News
InterContinental Maldives unveils luxury experiences designed for solo traveller
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has announced its brand-new, Solo Serenity collection — a curated suite of luxury experiences designed to celebrate the solo traveller. Inspired by the global rise in independent journeys, the collection blends personalised rituals, curated experiences, and deep restorative self-care amidst the shores of Maamunagau. The collection underscores that one does not need a partner to indulge in the Maldives; reimagining experiences traditionally designed for two into empowering, tailored-made moments for one. Highlights of the Solo Serenity collection include the resort’s signature floating breakfast, personalised wellness journeys at the Avi Spa, beachside reflection moments, and sunset excursions by ocean and land.
Available in 3-, 5-, and 7-day journeys, the Solo Serenity collection supports self-discovery through a renewed sense of clarity, confidence, and inner harmony. Each experience encourages guests to reconnect with themselves and embrace independence. Upon arrival, guests are invited to reset through a personalised wellness consultation with one of the resort’s leading practitioners at the AVI Spa, easing them into a week of self-indulgence. The consultation may be followed by the recently debuted Maldivian Essence Treatment – a locally inspired ritual rooted in Maldivian wellness traditions. Following a luxurious treatment, guests can explore the range of Astrology-Themed Gifts that make the ideal keepsake – from crystal water bottles, to zodiac stones, or jewellery inspired by their birthstone.
Culinary rituals and solo dining moments play an integral role in the Solo Serenity collection. Guests may begin the morning with a Floating Breakfast Date with a View, a serene experience set in the privacy of their own pool, complete with champagne, fresh pastries, fruit, savoury delights, and more. Intimate culinary moments continue with a Beach Dinner Date Night, wherein a private, chef-crafted meal under the stars offers local delicacies paired with champagne sips. For an indulgent evening wind-down, the resort can arrange a Personalised Outdoor Cinema Night, transforming the powder-white beach into a private movie setting, with gourmet snacks, tailored film selections, and soft lantern lighting. Additional options include a sunset dolphin cruise, wherein travellers can enjoy solitude amidst the waves, accompanied by a champagne sabering experience and friendly dolphin sightings.
The resort’s sense of adventure invites solo travellers to embrace unforgettable encounters as well, independently. Options include an exciting Manta Ray Experience with the resort’s Manta Trust team, allowing guests to see the gentle giants up close alongside a knowledgeable guide, and a serene Coral Diving Day Date, where travellers can explore the resort’s vibrant house reef at their own pace. Those seeking intentional movement can enjoy a sunrise yoga session, followed by a self-discovery hour, wherein a blanket is set up on the nearby sands with journaling tools, morning coffee, and a beachside breakfast to enrich the experience. For guests seeking a deeper connection with themselves and the local culture, holistic well-being rituals and experiences are available. A Cooking Class Date offers a hands-on way to learn Maldivian culinary traditions, such as flavorful local curry, prepared alongside one of the resort’s leading chefs.
With the launch of the Solo Serenity collection, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort takes a pioneering lead in the global rise of solo travel, reimagining a destination traditionally associated with couples’ escapes. The Solo Serenity collection empowers independent travellers to craft a journey entirely their own—selecting the rituals, experiences, and restorative moments that best align with their personal interests and intentions.
Rates start from USD 1,290++ per night for an Overwater Pool Villa, with a variety of inclusions. To book the curated personalised solo-luxury experiences or reservations, guests are invited to visit the resort’s website or email reservations.icmaldives@ihg.com.
Cooking
Kuredhivaru Resort and Spa sets season of culinary experiences and island celebrations
Kuredhivaru Resort and Spa is set to welcome guests to a season of dining, family celebrations and island experiences, with a programme of events taking place from September through October.
The season begins with the Japanese Cocktail & Dining Experience on 26 September, featuring a six-course dinner inspired by the flavours of Japan and Peru. Guests can look forward to dishes including yellowfin tuna tartare, robata-grilled octopus, butter-poached lobster and slow-braised beef short rib, finished with a refreshing citrus dessert.

The dinner will be accompanied by cocktails created by award-winning Japanese bartender Norihiko Furuse, known for his creative and sustainable approach to mixology, bringing together Japanese spirits, seasonal fruits, local herbs and botanical ingredients.
On 3 October, Kuredhivaru will bring a taste of Germany to the Maldives with its annual Oktoberfest Celebration. Guests can enjoy Bavarian favourites including roast pork knuckle, beef goulash, German sausages, BBQ pork ribs and freshly baked pretzels, followed by classic desserts such as apple strudel, Black Forest cake and Bavarian cream. Live music and games will add to the festive atmosphere.

The celebrations continue with Halloween at Kuredhivaru from 30 to31 October, bringing two days of family-friendly activities, including Kids Club experiences, costume creations, the Rising Star Halloween Fashion Show, pumpkin carving, themed games, creative workshops and deliciously Halloween-inspired dining, and a few surprises lurking around every corner.

From the tiniest trick-or-treaters to grown-ups ready to join the fun, it’s Halloween island- style, full of imagination, laughter, sparkle and just the right amount of spooky!

With a mix of culinary experiences and seasonal celebrations, Kuredhivaru’s upcoming programme offers guests different ways to enjoy the island throughout the season.

For reservations or inquiries, guests are encouraged to contact the resort at Resort.Kuredhivaru.Reservations@ennismore.com or +960 656 3000.
Cooking
Patina Maldives welcomes global, Maldivian talent for latest ‘Perpetual Journey’
Transformative luxury retreat Patina Maldives, Fari Islands unveils a new stage of The Perpetual Journey, its ongoing programme of art, culture, wellness and conscious dining experiences. Highlights from August to November include acclaimed multidisciplinary artist Shezad Dawood’s inaugural Patina Art Residency, a junior football camp led by FC Bayern Munich coach Jonas Caryot and a three-day Diwali celebration bringing together chef Atul Kochhar, mixologist Giancarlo Mancino and DJ Sakré.
The Perpetual Journey is Patina’s evolving programme of experiences designed to inspire couples, families and solo travellers to embrace connection, growth, wellbeing and nourishment at their own pace through collaborations with global and local guest talent.
Aishath Shuaila – Art Gallery Malé Collaboration, 22 September – 10 October
Developed in partnership with Art Gallery Malé, the rolling creators in residence programme at Patina Maldives’ Fari Art Atelier provides an ongoing international platform for contemporary Maldivian artists.
Following the success of Ahmed Khaleel’s residency in June and Hassan Najih’s residency in July, Patina Maldives will collaborate with Aishath Shuaila as part of its commitment to nurturing and showcasing local talent. Rather than simply displaying her paintings, the Fari Art Atelier will become Aishath’s working studio during the residency, allowing guests to encounter her work and creative process through an open-studio format, alongside workshops and informal exchanges.
Drawing on her love for nature and background in sustainable development, Aishath’s signature style uses vivid colours and bold brushstrokes to represent the patterns and textures found in the natural world. The resulting works encourage viewers to better understand and appreciate Maldivian flora and fauna.

Patina Art Residency: Shezad Dawood, 18 October – 8 November
Winner of the inaugural Patina Art Residency, London-based multidisciplinary artist Shezad Dawoodwill undertake extended fieldwork at Patina Maldives, deepening his practice that connects art, science and environmental advocacy. With more than a decade spent in dialogue with marine biologists and environmentalist, Shezad will take this time to explore the island’s environment and marine ecology to create a piece of work shaped by the 2025 Theme, Fluid Worlds, which invites artists to examine how boundaries shift and change, whether between cultures, ideas or elements.

Bayern Munich Football Camp, 25 – 29 October
Designed for young players aged six to 17, this exclusive camp takes place across five days with FC Bayern Munich’s Coach Jonas Caryot, blending expert coaching, small-group sessions, and up to five hours of focused training every day. With two days reserved for rest, the camp offers participants a rare opportunity to refine their football skills in the island’s serene setting.

Yakido by Yardbird Hong Kong, 6 – 10 October
Hong Kong-based modern izakaya and bar Yardbird brings its travelling Yakido concept to Brasa for two nights alongside a week of pop-ups and collaborations, including ALWAYS FRIENDS BY ALWAYS JOY on October 8; a pop- up at Veli Bar with Max Levy’s pizza project, MR. IKO; and a series of strength and mobility movement sessions led by Lindsay Jang.

Moments of Connection: Diwali
Chef Atul Kochhar, 7 – 9 November
Widely recognised as a pioneering figure in Indian fine dining, Atul Kochhar is the first Indian chef to be awarded a Michelin star, receiving his first at Tamarind in 2001 and a second at Benares in 2007. With over 30 years in the culinary world, he brings a contemporary expression of India’s regional cuisine through bold flavours, refined technique and premium ingredients. For Diwali, Kochhar brings the culinary identity of Kanishka by Atul Kochhar, his acclaimed London restaurant, to Helios, presenting a special menu that reinterprets his signature contemporary Indian cuisine for the Maldivian setting.
Giancarlo Mancino
Internationally renowned bartender and the creative mind behind SeiBellissimi, a luxury sparkling bottled cocktail line, Giancarlo Mancino returns to Patina Maldives with a series of guest shifts and cocktail experiences.
Sakré
Bangalore-based producer, DJ and sound artist Sakré brings his genre-blurring approach to electronic music to Patina Maldives during Diwali. Drawing on ambient textures, lo-fi beats and South Indian cinematic influences, his immersive soundscapes offer a contemporary interpretation of India’s evolving music culture.
Patina Resonance: Visiting Practitioners
Jasmin Küster – Holistic Bodywork, 14 September – 14 October
Jasmin is a holistic therapist and aquatic bodyworker whose practice brings together Water Therapy, Chi Nei Tsang abdominal massage, fascia-focused Somatic Bodywork and other specialised treatments to encourage deep relaxation, release tension and restore balance between body, mind and emotions. Her approach focuses on deep relaxation, release and greater connection with the body, with each experience adapted to the individual.

Minako Saito – Japanese Wellness Innovator and Founder of Platinum Ritual Series, 15 October – 15 November
Minako Saito specialises in Japanese thermal therapy and women’s wellness counselling. She is the founder of the Platinum Ritual Series, a holistic treatment collection designed to calm the nervous system, encourage deep relaxation and restore inner balance. Each ritual combines gentle, deep-reaching warmth with therapeutic techniques to support harmony between body and mind. Guests can choose between rituals promoting relaxation and restorative sleep, a neuro-relaxing facial ritual, or women’s wellness-focused rituals that support hormonal balance, nervous system regulation, pelvic wellbeing and hip mobility.

Thalia Jones – Breathwork Practitioner and Holistic Therapist, 15 December – 15 January 2027
Thalia Jones returns to Patina Maldives, working with guests on personal transformation with her rounded approach that integrates the mind, body and soul. Through guided breathwork and holistic therapies, Thalia creates space for guests to pause, reconnect and develop a greater awareness of body and breath.

To book, email reservations.maldives@patinahotels.com, tel. +960 4000555, or visit patinahotels.com/maldives-fari-islands.
Lifestyle
Anantara Kihavah’s SKY Edhurus turn the Maldivian night sky into a classroom
In observance of International Astronomy Day on 19 September, Anantara Hotels & Resorts celebrates the preservation of our planet’s dark skies by spotlighting the resident SKY Edhurus at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas. As astronomers and storytellers, their mission to bring the universe within reach of guests aligns seamlessly with Anantara’s role as a custodian of tomorrow’s travel and its commitment to protecting the natural wonders that make exploration meaningful.
Ali Arushal, known as Shalli, and Sajidha, or Saji, serve as the resident SKY Edhurus at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, pointing out Saturn’s icy rings and globular clusters to awe-struck guests. Behind them, a cylindrical enclosure, not unlike a sea anemone, houses the most powerful telescope in the Maldives.

Living and working within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve means they are blessed not only with underwater marvels but with skies unmarked by light pollution. Travellers who come for reef sharks, manta rays and coral fish often find themselves surprised to encounter a state-of-the-art observatory on a private island.
The placement is not accidental. Because the Maldives lies close to the equator, Anantara Kihavah offers a rare vantage point. Planets and constellations hidden from Europe or America rise clearly here, untroubled by horizon or season. With nature on their side, Shalli and Saji encourage guests to look up at the northern and southern skies with the same curiosity they bring to the sea.
In fact, Shalli’s own path to the stars began on the water. A son of the atoll, he first worked with the transport and launch crew, ferrying guests across the lagoon. Astronomy arrived unexpectedly, a curiosity that deepened into devotion. He remembers the first object he saw through the telescope, Omega Centauri, a dense cluster of ancient stars. “It sparked something profound,” he says, as though the memory still glows.

Saji, the resort’s first female SKY Edhuru, also discovered the sky through feeling. A meteor shower over the lagoon caught her unawares, a brief rain of fire that spoke directly to her soul. During her stargazing sessions, she draws on the part of herself that was ignited that night, steadying guests when they feel overwhelmed by the scale and reminding them that awe and calm can sit side by side.

In Dhivehi, an edhuru is a teacher, a bearer of knowledge. But when the subject is the cosmos, 13.8 billion years old and infinite, translating those numbers into something more grounded takes more than book smarts. Skilful storytellers, Kihavah’s SKY Edhurus take the vastness above and draw it close, turning distant light into something that can be held for a moment in the mind. With time loosened, guests feel free of the anxieties that cling to daylight, letting the night arrange itself around them.

Just as the telescope turns a blur into a field of diamonds, every night Shalli and Saji step into their observatory suspended between two worlds to bring into focus the universe that surrounds them — above, around and beneath their feet, a vast, glorious whole that is our shared responsibility.
Learn more about Anantara’s 25th anniversary celebrations on anantara.com.
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