News
Sanctuary for her at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Dhawa Ihuru
This May, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru honour the spirit of motherhood with a curated collection of peaceful, rejuvenating experiences. Designed to celebrate connection, well-being, and serene moments together, each offering invites families to pause, reflect, and share time in a true sanctuary for the senses.
From restorative spa rituals to fun-filled adventures and curated family experiences, the celebration is a graceful tribute to the women who give endlessly.
Honouring Her Gracefully: A Tribute to Mothers; 10–25 May 2025
Celebrate the women who give endlessly with bespoke experiences rooted in well-being, gratitude, and intentional joy.
Stay More, Pay Less: A Gift of Time Together
Create more moments that matter with the Stay More, Pay Less offer – perfect for families and multi-generational travellers seeking an extended holiday. This exclusive promotion rewards longer stays with greater value, encouraging families to slow down, unwind, and enjoy family bonding time together.
Exclusive offer for Banyan Tree Spa and 8lement Spa
At the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa and 8lements Spa, mothers are welcomed into a haven of serenity and rejuvenation. A signature treatment is paired with a complimentary private yoga duo session, offering a moment of rest and reconnection between family members. Mums can also enjoy 30% off hand-crafted ceramic products from Banyan Tree Gallery.
Banyan Tree Connections: A Curated Journey for Togetherness
Now available from May 2025, the Banyan Tree Connections programme offers a holistic, regenerative experience designed to celebrate the heart of family. As part of the Mother’s Day offering, this immersive well-being journey invites Mum and her loved ones to reconnect through guided rituals, mindful movement, and shared moments in nature. Thoughtfully crafted to inspire presence, nurture bonds, and honour what matters most, it is a sanctuary of connection in every sense.
Marine Adventures & Family-Bonding Moments
Celebrate the joy of discovery with 30% off watersports and marine activities for Mum – from guided snorkelling and topcat catamaran sailing to exciting discovery guided snorkelling trips for magical rendezvous with turtles and stingrays. These vibrant experiences are designed to spark connection, adventure, and shared wonder across one of the best house reefs and lagoons of the Maldives.
Curated Experiences That Inspire
Embark on a series of intentional and uplifting guest experiences curated to bring loved ones closer. Enjoy 20% off a collection of excursions including snorkelling safaris, Kahan’bhu day cruises, sunset sails, and full moon night snorkelling—each designed to awaken the senses, delight in the present, and foster a deeper connection with nature and each other.
Taste of Love: Mother’s Day Cooking Competition; 11 May 2025
On 11 May, Dhawa Ihuru and Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru invite families to gather for a heartfelt culinary celebration. Fathers and little ones will come together to craft a heartfelt dish in honour of Mum, who takes her place as the cherished guest judge. The afternoon unfolds in a spirit of joy, creativity, and shared connection—concluding with a delightful family award that celebrates togetherness, laughter, and inspired moments.
Vesak Celebration at Saffron; 10–12 May 2025
In honour of Vesak – the sacred day marking the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Buddha—Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru presents a reflective culinary journey at its signature Thai restaurant, Saffron.
Guests are invited to savour a specially curated set menu dinner, offered with both vegan and non-vegan options, thoughtfully crafted with locally inspired flavours to reflect the spirit of the occasion—mindful, nourishing, and deeply rooted in tradition.
A Shared Responsibility: Celebrating Earth and Ocean
As stewards of nature and champions of regenerative travel, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru invite guests to celebrate not only love, but also intention—through experiences rooted in sustainability, purpose, and harmony with the environment.
Full Moon Lights Out; 12–15 May
In alignment with our sustainability mission, both islands switch off non-essential lighting from 6:30 p.m. to sunrise. Guests are invited to dine beneath the stars, practise meditation by moonlight, or set sail on a Kahan’bhu full moon cruise—an enchanting experience in harmony with nature’s rhythms.
World Biodiversity Day; 22 May
Discover the richness of the reef with complimentary guided snorkelling, led by our dedicated Marine Lab team. These immersive sessions aim to spark awareness, appreciation, and awe for the underwater world that surrounds our sanctuary.
World Turtle Day; 23 May
Participate in educational workshops on turtle and fish identification and join a Save the Reef trip—supporting the removal of coral-eating starfish and nurturing the health of this delicate marine ecosystem.
Drink
Baros Maldives welcomes Italian winemaker Maria Stella for exclusive wine dinner
There is something special about discovering a place through its wines. This November, Baros Maldives invites guests to experience a taste of Tuscany with an exclusive wine dinner celebrating the heritage and craftsmanship of Poliziano, hosted by third-generation winemaker Maria Stella.
Set against the beautiful ocean backdrop of The Lighthouse Restaurant, the intimate evening will take place on Sunday 29 November 2026, at 7 pm, bringing together fine wines, thoughtfully prepared cuisine and the pleasure of sharing a table.
Founded in 1961 by Dino Carletti in Montepulciano, Tuscany, Poliziano has long been guided by a deep connection to its land and the traditions of its region. Its name reflects both its Tuscan home and a tribute to Renaissance poet Angelo Ambrogini, known as Poliziano. Over the decades, the winery has remained true to its origins, producing wines that speak of their landscape, heritage and the people behind them.
Leading the evening, Maria Stella will share the story of Poliziano through a selection of its wines, offering guests a personal perspective on the family’s winemaking heritage and the philosophy that continues to shape the estate.
Each wine will be accompanied by a specially created dinner course, with pairings designed to bring out the character of both the glass and the plate.
Limited to just 16 guests, the dinner is intended to be as much about the company and conversation as it is about the wines themselves. An evening to slow down, discover something new and enjoy the simple pleasure of good food and wine in wonderful surroundings.
The experience is priced at USD 235 per guest, inclusive of the specially curated dinner menu and wine pairings. Advance reservations are essential, with seating limited to 16 guests.
Event Details:
- Date: Sunday 29 November 2026
- Time: 7 pm
- Venue: The Lighthouse Restaurant, Baros Maldives
For booking enquiries, please contact reservations@baros.com or call +960 664 2672.
Food
Michelin-starred Chef Charles Coulombeau to host exclusive residency at V Villas Maldives at Mirihi
V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection will welcome Michelin-starred French chef Charles Coulombeau from 26 to 28 November 2026.
The three-day programme opens with sunset cocktails and canapés, followed by a fine dining evening at Muraka Restaurant and a special cooking class with the chef.
Coulombeau leads the kitchen at La Maison dans le Parc in Nancy, France, which holds one Michelin star. His cooking pairs modern French technique with influences from his time in Japan, bringing ingredients such as citrus and seaweed into dishes shaped by seasonal produce.
The culinary programme:
- Thursday, 26 November | Sunset cocktails and canapés. The programme opens with sunset cocktails and Michelin-inspired canapés, offering guests a first taste of the chef’s approach ahead of Friday’s fine dining event.
- Friday, 27 November | Fine dining at Muraka Restaurant. Coulombeau will present a special dinner at the resort’s overwater Muraka Restaurant, where guests can experience his modern French cooking overlooking the Indian Ocean.
- Saturday, 28 November | Special Cooking Class. Guests will have the opportunity to learn directly from Coulombeau and explore some of the techniques behind his cooking.
V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection offers an intimate island retreat in the Maldives, with beach and overwater accommodation, dining overlooking the ocean, and experiences on and beneath the water.
News
Dr Tridendra Shakya to lead wellness residency at Finolhu Maldives
Finolhu, a Seaside Collection Resort, is set to welcome renowned wellness practitioner Dr Tridendra Shakya for an exclusive residency at Fehi Spa from 15 December 2026 to 31 January 2027. Set against the tranquil backdrop of the Maldives’ UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Baa Atoll, the residency invites guests to explore a more mindful approach to wellbeing through personalised treatments, traditional healing practices and restorative experiences.
Hailing from Kathmandu, Nepal, Dr Shakya brings 17 years of experience in naturopathy and holistic wellbeing, drawing upon ancient Eastern healing philosophies and contemporary wellness practices. His approach centres on understanding each individual’s needs, combining therapeutic techniques with lifestyle guidance to encourage relaxation, balance and a deeper connection between mind and body.
Throughout his seven-week residency, Dr Shakya will offer a carefully curated selection of therapies encompassing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture, reflexology, cupping, manipulative massage and therapeutic yoga. Personalised wellness consultations, incorporating pulse diagnosis alongside lifestyle and nutritional guidance, will allow guests to explore treatments tailored to their individual wellbeing goals.
Among the signature experiences is Yin & Pin, a combination of gentle passive stretching and acupuncture designed to encourage deep relaxation and release muscular tension. Acu-Massage brings together acupuncture, Marma point massage and traditional cupping techniques, while the Head to Toe Reviver draws upon the principles of reflexology to provide a restorative experience particularly suited to travellers seeking relaxation after a long journey.
The programme also explores the relationship between movement, breath and mindfulness. Therapeutic yoga sessions incorporate supportive postures, breathing exercises and meditation techniques adapted to individual needs. Guests can also discover Motion Meditation, blending the graceful movements of Tai Chi and Qi Gong with mindful breathing, or experience Yoga Nidra, a guided meditation practice that encourages profound relaxation and mental stillness.
For those seeking a more personalised wellness journey, the residency includes specialised experiences focusing on sleep, stress management, spinal care and traditional yogic cleansing practices. Each experience begins with an assessment, allowing Dr Shakya to tailor his approach to the guest’s individual preferences and wellbeing objectives.
The residency complements Finolhu’s existing wellness offering at Fehi Spa, where the island’s natural beauty provides an inviting setting for relaxation and rejuvenation. Surrounded by turquoise waters, powder-soft beaches and lush tropical vegetation, the resort offers an opportunity to step away from everyday routines and embrace a slower, more considered pace of life.
With its distinctive blend of barefoot luxury, contemporary design and immersive island experiences, Finolhu continues to introduce thoughtfully curated programmes that enrich the guest journey. Dr. Shakya’s residency adds a new dimension to the resort’s wellness offering, inviting guests to incorporate moments of restoration and self-discovery into their Maldivian escape.
Dr Tridendra Shakya’s residency will take place at Fehi Spa from 15 December 2026 to 31 January 2027. Complimentary initial consultations are available, with advance reservations recommended. For further information or reservations, guests may visit www.finolhu.com or contact stay@finolhu.com.
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