Connect with us

News

Celebrate UAE National Day with exclusive island escape at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort

Published

on

Soaked in sunshine year-round and packed full of adventure, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is the go-to destination for families, couples, solo travellers, and groups of friends celebrating life’s special moments. Ensuring you can schedule in some quality time with loved ones before the end of the year, this stunning island resort presents an exclusive offer for GCC travellers, complete with complimentary Half Board, Club InterContinental benefits, and free stays for kids. What’s more, those who book an extended stay will unlock further savings and daily resort credit, presenting the ultimate occasion to curate an unforgettable UAE National Day escape this year.

Located just a short flight from Dubai and with direct connections from major GCC cities, the Maldives offers a seamless escape from the ordinary. Once you reach Velana International Airport, guests will be escorted to the InterContinental Resort’s private lounge before taking a breathtaking 35-minute seaplane trip to the resort, with 30% off for those who book a stay of four nights or more. Upon arrival at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, the team is on hand to ensure every moment of your stay is effortless, with Arabic-speaking staff on site, an Island Curator, and 24-hour e-Curator service.

Nestled on the tranquil shores of the Raa Atoll, the property is home to a variety of opulent villas and spacious private residences, all complete with pools. The Sunset Overwater Pool Villa is an idyllic sanctuary for couples with a secluded sundeck and infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean, while the Three Bedroom Lagoon Pool Residence offers ample space for larger families and groups. The ultimate base to retreat to after a day of exploring, each villa and residence also comes with premium Byredo bathroom amenities, perfect for a relaxing soak after sunset.

Wake up to a hearty daily breakfast with your toes in the sand at Café Umi before enjoying an array of complimentary non-motorised water sports, including catamaran sailing, windsurfing, and stand-up paddling. Meanwhile, little ones can join the action with games, arts and crafts, and mini-island expeditions at the Planet Trekkers Kids’ Club. Later, get the whole family involved with a scenic cycle, a 30-minute resort photoshoot, or venture out to sea with boat trips, dolphin watching, or snorkelling in the house reef.

For added indulgence, guests can take advantage of exclusive Club InterContinental benefits, starting with a chance to cool off by the pool while sipping complimentary drinks. Then enjoy a leisurely afternoon tea with delicate bites and sweet treats, followed by an early evening aperitif served with a side of sea breezes.

Finally, as the sun dips below the horizon, make your way to one of the resort’s exceptional restaurants for a delightful dinner included as part of the experience. Head to the Fish Market to savour the taste of the sea with family or soak in the 360-degree views of the resort and the Indian Ocean on top of The Lighthouse as you toast to the evening with loved ones.

To further elevate your escape, guests staying four nights or more can enjoy 30% off meal plans, packing even more flavour into the experience. Alternatively, book direct and stay seven nights or longer to receive USD 50 in daily resort credit, perfect for trying a new activity or unwinding with a soothing treatment at AVI Spa.

Don’t miss your chance to book the ultimate island escape at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort before December 23rd, complete with gourmet dining, unforgettable adventures, and family-friendly perks.

When: Available from now until December 23rd, 2025

Package Inclusions:

  • Complimentary meal plan upgrade to Half board dine-around (Breakfast and Dinner).
  • Daily breakfast at Café Umi and dinner at a selection of dining venues
  • Club InterContinental benefits of daily afternoon tea from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm, evening aperitif from 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm, and Poolside soft beverages and refreshments available daily from 11.00 am to 6.00 pm
  • A range of complimentary non-motorised water sports activities including catamaran sailing, windsurfing and stand-up paddling
  • Stay four nights or more and enjoy 30% savings on seaplane transfers and all meal plans
  • Book direct and stay seven nights or more to receive USD 50 per day in resort credit

Other Inclusions:

  • Private lounge access at Seaplane terminal
  • Planet Trekkers kids club access
  • Island Curator and 24 hours e-Curator service
  • Byredo luxury bathroom amenities
  • 30 minutes resort photoshoot session
  • Island bicycles for use during stay

Terms & Conditions:

  • Children aged 12 and above will be considered as adults, and an additional supplement will be applied during the payment process for accommodation and transfers

 For reservations and more information, please visit www.maldives.intercontinental.com or email reservations.icmaldives@ihg.com. 

Cooking

International Chefs’ Day: Kabita Singh to cook live at Sun Siyam Olhuveli

Published

on

Sun Siyam Olhuveli Maldives will welcome award-winning food creator Kabita Singh, the personality behind Kabita’s Kitchen, for a special culinary residency in October to mark International Chefs’ Day on 20 October 2026.

Known for making everyday Indian cooking accessible to a wide audience, Singh will move from her digital kitchen to the Maldives, joining the resort’s culinary team for a live cooking experience created for guests.

The collaboration will bring together Singh’s approach to Indian cuisine — centred on familiar flavours, accessible recipes and an increasing focus on wholesome cooking — with Sun Siyam’s Plant Based Bliss philosophy, which promotes the nutritional and holistic benefits of plant-forward dining.

As part of the International Chefs’ Day celebrations, Singh will cook alongside Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s culinary team during a live session in front of resort guests. The experience will feature a specially curated selection of vegetarian, vegan and health-conscious dishes developed in collaboration with the resort’s chefs and inspired by Singh’s own cooking philosophy.

Guests will have the opportunity to watch Singh prepare the dishes, learn about the techniques and stories behind them, and sample her interpretation of plant-forward Indian cuisine in a Maldivian island setting.

Kabita’s Kitchen has grown from a home-cooking channel into one of India’s most widely followed food platforms, with approximately 14.6 million subscribers on YouTube alone. Singh has built her audience through content ranging from regional favourites and vegetarian staples to festive dishes, street-food classics and everyday family recipes.

Her influence within India’s food and digital content sector was recognised at the inaugural National Creators Award in 2024, where she received the Best Creator in Food Category award, presented by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“We are really excited to welcome Kabita to Olhuveli and bring a taste of Kabita’s Kitchen to the Maldives,” said Hassan Adil, General Manager of Sun Siyam Olhuveli.

“Food is such an important part of the way people connect, and this is about bringing our guests closer to the experience, watching Kabita cook, discovering the flavours and stories behind her dishes, and of course tasting them together. Her fresh, approachable style is a great match for our Plant Based Bliss philosophy, and celebrating International Chefs’ Day together with our own culinary team makes it even more special. We want dining at Olhuveli to be fun, social and full of moments that guests remember long after they leave the island.”

Located in South Malé Atoll, Sun Siyam Olhuveli is part of Sun Siyam’s Lifestyle Collection. The resort combines beach experiences, dining, entertainment, wellness and other activities within its broader island offering.

Continue Reading

Awards

Madifushi Private Island wins ‘Sensation of the Year’ at Global Destination Awards

Published

on

Madifushi Private Island has been named “Sensation of the Year” at the Global Destination Awards 2026, marking a proud milestone for the resort and its team. The award was presented during a gala ceremony held in Moscow, bringing together leading hospitality professionals, international brands, travel experts, celebrities, and media representatives.

Established by World Fashion Channel and Global Destination Group, the awards recognise achievements across the luxury travel and hospitality industry, with a focus on service, innovation, architecture, and distinctive guest experiences. This year’s ceremony honoured winners across 33 categories, spanning Russian and international hotels, resorts, destinations, and tourism businesses.

The evening provided Madifushi Private Island with an opportunity to showcase its identity and guest experiences to an audience of industry leaders and travel and lifestyle media.

“Anyone who has experienced Madifushi Private Island will understand why ‘Sensation of the Year’ feels so fitting,” said Mohamed Hilmy, General Manager of Madifushi Private Island. “There is something truly special about the island—the colours of the lagoon, the beauty of its beaches, and the sense of tranquility that invites you to slow down and take it all in. The island leaves an impression that stays with you long after you leave, and we are delighted to see it recognised in this way.”

For Madifushi Private Island, the award is a moment to celebrate the people behind the guest experience, from the teams welcoming visitors to those working behind the scenes. It also provides an opportunity to strengthen connections with travel partners and introduce the resort to travellers seeking their next true Maldivian escape.

Madifushi Private Island extends its appreciation to the award organisers, its guests, travel partners, and colleagues for their continued support. As the resort celebrates this achievement, its focus remains on thoughtful hospitality and creating memorable island experiences for every guest.

Continue Reading

Awards

JOALI BEING elevates to Three MICHELIN Keys for its island-wide well-living experience

Published

on

JOALI BEING, the transformative well-living island in the Maldives, celebrates a defining milestone as it is awarded Three MICHELIN Keys, progressing from Two Keys to the MICHELIN Guide’s highest hotel distinction.

The recognition marks an important moment in the evolution of JOALI BEING and celebrates its distinctive philosophy of the Joy of Well-Living, an invitation to experience wellbeing not as a temporary retreat, but as a more joyful, conscious and meaningful way of living.

More than a resort with a wellness offering, JOALI BEING was conceived as an entire island dedicated to well-living. Ancient wisdom and modern science, nature and biophilic design, nourishment, movement, mindfulness and meaningful connection come together to create an immersive environment where guests are invited to reconnect, discover and build a more conscious relationship with themselves.

At the heart of this journey is the pursuit of Weightlessness – a sense of freedom, lightness, energy and wonder – with experiences designed not only for the time spent on the island, but to inspire positive and sustainable changes that can continue beyond it.

A singular approach to the Joy of Well-Living

JOALI BEING approaches wellbeing as something deeply personal and interconnected. Its philosophy is centred around Four Pillars – Mind, Skin, Microbiome and Energy – creating a framework through which guests can explore their individual needs and aspirations.

Rather than following a predetermined definition of wellness, each journey is shaped around the individual. Personalised wellbeing programmes bring together expert guidance, ancient healing traditions and modern science, spanning movement, nutrition, mindfulness, restoration and holistic therapies. This integrative approach encourages guests to understand themselves more deeply, explore new practices and discover what well-living can mean within their own lives.

An entire island designed around transformation

At JOALI BEING, wellbeing extends far beyond the traditional boundaries of a spa. It is embedded into the architecture, landscape and rhythm of the island, with dedicated Transformational Spaces offering different pathways towards discovery and reconnection.

AREKA, the island’s wellbeing centre, brings together personalised experiences and specialised therapies. KAASHI Hydrotherapy Hall explores the restorative qualities of water and heat, while AKTAR, the herbology centre, invites guests to discover the properties and uses of herbs and essential oils. Sound becomes another pathway through SEDA and the Discovery Sound Path, while CORE creates an energising environment for fitness and movement.

Together, these spaces create a complete ecosystem for well-living, transforming the island itself into part of the guest’s personal journey of renewal and transformation.

Where nature and design become part of wellbeing

Nature is fundamental to the JOALI BEING experience. Conceived according to biophilic design principles, the island creates a continuous relationship between architecture and the natural environment. Across its 68 beachfront and overwater villas, wellbeing spaces and pathways, indoor and outdoor environments flow together with tropical greenery, water, light and open horizons.

Here, nature is not simply a backdrop. It becomes an active part of the journey, creating opportunities to slow down, reconnect and experience a deeper sense of presence.

Nourishment with joy at its heart

The philosophy of the Joy of Well-Living extends naturally to gastronomy, where mindful cuisine brings together nourishment, creativity and pleasure. Connected to the Microbiome pillar, the culinary experience encourages a greater understanding of the relationship between food and wellbeing while preserving the flavour, craftsmanship and social connection that make dining joyful.

Rather than defining wellbeing through restriction, JOALI BEING celebrates nourishment as a source of discovery and pleasure – reflecting the belief that meaningful change becomes more sustainable when joy remains at its centre.

Well-living for every generation

At JOALI BEING, wellbeing also unfolds through connection, curiosity, movement and play. B’Kidult welcomes younger guests and families with meaningful experiences that encourage shared well-living, allowing children and adults to explore nature, creativity, movement and discovery together.

This multigenerational approach expands the traditional idea of a wellbeing destination, creating an environment where the Joy of Well-Living can be explored at every stage of life.

From Two to Three MICHELIN Keys

The progression from Two to Three MICHELIN Keys represents a defining milestone in the journey of JOALI BEING and its continued evolution as a transformative well-living destination.

From its Four Pillars and personalised wellbeing journeys to its Transformational Spaces, biophilic design, mindful cuisine and multigenerational experiences, every dimension of JOALI BEING contributes to an environment where wellbeing is not treated as one element of the stay – it is the experience itself.

The achievement celebrates a philosophy that has guided JOALI BEING from the beginning: that well-living should feel inspiring rather than prescriptive, personal rather than predetermined, and joyful rather than restrictive.

Through the Joy of Well-Living, JOALI BEING continues to create a place where guests can feel lighter, happier and more energised, returning home with renewed perspective and meaningful practices to carry into everyday life.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.