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SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS launches EarthCheck Certification initiative for RAH GILI MALDIVES
SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS has announced that RAH GILI MALDIVES, the brand’s debut property in the Maldives, has officially commenced its journey toward EarthCheck Certification. This marks a significant milestone in the company’s long-term commitment to responsible development and operations across its growing constellation of private islands.
Located within a secluded dolphin sanctuary in South Malé Atoll, RAH GILI spans 8.7 hectares and is scheduled to open in February 2026. Designed with sustainability at its core, the resort will feature 74 villas and host up to 200 guests, supported by a team of 300 employees drawn from the Maldives and abroad. The location was chosen for its extraordinary marine setting, biodiversity, and cultural significance — and has guided every aspect of development from day one.
RAH GILI’s journey toward EarthCheck Certification demonstrates a proactive approach to environmental stewardship, aligning the resort with the most rigorous and science-based standards in the global tourism industry. EarthCheck Certification is awarded only after detailed auditing and performance benchmarking across multiple criteria — from energy consumption to community integration. By initiating this process during the pre-opening phase, SIX & SIX ensures that sustainability is not treated as a marketing line, but as an operational foundation.
Built With Intention
RAH GILI is being developed under a clear sustainability framework that integrates environmental infrastructure, operational systems, and guest touchpoints:
- A hybrid energy model powered by 2,000kW of solar and 2,500kWh of battery storage, offsetting over 540,000 litres of diesel annually
- A reverse-osmosis desalination plant and in-house bottling system, eliminating plastic water bottles throughout the resort
- A comprehensive waste management system, including waste segregation, composting for both kitchen and garden waste, and a zero-landfill strategy
- Construction materials selected for both low impact and local authenticity, including plantation teak, recycled glass, hyacinth matting, and locally sourced finishes
- Smart systems such as LED lighting and insulation across all roofs to optimise energy efficiency
The architectural narrative of RAH GILI is one of restraint and relevance. Materials were chosen not only for their sustainability profile but also for their ability to reflect the spirit of the place — creating a seamless connection between the built environment and the natural world.
Guided by Culture and Community
Equally central to the EarthCheck journey is the brand’s integration of local culture and social responsibility. The team, referred to as the Rayyithun — meaning “People of the Islands” in Dhivehi — are being trained not only in service excellence but in a philosophy of care, rooted in community knowledge and environmental guardianship. The team of 300 will form the backbone of daily life on the island, ensuring continuity between past traditions and future ambitions.
SIX & SIX is currently developing a series of CSR programmes to accompany the resort’s opening. These include initiatives in wellness, marine restoration, skills development, and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage — all designed in collaboration with local stakeholders and aligned with national priorities. By ensuring that local integration is woven into daily operations, RAH GILI aims to contribute positively to both the physical and social ecosystems of the Maldives.
The guest journey has also been designed to include immersive sustainability and cultural experiences — from coral propagation and reef protection workshops led by marine biologists to culinary activations and crafts that honour local traditions. These are not staged for effect; they are invitations to participate in a rhythm of life that is authentic, ongoing, and connected to place.
“RAH GILI MALDIVES represents the first step in a brand-wide vision grounded in integrity, respect for place, and long-term sustainability,” said Laith Pharaon, CEO & Co-Founder of SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS. “By starting the EarthCheck certification process during the pre-opening phase, we ensure that these values are built into the foundations — not added on later. It is our intention that every guest who arrives at RAH GILI feels the result of that intention — not only in design, but in atmosphere, culture, and care.”
“Our approach combines global benchmarking with a deep commitment to the local context,” added Marc Gussing, Director of Operations. “RAH GILI is being designed not only to meet today’s standards, but to contribute meaningfully for generations to come. EarthCheck gives us the framework to assess our ambitions with scientific credibility and operational discipline.”
The First of a Collection
RAH GILI MALDIVES is the first of six resorts under development by SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS. The next to follow is DHON MAAGA MALDIVES, an ultra-luxury sanctuary set to open in late 2026. Each island in the collection will follow the same commitment to sustainability, design restraint, and cultural integration — tailored to the ecology and heritage of its setting. Select islands, including RAH GILI and DHON MAAGA, will also introduce Private Residences, offering long-stay ownership opportunities that uphold the same environmental and architectural integrity as the resort — quietly luxurious, low-impact, and thoughtfully integrated into the natural landscape. From private island experiences to design- led wellness concepts, every element of the SIX & SIX portfolio is intended to feel considered, rooted, and rare. With its sustainability approach led by science, its brand values guided by care, and its foundation grounded in the Maldives’ rich cultural rhythm, RAH GILI MALDIVES offers a blueprint for future-facing luxury.
This is only the beginning.
With care, always.
Located within The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts in the heart of the picturesque North Malé Atoll, Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, a unique, family-focused resort, is celebrating its first anniversary on 13 November 2025. Over the past year, it has become a vibrant destination for families seeking adventure, connection, and unforgettable experiences in a captivating underwater-themed paradise.
The resort features 145 spacious beachfront and overwater villas with open-air baths, Jacuzzis, or private pools, including the signature Mirage category rooms with bunk beds, designed perfectly for families of all sizes. The resort boasts a vibrant water park with slides and splash zones, as well as the Maldives’ first lazy river. Young travellers can explore the Candy Spa, multiple play areas including a pirate-themed playground and the Madame Stingray play area, a dedicated Kids’ Club, and an E-Zone for teenagers. Adults can relax and rejuvenate at SPA Cenvaree, while the whole family enjoys engaging activities and a wide range of culinary experiences across six venues. What makes the resort truly special is that every corner and every activity is designed with families and young travellers in mind, enhancing their Maldives experience.
“Marking our first year is a milestone we are incredibly proud of,” said Andrew Jansson, Cluster General Manager of Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives and Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives. “Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives offers a truly one-of-a-kind concept in the Maldives, an immersive resort designed for families to connect, explore, and create lasting memories together. From our expansive lagoon and water-based adventures to experiences that engage every generation, each element has been thoughtfully crafted to bring families closer while celebrating the beauty of the destination. Over the past year, we have seen how this concept has resonated with travellers from around the world. Being recognised as the ‘Best Family Hotel in the Maldives’ by Little Steps Asia is a proud moment for us and a reflection of our team’s dedication to delivering memorable experiences for every guest.”
As Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives celebrates this milestone, the resort looks forward to another year of creating joyful memories, meaningful family moments, and immersive experiences in the heart of the Maldives. With each new activity, thoughtful service, and unique discovery, the resort continues to set the standard for family-focused travel, ensuring that every visit leaves guests with stories to cherish for a lifetime.
Villa Park has announced its Festive 2025–2026 programme, running from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026. The schedule moves from lagoon-side mornings to music-led evenings on the beach, beginning with a sunset welcome and continuing with beach barbecues, creative workshops, Christmas Eve dinner, Santa’s visit on 25 December, and a New Year’s Eve gala with a midnight countdown. The season concludes with programmes on New Year’s Day and Orthodox Christmas.
Daytime activities include chef demonstrations, shoreline art sessions, and live music. Evenings feature romantic tables, treetop dining for two, and simple set-ups that highlight the island setting. The programme is designed for couples, friends, and families to join as they wish.
Family programming centres on Park Players, presented as the Maldives’ largest kids’ club, with letters to Santa, gingerbread crafts, ocean-themed art, movement classes, story time, and film nights. Group sizes are kept small to ensure attentive supervision.
Villa Park’s family offering has been recognised beyond the festive season, with the resort named among the Best Resorts for Families in the Maldives at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, a reader-voted accolade reflecting guest feedback on space, programming, and flexible pacing.
Throughout the calendar, private experiences sit alongside larger celebrations, including candlelit beach dining, treetop tastings, floating breakfasts, and open-air cinema for two. Guests can set their own rhythm, whether opting for lively beach gatherings or quiet evenings under lanterns and palms, from sunrise through to the New Year countdown and beyond.
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas is inviting guests to embark on a holistic journey guided by three visiting wellness practitioners, each specialising in distinct approaches to healing. Drawing on traditional knowledge and contemporary practice, the practitioners will offer therapies at the resort’s overwater spa designed to align body, mind, and spirit in a tranquil Maldivian setting. Disciplines include Ayurveda, energy-based therapies, sound healing, and mindful movement, with personalised consultations and bespoke treatments available.
A fifth-generation Ayurvedic physician, Dr Jithurag continues a 300-year family lineage rooted in holistic balance. Trained within the Rameswaram Tantric tradition, he blends Ayurvedic principles with elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine, integrating marma therapy and acupuncture with Reiki and Pranic Healing. Using wellness screening technologies to assess biomarkers, he designs tailored treatment plans. Guests may book a complimentary consultation and choose from signature therapies such as TCM Acupuncture, Cupping Therapy, Marma Abhyanga, and Back Restoration Therapy.
Holistic therapist and Ayurvedic healer Sharath Ram brings more than 16 years’ experience in supporting physical, mental, and spiritual balance. His work combines Ayurveda with energy practices and therapeutic yoga to encourage both recovery and transformation. His specialities include Chakra Inner Energy Balancing, Ayurveda Deep Fusion Therapy, Visceral Manipulation, Maderotherapy, and Mind-Body Healing. He will also lead complimentary workshops, including The Art of Breathing and Dynamic Meditation, focusing on breathwork and movement to promote calm and clarity.
From Kerala, India, Vinod Narayanan offers over a decade of experience in Ayurveda, yoga, and holistic healing across Europe, Africa, and Asia, including service as a personal physician to dignitaries. At Anantara Kihavah he will provide therapies such as Himalayan Sound Healing Massage, De-Armouring Body Therapy, Abdominal Detox, Access Bars Energy Healing, and Gut-Brain Rewiring. Using vibration, touch, and energy alignment, his sessions aim to release emotional blockages, improve circulation, and support the body’s natural rhythm. Complimentary consultations are available, alongside sound-based journeys that seek to harmonise body and spirit.
Together, the practitioners complement Anantara Kihavah’s wellbeing philosophy, extending from Ayurvedic traditions to sound therapy. Guests are invited to the overwater Anantara Spa for bespoke treatments, meditative workshops, and one-to-one consultations that encourage connection with self and nature.
Further enhancing the experience, the resort has introduced reimagined Beach Pool Villas featuring natural textures, open-plan spaces, and private pools set within tropical greenery.
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