through Sunrise Flow, Breath & Balance, and Hatha Yoga – practices that anchor the body and reset the nervous system. Each class is held in an open-air pavilions or beachfront space, where the movement of the ocean and the softness of natural light lend their own quiet support.
For those seeking more immersive practice, chargeable sessions explore deeper dimensions of stillness and release – from Pranayama and Yin Yoga to guided Meditation and Restorative Sunset Yoga. The programme is supported by trained instructor who focus not on performance, but on personal connection and presence. Private sessions are also available, offering tailored approaches for guests who wish to explore their practice more intimately – whether for physical balance or emotional clarity.
Wellbeing at Angsana Velavaru extends beyond the mat. Tucked within the island’s lush greenery, the award winning Angsana Spa offers a distinctive approach to bodywork and healing. Treatments are rooted in time-honoured Asian traditions and delivered with intuitive care. From soothing body polishes to tension releasing massages, each therapy is designed to restore energy gently and naturally. Warm, grounding hospitality and the spa’s contemporary design create an atmosphere of calm- where the body can soften and the mind can finally slow.
To mark Global Wellness Day from 13 to 15 June, Angsana Velavaru welcomes Shubhangi Chauhan, certified holistic wellness coach and founder of WITHIN, for a special guest residency. Her personal story – a transformative journey from physical burnout to deep self-discovery – now forms the foundation of global movement supporting mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. Today, WITHIN is home to a team of 23 practitioners, offering coaching, emotional support, and mindset guidance across continents.
During her residency, Shubhangi will lead a thoughtfully curated programme featuring strength and breathwork sessions, yoga for flexibility and inner balance, and a Wellness Circle exploring mental clarity, nutrition, and community care. A signature session – a blindfold Free Flow Dance followed by Yoga Nidra – invites guests into a rare space of surrender and emotional release.
The collaboration reflects broader philosophy at Angsana Velavaru – that wellbeing is not about routine but rhythm. Not about escape, but return. And that sometimes, the most powerful transformation happens not in movements but in stillness.
At Angsana Velavaru, wellness is an experience of depth, presence, and purpose. Reconnect with your inner rhythm through yoga, discover healing through spa rituals and take part in a transformative wellness collaboration on an island made for renewal.
To learn more about Shubhangi’s residency programme and secure your place for Global Wellness Day, visit the resort’s website.
Awards
TripAdvisor honours Ifuru Island Maldives in top 10% of hotels for 2025

Ifuru Island Maldives has announced that it has been recognised as a winner in the prestigious Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards 2025, placing the resort in the top 10% of hotels worldwide.
This achievement celebrates businesses that consistently deliver fantastic experiences to travellers around the globe, having earned outstanding traveler reviews on Tripadvisor over the past 12 months. Ifuru Island Maldives stood out by delighting guests with its warm hospitality, vibrant experiences, and the one-of-a-kind Exclusively Yours Premium All Inclusive concept.
“We are thrilled to receive this award, especially because it comes directly from our guests’ feedback,” said Marcel Sawyer, General Manager of Ifuru Island Maldives. “Our passionate team pours their heart into creating unforgettable moments for every guest, and this recognition is a true reflection of their dedication and the magic of our island.”
Ifuru Island Maldives has quickly become a sought-after destination for travellers looking to connect, unwind, and celebrate life in style. With its unique Exclusively Yours Premium All Inclusive offering, guests enjoy a seamless holiday experience filled with culinary variety, curated entertainment, and a vibrant social lifestyle concept that brings people together. From spacious suites with direct beach access to immersive island experiences and warm, genuine service, Ifuru Island delivers exceptional value for money without compromising on quality or guest satisfaction.
Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards honour travellers’ favourite destinations, hotels, restaurants, and activities around the world. Winners are determined based on the quality and quantity of reviews and ratings over a 12-month period.
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